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It's Carmen Time!

Winning at Single Motherhood One #Facepalm at a Time

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What Would Carmen Do? (WWCD)

Occasional parenting fails getting you down? In desperate need to heal from a messy break up? Mother-in-Law driving you nuts?

Wanna know what I WOULD DO if I were in your shoes, to help pull myself out of that dark, icky place? Send me a message to possibly be featured in an upcoming post!

Dear Carmen: He’s Having an Affair…

10.22.18 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: He’s Having an Affair…Read More

Dear Carmen: The Guy Who Constantly Runs Hot and Cold…

03.25.14 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: The Guy Who Constantly Runs Hot and Cold…Read More

Dear Carmen: Why Do I Keep Having to Remind Him That I’m Still Here?

03.06.14 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: Why Do I Keep Having to Remind Him That I’m Still Here?Read More

Dear Carmen: When He Stops Texting Back

01.24.14 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: When He Stops Texting BackRead More

Dear Carmen: Whoever Tells You NOT to Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve After a Divorce – Can Kick A Wall.

01.17.14 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: Whoever Tells You NOT to Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve After a Divorce – Can Kick A Wall.Read More

Dear Carmen: Seeking Revenge on the Person who Stole Your Significant Other

11.05.13 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: Seeking Revenge on the Person who Stole Your Significant OtherRead More

Dear Carmen: Dealing with People Who Turn Their Backs on You…

06.21.13 //  by Carmen Sakurai

Dear Carmen: Dealing with People Who Turn Their Backs on You…Read More

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itscarmentime

โ™ก INFJ Mom ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ โž” INTP PreMed
โžฒ Certified Life Strategist. Accountability & Habit Coach
โœฉ Foodie Influencer @zipkick๐Ÿ“Vegas | Chicago

Instagram post 2176035083353616301_3292229998 Hai Iโ€™m Carmen! ๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
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I think itโ€™s time we got to know each other a little better, donโ€™t you? Ok, Iโ€™ll start...
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๐ŸŽ€ I'm 1/2 Japanese 1/2 Filipina, born in Tokyo Japan.
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๐ŸŽ€ I've been a single mom since my son Joshua was 5... he's now 18!
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๐ŸŽ€ I home/virtual schooled Joshua from 4th-10th grade. BEST decision I've ever made! High School Valedictorian and now a premed who started college as a JUNIOR. He will be pursuing Cardiothoracic Surgery after med school...
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๐ŸŽ€ I brag about my kid A LOT.
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๐ŸŽ€ Iโ€™ve always been an involved mom. When Joshua was younger, I was team mom, Cub Scout den leader, room mom, and even PTA President. .
๐ŸŽ€ I'm a Certified Life Strategist and my education and training focus on Stress/Burnout Prevention, and Mental/Behavioral Patterns.
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๐ŸŽ€ I survived mental, emotional, and physical abuse from individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. I'm 2 years Narc-Free.
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๐ŸŽ€ I share my experience and offer support on one of my 3 podcasts.
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๐ŸŽ€ I used to be a hula/Tahitian dancer in my early 20s.
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๐ŸŽ€ I play the piano and won over 150 trophies from competitions in the US and Canada. I stopped taking lessons after my teacher lost her battle to cancer when I was 14. #fckcancer
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๐ŸŽ€ I taught piano PT when I was in high school. My only student now is my son ๐ŸŽน.
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๐ŸŽ€ I'm a bookworm.
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๐ŸŽ€ I once lived with 3 bunnies, a cat, and 2 dogs in a 1-bedroom apartment.
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๐ŸŽ€ I was a "Parenting Expert" for Ricky Martin's (Yes, Mr. Living La Vida Loca!) parenting support website until the site closed. .
๐ŸŽ€ I have a not-so-secret love affair with food and will try anything once.
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๐ŸŽ€ I enjoy doing laundry and vacuuming.
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๐ŸŽ€ I was a pescatarian for over 15 years.
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๐ŸŽ€ I cook at least once a day and food-prep every weekend.
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๐ŸŽ€ Iโ€™m a text-book INTROVERT and wrote about it on Lifehack.org. Guy Kawasaki tweeted it and got me massive exposure ๐Ÿ’ฅ.
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๐ŸŽ€ I'm deathly afraid of things (bugs, garbage, bats, etc.) flying into my mouth.
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๐ŸŽ€ I've been a 1st - 4th grade religious education teacher for 20 years.
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๐ŸŽ€ My favorite part of who I am is being a Mom.
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YOUR turn! What are some things youโ€™d like me to know about you? ๐ŸŽ‰.
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๐Ÿ’• Carmen
Instagram post 2175245553289816133_3292229998 Quality Over Quantity... ๐Ÿœ
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My schedule is usually full almost every day with running a business, teaching classes, home/life responsibilities, and mommy-ing... but because my son has been homeschooled most of his life, we always had plenty of time together regardless. ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ’› ..
It all changed this fall. ๐ŸŽ“ ..
My 18 year old has been quite busy this semester with classes at the university, as well as a calendar packed with premed related meetings and activities... so I can no longer just "bring him along" wherever I go... ๐Ÿ“† โฐ .โ €
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And being that he's so incredibly disciplined about managing his time, even his break-times during the week are scheduled on his daily calendar... ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ .โ €
And so we make certain to fit in a mom/son dinner date at least once a week at a venue we've never tried... and while it's no longer an everyday adventure, I charish the time we spend together appreciating the meals, environment, and great energy... ๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿ˜.โ €
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Sooo... Check out the beef brisket with knife shaved noods and pork belly & onion pancakes from @themagicnoodlelv ... This place def doesnโ€™t skimp on quality OR quantity!๐Ÿœ๐Ÿœ๐Ÿœโ €
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Noods were perfection, soup was flavorful, beef and pork were so insanely tender... I have no idea how I've come this far in life without this place!!! ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿ™‹๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธโ €
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Our whole lives are made up of these little moments... be present and enjoy!โ €
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๐Ÿ’• Carmen .
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#asianfood #fresh #noodle #noodles #noodlesoup #soup #broth #chinesefood #carbs #foodstagram #igfood #instafood #pasta #instanoodle #lasvegas #vegas #ictYUMS #itscarmentime
Instagram post 2167012739415146779_3292229998 I'm Back (with a new name too!) ๐ŸŽ€ โ €
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I know... It's been MONTHS since I was last here. Sadly, I lost two very very dear people this spring and I admit, I refused to accept it.โ €
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One of these people was like a sister to me... my rock, my strength, my strongest of allies... the one I saw as, "If she can get through her days smiling, so can I!" ... and she was suddenly gone. ๐Ÿ’”๐Ÿ’”๐Ÿ’”โ €
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It took almost 4 months of strictly focusing on motherhood, my business, and self care to give myself the space to properly and completely process this... and now, I'm very slowly doing my best to open up to the world around me again. My heart still aches, but itโ€™s not the excruciating pain like it was a few months back... but gosh, I miss them so much. โ €
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What keeps me going... My college boy who counts on me... and continues to ask for bento boxes ๐Ÿฑ to bring to lunch or have waiting at home after a long day of lectures and labs... ๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ”ฌ .โ €
* Grilled, salted salmon (Shiojyake)โ €
* Braised daikonโ €
* Garlic edamameโ €
* Crab sushi rollsโ €
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Thank you for sticking around. I am truly grateful. ๐Ÿ™ โ €
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โ€ผ๏ธ IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOUโ€™RE REACHING THE END OF YOUR ROPE, call the 24-hr National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or the 24-hr Crisis Text Line by texting โ€œHELPโ€ to 741-741. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Because even if you may not feel it, you matter and we need you. โ €
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๐Ÿ’• Carmenโ €
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#itscarmentimeLIFE #healthyfoods #getinmybelly #fitfoodie #lasvegas #vegas #foodgasm #freshsalmon #pescatarian #freshfood #grilledsalmon #healthyfood #healthy #dinner #homecooking #fish #salmon #foodie #foodstagram #instafood #foodlovers #healthyrecipes #bentobox #bento #agedashitofu #agedashi #japanesefood #suicideprevention #suicidehotline #depressionhelp
Instagram post 2062250771651800174_3292229998 J & I were invited to celebrate Hawaiian Foods Week ๐Ÿ at @thepizzapress (in Fashion Show Mall) with @kingshawaiian to try their Sweet Sun and Hot Sun pizzas featuring the Kingโ€™s Hawaiian Sweet Pineapple and Big Lava Sauces! Their sweet pineapple chicken wings did not disappoint either! ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ•๐Ÿ— #yummm.
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Such a FUN place! Itโ€™s a newspaper themed pizza restaurant where you can order a pre-designed pizza or totally create your own! And everyoneโ€™s sooo freakin nice! ๐Ÿฅฐ .
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It was so exciting!!! Being that I suck at checking my DMs, this was only my second time going to an event where I got to actually meet other IG foodies in person!!! ๐Ÿคฉ.
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And I really LOOOVE getting to do these things with my boy... I hope he never grows out of hanging out with me ๐Ÿ’• .
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Thank you @foodbeast for the invite!!! .
๐Ÿ’•Carmen
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#tasteofaloha #foodbeast #ad #itscarmentimeYUMS #pizzapress #pizzapresslv #vegas #lasvegas #fashionshowmall #lasvegasstrip #lasvegasfoodie #lasvegasfood #lasvegasblvd #lasvegaslife #lasvegaseats #vegaseats #vegasfoodie #lvfood #lveats #pizzatime #pizzamania #pizzaholic #pizzalovers #chickenwings #bbqchickenwings
Instagram post 2058386956074083260_3292229998 OMG May was the CRAZIEST & BUSIEST month ever!!! My 17 year old just Graduated TWICE! ๐ŸŽ“๐Ÿฅ‡๐ŸŽ‰ .
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On May 20th, Joshua graduated from Western Nevada College with an Associates in Liberal Arts Degree with 3.91 GPA Summa Cum Laude! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿ’• .
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Then on May 29th, he graduated from Nevada Virtual Academy High School with an Advanced Honors Diploma with 4.8 GPA Valedictorian! ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿ’• .
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In the fall, my Cardiac Surgeon to-be will begin college as a Junior and will major in Psychology and minor in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience. ๐Ÿงฌ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿปโ€โš•๏ธ .
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The kid is insanely focused, driven, kind, and hilarious (clearly got everything from his mom ๐Ÿ˜‚) and Iโ€™m beyond proud of everything about himโฃ๏ธ
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Am I bragging? You bet!!! ๐Ÿ˜‚ 12 years ago, he was categorized as a โ€œchild of divorceโ€ ๐Ÿ’”... statistically, he was at high risk of not graduating from high school and will likely need psychological counseling. A boy needs a dad, they told me... he needs a strong male role model so he knows how to become a kind and responsible man. ๐Ÿ™„
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12 years later... my very own sweet, funny, responsible and crazy-smart human who shows up from a place of integrity; continues to squash ALL them silly statistics and earn his WINS! ๐Ÿ† .
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The bonus? Family members from both my side and his dadโ€™s side celebrated his special day together for the FIRST TIME in over TWELVE YEARS!!! ๐ŸŽ‰ .
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Ok, ok... I know this is a foodie account ๐Ÿฃ๐Ÿ˜‚ ... BOTH graduations were followed by a celebratory meal at an AYCE Korean BBQ! It was a brand new experience for us both, and lemme tell you, weโ€™re HOOKED! ๐Ÿ–๐Ÿท๐Ÿ™๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ‘…
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We enjoyed a delicious lunch after Jโ€™s college graduation at Siu Korean BBQ in Carson City, NV... and a yummeh dinner after his high school graduation at the Arirang Korean BBQ in Las Vegas, NV! Mmmm ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿคค
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If you read this far, thank you for sharing in my baby boyโ€™s special milestones!!! ๐Ÿ™โญ๏ธ๐Ÿ˜ .
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๐Ÿ’• Carmen .
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#girlplusfood #classof2019 #nvva #nevadavirtualacademy #wnc #westernnevadacollege #valedictorian #kbbq #koreanbbq #koreanbarbecue #bulgogi #ayce #jumpstartcollege #koreanreataurant #koreanfoods #porkbelly #foodie #vegas #lasvegas #lasvegasfoodie #lasvegasfood #itscarmentimeJROC
Instagram post 2045433136117237952_3292229998 Japanese Style Strawberry Parfait with French Toast & Custard ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿฅชโ €โ €
๐Ÿ’Ÿ Health Friendly: #vegan #dairyfree #eggfreeโ €
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Isnโ€™t this adorable? If I had a pet, it would be this serving of Strawberry Parfait with French Toast and Custard! And I will love it forever! Just kidding... inhaled it in 20 seconds flat. ๐Ÿ˜‚ โ €
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So my sonโ€™s graduation is on Monday... heโ€™ll be receiving his Associates Degree from college with Honors. ๐ŸŽ“ Iโ€™m a hot mess... donโ€™t even know what to do with myself because Iโ€™m anxious and excited and emotional and hungry. Then at the end of the month, he will graduate from high school!!! (yeah, isnโ€™t that the wildest thing ever?!!!) ๐ŸŽ‰  Which is why I havenโ€™t been on here all that much... so much preparing and working ahead to do before the big events!!! ๐Ÿ’ป๐Ÿงณ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿณโค๏ธ๐ŸŒŸ โ €
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Anyway... this baby is so easy to make! Add in layers... fresh, sliced strawberries, pieces of French toast, creamy custard, and I topped it with more strawberries and a strawberry macaron! ๐Ÿ“๐Ÿจ๐Ÿž ๐Ÿฅฐ I gotta tell ya... the combined flavors and textures is just out of this world! ๐ŸŒŽ๐Ÿš€ โ €
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** for vegan custard recipe, see my โ€œCreamy Egg Custard & Strawberry Filled Croissantsโ€ post from 3/11/2019!โ €
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Ok... back to being emotional. Happy Thursday!โ €โ €
๐Ÿ’• Carmenโ €โ €
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#ใƒ•ใƒฌใƒณใƒใƒˆใƒผใ‚นใƒˆ #ใƒ‘ใƒ•ใ‚ง #ใ‚คใƒใ‚ดใƒ‘ใƒ•ใ‚ง #ใ„ใกใ”ใƒžใƒ‹ใ‚ข #ใ„ใกใ” #ใŠใ†ใกใ”ใฏใ‚“ #ใŠใ†ใกใ‚ซใƒ•ใ‚ง #frenchtoast #parfait #strawberryparfait #strawberries #dessert #desserts #dessertporn #foodgasm #foodporn #delicious #foodforfoodies #instafood #yumyum #sweettooth #soyummy #getinmybelly #girlplusfood #itscarmentimeYUMS


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