Category Archives: Holidays & Festivals

ThanksgivingTraditions

November 26, 2012 By in Cooking, Family, Holidays & Festivals, Living in Tokyo Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Every year, the Third Thursday of November means we feast. Cliff is the Master chef and I am happy to be Sous chef and grocery go-getter. Besides the bird, Cliff’s Stuffing, the green beans, sweet potatoes, etc., one of our family traditions is to have a new friend sit and join our table. Living in Tokyo has not been so conducive to our US traditional feastery:

Turkey Leg drawn to scale

Last year, it was obvious we could not cook a turkey of our liking in our apartment oven. Plan B led us to make reservations at the Tokyo American Club’s Thanksgiving Feast. We were also given the opportunity to host 2 marine soldiers and I jumped at the chance. Purely out of the goodness of my heart of course. The whole experience turned out wonderfully. So much so, I declared Thanksgiving Day to be the new Marines at My Table Day.

This year, my marines were only 20 & 18 years old and not so buff or well-dressed. What they lacked in muscle mass they made up in gratitude and innocence. Their names were Mohammad and Jesus (My hand to God). I think Chase weighed more than Jesus!

Jesus is from Mexico and Mohammad from Niger. At one point during our meal, it hit me, we were like a United Nations meeting! or a Benetton ad. I raised my glass and announced, “How the heck did this happen?!?” That’s when Cliff cut me off from the open bar. Allow me to be honest. I don’t usually engage in conversations with people in their teens or 20′s. I’m an ageist. But these 2 soldiers enlightened me in ways that only young men in their circumstance can. In my heart, I hope their families are so proud of what they are doing and what they have accomplished. So many people lack direction, identity, integrity. Not these boys. How can I call them boys when they are willing to die for me? But as I look at them and hear their voices, I know they are boys in their hearts and souls. They inspire me. We move, we relocated, we redefine ourselves. I envy the simplicity of their objective. Maybe I’m complicating my own unnecessarily. Probably. Thanks for the lesson.

Thanksgiving 2012 w/ Jesus & Mohammad

Until next time…

Imperfect Gifts

November 11, 2012 By in Girlfriends, Holidays & Festivals, Japanese Excursions, Weather Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Hibiya Park

Autumn is definitely here. Even the odd days above 70 degrees have a little bite to them. Autumn and Spring are my favorite seasons. The Transitions. This past Monday I joined the Women’s Group from Tokyo American Club on a tour to Mashiko, Japan.

MASHIKO POTTERY FESTIVAL

2 full buses of foreign women w/ yen for pottery

Twice a year in Mashiko, Japan they hold pottery festivals, and since the tsunami/earthquake, many of the displaced and traumatized potters come to the festival to help rebuild their trade. It’s a great opportunity for us to get great pottery at good prices too.

I was advised by a “veteran” to take a suitcase or rolling bag and I am glad I did. When you buy earthenware in sets of 6 and big serving platters, it gets heavy quick. We had about 4 hours to shop. On the 2 & 1/2 hour bus ride I enjoyed chatting it up with some of the ladies on the bus, but once we got to Mashiko, I decided to go it alone. Some of the ladies were suggesting that we shouldn’t take time to even eat! I was raised by a Korean mother, so when I get hungry, it’s a life or death situation. I made the time to sit down and eat inside a very quaint Korean cafe on the premises.

As I walked around, I enjoyed not just seeing these beautiful creations but touching pieces with my hands. Recently, I attended a Japanese fine pottery lecture. There, I was introduced to a Japanese philosophy known as WabiSabi. For a country full of perfectionists and right angles, their appreciation for the “imperfect” seems ironical to say the least. But when I reflect upon the asymmetry of Japanese gardens, Japanese teeth (also known as Yaeba), and of course the pottery, I think maybe they aren’t being complete hypocrits. I’ll admit, I am a recovering perfectionist. Sometimes I fall off the wagon, like when I strive for flawless skin, and I’m sure Chase would throw me under the bus since I am his personal tutor. That being said, recovery is not easy.

One of my goals was to find a gift for my girlfriend Beth. My friend who believes in “God’s will” not the birth control pill who just had her 5th baby. I wanted to get her something special for just being such a good friend to me. I finally found the perfect cup. In only making 2 of these perfectly imperfect cups, this also felt like a sign because I was planning to get one for myself as well.  The colors are rich and earthy. When I held it in my hand, I loved the gravity of it. There is no handle, but there is an indentation where my thumb fit, as if it were still a live, moldable piece of clay. While I was having my first cup of coffee, I received another sign that told me I had done the right thing:

Remember! No meaningless coincidences

Until next time…

Meditation Mikoshi Meanies

September 24, 2012 By in Chase, Holidays & Festivals, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, useful Tags: , , , , , 2 Comments

Meditation

Fifth Grade means having to say you’re sorry… a lot. Like, “Sorry I threw your workbook at you” or “Sorry I yelled so much correcting your homework” or “Sorry my head started spinning after I saw yet another sentence without a period!” Over the past week however, I have discovered the wonderful world of podcasts. Now, I start my day by waking Chase up with Think Like A… Great Student Meditation podcast. Furthermore, I end each night listening to Steve G Jones -Hypnosis to Change Your Life sessions. I’m not saying this is the answer to your evening battles with your children, but I have to say after a week of this, I’m drinking less sake. Books are staying on the table. I’m breathing more and yelling less, and by the way, did you read my last blog? It was like I was on Ecstasy or something. Here’s my advise, if you’re at your wit’s end or just curious. Give it a shot. You really don’t have much to lose.

Minato-ku Fall Festival

Mikoshi

It’s Fall in Tokyo so that means Autumn Festivals abound! A Mikoshi is a sacred palanquin or litter placed on poles and carried on shoulders. The god or deity of the shrine is placed on the palanquin and then carried out to visit the community and bestow blessings. My good friend Angela, who is my global authority on everything, happened to mention an opportunity for Chase to carry the kid mikoshi through our area for Autumn Festival. I’m always happy to sign Chase up for hard labor. His life is just too damn good.

“Put your back into it!” -mom

He was a real trooper. The route was certainly not flat and took over an hour, but they gave the kids plenty of breaks. Chase never ceases to impress me how he jumps right into situations where he has no clue what he’s doing, surrounded by strangers, doesn’t speak the language and just rolls with it! I have so much admiration for him (and a secret bank account set aside for adult psychotherapy sessions). The people in the town thought it was terrific we were there. They let him clack the boards to start the procession and lead the chanting. It was also amazing to see how the people in their apartments would hear us coming and wave or step out onto their balconies. One really old guy walked right out in his underwear and I just looked at another mom and asked her in Japanese, “Is that old grandfather standing there in his underwear?” and smiling, she said, “Hai.” That dude gave me hope that maybe old age will be interesting.

Meanies

You can’t have school-age children and not be touched by bullying at some point. I recently had a revelation that what Chase needed was some comebacks. A lot of times, I feel like he’s blind-sided by these little assholes and doesn’t know what to say or do. We have encouraged him to punch faces or push, but that’s just not him. God bless him. So I thought, he needs a script. I need to give him some lines to deliver when he is being verbally bullied. For instance:

Bully says “Fuck You!”

Our suggestions:

  • You know what? You are a jerk, and I’m sorry your life sucks (spoken with genuine concern).
  • Dude… I’m not gay. (spoken seriously)
  • Wow! That’s amazing how you make crap come out of your butt and your mouth! (With genuine awe)

Now I know for a fact I have some very witty readers, so PLEASE feel free to reply back with some of your own.

Until next time…

Surviving Your Husband’s Days Off

August 31, 2012 By in Cliff, Holidays & Festivals, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

Barely surviving

Steps for Surviving Your Husband’s Staycation

Of course Cliff tells me at the last-minute he’s decided to take Tuesday through Friday off from work. He says he mentioned it, but I don’t think so. And I would have remembered that memo. Right now, I’m in “now what?!?!?” mode. I’ve got that same feeling like when I’ve made dinner reservations for 4 and my “Go-To” couple has cancelled on me and I’m facing a dinner out alone with *gasp* my huhuhusband. I’ve watched enough Man versus Wild to feel like I’m up for this unforeseen challenge, so I’m going for it.

Step 1: Spend more money

Jimmy Choo Boutique

Obviously, I must not be spending enough money if he feels like he can take all this time off from work. Spend one day “just popping into” the Jimmy Choo boutique that happens to be close to where you are lunching. Allow your husband to see how much higher your cost of living has gotten.

Step 2: Tell him to go act like a parent

Cliff with his imaginary Dad hat on

Nothing scares “Company Men” more than spending quality time with his children. Company Dad often appears pale to their children because they rarely see daylight. After a few days of daylight exposure, it was obvious that a 3pm frappuccino from Starbucks was a necessity. By the way, that is Cliff’s bike on the rail. He went from driving a Porsche Carrera 4s to a Trek City bike and he says I’m emasculating.

Step 4: Send him to the electronics store

Yodobashi Akiba in Akihabara

Yodobashi Akiba is located in Akihabara. It is one of the most famous electronics stores in Japan. Another plus for some (including myself) is the top floor is full of golf related goods.

Do you have these in a larger size?

We found these weird stretchy scrotal things that you use to exercise. You grab the “ball” ends and just pull for resistance. Cliff of course felt like they were too small for him. I wanted them in black ;)

Step 5: Start feeding him high caloric foods

It’s Staycation!

This only works if you have a husband who is slightly on the vain side and still trying to hang in there. If you have the other model of husband who has decided to let himself go, then this may backfire on you. Cliff’s Staycation happened to fall during his birthday. A few years back I got into big trouble because I actually believed him when he told me he was watching his weight. So for that birthday I made him a nice dinner, got him a gift, but Lord help me, I didn’t get him cake and a card! He made such a big deal out of it, that that was the year I started the tradition of eating a slice of birthday cake for every year you’ve been alive. Needless to say, we are eating cake practically year round. Now that Chase is old enough, I get him to make the card:

Thank the Lord, Chase has my sense of humor

Cliff never read Hunger Games, so I don’t think he got the reference because he read the card and just gave us both dirty looks.

Step 6: Force him to wear matching outfits

You know you’re spending too much time together when…

Today was our final official day of Staycation. This morning I made Cliff go to yogalates and then we went to my favorite organic restaurant Yasaiya Mei. I don’t know if dressing alike is a result from too much “quality time” or what. Either way, if any of your husbands try to spring a staycation on you, just show them this picture and what happened to Cliff after almost a week at home with me. Let my pain be your gain Darlings! I survived!

Until next time…

Sakura no Hanami

April 11, 2012 By in Daily Living, Holidays & Festivals, Japan, Living in Tokyo, Weather Tags: , , , , 3 Comments

CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON

I have no doubt that now is the best time to visit or live in Japan. We are in the midst of Sakura no Hanami. Literally meaning: Cherry Blossom Viewing Season. Recently at a dinner out, I mentioned how surreal and interesting it is that an entire nation gets so excited about blooming trees. One of the guests explained that for the Japanese, the Sakura is a metaphor for life. “It is beautiful and fleeting”.  Yes, this is dinner party talk in Japan. Personally, I think Sakura no Hanami must also mean: Leave Your Pants at Home Girls. I don’t know if it’s due to the season or the fact that the temperatures have gone up by 5 degrees, but there are a whole lot of blooming thighs getting viewed too:

During this time, everywhere I go, everything is sakura related. There are desserts, teas, foods all incorporating the blooming cherry blossoms. It is difficult not to feel like an inspired photographer.

TWILIGHT

The increased time I am spending with teenagers compounded by the fact that I am now pushing my way through the 3rd Twilight book has made me realize: I hate teenagers. Maybe hate is too strong a word. Some teenagers, make me gag. The truth is most of the kids I’ve been working with are sweet and innocent. There are a few “shining stars” even. But I have come across one girl who I swear, could be the focus of Bad Seed 2. Someone did her a real dis-service and made her feel too special. Anyhow, whenever I come across kids who are so comfortable being defiant to authority figures, I’ll admit, I get a little scared and then, very quickly, I get thoroughly disgusted. I told Cliff, this is why I can’t work on long-term projects. It doesn’t matter what you do, there is ALWAYS going to be that one asshole you can’t get away from. Anyhow, getting back to Twilight. I can’t believe the author has spent so much of the book with bullshit writing like:

  • Him: I love you
  • Her: No! I love you!
  • Him: But I love you more
  • Her: Impossible! I love YOU more!
  • Him: I want you so much
  • Her: Then bite me already
  • Him: No! [insert gagging noise]

At this point, I just want everyone to either die or go live in Alaska. I haven’t seen the films yet and now I have no desire to. I’ve been around people like this in person, and call me “bitter married woman” all you want, but it hurts my eyeballs when they look in the back of my head that long.

PRESERVATION

My latest attempt to re-apply a new skin to my phone has failed. When I reached into my pocket only to find a sticky, rolled up tube that was my new iPhone screen skin, I realized: You can’t be a born-again virgin. Maybe it’s the cherry blossoms. Maybe it’s the sake, I don’t know. I see the falling and the fallen petals all around me and realize, no one is desperately trying to re-attach those things to their branches again. You have to enjoy the beauty as long as it lasts, and then move on. Like my yogis always tell me, “Be Present”.

Until next time…

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