Category Archives: Weather

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…

Real Friends and Being Remembered

April 28, 2012 By in Mom, Weather Tags: , 3 Comments

Dad & Mom at Picnic

Yesterday, it was mostly sunny and in the low 70′s, but because we got that “moist” heat it felt like 80 degrees and I had to go home and change into something sleeveless. It seems like we had 2 weeks of Spring and then Summer decided to show up. Anyhow, there were plenty of people outside enjoying the weather. As I passed all these people, I kept thinking, “Enjoy it now… before you DIE.”

Last blog I talked about how wonderful it was to learn so many new and sweet things about my mom from people who came to pay their respects. Funerals are a good way to learn more about people who you think of as friends.

When my parents first arrived in the country with toddler (me!) in tow, 1 suitcase with clothes, and 1 suitcase full of cloth diapers they weren’t alone. My dad had a group of fresh medical school graduates from Korea who all decided to come over together and they have maintained close contact with one another over all these years. Of course, they were all named Dr. Kim, but I want to talk about the two who really showed us how “true” they are.

Dr. Kim (Julia’s Dad) is one of my dad’s oldest friends. They have known each other since middle school. Thankfully, he is retired from anesthesiology and as soon as he found out the news he flew down to be with us. The man is a saint in my book. When people asked, is that your dad’s brother? without hesitation we say “yes”. He stayed with us through the funeral, held our hands, cried and told us wonderful stories about their lives so many years ago. I know my father will be eternally grateful.

Dr. Kim (Paul’s Dad) is another old friend who lost his wife a few years ago. He is still working as a family practice doctor. In fact, according to many of his friends, he may be working even harder because a couple of years ago, he re-married, and you know those 2nd wives. They don’t like you sitting around the house. Since the funeral was on Friday, he couldn’t make it. So he worked half a day on Saturday and drove 9 hours from Canton, Ohio to Columbia, South Carolina to give us a gift and pay his respects to my dad and my mom at her gravesite. THEN, he got back into his car and drove BACK so he could work his next shift! My dad begged him not to come because he knew how hard the drive is, but Paul’s Dad would not be deterred. Seeing his bright face gave me hope that someday the brightness would return to my dad’s face.

I feel so grateful and tearful as I remember these awesome friends of my dad and mom. There were so many other stories of people going above and beyond, I know my mom would have been so touched. I couldn’t open the door, or turn my head without seeing someone special and then new tears of gratitude would flow.

On a more sour note, there is another “friend” in Ohio, Dr & Mrs. Kang. Mrs. Kang probably talked with my mom every day. It was really shocking when they called my dad and said since they had just returned from a trip to Chicago, they were too tired to come. I can’t help but imagine how pathetic sounding that must have sounded to everyone. I hope their clothes burn for a long time in purgatory. That was mean. I’ll bet my mom would have said the same thing though. She was cool that way.

TOMBSTONE

We had 15 characters and 3 lines to work with because mom is buried at a federal site. All the tombstones are uniform like rows of teeth on a pretty green face. It wasn’t easy, but we came up with:

EVER SO LOVING

NEVER FORGOTTEN

WALK WITH GOD

The first draft from my sisters read:

OUTSTANDING MOM

WIFE & INVESTOR

WE ALL LOVE YOU

I’m just going to blame the grief. Thankfully this one didn’t get signed off on. I asked Mary, “On your tombstone, do you want me to make sure it reads Terrific Computer Hacker?” Then I said, “Make sure mine says something about being a YOGA MASTER”. In the end, they made the right choice.

Life goes on. Chase and Cliff are at baseball today. I need to go to the grocery.

Golden Week Starts April 29th (Emperor’s Birthday) and ends May 5th (Boy’s Day)

May 2nd-6th We go to Beijing, China

May 10th-24th My Dad is coming for visit!

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…

School Daze & Trying to Get to China

April 8, 2012 By in Chase, China, Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Japan, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, School, Tokyo, Transportation, useful, Weather Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

SCHOOL CLOSING

In the States, I have experienced or known of unexpected school cancellations due to snow, ice, hurricane, and violence. Last week, I experienced my first school closing due to High Winds. Because so many students in Japan commute by trains, if the winds are too intense, much like a ski lift, the trains have to stop running. It does seem ironic that Tokyo can survive earthquakes, but if the winds get too high they worry about trains flying off their tracks. Truth be told, I have never experienced winds as crazy fierce as those in a Tokyo typhoon.  Oh well, Chase got an unexpected half-day and because my cooking lesson wasn’t canceled, he ended up meeting Cliff for lunch and spending the rest of the afternoon being “home-schooled”.

HITTING THE WALL: CHINESE VISA

My second attempt for a visa was again unsuccessful. My first attempt happened to coincide with the Chinese holiday Qingming Day, or Tomb Sweeping day. It’s hard to believe anyone can make a living with all the holidays. Remember, call first before you go anywhere.

On my second try, I thought I would take pictures depicting the waiting line as it grew. We live very close to the Embassy so I get to see it regularly. I never expected to actually be a part of it. I decided to get in line at 8:15am even though it opens at 9:00am:

8:15 am

My spot is marked by the pink backpack. There was actually a family of 4 in front of me when I assumed my position.

8:35am looked like this:

8:35am

When I went across the street to take this picture, the police officer chastised me for jay-walking. I had to walk to the crossways every time.

As 9:00am arrived, some Chinese embassy officials popped out of the building and set up a table ala airport security-style with baskets for “metal objects”.

8:55am

It was so funny watching people get dropped off in front of the Embassy and watching the realization on their faces that they had to walk another block to get in line. Once the doors opened, we rushed in and you have to go to the 3rd floor and go from window to window. They checked my papers. I didn’t have a photocopy of my (and Chase’s) passport and alien card so I had to get in line for the photocopy machine (luckily I was early so I didn’t have to wait for that) but then I had to get back in line at window 1. You basically go to Window 1 for a ticket to get to Window 2. When my turn came up, I went to Window 2, and she said I needed my hotel reservation and plane tickets. With that, she quickly  handed me a copy of the application procedures along with all my papers and shut the window. It was all very Wizard of Oz, Dorothy-San style. As soon as I left, I of course called Cliff to thank him for wasting 2 hours of my life. Will let you know how much further I get on the “yellow-brick road”.

THE GRADUATE… years later

Last night, we finally rendezvoused with Andrew. He’s so cute and very “fresh” (vampire term). Cliff met him at the station, and Chase and I met them at our favorite soba restaurant in Azabu Juban. I don’t know if it’s a sign of maturity or maternity, but as Chase and Andrew sat next to each other, I couldn’t help wondering what Chase would end up being like when he goes to college. How would he act if he was traveling overseas on his own? Andrew got on Chase’s good list as soon as he realized they could talk about video games and DragonBall. Andrew got on my good list as he talked about his interest in Japan and his desire to explore the city. He’s our first visitor and it is so nice to see the city through “new eyes” as only a visitor can bring.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

So the countdown is on. Friday the 13th is opening night. I’m not going to say it’s Glee, but it’s definitely a show. I do have my favorite numbers and my favorite cast members. It’s been an interesting experience and I have enjoyed working with some of the kids. I have also made some interesting observations about people who choose to work in high school settings. Not being faculty and being more of an outsider, it has been a revelation on many levels to work with the kids and adults. If it sounds like I keep talking around something, it’s probably because I wish I could say more, but I have to  wait until we’re out of the country to spill my guts.

Until next time…

 

 

Roppongi Hills Art Fest

March 26, 2012 By in Chase, Daily Living, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Picture of the Day, Uncategorized, Weather Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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This past weekend was the beginning of Chase’s Spring Break as well as the 2012 Roppongi Hills Art Festival. Even though the weather was a little sketchy it cleared up and it turned out to be very pleasant. I don’t know if it is a “big city” thing or a Tokyo thing, but I love the scale of everything. For a country full of small people and tiny portions, they LOVE big, explosive art.

Chase is out for the week. Tokyo’s foreigners have cleared out. TAC is very empty. I love it. After what I consider a busy travel winter season, Cliff and I decided to take it easy and stick around for Spring Break. I still feel like I haven’t quite gotten into a routine because of rehearsals and sickness. Today, Chase and I worked out upstairs. I couldn’t help feeling a little like Jillian Michaels from Biggest Loser. Not because my body at all resembles hers, but because of my yelling at Chase and the fear I saw in his eyes. Family Quality Time. Maybe I was just venting the feelings inside me since Chase has decided he wants to be a recorder artist. Not a recording artist. A recorder artist.

Recorder + 10 Year old boy + Apartment = Shaky Hands

 The other day I finally was able to take a photo of a business sign that has intrigued me since we arrived:

Every time I pass this sign, I try to figure it out and I just can’t. What blows me away on top of the obvious is on Floor 2, there’s an office for the International University of Japan. Let me know if you know what I’m missing. Maybe I need to stop in and get a new brain.

This week marks the beginning of Sakura no Hanami or the Cherry Blossom season. I will try to take some pictures for you all.

Until next time…

Skiing in Hakuba, Nagano

February 29, 2012 By in Chase, Daily Living, Family, Getting there, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, Transportation, useful, Weather Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments

Nagano Mountainside

Moving to Japan, I don’t know why, but I really thought our ski days were over. We packed our gear anyway because I was terrified we would go skiing in Europe or America and have to buy everything all over again. FYI, skiing is one of the most expensive sports to participate in. In my first winter here, I have been to Niseko (Christmas time), just returned from Hakuba, Nagano (Winter breakette= 2 days off), and next week I am looking at spending time in Tsumagoi with Chase’s class for their ski trip.

Our first day of skiing in Niseko was a bit nightmarish for Chase because he is really a beginner and at one point, Cliff asked me if we needed to call ski patrol to get Chase down the mountain. You put an overgrown 10-year old on a pair of skis in deep powder, you need to prepare for a lot of waiting around and tears. Despite all the drama, it amazes me that Chase still claimed to enjoy skiing. Alexandra’s boys were on Spring Break from the British School for a week, Cliff was going to the U.S. for business and Chase had Thursday / Friday off that week, so I thought it would be a good time for Chase and I to do our “Mom & Me” trip to Nagano.

On our way to the train station, Chase was wearing his ski jacket and as he turned to say something he must have gotten a whiff of something special because he says, “Ewww! this jacket smells like tears and boogers!” I didn’t bother asking him to check that out. We caught the Shikansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo Station. Better to go through the Yaesu entrances. The last time we took the Shinkansen it was going to Kyoto. It was much easier navigating this trip. The trip from Tokyo to Nagano was just under 2 hours. Then we had to get on a bus that took us to Hakuba and that took a little over an hour. At the Hakuba Information center, we contacted Hakuba Tokyu Hotel and requested a lift to the hotel. They picked us up within 5 minutes.

Boys Before Dinner

Our first night, we had terrific casual dinner with Alexandra, Andrew, Ollie and Max. The food was terrific, the sake was cold and we were excited to ski the next day.

FYI: A lot of resort/vacation packages will have ENGLISH and Japanese language options. I accidentally happened to navigate through both and I know enough Japanese to realize they weren’t exactly the same. I was able to get a Japanese person through Tokyo American Club to help me book through the Japanese language site because for the same price I was able to get lift tickets for each day we were staying as opposed to just room and breakfast. Even though Hakuba Tokyu is not ski-in/ski-out, the rental is in-house and the shuttles are available. There is also a basic onsen available.

Hakuba Ski Runs

The Wealthiest Looking Man on the Mountain

We joked a lot about Andrew the Sultan with his 2 wives and 3 boys.

Our first day of skiing was rainy and cold. It was probably our best day of skiing in the season. Even though everyone else seemed to be heading back to the hotels, Chase and I were just getting started and he had a lesson with an instructor booked. I skied with the 2 of them until I realized Chase was being whiny just for me so I peeled off to ski on my own. A lot of people like to ski in groups but personally, I enjoy the independence of exploring on my own. Sometimes I tag-along behind another interesting group or chat it up with other interesting folk and it just makes my day feel so spontaneous. The only downside skiing alone and not knowing a mountain  is the chance of getting lost or getting stuck in a precarious area alone.

After leaving Chase, I headed over to Kokusai and took 2 lifts (Kokusai 1 and Kokusai 3) up the mountian. These map pictures were taken at the top of these lifts. Coming off area 2-2 I turned left thinking this looked like an interesting red run. BTW, Japanese Red Run = American Blue Run. Also, signage in Japan is terrible. So I’m skiing along, doing great, thinking highly of my own ski skills. Thoughts like: Aren’t I terrific? Boy, the Japanese must be very low threshold skiers, etc…. Then, I stopped to rest at an area that looked like a cliff. As I looked over, I saw what seemed like miles of moguls appeared before me and a VERY steep grade. Of course, I am hit with the revelation that I haven’t really seen too many people up to this point (but I assumed it was the rain) and the only other person I see is this bouncing orange jacket all the way at the bottom. Way out of earshot.

I used to think the only reason to ski was for the vistas. Now I see skiing teaches you how to get through bad decisions. I ain’t gonna lie. I was very scared. I took it one bump at a time and I traversed the hell out of that run. By the time I was finished, my thighs were trembling (not in a good way) but I had an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I didn’t even realize it was the  Men’s Olympic Mogul run until I got inside the Kokusai information building to complain about the lack of proper signs.

Men's Olympic Mogul Run

Is it just me, or does that Olympic Course I line change colors mid-stream?!? Who does that?!?

By the time I met up with Chase, we were soaked through. I could wring out our gloves and water was running out. But he felt great about his improving skills and I felt great about being alive. My spinning coach recently told me, “It’s not the years in your life but the life in your years that matters.” I think I’ll borrow that one.

On Top of the World

Hemingway Daze

January 30, 2012 By in Chase, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Japan, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, useful, Weather Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

Just a couple of funny moments:

After baseball practice, Cliff and Chase usually go out for lunch or dinner. The other day they called me afterwards to let me know they were on their way:

  • CHASE: Hey Mom, Dad and I just finished eating and we are coming home now.
  • ME: That’s terrific! What did you guys have for lunch?
  • CHASE: We tried a new place and it was really good. I had some vegetarian soup with some meat bits in it.

That sign reads: No Bike Parking

So much for Japanese obedience.

Inside Tokyo American Club Parking Garage

Lately, when I come across funky signs I like to invent my own meanings for them. Like this one says to me:

Slow down or I’ll throw this kid in front of your car! I laugh every time I pass it.

Since I have been in Tokyo, I have started seeing this time as my “Hemingway Daze”. A few books ago, I read “The Paris Wife” by Paula Mclain. Basically it’s the story about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. Early on, they lived in Paris and enjoyed a life rich in artistic creation and poor in Francs. Some of you who have been to my home will doubtlessly be rolling your eyes as I continue to blog, but I know the rest of you will feel some of my pain.

Given: Everything in Tokyo is expensive. This includes utilities and electricity. It also would seem that part of the reason the streets are teeming with people at all hours is because in the winter, who wants to stay in a small, COLD, apartment? Everytime I come home late and I see the stations full of people, I keep wondering to myself, “Why aren’t these people at home in their housepants watching TV?”  When I was at Disney Sea freezing my muffs off, I asked Svetlana, “How do the Japanese just walk around like it’s 78 degrees out?” and she explained because they keep their apartments so cold they have become immune to it. I believe it. As for us, we are doing our part to save energy and money. We only heat what rooms we are in. We use electric blankets at night. I think I mentioned that I have started just splashing my face with cold water in the mornings. I walk around the apartment with socks and my Lululemon Scuba Hoodie. Sometimes if it is really cold, I will throw a scarf and my robe on over it. The good thing about wearing all these layers all the time is I never have to worry about showing visible panty lines (VPL).

A MUST to stay warm indoors and out

Of course, I have to beg Chase (aka Foxy) to put anything on more than his usual boxers. When Cliff comes home, the first thing he usually says is, “What the Hell?!? Why isn’t the heat on?” I know many of you will be surprised to learn, Cliff is thin-skinned literally and figuratively. This is usually when I say things like, “Oh. Is it not on Dear?” or sometimes I say, “I was hoping to go grocery shopping tomorrow.” Cliff hates it when I “act poor”.

Scene from Oliver Twist

Don’t cry for me Friends, all these strange “adjustments” have humbled me. The first time we stayed at a hotel and had hot water ANYTIME, it was so luxurious! I laughed at myself feeling so decadent in the heated room. What was that? Would I care for some hot tea? Why yes, and thank you.

Last sunday I took Chase to baseball practice because Cliff had business in Europe but also because it was my day for baseball duty. It was freakin’ cold! I was also surprised when at the first break, the other mom (I think she is the back up mom in case the “Foreign mom” aka ME,  flakes out) busted out a thermos full of hot tea and handed me cups to serve the coaches. I later talked to another mom and she explained that even though the memo about not doing tea service got passed around, the coaches were acting like they forgot what it said. I was out on this dirty, cold-ass field for 5 hours! By the time we finally got home, I was so relieved. I turned on the heat and unpacked the bags. I looked at Chase’s white pants with caked mud all over them and even I knew, I couldn’t just throw them in the wash. I pre-treated the pants and asked Chase if he wouldn’t mind scrubbing them a bit in his shower. For a few brief seconds, I could tell he was debating whether this was “cool” or not, but I think the look on my face made him feel sorry for me because he agreed. I closed the door behind me knowing that my son was hand-washing his baseball pants in the shower and I don’t know why, but it just brought a smile to my face.

Am I living the dream? or is this just a part of our Hemingway Daze? I don’t know. All I do know, is the colder it is outside, the warmer those hugs and kisses are at the end of a very long day. Stay warm everyone!

Until next time…

 

PvZ, Kathryn’s Book Club, Daily Living

December 7, 2011 By in bicycle, cell phones, Japan, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Pearls of wisdom, Tokyo, Transportation, Weather Tags: , , , , , 2 Comments

Enough already! I blame the holidays and getting hit with December’s slow book selection on my book club list. The last few weeks I have become addicted to the game Plants Versus Zombies which I downloaded onto my iPhone. At first I was doing it to torture Chase after I took his game away from him, but very soon after, I found myself drawn into this world and talking strategy with my son. Let me just say, I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel because I have completed adventure mode 3 times and almost earned all the achievements (Did I actually own that?!?). I am determined to start reading again. January’s book selection is Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima. I’m channeling my inner Oprah and attaching the link to purchase in case any of you want to read this novel with me. Hopefully, the book will provide some interesting new insights on my daily living observations and maybe just be an interesting read for you all.

I need to address some more daily living topics for anyone who is a new expat or is planning to be an expat here.

There’s No Time Change

When your day starts getting dark by 4:30pm and then pitch black by 5:00pm, you get tired and hungry earlier. I wake up around 5:55am and sunrise is usually after 6:30am. The days feel so short. It feels like I barely have time to get my workout in and buy groceries. Some research has shown that shorter days can result in a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) also known as depression. I don’t know if this is a symptom, but the other day after I worked to get my skinny pants on I realized the zipper was stuck and no yoga move was going to save me and I HAD to peel those suckers off my post-shower booty, I nearly had a break down. If anyone had seen me they may have mistakenly diagnosed me with epilepsy, but it was just me struggling to get those pants off to fix the zipper! I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting S.A.D. Thinking about it now, I’m getting that feeling again…

What’s up with the Telephone Numbers?

I’m no dummy. That being said, I swear it has taken me this long to get used to the “extra” digits in the phone numbers. The common practice to exchange information is just finding the add contact screen and pass the phone over. In the US, normally you have the 3 digit area code and then 7 digits that follow: (xxx) xxx-xxxx. Here in Japan, you can have a 2 OR 3 digit prefix and then 8 digits that follow: (xx/yyy) xxxx-xxxx. I try not to think about it too much. Thank God iPhone just dials the number when you hit the person’s name. In this fast-paced society where we are all loathe to hit DELETE one too many times, just the thought of punching each digit tires me. In a previous blog I talked more about establishing a service for your new phone. Just refer to that if you need that kind of information.

Cash

Medium Starch

When I was going through my ex-pat orientation, I was given the advice to always carry at least 30,000 Yen ($385.98) in my pocket. Japan is definitely on the cash system. There are places that will accept cards (and btw, cards here only go to Gold status. There is no Platinum) but it isn’t uncommon for people to walk around with $800-$1,000 in cash. This was a little strange for me in the beginning because I NEVER carried cash in the States. Ever since my bachelorette party, I came to the conclusion cash is dirty. I charged everything. Is it just me, or does it seem like corporations and maybe even the government sort of encourages that consumer behaviour? Maybe if people used cash that they had in the bank more, they wouldn’t be in such a financial bind. Oh well, I’m talking about things I shouldn’t be talking about. I have gotten used to using cash and 30,000 yen is about right. The transition was made easier because, I think they iron the paper money. I have NEVER received a wrinkly, dirty bill that looked like it was shoved into a G-string or used to snort cocaine. Every bill I get is crisp and flat like it was freshly pressed. FYI, when you need an ATM, you will find them in any convenience store.

Just as a final note, I’m not quite sure what I am going to do if it gets any colder. My bicycle (Every time I type bicycle, I hear Queen in my head singing “Bye!!!!-Sickle! I want to ride my bicycle!!!!”) is my primary mode of transportation.  I have discovered driving your bicycle fast in 40-something degrees, with the cold air slapping you in the face and tears rolling down your cheeks, is just plain unattractive and that’s while you’re moving. Not to mention, your bike never “warms up”. The windshield doesn’t “defrost”. You start cold and your ass stays cold. I’ve started wearing boots and my socks on the outside of my pant legs. Nghi was telling me that there are bicycle mittens I can get. Last night, I looked at my hands but could hardly believe they were mine and not some crypt-keeper’s.

Queen

Until next time….

You Be The Judge

October 4, 2011 By in bicycle, Daily Living, Disaster Kit, Transportation, useful, Weather Tags: , , 1 Comment

So many of you have commented on my sense of humor and I really appreciate it. Like I said, Japan is home of the “Straight Man”. Today I was inspired to blog because of one of the many weird moments in my life involving prejudice. Yes, people, I am a minority. Anyhow, the last few weeks I have been trying to compile our Disaster Kit. Among other things, one of the most important things to have is water. I have been begging Cliff to bring some water home since he keeps promising that he has some to spare. This afternoon, I arrived home to find 2 big cases of bottled water and an email in my inbox. Not from Cliff, but from my neighbor:

Hello Neighbors,
Just wanted to let you know I dropped off 2 cases of very yummy Coca-Cola water on your door steps.   The Coca-Cola company ordered masses of water after the earthquake to distribute quickly.  Unfortunately the quickest area to receive water from was Korea.  As you may know, Japanese people will touch nothing with Korean labels….so, the Coca-Cola company is left with a lot of leftover water.  Each employee was asked to take home 20 cases.  If you need more or know someone who might be interested in some water, please let me know.
Thank you in advance for helping my apartment not look like a Costco.
Signed…
Now, please let me just say that this is a white woman from Georgia (obviously her husband is with Coke and they are actually lovely people in person). At first pass, I didn’t think too much about the note because I was dazzled by the water, but the more I thought about it the more I found it all to be so weird. I don’t think she was trying to offend me, and I know it comes straight from the Ignorance category, but I also think this is a really good example of how people say things without thinking. I also think it is one of co-dependence and enabling. So many of us (victims of ignorance) are good and forgiving and therefore don’t say anything because it seems like one correction will not help the masses, but whatever. I know many of you, especially my close friends have an opinion.
More Taxi info:
Taxi drivers here do not like it when you touch their doors. to open or to close the door, so when they stop for you, just wait for the door to open. Also, FYI, don’t bother trying to give the “address” of your destination. It is way better to have a large landmark and start pinpointing the destination as you get closer. If you have no idea where you are going (like you are trying a new restaurant) try giving the driver the restaurant’s telephone number. A lot of them have GPS that enables them to punch in the number and locate that way.
Groceries: I am waiting on my 2nd shipment of groceries from Nissin. I have to admit, it is really nice to shop and just leave it at the store so I can see it reappear at my doorstep later the same afternoon. I have been cooking a lot and I have found myself buying things like burdock root and mirin.
The weather has cooled considerably and we will often leave the doors and windows open to air out the apartment. It is really nice. Chase and I are getting ready to go to Korea Friday. Taiku no hi.

First Typhoon

September 21, 2011 By in Daily Living, Tokyo, Transportation, Weather Tags: , 1 Comment

Today I had my aqua aerobics class. I keep forgetting to take pictures but it really is something to see. Afterwards, my new friend Okhui picked me up from the club. Our original plan was to explore Koreatown, but unfortunately we are getting hit by Typhoon Roke. Typhoon by definition is: a tropical cyclone or hurricane of the western Pacific areaand the China seas. I didn’t want us to get stuck in traffic and delayed coming home and I had already heard about other schools shutting down early. So, we ended up going to a Korean restaurant in town. Okhui by the way is also Korean (but she told me that her favorite food is actually Italian). Ojori (The Korean restaurant by Chase’s school) is still the best I’ve had so far. We had a lovely lunch and then she took me back to her apartment for coffee where I could also peruse her furniture. She is in the process of moving out so over here when people have a lot of stuff they want to get rid of they hold Sayoonara Sales. She is trying to avoid this, but after seeing her apartment I don’t think that is going to be possible. After a very nice afternoon, she dropped me off at home so I could meet Chase at his bus stop. All afterschool activities have been cancelled. Walking around in a typhoon is a tricky thing. Honestly I don’t know if you are better off without an umbrella because the rain and wind is just coming at you from every direction and there were a couple of times I felt like the “wind beneath my wings” was going to toss me off the sidewalk and right into an oncoming taxi. I am glad I was there to meet Chase though. He was so happy to see me waiting. It’s what I call a MOMent when you can feel the gratitude.

We are just hanging low today, enjoying a good storm. Cliff is stranded in Atlanta because the planes won’t fly this way due to the weather. Hopefully he’ll make it home sometime.

Daily Living: One thing I wanted to mention before I forgot was taxis. I know that in different cities taxis will start charging at different rates, so FYI here in Tokyo, a cab ride will cost a minimum of 710 Yen = $9.31

Until next time…

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