Tag Archives: In Japan

Hiroshima: City of Peace

October 18, 2012 By in Bullet train/Shinkansen, Chase, Cliff, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Radiation, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Mural of Hiroshima at the Museum

We have survived Hiroshima. I’m dedicating this blog to my friend Angela, to whom I am eternally grateful for impressing upon me the importance of making this pilgrimage with Chase and Cliff. There is a lot to show and tell, so between trying to provide useful information along with my own impressions, I’m just going to ramble until my fingers get tired.

Hiroshima Station on the Shinkansen Side

Step 1: Go to JTB and make reservation

The people at JTB are very polite and helpful. At JTB, I was able to

  • Book room at the Sheraton Hiroshima (w/ Breakfast)
  • Shinkansen tickets
  • Miyajima Ferry tickets (round trip)
  • Miyajima Ropeway tickets

It can be a little overwhelming leaving the office with all these tickets and vouchers in Japanese, but I wrote a little note on each ticket reminding me what they were all for in English. They will also give you a medium, red envelope to keep everything organized. Note: Keep the envelope! Take it with you everywhere. Trust me on this. I’m sure there are other nice places to stay in Hiroshima, but this Sheraton is the nicest Sheraton I’ve ever seen and it’s only a year and half old! We had breakfast included in our package and the breakfast was more than adequate. If you are thinking you want to eat dinner in the restaurant, definitely make reservations. Our first night, as we were walking in, Chase was mesmerized by their chocolate fountain and begged us to eat dinner there. To bad so sad, restaurant was booked solid. The other reason that makes Sheraton the best place to stay is you exit the Hiroshima station on the Shinkansen side and walk out and turn right and there it is! No muss no fuss. 3 minute walk max.

Schedule:

  • Saturday 8:21am Leave Shinagawa Station
  • 12:14pm Arrive Hiroshima Station
  • Drop off bags at Sheraton
  • Eat lunch at a station restaurant
  • Get on Tram to Hiroshima Park/Museum
  • Back to hotel around 7pm

Step 2: Eat the Famous Food

I love food. Living in Japan has inspired an appreciation for establishments and regions which are “famous for” this dish or that. So especially when I travel, I always research what the area is known for food-wise. In Hiroshima, they like their OKONOMIYAKI:

Here’s something no mother should ever witness:

2 GIANT bottles of mayo on each table

Alas, when in Rome…

I swear I never saw the 5th ingredient listed when I first looked at this diagram! Oh well. Vacation rules, right?

Step 3: Sightseeing

Note: In Japan, many of the hotels won’t let you check into your room until after 3pm, but standard procedure is to arrive early and just leave your bags at the front desk. They’ll tag them and put them into your room once the room is ready.

Hiroshima station was very confusing to me. I’m one of those people who doesn’t like a lot of options. I’m better picking 1 out of 3. Chase also has a good case of “analysis paralysis”.  From Hiroshima Station, you can take the shinkansen, subway train, JR train, the local tram, bus and taxi anywhere. Taxis are easiest but the priciest. We opted for the Tram (150 yen/person) which is a local trolley-type transport through the city. From the hotel side, go into the station and head for the JR side. This requires going underground and through a tunnel. Look for signs saying Mazda Stadium. Keep your eyes open for directions to the JR train area. Look anywhere you see escalators. Once you are in that area, go outside of the station and you should see a bunch of tracks built into the street for the trams. Make sure you get onto the right one. We boarded and discovered we were on the wrong one. The Japanese are very helpful so don’t hesitate to ask directions. Hiroshima is a small city, so everything is pretty close. We were able to explore Hiroshima museum and visit several memorials before we headed back.

Remnants from victims

I would highly recommend renting the audio guides. Walking through the museum and listening to all the history and testimonials was incredibly emotional and thought-provoking. I found myself holding back tears many times. There were so many bits and pieces left behind. There just aren’t enough words.

Wax recreation

This scene depicting moments after the bomb was especially gruesome. It’s so surreal seeing what it might have been like.

Centograph for Victims & Eternal Flame

By the time we were finished at the museum, we were definitely ready for some park time. The park was a refreshing contrast to the depressing feelings inside the museum. Behind us is the eternal flame of Hiroshima which will not be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are destroyed. Hope they have a lot of gas reserved.

Memorial for Korean Victims

Almost 30% of the deaths in Hiroshima from the bomb were Korean “Forced Laborers”. This memorial is established for those Koreans who also suffered and died. I’m so glad we were able to come see it and pay our respects.

Chidlren’s Peace Monument

This memorial was inspired by a young girl named Sadako Sasaki who died a terrible death from leukemia as a result of radiation exposure. People line up to ring the bell inside and say a short prayer. Chase was excited to do this because he had studied Sadako’s story last year at school.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The Genbaku Dome (A Bomb Dome) is probably one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks of Hiroshima. It is truly a symbol of all the destruction brought about by the dropping of the bomb. About a week before we came to Hiroshima, I watched a 3 hour documentary with Chase and Cliff. It was so emotional and really added to our awareness before we were able to go and visit the site and see actual materials from the devastation. It’s not my place to say whether or not it was the right thing to do. All I know, is war is horrible and should be avoided at all costs. As we walked through the town of Hiroshima, I kept flashing back to scenes and testimonials from the documentary and the museum and it was all so meaningful. It’s truly incredible how this city managed to come back after being completely destroyed not that long ago. I’m so happy I went.

Until next time…

Crack in the Universe

October 9, 2012 By in Aesthetics, cell phones, Daily Living, useful Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Minecraft Nether Region

Yesterday was “Sports Celebration” Holiday, so my Me Monday had to be shifted to Tuesday. I received a disturbing email from a dear friend who just purchased her microderm kit and evidently got too close to the eyes. Remember, this is nothing to mess around with. There is real power in that wand! Granted, new owners will be tempted to over-exfoliate but please, be careful. As I get older, I have grown to understand the purpose for pubic hair. For all you girls thinking “going bald-eagle” might be a good idea, trust me when I tell you, 20 years later plus a baby or 2, you don’t want to see what happens to your Nether Regions (That’s my homage to Minecraft). FYI, don’t try to microderm “down there” either. Just trust me on this. A friend told me…

So over the weekend, Chase had a friend over named Aaron. Very sweet boy from Germany who is in Chase’s class this year. They are so cute together.

Aaron & Chase at St Mary’s Sports Day

I don’t know why, but when Chase has a friend over, he turns into a different person. He turns into someone I want to medicate or bitch slap. I understand that he gets excited and desperately wants people to like him and be accepted, but what he doesn’t seem to realize is that no where in the definition for “Cool” is the word Spaz. I don’t like to humiliate Chase by chastising him in front of people, so before Aaron came over, we agreed on a safeword which when uttered would signify: Spaz Alert! You are acting mentally challenged! I am about to embarrass you! Our word was Narwhal. Why Narwhal? Because it isn’t a common word, and it’s something Chase just started saying a lot since camp. So now we are walking through Azabu Juban to have dinner at one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants (Aaron is vegetarian! Yay!). Well, just as I was saying Nar— Chase’s wildly gesticulating hand hits my hand and my iPhone hits the cobblestone. It’s one of those moments where it feels like even the birds have stopped chirping. Either I was in total shock, or my self-hypnosis is REALLY good, but I swear, I didn’t even raise my voice. I did shoot Chase some fiery eyes and he did cower and beg forgiveness.

Moment of silence please.

At first, I thought about just toughing it out and using it until we left (yes, it was still working). Then I heard about people cutting their faces while talking on their cracked phones and me without my epidermis already, I decided I must fix my screen.

Opt 1: APPLE STORE/SHIBUYA

You can go to the Apple Store in Shibuya which is supposedly less crowded than in Omotesando/Ginza. First you must go online and make an appointment for the Genius Bar or walk-in and expect to wait around for hours. I always hate going into ANY Apple Store because I feel so weirded out by all the techies and white polo shirts. At Apple Store, to replace a screen on iPhone 4 you should expect to pay 12,000 yen ($154.00).

Opt 2: DO IT YOURSELF

For $49.97 I found a website that provides a kit so you could technically replace a screen yourself. Before I went ahead and ordered it, I researched on YouTube the how-to instructions:

http://youtu.be/wp8wv8TYBfI

At some point, I heard the instructor say, “So 26 micro-screws later… you’re done!” I am a pretty confident girl, but that video just said to me, “You’re screwed.”

Opt 3: QUICK/SHIBUYA

The option I decided to take was the 3rd option to go to a “shop” called Quick Shibuya. A very pleasant lady at Tokyo American Club recommended I go there. Most of the recommendations from the Club tend to be very high-end establishments and I always assume it’s going to be expensive. The “shop” is very close to the Shibuya station and you start walking towards LABI Shibuya & Yamada Denki. It was a little confusing finding the “store” because it is in fact a night club. During the day hours, there is some Japanese guy (who luckily happened to be very cute) waiting in the lounge area with a bunch of tiny repair tools and a box of unbroken iPhone screens. I’m a sucker for good-looking people, so I signed a bunch of papers and handed over my phone (by the way, don’t forget to back up your phone before you go!).

ONE HOUR LATER…

Plus New case!

Even though the “store” was actually the inside of a nightclub, I got over it. Especially given there was no wait, and it only took 1 hour.

Total: 7800 yen = $100 priceless

Until next time…

Upcoming events:

  • October 10th Potluck lunch at Nghi’s
  • October 13th-15th Trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima
  • October 17th Book Club for Shogun (only 1/2 through)
  • October 24th-28th Trip to Korea!

Touring Tokyo

September 20, 2012 By in Chase, Japanese Excursions, Living in Tokyo, Tours, useful Tags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Once we learned that our days were numbered here in Tokyo, Cliff and I mad the executive decision to ease off the baseball. Every weekend, all weekend had suddenly seemed like to much time on the field and not enough on the town. This past weekend, Cliff was asked to participate in a 3 Day golf tournament. I decided to cancel baseball plans on book a tour of Tokyo with Chase.

Japan Tourist Bureau

I headed over to the local JTB in Hiroo. This is where you can book trips to anywhere as well as shinkansen (Bullet Train) tickets. Remember, shinkansen tickets can only be purchased 1 month prior. They had a terrific pamphlet for  travel packages in English:

Trust me. Get one of these if you ever plan to do any touring in and out of Tokyo. The funny thing is, everytime I asked them if they had pamphlets in English, they said “no” but then they would walk me over to it. Trust me, they’re there.

PANORAMIC TOKYO tour A070

8:35am Meet bus at Grand Hyatt Roppongi

Comfortable shoes & clothes Mandatory

9:00am Leave Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal & Start tour after being “processed”, given proper sticker, and assigned seat.

Our Itinerary:

Seem like a lot? It was!

Get your scrolling-finger ready:

Meiji Jingu Shrine:

Meiji Priests

Emporer Meiji was known as the Father of Modern Tokyo. His shrine is huge and visited by millions.

Imperial Palace & Gardens

I love the mix of Old and New architecture here.

Asakusa Kannon Temple & Nakamisa Shopping Arcade

What big knockers!

Don’t Smoke, but do stand Downwind

Lunch was at some hotel restaurant by the water. The view was incredible but the food was just so-so. Warning, they didn’t feed us until 13:30-ish, so pack some protein bars. By the time we ate, we were definitely ready.

After lunch…

Tokyo Bay Cruise

Rainbow Bridge

Having a GREAT TIME! Ignore the expression on Chase’s face

Odaiba (Last Stop)

New York, Paris, & Tokyo!

By the end of the tour we were exhausted, but super glad we had done it. I would recommend this tour for anyone living or just visiting Tokyo. By the time we were dropped off it was about 18:00. It was definitely a full day. We learned a lot about Tokyo and its history that probably even locals don’t know.

Price in yen per person

  • Adult 9,900
  • Children 6-11 yrs 6,600

It was a joy to spend the entire day exploring Tokyo with Chase. I had already been to many of these places, but I certainly didn’t have the histories. It was a tremendous time for both of us. As Chase grows bigger before my eyes, I realize how this time with him is so precious and fleeting. It was really gratifying whenever he would look at me and say, “This is great mom! Thank you!” Being a parent is often a thankless job, but sometimes, you get thrown a bone and it’s amazing just how long that can keep you going.

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…

 

 

The Graduate & China Part 1

April 4, 2012 By in China, Cliff, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Getting there, Tokyo, Transportation, useful Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

This morning, Cliff told me Andrew finally arrived in Tokyo. Andrew is one of Cliff’s best friend’s grandson who is going to attend Japanese University. I met Andrew a very long time ago when Cliff and I were just dating at said friend’s party, and at the time, he was just a little boy. Anyhow, I am very excited to see Andrew again after all these years. Worst case, he’s some shy, pimply faced kid with glasses. Better case, well, anything outside of that. Since he has just arrived, I know he hasn’t started classes and he’s probably looking for places to explore. This morning Cliff and I had this conversation:

  • Cliff: Andrew just arrived in Japan
  • Me: Who?
  • Cliff: Remember Andrew?!? I told you he’s coming for school?
  • Me: Oh yeah… excitedly So when are we getting together? Will he come for the weekend?
  • Cliff: I don’t know. Probably not.
  • Me: Well, let’s get together for dinner Friday (darn! I have rehearsals) maybe Sunday brunch?
  • Cliff: Okay. We can talk about it later.
  • Me: Why don’t you give me his email and I’ll contact him directly.
  • Cliff: Mmm, no. I’ll take care of it.
  • Me: Don’t you have more important things to do?
  • Cliff: silence

Mrs. Robinson. Paving the Way for Cougars

I know what is happening here. I felt like maybe I should have reminded Cliff my last name is Wright not Robinson. Am I a bit Pavlovian at the sound of lawnmowers on a summer day? Maybe. Do I like to surround myself with attractive people. Guilty. Am I living vicariously by reading the Twilight series? Yesssss. But do all these things warrant his reluctance to letting me get my hands on this young man? I should hope not. I don’t think of myself as a cougar anyway. Puma, maybe, but cougar, no. Will let you know when and how the reunion goes.

I finally broke down and started reading the Twilight series. I’m hooked. As I get older, I find myself relating to vampires more and more. Who knows? maybe one of these days I’ll start dressing in torn up black clothing and paint my face white like they do on Harajuku Street:

Girls from Harajuku

GOING TO CHINA

On a completely different topic, Cliff and I have decided to go to China with Chase. So this will be the first in my “China” series.

I hate filling out applications so you can imagine my dread when Cliff brought home 12 pages (6 for Chase and 6 for me) of Visa application forms. Then, I had to get color passport pictures for Chase and myself but these are not hard to get because there are photo booths everywhere in Tokyo. Most thoughtful husbands delegate this application process to their eager-to-please assistants at the office, but in Cliff’s world, everyone’s an assistant.

Visa Application

I checked the website for the Chinese Embassy (which happens to be a couple blocks down from our apartment) and in addition to the application you need:

  • Passport with enough pages
  • Alien registration card
  • Photocopy of Passport & Alien Card
  • Photocopy of Hotel Reservation Certificate
  • Photocopy of 2-Way Ticket
  • Visa Fee (for American citizens it is 15,000 Yen or $181.29)

I don’t have a Hotel reservation certificate or 2-way ticket, but whatever. When in Japan, one quickly learns you never have the right or enough documentation and you will often be coming back at a later date. I did notice that the Visa fee for Japanese citizens is 3000 yen and for any other citizen it is 4000 yen. WTH? Just another example of how the Chinese are fleecing Americans. Maybe I’m being too quick to judge. Maybe our visas get us on the fast boat to China.

[insert Chinese gong sound here]

Until next time…

Protection and Staycation

March 31, 2012 By in cell phones, Chase, Culture Shock, Daily Living, Family, Japanese Excursions, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Pearls of wisdom, Tokyo, useful Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

PROTECTION

Last week I was temporarily devastated by the accidental unpeeling of my factory issued iPhone skin (Yes, it made it 7 months). Some of you know about my weird fetish for leaving the smooth plastic skin on things like, my computer, phones, TVs, etc… I don’t know if it stems from childhood or from my germ obsession. I have disgusted many who have looked at the remnants of the skin on my phones wondering what the hell that dusty, face-schmeared, flapping plastic on my phone ever was. The nice thing about getting older is you don’t give a damn. You don’t feel compelled to make excuses  for your weirdness anymore. Like Howard Hughes, your weirdness evolves to eccentricity. Another benefit to all this plastic is I am setting an example for Chase. I know at some point we are going to have “The Talk“. During said “Talk“, the use of condoms or rubbers (if you prefer) will inevitably arise (pun intended) and I feel so vindicated knowing that I will be no hypocrite. I will merely point out my shiny, intact,  items and explain how I have protected everything important to me with protective plastic skin. Still looks new.

 I had tried replacing it with Saran wrap but the touch screen interface suffered. Tomorrow will have to go to the store and see if I can find something to replace the old skin. No glove, no love.

STAYCATION

This past week was Chase’s Spring Break and we were in Staycation Mode. It was so nice to wake up and have a new adventure with him everyday. He’s at that great age where we can really just hang and enjoy one another. Of course, by the end of each day, I was telling him to “get out of my face”. Chase asked if we could go to Hakuhinkan. I have mentioned in previous blogs how this place is in the Ginza district and is the Japanese version of FAO Schwartz. I take Hibiya train to Ginza Station and go out exit A3 and walk straight ahead. It is on the right side of the street a few blocks down. Chase has revived his obsession with Dragon Ball Z Kai. He has ordered collectors cards online and discovered that there is an actual game you can play with the cards:

Videogaming 2012

In front of Chase, there is a flat surface where you place your Player cards and it somehow interfaces with the video monitor and you battle different opponents.  It costs 100 yen per game $1.21. Many of the “veterans” have portfolios full of player cards and come prepared. It’s really wild to watch. The kids love it. Every time we were there, there was always a line with at least 2-3 kids waiting their turn. The nice thing about Japan is everyone really understands how to wait their turn. I see how Chase has come to understand this and it really impresses me how the kids here don’t need to be reminded to “give someone else a turn”. They wait, they play, they get back in line. One time we arrived and I saw some guy who looked to be in his 20′s in line waiting to play. There was another kid who Chase and I have nicknamed “Vegas” because he shows up with a plastic case for his 100 yen coins.

So while Chase is in line or playing, I walked around the shop and Ginza. At the store, I came across the coolest sponges that made me feel like I was back in Atlanta:

Politically Incorrect?

I wanted to buy these sponges so badly but I’m waiting to hear comments from my readers. I really don’t want to be in The Help sequel. It wouldn’t bother me to wash fried egg off a plate with a geisha doll but hell, what do I know. I don’t wash dishes.

The last “adventure” on our staycation included going to the aquarium with our Russian friends Svetlana and Nikita. That day turned out to be very typhoonie, so when they suggested an aquarium visit we jumped.

Tokyo Aquarium

The aquarium was terrific. Not too crowded. It obviously showcased an aquarium with lots ofsea creatures, but also indoor amusment park style rides and shows. They actually had one of those pirateboat rides inside! We were also able to catch one of the shows:

Dolphin Feeding Show

When we looked for seats of course the only seats available were in the primary “Splash-Zone”. Svetlana kindly went to the vendor and purchased plastic ponchos for 100 yen each for all four of us. The boys of course wanted to sit up front. Every time we got doused with nasty aquarium water, Svetlana and I would just look at each other and laugh thinking how ironical the whole situation was. We came here to do something out of the rain and end up getting drenched by dolphins.

Good thing we came here on a rainy day

The good thing is, I found plastic to cover me from head to toe!

UPDATES:

April 2nd School Starts for Chase

April 7 Amoroso Dinner with Cliff Friends

April 13th Opening Night for Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Jacket AND Cliff & Chase go to Cub Scout Camp out

April 20th Room to Read Charity Gala

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…

Turning Japanese & Going to the Dentist

March 21, 2012 By in Cliff, Daily Living, Kathryn, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, Uncategorized, useful Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

So for the past 2 days, I have had the Katy Perry lyric running through my head: “You’re Hot then You’re Cold…” The Tokyo flu finally put me down and I was forced to not work out Tuesday (I was going to do Ashtanga) AND turn on the heat in the apartment. There is nothing I hate more than being told to breathe deeply when there is someone in the room who sounds like they have respiratory disease. Luckily, Cliff was off work for the March 20th National holiday known as Shunbun no Hi. This is the holiday to celebrate love of nature and living things. We celebrated by staying indoors in our underwear and robes.

TURNING JAPANESE

I have heard other wives sometimes express concern over their husbands “turning Japanese” or expecting them to be more “Japanese-y”. I was not too worried about such things because I truly believe I have married the  “Whitest Man on Earth.” However, given the fact that Cliff himself will admit to being somewhat of a dandy (as anyone who has seen him would figure out quickly), I was a bit concerned when he came home after a recent trip excited about his new underwear. Normally he wears boxer-briefs that reach to above the knee. When he tried on his new undergarments, I nearly fell over. They looked like the hot pants I wear to my workouts! It’s amazing what a few inches can do for you. I told him he looked like one of Madonna’s backup dancers:

I will hold off on worrying too much until Cliff tells me he wants to be a vegetarian and starts carrying a designer man bag. Until then, I’ll just put on my bustier and strike a pose.

GOING TO THE DENTIST

Dentist office

Sometimes, I get so caught up in the comedy that is my life that I forget this blog is supposed to be somewhat useful and informative. So today I biked my recovering ass to my dentist at the Tokyo Clinical Dental Office. Dr. Drennan happens to be a graduate from St. Mary’s International School and around my age. Ours must be the age of reminiscing because every time we get together I feel like we end up talking about Thompson Twins and parachute pants. Today, I was in for a regular cleaning and check-up. Given my experiences in the States, I have always assumed Dental Hygiene schools must recruit students from lumber yards the way they have always sawed back and forth over my gums with their floss. Not to mention they always seem to have the biggest man-hands that require the intermittent “open wider please”. I have to admit, today was so different! I swear, I could have napped through my cleaning! She was so gentle at one point I began to wonder if I was getting a proper cleaning. Let me also say, those small Asian hands aren’t just good for sweat shops. Not once did I feel like gagging or get asked to open wider. The other thing I need to mention is, I was very happy to retain some of my dignity during my visit. I have always thought it gross and weird how in America, they will remove the tartar/plaque off your teeth and then shmear it across your paper bib. It’s so humiliating. Here, she removed the plaque/tartar off my teeth and then put it into a tissue on the tray next to her. So civilised.

Until next time…

Fired, Food, Furs, Floors & Fast Boys

March 16, 2012 By in Daily Living, Japan, Living in Tokyo, Tokyo, useful Tags: , , , , , , 4 Comments

Fired

So I just let Joji, my helper, go. I don’t think I’ve ever had to fire someone before. In the States, we either moved or my help ran away. Wait, there was that one Russian woman I fired for not being able to stop talking and texting while driving. Every time I called, I could hear the traffic in the background, or I would text and get a reply when I knew she was driving. Entrapment? Maybe, I don’t care. Nobody talks while driving my baby. Anyhow, I waited until Joji was getting ready to leave and then I started in with the, “Joji, can we talk? You know I think you are a lovely person… but-”. I feel badly for blind-siding her. I just kept thinking about that movie where George Clooney fires everyone: Up in the Air. I was also fresh from watching Moneyball with Brad Pitt and he has a scene where he teaches someone how to fire people. It is not easy. It’s no fun being abandoned a week before all your relatives come to stay for the holidays either, but between the 2 situations, I think I’d choose being abandoned. It’s easier to feel mad than sad. So this Saturday and Sunday, I am interviewing 2 new ladies. The first lady’s name is Mercy. Lord, I hope to get some.

What are we eating in Tokyo?

Well, here is part of the menu from a restaurant we decided to try the other night. Being a graduate from the University of South Carolina (USC) I know about Gamecocks, but I also assume some game has cock. Which is it? Surprisingly, no one was in the mood for turtle organs.

Furs

I have addressed Tokyo fashion in a previous blog, but those were warmer times. Given all the fur on people’s bodies in the city and the creative culinary use of animal parts, I’m thinking PETA is still just bread here in Japan. You’ve also heard me talking about all the “fancy men” of Tokyo. In Atlanta, the only people I ever caught wearing furs were rap stars and trophy wives (yay! trophy wives). In Tokyo, even the men appreciate a little fur next to their skin.

Floors

If you come to Japan, you will not be able to miss the interesting floor patterns. For a long time, I thought these weird floor tiles were just there as decorations or to annoy anyone wearing heels. Then, one day I saw a blind person tapping their walking stick and following the pattern. How cool is that? How ironic is that? It took a blind person to show me what that was.

Fast Boys

You’ve heard me talk about my assumption that there are no native English-speaking editors in Japan.

Maybe my mind is in the gutter too much, but I practically cracked my skull getting this photograph for you friends. The truck was stopped at a red light. I keep laughing thinking about the brainstorming meeting to decide on the name for the new company:

  • What about Quick Boy?
  • So good!
  • I like it!
  • Done!
  • Let’s go practice our yo-yo…

Cliff has been in Hawaii since Tuesday on a Golf outing. He returns Sunday evening.

Chase is supposed to have baseball all weekend of course, but I am praying it rains like it is supposed to.

I was sent a note from Angela about a television casting call for ExPat wives living in Tokyo. She was encouraging me to throw my hat in the ring. Hmmm.

Until next time…

The Help, Media & Playdates

March 14, 2012 By in Culture Shock, Daily Living, Japan, Kathryn, Pearls of wisdom, Tokyo, Uncategorized, useful Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The other day, I bumped into a fellow expat at TAC (Tokyo American Club) who I had met before during my brief attempt at joining a book club. She asked me if I was still going and of course I had to say no. The books were terrible and forcing me to turn to iPhone app games like Plants versus Zombies to satisfy my need for escapism. Anyhow, she offered up an opportunity to join a different group with older ladies but better books. I’m obviously not an age-ist so I agreed to check out the book selections and go. The book for March is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had heard about this book from several people. Unfortunately, I happen to be one of those people where if I know everyone else is doing something, I don’t want to do it… at least I won’t do it right away. I downloaded the book to my Kindle and within seconds was able to start reading. I love it. Some of my exhuberance may be because I just finished reading Blood Ninja by Nick Lake (I know what it sounds like) and that book was TERRIBLE. The whole way through I found it to be mind-numbing and so much the writing of a white guy who either wants to be Japanese or find hisself a Japanese girlfriend real bad. Anyhow, “The Help” is a lot better. Although, I do find it a little annoying that the author is a white woman. But who knows, maybe she “high-yellow” and I’m just being quick to judge.  The beauty of “The Help” is that I can identify with all the characters. Sometimes I feel like an uppity Southern Junior Leaguer and sometimes I feel like a sassy black house mammy. The funny thing I have noticed is the more I read the book, the more I am saying things like: “Ain’t you a sweet one to finish yo breakfast” and “Laws! you  gonna go out da house like dat?!?” I have a little money stashed for Chase’s therapy.

The irony of the book is that I have finally decided to let go of Joji (my helper) and find someone new. My last straw was Cliff finding a dirty plate in the cabinet at breakfast. My predicament is that I found her through another resident (the Coke family from Atlanta in fact) in the apartment and then, I recommended her to another neighbor who lives in the apartment next to mine. So she gone be around. For the longest time, I have been wanting to let her go, but she is really sweet and for some reason everyone in her family has been fired from their jobs and she’s the only one supporting everyone. I have a couple interviews set up for this weekend so hopefully everything will work out and the next helper won’t short-sheet my bed anymore.

RADIO & TV

As “progressive” as Japan seems on the outside, let me just inform you as a short-time resident that Japan is where old music and TV goes to die. I have my kitchen radio on the most popular station in Tokyo. Whenever they play a song, I’m reminded of some ex-boyfriend from high school. Then, when I do find myself on the couch watching TV with Cliff or Chase, on the English-speaking channels it’s all from TVLand. The Classics programming. I will admit, I have a new found appreciation for Columbo. He was a really fine detective.

Columbo

PLAYDATES

So I’ve hosted a few playdates here in Japan. A couple of things I’ve observed:

1) It is not the easiest thing to do. First, most of the kids here have so many extra curricular activities, finding “free-time” is sometimes impossible. I remember just recently, when St. Mary’s called an unexpected snow day, I called Chase’s friend who lives just up the street thinking, the mom would be happy to have someone take her son for a little playtime when they were supposed to be at school. Nope. I called at 8:00am asking if Ken could come over and play with Chase and his mom said they were busy. I know this may have been nosy, but I had to ask what they were doing. Going to the hospital to visit sick people. Probably trying to pad his transcripts for college applications already.

2) If we are able to coordinate a time together, the kid coming over ALWAYS brings something. This has taken the form of cookies, candies, and books. At first, I was a little surprised, but then it got a little weird when a particular friend came over several times bearing gifts every time. I kept saying it wasn’t necessary, but that doesn’t matter. When Chase goes to someone else’s house, now I make sure he always has something for the host.

3) It’s usually not at their apartment. In other words, it’s usually an outing. Maybe it’s because their flat is small, or cold, or messy. Take your pick. I guess it isn’t so terrible. Whenever we host, we inevitably end up at the club. That is probably one of the best points about being members at TAC. It’s the basement I used to have.

Not Inside My Apartment

Until next time…

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