There is nothing like sushi delivery. For those of you living in a big city where you can get anything delivered, you might not believe this but there are only 2 foods that are delivered everywhere in Japan-pizza and sushi. So....today I was too busy to cook so we ordered sushi. This is no disposable paper container either. These are the same containers used in restaurants. I also ordered "chawan mushi" which is like a savory egg custard and it came in a ceramic container with a lid to keep it hot. They give you a special bag to put the items in when you are done and they pick it up the next day-you just leave it outside your door. How is that for service?!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Mmmmmm Sushi
There is nothing like sushi delivery. For those of you living in a big city where you can get anything delivered, you might not believe this but there are only 2 foods that are delivered everywhere in Japan-pizza and sushi. So....today I was too busy to cook so we ordered sushi. This is no disposable paper container either. These are the same containers used in restaurants. I also ordered "chawan mushi" which is like a savory egg custard and it came in a ceramic container with a lid to keep it hot. They give you a special bag to put the items in when you are done and they pick it up the next day-you just leave it outside your door. How is that for service?!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Valentine's Day-Japanese Style
I took these pictures when I was in Fukuoka city (near where I live). People were lining up to get their pictures taken with the woman with a hershey's kiss on her head in front of the giant hershey's kiss.
Valentine's day is coming and I'm sure many of you have romantic plans with your honey as in you will exchange presents with your significant other. I miss that!!!
Here in Japan, Valentine's day is when the girl gives the guy "homemade" chocolate. By "homemade" I mean they melt a chocolate bar, pour it into a mold and add an almond slice on top. Of course you can buy chocolates as well but it apparently isn't the same.
There is also "girichoco" and this is like "obligation chocolate" that you have to give to your boss. There is also "tomochoco" which is chocolate you give to your friend.
There are no cute Valentine's day cards that kids give to their friends (do they still do that?) or to their teacher. There is no shopping for sexy lingerie, perfume etc. Oh and in case I didn't mention it, this is mostly for young people. Many of my "obasan" (older ladies) students don't give their husbands anything.
Now don't panic....you must be wondering "when do the women get something?", right? Well, March 14th is "white day". Ok...when I first saw signs all over the malls here I have to say I thought it was some weird thing about white people.....I mean really, would you think "white day" is a day about candy? Anyway, "white day" is in fact the day the men give white choco or white cookies to the women who gave them something on Valentines' day....oh and they are supposed to give back more expensive goodies.
I don't know about you, but this just isn't Valentine's day!!
Being blogged about
Well, 2 people have blogged about me. One was an interview which you can check out here if you want to learn a little bit more about me
http://etsyalberta.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-found-this-etsy-store-from-japan-with.html
Tracy, from Dust of Enchantment, blogged about my store but you should check out her blog because she blogs about Japanese paper art, origami etc and she has some great pictures.
http://dustofenchantment.blogspot.com/2008/02/very-long-post-with-loads-of-pictures.html
http://etsyalberta.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-found-this-etsy-store-from-japan-with.html
Tracy, from Dust of Enchantment, blogged about my store but you should check out her blog because she blogs about Japanese paper art, origami etc and she has some great pictures.
http://dustofenchantment.blogspot.com/2008/02/very-long-post-with-loads-of-pictures.html
Thursday, February 7, 2008
My crazy life!
I'm such a "baka". That means I'm an idiot. I tried to log into this blog the other night and couldn't remember my password!!! I think it was the universe telling me to go to bed since it was around 3 am here.
So....life has been crazy! Our washing machine broke so we bought a new one and I love it! You put the clothes in and push buttons and it moves the clothes around to judge how much water it needs to use. Ok.....someone of you might think "big whoop" but since my last machine was 1 step up from washing on the rocks by the river I am tickled pink by it. Oh and I love the timer! I love setting it at night and waking up to clean clothes in the morning!
Tomorrow is my first Friday off....and I'm going shopping for the business! I still can't believe I am actually working my way towards being job free! This is very exciting!
My assistant has been coming a lot and I have to say that I would be lost without her-thanks Risa!!! She is going to help me move into the office downstairs. No....I haven't moved into the office yet-still trying to get the right furniture, drawers etc set up before we move all our stuff down there. So my apartment basically looks like Sanrio, Crux, Mindwave and all other kawaii companies threw up in my place! :)
I've been thinking of offering gift certifcates for my etsy store. Any opinions on this?
Well...I'm off to bed!
oyasumi (goodnight)
So....life has been crazy! Our washing machine broke so we bought a new one and I love it! You put the clothes in and push buttons and it moves the clothes around to judge how much water it needs to use. Ok.....someone of you might think "big whoop" but since my last machine was 1 step up from washing on the rocks by the river I am tickled pink by it. Oh and I love the timer! I love setting it at night and waking up to clean clothes in the morning!
Tomorrow is my first Friday off....and I'm going shopping for the business! I still can't believe I am actually working my way towards being job free! This is very exciting!
My assistant has been coming a lot and I have to say that I would be lost without her-thanks Risa!!! She is going to help me move into the office downstairs. No....I haven't moved into the office yet-still trying to get the right furniture, drawers etc set up before we move all our stuff down there. So my apartment basically looks like Sanrio, Crux, Mindwave and all other kawaii companies threw up in my place! :)
I've been thinking of offering gift certifcates for my etsy store. Any opinions on this?
Well...I'm off to bed!
oyasumi (goodnight)
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Catching up, rambling and a cute baby pic
Ok...I had to show this photo....I took it today. Isn't she cute!!!! She is my little student's baby sister and she has the biggest cutest cheeks I have ever seen!
Anyway....
I can't believe how busy I have been!! I'm not complaining...in fact I'm over the moon with joy. When I started my shop on Etsy, never did I think it would take off like this!! I have learned that I can't do this on my own. So, I hired an assistant. She started in late December and my original plans for her have changed....I am going to have her come and work with me a lot more.
I am also training a teacher to take over my Friday classes so I can work on my business!! I'm so happy about this!! I can totally see that I will soon need to have Thursdays off too. But between my assistant coming more and having Fridays off I should be able to get a lot more done including blogging!! I LOVE ETSY!!!
I have so many blog stories planned so keep checking in.
Also, one of my rubber stamp sets has been featured in "wickedly chic" under "daily ditties"-check them out!
Also, I will be interviewed for another blog....I will post the link once it is finished.
It is almost 3 am here so oyasumi (goodnight)
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Losing My English
Today is actually January 13th but I started to write this last Sunday but then got busy and couldn't get back to it until now (that is why the date says January 6th). So....this is what I was thinking last week.
I'm sitting here enjoying my last bit of freedom before I start work tomorrow. Not that I can really complain-I have a great boss, great hours, great money etc. I am embarrassed to say it but I am an English teacher. I'm embarrassed only because....I've forgotten so much. Perhaps this sounds strange to you....it did to me the first time a friend told me that her brother basically couldn't speak English anymore after living in Quebec for more than 20 years. I really thought that it was impossible to lose your native language. I was wrong.
When I first came to Japan, I stayed with the teacher I was replacing. She was showing me how to use the washing machine....she said "now we will make the water go away"....I looked at her like she was insane.....I said "You mean we will drain the water." I was shocked. I'm not shocked anymore.
I've been here for more than 9 years and my English has gone to hell. It is amazing what you can forget. But for about 6 years I only watched Japanese TV (you'd think my Japanese would be great by now....sadly that isn't true). I remember watching a TV show where they have this famous foreigner speaking both languages and when he spoke English I actually cried cause I used to be able to speak like that. I used to be a teaching assistant at university-now I couldn't tell you if something is dangling or spelled wrong etc.Thankfully my boss teaches grammar (he teaches it in Japanese) or I'd explode from stress.
You have to understand that for 6 years not only did I only watch Japanese TV but I spoke classroom English everyday, spoke to native English speakers (my friends) only on the weekends and I dated non native English speakers (not Japanese). I was surrounded by either no English or strange English. And now, like many foreigners here, I mix both languages ALL the time so much so that my family even understands some now! (Thankfully now I have satellite TV so I can watch English TV-I swear it has helped!)
This isn't a big problem here but it is a HUGE problem when I go back to Canada. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a store and forgotten a word in English...here is one story: I go to a store to buy a fitted sheet for my mattress back in Japan. I walk into the store and start by saying "sumimasen" (excuse me in Japanese). After I realize I'm speaking Japanese I switch to English..."I'm looking for a ....." I pause because I had FORGOTTEN the words "fitted sheet". I didn't know how to say it in either language. The lady is looking strangely at me so I start to describe it ...."it goes on the mattress and has elastic...." She says "you mean a fitted sheet?" I smile in relief and said "yes, yes, yes." At this point I explain that I live in Japan and have sadly forgotten so much English. That starts a conversation about living in Japan and I forget that I just looked stupid.
One interesting thing about language is dating someone who speaks great but not perfect English-I don't think I would ever want to be with a perfect English speaker again.....he has said somethings that have had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe (thankfully he laughs too). Here are some cute examples...
My honey: "what is that bug with a light on its ass?"
me: (thinking hard)...."you mean a firefly?"
My honey...(looking at a bruise on my arm) "did I put the blue on you?"
Not sure if you thought they were cute or funny...maybe you had to be there but I LOVE his English and his accent!
Going to Canada sure will be interesting this summer....the 2 of us speaking Japanese or a mix of both and I can totally see me having to sometimes translate his English into real English....that is if I can!
I'm sitting here enjoying my last bit of freedom before I start work tomorrow. Not that I can really complain-I have a great boss, great hours, great money etc. I am embarrassed to say it but I am an English teacher. I'm embarrassed only because....I've forgotten so much. Perhaps this sounds strange to you....it did to me the first time a friend told me that her brother basically couldn't speak English anymore after living in Quebec for more than 20 years. I really thought that it was impossible to lose your native language. I was wrong.
When I first came to Japan, I stayed with the teacher I was replacing. She was showing me how to use the washing machine....she said "now we will make the water go away"....I looked at her like she was insane.....I said "You mean we will drain the water." I was shocked. I'm not shocked anymore.
I've been here for more than 9 years and my English has gone to hell. It is amazing what you can forget. But for about 6 years I only watched Japanese TV (you'd think my Japanese would be great by now....sadly that isn't true). I remember watching a TV show where they have this famous foreigner speaking both languages and when he spoke English I actually cried cause I used to be able to speak like that. I used to be a teaching assistant at university-now I couldn't tell you if something is dangling or spelled wrong etc.Thankfully my boss teaches grammar (he teaches it in Japanese) or I'd explode from stress.
You have to understand that for 6 years not only did I only watch Japanese TV but I spoke classroom English everyday, spoke to native English speakers (my friends) only on the weekends and I dated non native English speakers (not Japanese). I was surrounded by either no English or strange English. And now, like many foreigners here, I mix both languages ALL the time so much so that my family even understands some now! (Thankfully now I have satellite TV so I can watch English TV-I swear it has helped!)
This isn't a big problem here but it is a HUGE problem when I go back to Canada. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to a store and forgotten a word in English...here is one story: I go to a store to buy a fitted sheet for my mattress back in Japan. I walk into the store and start by saying "sumimasen" (excuse me in Japanese). After I realize I'm speaking Japanese I switch to English..."I'm looking for a ....." I pause because I had FORGOTTEN the words "fitted sheet". I didn't know how to say it in either language. The lady is looking strangely at me so I start to describe it ...."it goes on the mattress and has elastic...." She says "you mean a fitted sheet?" I smile in relief and said "yes, yes, yes." At this point I explain that I live in Japan and have sadly forgotten so much English. That starts a conversation about living in Japan and I forget that I just looked stupid.
One interesting thing about language is dating someone who speaks great but not perfect English-I don't think I would ever want to be with a perfect English speaker again.....he has said somethings that have had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe (thankfully he laughs too). Here are some cute examples...
My honey: "what is that bug with a light on its ass?"
me: (thinking hard)...."you mean a firefly?"
My honey...(looking at a bruise on my arm) "did I put the blue on you?"
Not sure if you thought they were cute or funny...maybe you had to be there but I LOVE his English and his accent!
Going to Canada sure will be interesting this summer....the 2 of us speaking Japanese or a mix of both and I can totally see me having to sometimes translate his English into real English....that is if I can!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Living Among Munchkins
As a foreigner, I stand out. I expect to be watched, stared at, followed (by kids), touched (by old ladies), run away from (by kids) etc. Most Japanese, of course, don't understand what life is like as a foreigner in Japan. One exception is my fiance. He totally gets it. He is constantly asked "Anatwa nihonjin desuka?" meaning "Are you Japanese?". He is constantly watched, stared at and run away from (by kids) all because......he is tall. He looks Japanese . He speaks Japanese. He is Japanese. But he is also 197 cm or 6 ft 5 inches tall. This is pretty rare in Japan.
He constantly has to be careful about hitting his head-but it happens all the time. He has to bend to get on and off the train. Leg room is an issue and shopping for clothes.....a nightmare. He wears a size 13 shoe which isn't huge in Canada as you can buy that size at any store....but here...might as well be a size 22.
Though he hates shopping here, he really needed a shirt for work so we went into a shop. The clerk looked (up) at him and said the familiar word "oki" meaning "big". We asked that he be measured for a shirt and the guy looked around and found the ladder. I'm betting that the ladder has never been used to measure someone. It was such an amazing thing to see which is why I took this picture. It says everything, doesn't it?
He constantly has to be careful about hitting his head-but it happens all the time. He has to bend to get on and off the train. Leg room is an issue and shopping for clothes.....a nightmare. He wears a size 13 shoe which isn't huge in Canada as you can buy that size at any store....but here...might as well be a size 22.
Though he hates shopping here, he really needed a shirt for work so we went into a shop. The clerk looked (up) at him and said the familiar word "oki" meaning "big". We asked that he be measured for a shirt and the guy looked around and found the ladder. I'm betting that the ladder has never been used to measure someone. It was such an amazing thing to see which is why I took this picture. It says everything, doesn't it?
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