Aventuras y Travesuras de una Colombiana en Japón

New Blog

2009-08-21T11:41:00.004+09:00

My year of teaching in the beautiful village of Chugoku-Katsuyama has now come to an end. I'm now on my way to a few other magical places for a month, ending up in Palestine at the end of it all- check here for quirky/fun/curious updates.

Nagasaki

2009-07-26T14:21:00.001+09:00

Peace Park

Starting Goodbyes

2009-07-12T17:36:00.002+09:00

WAAAAA! Only 22 days left in Japan. Time is running out!

SMALLEST ROAD!

2009-07-12T17:24:00.004+09:00

I decided to take a little video of what it's like to drive through the tiniest road in town. It's just big enough for my minuscule car (660 cc!). Rocking out to Watkskeburt (dutch).

Pepsi Shiso?!

2009-07-11T16:51:00.001+09:00

At a bbq right now and a friend brought over hir new discovery, pepsi shiso! a leaf usually used for sashimi and on rice.

Land of the Miserable Anime

2009-07-08T23:10:00.003+09:00

Himawari is monster drug and health/beauty product store. Even when you live in a rural area in Japan, have no fear, you will surely find a monster paradise for every drug for every ailment under the sun. Also every possible whitening product, every possible bug killer, house cleaner, and vitamins for ailments you never knew existed.

One thing Japan does-- pretty much everywhere possible is make cartoons for every possible occasion (yes, even super serious police warnings). Anthropomorphism is also quite common.

I took a swing through Himawari, the drug monster, and decided to create a display for you of all the miserable, dying, hacking, coughing, in-pain, sneezing, feverish anime that I found. Enjoy!

Glasses Cleaning Service at my desk

2009-07-03T12:40:00.005+09:00

I have to say, the Japanese have it down with advertising techniques. I have to admit, the free dozen eggs at the Jomo Gas Station- sway me thre on saturdays. And the drugstore gave me a portable and attractive mini pack with folding chopsticks, a fork and a spoon.

The latest just happened when a team of 3 came into our office in lab coats and little kits. One of the women came up to me, and asked for my glasses so that she could clean them. (OK what really happened was that she said something really fast in Japanese and reached towards my face, I flinched and I thought it was someone who had lost their minds....) For a moment, the look of bewilderment and confusion on my face must have been monumental. I handed her my glasses, still confused on why a woman would come in and clean my glasses- but at this point, I remembered I was in Japan.

This is awesome, Kuramoto Glasses Company (Megane no Kuramoto) has a rolling office that drives around and offers Eye Exams. For advertising, they go from office to office, and offer to clean your glasses!

Free Hugs Katsuyama

2009-07-02T15:12:00.003+09:00

An Earlier post back in August talked about finding Free Hugs people in Okayama City , little did I know that I have now brought it to a village in the mountains of Japan!

A few weeks ago, I taught one of my wacky lessons (I tend towards some rather alternative lessons), and I taught the students about gestures around the world. I made everyone stick there tongues out like the traditional Tibetan greeting, and taught them about the Maori nose rubbing. Colombia was a kiss on the cheek, France has the option of 2, 3 or 4. And then came--America---the good old American HUG. I pranced through the classroom hugging the air, and then pretending to cry because no one gives me hugs in Japan.

It's true, no one gives me hugs in Japan. When I run into fellow expats I actually request 'An American Hug.' (not the painful sideways tap on the back half hug).

I then showed the student the original Free Hugs video, explaining that it was a movement around the world, even Okayama! The kids were in SHOCK. The concept was a little more beyond their imagination.

Today I heard some news that made me jump out of my seat. The students had made Free Hugs posters and at lunch time stood around giving their classmates and even teachers hugs!

Now that---rocks my world.

Bugtastic

2009-06-28T19:30:00.008+09:00

I grew up in Colombia, where bugs were part of life. I didn't really flinch at any of the spiders crawling around my house--except for the monster tarantulas that would crawl in once in a while. But it's a pretty buggy place-- I have to say, Japan may beat it. Maybe.

Lately as the Land of the Rising Sun is warming up, the bugs are rising to the occasion. I may have mentioned the Mukade previously--check out this p icture if you think you can handle it. Mukades are large Japanese centipedes. Things you should know:

1. They sting, and they're poise nous- and they are not pleasing to the eye. In my year in Japan, I have now killed 4 Mukades. No stings yet.

2. The locals recommend burning them (hot water, or fire) since smashing them m

ay not work- they flatten themselves.

3. They go around in pairs, so if you killed one, there' s a buddy hanging around.

4. If you leave the "scent" of the dead mukade around, the others will come towards it and infest your house

An old wives tale to avoid Mukades is to write the kanji for tea (o-cha) on a square piece of paper and put it upside down on your wall.

Besides mukade's theres about a million other gnarly bugs- and who know how many are living under my tatami mats. Lets just say I have a few questionable bites that aren't your

average mosquito bite. I recently discovered tatami bug spray, it was kind of amusing to use. First, poke the needle into the tatami, and spray away! Handy, since tatami mats are expensive, and proper care is recommended.

Hydrangea festival

2009-06-28T14:07:00.001+09:00

Local temple fun

2009-06-21T00:21:00.001+09:00

スゴイ!

Trivia

2009-06-21T00:14:00.001+09:00

At a trivia game right now, the Japanese say a first kiss tastes like what? 〓

The arrival of the jellyfish

2009-06-17T00:41:00.004+09:00

The jellyfish are in! Summer is here! I've seen a few already, different shapes and sizes, some with a little bit of color, or this one that Rio messing with.

Just learned about japanese エチゼンクラゲ, echizen kurage, the largest jellyfish in the world, weighing up to 220 kg.

Que tal esta foto?!

o.
O.
o.
o.
O.
O.
o.

Moooo! Bar Shiraishi Island, Japan

2009-06-16T23:56:00.005+09:00

Last weekend we took a big group to Shiraishi Island off the Kasaoka Port. Only a one hour ferry ride away, the lovely Island of Shiraishi offers a nice getaway.

Step foot on Shiraishi and you will begin to encounter cow print galore! Why? Moooo! Bar, owned by Amy--a cool adventurous American woman who opened up a lovely beach bar full of Moogaritas and Pina Mooladas.

San Chan's the Japanese owned restaurant behind it plays delicious Salsa and Cuban Music-- so I was in my element.

Moooo bar comes complete with a moo shop (bag above). Check out a picture of us at the Daily Moooo blog

Cow you doin' are you in a good mooood? (Had to, sorry)

Pudding Shake

2009-06-16T23:50:00.002+09:00

The Japanese have acquired the taste for "Pudding" or Purin, it's pretty delicious junkfood. The next step was recently taken into the realm of...drink your pudding out of a can. To recreate, take some pudding (flan for example), mash it up, and drink it. It's chunky...

Breaking the rules with Inari Sushi

2009-06-16T23:44:00.004+09:00

Inari Sushi, is usually simple rice wrapped in this lovely sweet tofu blanket. I broke the rules and put fried rice with veggies in it. My co-workers were horrified. :)

Limon y Nada

2009-06-09T07:09:00.001+09:00

Acabo de encontrar esta nueva bebida, Limon y Nada! Jaja, apetecedor!

Taiko Lesson

2009-05-25T21:41:00.003+09:00

My dream was to take Taiko lessons, but scheduling has been a bit tricky. I finally took my first Taiko lesson, where let me tell you--it was a full body workout.

1. Body in open squat position for core stability
2. Arms go high in the air and must come down strong and steadily.

By the end of it, my hands were raw, and my beats were a disaster, but it was incredibly fun.

Below: Hip girls working the drums

La la land of pink

2009-05-25T21:19:00.005+09:00

Pink, pink, pink! Japan loves pink! Boys and girls like pink!
Friends came over the other day and I noticed the variety of pink cellphones. I found this amusingly japanish.

Keeping with the theme of pink...I made the classic mistake of washing this table cloth that dyed everything else in the washing machine!
AHHHH! Had to take a picture and share the disaster

yOgUrT sNaCk!

2009-05-25T21:18:00.001+09:00

I found these odd little things at the grocery store. Lots of foods are made for "bento" lunches, so one of the popular items are individually wrapped little pieces of cheese (wrapped like a candy).

Above is the newest release--yogurt balls. They are exactly that! These little berry flavored ones (only flavor so far) remind me of an even more concentrated petit suisse.

An odd sensation yet absolutely delicious!

My Ugly F Haiku

2009-05-21T08:51:00.003+09:00

It is inspired by yesterday's adventures at the post office. While trying to transfer money home, I encountered the fact that they would not accept my paperwork because they said the F didn't look like an F.

Picky post office

Did not like my written F

No Money Transfer

Curry & Wasabi Drink

2009-05-20T08:10:00.003+09:00

So, I had always heard about this drink that has a marble in it. When I spotted these--I had to pick them up to give them a couragous taste test.

Ramune (derived phonetically from Lemonade) comes in a variety of flavors, and has a little marble inside that rattles when you drink it. I expected it to be carbonated (according to my literature review)--but it wasn't.

For now I only tried the curry one. To recreate the flavor at home get water, add some curry powder and drink. If you can...

Cringe.

Fields are flooded!

2009-05-19T17:30:00.004+09:00

Rice is coming to town!
After a cold and long winter, the sun is shinning and the fields are now flooded, these fields have now been planted. Beautiful!

My Coffee Delight here in Katsuyama

2009-05-19T17:13:00.004+09:00

My regular order at Uenodan Cafe, a dream come true.

Munching away New Zealand's goodies

2009-05-17T23:10:00.004+09:00

At the local grocery store, I'm always curious to find out where fruits and vegetables are imported from. My favorite--the avodados--come all the way from Mexico to Katsuyama. In season now are a few different fruits such as mangoes, watermelon and kiwis. I had yet to try the Golden Kiwi (left), so decided to do a little taste test and research.

The golden kiwi was less acidic, and quite delicious. Historically took about 11 years to develop this perfectly crosspolinated new fruit. Originally in 1903 Mary Isabel Fraser carried the seeds of kiwi fruits from China to New Zealand, which soon boomed with popularity.

Sweet fellows

2009-05-17T23:04:00.002+09:00

These darling little guys sit at the entrance to one of the temple's near my house. Their jolly smiles tickled me.

Don't sweat it!

2009-05-17T22:52:00.005+09:00

Last august I pretty much thought I was going to die of heat in Japan. My home has no air conditioning, and changing clothes was like peeling glue off my skin. The humidity levels skyrocketed, and a shower wouldn't make a difference. In thinking about the next 2 months of heat that are about to hit, I'm also thinking about how to survive teaching while also sweating about 1000 times more than the average japanese person. As they say in Colombia "Tengo mapa."

Japan has a sweet, or shall I say sweat solution to all your issues: "Asa Waki Pado" or rather "Armpit Sweat Pads." When I first heard about them, I thought maybe it was a joke, and of course had to go on a mission to find out myself.

One friend said it was the japanese teacher's secret to avoiding sweat stains. I decided to be less than shy and survey teachers on whether or not they used them-- they were in shock, and said they definitely didn't. A few said that it was probably a "young person" thing.

My next mission was to find them and try them out myself. I felt a little bit embarassed about asking for "armpit sweat pads" at the local pharmacy-- but it got me straight to this glorious box:
It took me a while to figure out because there are a few different ones: the regulars (above), the half ones--for sleeveless blouses, another odd shape, and black ones for black clothing.
To put them on you attatch the sticky part to the shirt, and padded side sits facing your underarm.Sweat issues? Japan-land has one its many quirky solutions to your bodily issues.

Costume karaoke

2009-05-15T23:50:00.000+09:00

cosplay with alex and alex nihon style!

Japon-Colombia

2009-05-13T12:09:00.000+09:00

Acuerdo con Japón, será sólo el comienzo

Publicado el 08-05-09

Hace algunos días terminó en Tokio la primera ronda de negociaciones del acuerdo de protección de inversiones que Colombia quiere firmar con Japón. De lograrse el tratado, sería el primer paso en el objetivo a más largo plazo de tener un TLC con la principal potencia asiática.

Para llegar allá habrá que pasar por un proceso largo y complicado y es primordial que la situación de seguridad del país siga mejorando. No me atrevo a especular cuán lejos nos llevarán estos contactos, pero claramente demuestran que Japón está recuperando la confianza en nuestro país, luego de varios años en que la relación con Colombia fue poco más que glaciar.

(articulo completo)

Fuzzy roadkill

2009-05-12T14:13:00.001+09:00

These are everywhere this spring! They seem to cross the road a lot and get smashed. The kids love to hold them!

Combini delight

2009-05-07T01:16:00.002+09:00

Convenience stores in Japan are quite complete, from finding your perfect snack, to even picking up a pair of underwear, or as mentioned before--paying every bill possible.

Recently I picked up my first "conbini" (convenience store) snack--a little pack of edamame for the road.

Brilliant-- maybe other places in the world should start to produce a handy soybean snack pack.

5 de mayo!

2009-05-04T17:21:00.001+09:00

At a cinco de mayo party at Lena's! Japanese kiddo hitting piNata!

Jewella

2009-05-03T19:28:00.001+09:00

This name wouldn't fly in the states for sure.
puri kura machine

Water Bar

2009-05-03T19:25:00.001+09:00

Woah, just saw this water bar. Take a gulp of H2O from all over the world!

puri kura

2009-05-03T11:44:00.001+09:00

puri kura right now in okayama city! 〓

Crush Jelly Drink

2009-05-02T09:33:00.002+09:00

This drink is confused.
It wants to be a coffee drink, but it wants to be Jello and drinkable.

Jelly products seem to be quite popular here from gummies, to different types of puddings, to jelly chunks in your grape Flavored Fanta.

Here's the ultimate in Jelly-ness. A coffee flavored drink with jelly. More like milk with coffee flavored jelly in it.

Takes like a regular cold coffee drink...but you slurp up soft jello chunks too! The flavor is pretty good!

Irrelevant Brilliance

2009-04-30T07:13:00.003+09:00

This has nothing to do with Japan because....

Japan doesn't have the pizza delivery culture that other parts of the world does.

BUT

It is really eco-friendly in some ways, and I couldn't resist posting this awesome eco-box.

Check out the video.

Don't lose that change girl....

2009-04-28T11:19:00.004+09:00

Keep the change.

When you lose a coin in Japan, it's not like you've lost a lil' penny, or a little dime you can live without. You may have lost a whopping $5.16 US (today's exchange rate).

Yesterday I looked in my wallet thinking about where in the world my money went, and realized I had $25 in my coin purse!

Japan is a ca$h $ociety. People are often and easily carrying hundreds of dollars in cash at any given time. The debit card system seems to not exist here (it might in Tokyo), and the credit card system seems to be also non-existent. When you need to pay for something, just pop over to your local convenience store. Convenience stores have machines that allow you to pay for all kinds of things (from your electricity bill, a bus ticket, or your latest amazon book order).

Just in case you haven't noticed the global economic crisis...

The 500 yen coin is not something you want to loose. And may even be a way to save. A popular thing to do here is to get little piggy banks that are specifically geared towards saving 500 Yen coins. The cans often say the amount that you will have saved if you fill it up, ex. $1000USD or some big boys have $3000USD. With $5 at a time, you might save yourself from an economic downfall.

Think about it, if you saved every $5 bill that came into your hands....try it!

New York Times, Latin Americans sent "home"

2009-04-27T09:39:00.006+09:00

Sigh, food for thought; an article from the NY Times. Any opinions?

__________________________________________

April 23, 2009

Japan Pays Foreign Workers to Go Home

By HIROKO TABUCHI

HAMAMATSU, Japan — Rita Yamaoka, a mother of three who immigrated from Brazil, recently lost her factory job here. Now, Japan has made her an offer she might not be able to refuse.

The government will pay thousands of dollars to fly Mrs. Yamaoka; her husband, who is a Brazilian citizen of Japanese descent; and their family back to Brazil. But in exchange, Mrs. Yamaoka and her husband must agree never to seek to work in Japan again.

“I feel immense stress. I’ve been crying very often,” Mrs. Yamaoka, 38, said after a meeting where local officials detailed the offer in this industrial town in central Japan. (continued)

Local words

2009-04-26T15:06:00.003+09:00

Here is reflection from a Japanese older friend of mine when pondering the ideal conditions in which Japanese people talk the most, when I asked why everyone talks to me in the Onsen (Japanese hot springs or communal bathing facilities where people bathe in the nude):

"Japanese mind needs lubricant
words with O...maybe
Onsen, naked bodies
O Sake makes naked mind"

Coming up

2009-04-26T09:19:00.001+09:00

For people in the Area

Sleeping power 2

2009-04-25T13:25:00.002+09:00

Exhibit B

Sleeping power

2009-04-25T13:19:00.004+09:00

Phone post
Currently on the train and thinking about how the Japanese have been gifted with the power to sleep in every position and condition. Exhibit A: this junior high student who is sound asleep.

Moco!

2009-04-24T18:10:00.002+09:00

Cellphone blog.
Acabo de ver este carro llamado Moco! Jaja, cagada!
(Moco = mucus in Sp-)

Purse

2009-04-23T22:49:00.003+09:00

Ah, japanglish

I love vegi continued...

2009-04-23T22:41:00.006+09:00

I have always wanted to go on a date with a vegetable man.

Wait, what?

Similar to have a rice day.

I love vegi

2009-04-23T22:14:00.004+09:00

One thing that the Japanese are exceptional at is packaging and presentation. I often find myself admiring the way a little candy is packaged or the delicate way in which a gift is wrapped.

I found ogling at this lovely cylindrical juice box with a simple yet incredibly attractive layout. "I love vegi" or rather "Ai rabu begi" (in katakanized speech) is the name of this lovely mixed vegetable and fruit drink.

Instead of just starring at it each time I go into a convenience store, I finally decided to taste it and set it up for a photo shoot. Oishii! (Delicious!)

Website

Bus stops if you're hungry

2009-04-22T23:32:00.005+09:00

Ah, I knew I was in the Japanese countryside when....

I was sitting on a bus yesterday leaving the Hiruzen Highlands, and the one other boy on the bus (age sixteen) tells the bus driver that he's hungry. The bus driver happily stopped at the next grocery store so that good ol' Takekun could go in and buy a snack for the ride home.

Ah, inaka.

Re: Naming your kidlet....in China

2009-04-22T06:42:00.003+09:00

Similar issue--now being dealt with- but in reverse. Individuals with names that aren't in the new Chinese database now have to be changed.

Name Not on Our List? Change It, China Says

By SHARON LaFRANIERE

Published: April 20, 2009
The New York Times

BEIJING — “Ma,” a Chinese character for horse, is the 13th most common family name in China, shared by nearly 17 million people. That can cause no end of confusion when Mas get together, especi ally if those Mas also share the same given name, as many Chinese do.

Ma Cheng must renew a temporary card every three months in order to keep her unique name. (More here)

Naming Your Kidlet in Japan

2009-04-21T10:44:00.004+09:00

A lot of places around the world are pretty liberal when it comes to what you can name your kiddlet on the way to the world. That's how we ended up with Pilot Inspektor (Jason Lee's son) or Sage Moonblood (Silvester Stallone) or even Fifi Trixibelle (Bob Geldof). Ah, those are only a few.

Yet, when you're having a Japanese baby, and living in Japan-- you can't be so liberal when naming your child. Sorry-- no Sushi Fukushima or Yakitori Toyota...the government has a limit.

There are currently Family Registration Laws that now offer a list of 2,298 Kanjis you can use (prior to 2004 there were 2,235). When naming your baby, the name must be approved first by the local government office, if its not on the list---its usually rejected. One name however can have up to 50 kanji combinations.

So once you have picked your name...you have to pick the Kanji. A lot of people are pretty superstitious on the number of strokes that a name contains. Therefore the names are taken to 'fortune tellers' who study the name to see if it is lucky or not.

Yikes...how many strokes does Alex have?

Different strokes for different folks.

cafeうえのだん (Cafe Uenodan)

2009-04-21T10:04:00.006+09:00

Let my start to describe the wonders of Cafe Uenodan. This chic, magical and scrumptious cafe is located inside Hishio Gallery in Katsuyama. With Bossa Nova playing in the background, Shoko, the Cafe owner will press a freshly ground and aromatic cup of coffee for you.

This lovely cafe is tucked away and it makes you wonder how such an elegant and splendid little place made its way there. Even though I feel like I'm in Paris when I'm there, the Japanese/European fusion of foods and delicate treats will make you bubble with joy.

I've become a regular at Uenodan--where a Latte starts steaming when I step inside--and Shoko's awesome personality resounds with her 'Irashaimaseee.' Not only does she speak English, but she can put together gourmet plates with divine presentation. Her staff is also a tight-knit fun bunch.

Try the curry and naan, or the Macha (Green Tea) parfait. To the left is the seasonal strawberrry parfait.

I have to admit, I'm picky about my coffee-especially growing up in Colombia. (Que no me den qualquier tinto!) The quality of the beans is superb, and top it off with awesome ambience.

Here's a link to Uenodan's Blog.

White Day

2009-04-21T09:15:00.003+09:00

So, you think, hold up--White Day?

Something must be wrong with a celebration called White Day, so try to delete the racial referencing you are summoning in your head.

White Day, which takes place on March 14th is the counterpart of Valentines Day one month prior. My earlier post on Valentine's Day
explained the intensity of the commercial celebration in Japan. Yet, since Valentine's Day in Japan is geared towards women giving either obligatory or friendly gifts to men--at least there's a response 1 month later (that is, if the guy decides he wants to 'reply' with a gift).

This holiday originated in 1978 by the National Confectionary Industry Association. At first, marshmallows were marketed and it was called 'Marshmallow day.' But it later turned to chocolate companies who began marketing white chocolate. So therefore--White Day--a name which would not fly in a few countries I can think of.

So as soon as the Valentine's candies were pulled down, out came the White Day explosion. Now, there are more options than simply candy--it has turned into a wide selection of lingerie, mini towels, jewelery, etc.

Happy White Day??

Art Island- Naoshima

2009-04-20T21:39:00.002+09:00

If you're ever in Okayama, pop over to Naoshima Island, the Art Island. Naoshima is a center for art and culture located right on the Seto Inland See. Just a 15 minute ferry ride away from Southern Okayama-Ken.

The collection of contemporary out found here, especially at the Benesse Museum and in the ArtHouse Project is simply superb. Six houses in the beautifully village have been wildly converted into modern art projects, all with a different twist. Not only are your visual senses stimulated by these projects, but you also participate in a full body experience that I have yet to see anywhere else--I'll leave it for me to know and you to find out!

I am a particular fan of Yayoi Kusama who has two brilliant pumpkins on the island. Kusama's fetish with patterns, and in this case dots delves into a true candyland for the eye. Here is a personal favorite.

Yum you say!

alexarango.com

2009-04-20T21:31:00.002+09:00

Indeed, now linked to alexarango.com

I'm not sure why I chose to get a domain, the self indulgence of it all could be rather unhinged.

Manga Me!

2009-04-20T21:23:00.005+09:00

As I'm going about my day, I easily glance over a shoulder or two, and see drawings of dragons, or cute unknown creatures--and sometimes I see myself.

I guess the students have spend enough time seeing my face...I'm sure they get pretty bored. So why not DRAW me!

This is one of the many mangas of Alex I have found, and snapped a picture of it to share. All teenagers and even adults are quite skilled at drawing, and a lot of them are excellent.

Makes me think about how competitive the manga/anime world must be with thousands of Japanese students practicing every day.

One of my students even drew Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, etc, next to her notes about them!

eNgLiSh cLuB!

2009-04-20T18:13:00.006+09:00

For about nine months now I have hosted the English Club at Katsuyama High School. English Club has been everything from preparing for the annual speech competition to baking oatmeal cookies (that really weirded them out!), making bracelets, playing games, --and watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (they seem to love Johnny Depp, even in his eerie costume).

I have tried to produce a variety of fun activities, hopefully all geared towards--Using English--even though it may be a simple session with UNO.

Como buena Colombiana, we've even had a Salsa Lesson.

And a lesson with line dancing --Cha Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle.

I'll soon be introducing Hagelslag straight from Holland (gracias madre!)

This week will be a full on treasure hunt around the school. I had fun making the prizes: 100 yen stores are life saver in the realm of teacher needs (see pic below!)

Japan is Green Again!

2009-04-19T11:44:00.003+09:00

Gaza in Katsuyama

2009-04-09T13:40:00.002+09:00

Elliott D. Woods will be giving a talk at Hishio Gallery in Katsuyama on children in gaza. Photos were taken on a recent photojournalism endeavor in early 2009.

Recycle your tea!

2009-03-03T00:01:00.005+09:00

Have your tea and eat it too!

That's the magic of soba cha. Soba tea, made from roasted buckwheat kernels makes a delicious hearty tea that will warm you up like no other. It is praised for its health benefits including helping the digestive system and high blood pressure.

Soba tea is caffeine free, and has a nice mellow and smoothe flavor, good for pre-bedtime sipping.

The best thing about soba kernels...is that the fun isn't over after you brew your cup of deliciousness, take them and put them in your rice before cooking to add a little toasty flavor.

Waste not! Read up on the untranslatable mottainai

Gasoline and Eggs

2009-03-02T23:42:00.005+09:00

One fine day I was putting gas in my miniature Japanese car, which is like a little toy, and tra-la-la, paid for gas when the nice employee at the gas station (full service) hands me over a carton of six eggs! I was pretty confused, because I wasn't sure if he was trying to sell me the eggs, or why I was being handed six eggs at the gas station.

Little did I know, that JOMO gas stations in Japan have come up with a brilliant idea to lure you into getting your gas. Sure, free stuff is always fun, but it's usually useless and cheap, but Jomo has come up with an alternative that will rock your kitchen.

On Saturdays when you get over $10 worth of gas, you get half a dozen eggs! It's brilliant, who needs eggs? Everybody! (Ok, except Vegans, but there is no trace of even a vegetarian around here).

The sign on the left indicates the "Tamago Presento" (Egg Present) available at that Jomo. (N.B. $1.09US/Liter of regular gas).

Apparently sometimes Jomo has come up with another idea- free bread for your purchase of environmentally unfriendly petrol!

Hm, makes me want huevos pericos.

Walter Gurbo- Faceland at Hishio Gallery

2009-03-02T23:03:00.007+09:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Walter Gurbo and his family at a tea ceremony in one of the rural towns in the area. Gurbo is an artist from Garrettesville, N.y. who has done work for the New york's Village Voice and the New york Times among many others.

Katsuyama will be lucky enough to get a taste of Gurbo in April at Hishio Gallery with his new exhibit, "Faceland." Having the chance to meet up with Walter a few times has been quite a treat, since I have gotten a taste of the quirky eclectic works of art that Gurbo has concocted. From painted rocks to wooden books made out of recycled wood--these graspable objects will give a dynamic touch for museum visitors who will be able to get hands on with the artwork. Gurbo will have pushed the boundries between observer and the observed that museum layouts usually tend to offer; creating a "game land" of art and fantasy, faces and more faces where you'll never expect them.

Faceland, Hishio Gallery April 4-21

Hishio Gallery has recently hosted other artists such as the Hillu Liebelt (Germany), Ford Hallam (South Africa), Tara Sabharwal (India).

Eye Puchi

2009-02-28T02:23:00.005+09:00

Eyelids. I never really thought about my eyelids until about 2 years ago. I have a Korean friend who got eye surgery (image left) to make her "mono-eyelid" into a double lid, as it is considered more beautiful by some. It is a popular surgery in Asia, but the local drugstore offers a less permanent solution to your mono-lid "situation."

"Eye Puchi, the high schoolers like them" my co-worker told me. EyE PUCHI?!

So, after work I went bound and determined to find the infamous "Eye Puchi"- or eye tape that you attach to your lid for day (and night) use.This eye torture set includes mini-scissors, the tape itself, and a mini-fork for application The tape is applied to the area where you want the crease to form

Have a rice day!

2009-02-28T02:13:00.002+09:00

I've always wanted to go out on a date with a bowl of rice.

Lepra por Litro! Uy que rico!

2009-02-28T01:44:00.002+09:00

Te sientes demasiado bien? Necesitas alguito que cause manchas hiperesteticas y nodulos en la piel? Pues compra Lepra por Litro en Japon!
(Lepra=Leprosy in Spanish)

Miracle Boober

2009-02-28T00:18:00.002+09:00

The name made my day. Miracle Boober, sold at my local convenience store apparently offers some breast enlargement for only $30 US. Who needs breast implants now?!

The Myth Behind the Mask

2009-02-27T23:59:00.007+09:00

There's always the big talk about the face masks in Asia, you know the ones you see on CNN with the infamous bird flu scares, or images of tokyo with high fashioned-dolled up girls wearing a big white mask over their faces. So I have been asking around, doing my usual social research and the big question is...why wear the mask?!
People often think that it's Asian paranoia, but I've boiled it down to a few main reasons.

1. Respect: your nasty coughing, sneezing, sniffing, and wheezing is in everyone's face. So out of respect for the people around you, you wear a mask.
2. Prevention: I saw one of my students wearing her hello-kitty themed mask in class, and I said "aww, are you sick?!" Alas no, it was for prevention because she didn't want to be sick for the nightmarish tests. My co-worker did the same when she found out that 3 of the teachers had the flu.
3. For sore throats: So you have that sore throat in the morning, pop on a mask, and the humidity that you will re-inhale becuase of your breath will help your sore throat especially during the dry winter.

The picture above is a nice demonstration of one of the fashion masks as I'm calling them. This one has a tres chic leopard print, ideal for when you want to add that animal print to spice up your outfit.
If you're looking for a cuter look, no matter what age--blast your face with some Hello Kitty
At the local drug stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets you can find a variety of masks, some containing special high-tech menthol, or ergonomically designed masks. Above you can see Disney's investment in the mass, I mean mask industry.

Chika-Chika! Iki Iki!

2009-02-20T12:00:00.000+09:00

Bara-Bara (scatter it) , Kira-Kira (sparkle!)---Japan is the land of onomatopoeia. I’ve been learning lots of it as it is thrown around in daily conversation. “Kuru-Kuru!” the girls scream when they see my curly hair. I was about to put together a list of some of them, but like most things in life- it’s already written about or perfected by someone else. So I found an awesome list here’s the beginning of the onomatopoeic crazy-crazyness:

achi kochi

here and there

ban ban

plenty

bari bari

the sound of tearing (e.g., paper), also used to describe being very busy.

bara bara

scattered

basa basa

unkempt hair

bashi bashi

the sound of smacking someone on the head

bera bera

chatting, rattling

bichi bichi

flopping, smacking

fluffy, but also cozy, pleasant

For a fun filled list from a-z click here!

Tomo-Choko, Giri-Choko, My-Choko---Valentines Pressure

2009-02-20T11:00:00.001+09:00

What is “Valentine”? I asked my students, what is this strange thing “Valentine” or “Ba-ren-tain” in katakana English. No one really knew how to respond, they knew that on the 14th they were all going to give their friends chocolates but that’s about it.

Department stores, supermarkets, and 100 yen shops were however stocked with trinkets and cookies and chocolates and hearts galore! Heart boxes to wrap your home made heart chocolates. And sprinkles from sparkly to chocolaty. Japan almost puts the USA to shame when it comes to the consumption of Valentines Day. Products. Hello Kitty chocolate boxes to delicately sugar powdered cookies in elegant wrapping.

Flowers and bears are not relevant in the Japanese context; yet the Valentine chocolate fever has taken a new step in Japan. Let’s just say there isn’t an equal ex-change rate. Valentines day is designed for girls to give goodies to boys. If they are home-made it’s considered even more special, so girls work hard making home-made chocolates and cookies and cakes.

Chocolates fall into 5 categories.

1. Honmei-Choko: Chocolate-of-love; for a lover, husband, boyfriend, partner, etc.
2. Tomo-Choko: From the word tomodachi meaning friends; therefore chocolates you give to friends with no romantic intent
3. Giri-Choko: (This one cracks me up), meaning obiligatory chocolate. Giri-choko are treats with no romantic value that you give to your male co-workers because you have to. After a few nudges, male teachers admitted to me that they would feel kind of bad if they got no obligatory chocolate.
4. My-Choko: Chocolate you buy for yourself.
5. Giaku-Choko: Introduced this year for the first time, meaning reverse chocolate, where boys give chocolates to the girls. I asked dozens of high school boys if they gave giaku-chokos and only one actually did. Word says it will be more popular next year.

Here’s the best White Day, which takes place on March 14th (1 month later). This holiday started in 1978 by Ishimura Manseido a confectionary company in Japan. The company promoted Marshmallows as a return gift for the women who had given them a Valentine’s day gift. Now more expensive gifts are offered such as jewelry or white lingerie. White day is actually only for men to give things if they actually like a woman.

And there you go, choko choko choko! I’m choko-ed out!

Handshake or Bow: The Art of Team Teaching in Rural Japan

2009-02-12T21:40:00.006+09:00

Written for the Okayama Prefectural Education Journal

Culture feeds my soul. My arrival in Maniwa was an exhilarating time, now surviving as a somewhat blurred memory. Trying to absorb every new and stimulating moment surrounding me often left me on cultural overdrive—just what I was looking for. From learning about the Japanese education system, to figuring out how to pay my bills at the local convenience store, the adventures never ceases. Attempting to understand schedules, curriculums and expectations across cultural and linguistic lines was a journey in itself. Within the first few days of settling into Japan, I tried to get a grasp on the art of Team Teaching in a culture I had never been exposed to. In the following I will describe portions of my experiences as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Senior High Schools in rural Japan.

What to expect?

Before my very first class in Japan, I had already been researching and reading about anything that would be expected of me in my position across the earth. It is hard to truly get a grasp on things, especially through stereotypes, stories and a variety of experiences. From bowing, to noise, to rules on respect, to making sure you say “shitsureishimasss!” when you enter a room. In training we received practice on how to bow, when and where to remove shoes, and even enkai etiquette! We often come in afraid and overly compensate make sure that we are respecting the protocol and expectations of a foreigner in Japan.

“Your students will be shy” former ALT’s told me. It wasn’t until my first lesson, when 40 eyes quietly sat at their desks while I asked if anyone had any questions about me. No questions were asked, and it was then when I really began to understand the art of team teaching in Japan.

The JET program describes Team-Teaching as an opportunity to:

“…create a foreign language classroom in which the students, the Japanese teacher of the foreign language, and the native speaker engage in communicative activities. Team teaching provides opportunities for active interaction in a foreign language in the classroom, enhances the students: motivation towards learning a foreign language and deepens the students’ understanding of foreign cultures.” (JET Teaching Handbook, 2008)

What is your style?

Team teaching with Japanese Teachers of English (JTE) has been an incredibly enhancing opportunity. It has been enriching for both parties, through a constant exchange of ideas and teaching styles that make very lesson a practice in improving a co-taught classroom. Yet in many cases team teaching is not bound to working with solely one teacher, getting to know them or really adapting to working together and communicating appropriately. In my case I work at four High Schools, in different towns, and have co-taught up to now with nine different teachers. Each school has diverse expectations, different students, and a variety of goals (academic/commercial) and requires working with different types of people.

When team teaching, a primary concern comes down to how to work with the JTE. Everyone in the educational realm has a teaching style. Learning how to adapt to each other is an art form in itself and necessary order to create a successful classroom environment and a thriving learning experience for the students. When is the use of Japanese necessary for the benefit of the students? When do instructions need to be translated? Working in a certain way with one teacher, will not necessarily work at all with another. Therefore learning these nuances is a process that takes time, patience, and a lot of care from both sides.

The knowledge that an ALT gains from working with a JTE can be immense. The JTE is the one carrying the cultural knowledge necessary to understand what works. Comprehending the curriculum, the academic level, the personalities and the lives of the students themselves is essential information. Knowing that the students will be more interested in doing a memory game rather than a crossword puzzle, can make a difference in the success of a lesson plan.

Having fun yet?

While Team-Teaching is an important focus, more essential is the overall learning experience for the students themselves. While teaching in Japan, nothing motivates me more than seeing students smiling and enjoying English class. If I can make students giggle while learning a not-so-interesting grammar lesson-- then I’m fully satisfied! In one lesson on how to have a telephone conversation, students pretended to be Pikachu and Doraemon on the phone planning to save the world- that beats practicing “Joe and Jane planning to see a movie.” When it comes down to it, language learning can be a scary thing for some students, so I strive to create a relaxed classroom that inspires confidence.

Genki des ka?! An ALT needs to show enthusiasm and give examples that engage students and keep them motivated to learn only a foreign language, but also a foreign culture. One of the main goals of this type of exposure is to show students a different world. With one co-worker, we’ve created a series of lessons where students have learned all about differences between American and Japanese schools, as well as diverse aspects about each country. Besides learning how to shake hands like successful businessmen, we have engaged students in writing, listening, sharing ideas playing games and even expanding their imagination.

Through these types of lessons I hope to actually reach the minds of the students, past a current grammar lesson, or new word, but rather create a longer lasting experience that will inspire them to maintain their curiosity for learning. It probably sounds cliché and hopeful, but what is education without hope and patience? “It’s OK to make mistakes!” I try to convey in my classrooms, yet this is a slow process. I would rather see a sentence with plenty of mistakes and plenty of effort, than a blank page. Emotion affects learning and creating a safe classroom without the fear of being criticized will increase the potential of the students.

Closing thoughts

Perseverance and communication can create a harmonious lesson. A symphony can be composed in a co-taught lesson with the right instruments by the harmonizing features of a relaxed, a relevant lesson and dynamic activities for different learning styles. Today I taught the students the importance of hugs in other parts of the world, and pranced through the classroom hugging the air. Students chuckled, and even though they may not remember the word ‘hug’ in a few days, they may remember the joyful experience in an exciting classroom.

Team teaching has been an enriching experience and privilege. I am grateful for the patience that has been bestowed upon me through this didactic learning process. I have learned great amounts from the students and teachers, from tea ceremony to the purikura craze. It stands true to say that I highly encourage Japanese Teachers of English and Assistant Language Teachers to embrace this opportunity with flexibility and an open mind. All I know is that my ichinensei students now know how to give a great handshake.

Camels and Crabs in Japan...

2009-01-18T22:15:00.008+09:00

Here are a few adventures from Tottori Prefecture:

Tottori is north of Okayama. An adventure in Tottori will bring more than just an abundance of the famous pears from the region, but little did you know that you'll bump into some freezing camels waiting to give somebody a ride in the snow.
No trip in Tottori is complete without a sweet view of the ocean that I was unable to enjoy due to the negative degree weather. This picture unfortunately doesn't capture the snow on the beach.
Can anyone identify this gnarly crustacean? This little guy was hanging out at the local acquarium. He looks like he came straight out of a Mario Bros. "Underwater Adventure" video game. What a munchkin!Also located at the aquarium was this monster crab. Don't mess with this bad boy.

Crabs, Crabs, Crab-0-liciouis. Tottori had an abundance of fresh crustaceans. These guys crammed on top of each other were still moving around and clicking away.

Le Lunch with my monster crab. I needed to drink a shot of patience as an aperitif to get through this lunch! It's like digging for gold.

Crossing the street in vietnam

2009-01-11T17:14:00.004+09:00

I thought I would add this little mini clip in order to maybe convey an image of what it is like to cross a street in Vietnam. (It's a video us in Ho Chi Mihn City)

Things to know:
1. The oncoming flow of thousands of motorcycles and mopeds will never, ever stop. So you can forget about waiting the traffic to clear a bit.
2. No one will ever stop for you.
3. Pedestrian crosswalks on the street are just for decoration.

Rules:
1. Just start walking, have no fear.
2. Start walking slowly, vehicles will zoom around you.
3. Never stop.
4. you will be protected by the traffic god that seems to man the streets of vietnam.

May the force be with you.

A few pictures from a petit voyage au Vietnam

2009-01-10T18:44:00.019+09:00

Ha Long Bay

Beautiful Silk
Boys meticulously working on silk portraits. It takes approximately 1 month to complete a project (final product in the background).

Initial stages for beautiful pots.

Pottery in Hanoi

Burning fake money for the spiritsLocals in Hanoi get up at six am to do tai chi.

Veggies on a bike!
Cute little guy at a street stand in Hanoi.
Some French influence still lingering....

Sad? Incredible? Mixed emotions. My favorite chickens are in the front basket.

Want anything? Explore the Ho Chi Minh market and finding anything...in approximately a million colors!

Sniffin' the road
Selling whistles in Hoi An

World poverty and my local apples...

2008-12-21T15:38:00.007+09:00

With recent recalculations of the number of people living in extreme poverty, estimates have now calculated even higher numbers. The world bank now estimates that 1.4 billion people live below the international poverty line, that is -- living on $1.25 a day.

Sub-saharan africa is at a sad and unacceptable 51% under the poverty line.

Meanwhile at my local grocery store, I strolled through the vegetable and fruit section, only to find myself shocked by the prices of for example:
An apple: approx US$ 3.33

Or say hm..ONE corn on the cob in a vacuum seal: US$2.77

"Something is not right!" said Ms. Clavel.

The Japanese can sleep in any position

2008-12-21T15:34:00.003+09:00

No this man isn't upset and crying, he's sleeping at a festival.

Sake Festival Hiroshima

2008-12-21T15:16:00.003+09:00

The Hiroshima sake festival offers over 700 sake brands from regions all over Japan. Here are a few portrait of some friendly faces.

What's wrong with this picture?

2008-12-21T14:52:00.004+09:00

Taken at the Maniwa Riverside Hotel (Ochiai, Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture)

Chillin' on my unicycle

2008-12-21T01:43:00.004+09:00

So, back at the farm kids are learning how to use their tricycles, and learning how to snap and whistle. In the meantime as I walk tthrough my home sweet village, the kids bust out their unicycles to hang with their neighborhood friends.

Now that's badass.

Kit Kat Fruit Mix

2008-12-21T01:36:00.001+09:00

Fruit Mix Minis
Rating: 2/5
Guacatela!

Why?

2008-12-21T01:33:00.001+09:00

At a gas station on the way to Hiroshima...

FAIL

2008-12-21T00:03:00.004+09:00

Here's another entry tagged under "I'm a Tool." A while ago when my friend Maia came to visit before her journey around the East, she came around exactly around her birthday! Perfect I said, I'll make a divine chocolate cake.
Tra la la, eggs, flour, sugar, cocoa, vanilla...

Looking like rich delicious batter, Maia dipped her finger in it like a happy kid making cake, when her face suddenly contracted in utter pain.

WHAT? And boom, I dipped my finger in a for a big dollop and immediately spat out what evidently was batter with 2 cups SALT and not 2 cups SUGAR.

Can't read the bag...FAIL!

Mos Burger

2008-12-20T23:41:00.007+09:00

Don't worry this isn't a marshy, green burger, this is Japan's Burger. Mos Burger first started in the seventies and is now widespread around the country and even internationally. Mos burger sells the classics, but has also deviated into the adventurous flavors of teriyaki burgers, and chili burgers...

But the ultimate is their very own selection of

RICE BURGERS

Oh yes ladies and Gentleman, goodbye bread buns, hello RICE. Rice was first used as a bun in 1987. Mos burger now offers a fun variety:

Kaisen Kakiage Rice Burger: fresh seafood shrimp fritter
Kinpira Rice Burger: Fried burdock and carrot
yakiniku Rice Burger: grilled strips of beef (the*best*)

I think I need to pitch this to the Colombians.

Caves in Hokubo

2008-12-20T23:22:00.003+09:00

After a warm fall day, it feels deliciously refreshing to walk into the hidden world of the Hokubo Caves. Covered in stalactites and stalagmites, this cave was about 10 degrees cooler than it was outside. Walking through most of it requires quite a bit of crouching!

Forgot your chopsticks?

2008-12-20T22:33:00.004+09:00

Forgot your chopsticks to go along with your bento? Hiruzen High School has found the solution for forgetful students.

1. Enter teachers office, bow, call for a teacher, admit that your forgot your hashi.
2. Hand over ¥50 (equivalent to about $0.50)
3. Teacher gives you disposable chopsticks, and tapes your ¥50 to the door of the refrigerator along with your name.
4. Get back your ¥50 by bringing in another pair of disposable chopsticks!

Harvesting Rice

2008-12-20T20:20:00.004+09:00

Here's a petit sideshow from my adventures of harvesting rice with the Tabuchi Family! Invited by a kind Social Studies teacher, who has a second life as a true Japanese rice farmer. They have 10 rice paddies, which they plant, harvest and process themselves. Fortunately, for the sake of their backs, they now have a rice harvest combine (aka, tractor).

I did however get a chance to do some traditional rice cutting, with a bit scary curved metal knife. To properly cut: semi-squat with legs wide open so you don't chop your leg off along with a sheaf of rice!

Peek-a-Boo!

2008-12-20T20:16:00.002+09:00

Oh come all ye faithful

2008-10-28T23:46:00.006+09:00

One of Katsuyama's ancient and superbly traditional shrines is the beer shrine, located on the left. In its very own magnificense, the aluminum reflects the rays of the Gods over town.

"Our lager,
Which art in barrels,
Hallowed be thy drink.
Thy will be drunk, (I will be drunk),
At home as it is in the pub.
Give us this day our foamy head,
And forgive us our spillage's,
As we forgive those who spill against us.
And lead us not to incarceration,
But deliver us from hangovers.
For thine is the beer, The bitter, The lager.
BARMEN."

Caramel Cream Kit Kat

2008-10-28T23:39:00.003+09:00

Halloween special!

Caramel Cream! 4/5 rating.

Way too sweet

Azuki Bean Kit Kat

2008-10-28T23:34:00.001+09:00

Bean Kit KAT? I know.

Before I knew what it was, I predicted that it was cookies and cream flavored.

4/5 rating

Bento Box

2008-10-28T23:10:00.008+09:00

So when I first got here, I walked into work with my regular lunch, anything goes (leftover dinner, sandwich, whatever). And then I'd glance over to my co-worker's lunch whcih was always a perfect work of art, while I looked like I was having a sloppy joe in a regular old tupperware container.

After a few weeks of feeling like a total slob, (which in other countries my lunch would've been perfectly normal) I decided to get my own lil bento box. Everybody has a bento box. I must say it is especially quirky to see the serious men walk in with an adorable bright colored lunch box.

The science behind the bento box has to do with proportions. "A well-balanced bento consists of rice adn side dices in a 1:1 ratio. The ratio of fish or meat dishes to vegtables should be 1:2" Says one webiste. And here's a good link to

So I got a pretty cheap one (I have to throw it away soon, as It was not microwavable safe--bentos are basically eaten at room temperature).

My bento has multiple parts:

1. Bottom container: for rice

2. Top container: for meat/veggies

3. Top layer holds mini plastic chopstics

4. Elastic band to hold it together

5. Bandana thing that you tie around it.

6. Pull string bag that you put it in to carry.

QUE COMPLICADOOOOOO! But still, it amuses me.

What to know before you Climb the tallest mountain in Japan

2008-10-28T23:05:00.002+09:00

So when I heard "Mount Fuji" I hear, ok, crucial tourist trap in Japan. Gotta do it, gotta climb it, no excuses! I headed towards the Yamanashi prefecture to one of Japan's three Holy Mountains with a group of friends. After a long bus ride for 9 or 10 hours, we arrived, ready to stock up on snacks, have a big dinner, and head to bed early before a 2 am departure.

2 am arrives, and I'm in my spandex, some tennis shoes, and a fleece, alright-- PIECE OF CAKE I announced.

Little did I know that I was n-o-t prepared to climb the tallest mountain in Japan. When I heard Fuji, I thought, sure its supposed to be hard, but most have made it up I think. We hop on the bus, I have my little backpack with some chocoaltes and some water and a few other mountain munchables.

Our guide, Coco, who I never saw after 2am started to talk about breathing exercises, pace, falling rocks, more falling rocks. I was like...yo yo yo, HOLD up, we have to acclimatize for an hour before we go up? Where is it that we're going?

Fuji-San is no easy feat. 3,776m (12,388 ft) is no little hill. So next time you decide to hop over to Fuji san please be aware of the following things:

1. You need more than spandex and a fleece woman! Yes, I was cold. Fuji-San is COLD even in the summer. When we got to level 5 startring level (gogome), we were told that it was currently -5 celcius at the top. This is when I started to worry. And I was still at he bottom and cold.

2. You need a stick. The thing to do is to get your walking stick and get it stamped on they way, (of course they charge you each time). But the stamping is not what I'm talking about. You need a STICK. You need a THIRD leg to haul some butt up that mountain. Had to buy the stick on level 6.

3. You need some gloves. I had no gloves, and my hands were swollen and frozen, which meant I could barely open my backpack to get water. The air pressure really freaked me out because my fingers looked like pudgy stubs. Had to buy gloves on level 7 before my hands fell off.

4. You need a hat.

5. You need a flashlight. Most people start climbing fuji at 10pm or so to be at the summit for goraiko, or the famous sunrise. Goraiko is a specific word for sunrise on Fuji (I love that!). So I thought, meeeeh It'll be fine. I imagined that the touristyness of it would have the entire path lit up. Well no, there are actuallyl no lights and I was quasi blind until the sun started rising.

6. (Optional). Most of the Japanese climbers take cans of Oxygen. I survived with out it, but it probably would've been nice to inhale some just for kicks.

7. A rain jacket. Because it sprinkled the whole way up, which makes it pretty freaking cold.

8. A beer. To celebrate at the summit.

Conclusion: Please go better prepared than yours truly.

Climbing Fuji is incredible, even just the feeling that thousands and thousands have done the same pilgrimage to the top of Japan.

Today's burger of the day is (drumroll please!!!)

2008-09-17T21:39:00.004+09:00

I passed by Freshness Burger, a japanese food chain, which had this lovely sign placed outside. The burger of the day...is...
Cheeseburger. Period. Deal with it.

"Muscat of Alexandria" Kit Kat...

2008-09-17T21:16:00.006+09:00

This is probably the most sophisticated sounding Kit-Kat I will ever try in my entire life. I saw this out this weekend on the eastern side of Japan, and for the sake of continuing my kit kat reviews, I decided to get it.

Verdict: Nasty.

(Up to now the flavored kit kats have had little success with my palate: tea, red berries, and watermelon).
So I opened this one up, thinking darn, "Muscat of Alexandria" tres chic. The Kit Kat itself is covered by a soft green white chocolate coating filled with grape flavoring.

...I gave the rest to one of my students who I ran into on the train...

WHERE IS THE GREEN TEA KIT-KAT?! It's out there, I'm going to hunt it down.

Deja Vu

2008-09-17T21:08:00.002+09:00

Ok,

So in my last post I went on about the madness of sports festival #1, here are a few pics from sports festival take 2 (different school).

Look out for:

Kids cheering their hearts out
The most dangerous relay game in the world: fishing out a marshmallow stuck in flour while running (me in the background worrying about the chocking hazard).
The Mountain climbing team doing a relay with their backpacks (the Kendo team was also out there running, bless their hearts, with their heavy kendo gear).
Crazy half naked boy game.

Spotso Festivaru

2008-09-17T20:08:00.007+09:00

Or sports festival...but thats me turning every word I can into "japanese."

I remember the days when I was dreading sports day. That meant I had to get in athletic clothing, stand the sweltering heat of Cali and make a fool out of myself doing the coordinated dances. I was the Dolphin somethings…then there were the Squid Squads; clearly I blocked it out of my mind. I wrote to my friend Ana who seems to be the mastermind at remembering teacher’s names and information that I suddenly need.

In any case, it was time for Sports day. Ok. So you think, whatever the kids come to school and extra day and play a few sports, put on a few t-shirts.

No.

The sports festival, as it is called, is more of a big deal than I could ever fathom. For weeks in advance the teachers had been saying “o the kids are preparing for sports day” or “the class is canceled to prepare for sports day” or “they are preparing” and I’m like what in the WORLD are they preparing? Here I am, imagining them doing a few push ups, maybe making some t-shirts.

Alas no. These kids were working day in and day out to prepare over 10 choreographed dances, the biggest ones including the entire high school dancing at the same time in the baseball field. Please re-read the last sentence.

They also created monster posters painted carefully and neatly by hand, with perfect dimensions. The 3 teams (red, blue and yellow) were composed of students from each grade. All of them made fabulous costumes, signs, flags, you name it.

It is also the one day of the year where the students can get crazy. With awesome hairstyles, glittery eyelashes, gel, braids, bows, flowers and every other colorful detail to represent their team.

Sports day in Japan commences by the utterly most organized marching. Students march throughout the field proudly, holding their flags and lining up for the big day. Meanwhile I’m thinking “yo, this would never work where I’m from…”

Then, the principal gets up, says a few works, the Japanese flag is raised with the beautiful anthem playing the background. Then comes the group stretch. And group stretch it is, every single teacher and administrator is out there with the hundreds of students doing the essential stretching to survive the intense sports day that I had yet to see.

From the classic tug-of-war, to a crazy game of holding a giant fan and smashing the opponent’s paper balloon of his head; the sports day got crazier and crazier. Then it was time for the team dances, judged by teachers. The dances were incredible, with complete outfits, cheers, chants, and coordinated steps. Take 2: Meanwhile I’m thinking “yo, this would never work where I’m from…”

I spent the entire day in awe, mostly amazed by the elaborateness of it all. I later discovered the quasi-hospital (see pictures) packed with students that were dropping like flies after a few dozen relays in the sweltering muggy heat. I couldn’t resist snapping a picture.

The day ended with a grand announcement of the winners, with trophies and all included.

Oh wait, no, I thought the day ended.

Suddenly it was cleanup time. Wait what? Again, recalling my peers growing up who probably wouldn’t fathom what was about to happen. Suddenly every single student started to help the clean up portion of the day. Hundreds of chairs, tents, bleachers had to be taken apart and put away. From every screw to every bottle, the school was whipped back to normality. The giant beautiful posters were shredded to pieces and put in bags for recycling and the field was empty and neat as if the entire day had never happened.

May the madness begin

2008-09-17T19:49:00.004+09:00

Ok so you wonder, what is this ugly picture that she posted on the left. Agreed, not very in touch with my creative side at that moment. Here's what happened. Suddenly I was sitting in the teacher's lounge and I was the ONLY person there. What does that mean? That meant that there was something clearly important happening that I did not understand whenever it was apparently announced. So I ran outside to see if maybe the entire school had evacuated, or if there was some kind of crucial assembly going on. Suddenly I found the entire school in the baseball field crouched down. I ran up to one of the teachers, and I'm like WHATS GOING ON?!

"They're picking out the weeds" he said nonchalantly.

WHAT? I ran over to see what the kids were doing, quickly realizing that all of the students were helping clean out the edges of the baseball field that had tiny weeds growing, all in preparation for....

THE SPORTS FESTIVAL!

I ran inside to get my camera like a good foreigner does in moments of sheer culture shock. I snapped a few pictures, and dove in to help the kids weed out the place.

And this is where the madness began, the thought that could go through my head was "this could never work where I am from..."

Kitto Katsu Blind Tasting

2008-09-10T22:07:00.004+09:00

I guess I'll continue with the food theme, since I've written quite a few posts about it in the past few days.
KITTO KATSU! Or more commonly known as KitKat. Give me a break, me, eating Kit Kat in Japan. YES. Oh yes and exciting it is.
As AJ, Ashley and me strolled through the local "happy mart" I ran into exactly what I had been looking for the flavored Kit Kats that are seasonal. I jumped on these three and organized a blind tasting, alas the adventures you think of living in the inaka (Japanese countryside).

Results according to the picture above:
Flavor 1: Tea--weird taste, doesn't really taste like tea
Flavor 2: Strawberry---nasty
Favor 3: Watermelon---nasty

It was still fun, maybe we're not used to the classic old American kit kat being interfered with by other fun and exciting flavors. I tried another one that had a white package, and it tasted like cookies and cream...turns out it was sweet bean (azuki) flavored.

Fun fact from the wikipedia god:
"Kit Kats have also become very popular in Japan, a phenomenon attributed to the coincidental similarity between the bar's name and the Japanese phrase kitto katsu, which roughly translates to "You will surely win!" This has reportedly led to parents and children buying them for school examination days as a sort of good luck charm.^[3] However, transliteration is not always in Nestlé's favour - kitto katto (where 'katto' is taken to be a katakana transliteration of the English verb 'cut') is understood to bestow Kit Kat with the less positive significance of "you will surely miss the cut". As such, gifts of a single kit-kat are a running joke for senior high school students taking the University Entrance Examinations in some areas."

Bento me to heaven

2008-09-10T21:47:00.002+09:00

At a special event I got this magical bento box from heaven. Sitting on my desk was a simple yet beautiful cream colored box, i expected to find a sandwich and maybe a little juice box, but I opened up this delightful treasure full of flavors. Enough to make your taste buds go wild! From tempura to sashimi, pickled who-knows-whats and even half a tangerine.
How beautiful is this? Forget paper bag lunches! Who knew a boxed lunch could be this impeccably artistic. Don't forget the side of rice (on right).

Calling all ye smokers...

2008-09-10T21:35:00.004+09:00

You may have seen this in other parts of the world, but this was definitely my first. My friend was smoking away when suddenly she pulled out a little pouch, opened it up, sprinkled her cigarette ashes in and continued to puff.
WHATS THAT?! I shrieked. Turns out it was a free give-away with some cigarettes, and it is a handy dandy ashtray to take around with you to smoke free japan (often smoking is not allowed in streets and in many areas since the government is making efforts to designate smoking areas). No littering!
I have since seen a few people with their portable ashtrays, puffing away, and being responsible civilians.

BBQ Katsuyama Style

2008-09-04T22:23:00.003+09:00

From cow stomach with noodles to some tasty Gozenshu sake. I experienced an awesome and heart warming bbq with the Katsuyama Locals. From a birthday celebration for Shoko (local chic cafe owner- Uenodan Cafe) to a nice welcoming get together for the strange geijing in town, we feasted on endless onigiri (a snack of Japanese rice formed into triangle or oval shapes) and a big fat chicken, meat, japanese eggplant, and lots of other goodies.
Yon, the host and revered Noren artist, welcomed us into her awesomely artsy home (which dates back a century or so). I almost didn't want to leave the bathroom because I was having so much fun looking at all the books and trinkets.

Read-a-book, read-a-book, catch-a-train

2008-09-03T22:03:00.004+09:00

On one of the many train stops I wanted to find somewhere to sit. In the Kiyone train station not only did I find a bench, but also found a cute bookshelf packed with books! Brilliant. It would only work in Japan. Almost paradisaical, where you responsibly use public transportation, and momentarily borrow books from a communal and open mini-library.