Thinking of a career change? Wanting to go back to school? Your child unsure of where to attend college? Have I got the solution for you –– Michigan's MedGrow Cannabis College. Yes, that is right. A trade school to teach you how to properly grow and use marijuana for medical consumption. I didn't realize people needed to go to college to learn how to grow pot.
This 6-week trade school includes classes like Intro and History of Cannabis, Legal, Caregiving as a Business, Horticulture, and Cooking and Concentrates. And at a mere $475 it is a very affordable option for those looking for cost-effective college options.
I have to chuckle when I think of MedGrow Cannabis College's graduates writing out their resumes. What would one list as "professional experience and development"? And as an Ohioan I think I can honestly say –– Only in Michigan.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
ABCs of Living in Japan
I came across this in today's The Japan Times, a Japanese Newspaper all in English. Here is a little lesson in Japanese culture and language in ABC form. Enjoy!
A is for Amaterasu, the sun goddess and Japan's best-known deity. A is also for amanogawa (the Milky Way), Aomori Prefecture and All Nippon Airways.
B is for Buddhism, bo-san (Buddhist priest) and bon dancing — now take a bow. B is also for batsu (literally "X"), the Japanese gesture of crossing your arms in front of you — an alarming way — to indicate something "can't be done."
C is for cheezu! (Cheese!) said when taking a photo. And C is for concriito, a virile form of concrete that grows everywhere in Japan.
D is for dame (no way!), daijobu (OK) and Disney.
E is for Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh?! — an expression of disbelief, such as at the eki (train station), when you realize you've gotten on the wrong train.
F is for futon, fufu (married couple), and furin (to cheat on your spouse).
G is for gaijin (foreigner), and proud of it! G is also for the gakusei (students) you may teach at the gakko (school). And when your students do well, be sure to say "Goo!" (Good!)
H is for hai! (Yes!), the answer to all questions in Japanese, whether you understand them or not.
I is for itadakimasu! said out of respect before eating a meal. Iiiiidesu ne? (Isn't that nice?)
J is for "Japan as No. 1," the country your family thought you went to.
K is for kawaii (cute!), kewpie dolls, konbini (convenience store) and Kitty-chan . . . the real Japan you've come to.
L is for lice (foreign rice) as distinguished from kome, Japanese rice, the staple food in Japan.
M is for the mama-san who serves you miso soup in the minshuku. "Mooooiii desu" (Enough already!) M is for maru, appended to all boat names.
N is for natsukashii, something you fondly remember from long ago. N is for natto (fermented beans). No, not natto!
O is for ohayo! (Good morning!), onsen (hot springs) and "Oh no, I'm still wearing the toilet slippers!"
P is for pachinko chocolate and Pocky, those cylindrical frosted snacks. P is for "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea."
Q is for Q&A, especially the questions that may never be answered about Japan, no matter how much Googling one does on their computers.
R is for Rosu (Los Angeles), Roson (Lawson's), Rasu Begas (Las Vegas), and "I rabu you." (I love you.)
S is for shochu (Japanese distilled spirits), sake and the Gods who beckon you to toast them at 7 a.m. Shinto ceremonies. So desu yo! (It's true!)
T is for taihen (difficult) and tatemae (a form of flattery) that the token gaijin may at times endure. T is for "taoru," (towel), especially those you receive from local businesses with advertising on them. And T is also for takoyaki (octopus balls). Tee-hee.
U is for U-tan (U-turn — people moving back to their hometowns), something you may do yourself some day. But don't be like Urashimataro, who returned home only to find himself hundreds of years old.
V is for the bwee-sign, that gesture given when Japanese pose for photos. You may have thought the V was for victory, but it is really the visual sign for peace.
W is for wan-chan (dogs) who get carried around in their owners' bicycle baskets. Wan-wan! (Arf-arf!). W is also for wairo, the wonderful world of bribery.
X is for Tokyo's X-rated Kabukicho, XX-rated movies, and XXX-rated cabaret clubs.
Y is for yokozuna (the highest rank in sumo), Yoko Ono and making lots of yen!
Z is for zen, which not surprisingly, rhymes with yen.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Walking on the Wild Side
Today I lived dangerously. That's right. I did something very against all the rules and protocols of Japan. You ready for it? I walked across the road during a green light. **gasp**
The Japanese refuse to cross the street if there is a green light or if the "little green walk man" has not appeared. In the city I can understand, however we are talking every single street and alley. There may not be a car in sight and yet they will still stand there, right at the curb, waiting for the light to change. (I swear Japanese can make a careers out of waiting.) And if you cross the road "illegally" you will hear someone gasp. We are so used to waiting by now that if we see someone cross when they shouldn't we always joke about them being a rebel.
I am very impatient, so I really hate being a good girl and waiting for the light to change. And today when Emily and I were carrying 6 bags of grocery's a mile up the hill (no joke) I threw all caution to the wind and took a walk on the wild side –– I crossed the street when the light was green. I am so going to Japanese hell.
The Japanese refuse to cross the street if there is a green light or if the "little green walk man" has not appeared. In the city I can understand, however we are talking every single street and alley. There may not be a car in sight and yet they will still stand there, right at the curb, waiting for the light to change. (I swear Japanese can make a careers out of waiting.) And if you cross the road "illegally" you will hear someone gasp. We are so used to waiting by now that if we see someone cross when they shouldn't we always joke about them being a rebel.
I am very impatient, so I really hate being a good girl and waiting for the light to change. And today when Emily and I were carrying 6 bags of grocery's a mile up the hill (no joke) I threw all caution to the wind and took a walk on the wild side –– I crossed the street when the light was green. I am so going to Japanese hell.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Cruising down the, well sidewalk?
Tuesday Matt had a work dinner and Emily had gymnastics practice so it was just Chris, Sam and I for supper. They had clubs after school so I had to pick them up at the train. I had not made plans for dinner and since I had a cooking class that day wasn't really feeling like making anything. As I waited for them at the train station I decided to be a really lazy and unhealthy cool mom and grab McDonald's.
I turned down a side street that I have never been down before and figured I could get back onto the main road that way. Now let me stop here and explain something about many Japanese "streets". They are more like cattle shoots. Only one car can go down many of them so if you see someone coming towards you, you have to find a driveway, patch of dirt or some place to move over and allow the other person to pass. It really is a pain.
So I turn down this side street and go down the hill to where the street curved to the right. I was driving parallel to the train tracks and thinking how really narrow this street was. It curved to the right again and that is when I realized that my "street" was actually a sidewalk. Yep, that is right. My little Toyota Wish was barrelling down the sidewalk of Japan.
The bigger question was how to get off the sidewalk. Chris was laughing so hard at me, as was the people passing on the main street. Luckily there was a real side street quickly and we were able to get off the sidewalk and be driving legally. Needless to say after that I went home and cooked the kids dinner. I wasn't up for the adventure of ordering at McDonald's.
Oye... another story to write in the adventure book. I am going to have to overdose on anti aging product while living here.
I turned down a side street that I have never been down before and figured I could get back onto the main road that way. Now let me stop here and explain something about many Japanese "streets". They are more like cattle shoots. Only one car can go down many of them so if you see someone coming towards you, you have to find a driveway, patch of dirt or some place to move over and allow the other person to pass. It really is a pain.
So I turn down this side street and go down the hill to where the street curved to the right. I was driving parallel to the train tracks and thinking how really narrow this street was. It curved to the right again and that is when I realized that my "street" was actually a sidewalk. Yep, that is right. My little Toyota Wish was barrelling down the sidewalk of Japan.
The bigger question was how to get off the sidewalk. Chris was laughing so hard at me, as was the people passing on the main street. Luckily there was a real side street quickly and we were able to get off the sidewalk and be driving legally. Needless to say after that I went home and cooked the kids dinner. I wasn't up for the adventure of ordering at McDonald's.
Oye... another story to write in the adventure book. I am going to have to overdose on anti aging product while living here.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
CFBA: Never Say never
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
The Tending Roses series continued with Good Hope Road, the Language of Sycamores, Drenched in Light, and A Thousand Voices. In 2003, Lisa's Texas Hill Country series began with Texas Cooking, and continued with Lone Star Cafe', which was awarded a gold metal by RT Bookclub magazine and was hailed by Publisher's Weekly as "A charmingly nostalgic treat." The series concluded with Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner.
Lisa is now working on a new set of small-town Texas novels for Bethany House Publishers. The series debuted with Talk of the Town and continued with Word Gets Around and Never Say Never. A new series is also underway for Peguin Group NAL, beginning with A Month of Summer (July 2008), and continuing with The Summer Kitchen (July 2009) and Beyond Summer (July 2010). Lisa's works have been featured by the National Reader's Club of America, AOL Book Pics, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for the LORIES best Published Fiction Award. In 2009, A Month of Summer was nomiated for the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.
ABOUT THE BOOK
And when she meets hometown-boy Kemp Eldridge, she can almost picture settling down in Daily--until she discovers he may be promised to someone else. Daily has always been a place of refuge for those the winds blows in, but for Kai, it looks like it will be just another place to leave behind. Then again, Daily always has a few surprises in store--especially when Aunt Donetta has cooked up a scheme.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Never Say Never, go HERE
Monday, February 01, 2010
February is "Heart Month"
Did you know:
- Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) affects approximately 1.8 million families in the United States
- CHDs are the most common birth defect and the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths worldwide
- Nearly twice as many children die from CHDs as from all childhood cancers combined, yet research for cancer receives five times the funding
- There are currently 35 distinct CHDs recognized
- There is no known cause for CHDs and there is no cure, only treatment, such as medicines, numerous surgeries and heart transplants.
- Each year an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect
- 1 in 10 of those are born with a fatal defect
January, 2002 a man and a woman went to a routine 18-week ultrasound while pregnant with their third child. They came home to a message on their answering machine. "Something was seen on the ultrasound." The next eight months were an emotional and heartbreaking roller coaster. Their daughter was born on April 29, four weeks early, with several complex heart defects. After spending 32 days in the NICU she finally came home. The parents were told their precious baby would require heart surgery in the near future. The next two months were filled with doctor visits, echocardiograms, medicines, a fun family vacation and a move three hours "down south".
At 3 am on August 9, 2002, this man and woman loaded their 3-month old daughter into the car and drove 3.5 hours north for her open heart surgery. The next five days were a living nightmare for them. And on August 13, at only 101 days old, their daughter earned angel wings.
That "1" was our daughter, Allison Grace.
February 7 - 14 is "Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week". Raising national awareness about Congenital Heart Defects is important on so many levels—it will provide hope for families of CHD survivors and comfort to those whose loved ones have lost their battles; it will inform the general public about the symptoms of CHDs and possibly save lives; and it will affirm the need for researchers and medical professionals to continue their work to improve the outlook for CHD patients.
Here are a few ways you can help bring awareness to CHDs this February.
- As my long-time readers know, I blog every year about this important issue. If you blog, please make an entry this month helping raise awareness. You can even link to this entry.
- Place a button on your blog for the month.
- If you are on Facebook, become a fan of CHD Awareness Week 2010.
- If you are looking to give to a charity, think about donating to one that supports CHD research, such as the Children's Heart Foundation.
- If you give to the American Heart Association, put "Zachary Brooks Foundation" in the memo designating that your funds will go to a foundation set up specifically for CHD heart awareness and research.
- Wear red on February 14, not to represent cupid, but to remember those who are affected by CHDs.
- And if you have children, hug them a little tighter and thank God for the miracle and wonderful gift you have been given.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Persian Cooking Class
Last week I took a Persian cooking class offered through CHIC. The Persian cooking classes are always quite popular because the person who teaches the class does a great job and because Persian food isn't something you run into in everyday cooking.
The class is hosted in the teachers house. Since many of the spices used in Persian cooking are not common, Nazie, the teacher, takes a few minutes to explain each of the spices and how they are used. The dishes we made that day used dried limes, saffron (a common spice used in Persian cooking), turmeric, and advieh (a mixture of 7 different spices).
The menu consisted of Salad-e Shirazi (a cold tomato and cucumber salad), Koresht-e-Ghaymeh Bademjan (a "stew" dish), yogurt dip, and crunchy basmati rice. It takes over 4 hours of cooking time for the stew when done properly. Needless to say, I won't be making this dish everyday!
After all the food was done we moved into the living room to enjoy all the awesome food.
And no meal is complete without a little something to wash all that fantastic food down.
The Salad-e Shirazi is super easy to make and something I eat for lunch quite often.
4 medium tomatoes
2 small cucumbers
1 medium onion ( I like red onion)
3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
200 grams fresh mint (or 1 teaspoon dry mint)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/6 teaspoon black pepper
Wash cucumbers, tomatoes and mint. Peel onion. Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion very finely, and mix. Chop mint very finely and add to the vegetables. Add fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Mix well and serve cool. If you want jazz it up a bit you can add feta cheese and black olives and eat with pita bread. YUM!
The class is hosted in the teachers house. Since many of the spices used in Persian cooking are not common, Nazie, the teacher, takes a few minutes to explain each of the spices and how they are used. The dishes we made that day used dried limes, saffron (a common spice used in Persian cooking), turmeric, and advieh (a mixture of 7 different spices).
The menu consisted of Salad-e Shirazi (a cold tomato and cucumber salad), Koresht-e-Ghaymeh Bademjan (a "stew" dish), yogurt dip, and crunchy basmati rice. It takes over 4 hours of cooking time for the stew when done properly. Needless to say, I won't be making this dish everyday!
After all the food was done we moved into the living room to enjoy all the awesome food.
And no meal is complete without a little something to wash all that fantastic food down.
The Salad-e Shirazi is super easy to make and something I eat for lunch quite often.4 medium tomatoes
2 small cucumbers
1 medium onion ( I like red onion)
3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
200 grams fresh mint (or 1 teaspoon dry mint)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/6 teaspoon black pepper
Wash cucumbers, tomatoes and mint. Peel onion. Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion very finely, and mix. Chop mint very finely and add to the vegetables. Add fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Mix well and serve cool. If you want jazz it up a bit you can add feta cheese and black olives and eat with pita bread. YUM!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sticker Shock
Overall, Japan is a very expensive country. When people ask me what is cheap here I always say chicken breast and alcohol. I get some strange looks, but other than some seasonal fruits and vegetables, this is typically the case.
Let's take milk for example. If you shop at the local grocery store a liter of milk will cost anywhere from ¥180 - ¥240, depending on the type and brand. It would take 4 liters to make a gallon (technically 3.79 liters, but you have to round up), so if you buy the cheapest milk it would run you about ¥720 ($7.50) for a gallon of milk. Juice would run you about the same, sometimes cheaper if you find it on sale. On a regular day an apple will run you ¥128 each, but to Japan's defense, the apples are almost the size of a newborn's head. A steak will run you at least $10 each. Everything is sold in smaller sizes so you pay a whole lot more in comparison to the United States.
Luckily we have a Costco about 30 minutes from us. It really is a life saver. While in the United States we only bought a few items at a place like Costco, here we buy almost everything. That gallon of milk costs me ¥476. I can get four nice steaks for about $26 USD. Fruit, produce, household items, all much much cheaper. And Costco does carry a few United States products as well, although you do pay a premium price for them. Diet Dr. Pepper will cost you $10 for a 24-pack and a box of 48 Crunchy Granola bars (one flavor and the only granola bar to buy here) will run you $19.
If you live here and switch to Japanese items and products (cereal, flour, sugar, cleaning, health and beauty items, etc) you can save money. However there are some things just not carried here or there are some items that we are "brand married" and we have to order from the United States or go to an International Food store to get. Those items have a large price attached to it. For example, I can get Gold Medal flour at Foreign Buyers Club. A 5 lb bag will cost me ¥920 ($9.50). A box of mac and cheese is ¥274 ($2.90). Those items that just can't be found here, such as any cereal but frosted flakes, I can order from the United States. That cereal will run me a cheap $8.00 and up per box.
Now that chicken breast and alcohol. Almost 6 lbs of fresh chicken breast will run me less than $6.00 per bag. A bottle of Absolute Vodka will cost me $13.50 ($22 in the states) and today I bought Cointreau for $18.00 (this is almost $40 in the states). Needless to say we have a very well stocked freezer and liquor cabinet.
I have been here long enough that I have lost all sense of the concept of price. And unless you have some quick weight loss tips for cooking with lots of tofu and weird fish, we don't have many options or alternatives here, so we just have to buy and pay the price. After not being back to the states for almost a year, I think it will be very interesting to go back to the grocery store this summer and shop. And when I move back for good, I may just die at the checkout counter from shock at how much I bought for less than what a small basket will run me here.
Let's take milk for example. If you shop at the local grocery store a liter of milk will cost anywhere from ¥180 - ¥240, depending on the type and brand. It would take 4 liters to make a gallon (technically 3.79 liters, but you have to round up), so if you buy the cheapest milk it would run you about ¥720 ($7.50) for a gallon of milk. Juice would run you about the same, sometimes cheaper if you find it on sale. On a regular day an apple will run you ¥128 each, but to Japan's defense, the apples are almost the size of a newborn's head. A steak will run you at least $10 each. Everything is sold in smaller sizes so you pay a whole lot more in comparison to the United States.
Luckily we have a Costco about 30 minutes from us. It really is a life saver. While in the United States we only bought a few items at a place like Costco, here we buy almost everything. That gallon of milk costs me ¥476. I can get four nice steaks for about $26 USD. Fruit, produce, household items, all much much cheaper. And Costco does carry a few United States products as well, although you do pay a premium price for them. Diet Dr. Pepper will cost you $10 for a 24-pack and a box of 48 Crunchy Granola bars (one flavor and the only granola bar to buy here) will run you $19.
If you live here and switch to Japanese items and products (cereal, flour, sugar, cleaning, health and beauty items, etc) you can save money. However there are some things just not carried here or there are some items that we are "brand married" and we have to order from the United States or go to an International Food store to get. Those items have a large price attached to it. For example, I can get Gold Medal flour at Foreign Buyers Club. A 5 lb bag will cost me ¥920 ($9.50). A box of mac and cheese is ¥274 ($2.90). Those items that just can't be found here, such as any cereal but frosted flakes, I can order from the United States. That cereal will run me a cheap $8.00 and up per box.
Now that chicken breast and alcohol. Almost 6 lbs of fresh chicken breast will run me less than $6.00 per bag. A bottle of Absolute Vodka will cost me $13.50 ($22 in the states) and today I bought Cointreau for $18.00 (this is almost $40 in the states). Needless to say we have a very well stocked freezer and liquor cabinet.
I have been here long enough that I have lost all sense of the concept of price. And unless you have some quick weight loss tips for cooking with lots of tofu and weird fish, we don't have many options or alternatives here, so we just have to buy and pay the price. After not being back to the states for almost a year, I think it will be very interesting to go back to the grocery store this summer and shop. And when I move back for good, I may just die at the checkout counter from shock at how much I bought for less than what a small basket will run me here.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Reflection After a Year of Living Abroad
A year ago I stepped off the airplane wide-eyed and scared to death. While I had spent 5 days in Kobe during my "look-see" I really had no idea what to expect as far as living here. My husband had sold me on moving to Japan by taking me on vacation to Phuket, Thailand. He told me "this is Asia" and "these are the places we would visit if we moved this way". All my fellow Japan expats, I know you are laughing. While I lam really enjoying Kobe, it is definitely lacking the tropical fruit, year round warm temperatures, white sand beaches, clear blue water and elephants. There is a reason Matt works in marketing.
This past year has been filled with adventures, frustrations, many laughs and even tears. I have met some amazing people from all over the world. I have made friends I know I will remain in touch with for the rest of my life. This experience has changed not only me, but our whole family as well. I can honestly say I am not the same person I was a year ago before embarking on this adventure.
We talked with our kids this past weekend about how the past year has been for them living here. They all agreed that Japan is nothing like what they thought it would be, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was just different than what they had expected. They all agreed that while they miss friends, family and some of the conveniences we had back in the states, they do not regret moving here at all.
The People
Japanese people, as a whole, will bend over backwards to make you happy. They will do whatever they can to not "ruffle your feathers". They will never tell you no, but rather "ahhhh, shhhhhh, ummmm, that will be very difficult." And in reality that means there is no way in hell I can/will do that. We have had people walk 15 minutes out of their way just to take us to where we are trying to go. We have been given three umbrellas by different random people who have seen us walking in the rain without one. Customer service is typically top-notch anywhere you go.
After being here a year I still cannot figure out the fashion style. Anything goes. From Dazzy Duke shorts and knee high boots in the winter to plaids, stripes and polka dots all being worn at the same time. Hair styles are way out there and most guys carry some type of "man bag". Men wear too small suits and shoes with toe extensions. It is common to see people doing their hair on the train, at McDonalds, and even at the beach. People shave while they drive, tweeze at Starbucks and I even saw someone using a blackhead extractor on the train before.
Many people do not speak English, but if you write it down, they sometimes can read it. And the ones that can speak English are many times shy and worried about making mistakes so they will not speak. They love anything with logos and English words. They love US music.
The one place everything we know about Japanese people goes out the window is behind the wheel of a car or their scooter. Forget being helpful and considerate. It is every man for himself.
And one of the most important things about the Japanese people? They really love their dogs.
The Country
Japan is a country rich in culture and history. You could probably travel all around the country for a year and still not experience everything. There are many National Holidays, and all of them involve some tradition or cultural event.
I love going to different temples and shrines and watching the Japanese people. I love watching the women dressed in kimonos. There is so much tradition within this country that I am like a sponge trying to soak up all that I can.
Japan loves their processes. Everything is a process. And while this sometimes can be very, very, very annoying (like getting a driver license), it also can be good. No matter where you go, you will almost always be asked/told the same things in the same order. Don't try to figure out why the process is done like it is, because you will go nuts doing so. I still am trying to figure out the process in place for getting your re-entry permit. You seriously move from line to line, many times having the same person help you, then you go have to go 7-11 and buy a "stamp" and then return to the same lines again. But anyways, I digress.
The Japanese love to eat, drink and smoke. How they stay so skinny and have one of the cleanest bill of health in the whole world is beyond me. Must be all the green tea. They love to shop. Well maybe not so much buy, but go to the stores. Going to Ikea, Costco or Sannomiya can be dangerous on a weekend. Many times their houses are small, so I guess going to these places are their ways of getting out. The crowds are Matt's least favorite part of living here. As he likes to explain, it is equivalent to putting the whole population of the United States in California.
Japan is a very cash based society. It is not uncommon to have $1,000 laying around the house in cash. Credit cards are accepted in larger stores. There are no such things as checks. You either pay in cash or do a bank transfer from your account. You can pay all your bills at 7-11 and Lawson's.
Less than 1 percent of the Japanese population is Christian, but yet somehow it doesn't feel that way.
Our Experiences
Our family has been fortunate to have been able to have some fantastic experiences in the short amount of time we have been here. Within Japan we have been skiing in the mountains, swimming on the beaches in Shirahama, climbed the cliffs in Wakayama, and taken many outings to local places like Kyoto and Nara. We have been to Miajima and had an emotional visit to Hiroshima. And of course we have spent lots of time exploring Kobe and Osaka.
Outside of Japan we have been to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bali, and Malaysia. Our kids have been changed forever by their experiences in these places. We have learned so much about other cultures and countries. Our kids haven't learned about the culture and history of different people from a book, but from a real life experience. And while some of these trips were full of sun and sand, they also were a huge lesson in humility, poverty and tolerance. You can't help but be changed when you pass where people live or being begged by a 4 year old at night to buy a wilted flower. Being hugged by a dirty faced little boy as you walk down the street because you gave him a dollar because it will buy him a whole meal, will change you. And while we may not be doing so much to change these people, they are changing us.
The kids are enjoying school and their friends. Emily is on a Japanese gymnastics team and will be competing this April. Matt has been drowning in work. I have jumped in volunteering at the school and at CHIC. I have taken cooking and culture classes. And do not forget one of my biggest experiences this year –– the hike.
Challenges
One of the hardest and biggest challenges has been adjusting to being so far away from everyone. While we have never lived closer than 6.5 hours from my or Matt's family, knowing that we could be home in 6.5 or 10 hours was always comforting. Only seeing family in the summer is a huge adjustment. I miss my family. I miss my friends. One of our close friend's dad died, another is getting divorced, another had a baby, others go through things, and being so far away is hard. I feel like I am not there for them like I should be. I guess there was something comforting about being in the same country at least.
In a way I feel displaced from everything -- television, politics, economics, sports. It is sort of like being the boy in the bubble where you can see everything, but nothing can get in. The time difference is hard to get around too, but since I am a bit of an insomniac it is easier for me than others.
Obviously there are challenges living here. The language barrier -- written, reading and spoken. Driving, shopping, traveling... well just about anything really. But if you look at each of these challenges as a new adventure it may not make it less challenging, but it may make it easier to laugh at down the road.
It's hard to believe a year has gone by already. And through all the adjustments, fun, and tears, I do not regret once choosing to take this leap.
Ja mata (see you later)
This past year has been filled with adventures, frustrations, many laughs and even tears. I have met some amazing people from all over the world. I have made friends I know I will remain in touch with for the rest of my life. This experience has changed not only me, but our whole family as well. I can honestly say I am not the same person I was a year ago before embarking on this adventure.
We talked with our kids this past weekend about how the past year has been for them living here. They all agreed that Japan is nothing like what they thought it would be, but that wasn't a bad thing. It was just different than what they had expected. They all agreed that while they miss friends, family and some of the conveniences we had back in the states, they do not regret moving here at all.
The People
Japanese people, as a whole, will bend over backwards to make you happy. They will do whatever they can to not "ruffle your feathers". They will never tell you no, but rather "ahhhh, shhhhhh, ummmm, that will be very difficult." And in reality that means there is no way in hell I can/will do that. We have had people walk 15 minutes out of their way just to take us to where we are trying to go. We have been given three umbrellas by different random people who have seen us walking in the rain without one. Customer service is typically top-notch anywhere you go.
After being here a year I still cannot figure out the fashion style. Anything goes. From Dazzy Duke shorts and knee high boots in the winter to plaids, stripes and polka dots all being worn at the same time. Hair styles are way out there and most guys carry some type of "man bag". Men wear too small suits and shoes with toe extensions. It is common to see people doing their hair on the train, at McDonalds, and even at the beach. People shave while they drive, tweeze at Starbucks and I even saw someone using a blackhead extractor on the train before.
Many people do not speak English, but if you write it down, they sometimes can read it. And the ones that can speak English are many times shy and worried about making mistakes so they will not speak. They love anything with logos and English words. They love US music.
The one place everything we know about Japanese people goes out the window is behind the wheel of a car or their scooter. Forget being helpful and considerate. It is every man for himself.
And one of the most important things about the Japanese people? They really love their dogs.
The Country
Japan is a country rich in culture and history. You could probably travel all around the country for a year and still not experience everything. There are many National Holidays, and all of them involve some tradition or cultural event.
I love going to different temples and shrines and watching the Japanese people. I love watching the women dressed in kimonos. There is so much tradition within this country that I am like a sponge trying to soak up all that I can.
Japan loves their processes. Everything is a process. And while this sometimes can be very, very, very annoying (like getting a driver license), it also can be good. No matter where you go, you will almost always be asked/told the same things in the same order. Don't try to figure out why the process is done like it is, because you will go nuts doing so. I still am trying to figure out the process in place for getting your re-entry permit. You seriously move from line to line, many times having the same person help you, then you go have to go 7-11 and buy a "stamp" and then return to the same lines again. But anyways, I digress.
The Japanese love to eat, drink and smoke. How they stay so skinny and have one of the cleanest bill of health in the whole world is beyond me. Must be all the green tea. They love to shop. Well maybe not so much buy, but go to the stores. Going to Ikea, Costco or Sannomiya can be dangerous on a weekend. Many times their houses are small, so I guess going to these places are their ways of getting out. The crowds are Matt's least favorite part of living here. As he likes to explain, it is equivalent to putting the whole population of the United States in California.
Japan is a very cash based society. It is not uncommon to have $1,000 laying around the house in cash. Credit cards are accepted in larger stores. There are no such things as checks. You either pay in cash or do a bank transfer from your account. You can pay all your bills at 7-11 and Lawson's.
Less than 1 percent of the Japanese population is Christian, but yet somehow it doesn't feel that way.
Our Experiences
Our family has been fortunate to have been able to have some fantastic experiences in the short amount of time we have been here. Within Japan we have been skiing in the mountains, swimming on the beaches in Shirahama, climbed the cliffs in Wakayama, and taken many outings to local places like Kyoto and Nara. We have been to Miajima and had an emotional visit to Hiroshima. And of course we have spent lots of time exploring Kobe and Osaka.
Outside of Japan we have been to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bali, and Malaysia. Our kids have been changed forever by their experiences in these places. We have learned so much about other cultures and countries. Our kids haven't learned about the culture and history of different people from a book, but from a real life experience. And while some of these trips were full of sun and sand, they also were a huge lesson in humility, poverty and tolerance. You can't help but be changed when you pass where people live or being begged by a 4 year old at night to buy a wilted flower. Being hugged by a dirty faced little boy as you walk down the street because you gave him a dollar because it will buy him a whole meal, will change you. And while we may not be doing so much to change these people, they are changing us.
The kids are enjoying school and their friends. Emily is on a Japanese gymnastics team and will be competing this April. Matt has been drowning in work. I have jumped in volunteering at the school and at CHIC. I have taken cooking and culture classes. And do not forget one of my biggest experiences this year –– the hike.
Challenges
One of the hardest and biggest challenges has been adjusting to being so far away from everyone. While we have never lived closer than 6.5 hours from my or Matt's family, knowing that we could be home in 6.5 or 10 hours was always comforting. Only seeing family in the summer is a huge adjustment. I miss my family. I miss my friends. One of our close friend's dad died, another is getting divorced, another had a baby, others go through things, and being so far away is hard. I feel like I am not there for them like I should be. I guess there was something comforting about being in the same country at least.
In a way I feel displaced from everything -- television, politics, economics, sports. It is sort of like being the boy in the bubble where you can see everything, but nothing can get in. The time difference is hard to get around too, but since I am a bit of an insomniac it is easier for me than others.
Obviously there are challenges living here. The language barrier -- written, reading and spoken. Driving, shopping, traveling... well just about anything really. But if you look at each of these challenges as a new adventure it may not make it less challenging, but it may make it easier to laugh at down the road.
It's hard to believe a year has gone by already. And through all the adjustments, fun, and tears, I do not regret once choosing to take this leap.
Ja mata (see you later)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
It's Official - I am old
I cherish the talks that Emily and I have, as I know soon either I won't be cool enough to chat with anymore, or my 4.5 years will be up and she will be off to college. (Yes, I will have a college student in 4.5 years **sob**)
This afternoon we were chatting as she got ready to study for her math midterm tomorrow and this is how it went.
Emily: Mom, when you were my age did people take other's cell phones and text people pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. When I was your age cell phone's didn't exist.
Emily: Really? What about email. Did people hack into other's emails and send out messages pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. Again, when I was your age we didn't have email.
Emily: Really? Are you sure?
Me: Yes I am sure. I may be too old to have grown up with cell phones and email, however I am not so old that I can't remember if I had them or not.
I felt like my mom, when she told me that she used to walk 5 miles, uphill, in the snow, to school everyday because the horse was in the shop having knee arthritis treatment.
I guess it's official. I am old.
This afternoon we were chatting as she got ready to study for her math midterm tomorrow and this is how it went.
Emily: Mom, when you were my age did people take other's cell phones and text people pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. When I was your age cell phone's didn't exist.
Emily: Really? What about email. Did people hack into other's emails and send out messages pretending to be them?
Me: Ummm, no. Again, when I was your age we didn't have email.
Emily: Really? Are you sure?
Me: Yes I am sure. I may be too old to have grown up with cell phones and email, however I am not so old that I can't remember if I had them or not.
I felt like my mom, when she told me that she used to walk 5 miles, uphill, in the snow, to school everyday because the horse was in the shop having knee arthritis treatment.
I guess it's official. I am old.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Happy Japanniversary to Me! (Well and the kids too)
A year ago I was laying in a hotel room, unable to sleep, writing my last blog post before moving to Japan. I had absolutely no idea what to expect once we got here, and that unknown was terrifying. It was an emotional night. But through the tears, fears and excitement, I felt in my heart that God was about to take our family on an amazing adventure.
So we left our house
and some amazing friends
and went to the airport
to board an airplane
bound for Osaka.
The kids and I said goodbye to America for the last time
and flew almost 17 hours
to say hello to Japan, our new home for the next 3-5 years.
Reflections from our first year as expats living in Japan will come soon. I promise.
So we left our house
and some amazing friends
and went to the airport
to board an airplane
bound for Osaka.
The kids and I said goodbye to America for the last time
and flew almost 17 hours
to say hello to Japan, our new home for the next 3-5 years.
Reflections from our first year as expats living in Japan will come soon. I promise.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Stop Kindling Me
I have very mixed feelings about the ever so popular Kindle. Well really any electronic book reader.
I love the idea of having 1,500 books at my fingertips and be able to take them anywhere at anytime. I love the idea of loading up my Kindle for a plane ride (especially those long ones) and not have to worry about the added weight of every book. Yes, I have been known several times to be over weight on luggage just because of books. It would be handy for car rides and perfect for reading in the dark. And when I am not sure what I want to read? Who cares! I will have 1,500 books to read from. And considering the difficulty of buying English books where I live, a Kindle would be a perfect solution. Frankly, this little gem would be perfect for me.
So why haven't I jumped on board? Several reasons really. And to many of you, they will sound really crazy.
I love the idea of having 1,500 books at my fingertips and be able to take them anywhere at anytime. I love the idea of loading up my Kindle for a plane ride (especially those long ones) and not have to worry about the added weight of every book. Yes, I have been known several times to be over weight on luggage just because of books. It would be handy for car rides and perfect for reading in the dark. And when I am not sure what I want to read? Who cares! I will have 1,500 books to read from. And considering the difficulty of buying English books where I live, a Kindle would be a perfect solution. Frankly, this little gem would be perfect for me.
So why haven't I jumped on board? Several reasons really. And to many of you, they will sound really crazy.
- I would be too scared to read in the bath. No way would I risk dropping a $250 electronic device in the tub. And reading in the shower would become completely impossible. (Yes, I have been known to read in the shower. I know. Weird.)
- I would no longer be able to share my books. I own over 1,000 books and am the personal library to many people. In fact, several people are on long-term loan for some of my books while we are living overseas. I love to share my books and share my love of reading with others. I wonder if I could making being an at-home librarian a successful at home businesses.
- I would no longer be able to give books as gifts. I know I could give a "Kindle Book", but how would I write a personal message? Gifting an electronic book just seems, well, different.
- My relationship with books would be changed forever. Some people are comfort eaters. Others may be comfort shoppers or drinkers. I am a comfort "bookie". When I need to escape or decompress I love to feel, smell and buy books. Yes, the touch and smell of a book makes everything better. In facts books were one of my solaces after Allison died. Somehow my relationship with a Kindle would seem so cold and impersonal.
- If I continue to take a stand against electronic readers then I am preserving a spot in the future for places like Barnes and Nobles, Borders and public libraries. Sure it sounds crazy to think that books could be replaced by these little devices, but ask newspapers, records, cassette tapes and even CDs what they think.
- My dream of owning a house with a wall-to-wall library would be completely shot.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Afternoon at the Instant Ramen Noodle Factory
The weather has been colder than usual here, so last Saturday we bundled up and decided to spend the afternoon at the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum in Ikeda, Osaka. While we were unable to read most of what was displayed, there were lots of things to look at, and more importantly, the kids got to make their own Instant Cup of Noodles!
This is the inventor of the instant ramen noodle –– Momofuku Ando. I guess he is like the Colonel Sanders of Japan.
When you enter the first part of the museum, you are able to see the history of the instant ramen noodle. Most of this we could not read, but it was fun to look at the memorabilia and make up our own dialogue.
Sometimes reading Japanese to English translation here is like reading what a 1st grader writes. The words are spelled exactly how they sound.
In Japan you can seriously but anything in a vending machine, including instant ramen noodles.
Koichi Wakata is a Japanese astronaut staying at the International Space Station, and guess what he likes to eat in space. Yep! Instant ramen.
Another interesting area was a "Wall of Ramen", showing every instant ramen noodle product made. Who knew there are so many instant ramen noodle products!
The best part of the whole museum was getting to make your own instant ramen noodle cup.
First, buy your container for a mere ¥300 (about $3.10 USD).
Next, decorate your cup.
Third, put ramen noodles in the cup.
Forth, pick your dried ingredients. You can choose 4 items from egg, pork, shrimp, green onions, garlic, cheese, garlic, corn, chicken and asparagus.
Fifth, seal on your lid.
Lastly, shrink wrap your cup.
After your cup is all shrink wrapped you get to stick it in this protected air pouch with a long neck strap. I guess they want to make sure your cup makes it home in one piece.
I really wanted to make my own cup, however Matt made fun of me so I abstained. I did manage to get my picture taken with the giant instant ramen cup.
This is the inventor of the instant ramen noodle –– Momofuku Ando. I guess he is like the Colonel Sanders of Japan.
When you enter the first part of the museum, you are able to see the history of the instant ramen noodle. Most of this we could not read, but it was fun to look at the memorabilia and make up our own dialogue.
Sometimes reading Japanese to English translation here is like reading what a 1st grader writes. The words are spelled exactly how they sound.
In Japan you can seriously but anything in a vending machine, including instant ramen noodles.
Koichi Wakata is a Japanese astronaut staying at the International Space Station, and guess what he likes to eat in space. Yep! Instant ramen.
Another interesting area was a "Wall of Ramen", showing every instant ramen noodle product made. Who knew there are so many instant ramen noodle products!
The best part of the whole museum was getting to make your own instant ramen noodle cup.
First, buy your container for a mere ¥300 (about $3.10 USD).
Next, decorate your cup.
Third, put ramen noodles in the cup.
Forth, pick your dried ingredients. You can choose 4 items from egg, pork, shrimp, green onions, garlic, cheese, garlic, corn, chicken and asparagus.
Fifth, seal on your lid.
Lastly, shrink wrap your cup.
After your cup is all shrink wrapped you get to stick it in this protected air pouch with a long neck strap. I guess they want to make sure your cup makes it home in one piece.
I really wanted to make my own cup, however Matt made fun of me so I abstained. I did manage to get my picture taken with the giant instant ramen cup.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Japanese Flier
January 17 is the anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. This 7.3 earthquake killed 6,500 people and left devastation throughout the city of Kobe. The island where the kids go to school is hosting a 5k Run/Walk in memory of this tragedy. The kids brought home a flier about this event and I had to smile and say "only in Japan".
Here is the agenda for the day:
9:30 Start registration
10:00 Offer a moment of silence
10:02 Opening speech
10:05 Demonstration how to use AED by Higashi-nada Fire Department
10:30 Warming up by good looking firefighters, then, start walking & running!
After completing walking & running, AMAZAKE (hot drink of light rice alcohol) will be served and some participation gift will be given.
For some reason the precise timing cracked me up. That is so typical of Japan. But what I found even funnier? "Warming up by good looking firefighters". I wonder what would happen back in the states if we put that on an event flier. I may have to host one just to find out.
Here is the agenda for the day:
9:30 Start registration
10:00 Offer a moment of silence
10:02 Opening speech
10:05 Demonstration how to use AED by Higashi-nada Fire Department
10:30 Warming up by good looking firefighters, then, start walking & running!
After completing walking & running, AMAZAKE (hot drink of light rice alcohol) will be served and some participation gift will be given.
For some reason the precise timing cracked me up. That is so typical of Japan. But what I found even funnier? "Warming up by good looking firefighters". I wonder what would happen back in the states if we put that on an event flier. I may have to host one just to find out.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I **heart** my deliver man
I almost kissed the delivery guy today. Why? Because he brought me this:
I am not a can kinda girl, but at this point I am not picky. I am just excited to get my watered down, US beer. And the best part? It didn't cost me any more than buying a real beer here. What can I say, I am easy to please.
I am not a can kinda girl, but at this point I am not picky. I am just excited to get my watered down, US beer. And the best part? It didn't cost me any more than buying a real beer here. What can I say, I am easy to please.
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