Finally a New Blog!

Sorry it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve updated the blog. It’s been difficult for me to find a block of time to write.

Monday, February 11, was a Japanese national holiday. Every Japanese holiday, Darren gets the day off. Since the kids still have school those days, Darren and I get to have a “day date." It’s very nice. Well, on this holiday we decided to go exploring around Ebisu. Before I tell you about our adventure, let me tell you a little about the holiday. The holiday is called National Foundation Day. It celebrates the founding of the Japanese nation by its mythical Emperor Jimmu. This is a day of both celebration, and as Darren and I found out, protests. While we were walking along we noticed that we were seeing a lot of police officers. When we walked by a park, there were about 200 people in hard hats and a woman was speaking into a megaphone. We thought that it might be construction workers on strike. As we walked on, we saw more police officers and many had shields. After a few minutes, the people we had just seen in the park were walking behind the woman, who was now in a van driving down the street. She was yelling into a speaker and the police were walking next to them as they marched. A few moments later there were vans coming from the other direction yelling back at the protesters (click the picture to enlarge). It was very loud and strange to see this coming from our “quiet” Japanese people. I asked a man next to me if he spoke English and believe it or not he did. He told me that the people marching were with the right winged party in Japan and were protesting the Emperor and that the other people “countering” back were pledging their allegiance to Japan and being patriotic. I have tried to find information about these protests in the Japan Times and have even Googled it, but have not found any information...which I find interesting.

Last week Darren and I met to eat lunch in Meguro near his office. On my way home I saw two girls walking and one had dropped several things out of her purse. After she had picked up her things and walked away, I noticed that her wallet was still lying on the ground. So now I’m 30,000 yen richer…no, just kidding! I said, “excuse me” a couple of times but then realized she didn’t understand me. So then I said, “sumemasen” which means “excuse me” in Japanese and she turned around. I know it sounds silly, but it was a really neat moment. Being able to communicate in a different language - while being in that country - is thrilling. I'm excited about my Japanese lessons which begin at the end of March. Plus, I can't wait to understand what my kids are saying to each other (more about that in the next blog)!

As promised, here is that picture of Nathan and Maddie with their cell phones! Nathan has become quite the master of his…taking peoples pictures and transforming them into cartoon characters (real funny, ha, ha).

Two weekends ago we went to the movie theatre for the first time in Rippongi Hills. The total cost for the entire family to see a 2:00 p.m. showing was 5,800 yen (about $56.00). The popcorn and two drinks cost about 1,800 yen (about $17.00). Theatres in Tokyo have assigned seating. So we chose our seats, purchased our tickets, went and ate some sushi and then showed up after the previews were done. It was nice knowing that we all had seats together since the theatre was full. By the way, we saw the movie Earth (in English with Japanese sub-titles). Excellent!

The kids also had a brief winter holiday last Thursday (Feb 21) and Friday (Feb 22). On Thursday afternoon we went out with our friends (Ms. Gina, Parker and Duncan) and saw the Water Horse (at a different movie theatre in Shinagawa). We chose our seats (3,800 yen for the three of us – around $37.00) and then went to play in an arcade in a bowling alley before the movie started. (This bowling alley had 80 lanes - 40 on the first floor and 40 on the second floor - and it was packed!) Unlike the other movie theatre, this theatre had very plush seats and a lot of legroom (you could stretch your legs out without touching the seats in front of you). Darren had the camera or I would have taken a picture. Next time…

On Friday we went to a Lego Exhibit with our friends who live downstairs (Ms. Jennifer, Travis and Justin). It was held at a department store in Shibuya. Here was one of our favorites of the Taj Mahal.

Speaking of Darren having the camera…He can see Mt. Fuji from his office window and was able to take some photos during sunset. They are beautiful. He took these photos right after the USA blew up that space satellite. We think that the spiral cloud is some pieces of the satellite burning in the atmosphere. We are calling the photo to the right his award winning photo. It's a framer!

The day we took the kids to see the movie Earth we also went to Tokyo Tower. Tokyo Tower is "the" sightseeing landmark in Tokyo. We are very fortunate because we can see the Tower from our apartment. Here is the view of Tokyo Tower from our terrace at night. The view from inside the tower is amazing. Tokyo is one big piece of concrete land! For as far as the eye can see there is building after building (with a few green parks here and there). The middle picture is a view of Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge. The one to the right is a view of Mori Tower (which you can also see from our apartment) and a view of our apartment "area." Mori Tower is the biggest building to the right. You will see a brown building next to that then another brown building to the way left of that. This building is called the "Mushroom Building." Of course our apartment is too tiny to see but it's in the area to the left of the Mushroom Building.

Upon request, here's a picture of me and Darren. We took it at Arasugawa Park (the park right across from our apartment). A lot of men fish in the pond at the park. One man had binoculars on a pole that he looked through while he was fishing. I don't know if he was bird watching or scouting for fish. We've never actually seen anyone catch any fish. I heard there are crayfish for the kids to catch in the summer.

This past weekend we went to an awesome area called Odaiba. The train we took runs on the Yurikamome line (this train has rubber tires) and it goes to 16 different areas along it's route. Each area is filled with museums, entertainment, shopping and of course restaurants. There was too much to do in just a day so we are excited about going back. We actually went there to go on the worlds 2nd largest Ferris Wheel (it was the largest until just a few weeks ago). However, it was too windy and the Ferris Wheel wasn't running. The kids are looking forward to going back and riding it...I can't say the same for Darren...:).

While there, we went to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. It was another interactive museum. We were able to see the demonstration of Asimo, the Honda robot (I can't seem to get the video to upload so I'll try again next time).

After the museum we hopped on the train to another area where there was "Toyota Leisure Land." Basically it is an (indoor) Toyota car dealership that has a lot of fun things for people to do. It had a Econ Car track, a go-kart track, virtual car movie and car simulator video games...all for free. The best marketing I've ever seen! The kids rode these electric go-karts around a track (you can also build them-though we didn't do that this time). It was the highlight of our trip for them.

We rode the train to another area where there was a lot of shopping and restaurants. They have a mini Statute of Liberty here. You can see the view of Rainbow Bridge behind the Statue of Liberty.

These are Pizza Hut delivery vehicles. All the delivery people use this type of transportation. Some vehicles that deliver soup have a special apparatus on the back of their scooters that sway. I'll try to get a photo of them and post.

This is the funny photo of the week. While we were in Omodo Sando we came across this store that caters to the dog lover. The photos speak for themselves. Xalina, just think of the business!!!

Here's the funny sign of the week. I actually found it on the sidewalk. It's for the fire department.

We love and miss you all! I'll blog sooner next time...I promise Monica!

Madeline's a Nihon Buyo Dancer!

I can't believe that we have already been in Tokyo for over a month! We have learned so much about life here in Tokyo in such a short time. We are forever changed in our view of things here and back at home in the USA.

The kids were home this past weekend with bad colds and fevers so we weren't able to go on any weekend adventures. They were both home from school on Friday. Unfortunately, Nathan missed his classroom play called "Rumpus in the Rainforest" that they were putting on for the parents. He was sad...but not too sad...because staying home is always so much more fun...no matter how sick you are!

First, we are excited because Maddie made it into the Japanese dance class called "Nihon Buyo" (which literally means Japanese Dance). It's a form of traditional Japanese Geisha style dance that is slow and uses a prop, such as a fan, umbrella, sword, etc. Madeline's class is using a fan. The fan is a beautiful silk material and Maddie just loves it. This past Tuesday was her first class. It is after school so she takes the late bus home (it gets home around 6:15 - it makes for a LONG day). I decided that I'd go to school with the kids every Tuesday (I ride the bus out with them and then come home with them too). That way we ALL have a long day! (Nathan and I stay at the library while Maddie's at dance). I am actually helping Mrs. Lavendar (Maddie's teacher) organize and level her classroom library (sound familiar Kelli?!?) Anyway, I digress. Back to the dance class. When we got there, the teachers were dressed in kimonos. They were so beautiful. I was going to ask if I could take a picture of them but figured I'd get one before the class is over (she has seven classes). It was really neat because they actually dress all the kids (all girls and one boy - not sure how many are in the class) in kimonos for practice. I couldn't resist and took a video of Maddie getting dressed in hers.

This past week, on February 3rd, the Japanese celebrated a holiday called Setsubun ("sets boon"). It literally means division of seasons and this day marks the end of winter according to the lunar calendar (the calendar Japan used before they used the one we all use today). On the evening of this day, people throw roasted soybeans inside and outside their house while saying "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" which means devils out and good luck in. As the beans are thrown, it is believed that good luck in invited in and bad luck is driven out. Also, you are supposed to eat as many roasted beans as your age. It's a kind of charm again bad luck. Yes, we did the ritual (although we threw the beans at each other with our oni (devil) masks on since that's what Nathan said we were to do...I think he just wanted to throw beans at us!). We all did eat the number of beans according to our age - well, okay, almost! Some of us had A LOT of beans to eat! The roasted soy beans are actually very yummy. They kind of taste like husked sun flower seeds.

It snowed this week on Sunday and then again on Wednesday (our third snowfall this year). Again, it snowed all day Sunday but nothing stuck on the roads (it just made them slushy). We did get out for a few minutes to play in it (although we didn't stay out too long since Nathan and Maddie were sick. They actually missed a birthday party this day and were really bummed about that). We took a picture of a snowman that somebody else made! Below is a picture of a bridge/waterfall in Arisugawa park across the street.

Yesterday was early release from school (the kids got out at 2:00 instead of 3:00). Maddie and Nathan took the bus home with a friend of Nathan's named Kenny (a very nice boy in his class). I took the city bus (first time) to Sendagaya to meet Debbie (Kenny's mom) and then after we got the kids off the school bus we took them ice skating. By the end of the three hours, all the kids were skating very well. They are eager to go back. We were surprised at how many girls (at least two dozen) could skate with twirls, double toe loops and triple axles (what ever they look like!). They had designated the center of the rink for these girls. Impressive to watch.

Shane wanted to see the Shinkansen in action so I'm going to upload the video we took of it leaving the station. It's not going very fast since it's leaving but it's neat to watch.

Here's some of our everyday photos from life in Tokyo. This is Nathan putting more money on his subway card called Pasmo. He and Madeline wear these cards in a holder around their necks. We pass them over the sensor scanner when we enter the station and then again when we leave. We are charged when we leave the station. The amount debited depends on how far we've traveled. It caculates the amount for you which is very nice. (When we first got here we were buying tickets and we had to figure out how much we owed based on the map on the wall...which is tricky when it's all in Japanese!). Here is a picture of their Pasmo cards. If you look closely (or click on the picture to make it bigger) you can see their names printed in Katakana.

A couple of weeks ago Darren and I were walking to our favorite breakfast joint - called Johnathan's - and it dawned on me that I hadn't seen any gas stations. I noticed this station while we were walking past a car wash (which I'll post someday soon - very neat). He said that that's where they got their gas too. Where? You have to look up. I guess there is no self-serve. (I'm not sure how they pull down the hoses from the ceiling!) It's funny because you don't see these service stations very often...unlike the USA where there is one on all four corners! Very different.

There are SO many cell phone stores in Tokyo (this picture is literally a "snap shot" of how many phones there are). In the heavy shopping districts they have people outside talking in megaphones trying to get you to come in and buy a phone. It's very interesting. In a bit of irony, there are so many mobile phone styles and mobile phone stores here, and just about everyone owns one (including kids), yet you don't really see people talking on them. Actually, text messaging and email via mobile phone is very popular here. You will see a lot of emailing on the subway. What's really neat is that some phones have a chip that you can load with yen to buy food from a vending machine or 7-Eleven or use it to ride the trains and subways (just like our Pasmo cards). If you want to buy a deluxe model (which many people do) you can get a phone that utilizes biometrics (ie. fingerprint reader) for security or a phone with a display that rotates sideways and becomes a mini-flat screen TV (you can actually watch broadcast TV on it!) They also don't have blue tooth so you never see anybody walking around "talking to themselves" (think ear pieces - you all know what I'm talking about!). It's surprising to see that they still have telephone booths. They all pretty much look like the one above to the right.

At the National Azabu Market (down the hill from our apartment) you are able to find a lot of comfort products from the USA. Of course this comes with a price! I snapped a couple of pictures of some cleaning products and their prices in yen. The Glade is about $5.00 and the Febreeze is $13.00!!!! Now Zandy and Yvonne know why I asked for some things from the USA to be shipped over! It's CRAZY! That's why I will never again complain about the prices for those kinds of things in the USA! Really, things are SO much cheaper. Some things in Japan are comprably priced, like meats at Hanamasa (a Japanese market store) and sometimes you'll pay more for something but it tastes so much better (like the strawberries - about 800 yen or roughly $8.00 for 3 pints or so but SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet and delicious!). I am so much more comfortable shopping at the Japanese markets (as opposed to "International" markets that carry over-priced American brands) now so I don't pay such an outrageous price for things (even though most things are still more expensive then the USA). We are finding some favorite treats here which I'm sure we'll miss when we go back to the states.

The dogs over here crack us up. Like I said before we see more dogs than children. Plus, most of the dogs are dressed up...either in just a sweater or full-blown outfit. They even have dog stores solely with clothing for your dog! Here's a hilarious picture we took while bike riding in Roppongi Hills.

Okay, the funny sign for the week. Notice the dog's teeth! (You may need to click on the photo to make it larger).

Next week I'll show pictures of our restaurant experience from Johnathan's.

Have a GREAT week!