What's cooking?

Hi everyone!

Darren is back home (in Japan) after spending nine days in Atlanta. He was able to see a lot of friends and had a wonderful time with everyone. If you are reading this and he was unable to see you, he is very sorry. He had a weeklong meeting for work and did his best to see as many people as he could in such a short time. Plus, I gave him a HUGE shopping list of things he had to return with. So needless to say, he went on a big shopping spree and returned with three suitcases full of goodies! Nathan and Maddie had a small Christmas in April.

While he was gone, I decided to learn how to cook…Japanese style! My friend Joanna (who just came to Tokyo from London three weeks ago) and I took a cooking class on how to make miso soup and onigiri. We had so much fun! Nathan was my best critic and thought the onigiri was delicious. Of course, he loves any kind of onigiri so he wasn’t that hard to please. You can see from the photo that one of the onigiri is wrapped in what looks like cloth. It is actually a form of seaweed…and yes; it felt like cloth when I was wrapping it. It has a subtle taste, not at all like (nori) the typical seaweed wrap. Our next cooking class isn’t until June. We are going to learn how to make inari-sushi (sushi in a pouch) and Teriyaki chicken (a little different from how we make it in the states).

On Saturday night Nathan’s friend Kenny spent the night. After finally falling asleep around 1:00 am and waking at 6:00 am, they created five science projects on slime for the school’s science fair which is this Thursday (April 24). Maddie helped and even created her very own slime with various ingredients. It was messy (and slimy) but a lot of fun.

Two weeks ago I subbed for five days in the school's computer lab. It was a lot of fun seeing what the various grades are doing at ASIJ. We are actually changing schools next year. The kids will be attending Tokyo International School (TIS). They went through the interview and assessment process in March and were accepted. We are changing mainly due to the bus ride, which is now 50 minutes one way. Next year it will only be a 15 minute ride one way. That means we can get up at 7:00 am instead of 6:00 am! (We all know that's the real reason we're doing it! :) The kids are excited about the shorter bus ride but sad to leave ASIJ. It's a smaller school, 370 students from 45 countries. It only has two classes per grade level with 16 kids in each class. Here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.tokyois.com/. It is unlike the US education since there is no standardized testing or book testing.

In every store or restaurant you go to in Japan, there is a tray to put your money in while you pay. When we first got here, I’d try to hand the clerk the money and they would usually point to the tray. One of our favorite breakfast joints is called Johnathan’s. It’s the closest thing to a US breakfast in the area we live. Here’s a journey to Johnathan’s… The silverware comes in a basket with wet wipes to clean your hands. When you are ready to order you push a button at the table which summons the server (these buttons are in many restaurants across Tokyo). You can also use the button when you need anything during your meal. The check is put in a round tube on the table. When you pay, you put your money on the tray (like most other places). Also, for all the technology (e.g., many servers take your order using a PDA-type electronic device that sends the order directly back to the kitchen) used in everyday life here in Tokyo, it is still considered a cash economy. Most people use cash here although a minority use credit. Debit cards are used even less. We carry at least 30,000 yen on us at all times (about $300.00).

The service in Tokyo is impeccable. Everyone takes their job very seriously and have such great attitudes - no matter what the job. Take fast food for instance...I don't think you will find such well-groomed and polite McDonald's employees anywhere else. In department stores there are people to help at every turn. Waiting in a checkout line for a price check doesn't happen here - everyone knows exactly what to do and how to do it quickly. We have become very spoiled. There is no tipping in Tokyo, which is incredible since they work so hard. Our expectations for service has increased significantly in the few short months we've been here. When we get back to the USA, the restaurant staff will have to work hard to get a nice tip from us! Those poor waiters and waitresses! : )

The other day I was going to meet my friend in Shinagawa at 10 am. I could not believe how crowded the train was! I usually take my camera with me but unfortunately I forgot it this time. I thought it was past rush hour but it was SOOOO packed. On one train, I observed (while I was waiting for the next train to come) people turning around and backing into the car. It was so crowded that their feet hung over the edge so that the doors couldn’t close. They just stood there! Then, the train attendant came over and pushed them into the car so the door could close! I had to see it to believe it! Of course, the next train I got on was just as crowded. While I was on the train I was thinking that anyone with claustrophobia or enochlophobia (fear of crowds -- yes I had to look it up!) would not be able to ride this train. There are a few cars that are women-only cars (for obvious reasons) but only during a certain time. Notice the times on the signs (click on the photo to enlarge). That is how precise the Japanese subway system is.

On May 10th our family is going to plant rice seedlings in a rice field with the Oishii Gohan Project. I’ll tell you more about that later.

Darren and I began our Japanese lessons two weeks ago. Let's just say I've created some new synapses! It is a very difficult language to learn. So, I've decided to add...

Our Japanese language lesson of the week: Greetings

Ohayo-gozaimasu (said "ohio go zye mas") - good morning

Kon-nichiwa (said "ko nee chi wa") - hello (but only said in the mid-morning to afternoon

Kom-ban-wa (said "kom baun wa") - good evening

Funny photo of the week:

Doesn't the name of this water make you want to take a big drink?!

Hanami

Maddie had her final Nihon Buyo (Japanese dance) class March 18th. She was SO precious dressed in her Kimono with her hair fixed so beautifully (the teacher and her two helpers fixed all the children's hair and kimonos). We could tell she was very proud. I couldn't decide which video to show so I'm posting them both. In the first video it's hard to see her at first. She is in the middle towards the back. In the other one, she is all the way to the right. What a neat and memorable experience for her. We've been looking for a keepsake kimono to buy for her. There are so many beautiful fabrics it's hard to choose just one.

The kids were on Spring Break from March 24th – 28th. Unfortunately Darren had to work so he didn’t get to join us on the adventures I’m going to tell you about.

We got lucky because our Spring Break was the same week the Japanese cherry blossoms began blooming. I have a wonderful Japanese friend (a mom from Nathan’s class) who invited us to go rowing under the cherry blossoms with her and Kenny (Nathan’s friend) on the Chidoriagfuchi Moat near the Imperial Palace and head to the Kitanomaru Science Museum after that. We actually ended up paddle boating instead of rowing around the moat. It was beautiful.

After an hour of paddle boating, we took a detour on our way to the science museum and stopped at the Yasukuni Shrine where there are 1,000 cherry trees planted. These are the trees that they use to predict when the cherry blossoms will begin blooming for the entire city. A lot of the shrines have festivals this time of year because of the cherry blossoms. For fun, we all paid 100 yen each to get a fortune and then Ms. Debbie (Kenny’s mom) read them to us. After that, we hung them on these wires to leave behind. Debbie was saying that usually you only leave the "bad" fortunes behind and keep the "good" ones. Since these were pretty much all the same fortunes – not bad or good – we left them behind. It was a very cultural experience, especially for Christians.

After a relaxing lunch at Tony Roma’s (a rib and hamburger joint) we finally made it to the museum. It was another fun Tokyo museum for kids. We are excited about taking our friends (Danny and Nick) there next summer when they visit. One area had this neat computer program that took your picture and then you could manipulate the photo. Here’s an example of Nathan’s. They had a great time at the museum. It was about five floors so we need to go back just to finish it.

The next day we met another friend and her girls and went to the Shinagawa Aquarium. It was a tiny aquarium, especially coming from Atlanta, which has the biggest aquarium in the world. The highlight of the aquarium wasn’t the fish in the tanks though; it was the dolphin and sea lion shows. The animals were very well trained and so cute. The kids were surprised at what they could do (and so was I).

The final weekend of Spring Break Darren, the kids and I went bike riding through the largest cemetary in Tokyo called Aoyama and to Shinjuku Goen to see the 1,200 cherry blossom trees there. It was stunning! I’ve never seen so many trees and people for that matter (I am still amazed by the amount of people who live in Tokyo!) Here is a little cultural lesson: Cherry blossoms are called sakura and to go view the cherry blossoms is called hinami. Thousands of people bring tarp like blankets and food to view the blossoms all day. In the more popular spots, like Ueno Park, some people claim their real estate early and one person stays with the tarp. When it’s an office party, usually the person who has been most recently hired is assigned this task. Not a bad day on the job if you ask me!

The cherry blossoms only bloom for about a week so it is crazy busy when you go to see them. Now the green leaves are coming in and the flower petals are falling off one by one. It’s like you are walking through snow when they fall. The kids have so much fun trying to catch them.

After our hinami, we went to this huge playground called the 100 Yen Park (Danny and Nick are going to love this too). It cost 200 yen to get in. Needless to say, the kids had a blast!

Funny photo of the week:

You never know what you’re going to bump into in Tokyo. We were walking to pick Maddie up from a slumber party and we ran into a woman with a pet monkey…yes, monkey.

Disney Sea was BraviSeamo!

On March 13th and 14th the kids were out of school due to parent-teacher conferences. Since I had my conferences earlier in the week, we decided to go to Kyoto for the long weekend. However, the kids somehow got the idea of going to Disney Land and that’s where we ended up – imagine that!

So, we headed to Tokyo Disney Sea on Thursday the 13th. It is another theme park of Tokyo Disney Land. We took the subway to Disney Land - which was strange in itself. Darren and I talked about much fun it is to drive to Disney World in Orlando and see the signs for Disney and then finally arrive under the big “Welcome to Disney World” car entrance. It felt a little anti-climatic getting off the subway and then paying 200 yen to take the Disney Monorail into the park.

But then, when you see the monorail with it’s Mickey Mouse Ear windows and hear the fun Disney-type music playing, the city life slips away and the Disney magic kicks in. If it wasn’t for all the Japanese people, you might – just might think you were back in the USA!

One question everyone has asked me is, “Are the Disney characters Japanese?” I have to admit I wondered the same thing, but no, they are “American” or of non-Japanese decent. The most interesting thing we found with the characters is that, unlike in the USA, the teens and 20 some things love to get their photos taken with them. Also, as orderly as the Japanese are, there is no order to get your picture taken with the characters. In the USA you stand in lines and wait your turn. Here, you basically have to jump in and get a photo with them. We had brought our Disney autograph books with us from the USA so we were able to get their autographs as well. This amazed some of the Japanese since nobody, except us, were getting autographs and photos. I do have to say that the “cast members” and even the characters themselves at Disney Sea were great at pulling Nathan and Maddie from the crowd and bringing them up to get their photos with the characters. I don’t think it was because we were “foreigners” as much as it was that they are kids...and really, aren’t the characters for the kids? (Monica’s like, what are you talking about!!!) Also, the characters do sign their names the same as in the USA. They must have to take a Disney character class on how to write their names. By the way, Mickey Mouse can speak Japanese!!!


We saw an amazing nighttime show on the water called BraviSeamo. It was something only Disney Imagineers could think up. It was a story of how fire and water fell in love. It consisted of water on a barge that shot through these poles to make it look like a woman and fire that magically appears from under the water in the form of a dragon-like creature. The fire and water show and music were amazing. I get chill bumps just watching the video (a had to be there moment I’m sure). Then, at one point, the fire is actually surrounding the dragon on top of the water. It was the most awesome thing we’ve ever seen Disney do.

The park itself was bigger than we expected. How they found that much property for two theme parks and hotels is mind-boggling. I have to admit, at first we missed the “super charged magic” of Disney World but when the day was over, and now that weeks have passed, we can’t wait to go back! Nathan especially is begging to go to Disney Land. We have a time set for right after school gets out while the Japanese schools are still in session.

This week the cherry blossoms are blooming. I’ll post photos of them next time. They are stunning! We are going to a festival in Shinjuku this weekend. The kids have been on Spring Break this week. I’ll tell you about our Spring Break adventures next time.

Funny photo of the week:

While we were in China Town we found this sign in the bathroom. How funny! We figured that it may be that some people don't know how to use a Western Style toilet. Remember that photo I posted of the Japanese Style toilet? Hilarious!

Where's the Emergency Room?

Last week I took a three-day class called Tokyo Here and Now through an organization called the Tokyo American Club. It was a great class on the history of Japan, things to do and see, earthquake preparedness (yikes), and medical emergencies. (We felt our first earthquake tremor, by the way, Saturday morning around 1:30 a.m. It wasn’t bad really. It just felt like somebody was standing next to the bed and softly pushing against it with their knees. It lasted about 15 seconds. Darren said he felt another one the next night but I didn’t feel that one).

Here’s my story of the week! On Wednesday morning Nathan went to school feeling fine. When he got home that afternoon he complained of a sore throat and his voice was a little hoarse. I gave him some medicine for his throat before he went to bed and by 2:30 am (Thursday morning) he was having difficulty breathing. He also had a barky cough. So, Darren called our insurance company to get a list of hospitals we could use. A friend of mine (thanks Gina!) had told me that St. Luke’s International Hospital had English-speaking doctors and was the best. So, by 3:00 am Nathan and I were in a Taxi on our way to the Emergency Room! (It’s amazing how many Taxis are available at 3:00 in the morning!) After a twenty-minute taxi ride (3,200 yen) were arrived. We walked in (the wrong door) and asked to see a doctor. At the admissions desk, there was somebody who spoke English and we were in to see the doctor within five minutes. Out of all the millions of people in Tokyo, there were probably only two people there – including us! The doctor we saw was wonderful. He spoke four languages actually, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and English and I’m pretty sure he wasn’t quite 40! He gave Nathan a breathing treatment and some medication (three kinds to be taken three times a day for three days…except one was for two times a day). Anyway, the doctor said it was a viral infection and the medication was to help with the swelling of his membranes and help with the nasal drainage and cough. The emergency room bill was 13,600 yen (about $136.00) and that included the medications! We had a great experience.

SOOO, the next day Darren worked from home so I could finish the last day of the Tokyo Here and Now class and what do you think we learn about? That’s right, medical emergencies. And what did I learn? That the good Lord above had blessed us that night because I did everything out of “protocol.” This is what you’re supposed to do: You’re supposed to call this number for the Tokyo Hospital Directory and tell them what your medical emergency is. Then, they will find a hospital (not necessarily the nearest one to where you live) with a doctor available that can treat you. Then, you are to go to that hospital. They will be waiting for you to arrive…although this does not mean you will be seen right away. I’ve heard stories that people will call the ambulance and that sometimes it can take quite a while for the ambulance to figure out what hospital to take you to due to doctor availability for your ailment. Crazy!!!!

On a lighter note, we had our first visitor from the USA this past weekend. Paul Graceffa, our neighbor of seven years, was on a business trip to Australia/Asia and came to visit (we missed you Deirdre, Danny and Nick). We had a wonderful time with him.

On Saturday we went to Tsukiji fish market. This is the market that sells all of the fish to the restaurants in Tokyo. We saw some interesting fish! We were also able to see how they prepared some of the bigger fish for the market. We’ve never seen so many fish…row after row after row. I wondered how they could possibly sell them all!

Later that day we took Paul to Odaiba and we all rode the big Ferris wheel. That was the one the kids wanted to ride the last time but it was too windy. The wheel itself goes slowly at a consistent rate and people get into and out of the cars as it’s moving.

In Odabia there is a beach area that overlooks Rainbow Bridge. The kids played on the rocks and along the shore. Near there is a neat shopping area where I finally found the perfect store for me to shop! Who would have known?

On Paul’s last day here we went to Shibuya (remember the worlds busiest intersection?). We found this store that we thought was a Goodwill store, but it wasn’t.

That night we ate Sushi at Pintokona (the restaurant with the revolving Sushi bar). On our way there we walked by a fire station and I wanted to get a picture of the kids with the “fire mascot.” Remember, everything in Tokyo is associated with some kind of cartoon character and this is the one for the fire department. While I was taking the photo, some firefighters came out and asked if the kids would like to sit in the fire truck. That was a fun surprise.


At the restaurant, we all enjoyed our Sushi. Madeline is beginning to like seaweed and will eat cucumber rolls now. Nathan discovered that he likes crab legs or zuwaigani and of course he loves ebi (steamed shrimp). No one in our family is very fond of wasabi so some items we need to order from the sushi chef directly so he can make it without wasabi. The crab is one of these things. So Madeline asked if she could order the crab for Nathan. I am the proud mom.

I went to Kappabashi Dori with my friend Gina. This is an area that sells kitchen goods, plastic foods to restaurants (that they use in their windows to show what they offer), etc. I forgot to take a picture but I’ve never seen so many dishes in my life. (I’ll take one next time). It was a little overwhelming because you see something at one store but think, what if I find something I like better at the next! I did finally find a 9 x 13 pan!

We’re planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Sea tomorrow if everyone can stay healthy (Darren has a sore throat and Madeline actually stayed home from school Monday and has a cough now. Nathan still has a cough but is feeling better.). The kids are off school this Thursday (tomorrow) and Friday due to parent/teacher conferences (I had mine yesterday since I was already up at the school). We were supposed to spend the weekend in Kyoto but Disney won out...imagine that!

Funny photo of the week: We were at a restaruant in Odaiba and found this on the menu. It says, "Fresh Cutted Rettuce." We aren't making fun...rearry! We find some of the funniest writing here. A lot in the spelling of things, but also in the translation. This bag to the right says, "You are freer than whether to use with what kind of use." What?!? I think some things are lost in translation!

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!