Handkerchiefs

Handkerchiefs appear to be a necessity in the Japanese lifestyle. Hand towels are not provided in restrooms, dinner napkins don't exist, and in the summer it is so humid everyone is dripping with sweat, it turns out Handkerchiefs can help out in all of these situations. Until now, I haven't gotten into the handkerchief thing but, having won some at my team holiday party, I think today is as good a day as any to try it out.

Back to Nara

I dint get enough the first time, so on Monday I took Rebecca to Nara. We visited Toda-ji Temple (home of the Giant Buddha), The kohfukuji Temple complex, Ukimi-do a gazebo in the middle of a pond, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Five level Pagoda at Kohfukuji.Ukimi-do gazebo Kasuga Taisha shrine, home 3000 lanterns.

Manhole Covers 4

Toyota Automobile Museum

Rebecca and I visited to the Toyota Automobile Museum today. Unfortunately, the main building was closed for exhibit changeover so we were only able to see the Annex. When I visit museums in Japan I am always amused by the uniforms of the employees, which often include hats.
My favorite car in the Annex collection was the car from Back to the Future, not the actual car, but the same type of car.
I learned that Ford and Chevrolet assembled cars in Japan.
Ford Model A 1929 Chevrolet Phaeton 1931

Wa. Wa. Wa. Wa. Wa.

At the exit of the office cafeteria there are two folding tables that are, presumably, rented to vendors. One of the tables is always occupied by a women who sells small snacks and drinks, the other is often empty but sometimes used by various travel agents. One of the travel agents took to saying Konichiwa (good afternoon) to each person who passed by and soon the snack women picked up on this idea. After several weeks of crying Konichiwa it has been shortened to the point where only the ...Wa is audible. Now I sit through lunch listening to ...Wa. ...Wa. ...Wa. I'm hoping the vendors have a change of heart in the New Year and stop the ridiculousness. If they don't, well, I'm on vacation and wont have to listen to it for 10 days.

Motorcyclists

Almost everyday I spot a Japanese motorcyclist doing something absurd. Today's example is this cyclist who despite the rain isn't detoured from riding and has chosen not to wear rain gear.

Christmas Tree

Merry Christmas!

Due to my bout with the flu, this Christmas post is a bit late. I had planned to get a tree (fake) but other things took precedent and I didn't make it to Nitori until late Christmas eve. During my recycling kick, I decided to turn the trimmed ends of my bedroom curtains into a tree skirt. I wasn't sure if I had enough material so ended up turning my normally sparse living room in a chaotic mess while making patterns.

Very Important Apartment Paperwork

Since I started paying neighborhood association dues this month I have started receiving neighborhood announcements. The announcements show up in this binder placed in my doorway. After reading the contents I am expected to apply my Inkan (name stamp signature) and then place the binder in the doorway of my neighbor. You'd think that if I have to sign my name to the contents it would be important information right? Turns out my assumption was wrong, this particular paperwork was announcing an upcoming party for the 65 and older crowd.

Christmas at Nagoya Station

Rebecca's Here

Rebecca's here!
She brought me whole wheat flour, candy canes, magazines, Christmas gifts from my family and (oh yeah) 10 bags of holiday flavored Hersey Kisses.
The countdown to my 10-day long Winter vacation stands at 4 days.

One Cashmere Sweater with a Hole

...Can become one pair of leg warmers,

two Christmas stockings, and hopefully more Christmas decorations when I get ambitious again. I am still bummed that the sweater got a hole, but I get some satisfaction out of the things it has become.

Manhole Covers 3

Postal Delivery Vehicle

My mail is, presumably, delivered by this vehicle, the postal service motorcycle.

Omiyage 2

This has always been one of my favorite Omiyage, it is a thin crispy cookie with a caramelized sugar coating. The package informs you that it is 'A Snack for Nights,' but why?

Stove Top & Fish Broiler Cooking 10

Latkas with apples and cottage cheese. Not the healthiest meal I've made, but no doubt delicious.

Animal Crossing

Christmas Cake

Don't delay, today is the last day to reserve your Christmas Cake. I have been informed, by A and M, of some interesting Japanese Christmas traditions. First is ordering Christmas Cakes, the grocery stores started putting out brochures about two months ago, most of the cakes appear to contain fruit and be covered with whip cream. The highly promoted strawberry cake on the cover costs the equivalent of more than $32 USD for a 15cm size and is even available in a reduced calorie variety. The second strange thing to do on Christmas is go to KFC, (yes, as in Kentucky Fried Chicken), which is most disturbing to me. M already made her reservation for Christmas Day and keeps harassing A to hurry up and made her reservation. Since we have to work on Christmas Day I suppose there wouldn't be much time to make a real Holiday meal, even if we did have ovens.

Balcony Garden Progress

With some success my balcony garden has progressed.

Strawberries: Moderate success - Healthy foliage, but the berries keep molding before getting ripe.Orchid: Approaching success - A new leaf and two flower stems on the way.Broccoli: Near failure - Green caterpillars turned the leaves into Swiss cheese.Herbs: Success - The basil looks a little bare after being used for pesto. Cilantro is coming soon, the herbs in the grocery store are sold with the roots attached, my Mom managed to get a shoot growing.
Lettuce: Moderate success - After being stunted by the hot weather last summer the lettuce looks pretty but is tough and a little bitter. Attempt two is in progress.Lime: Success - Loaded with sweet smelling flowers giving way to lime babies. I am a little concerned that this small tree has taken on more fruit than it will be able to handle.Peas: Success - The delicious pea pods have already made it into several stir fry dishes and the plants are growing with no end in sight.Hibiscus: Split success - These plants started out the same size, while one has grown large and healthy the other is healthy but has become miniature. The flowers of the plant in the foreground are twice the size of the other.Kiwi: Failure - I guess it shouldn't be a surprise that a miniature fruit tree is a touchy thing to grow. This one doesn't have much time left.

Wash your hands and...

...Gargle. I just inadvertently got the story on the gargling that I witness going on in my office bathrooms everyday. Apparently from a young age children are asked, "did you wash your hands and gargle?" after emerging from the bathroom. It is a common Japanese belief that keeping your throat moist will help keep you healthy.

Driving Difficulties

I'm often asked if it's been hard to adjust to driving on the left side of the road. The hardest part is getting over hitting the windshield whippers instead of the turn signal, having the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle makes staying on the correct side of the road easy (knock on wood). Three of the hardest things about driving in Japan are illustrated below. First it gets dark really early, second motorcycles are always passing on the shoulder or between lanes of traffic, third people don't have a problem parking switching on the emergency flashers and parking any car on any street at any time.

Daily Meeting

Besides vacuuming, the other thing that happens every day after lunch is a team meeting, which in my group is actually a two team meeting. The highest team member present mumbles some things, while his assistant nods in agreement, when the speaker is finished everyone bows and goes back to their work. I have yet to understand what is said in one of these meetings, but still attend every day.

Check Out L's Blog

Check out L of M&L's blog.

http://herbangirl.blogspot.com/

How lucky am I to have M&L, great people and fellow UM grads, living in the same apartment building?

Happy Birthday L!!

Stove Top & Fish Broiler Cooking 9

What to do with the iceberg lettuce that my brother bought when he was visiting? Make lettuce wraps, I used a knock-off PF Changs recipe and replaced the chicken with tofu. I got a tip from L to freeze the tofu before frying it to get a better texture, it worked great.

Japanese Weddidng

Congratulations to A & U who had their Japanese style wedding today.My Japanese card, the expected gift amount from a friend is 30,000 yen (more than $300USD). Tradition is the gift amount must be an odd number of bills so that it isn't divisible between the bride and groomM and I with A in her Wedding Kimono, wig and white painted face, after the Shinto ceremony during which photos were prohibited.Work friends in 'Unmarried Woman's' Kimonos, they were responsible for collecting gifts at the reception.My favorite course of the six course meal, Scallops. Ayumi made me tear up by being so considerate as to substitute, in advance, my beef course with Scallops.So beautiful!

Pet Store

A few weeks ago I visited the pet store to pick up a cat treats to send back Rebecca's kitty. Like most stores I've found here, I was impressed by the variety of products available. I settled on a Hello Kitty toy and a undecided fish treat. After making my purchases I stopped to look at the animals for sale, unbelievable, Cats starting at 120,000yen and dogs at 180,000yen, why so expensive?

Bonenkai

Last night was my department holiday party, a Bonenkai. It was held at a restaurant in Toyota City and attended by about 60 of my coworkers. Apparently it's tradition for the freshman members of the Global Department to perform skit.

Dinner was cook-it-yourself style, a mix of vegetables cooked in boiling stock that actually turned out delicious.After dinner we played a game of Bingo with a chance to win a Wii, I ended up winning handkerchiefs which everyone uses around here (a topic for another blog entry), so they will make a good souvinear.

Company Calendar

Today I received a 'gift' from my company, a 2009 calendar with fitness tips and healthy recipes.Each month I get a new exercise using household items like the mop above, pillows, books, shopping bags, etc.

Stove Top & Fish Broiler Cooking 8

Tonight's dinner is my take on yakisoba, Japanese pan fried noodles and veggies. Often when I am at an after work gathering at a Japanese style restaurant one of the only items that I am able eat is Yakisoba, and I don't complain because I enjoy it. My yakisoba contains bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, onions and noodles. The actual recipe is flavored with tsuyu, I used tsuyu but also added toasted sesame oil, browned garlic, green onions, and ginger.

White Chocolate Berry Kit Kat

The makers of Kit Kat offer Special Edition versions throughout the year. Currently the offering is a white chocolate berry flavored version. Personally I prefer the original, but it is clever marketing.

Farris Wheels

This city seams to have a fascination with Farris wheels, along my drive to work it is possible for me to see them on two separate occasions. I'm not a fan of carnival type rides, but before I leave I think I need to see what all the fuss is about.

Bicycles in the Rain

I've heard a rumor that it is illegal to ride a bike while holding an umbrella, but that doesn't stop the masses from doing it anyway.