tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91532745410731294682024-03-06T08:38:25.203+09:00TokyoTalesPamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-64190146621072440582010-09-18T11:30:00.000+09:002010-09-18T11:30:04.438+09:00More Fun with Food in JapanJapanese cucumbers are the best tasting, non-burp inducing cucumbers on the planet. They are slim and very dark green, with very few bumps on the skin. In Japanese, they are called kyuuri, or きゅうり。(Please let me know if I wrote that incorrectly, nihon no tomodachi.)<br />
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What I didn't know is that Japanese cucumbers, when fresh, have a delightful little magic to them. My good friend Tamie-san told me she was watching a cooking show on NHK that said when cucumbers are extremely fresh, you can break them in half by hand and then stick the cucumber back together. Doesn't that sound like a fun thing to try with your kids?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNYyjw4MzA_C07941JhSsKc51lx2aH8McmhlvxtSCwZjctYyulmv_QU0nsrco93h09cxC63XRBPal4w5QMdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-65405462775026195932010-09-08T15:48:00.001+09:002010-09-08T19:40:28.781+09:00Italy meets Japan in the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtwPdSj3gnbEoeZJSMgmuj5oiJbQrQqUogxh6vOymZ6m4RPYwN34OXLl4S09XEsfRKzsaAmTxHy4Lb-kYf2jCILWKeVX3aSYiENPvoGE_PlBIPkm4ez8H38YidblW1PQWGSwc6TVD0y4J/s1600/IMG_3096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtwPdSj3gnbEoeZJSMgmuj5oiJbQrQqUogxh6vOymZ6m4RPYwN34OXLl4S09XEsfRKzsaAmTxHy4Lb-kYf2jCILWKeVX3aSYiENPvoGE_PlBIPkm4ez8H38YidblW1PQWGSwc6TVD0y4J/s320/IMG_3096.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is called tatsoi. Oishiikatta ne.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If we are acquainted, you probably know I am a little bit of a food nut. Ever since I read Michael Pollan's books, <b>The Omnivore's Dilemma</b> and <b>In Defense of Food</b>, I have tried to really pay attention to the food my familly is eating. I buy local and/or organic produce whenever possible, and try not to buy processed food at all. I found an organic grocery delivery service - <a href="http://www.radishbo-ya.co.jp/">Radishbo-ya</a> and I get a box of seasonal produce every week. Sometimes I am completely baffled by the vegetables I receive, as you can see by this photo.<br />
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It's been a great adventure, and a fun topic of conversation with my Japanese friends, who have helped me figure out how to cook these new vegetables. I still don't like the slimy mushrooms though, and I'm happy to pass them on to anyone who wants them.<br />
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Full disclosure: I admit, I'm still buying granola bars, senbei and pretzels.<br />
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In my pursuit of easy recipes using whole, unprocessed ingredients, I found a magazine over the summer in the US called <b>Clean Eating</b>, which subscribes to many of the principles that Michael Pollan outlines in his books. Trying new recipes keeps me from being bored in the kitchen, so I am always looking for something new to test on my family.<br />
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Well, this recipe from <b>Clean Eating</b> was a winner on all fronts. Tasty, easy to make, and good for you! I did need to substitute my local Japanese ingredients that were readily available rather than make it as written. So here is my version of an Italian favorite, risotto, taking a delicious detour through Japan.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Risotto with Kabocha and Edamame</span></b><br />
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Winter squash - I used 1/2 of a pretty big kabocha. I guess it was about 3-4 cups cubed. The original recipe calls for butternut squash.<br />
1/2 cup Edamame, cooked and hulled<br />
4 cups chicken broth<br />
1 medium onion, diced<br />
1 big clove of garlic, minced<br />
1 cup arborio rice<br />
1 tsp dried thyme<br />
1 tsp dried sage<br />
1/4 cup parmesan<br />
olive oil<br />
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Step one: Cube and peel the squash. Toss the squash with a little olive oil or mist it. Season with salt and pepper if you like. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 425° until tender, about 25 minutes. Stir from time to time. It's ok if it gets a bit brown - that will help it hold together when mixed with the rice. Set aside.<br />
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Step two: Heat broth in a saucepan on the the stove and keep warm.<br />
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Step three: Saute onion in 1 T olive oil until a little soft, add garlic and saute for one minute more. Add rice and stir to coat with oil and veg.<br />
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Step four: Add 1/2 cup broth to rice mixture, stir until absorbed by rice. Continue adding in 1/2 cup increments. Check rice when you've added almost all the broth. Rice should be tender but firm, not chalky. Continue adding broth until you only have 1/2 cup left.<br />
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Step five: Add thyme, sage, edamame and cheese with last 1/2 cup of broth, stir until cheese melts. Gently fold in squash. Serve.<br />
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Vegans could make this with vegetable broth, and skip the parmesan. It was so creamy before the cheese was added, and it wasn't that much cheese to begin with.<br />
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Sorry, I don't have any photos. This was soooo good and was eaten very quickly. When I make it again, I'll post a photo. The box of arborio rice that I found was 1900¥ - about US$23. So I'll definitely be making this again and not wasting any of that arborio rice! Enjoy!Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-63878216451224065582010-09-01T11:39:00.000+09:002010-09-01T11:39:16.982+09:00Weird Food & Beverages<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnk5sfYvNxvSMqdgtdTxLW4hi3hzy9x1lBMG6vzhHKanuQDsnBRbTYdxlLOhRfzp3ik6aMV1hqvfKBRqx0-y7rT6v6N2nF_s9OroSfd9SiLtuCjyjje4eHVKGLwNw_yXvVA0GYNiUrkcf/s1600/IMG_5698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnk5sfYvNxvSMqdgtdTxLW4hi3hzy9x1lBMG6vzhHKanuQDsnBRbTYdxlLOhRfzp3ik6aMV1hqvfKBRqx0-y7rT6v6N2nF_s9OroSfd9SiLtuCjyjje4eHVKGLwNw_yXvVA0GYNiUrkcf/s320/IMG_5698.JPG" /></a>In the local conbinis (convenience stores), there's always a new snack or drink appearing. Sometimes the new food is a seasonal offering - like sakura flavored KitKats during sakura season. Sometimes it's a new product being marketed. I am not sure what category this new drink fits into. I saw it at my local Lawsons when I went to pay the phone bill yesterday. It has been so hot and humid here, I am willing to try a new drink, especially if it sounds refreshing. However, this new drink just seemed strange.<br />
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Apple, Milk and Lemon? Wouldn't the milk curdle if you tried this at home? It makes you wonder about how they've stabilized it. Well, since I can't read the details on the ingredient list, I am not going to worry too much.<br />
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So I bought the Apple, Milk and Lemon, and offered it to the boys, who all sampled it. Here is Chris' reaction:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxU3n7nxt_bC7OrgGgk-4_tu8YvBS-Fu8zREwsqoU8ZdvLCmLhkL_C9Id2pdhHCnPFT9zf9VYV2helqRH21KA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-42727847619594679192010-03-04T15:35:00.000+09:002010-03-04T15:35:18.897+09:00Me and Danny ChooOh Danny Choo, oh Danny Choo,<br />
Without you what would I do?<br />
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This is my thank you letter to Danny Choo.<br />
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Dear Danny Choo,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1ZqeMqs6kSnkaclPhUeTp3DMKE7zIK_DUpnGqoQWPRxhCWhfJHsqvupKrfe8_dDZpIgDYW2wjdeSiocU4UAZdTlrI8a5CfLGz-Mz4Wy7QJOCdQ7Wu38fd9Tf6u-5UE6_f4T_E7ATB38f/s1600-h/IMG_3419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1ZqeMqs6kSnkaclPhUeTp3DMKE7zIK_DUpnGqoQWPRxhCWhfJHsqvupKrfe8_dDZpIgDYW2wjdeSiocU4UAZdTlrI8a5CfLGz-Mz4Wy7QJOCdQ7Wu38fd9Tf6u-5UE6_f4T_E7ATB38f/s200/IMG_3419.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Whenever I am in a tight spot in this crazy town, I go to my computer and search the internet for answers. Inevitably, your blog turns up in my search.<br />
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Looking for places to take my 16 year old niece from Hong Kong? Danny, your blog was a treasure trove that told us just where she needed to go to see all that otaku culture! Although her parents weren't thrilled about the maid cafe...<br />
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And then there were my trials and tribulations over the Japanese driver's licensing procedures. I had insomnia, I worried, I fussed. Everything online was doom and gloom and I thought I would never pass the exam. And then your blog turned up, light and funny, and I relaxed. I also passed my test on the first try - your photos were a terrific help to understanding how the whole crazy procedure worked.<br />
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And then on Coming of Age Day, I wanted to go to Shibuya's CC Lemon Hall to see all the fun. I didn't know what time - so to the internet I went. There was nothing helpful on the English language Shibuya city website, but your blog had information from last year and I made it.<br />
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And then, there you were! Notice my cheesy grin?<br />
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I know all the otaku fans love you, but I am sure you never thought you'd have a middle aged expat American mother as a cheerleader.<br />
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Thank you!<br />
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Pam<br />
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You can visit Danny's blog too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/25018/Danny+Choo.html">http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/25018/Danny+Choo.html</a>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-24586896084096177862010-02-28T15:37:00.001+09:002010-02-28T18:07:48.529+09:00Baking in Japan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5CtVUcx8z5GGBt8poYYyfOpzQLPpKLlZ3rxmPLlAXiFkI6Gcw6k6rYKJvyHl85Z6t7XAp3TDO-MUjyHZHkrlRGQCzh-NzIIwDLMU0n4VVCDnrhBmCmUnYW4k0y06X7GyIrcetcX9uKXy/s1600-h/IMG_4011.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443187257069711010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5CtVUcx8z5GGBt8poYYyfOpzQLPpKLlZ3rxmPLlAXiFkI6Gcw6k6rYKJvyHl85Z6t7XAp3TDO-MUjyHZHkrlRGQCzh-NzIIwDLMU0n4VVCDnrhBmCmUnYW4k0y06X7GyIrcetcX9uKXy/s400/IMG_4011.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 300px;" /></a>I like to bake. I enjoy it, and I am pretty good at it - or at least I used to think so. I have had more baking flops the past year in Tokyo than I have had in the previous 10 years in Delaware.<br />
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</div><div>Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, name a baked goodie and I have butchered it horribly in Japan. Cupcakes don't rise. Loaf cakes overflow the pan and burn on the oven floor. Cookies spread to three times their intended diameter, and then stick to the pan. Brownies don't cook and it's chocolate sludge, not a brownie. Although I have to admit, no one complained about that last mistake.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I have a number of theories about my surprise return to amateur hour. </div><div><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443189497920473506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kWmgsigsTAVptnlAZ_Ii1WkfcTtlxvNgT3y5hiajW06WQncRaW2it_-3tnfD7yDuTmowDpFeXROYpuQdmbDRFktQeeKIlLIdwPmf6R9TC9OlHu4_rbJJeERjN7t4rAbmErMPir6_ba58/s320/IMG_3998.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /><br />
<div>First, I blame it on the flour. Most of my American/western recipes use all-purpose flour. Here in Japan we have cake flour and bread flour. So unless I am willing to pay around $20 for an imported bag of Gold Medal (I'm not), I have had to figure out the best way to approximate all- purpose flour. There are a number of substitutions on online recipe websites, and I have tried them. A neighbor told me she just used half bread flour, and half cake flour, and everything turned out fine. So that has been my latest technique.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Next, I blame the fat. I have no idea what the difference is, but Japanese butter behaves differently. It melts differently, it cooks differently, and nothing turns out the way you expect. Perhaps American butter is full of chemicals that stabilize it? I don't know. I have started buying something called "margarine for cake" at Costco that performs better when baking. It's probably full of trans fats, but since I can't read the label, I have managed to keep my guilt feelings at bay.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Lastly, I blame my problematic, unintuitive, and overly hot gas oven. I had never baked using a gas oven regularly until this year. Frankly, give me an electric oven any day. The gas is about 10-20 degrees too hot and there's a significant hot spot at the back of the oven. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Enough blame! I have finally, by trial and error, managed to find recipes that work best here and I am happy to say I have not had a (significant) baking error in months. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Here is a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that really works in Japan:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Modified from a recipe in <i>The Search for the Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie</i> by Gwen Steege.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oil (I gave up on butter with cookies)</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443190040938643474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7Z0rNpvb-MDj3UxdfByXP5IIyQcbRG26O0gYNDxcoyYM00LKeRO2j4tf_tTlbgRne30TW1XcOlIIUF32kFB6VH04cT7tTu1Uy96Kkv2yUfR-ARljhdrpAYmVx1JYuvRZdILFjsdsu_r-/s320/IMG_4002.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /><br />
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</div><div>3 cups flour (1/2 bread flour, 1/2 cake flour)</div><div>1 teaspoon baking soda</div><div>1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div>1/2 cup white sugar</div><div>1 cup brown sugar</div><div>1 cup vegetable oil (do not substitute butter or shortening)</div><div>2 eggs</div><div>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div>2 cups chocolate chips (or MandMs as I did today)</div><div>3/4 cup chopped nuts (Sam's class is nut-free, so I never use them now)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Combine both the sugars and oil thoroughly using an electric mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add sifted ingredients to creamed mixture, 1 cup at a time, beating dough well after each addition of flour. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. The dough will be very stiff.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Place heaping teaspoonfuls on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 7-8 minutes. Yields about 4-5 dozen. </div><div><br />
</div><div>And here's some food for thought about Japan: Did you know that there is no word for "bake" in Japanese? There's an approximation of the word bake that is used since the introduction of Western baked goods, but traditional Japanese cooking did not include baking. (Thank you to Elizabeth Andoh for that piece of trivia!)</div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-83986188572136602122010-02-28T15:37:00.000+09:002010-02-28T15:38:02.184+09:00Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-50911957492834696122010-02-22T14:59:00.001+09:002010-03-05T13:03:59.546+09:00Setsubun Festival in Tokyo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc8vqG5zQ0s2uVBO8DthMdAfsUotweB40Qf1J2MIv1eYAPzEcsujgEUUaxFsyiwNpbLEaM-eY3d92U24Oi1zhdeEI7f9eEoMOiYGn_VIb5Uof0poLaEgCdSxKaoC8r7_X0afsb9nhFAK_/s1600-h/IMG_3614.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440953505100819906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc8vqG5zQ0s2uVBO8DthMdAfsUotweB40Qf1J2MIv1eYAPzEcsujgEUUaxFsyiwNpbLEaM-eY3d92U24Oi1zhdeEI7f9eEoMOiYGn_VIb5Uof0poLaEgCdSxKaoC8r7_X0afsb9nhFAK_/s400/IMG_3614.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<div>Setsubun took place on February 3rd. Setsubun marks the change of season in Japan, welcoming spring. This is a really fun festival that the children had a taste of when we moved to Tokyo last year that we were looking forward to this year.</div><div><br />
</div><div>For Setsubun, we cast the demons out of our homes by throwing roasted soybeans at them, saying, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" or "Demons out! Luck in!"</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sam's class made oni (devil) masks and threw soybeans at each other. I did the more adult thing and went with friends from my neighborhood to Zozoji temple, which is near Tokyo Tower. Zozoji temple is famous for its Setsubun festivities.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The man in the photo at left brought his own little onis with him. He enjoyed the attention, but I am not so sure about his dog!</div><div><br />
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<div>At Zozoji, there is a parade of monks from the temple, dressed in festival finery. Then the children from the local school parade in, and then people from the neighborhood who are born in the current zodiac year - the year of the tiger. After the parade, the festivities - for the audience - begin.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Local dignitaries and famous people throw small bags beans at the crowd. I guess this is much less messy than loose beans. I was in the crowd with my friends, trying to catch the beans. They also threw mochi rice cakes, snacks, candy and more soybeans. </div><div><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440954702535953890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y_sMlKlVQQS4lJxqP6GDgkid9TOUvR9yTkhtR-LWfWrhrJqfSEvIUAp-AKoyp9inHETDmsZe2Zcf8H5E4W53H37yPAwEnWfEYZnlKnXAuwcmF7FY3oOCtQqftUTz-LUApTWa2-VYBWu3/s400/IMG_3629.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 300px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div>There were specially labeled beans </div><div>that could be redeemed at a stand for </div><div>special prizes of restaurant meals, sake, and hotel stays. None of us were that lucky, but I did catch a bag of hard candy.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Then, men dressed as onis took the stage, and the children from the local school threw beans at them and chased them off. The kids were very enthusiastic! There were more snacks thrown, and mochi rice pounding onstage. All in all, very fun and festive.</div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-40546318007582543712010-02-10T08:02:00.000+09:002010-02-22T13:47:00.752+09:00We go to Sumo!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUojm8Okod1JutBkkNHcyt05qusUwE0XUBdzeR1xziNcwJNTS7-3Yous-YJRwtISOc4quPPF1pXg9m4tI54uUzJVW-4-vCofUNsokcQfdyM6ALaH3y_W_usJDsuGjsilij-HuVWjdyxex/s1600-h/IMG_3452.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUojm8Okod1JutBkkNHcyt05qusUwE0XUBdzeR1xziNcwJNTS7-3Yous-YJRwtISOc4quPPF1pXg9m4tI54uUzJVW-4-vCofUNsokcQfdyM6ALaH3y_W_usJDsuGjsilij-HuVWjdyxex/s400/IMG_3452.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440874399578614850" /></a><br />Everyone has an idea of what a sumo wrestler looks like. Big fat guys, top knot in their hair, wearing some strange diaper thing. But I am willing to bet that very few have actually been to a tournament and seen a sumo match. So that's what made me decide to get us all tickets and head to the sumo tournament last month. After all, you can't live in Tokyo without going to see the sumo tournament at least once.<div><br /><div>Not knowing what everyone's reaction to watching sumo wrestling would be like, I bought nose bleed seats. We also went with our friends and neighbors, the Herseys. Their son Dan is a good friend to all our boys.</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNTTBAXLruKMgAE-sQnN7styJWNb9S0ZF-9BiNGteA3nrUE3tqDQu7JGhi3yJgKlXhSyXdv3thyIsokCNDnAVudPvyiU-nhAOZNDFpTTuqOE49-WRVy5N2b_SKqutMnY8JKRdTXPt1vfw/s200/IMG_3448.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440874835106434786" /><div>Sumo tournaments are held throughout the year in Tokyo and other cities throughout Japan, alternating between Tokyo and other cities. January's tournament was in Tokyo at the Kokugikan. The tournament is held over 15 days, and runs all day, each day, from about 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening. It's a long day if you go for the whole day. Most spectators don't go until later in the day, when the ranked wrestlers start their matches.<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7P07CgcW9GPDqhZFxHKnXdCNPMtO6l3_a2HKNSvENEFrFAg1Kw0gP6HAdWRfc18pBVIAfeMsKc1Ppe3DzUVqOTpIHYocGVzCDSS-4xKj6ul_hMqP6ng01bLn1YM4V_dGUaeuIrfoZ3eK/s320/IMG_3457.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440873749323734610" /><div>We arrived at the Kokugan around 2 in the afternoon - just as the non-ranked wrestlers were finishing. There were sumo wrestlers strolling around outside the arena, and inside as well. One was very gracious and let us take his picture with our boys - I think he was visiting with his family either post- or pre-match.<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div><div><br /></div>The sumo tournament was filled with ceremony and tradition, especially the higher ranked wrestling matches. The wrestlers in the division are introduced and they walk around the sumo ring with ceremonial aprons.(I'm sure it has a proper name, but I am not sure of it.)<br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwyqEQ6jn4MC5XAT2wWywSjpONjh4POzLdqWxGCt7Sl42h-hgb7U-8iyaY4DTkmhXMiH1op75gGBkrw0bFo0q56HMCQGqv_ZT8VjWJR4JrKGLQknzkZfVB7p2vj8rsGS5vQHi5cmBdYaq/s320/IMG_3461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440872373373224994" /><div>Then the matches starts, officiated by a referee in an ornate kimono. The wrestlers demonstrate their flexibility to the audience, lifting their legs high in the air - honestly, how do they do that?Stepping into the ring, they scatter salt - some wrestlers dramatically throwing the salt, other contemptuously tossing the salt at their feet. Then they confront their opponent. They show their strength, they grimace. If they are highly ranked wrestlers, they can do this for quite a while. Then they step out of the ring, wipe their faces, take a handful of salt, and start again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, they give each other the signal and the wrestling starts. Sometimes it's a fast match and one wrestler quickly overpowers the other, or manages to get a good hold on his opponent at their first clash. Other matches we watched the wrestlers struggle to get a good grip, feet slipping and the match went back and forth until the winner was decided. The winner was not always who you thought it would be. </div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5O9SYIQg-p-ESHFbPZmNFg2DHki40wyuInxpra3HvTCsxQeSzFCWeVwjyJp55VToqpS7c-VAzheJHty4PAyu3V0uFleSzyl36Ad3CxNcMem_38eu9W-xddpZ_yLPhWlf6B7T_jlX9q1E/s320/IMG_3510.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440872384874551058" /><div>We saw one huge sumo overpowered by a wrestler who was probably half his size. Another match ended up in the first tier of spectators, who sit on tatami mats. I was told later that if you buy those seats, you are not allowed to carry anything in with you - no bags, no food. The reason for this is that someone was skewered by an umbrella at a past tournament. And no children are allowed in that section either. That I can really understand. If a sumo landed on an spectator, they could be flattened.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are quite a number of non-Japanese wrestlers in the ranks. Many are from Mongolia, including the 2 highest ranking wrestlers, the yokazuna. Many others are from Georgia, Russia, and Bulgaria. It's very interesting to see them take part in a sport that is so very Japanese.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, the highest ranking wrestlers - the yokazuna - had their matches. A yokozuna, Asashoryo was the overall winner of the tournament, but both yokozuna lost matches to lower ranked sumo, including a very popular Estonian wrestler called Baruto. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, Asashoryo was compelled to retire this past month after behaving badly. He apparently imbibed excessively and then hit the waiter that was serving him. I guess sports figures can behave badly in any culture, but in Japan, it can end your career.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to explore more, you can visit the sumo web site (in english):</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/">http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy! I can't wait to go again!</div><div><br /></div></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-54233228465795041802010-02-06T10:55:00.000+09:002010-02-06T11:53:33.938+09:00Coming of Age Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXxbdTX5HgykfougzhV0mXl1miRPxK0Bua3z4LOqr16FrsDSDOkigC3bOv91_rRiXf5EEwWysDpdM_eEuPYm_j0uXBOzSSvHlicwQDO9kyZV5PhGv3DvJ4p8jrQW3ETZwJcMr0WvePWFT/s1600-h/IMG_3363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXxbdTX5HgykfougzhV0mXl1miRPxK0Bua3z4LOqr16FrsDSDOkigC3bOv91_rRiXf5EEwWysDpdM_eEuPYm_j0uXBOzSSvHlicwQDO9kyZV5PhGv3DvJ4p8jrQW3ETZwJcMr0WvePWFT/s400/IMG_3363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434957452720100994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniEhFDvDjIyKrns1nl4CoIP5lYYTKadCefPQHBBHhtdmLyNOrNMjjTq0H5LR13G2EgvCjwQbj0JHrd86hqCLe7oRiV7rdxMwfjZdYHB-XWI_-3P8DFZS-xgE4_B3LpSMC68v0Xk4Kg3gP/s1600-h/IMG_3395.JPG"></a>My book group chose <b>Confucius Lives Next Door: What Living int he East Teaches Us About the West</b> for our January selection. This is a nonfiction, light sociological book by T.R. Reid, an American journalist who lived in Tokyo about 12 years ago. While some of Reid's work is now dated, there were so many interesting anecdotes about living in Japan and the struggles that westerners have understanding eastern cultures, that I am willing to forgive the dated-ness.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw6j9lT6eThVz-PTInxvBAjjAJFQrWiH98AATbRBUaN0hj2NTb80jPxu0z7lqHDyOgZ8COycIK-ao62ZQqfTiWD2RDcr9By3JPsxSFAWimvohwZuF2EqAB2_CcNZLBM_ekauLD0a11zr7/s1600-h/IMG_3370.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw6j9lT6eThVz-PTInxvBAjjAJFQrWiH98AATbRBUaN0hj2NTb80jPxu0z7lqHDyOgZ8COycIK-ao62ZQqfTiWD2RDcr9By3JPsxSFAWimvohwZuF2EqAB2_CcNZLBM_ekauLD0a11zr7/s400/IMG_3370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434949851478846978" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></a><div><br /></div><div>One point that Reid made time and again was that eastern societies have government sponsored public ceremonies and rituals that reinforce social mores. Coincidentally, one of these public rituals happened in January, which was a really interesting way for me to witness the. On January 11, Japan celebrated Coming of Age Day. This is a public holiday when all the young people who will turn 20 years old that year are honored and celebrated. What a contrast to the United States, where the only thing that happens when you turn 18 is (if you are male) you receive your Selective Service card, or when you turn 21 and are allowed to drink alcohol.<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtktUAT5v2OL9Gmd5UPN7r6ySpf8x6a0841KEz0GVxZmXYPs7GhKb__JOwExOmVnGoNFb5ATPcBqPprnki4ieCCdb0jd53gsuoRjchyphenhyphenCPVxQ6OKSt7iy-xhQwgDLUQt91_-fS4ectKk48/s200/IMG_3398.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434951365073377954" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div>On Coming of Age Day, each city or town government has a ceremony. The young people turning 20 are invited to their local government office or hall for this occasion. The young women dress in kimono, and the young men also dress traditionally or in basic suits. In my city, Shibuya, they arrive early at the hall to catch up with friends and pose for photos. Some of the new adults have not seen each other since high school, so there is a reunion atmosphere. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can't emphasize enough that this is important to them. Some of the girls get up very early for hairdresser appointments and rent kimono outfits that can cost over $1000 for the day. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwJTarSIY4DtOW67L65Ke42o0lEd_Lvu2d4rqclF2A9HtP_6KQ4pEeuRhNNbypoMfk9M0j87U5deQK_9e__GFeRQN3-lpp5v5vgGLlXK1M2xa5XzMxXy7BpwkmZTG0zRPQ65k4BrNmrLI/s320/IMG_3405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434950759603287266" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>After socializing, the young people go into the hall where the local officials congratulate them on their adult status and encourage them to be responsible society members. At age 20, they can drink, smoke, and vote, and they are reminded of both their adult privileges and duties to their neighbors. They are also handed goody bags with lots of information reflecting their new status as adults - taxes and insurance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFtzxgDcu8oiI4Bp75SsIVB6DRjzSXUVLFZLf8-rjHW1yqIqOxg5vtzXB2uuS09vMpQnhUY3m9OIBoMWLn11sjczszcUmtpLll25N6-HhZFSV7QBm0B8H2qDcuHWX6MbLImNIDnRRwDzm/s320/IMG_3400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434951804925945122" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniEhFDvDjIyKrns1nl4CoIP5lYYTKadCefPQHBBHhtdmLyNOrNMjjTq0H5LR13G2EgvCjwQbj0JHrd86hqCLe7oRiV7rdxMwfjZdYHB-XWI_-3P8DFZS-xgE4_B3LpSMC68v0Xk4Kg3gP/s1600-h/IMG_3395.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniEhFDvDjIyKrns1nl4CoIP5lYYTKadCefPQHBBHhtdmLyNOrNMjjTq0H5LR13G2EgvCjwQbj0JHrd86hqCLe7oRiV7rdxMwfjZdYHB-XWI_-3P8DFZS-xgE4_B3LpSMC68v0Xk4Kg3gP/s400/IMG_3395.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434952315305385602" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div>My friend Denise and I went to the Shibuya CC Lemon Hall to see all the festivities. It was amazing, beautiful, a little weird, and I am so glad I saw it. Denise and I were in awe of the incredible kimonos and gorgeous hair ornaments. The women were proud and happy, hugging friends and taking photos. The young men were a bit more reserved, but also obviously proud. I think the only thing I was really surprised about was how few parents were there. A Japanese friend explained to me that only the 20-yr olds are invited - especially in the bigger cities - and that families might have a party for them later on. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think that western cultures have done their values/ideals a disservice by not sanctioning them publicly, and delegating all "values" education to the churches and volunteer groups like the Girl and Boy Scouts. Whether or not the Japanese young adults agree with their cultural rules and mores, they definitely know that their society expects them to be responsible society members with the privileges that come with that responsibility. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's a short video clip from the day. More on the Stormtrooper later.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkfsET3ksOq4euF4yPSpnt3UVFUQPqoubvXVdevSJ5wiUAv8LAr602B7J1ND6j4YHIc7XDvdu44BpYSYOyrg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-39377282465626392102010-02-06T10:54:00.000+09:002010-02-06T10:55:38.657+09:00New PostingsOk, I actually have a lot to say, but was getting discouraged because I didn't think anyone was reading my blog. So, here we are, new year, and I am newly resolved to tell more TokyoTales.Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-8610786635294164002009-10-04T16:17:00.000+09:002009-10-04T16:49:30.866+09:00Sometimes it's the smallest things...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrY2JvoJv6GusCf6yVBX9AqqoHURp50aHWga8seh4djgu-i8zTALdT_jQA4ARbmFK9vPLNtWz3-5iAwZD2zJmV1W9ps1QvEL4QJUoWMMsvgBelt0PkRBIO4F4J-U4GN_8j6JGFG4YpcB/s1600-h/IMG_2744.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrY2JvoJv6GusCf6yVBX9AqqoHURp50aHWga8seh4djgu-i8zTALdT_jQA4ARbmFK9vPLNtWz3-5iAwZD2zJmV1W9ps1QvEL4QJUoWMMsvgBelt0PkRBIO4F4J-U4GN_8j6JGFG4YpcB/s320/IMG_2744.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388646163090077874" /></a>Sometimes it's the smallest things that throw you for a loop and make you realize you really are living in a foreign culture. You get used to the big things, like not being able to read most of the signs, and understanding only a few words that people speak.<div><br /><div><div>One day last spring I said to Nick, "Sam really likes that gum that comes with the free post-its." </div><div><br /></div><div>"Free post-its?" he asked quizzically. "Which gum is that? I haven't seen any free post-its."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>"It's the cube gum," I answered. "I don't know why you get free post-its with the gum." It did seem like a very odd combination, free office supplies with your gum.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDWjL5rNo3NjTj8tyANrsi4Is1OVY25vWdT-Ki-W2nrqS_ltGTkrJoq7F9c52qO0J42HuLl1CfHzOG7XG6pODo_PEt-tkRAgIzxMzBLYWwshw2bhWlGjqw_LGeslZOluoa_-6OyTGl9GJ/s320/IMG_2746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388646360869435538" /><div>But I had already seen some odd giveaway combos, like the Miffy phone charm with the new flavor of fruit juice. And someone is always handing you a pack of tissues with advertisements from health clubs, gentlemen's clubs, restaurants and plastic surgeons. So while the combination was odd, it wasn't completely out of the question.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>We were in a gum sampling mode last spring - all the different flavors here in Japan! No plain old bubblegum flavor, but exotic things like citrus soda! Grapefruit! Grape-cassis! And the very scary looking "black mint" gum where the gum really does look rather gray, resembling a pepper flavored Jelly Belly jellybean. And then we had the cube gum, with the free tiny post-its.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlNwQkkVyUh8enTeQX0DpngWIUbeE8kQfL_uoBJ36WVpd13miDwD_QMehTOeVTe-LlInuhrNK41oYsKUuXIPbzltEW_PLZKNP0UZYBXw6y1BrVRcXVPE0AZLbM1acnw4aeC2xDSI5ryT7/s320/IMG_2748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388647401571414610" /><div><br /></div><div>I finally caught on one day when Sam announced that his gum had lost its flavor and he wanted to throw it away. There I was, standing on the sidewalk, fishing through my handbag looking for a scrap of paper - an atm or grocery receipt, a used tissue, anything. The bell finally rang in my head - Aha! That's what those post-its are for!</div><div><br /></div><div>You see, the cube gum comes in a box and there are no individual wrappers for each piece of gum. So what is a person to do when they need to dispose of the chewed gum? A very tidy, neat Japanese solution. You provide the disposal papers with the gum. They are also very handy for marking pages in books, so I keep a few extra "post-its" with my book group books. And since I used most of my used tissues to toss the chewed gum away, I have a very good supply of the tiny post-its.</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-11717515119882941792009-09-17T19:47:00.000+09:002009-09-17T20:05:52.100+09:00Walking Around MoneyIn the US, I never worry about how much cash I have in my wallet. I know that I can always use my debit card - even at McDonald's - and I don't need to count bills.<div><br /></div><div>In Japan, it's different. My local grocery store just started accepting credit cards this past June. June 2009, that's right. Up until June, if you wanted groceries at Marusho, you took cash, only cash, thank you very much. When you spend at least $40 every time you walk into that store like I do - milk costs about $2.75 a QUART - you need a lot of cash just to walk around.</div><div><br /></div><div>Credit cards are not used very much - maybe for big ticket items like furniture, but even then many people use a bank draft. Restaurants don't take cards most of the time, neither do smaller retail shops. In Japan, cash is king.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a resident of Japan, you become very aware of where your ATM is, and how much cash you are carrying. And the amount you carry changes. I feel like I have a lot of cash in my wallet in the states when I have $100 or more. Not so in Japan. I need at least $250 to feel comfortable walking around. I know I can use my ATM at the post office banks, and at my bank's ATMs, and I am very aware where that is - thank goodness there is a postal atm at the local train station.</div><div><br /></div><div>And did I mention that I pay my bills in cash? I take cash at the atm, go to my local conbini - 7-11 or FamilyMart, hand over the bill and pay it in cash. Why I can't hand them my card, I don't know - very frequently I take out cash at the conbini ATM and hand it over to the cashier. You'd think it could be a simpler process.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other thing I find amusing about this cash-based society is the Japanese credit card Nick and I have. We can pay for things with the card (when you find a retailer that takes a card), but the charges are deducted from our account that month automatically. If we want to carry the balance over, we have to call the bank and make special arrangements. It's no wonder that the Japanese save and Americans spend with those policies and philosophies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nick and I are grateful that paying off a credit card on a monthly basis is normal to us rather than unusual (thanks to our thrifty, wise parents) and we never expect to call our bank to request a monthly carryover. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-59819891614115190632009-09-05T19:55:00.000+09:002009-09-05T20:37:37.237+09:00Yosakoi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MzC6bRHPBEFJUwiDcF0u1yIvPXOQZD4opQ1mgSQET2Hc7sB_y346W5ts7BTn7TeDDow9keHuVe5sdfnmNgQUGa0k7gvHIcvozpDFZRvJ3_fcBdo7BH8nK58VD8Y8PZHnSSCqr4dxakJK/s1600-h/IMG_2638.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MzC6bRHPBEFJUwiDcF0u1yIvPXOQZD4opQ1mgSQET2Hc7sB_y346W5ts7BTn7TeDDow9keHuVe5sdfnmNgQUGa0k7gvHIcvozpDFZRvJ3_fcBdo7BH8nK58VD8Y8PZHnSSCqr4dxakJK/s400/IMG_2638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377945091912006802" /></a><br />I am willing to bet that none of my American friends have ever heard of Yosakoi. I don't think I am even capable of explaining it, so I will direct you to the wikipedia explanation:<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosakoi"> Yosakoi wikipedia</a><div><br /></div><div>Hard to explain in english, isn't it?</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc-oqVMwha_ECSOzGzGBLleuPX4sUQsHb2c2Mp9aRN4jWgR2gGE75K4jzKB8Tt9iUgIUmsz9JjF8ketK-bRYFW1x2HF24D3uDC6zSiE7q2Jr-jwL4StV_bp6a7xeDy8ww40cq-2wRc-Hc/s320/IMG_2644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377945314273342466" /><div>Ok. There was a HUGE yosakoi festival in Omotesando last week, and we decided to go. The festival was set up in Yoyogi koen, the large park that we live near. It's 2 subway stops away, about a half hour walk or a 10-15 minute bike ride. We took the subway from Yoyogi-uehara to Meiji-jingumae and there we were, right in the middle of the festival.</div><div><br /></div><div>We took some time to watch the yosakoi groups at the stage right near the Meiji-jingumae subway station. Nick and I planned to get all the boys some lunch at the park - Japanese street food is the best junk food you will ever eat. After some yakisoba and yakitori, we walked down to the next stage and watched some more groups perform.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was so much fun. The dancing is fun, and the groups vary so much- there are college groups, neighborhood groups with older ladies and toddlers, and work groups like the TokyoMetro group that was the last group we saw perform. After their energetic, entertaining dance, it started to rain, so the Johnsons decided to head back to the subway and go home.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmrlTvpFqc5yY5UxD7-Pw16BBPWD-cbz1NBxHNeRVG9qxrh1H1vX1-L4tVc9xQ2xabMm8h3P6oMlvXSHlPG2EZL3XVMP09OSuleLmGwcHAKIdjzg-LS08aPsW7SxdRhFLwdmGeX1hNKRq/s320/IMG_2652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377945718830779410" /><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBvd8P-TnKawXmjoIktO_jyYCSMhzIADmUM4JfkY3Zb_hl45XuiEMlU_JBZ9rUpa5jg21LXkwaceOyjujSP5qvrQ3VX6O_HJxrm9tqgiYsRB7kl57U2xubhh9LYRxrUf-UpoNO6BF4nol/s400/IMG_2653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377943660465362786" /><div>The group we had just seen perform was also headed home - and there they were, en masse in the subway - the Tokyo Metro Yosakoi dance group. They were very gracious and </div><div>friendly and let us take some photos with Michael and Sam. Then we said </div><div>sayonara - and they took the train one direction, while we headed back to Yoyogi-uehara.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-67010558515511711412009-09-04T13:12:00.000+09:002009-09-04T13:45:18.190+09:00Back to School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPwlltgOlx3PCiyatFVqIsMzxYZ5v1uhuDHm-69sRuKx77YHZrLKoItl445UqmGPQqGagzVS89fHOwVA9vWmWrPo6PkdF0B6uTxYgdbvpXU7ze9mEbPicYSaXO3PXRJzRVtNcaxMKphQ0/s1600-h/IMG_0814.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPwlltgOlx3PCiyatFVqIsMzxYZ5v1uhuDHm-69sRuKx77YHZrLKoItl445UqmGPQqGagzVS89fHOwVA9vWmWrPo6PkdF0B6uTxYgdbvpXU7ze9mEbPicYSaXO3PXRJzRVtNcaxMKphQ0/s400/IMG_0814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377466969334314562" /></a>After a fun summer break in the US, with family visits in both the US and the UK plus vacations, we are now back in Tokyo and doing all the back to school events that happen in the beginning of the year. This is a very special year for the Johnsons, as all the boys are at the same campus for ASIJ this year. We decided to send Sam to kindergarten at the big campus at Chofu and then all the boys would be on the same schedule. Very liberating for mom, too!<div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" />Sam has settled into kindergarten after a week of transition days - one day on, one day off. He is asking about buying a cafeteria lunch, and he is excited to play on the big playground at the elementary school. He also really loves the book that his teacher read, a Max and Ruby story called <i>Bunny Cakes</i>. The classroom is sunny and colorful, and there is a pet rabbit named Ralph. I asked Sam if Ralph hopped around the room, and he said yes, but that he always hides in the class bathroom. Can you blame him? I think I might be tempted to hide in the bathroom if I was in a room full of kindergarteners, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael's third grade teacher is deeply interested in her third grade class and I think will be very responsive to any questions we might ask. I am very glad that there will be some handwriting work - all of the Johnson boys could use a little help in that area. Michael is a happy kid and was - to my surprise - very pleased to see me today at the Back to School event for the elementary school. Michael's sense of humor is really growing stronger and more sophisticated (ha). The class poster for "What grosses me out..." is full of what you would expect from 3rd graders - body emissions, human and animal, but Michael wrote "When my brother ate a slug."</div><div><br /></div><div>Chris has settled into middle school with no real adjustment issues - he loves the extra freedom and activities that 6th graders have. He has joined the 6th grade soccer group and he also goes to the Games Club. He will be attending the Middle School social/dance today - he assures me he is only interested in the food! </div><div><br /></div><div>Our only concern for Chris this year is his math class. I attended the Middle School Back to School night last evening, and was very pleased and impressed with all the teachers he has. The curriculum seems well designed, and the Middle School facilities are beautiful. When I returned, I talked to Chris about what I had seen and he mentioned that the text book he received in math class was a text book he used - in 4th grade at Claymont. </div><div><br /></div><div>That is just unacceptable. Last year was kind of strange, moving mid year, so I was willing to let Chris adjust and not fuss about his classes. But if we continue this way, he will be behind when we return to the US. Not to mention bored, doing 6th grade math for yet another year. So I have spoken to his advisor already, hoping to have Chris moved to a 7th grade class. We will find out shortly. I am a bit upset, since I know if we were in Delaware he would have finished the 7th grade text he was using in 5th grade, and would probably have moved onto more challenging and interesting mathematics. The advisor says Chris would only be allowed to take 7th grade math if they feel he could perform at the top of the class. I do hope they advance Chris, otherwise we are going to have to find a math tutor to keep him up to speed. </div><div><br /></div><div>More posts to come on interesting Japanese cultural foibles that westerners have difficulty with like bread.... and toilets....</div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-77034164956265608282009-05-19T21:17:00.002+09:002010-03-05T13:05:32.740+09:00What's He Worth?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU_yro6whidAgdDa7PYgRyVpy305bulc_Vod4PEoGIZd5JqqfsiTeRd6D9JU5LXZxfsHfMy9ipq7oxlplSEIxBO19E4tgYvhoMbyGfp0a08tJQqE95qe1MPM6dmsK7ZMhQ7JkgVDcesMb/s1600-h/IMG_2118.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337514455106296946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU_yro6whidAgdDa7PYgRyVpy305bulc_Vod4PEoGIZd5JqqfsiTeRd6D9JU5LXZxfsHfMy9ipq7oxlplSEIxBO19E4tgYvhoMbyGfp0a08tJQqE95qe1MPM6dmsK7ZMhQ7JkgVDcesMb/s320/IMG_2118.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 240px;" /></a>Another language faux pas from yours truly. I am so embarrassed and my teacher would really scold me if she reads this. Saito-san, please forgive me, I am so terrible with numbers and counting.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>A few weeks ago Sam brought a friend home from school some playtime. Sam and Aidan had a great time playing - they found some of the other kids in the building from the ELC, and played in the kids room here. They constructed legos, pretended they were in the jungle, and then ate dinner together - a great playdate.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Aidan's family live in Moto-azabu, about a half hour away from us in Yoyogi-uehara by train. We decided the best thing to do was to meet in a station in between and Aidan's dad would meet me on his way home from work.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The subways in Tokyo are superb. They are punctual, clean, reliable - and best of all - kids under the age of 6 ride free. So to take 2 small boys on the subway is not a big deal - it's kind of fun. Aidan, Sam and I met Aidan's dad in Omotesando, and Aidan and his dad headed on their way and Sam and I turned around and headed back home. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Now, I did not exit the station at Omotesando, so my subway card did not register when I came back to Yoyogi-uehara, and the turnstile alarm went off. I knew this would happen, so I was prepared with my meager Japanese to explain what I did:</div><div><br />
</div><div>Pam: Sumimasen. Omotesando ni ikimashita. </div><div>Pam: Excuse me. I went to Omotesando.</div><div>Stationmaster: </div><div><br />
</div><div>Well, I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what he said, but he said something to the effect that I didn't leave the station, and I agreed with him. The stationmaster took my subway pass, and proceeded to deduct the fare to and from Omotesando.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Here is where I am embarrassed to say that I got confused, and I thought he was deducting a fare for Sam. I wanted to explain that Sam was only five years old.</div><div><br />
</div><div>All that I managed to tell him was that Sam was 5 yen. I don't know if he thought I was offering to sell Sam, or what kind of crazy deal I was trying to make, but he looked at me kind of funny. I immediately realized what I had said, and turned so red that I looked sunburned.</div><div><br />
</div><div>"Sumimasen, sumimasen, gomen nasai, wakarimasu, da joobi desu. Excuse me, excuse me, I apologize, I understand, it's okay," I stammered repeatedly. These are very useful phrases when you have said something really foolish, like your son is 5 yen.<img alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /></div><div><br />
</div><div>I realize that reviewing my Japanese numbers and counting is crucial to avoid these cringe-causing moments, so I am now reviewing all my Japanese lessons - particularly counting and numbers.</div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-80168877267075094862009-04-26T11:05:00.000+09:002009-04-26T17:03:02.053+09:00Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">Happy Birthday, Mom!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5LievDy3Ct4uV5TNwXGAzsMazl9jIWz0hhVwXKvrISTp7ynQyoHFi9faXeXdvpQfiQv3KGSLNuu407MvIKg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A Video Card for Mom on her birthday - we miss you! We hope you have a great day with Russ and Courtney and Cole.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdRCSHsq0jFk3mTWE0cjRxI4ZMzOnh-K8PaAlklV3RhV5wAp1Xqb-4zRJFUMZbnXEzw0C1pvBpVpWLzetzRg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-84177649607340943402009-04-20T16:20:00.001+09:002009-04-20T17:03:33.331+09:00Julie Asks, "What are you eating?"My friend Julie asked me what we were eating. It's an interesting question. Do you try to cook just as you did in the United States? Or do you change how you approach the dinner/lunch menu?My approach has been a mixture of trying to cook like I did in the US, with some changes.<div> Some of the ingredients that are staples of American cooking are not as readily available, and you have to compromise. I have also tried some new recipes that are Japan-influenced, and these recipes of course are easy to shop for - no missed ingredients or compromises!</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the first dishes I tried cooking was yakisoba, and it has become a regular meal at our home. During Sam's first few weeks at school, one of the moms came in and fixed yakisoba as part of the cooking segment the class has on Fridays. That afternoon she told me how much Sam enjoyed the yakisoba, and I asked her how she made it so I could fix it at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yakisoba is one of those dishes that has a million variations, but it is essentially a one-dish meal that can be on the table in 15 minutes. That's my kind of meal. And if it tastes good? That's a home run.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is how I fix yakisoba - "fried noodles."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Ingredients</div><div>Bacon - about 1/2 lb.</div><div>1/2 onion, chopped</div><div>1 large carrot, cut into thin batons</div><div>1/4-1/2 head cabbage, thinly sliced.</div><div>2 packages of soba noodles, 170 g each.</div><div>Bull Dog yakisoba sauce, or worcestershire sauce.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Ingredients:</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW-fHTs-XTMkj5W0lExxONoDu3QyghLj15rh2uL74aTSjJ9LQgcwpyxJAYfD5rG0Q2GTXhNhYoVntkHhcg-9Z-fFF35CGPAC8ebubc6lJ9yI1p4xmU2uyop6HUmg1G4QETC8ieV7BIALE/s320/IMG_2045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326680700753265154" /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjanFFF_PCnBMS5dlBVPUiS4jlvvHZsvcvJLIWpWlHlgmJATpNKiZRd18MZs8cRAlooe5NMYoQYT0PnCZGfzd1AWyA0417r1By9sv5ccyFsMd9tgYhLrNNNn0hBnwCCpdaqqSEM_kbSBF/s320/IMG_2038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326673536157422514" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUDLKXEpojShZt8GWdGuGRf2C0euU_TmVhOh2Lzx2aNP4AwuDc4wwW29FjnwQxuCHXSu3x7s8faWvX3eN4vjwah7R7JU4Hg7MAmF94S9igRHlHb1G_8qcfsNpm9geVgLklQIF4w_LuV9X/s320/IMG_2040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326673536378290242" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>First, fry the bacon. Then add the onion and carrots and cook until onion is starting to soften.<br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n2At38yR-E_WFMgbX7peYDdoDGd1ueCb4CZr4EDWV8Ixz0oRUwa1t7S4FwD6T46PNTmEOTb1_kBXqohZ5hG17FqELX7MPqrPxjoIakDR1j5Dkf8tUg_7jU6TO3nqYDo7sGvo-RXWTlAQ/s320/IMG_2048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326674901113528882" /><div> Drizzle with some sauce.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then add the cabbage, and let it cook down a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes I put a lid on it to accelerate the wilting. Drizzle again. </div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdIMNUZEBGFEnSA3wRyi-scu9NP4zhSbaIF8VsSOFjyF4JroryAdemYMLKLv0kw-vv1LKgpNzqJrIYvnqoDtxMH1KnLrqoan1j-eM2avXr2XQuXcdNsrkGPRrRdLB24lEIHH_mDk0s9Ul/s320/IMG_2049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326676911462573730" /><div>Add the precooked noodles, let heat up until you can break the noodles up, drizzle with sauce again. Cook until everything is heated through and eat. You can always add more sauce if you want it. </div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaknZ_k9keNLqA_vZTFLCb6e5gcloPzgLHWHWHSLjAErMBNRu5IwO5INsFlnt1zAoxm2srsFLo7sM948QxvuWgLG5lPVC3-k46D90FTju-uI2BP0o2hpEEg7k5p_5TnuZP0TEWnrUCxTVk/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326676919887348562" /><div><br /></div><div>I have used chicken, and it works well. I found a recipe for yakisoba using seafood, and I am</div><div> going to try that soon. The Bull Dog sauce is probably available in an asian food market, but you can use worcestershire. The Bull Dog is thicker, but has a similar flavor. If you can't get fresh soba noodles or precooked ones, just get the dried ones. I'm pretty sure the SuperG on Concord Pike has dry soba noodles in their asian food section.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is my yakisoba, moments before it was consumed by the horde!</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-JVmyHncNw9u1xR9eScd0uV_OvR3V0EeSu2kPVLhoqAFopQ6qyzbBTiCsXA9f9pmdfSij20GZmgHuunsCy1Rz5fzNqqQw_O9Xe_dj3xu0_1Rt1Q7p2CETCmV5DOETgRTsxWlfsnQITYl/s320/IMG_2055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326676918107786194" /><div><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-66156476866182782522009-04-12T19:32:00.001+09:002009-04-12T19:44:44.359+09:00Easter Egg Hunt at Komaba Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTFdeMCu70mm8BtgEvRubDAee5DHLeAbbesM8kEw12WhebXMbA_sIwTu3CdYTbn6Hpx4_0ucz-0N0hEbvonvF6INCzW2JvTb-FLla8hoUfVhknqfjOOk2YEBM-0V6ym2N3GdYyDemEc_2/s1600-h/IMG_2075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTFdeMCu70mm8BtgEvRubDAee5DHLeAbbesM8kEw12WhebXMbA_sIwTu3CdYTbn6Hpx4_0ucz-0N0hEbvonvF6INCzW2JvTb-FLla8hoUfVhknqfjOOk2YEBM-0V6ym2N3GdYyDemEc_2/s400/IMG_2075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323753754695011298" /></a><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTUb4yILysWJOoD53T9DD-yrH4XI323BmBBh59ZCMPNw_fWZDM5V0aHO3CWq6NYhcGeeW1nj7SMedyP8K4AmedKjGEMa4zSCS0quymfOkQIib_0M2TU34pCzCyCzWpNkPwxLMH9VJ4u_oB/s400/IMG_2076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323752923161937538" /><br /><br />We have had the most beautiful weather in Tokyo this week. It has been warm and not too windy, perfect weather for the end of sakura viewing. The blossoms go so fast.<div><br /></div><div>We live in a neighborhood that has a strong expat tradition of a big Easter Egg Hunt and picnic in the local park called Komaba Park. This past week I received an email from the</div><div> Neighbourhood News giving the details on the egg hunt, and where to drop off the filled eggs (12 per child that you bring). So I signed up Michael and Sam, and went to hunt for plastic Easter eggs, because my own incredibly valuable plastic eggs are in STORAGE somewhere in Maryland. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am just kicking myself for not bringing some of this stuff. I ended up buying a pack of 48 plastic eggs for over 2000¥. Around $20US for plastic eggs! Ah well, we live and learn. I will make sure that when we are sent back to the US that I bequeath my plastic eggs to an expat family.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysgr63x9JO-XCBpfMS7xkZhgVlNObwAHa0q-OMNidlUcWpahhzeGnw5VekXuGerjmttLWyhiYqtwbik76DWuRcHeiT9v8MS65iU1mXTcDRKXmMSSe0-tn87KwaN6jd8JWpiCU3n8Yb_xt/s400/IMG_2096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323753205099437378" /></div><div>So the eggs are stuffed and dropped off. A picnic is prepared. And it is a beautiful day at Komaba Park. The kids had a great time hunting for eggs, playing picnic games, and just enjoying the last of the cherry blossoms. </div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-76192875251175135082009-04-07T15:40:00.000+09:002009-04-07T18:53:53.176+09:00Chris' Colonial Day at ASIJ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-gLA_L94p8iQD-nZVaJJ2DeRxDiz3OpdDPFckl7Oyu_wjdqQjVT_7E3wOuytUaPWgAH-RfBQB4ifogvaCp210g4Sib8jqksekO2fmPCsO2wacbLEwFjEUulgSE9HaCQcLp9_CCPr1tOl/s1600-h/IMG_1940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-gLA_L94p8iQD-nZVaJJ2DeRxDiz3OpdDPFckl7Oyu_wjdqQjVT_7E3wOuytUaPWgAH-RfBQB4ifogvaCp210g4Sib8jqksekO2fmPCsO2wacbLEwFjEUulgSE9HaCQcLp9_CCPr1tOl/s400/IMG_1940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321841007760466850" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">March 19th was a special day for Chris at school - the fifth grade celebrated Colonial Day. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Or Pioneer Day, or Heritage Day - I heard it called all three names. They were celebrating the conclusion of their unit on the American Colonies. A whole day of activities was in the works, including silhuouette drawing, candle dipping, johnny cake frying, weaving, and lantern making. Then the children enjoyed a "colonial lunch" in each classroom, and then there was a musical presentation in the ASIJ theater. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Chris has settled into his usual, volunteering sort of nature, and volunteered for a speaking part in the musical program and the small singing group. I took the train up to school after dropping Sam off at school and I was able to see the candle dipping and weaving, have lunch and enjoy the very fine musical presentation.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DPPx9zxmQokkzpxSIZMcnCiR87jTXy42n2VJtsoKlrPFzs_IxhQBlADkaKRIeivQDTZU2X7F9Np68da0DtjmuzyYHXjVspOOCrp5tavUDe9XfT3FttFecl8XgqW8Ya0eRXguz424qlLg/s320/IMG_1944.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321842830224115682" /></div><div>As you can see, colonial costumes were the order of the day. Each child had a colonial character that they learned about and incorporated into their studies. Chris was a carpenter. He tried to talk me into letting him carry tools into school and rubbing dirt on his face to be more authentic. I said absolutely no to the tools, and suggested theatrical makeup rather than dirt, which ended that conversation. Chris decided to created some tools from cardboard and hang them from his belt, and he was satisfied.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is some video:</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwgZftTIRPh8cp68PiQgMHRayTY7_4GNTLI5Y5elFGczMnl0n0ZayaxPdVM2qJp8RKMKrcGL4o0oiMbvXehBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-69242524026100796142009-04-06T21:19:00.000+09:002009-04-06T21:57:24.563+09:00Tokyo Marathon 2009<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrdgNvD3i0ccbmkiTGAgF22b7FQRUvSEhhZQQ0pxfknGYR77LMTJYS0wQgshzbDVJ6MuKtGww5HmIynkJkVS7nmFBXa-ogX2xmz5ZNUgmssrbqgRcYtD37VQtPLJi3FoXomJbEaoQon8T/s400/IMG_1971.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321555175158399714" /><br />Here's a benefit to living in an international city: world class sporting events. On March 21st, over 30,000 runners took part in the Tokyo Marathon, and the Johnsons saw some of them! We had a special reason for going to see the marathoners - two of the boys' teachers ran. Michael's second grade teacher Ms. Brown, and Sam's Teacher Mary both ran the marathon. <div><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAyhZbcxe9H_7I_aVGnIs8HlirbTi2g5oD1dVSxy0oM9fxL4N7hIevr62Txqw2gSfa9xywG9H9sf6A3MExK7I4u8WWlXObwXgSMCk-6opDX1hlGqpWb0nO53ydEXvgMTJ_gHmcF3VdoZJT/s320/IMG_1962_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321557306757532530" /><div>That day was at the beginning of the boys' spring break, and to kick it off, we went down to Hibiya Park where we knew the runners would be going by. The marathon website said there would be tourist information at this particular park, which was fairly close to us, so we chose that location to watch. We arrived at the park around 11am, and stayed until past 1 pm, and there were athletes running by the entire time we were there.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, we missed seeing Ms. Brown and Teacher Mary. But we did see some costumes that did make you doubt the runner's seriousness. Or perhaps they just wanted their friends and family to be able to see them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Michael and Sam were in hysterics at some of the crazy getup that some of the runners wore. We saw many cows, pandas, goofy pink wigged athletes, and a cello run by. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a very windy day and rained off and on, luckily not enough to make us leave. After cheering on the athletes, we had some delicious street food from vendors in the park. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsBB_0ChX1tb3NU83xM4g4zAnoMB8nkDHzzOwT2YPAUWBq8Ued6hxy_g5OsfYRPaPdzQCTPFXcijDZzRuIy4hiCwxmYbf8ADrGsC-xFLypm0ltY7VVB_nEoDcnWQueeFzYXxLSdZIQ2cQ/s400/IMG_1977.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321560248043610418" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /><div>I can't stress enough how good the food is here. In the US when you go to something like this, you expect to pay a lot of money for crappy food. Not here - it is not too expensive to buy street food (keeping in mind that this is Tokyo), and it is <b><i>good</i></b>. Nick and I had some yakisoba in a regional style, Chris and Michael had tacos, and Sam opted for a hot dog - big surprise there. I got Sam his hot dog from a cart with very fancy fixings - knowing his tastes, I said, "Purain dog, onagaishimasu." (Plain dog, if you please) I am still laughing because Sam's plain dog came with ketchup and shredded cabbage - and he ate it all up!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div><div>March 21 was still pre-sakura (cherry blossom), but Hibiya Park had pretty displays of bulbs. Michael particularly liked them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-38361579949584560092009-04-04T09:37:00.000+09:002009-04-04T18:56:52.069+09:00St. Patick's Day in Tokyo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88Nd-WzWmsUX1D6SlmVkHy63lxYSOYRwSxPHnabV4TO_hPiGCQeOc63Wo230YMtTszHmWF0HD6lldjxLcLgn9SslKtYURSQWUEaE3iVn_2s4cIJw1kJNdrPt0zB9BwlHo-RdBg74GinHB/s1600-h/IMG_1924.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88Nd-WzWmsUX1D6SlmVkHy63lxYSOYRwSxPHnabV4TO_hPiGCQeOc63Wo230YMtTszHmWF0HD6lldjxLcLgn9SslKtYURSQWUEaE3iVn_2s4cIJw1kJNdrPt0zB9BwlHo-RdBg74GinHB/s400/IMG_1924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320770937946297010" /></a><br />I don't know about you, but I didn't expect St. Patrick's Day to be observed or even mentioned in Japan. Imagine my surprise when I read on the Shibuya City website that there would be a St. Patrick's Day parade on Omotesando-dori on March 15th. I couldn't imagine what that would be like, and I really wanted to go. <div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9SXkP5PWms6POj6j9xZbHwTO8ZK5JIYmKLy3u3ctIadomewik4bHNj_8XE1P2MAWGc4yZzDSj9xpMqh_mZbduz3179DiVGBHadDeLGHqsXnMWe3FCO7F4y2W0SaR43f0bDlEpyJTbazj/s320/IMG_1925.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320770600218138338" /><div>We planned to go as a family, but Michael was sick that weekend. Chris had finally recovered from being sick - I think it was his first trip out of the apartment since falling ill on the 9th. Chris and I went down to Omotesando with Denise, Andrew, and Daniel Hersey to check out the parade. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was not a huge parade, but it was a fun parade. St. Patrick himself started the parade, followed by the US Army Japan marching band. There were Irish dancers, Irish dogs - setters and wolfhounds, and graduates of an Irish University. In other words, anything remotely Irish was in this parade. </div><div><br /></div><div>Every Irish pub in Tokyo marched in the parade with signs and coupons - I have a feeling that they are the primary impetus for this parade! One of the pubs had a super jazzy combo that</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7oRW-wN7x5rcHs7zwxF-e4ekJpS4BuWJaeOcgn5DslbCd-rqEuDnnULbuIHP_C4Pk-xKpBXPJjLRvfqbSVoRlojC-TUP1M4HgvM7ICakR9v2UwANMvcgBnhx60572O7o6T3iGAC1jv2E/s320/IMG_1928.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320769954827897954" /><div> marched in the parade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIKlSa8pEp7kqtVfDSqpmUyopZS0-7EjMZFlhz-671sKyq63JM7kaH5s5mijeeKXBj2zZdos1dLXGswqjKRA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-10076219082538465882009-04-02T17:31:00.000+09:002009-04-04T09:36:09.803+09:00Trip to Kamakura<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TyVBaVWucJsIcLTNzMDhYEo6W8B6KeF7IKS16F5r66AHqgXnlXIA3giHC-DgYfv8IJw5th4HsbKu8UbIpVziY2dCER4ijO8VOucBEqjBixoK4WG6Xv1cVuLJP4VGMCICDAZfQkOLUfR/s1600-h/IMG_1882.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6TyVBaVWucJsIcLTNzMDhYEo6W8B6KeF7IKS16F5r66AHqgXnlXIA3giHC-DgYfv8IJw5th4HsbKu8UbIpVziY2dCER4ijO8VOucBEqjBixoK4WG6Xv1cVuLJP4VGMCICDAZfQkOLUfR/s400/IMG_1882.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320621276358772578" /></a><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" />I am sure many of you have read the children's book <b>Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus!</b>. I would like to submit a new entry in this genre, entitled <b>Don't Let The 8 Year Old Run The Tour!</b>.<div><br />Last month, we took a day trip with our new neighbors and friends, the Herseys. Kamakura was our destination, about an hour away by the train and an easy, very well known day trip from Tokyo. In Kamakura there are many shrines and temples, with the highlight being the Daibutsu. Translated by Nick - the Big Buddha. Most guide books call it, in a more dignified fashion, the Great Buddha of Kamakura.<br />We left for Kamakura from Shinjuku station, headed for the stop just before the town of Kamakura. The book that both Denise Hersey and I had read suggested getting off at this station, and walking to the Daibutsu, enjoying the countryside and the shrines and temples along the way. This sounded like a good idea, as there are a few interesting shrines with quirky customs. One is the money washing shrine. Another is a shrine where you buy a small pottery plate and smash it on a rock, I <i>think</i> banishing evil or negative influences.</div><div><br />Please forgive me if I am not sure what the<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKNVyIwqi0NjW174t8RvMV1RZ8Cei0QBbwS7JkJujRmbwrPrVqzq9ZMdOYZE75brpijkELIjWy5-lGvX2A3gKf_KcipZitK4pCkin7eWRodPRrjq_ueGdX7_Ysi6Q-VCfXOmJYAFTz57R/s400/IMG_1866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320621983235106354" />se shrines are to commemorate, or the reason for the temple. I can't even tell you the names of anything save the Daibutsu. </div><div><br /></div><div>When we left the train station, we picked up a guide map that showed the walkway to the Daibutsu. We followed the map, and obediently stopped at the first temple. The temple had been in that location for hundreds of years, rebuilt only when an earthquake made the rebuild necessary. We had brought a picnic, and ate our lunch there. It was a beautiful, sunny day. There was a flowering tree that had just started to bloom - maybe peach or pear? After lunch, we finished exploring the temple grounds and the connected cemetery, which was fascinating to all the boys because of the caves and springs.</div><div><br /><div>We decided to make our way to the next stop, when we all suddenly realized - the grownups enjoying the weather and conversation - that Michael (the 8 year old in question) and Daniel Hersey (9) were very far ahead indeed. Deciding whether or not to take the hill path was a moot point. If we wanted to take our sons home with us, we were going to have to catch up with them on the hill path.So Michael and Daniel, raced ahead of us, Sam and I dragged along at the rear. It was a good thing that it was a gorgeous day, and it was the first time we had been out of an urban environment since we had arrived in Tokyo. <div><div><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiwbVA7zxP5K-eWfcCdB9Xiz_p7cSePP0yqSKTr-kvbi9WbR4YGH5nXrMewgr3kKJK3Vn8rm6kO8yNsK2Et7rcF_h43zBEFjDrv7cxaIoUrcV5SnhZFpXgGtJdlJpOOQzjtbF-KulsLkn/s200/IMG_1877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320624767643287074" /><div>I don't like to be a complainer, but I have to take issue with the book that I have been using to navigate Tokyo as far as the section on Kamakura goes. The book mentions the hill path, and suggests comfortable walking shoes. I would suggest hiking boo</div><div>ts, bringing water, and a walking</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSqYwNQ_eWI4vkGZbx1xmZvJH-wRI2M4mTM4jAB0EjdZXR1knohbCMoNzMXimHIjckLzjrotQsggOAeFm-5-mOduWCWpaT2VWgJSvTU_l3MGFlp4VzAntQo55-bVPJiVJO45Jjd1zhQvE/s200/IMG_1883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320626093871573842" />staff, and suggest that you leave smaller children at home. This hill path was STEEP, was quite treacherous in spots where the path had eroded around the roots of the trees. If it had been a hot summer day, we would have really wanted some water, especially with the fast pace that Michael and Daniel set. So we walked as quickly as we could to catch up with the boys, and as carefully as we could. Sam started to complain about the walk, and Nick carried him on his shoulders. <div><br /></div><div><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" />We finally made it to the Daibutsu, which was really specta</div><div>cular. You can even go inside for the very small fee of 10¥. The buddha's sandals are on the wall for you to see - they are replaced on a regular basis.</div><div><br /></div><div>Visiting the temples and shrines along the Kamakura path will have to wait for an adult excursion, when we are not racing to keep up with the 8 year old tour guide!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite photos from our trip is a sign I saw on the way. So many Japanese people speak and write English, it is amazing, humbling, and shaming that those of us who speak English do not make this effort. At the same time, there are some very funny English signs posted around Tokyo that make me giggle. Here's one:</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YipsYoft8idF9VNh7o1quVYJeVnBCLD7ysVAQYvXlhrATCbLEq4fgqIRfH8PtSETZYrL7Hj_YxTpiaINLXF_LA_gIcQxaU_NjwIkVJDRx__arB2oDm6hlnHQME8oqzrHmwdxpL8d3r1h/s400/IMG_1865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320627307359986914" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, to be troubled by garbage!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-83889652513811247312009-04-02T17:27:00.000+09:002009-04-02T17:31:43.902+09:00New postsSorry to take so long to post a new entry! My sister just gave me a nudge, and I promise there are many posts coming up. We have had spring break and sick kids - just enough of a routine break to throw me off. Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-56340592831028887952009-03-06T22:19:00.000+09:002009-03-07T10:01:28.296+09:00Sam's Birthday<div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEq7XlHoQSHttN6qmIQ5IKynkazM_UOY9ZkNqdwJhG4XFt5x3dOtNFUghB8xfDJkrOjOnitaybM74KEesxSg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div>We took the boys to the National Children's Castle for Sam's 5th birthday. It is an entertainment complex in Omotesando with a play area, arts room, music room - all with drop-in activities. The art room has a 20 foot wall that kids can paint on! There was an art activity set up for girls day that I really wanted to do, but - no girls in our party except for me, and I was too shy to stand in line (with no kids) to get the kit to make the origami dolls. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are computers with games (some in English, thank goodness), computers to explore music, and foosball and pool for older kids. There's a gym, a pool, and an outdoor roof garden with tricycles to ride on. It is definitely geared toward younger children - Chris was quickly tired of the set-up, but a very good day out for the younger boys!<div><br /><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Lhqo8xJ7T0OitVlE1hDHoXLPM8t4XZcFXKGIIo-nSs4JuauBrxZHxQhWHmm1K36AEcwd4UzDonscH_WnKuDLyZmd1AxMTjEaLxAh29wDfv71GHjU7ac12QQI-apwY27gv-Xuah0gUYGs/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310068277938492194" />On the way to the Children's Castle, we spotted an amazing bakery with the most beautiful fruit tarts I have ever seen. There were gorgeous confections of mango, green melon, all sorts of berries. There was a tart with soba noodles and strawberries sprinkled with white sugar - and one with whole pears, peeled, sliced and fanned with the stems still attached. Another with mochi rice cakes in pink and white studded around the edge. Well, Nick's birthday was in 4 days, I was absolutely cupcaked out after Sam's birthday, so we stopped and ordered a mixed berry bavarian creme 15 cm tart for Nick's birthday. If you send me an email, I will tell you the price! I am too embarrassed to post it publicly. But I will post a photo of the most beautiful, tasty tart - Mixed berry with bavarian creme and chocolate straws... yummmm.<img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Image" border="0" class="gl_photo" /></div></div></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9153274541073129468.post-48069962951272102642009-03-01T16:29:00.001+09:002009-03-01T17:02:34.883+09:00Enough to be DangerousMany of you know that I started taking Japanese lessons about 5 weeks ago. It's coming along ok, I guess. Learning Japanese is so different from learning a European language. I have absolutely nothing to anchor the words to - everything must be memorized. <div><br /></div><div>For example, in English, cat, hat.</div><div>In French, chat, chapeau. (Dr. Seuss fans, anyone?)</div><div>In Spanish, el gato in a sombrero.</div><div>In Japanese, neko, and kubo.</div><div><br /></div><div>So many words in the European languages are familiar to English speakers, that much of the basic vocabulary is not completely new. Not so with the Japanese!</div><div><br /></div><div>My tutor is a very sweet young woman who is studying for her PhD at a university in London, and she received her undergraduate degree from Carthage University in Minnesota. Saito-sensei has started me with the basics I need to find my way around and do my basic shopping. I am learning how to ask for directions, ask WHAT things are (very important), WHERE things are, how to tell the time, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the sentences she taught me to use is: Kore wa nihongo/eego de nan desu ka? - What do you call that in Japanese/English? Frankly, I wasn't sure how useful this would be, but I have dutifully learned it. </div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of weeks ago I went to Tokyu Hands, an amazing shop that carries just about anything. Think of it as Target meets Home Depot with a healthy dose of Michael's - with a Tokyo price tag, of course. My goal was to hang some of the pictures we brought with us from the states. Our apartment has a very modern wall gallery set-up with a picture rail and hooks set into the ceiling. The only thing missing is the wires and special hooks to use on the picture rail. I was told they were at Tokyu Hands, so off I went after dropping Sam off at school. </div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aj8XwFKVs5cytNRzifnpoFTEYOALyaWpwsxdw933hPtPmBxDwSSd8BEUqwlpoepf-pfhokcgLE7KkdHhT1-ABPYm8sAC4kyAt9YUDeSi2YEpSY2g0tFgkH7P6BMfaojXuTx1G7EnvqOm/s320/IMG_1820.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308125622675468290" /><div>Well, I found them, and selected what I wanted - only one wire plus hooks, just to make sure I had the right thing. I knew I would be coming back to purchase more if everything worked out, so I carefully asked the sales clerk, "Kore wa nihongo de nan desu ka," wanting to know what to ask for the second time around.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, she looked at me like I had just stepped off Mars, and then said to me very carefully, as you would to the village idiot, "Kore wa hooku desu." This is a hook. And so it was.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pamela Huxtablehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11152370976713061066noreply@blogger.com4