Phobias

Everyone has fear. Some fears are little some are debilitating. We can fear anything really snakes, spiders, small spaces, peanut butter sticking to the roof of our mouth. I admit I have many fears (of different degrees) one such fear is –bicycles.

Yes, I fear bikes. It is not a gripping fear that would make me seat in a corner and rocker or run away screaming at the sight of a bike. It is when I have to ride one that anxiety sets in. I get nervous and the tires/steering starts to wobble. The more the bike wobbles the more nervous creating one vicious cycle of wobbles and fear.

Not really a problem in Canada but bicycling is suppose to be my primary mode of transportation while in Japan. I even have a very stylish orange bike with a bell and a basket, yet I am too afraid to ride it anywhere. So I walk. I will be in very good shape by the time I return to Canada.

Word Up: Watashi wa –I am. As in: watashi wa Kanada-jin desu meaning I am Canadian.

Local shrine decorated for Jizobon a Buddist summer festival 

Worship at local shine 

Culture Shock at the Grocery Store

Living in Japan is definitely different then Canada. One of the more extreme moments of "Toto we’re not in Kansas anymore" (a.k.a. culture shock) come upon me during my first shopping experience –alone! I needed food. I had been to Okuwa, a supermarket here. But wanted to try a store that I heard was a bit cheaper. Yet no one was available to go with me. I was in an adventurous mood so I set out alone (forgetting my Japanese-English dictionary at home).

The store overwhelmed me! Not being able to read labels was so frustrating. I couldn’t tell what was in most packages; the labels were no help. Even if I found something I knew what it was I couldn’t read the instructions on the back for how to prepare. And then the frozen octopus and squid did not help things. I walked up and down the aisle becoming more and more stressed. I need food for supper but not that moment it looked like I would be fasting for the next year. Up and down the rows of food I went will my empty basket till I noticed that I was crying. Yes, I was in tears!

In the ended I bought frozen corn, yogurt, bread, butter (I had jam and peanut butter at home) and Canadian Ginger Ale (which I got just because it said Canadian on it and made me feel safe, like a comfort blanket). Since that disaster grocery shopping has become much easier. No more tears have been shed. Kayoko has been very helpful in showing me what different foods are and how to prepare, plus the characters for pork, beef, and chicken (which at this moment I totally forget).

Word Up: Kanada-jin -Canadian

Liz-Size

I’ve settled into my apartment. My first impression is that everything is smaller packaging, apartments, cars –everything is Liz-Size. I fell tall here. Okay, maybe "tall" is too strong of word, more like average height. I walk down the street and am actually taller then some people. I even "tower over" others with my might 5’2". That never happens in Canada (unless the person is under 10) Even my apartment is smaller. Check it out:

Word Up: Konnichiwa –good afternoon

My kitchen and in the background the foray and front door.

Grace English School

First Glimps of Osaka

The Moose

Meet my moose, his name is Melvin. Since I will be living in Japan alone Melvin has the huge role of being my traveling buddy -in no way replacing my one and only Missions Buddy…no one could replace her. He will also be my bodyguard, Canadian mascot, and travelocity gnome.

Melvin was a very special from the New Hope youth group – Thank you so much. You guys rock!

Keep on the look out for different Japanese sites the moose will turn up.

Hot Date!