Breakfast 

Every time you hear the phone it’s ringing

I have a cell phone, but it’s not used very often. Calls are normally just to pass on information like change in plans or when I need help ordering at Macdonald’s. So I am always a little surprised when the phone rings, especially when I don’t recognize the number.

This was very true the evening of January 2nd. It was 8:50, Jen and I were waiting for Hideki and Kayoko to pick us up. They were taking us to the bus station to catch our over-night bus to Tokyo, which left at 10:00pm. The man on the other line was speaking very fast Japanese. I said "Hello", there was a pause and the Japanese continued. I tried again "Hello", there was another pause and then more Japanese. So I tried something new, "Ego desu ka?" (English?) There was a really long pause and then the Japanese continued. This time I managed "Watashi wa Canada-jin desu, ego desu ka?" (I am Canadain, English?). I look helplessly over at Jen who is laughing so hard I thought she was going to wet her self. The poor guy on the other side said something in Japanese then there was a very long pause…so long I thought the line had died, so I hung up.

A few minutes later the phone rings again. This time it’s a new voice who asks in very broken English if I was "Elle-is-abeto Stew-ee-art-u San". It was the travel company calling to tell us that we were ten minutes late for our bus (the one that left at 10 pm and it was just 9 pm). There was some great episodes of miscommunication. The hardest thing about using the phone is the other person can’t see my gestures. Thankfully Hideki and Kayoko arrived and I passed the phone to them to work out what was wrong.

We were indeed late, and had to rush to make the bus (or the bus’ next stop, that detail was never clarified). The station was about 30-minute drive away. Only when we got close Hideki got lost. We got directions from a taxi driver, who couldn’t take us because he was waiting for a customer. We continued to drive around searching, when Hideki suddenly stopped at an intersection and told us to get out –quickly! Then we noticed next to us was an empty taxi. Kayoko was helping get our luggage into the car while Hideki explained where to take us to the driver. They gave us money for the cab fare shut the door and our driver took off. Minutes later we arrived at the bus station. We were led to our bus. (The trip was my first time on a double-decker bus which I thought was pretty cool.) Found our seats and were on our way to Tokyo.

Word Up: Moshi-moshi –The greeting used when answering the phone, may or may not be spelt that way (I can hardly spell English right getting Japanese would be asking too much)

Down By the Bay

We kicked off the New Year with a wild night of sermon preparation, reading, doing a jigsaw puzzle, and filling out online quizzes. Jen spoke the next morning at our Grace Fellowship service. The rest of the day we played Dutch blitz at Steve and Tiffany’s.

On the 2nd Hideki and Kayoko took us Canadians down to Kobe. The city is about an hour drive north-west (but to be very sure you might want to look that fact up) and is a sea port. The little we were able to explore was beautiful! It was nice to be near the sea, I miss the ocean. We spent the morning on a boardwalk with many cute little shops that was close to the waterfront. Then we went to Chinatown for lunch and a walk down a very crowded street.

Word Up: hachi -eight

The Continued Chronicles of Ochej

Jen returned to Canada on January 7th and preschool resumed on the 10th. This week has been devoted to settling into the routine again, and now I am back with a blogging vengeance ready to recount the travels and adventures from the New Years break (it will take more then one post).

On, December 31st Jen and I set out on an epic quest to Namba, yes an epic quest. We were in search of the Body Shop, which I was sure I had seen on my previsions visit but no clue where or how to get back to it. The trip was an amusing experience; Namba is the heart of crazy Japanese fashion for the Osaka area. This time was my first real chance to window shop. I enjoyed reading the engrish t-shirts, stopping at Starbucks, and these loose-socks that are 150 cm long –crazy! There were a few purchases, the picture is of us sporting our new very japanese dresses. There was a also very competitive game of Spot-the-foreigner". Our combined total was 56, much better than my last score of 11. Proving once again this is a game for two or more people (or to earn a high score it’s best to play when the foreigners are out in droves). We eventually did find the Body Shop, yet sadly they no longer carry satsuma hand lotion. I had to settle for the lip-gloss.

Word Up: Akemashite omedetou gozimasu -Happy New Year. It's a little late but you can save it for next year.

Home Sweet Home

Early morning on January 5th Jen and I arrived back in Sayama after two exciting days in Tokyo. As we walked home from the train station, I looked around at the familiar sights took a deep breath in and thought “it’s good to be home!” This feeling surprised me because it’s the first time I truly felt that I belonged in Japan. Before this moment of “home-ness” Grace was just the place I lived and worked. My heart and hopes were focused on Canada and what I would do when I got back. I only thought of this time as a temporary situation. I still miss friends and crave certain foods but this is my home and will be for the next seven months. I am excited by my change in attitude and am even looking forward to trying hard at language, trying more new foods, and building deeper relations. My love for Japan and it’s people is growing. I guess it’s true what they say home is where the heart is. (Mom, if you read this I still long to sit with you in the backyard on the swing! See you in seven months.)

Word Up: nana or shichi -seven

Tokyo Desu Ka?

Jen and have been on a Tokyo adventure the past two days, now we are waiting in an internet cafe for the overnight bus that will return us to Osaka. There have been many interesting moments that will be shared in the near future. For now quotes from our tour guide this morning:

"I put my shoes on the other side." Used when explaining he likes to take tours when visiting other countries.

"My big boss is a woman. She's not very good looking, but she's alright."

Word Up: Kawaii -cute

The Chronicles of Ochej

Jen arrived on Wednesday causing great rejoicing. Her arrival was bigger than Christmas. Not in a heretical sense because I am very glad that Jesus was born. Being without family or another North American made the day seem less traditional or festive. To celebrate Jen’s grand arrival my ladies class had a girl’s movie night (chick flick being Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. A vote was taken; the majority of females present would marry Mark Darcy). Jen’s first meal in Japan…KFC.

Thursday we were over at the mall so that Jen could experience tempura and the high tech toilet. In her words:

"It was kinda scary at first and it was very, very warm and didn’t know what all the buttons meant and I was scared to push them but once I figured it all out it was fun and I like the toilet seat sanitizer. The end." –Jen (for a person so anal about grammar, Jen seems to enjoy a good run on sentence).

Jen’s Friday cultural experience was a 100-yen sushi bar. Got to love the conveyer belt continually displaying new dishes past you’re table. It’s like waiting for luggage at an airport only more enjoyable and you don’t have to wait, so not really that similar except for the conveyer belt. We also learned that orange plates mean the sushi has wasabi. White plates do not and normally loved by children. An interesting feature where we went, you ring a "doorbell" to get the bill and you pay by the number of plates 100-yen per plate.

Word Up: sushi -flavored rice (normally with vinegar and salt) that is shaped into bite-sized pieces or wrapped with seaweed. Served with either raw or cooked fish, shrimp, octopus, squid, roe (aka fish eggs), vegetables, or egg.

PS Happy New Year

On the Throne

This week one of the students took me out to eat. The restaurant was in a mall so we did some Christmas shopping and such. Just before we ate nature called and I went in search of a public bathroom (I am very thankful the sign for toilets is internationally understandable). Walking in there was a strong odor, which made me think that I was going to be squatting over the ever popular floor toilet. That was not the experience. There was a very western looking toilet with a nice seat sanitizing/cleaner dispenser on the wall.

But this wasn’t your ordinary western john. It was a super-high-tech-get-out-your-owners-manual toilet. On the right hand side there was a panel with lights and buttons. I felt like was preparing for a NASA launch. Not sure what most of the lights and buttons did. The pictures seemed to indicate "bottom-washers" and "bottom-blow-dryers". The biggest surprise was sitting down the seat was heated! (Electrically heated not from someone else going just before me). It was an experience. For more on high-tech toilets go here.

I Lost

Hideki, Kayoko, Yukihiro and I visited Namba and Umeda today. While we walked around both cities I played “Spot-the-foreigner” (very similar to the Mbabane version of “Spot-the-White-Person”). Today’s score –11. Sadly the game is not as fun when you’re the only foreigner. Come back Steve and Tiffany come back!

Sumo News

Kotooshu, the Bulgarian Sumo I cheer for, has been promoted to ozeki. This is a very happy thing. He’s the first European to reach the second-highest sumo rank. The requirements are very strict. The next happy thing: sumo is back The New Year Grand Sumo Tournament begins on Wednesday.

Language Troubles

When I first arrived Hideki gave me a beginner’s language book. I only made it though the first chapter. Picking it up on my own between teaching hasn’t really been working so I asked Hitomi to help. We met together this past Tuesday. What does it mean when your language teacher laughs at you? She did at least three times that I can recall. Not that I blame her I made some big mistakes. Even with the laughter I enjoyed myself and no tears were shed during the lesson (or after).

Tonight went to Macdonald’s. Was able to communicate that I wanted take out. Thought I communicated combo six and that I wanted L-size-u. (Which is a funny thing. The drinks are M-size-u or L-size-u, aka medium and large respectively. But most people don’t seem to realize the letters come from English.) After I place my order the nice cashier asks me something which I didn’t understand. For what felt like the next five to ten minutes (reality it was probably only one or two) she ties different ways to communicate her question and I just wasn’t getting it. So in frustration I pull out my cell and call Hideki, explain my confusion and ask him to talk with the girl. She has been trying to confirm my order of six hamburgers…I only wanted one. After passing the phone back a few times the order was all sorted out and I was on my way with my combo six. Yeah for Hideki!

Word Up: Roku -six

More Fun With Vending Machines

This has been my personal favourite of all my vending machine findings. The God Mocha is really good. It begs the question: is it a spiritual beverage or a new form of putting God in a box …err…can?

Word Up: Dozo -Please

Cultural Taboos

It is to be expected that Japan will have a different set of expectations and rules of public conduct then North America. Like you don’t point with chopsticks, take your shoes off when you enter a home, and bowing instead of shaking hands when you great. Also means that there are different cultural faux pas and taboos (things you just don’t do).

I recently learned that blowing your nose in public is one of these “no-nos”. To the point others are embarrassed and feel uncomfortable if they see someone blowing their nose. The closest comparison I can think of is watching an adult picking his nose in public in western culture. No one told me about the “not blowing your nose rule” so over the last three months I have no clue how many people I have offended. (Friend -* I suck at this game*)

Word Up: Go -five

Vending Machines

Thirsty? How about a nice cold glass of Sweat? -Pocari Sweat that is. It’s a sports drink. I tried it yesterday; it’s okay but not great. The title is the best part. Japanese vending machines and use of English (reality its Engrish) makes me laugh.

I’ve been collecting crazy vending machines pictures. Been thinking about making them a weekly feature but that seems like too much of a commitment. I have too many for a monthly picture and bi-weekly sounds funny. So for now vending machines images and engrish signs will be random events (perhaps depending on popularity I might be the only one who finds these funny).

Word Up: Oishii –taste good

Future Superstars

Yesterday we went to this amazing "entertainment complex" called Big Stage. It has a little bit for everything for everyone: pool, video games, indoor soccer, badminton, table tennis and…karaoke. You only had to pay the entrance fee and everything became available plus you get free drink refills. We went with a group of teens that come to Grace fellowship Sunday nights. Giving us a good chance to build relationships. We enjoyed some dance-dance action, and table tennis, and saving the world. Karaoke was a new experience, much fun. Steve and I rocked it out to Disney’s "Be Our Guest", we scored a 73 out of 100.

Word Up: Mushi –insect/bug

Saving the world. It's a hard job but someones got to do it. You all came sleep safer now knowing some of the worlds evil has been completely obliterated. 

The gang enjoying some good o'l table tennis 

Getting our groove on...oh you'd be impressed with the moves that we got. (Not really we both scored Es) 

Dance Dance Revolution: Shhh! Don't tell the Wesleyans or Mennonites 

Squirrel Park

Editors Note: I tried to add some of the pictures from the day last night but had too many issues. In great frustration I went to bed hoping that a new day will bring better results. And it did. Below this post are a few photos from our adventure. There are also so interesting ones posted on Steve and Tiffany’s blog. Nov 19

Another fun preschool field trip. Today we visited Squirrel Park, where you can actually hand feed the squirrels. There were also some beautiful botanical gardens and a cool play structure, which I adored. I had as much fun playing as the kids did.

In other news Sumo is back. This tournament started six days ago. Kotooshu isn’t doing the greatest, he’s the one I cheer for so that is sad. Asashoryu, the autumn tournament winner is doing really well, he was the one that beat Kotooshu in the finials last tournament. Looks like Asashoryu is going to take his seventh championship, which will be a new record.

Word Up: Risu –Squirrel. In Japanese "r" sounds almost like an "l". So it sounds like "li-su". Most Japanese words end with a vowel sound, so Liz is turned has been into "lizu". Therefore, I am a squirrel?

I thought for sure the thing would jump up and try to bite my face off. 

 

The preschool class 

Feeding Time 

Hanging around 

Climbing wall 

Just sitting around. Actually I thought I was stuck and thought a photo shoot would give me time to figure out how to get out. 

I Think I’m Turning Japan…

Our day off was spent with friends of Hitomi’s, who took us to visit a wonderful woman for green tea, cakes, and a time of dress up. Eating Japanese sweets is always fun, you never know what you are going to get. I tried one treat that had a bean-paste filling…yumm! The best part of the afternoon was dress up time. I felt like a little girl getting ready for a special party. The lady (I was never able to pronounce her name right, so she will just be known as the lady. Sorry) dressed Tiffany and I in traditional kimonos. I couldn’t help feeling very elegant and beautiful, yet it hard to breathe and walk. It was much fun.

Word Up: Yon/shi –Four

Getting Ready

Am I suppose to be able to breathe?

Finished: from the back

Lions and Tigers and Bears!

Lions....and Tigers...and Bears!


Oh my! Today we took my preschool class on a field trip to the zoo. Great times had by all, very tired but a good day. It is hard to keep track of four children (even with five adults present). Moms are truly unsung heroes!

A cultural observation: Japanese parents do not call their children’s names in public…especially not loudly. If the parent wants the child to come they don’t yell out “Tommy come!” they go get the child. If a child is doing something inappropriate the parent will either let them keep on with the activity or go an quietly get them to stop. Tiffany and I stood out because we were continually saying the children’s names.

Highlights:
- The children making me laugh. They were more excited to pick up leaves and chase butterflies then seeing the animals.
- Seeing emus, what a fun word.
- Feeling like one of the animals on display. Okay not really a highlight but it did happen. A boy about nine years old walked over and just stared at me…really close to my face (maybe he was trying to count my nose hairs?) till his parents came over apologies. I felt like I should do a tick or something.
- The nap after the field trip was over.
- Tiffany and Steve’s pictures and comments about the day on their blog. (Friend there is an obscure Napoleon reference I made that got quoted, you should check it out.)

Word Up: Itakdakimasu –I am eating, said right before a meal with feelings of thanksgiving and joy

Emu