en route (pics to come!)

And finally, a spare moment en route. I am on the speedy, humming, fast as a bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka for the weekend and this is for SURE my favourite way to travel. There is space, comfort, a huge window and an interesting view. What there isn’t is almost more appealing: no long lines, no rude or unpleasant or cranky check-in people, no bag eyeballers (too heavy too much) and no long waits or lengthy inspections at security. I don’t know how they do it – how they don’t have security and bag scanners and all of the other gadgets and rigmarole instituted at airports. There were quite a few security people on the platform and at the entrance to the Shinkansen tracks, and I suppose they are on the lookout for suspicious looking people and bags and such, but ? There are some things that a scanner can tell you that a human being cannot. And this thing flies. It is very very very speedy and I love it.

So, I am on my way to Osaka for the weekend to watch two of Steve’s last games. They’re playing in a big and important tourney that could last up to a week – if all goes as well as it possibly can. I’m making the Friday night after work trip down south (or southwest) to catch the Saturday and Sunday games, and then will head back home on Monday. Anna – who left for Kyoto this morning – will join me in Osaka on Sunday for some mega volleyball action, and home we will go together.

Like all of our guests, she’s been loving Tokyo, and we’ve only been to the Food Show twice. She’s been busy busy visiting all sorts of neighborhoods and areas, and has done so mostly on her own or with Nao, because I have had to work, boo hoo. There is still so much (so so so much) for us to see that it would have been really great to cruise around with my high school buddy every day… but oh well. We did get a few pretty solid days in last weekend.

She arrived from NYC on Friday night, and somehow managed to stay up late late and meet Steve for the first time - yay. (It’s kind of nice when an old friend meets a new friend and things click and work, n’est pas? Especially if that new friend is your husband…) On Saturday we took the train to Shibuya and wandered; I had a few errands to do, and there is so much to see there that I think we walked and chatted away the first half of the day. Steve and I had a dinner/party to go to at his captain’s house that night, so we had to part ways on day one; Anna met up with a friend of hers that lives here, and together they checked out Ebisu and Akihabara – by night.. The party that we went to is an entire story unto itself, and I’m not sure I can do it justice here, but basically there were maybe 10 or 12 of us – teammates and a few wives/girlfriends/friends – that gathered around a few small tables for food, drink, chatter and videos. I’m sure that a sociology or cultural studies student could write a thesis on how this night played out, and on the cultural differences that abounded. (When we arrived, we were shown the couch, and told “chotto mate” – wait a moment – and then all of the guys disappeared, only to return 20 minutes later with a small stockpile of beer and sparkling wine. We were left wondering, should we do something? Where did everyone go?) First of all, there was very little English, so almost anything that anyone wanted to say to us was first fed into the phone translator and then spat out - some of it made sense, and most of it didn’t. The one that Steve like was something like “this is a party for people who like Steve” or “all the people here are people who like Steve”… which made him wonder if the other thirty guys on the team weren’t so inclined. Other nonsensical ones went something like “the thing in the back of the stomach which isn’t is delectable” – I can’t remember any specifically, but verbs and subjects and question marks are sometimes lost, along with the point or purpose of the, well, lost translation. There was a ton of food – mostly picky, snacky easy-to-eat food: gyoza, sliced pork, takoyaki (octopus balls), tofu – and a big bubbly pot of nabe. Nabe is hotpot with anything in (I think); this edition held tofu, pork, cabbage, onions, mushrooms and crab (and probably more), so I had to pass. We ate and ate and people drank and drank, and then the videos started – this is where things got extremely culturally different (/weird). The first video was footage from out host’s wedding, and it was really neat to see the traditional ceremony in Meiji-jingu, and watch the customary agenda of a traditional Japanese wedding. It was also interesting to see their grand entrance (smoke and a dancing dragon – which prompted Steve to say “Why didn’t WE have a dragon? I want a dragon!”), and the boy band performance that some of their teammates did in mini cutoffs and white women’s tank tops. I guess they were skit-imitating-lip-synching (or singing? I don’t remember) a popular boy-ish band from the 80s – they danced and sang and did a fully rehearsed and choreographed dance routine for several (maybe five?) minutes. It was very funny, and a little weird, I think only because something like that would never happen in North America (at least not with any of the dudes that I know). And then burned blue ray video number two came out. Titled Ito’s birthday project, this thing – I can’t really fully explain it because it would take forever – involved and showed rehearsals (clothed and half-clothed), song and dance, discussions (clothed and half-clothed), debates, a strip-game (teambuilding?), and then a full on performance in which Ito, the birthday guy, wore a Spider Man outfit (including the full face mask) and the other four guys wore black tights and googly goggly glasses and that’s it. There were parts that were seriously weird and seriously funny at the same time, and we really wondered how on earth these guys had or have time to do this kind of stuff. They work full time jobs, train five hours a day and have families…. where and how (and why) do they find time to do these things? It went on for quite some time, and we understood none of the jabber – we could only watch. It was something that would never happen in North American culture (the videos and complexity of this project), especially with men, so it was very interesting for us. Very funny, quite strange and extremely entertaining. Anyways. Yup. It was fun – we ate great food, hung out with great people that we couldn’t really communicate with and saw some interesting stuff. Interessant.

A tall/small pic... with two Canadians: Steve and Anna

Marili and I on the way, and our two big guys on the train...


So anyways, the rest of the weekend was also fabulous. On Sunday Marili, Hendrik, Nao, Anna, Steve and I went to the Tokyo Dome and watched the Giants take on the Hiroshima Carp and it was SO FUN! The Tokyo Dome is amazing, and I wish we had taken some of our other guests there. It’s a shopping mall, amusement park and baseball stadium all in one AND Sunday was a special day in that there were a million (okay maybe a hundred? or hundreds?) of dressed up to the MAX people milling about. They were milling, and photographing each other in strange poses – we were pointing and exclaiming look there! oh my god look at that… and what are they doing? and what is that? look look look! There were people dressed in every costume or combination of costumes you can imagine – some that made sense and some that didn’t. This is cosplay – costume play – and I can’t tell you exactly why people do it, but it is another interesting (interesting on steroids) experience, to see hordes of cosplayers of all ages and costume interests in one place at one time. It was almost eyeball overload. The baseball was super fun too – everyone knew all the cheers and all of the motions that went along with them, and the home team won and we had beverages and snacks… it was a good day at the ball park.






There’s much more, but I’ll leave it at that. The week has been full of balancing work and visiting, and this weekend will be another good one. We’re still looking forward to going home, but already looking back at what we’ll miss the most – our friends!

quick before-bed blurb

Man, there is so much that I'm going to miss about Japan. Steve changed our flights this week (for May 13th) and we have sort of flipped the switch from living here to leaving soon, and with mixed feelings. I am (as always) so excited to come home and see family, friends, familiar places, space and more. However, this year this city and this place and its people have given us so much more than other years - more than I have the mental capacity to write about right now. (I need a good sleep, some free time and a big helping of quiet space - the blog will follow) We have loved living here (loved) so even though we're excited to head for home, it will be sad to leave so many fabulous things behind. And that my friends, is all I've got for the moment. Time for bed. :)

visitors - quiet - visitor, and the oh so amazing basement of joy

Did I post this pic already? Love this!!

It will be another photo-centred blog tonight. Days have been a bit long with balancing work and time at home with Steve sans visitors, and being on the computer isn't a top priority. I still haven't written much about my now not-as-new job, but I will! I swear. I feel like we're in that in between time that comes around at the end of the year: we're leaving soon (likely), but still firmly rooted with jobs and commitments and friends and an apartment that has been home for the past seven months. It's not really limbo, just that breath or pause or whatever it is before the big move (once again). Plus, I suppose, it could be the visitors. It has been so awesome having so many people visit us, and the focus really has been on the people for us - not the sightseeing. Well - I have to say too, that a highlight of having everyone here is seeing how they experience and react to this mega-metropolis, and all of the throngs of people that live here. But it has been busy, so this week - with some down time - has and will be nice.

So the last visitors have left and a new visitor is on the horizon. My parents had an amazing time here, with highlights being the Tsukiji fish market, our hike up Mount Takao, the temples, and of course, the Basement of Joy. Aptly named by Dan, this is as close to foodie paradise as you'll ever realistically get. Sure, you could go to Sweets Paradise for 90 minutes or to one of the many top-notch hotel buffets (or low-notch grubberies) for something that might - might - be comparable... but really, I don't think it would be. (I may just have to double check on that - will get back to you.) My dad was in fish and sushi heaven in there, and I could barely get my foot in the door before the was magnet-sucked to the nearest seafood booth, with tastebuds and tummy controlling all motor functions. We had a few seriously amazing picnics, with assortments of salads, sushi, baked goods, quiches, fried this and fried that... and more more more. There are many a basement food hall ("depachika" in Japanese) in the city, and as far as finding the best one - well, I am more than satisfied with what is closest to home: the original basement of joy, the Tokyu Food Show. Yum yum yum.

And so, on the horizon is one of my best friends from high school, Anna Marandi - she arrives on Friday afternoon, so there is a bit of down time / recovery time (mostly from the Food Show eating blitz) between visitors. And so - because there is much more to do around here than sit on the computer - I bid you adieu for tonight. I leave you with some funny photos and ads that have accumulated in iPhoto. More again soon...

Burger head!

There are all sorts of these courtesy ads in and on the subways and trains - "Please do it at home" - I've never seen anyone sit quite so slovenly on a train, but I have seen women primping and preening - ick.

Captain Santa? Sure!!

yeeeeeeeeeeee! these look like very happy sheepies!

From day one we wondered what the deal was with this dog - was he wanted? The wanted dog poster! It's an ad for an investigator - private investigator or something... interessant.

There's nothing strange about this - I just like it, and don't think I've posted it yet.




This one was funny too - confused about your errr sex? Or shouldering your worries? Nao told me what this was all about, but I forget.

Split that piggy open and get at it! (ew.)

more goodness

Again! I have been such a bad blogger. Can I blame it on my parents? They arrived last Sunday and we've been sightseeing and visiting and eating and eating and eating like mad, and it's been amazing. I'm not really into being on the computer while guests are around, so I'm going to keep this short and sweet and post some pics. They are loving Tokyo and are loving the food... it really is an amazing place to eat. Vis-eat? An amazing place for a vis-eat. We earned our grub today (some of it anyways) by hiking up Mount Takao in the rain and snow (yes SNOW!) and back down again. The day left us with hearty appetites and mud-splattered pants. And so, some
pics.


View Larger Map
From Tokyo to Mount Takao

work and food and visitors

For the first time in my life, I am waking up every morning and going to work. Work! Not play. There is a desk there, and a computer, and I don't wear runners or spandex or a whistle, and people wear ties and have meetings, and it is strange and new and different for me. This is the third non-gym job I've had in my life; the first was a ten-day temp job stint at Chapman Land Surveying (as a secretary), and the second was a summer job as a sales assistant at a kitchen store in Park Royal. And now, voila, I'm working at Japan's only foundation dedicated to breast cancer research - Run for the Cure. And what, you may ask, am I doing? Well... I signed up for the job thinking that I'd be a helper outer around the office, but it turns out that I am the Interim Executive Director - !! I don't do much to deserve such an important sounding title, but I am trying my very best to contribute and do what needs to be done. Essentially, that is to get all of the information from the last Executive Director (who left a few weeks ago) concerning events, fundraising, sponsors etc, gather it into a clear and comprehensive document package, and hand it over to the person who will take over the job later this month (hopefully). Also, I contact sponsors, sell advertising and try to get people to buy copies of the magazine that the foundation produces. That, my friends, is about it. I've been volunteering at RFTC since we arrived in October, and, as Steve says... it paid off.

It is strange though, being so busy. With Steve's commitments not happening until later in the day, we've gotten used to spending mornings together and I've gotten used to going swimming or running and planning things around the few hours of teaching or volunteering I have every week, and now that's out the window. I plan things around work - or around visitors. I've had this job since our Spring guests started coming, and it's worked out pretty well. I go in in the mornings, and meet up with people in the afternoon after my six hours at the office. But this week I've worked things out so that I won't be going in so often because.... my parents are coming! I am so so so excited to see them. This will be the first time that they've been to visit us since one of my first years in Spain, and I think they are going to love it. The food, the people, the different sights and sounds and ways - and did I mention the food? Oooooh, I have a week of wonderful eating planned, and I can't wait for it to start!

We haven't been here (yet), but this is an all-you-can-eat sweets place with cakes, cookies, tarts, pies - you name it, they've got it... 90 minutes, 1500 yen (about $15) - any takers?

Nao, me and Steve before or after a delicious tonkatsu meal (below)


The way to dress up your kid's lunchbox - a little extra work, no?

Mickey
Hot dog creatures?

erin and fred's visit and just a few pics - more to come!

OUF! What a week. Hey, wait. Oeuf - ouf? It was just Easter and even though we didn't do much, the Easter Bunny somehow found his way into our apartment and hid eggs - some good, some very mediocre (but still edible) - all over our apartment. I meant ouf as in the noise - a kind of a big sigh... yup. What a week! We had a great time with Erin and Fred and it was super fun showing them Tokyo and just hanging out - eeeee! I love having visitors. Our week was a bit more mellow, with later starts and easy at-home evenings, which are just as fun as the go-go-go days - in a different, easy and calm way. I don't think that we've ever been crazy go-getters with any of our visitors anyways, but the mood was definitely a bit more relaxed.

Erin and Fred were only here for a week - six full days - so we knew it was going to be tough to get it all in, and I think they left with a visit-it-next-time list almost as long (if not longer?) than the places-we've-been checklist... this city is just so enormous, and there are so many neighborhoods to see that it would take years - maybe? yes, I think years... to see it all. With my job (more on that later - maybe the next blog?), I'd either hang out with everyone in the morning, and meet people for dinner OR I'd be off in the early-ish hours, and hook up with Erin and Fredster in the late afternoon. I can't remember everything that they saw, or specifically what the highlights were for them, BUT I think they really liked Meiji-jingu (Dan and Milka's favourite), the Food Show (everyone's favourite) and ... the cherry blossoms. They are so so so amazing, so beautiful - and we are so lucky to live so close to one of the top viewing spots in the city, the Meguro River. Lined on both sides for blocks and blocks and blocks, they are a sight to see day and night and again and again and again. There are trees with blossoms as white as snow, and others with varying degrees of pink: light pink, dark pink, pale pink, electric pink - it makes for quite the show. We also went up to Ueno Park, a famous viewing spot, to see the sakura; there were throngs of people that had the same idea, and even though it was a weekday, picnic-ers and revellers and drinkers lined the blocked off designated picnic area. It is a time for picnics, parties, lots of food and LOTS of drink. Apparently, on the weekends popular spots like Ueno are full, from dawn to dusk, of people enjoying blossoms and beer and sake... and the intoxicating effects of all three. On Saturday morning I went for a run with Marili (one of our South African friends - back in Tokyo after three months of at-home off season) along the river, and even at 8:30, there were people bbqing and congregating and drinking...!! Though we never found the time for a picnic, we enjoyed several walks in parks and along rivers and under the full and heavy flowers.




What else, what else. There is much more to say about the visit, but another highlight for SURE was Saturday's volleyball game. So, the history: despite a few positive surges late in the season, Steve's team finished in last place; this committed them to playing in a relegation game against the top team in the second division - a game that they played and won as the top div two team last year. So, there was pressure to win, to stay in the league, and as spectators - Erin, Fred, Nao and I - we were all a tad nervous. Eeeeeek. Set one was close and super back and forth and the lead changed and then changed again and then again, and there were unforced errors and then it was game point for the other team - I think maybe they were up 24-22 or something. OOoooooh it was nerve-racking.. nervous nervous NERVOUS! But then, SOMEhow, F.C. Tokyo managed to creep back point by point and they won 26-24 - !!! So exciting. The rest of the game was good, but the scores were not quite so close; they ended up winning 3-0... hurray! Nao (and then Steve) found some video on youtube, so I'm going to post it. Also, what was so exciting about this game is that Nao, after discovering that Steve was the only guy on the team without his own banner, decided to make him one...!! How amazing and sweet is that!?! I love it. So Saturday's game was the banner debut - visible in one of these videos.









Erin and Fred had to bus it to the airport on Sunday morning, so after seeing them off I took the train back down to Fujisawa to watch them win again, 3-0! I was thinking that everyone (players, staff, coaches) would be a little more happy and enthused, but the mood was more we can do better we should do better next year. I was hoping for at least one day of happiness and relief and yay we won energy, but that is not to be. The guys have a week off - or a week of optional practice - so Steve is stoked... he deserves a week of down time and recovery after a season of five hour practices. They have one more tourney in May, and then that's it for the year - eeeeee. Can you believe it? I can't. There is still so much that I want to see and do and blog about, and I want to spend time with my friends here and not have the last two months fly by like the first six have. I always have mixed feelings at the end of every year, with happy feelings about going home and seeing family and friends (and their new families) but sad feelings about leaving the home and friends that we've made here. However, the end is not near; my parents come to visit next week (yaaaaay!) and we still have two months to enjoy the friendships, sights, sounds, smells, and foods that have made this such an amazing experience so far... hurray!

my shortest blog ever...

I'm going into blog withdrawal! I wonder if people that read this are as well... hello? Blog coming soon. Life has been busy and good and busy. Work, visitors, cherry blossoms, spring and more.. and with that - back to visitors and an evening away from the computer.