People keep asking us what our plans for Christmas are and I suppose I haven't really said. We have a tree and we have baked goods, but we have no flight home. Steve's team has matches on December 26th and 27th, which means they travel on the 25th. Booooo... But I'll go along, and we have Christmas-y things planned for the days before: dinner and candlelight service on the 24th, dinner with friends on the 23rd - and I guess that's about it. Even though Christmas isn't really celebrated here, the city is all dressed up in lights - there are holiday illuminations and displays all over town. Last night we made our way up to Roppongi, checked out the massive shopping and entertainment complex that is Roppongi Hills, and made our way down to Azabu Juban for some Mexican food. There was a cute little German Christmas market set up in the middle of the complex, with sausages and beer and mulled wine and people eating and drinking amidst Christmas greenery and music - very 'tis-the-season. There were bright lights all around, and, I must say that this is the most Christmas-y Christmas we've had in a foreign land in years... and I'm loving it! Unfortunately, Frijoles was closed, and despite some initial frustration ("but I'm hungry and I even checked their website to see if they were open rrrrggggh" - me), we were happy and full after warm and spicy hotpots at a neighboring restaurant - noodle pots and boiled dumplings will do that to you I suppose.
Just outside Roppongi Hills - check the giant Louis Vuitton store in the background... posh.
AND as if you need to hear about any more of my baking escapades, but... well, you do. A few weeks ago I responded to an ad in Metropolis (a goooood weekly English language magazine about Tokyo) for a baking assistant for an English baking class... uhm, yup. That's a job I could do. Anyways, so I went to my first class on Saturday afternoon, and made stollen - since it was my first time, I baked with the other ladies to get the feel of how things worked. There were nine women, and for some of them it was their first time baking - EVER. And they made stollen! Can you believe either of those things? I'm pretty sure I've been baking since I was 10 or something - but stollen, that was a first for me too. It was pretty labour intensive, but very worth my while... talk about deliciousness! I don't have the recipe, so can't pass it on - but if you don't have 3 hours to make it... then never yeeeee mind. Anyways, yum.
The weekend wasn't so successful for the volleyballers - they went down in both matches, again. However, they have a big tourney coming up this weekend, and hopefully things will start looking up for them. It's not that they're a bad team - the other teams are good and strong, and F. C. Tokyo is definitely putting up a fight; I think it's just a matter of time. This is the first year in the top division for the team, and I think that the group will gain a lot of confidence when they win their first V-league game. I'm looking forward to the games this weekend - the team is playing in The Emporer's Cup, held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. I'm hoping that a good crowd turns out to cheer them on - they are, after all, the home team. If anything, I'll be there along with a small army of mama-san volleyball mamas, and if they can cheer as half as well as they can play, there will be support a'plenty coming from the sea of spectators.
Christmas is fast approaching, and we are in the throes of preparation. There is a wreath on the door (small), a poinsettia on the table (thirsty) and a tree - decorated and lit. Okay, throes? That's about it, besides the baking. The nanaimo bars were amazing... and they are gone. And no, I didn't eat them all (it was Steve) - we gave at least half the pan away. Other baked goods that weathered well in our small oven-microwave are jam diagonals (a Christmas must) and a new recipe, "Spiced Fruitcake Bars". I made them without the fruit, and feel that this is real gingerbread - in a square. They are very good - I suggest you try... YUM. There is more baking to come - sugar cookies and hmmm... I think that's it. The pantry needs to be stocked for the next few weeks - wait, make that six weeks - the FAB FOUR are coming, and we need treats and goodies. At least that, is my excuse.
gingerbread - yum.
Steve rolling out those jammy-Ds, and getting right into it...
The week has been busy. I'm running with the running group twice a week (I'm happy to say that running for an hour isn't that bad anymore...), coaching mama-san volleyball every Tuesday morning, volunteering Tuesday and Friday afternoons and ... this week, I worked! I had one day of subbing work, where I filled in and taught four classes. The first class - oooooh how I wish someone could have taken pictures - was a thirty-minute lesson for kiddies at a day care, ages 6 months to three years old. There were FIFTY of them. Fifty. We played games and sang songs and sang songs and I felt like a bit of a sappy saccharine cheeseball, but it actually wasn't that bad. And in the end, at the at end of the class after the goodbye song and a few high pitched bye bye's ("byebye! byebye!"with super smiley bright-eye face, waving), the whole lot of them mob-rush-hugged me. It was all of those things in one: mob of teeny little people, running at me all at once for hugs. If they had been adults or dogs, I would have been trampled, for sure. It was really sweet and only a little scary for about three seconds... some of them wanted hugs others just wanted to say byebye up close and others just kind of joined the mad rush. One climbed up into my lap and another one - clad with a very boogery nose - just stood there. It was at that moment that I reminded myself to wash my hands immediately after class.
Steve left this morning for Takamatsu, the biggest city on the island of Shikoku. Of Japan's four main islands, Shikoku is the smallest and least populous, and there wasn't much info on Wikipedia. But there was this (and more) on Wikitravel (which I've never really checked out):
Shikoku (四国) is an oft-forgotten island in Japan. The smallest of Japan's Big Four, it lies to the south of Honshu. The island is thought of as a rural backwater, with few must-see attractions, but a visit there can wash away those doubts; the mountainous inner regions offer some good hiking and a glimpse of the elusive Real Japan. It is also the home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
Sounds cool. Too bad there will be no time for pilgrimages and no energy for walking - F. C. Tokyo has two big games, Saturday and Sunday, and they're looking for their first win. As Steve says, no worries - maybe they're like the Leafs: slow to start but ready to rally. Let's hope it happens this weekend... woot!
Finally! With our wheels - I LOVE having a bike! On our way back from mama-san volleyball - I'm not sure why I was so cold, but...
The weather here has been amazing these past few days! Yesterday I saw people wearing shorts, walking around in flip flops. I, on the other hand, was overdressed and too-warm in my down vest, having been fooled by the clear blue sky. I thought that it would be a crisp and chilly day - but it was not so. Compared to Calgary, it was downright tropical! Though I sometimes miss the snow and mountain activities, I never miss minus-degree weather.
Soooo... food news. The other day I ate raw chicken. When I got home, I updated my status on facebook to just ate raw chicken. for real. at a restaurant. and boy ooooh BOY did I get some response-reactions. First of all, the raw poultry experience. On Friday night I got together with Marili and Nao - two new-ish friends (yay); the three of us went out for drinks at a small restaurant/cafe, and then for dinner at a traditional Japanese pub type restaurant where the specialty was yakitori - skewered chicken, bbq'd or cooked (or not) any number of ways. We opted for the set menu, which meant that the waiter brought plates and plates and more plates of surprise! food - we never knew what was coming next. The three of us sat on cushions on the floor in a teensy little room that all of us had to fold over to get into; it was shoes off and cozy up in the restaurant nook. So first there was edamame and cabbage, then cooked chicken... and then there was raw. In it came on the plate very thinly sliced and every so slightly seared - with a blob of wasabi, some onion slivers and a small bird-bath of soy sauce. Marili (from South Africa) and I eyeballed each other with the same thought: you never eat raw chicken raw chicken makes you sick and you are never ever ever supposed to eat raw chicken. Nao encouraged us to try it, ensuring us that these types of restaurants prepare it properly (and how is that?) and with caution: one sick customer could bring down the house. And so, gingerly, we tried it. And.... it wasn't bad! It was just like a thinly sliced piece of tuna sashimi, that tasted - not really like chicken... but not like fish either. Something in between maybe? I don't think I'll be going back for more, but it was not that bad. More raw chicken came on the salad, and the meal was rounded out with lots of skewered chicken parts, some of which were delicious (chicken breast) and some of which weren't (the skin and a few not-sure-what parts). The meal, all-in-all, was great, and the ice cold beer topped it all off. Yum yum. And so, the facebook reaction; never have I felt so judged on facebook! I feel as though - and maybe it's because for us (by us I'm not really sure who I mean) eating raw poultry is a mega no-no - I was vehemently judged. Maybe people thought I sunk my teeth into a cold, floppy chicken breast or a pink wing or clammy thigh (EWWW)... or maybe it's just wrong - not something to be done at home, at a restaurant or EVER. Well, I tried it, and that's that.
Okay, so raw bird doesn't sound so tempting to you? No? How about nanaimo bars? These have GOT to be one of my all-time favourite goodies, and Christmas is the only time that I can justify making these sinful treats. For the past week (yes, WEEK), I have been tracking down ingredients: graham cracker crumbs and custard powder and icing sugar, and finally, yesterday, I put them all together. The result? Absolute deliciousness. I came home from my run this morning and felt no guilt whatsoever in cutting up the 9x9 pan of yumminess and digging in. They are full of sugar and, as my mom says, F-A-T, so one does the trick. I feel happy knowing that there are more in the fridge. Yum and mega yum!!!
And, after two months of five-hour training sessions, Steve and F.C. Tokyo had their first matches of the season. They traveled to Hiroshima (on the bullet) to face JT Thunders on Saturday, and last year's champs the Toray Arrows on Sunday - their first matches in the top division here in Japan. They fought hard, but couldn't pull away with any wins; they lost Saturday's match 3-0, and went down swinging on Sunday, losing 2-3. Next weekend they travel all the way down to Takamatsu to face two new opponents, and hopefully things are more successful for them there. I leave you with the one and only F.C. Tokyo picture that I found on the league's website... can you spot the Steve?
Japanese man marries video game character? Say what? 37 year-old man dating 2D teenage anime character? Whaaaat? A quote from this article in the NY Times: "Nisan is part of a thriving subculture of men and women in Japan who indulge in real relationships with imaginary characters ... The less extreme might have a hidden collection of figurines based on anime characters that they go on “dates” with during off hours. A more serious 2-D lover, like Nisan, actually believes that a lumpy pillow with a drawing of a prepubescent anime character on it is his girlfriend." Things go from weird to disturbing - if you read this article, you'll know what I mean. And as for the first guy, he took his new bride to Guam on a honeymoon. Read: He took his Nintendo DS to Guam for a honeymoon... uhhh, right. Apparently the phenomenon of 2D love isn't unique to Japan, though in terms of popularity, this country tops the charts. Love with video game characters and inanimate objects ranges from buildings ("woman marries Eiffel Tower"), to walls (the wall: "This is my husband. His name is the Berlin Wall") to teenage girls that live in the Nintendo DS game Love Plus. There is, of course, more, but I'm not really interested... it is all just so strange.
Three-dimensional December life has been busy so far - we are trying to get into the Christmas swing of things and are still looking for a tree - it is on my weekend to-do list... buy another tree. It's another one of those things that we get every year... and then leave behind... but Christmas needs a Christmas tree, so there's not getting around it. Christmas also needs goodies, and I've been stocking up on a few ingredients to make sugar cookies, nanaimo bars, jam diagonals and gingerbread. There are a few other recipes I'm interested in making, but haven't committed to - I mean, Bailey's Milk Chocolate truffles? How can you say no to those? I just don't want to drown in chocolate and treats and piggery... hmmm. We are getting visitors though, and they will help us eat these goodies (not that we'll have any trouble - it may just ease a case of the guilty gluttons). The Fab Four (Steve's mom and dad Marg and Bob, and aunt and uncle, Barb and Ralph) are coming at the end of the month! It's going to be great. Steve's sister and her husband also booked tickets - yay for visitors! This is a great city to visit - there is soooo much to do. On that note, I should get back to the world of 3D... I have more to say and more to write about but I have places to go and people to see.
We are loving our bikes! I want to keep mine forever! Okay, maybe not forever - I'd pick one with better brakes and a more comfortable seat (is this possible? comfy bike seat?), but I love the basket and I love how quickly we can get to the station. We've been able to check out some new neighborhoods and areas, and there are more more more to see. We cruised up to Yoyogi Park on Thursday afternoon, and visited Meiji-jingu, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. Located in Yoyogi Park in a forest that is home to more than 120,000 trees of 365 different species and lots and lots of very noisy little birdies, the grounds and gardens of Tokyo's largest Shinto shrine are beautiful, well-kept and well-visited. Millions and millions of people visit the shrine every year to pay respects to the Emperor essentially responsible for ushering in an era of modernization that turned old into new - known as the Meiji Restoration. The number of changes made during the reign of this much revered leader are innumerable. From the day he took power (February 3rd, 1867) to the day he died (July 30, 1912), he instigated change and development. During his time at the helm, Japan moved from near complete isolation as a feudal and somewhat fragmented country to a modern, industrialized world power. Western advancements and Eastern values were of optimal importance, and it was this attitude, along with a strong state military ("enrich the country, strengthen the military") that guided/forced social and political reform (this, of course, did not go over well with everyone - think The Last Samurai and Tom Cruise and Samurai Katsumoto). Anyways, the grounds were beautiful and peaceful, and we enjoyed a slow afternoon with the changing leaves in the forest - right in the middle of hustle and bustle Tokyo...
Known in his early years as Sachi-no-miya (Prince Sachi) and then as Mutsohito, he is known now, posthumously as Emperor Meiji - the 122nd Emperor of Japan.
Born Ichijo Masako, she was given the name Haruko when she became engaged to the Emperor; Empress Shoken attended lectures, worked for the Japanese Red Cross and advocated women's rights. However, she was not able to produce an heir for the throne - her adopted son was one of 15 children mothered by the Emperor's five ladies-in-waiting. Posthumously she is known as Shoken Kotaigo.
The weekend was goooood and we are getting excited about starting Christmas! We've given ourselves a December 1st decorating date - so we only have a few more days to go until all of the business can begin. I have a small list of goodies to make, and a longer list of things to get: tree, decorations, ingredients. I have ideas of places to go (back to Don Quixote/Donki Hote - that or Ikea), and with a bike... I'm practically already on my way.
We got bikes! Yay! The trip to the station will be reduced by at least 10 minutes which MEANS that Steve will get home at least 10 minutes earlier every night, and I no longer have to lug groceries home but can cycle them, for my bike is equipped with a basket. At first I liked the idea of a "mamarachi" bike - the sort of old school looking ladies bike equipped with seat with springs and huge wire basket atop the front wheel. However, these machines - as I should have guessed - are constructed with the petite Japanese in mind, and I quickly realized that I grew out of this bike (this size of bike) when I was 12. SO... I have a blue road-ish type bike that almost fits perfectly (with the seat as high as it can go, it's still a little low), and Steve has a stylin' Chevrolet mountain bike that is almost big enough. We bought our wheels at a sell-everything store called Don Quixote (or Donki Hote; the bike section is Donki-bike), where we also bought a bottle of Crown Royal for $10 less than what it would cost at home. And Bailey's. Somehow I've resisted putting it in my coffee for the past two days... what will power.
Anyways, so yesterday morning we were able to bike up to Komazawa Park and the massive gymnasiums where Steve, along with several other F.C. Tokyo staff and players, coach clinics for Mama-sans every Tuesday morning. I went with him last week, and again yesterday, and was overwhelmed. What amazed me: the number of women, the range of age and ability, the outfits, the SKILL, and - did I mention the age? There are women there that don't have teeth! There are women there in their 70s! And they dive and spike and jump and serve and receive!! And they all have volleyball gear and SKILLS! These women dive and dig and block - and are good at it. We did the usual run-around warm-up, some stretching, abs and then partner ball control stuff. I filled in and partnered up with the oldest lassie there - last week I asked her how old she was and she wouldn't say, BUT did ask me how old my mom was. I told her - and her reply was (in Japanese plus sign language): "I am at least 10 years older than you mother..." And I tell you... her ball control is good. And she was right in there - along with all of the other mama-sans (some of whom are not mothers, some whom are and some who are, indubitably, at least grandmothers) for the entire two hour training session. It's organized so that there is skill development, but in a way that is fun and easy-going, but challenging at the same time. Our group finished with a game - 9 on 9 (= crowded), with both Steve and I in the front row - on opposing teams.
Though there doesn't seem to be much information online about mama-san volleyball in English, it seems like it is kind of a big deal. There are apparently more than 500,000 women that participate and play on teams, and there are tournament and competitions all year long, with a final national tournament held in Tokyo every spring. There is a Mama-san Volleyball Association, there is (or was? not sure) a TV show - Mama-san Volley ("The Mammies"), there are PTA women's teams, and there are studies and papers (for example: Physical and physiological assessment of women (Mama-san) volleyball players - in Japanese). Volleyball is one of the most - if not the most - popular sports in Japan, and I think that it is so awesome that there is an opportunity (and so much interest) for older women to train and play together on a regular basis - regardless of age and regardless of ability. At home there are teams BUT, as far as I know, there isn't much in terms of training for groups of women that want to participate. Steve and I were both continually shocked and amazed at these women diving and digging and blocking and hitting... if only I can do these things when I'm in my 70s. (This paints a rather funny picture - Steve and I, old and wrinkly, in our dated, year 2000 volleyball gear playing pepper in the driveway.) Unfortunately, the camera's battery died while we where there, but I did get a few shots in before it quit - more to come next week!!
I should have known that we lived in the Beverly Hills of Tokyo when I saw the doggy strollers and haute couture petwear. To some - Tokyo-ites perhaps? - this is normal. To me it is WEIRD, not to mention a bit of a waste of money. I mean, the perfectly preened and clothing-clad pooches around here have more style than most humans; I wonder how much they get each month for their clothing allowance. And how often they go to the doggy-spa. There are almost as many dog-grooming and pet-pampering salons as there are hair salons around here, and they are complete with high-end dog food, clothing (overalls, dresses, skirts, hoodies, vests, winter jackets), bejewelled collars and leashes and booties. And I tell ya - I have not seen one muddy or icky looking pooch... Imagine what the mutts of Romania - the beach dogs and stray puppies and poor Ron-dogs - would think of the royal treatment here... awww, Ron! I wonder how Ron, our apartment dog from last year is doing. All he wanted was some love - I wonder, do these little tykes want more? A new coat? The whiskers trimmed? Fancy biscuits? From the looks of it... I think they do.
And the clothes - hoodies, haute couture and poof and polka dots...
I finally went to my first meetup group - one that I do not, by definition of the group, belong in. Last night, the Tokyo Vegan Meetup Group hosted a Thanksgiving-themed buffet at Shibuya's Pink Cow restaurant, and it was a FEAST! I joined the group for a few reasons: I like vegetarian food (and vegan food), I like eating, I like meeting people and ... yup, that's about it. Close to 70 people showed up for the all-you-can-eat vegan buffet, and ate ate and ate in the welcoming, cute and very eclectic little restaurant. The menu included: stuffed (with stuffing) tofu, creamed peas w/soy milk, mashed potatoes, gravy sautéed veggies, hummus and pita chips, veggies and dip, burritos, guacamole, bruschetta, waldorf salad, rosemary & thyme bean stew, marinated tofu, beetroot salad, cranberry sauce, baked brown sugar sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, plum pudding, fresh fruit, and more. It was deLISH! When Steve and I parted ways for the day yesterday afternoon, he said something like, "Have fun, enjoy.... but um, don't come back a vegan." As incredibly amazing as the food was, I'd miss cheese and milk too much to give up animal products - I don't think the meat would be such a big deal, though fish I would miss... Anyways! It was a super fun event, and I met some really nice people - I will definitely go to another group meetup.
Another meal/evening that I've been meaning to blog about since the weekend was Saturday's team dinner welcome party gathering... wow. Okay, where to start. After a long day out in Yokohama at the children's book writer's and illustrator's workshop thing (which was fabulous), I metro-ed all the way across Tokyo and met Steve and his teammates for dinner and drinks at a Japanese tapas (sort of) bar - Izakaya. In the back corner of the dark and smoky (most of Steve's teammates smoke, which I found surprising) pub, we folded ourselves into the sunken seats of the low Japanese-style table - and then it began. First thing's first: beer was ordered, a toast was made and bottoms-up... and then bottoms up again... and bottoms up again. The scene was like something out of the typical college or university frat party, where dudes just drink and then drink and then drink more... only this was in the back of a Japanese restaurant-bar and everyone was wearing suits and laughing and singing and... I was completely surprised. After a few (or 10) big table beers, people started ordering "long-drinks" - Steve and I stuck to the Kirin. Food came, all of which was delicious: nabe (soup, simmered and served at the table), shrimp plates (three kinds: deep fried, with eyeballs, with sauce), rice, cabbage salad, sashimi, and some sort of meat with bean sprouts. All of the guys brought gifts for a gift exchange, and that brought out the rowdies: with each gift that was opened, the team would half-drunkenly shout "eat it! eat it!" if it was food, "drink it! drink it!" if it was drink, or play it play it or whatever... depending on the present. One guy got a half-jacket sort of thing - "wear it wear it!", and so he put it on. Another guy got a pair of underwear - "wear it wear it!", and so - GET THIS - after wiggling in and out of his jeans (he actually pulled his jeans down to his knees) to the crowd's melodic chorus of ooooh-oooooh-ooooohs (Steve and I were just staring at each other with what is going ON right now looks), he put the underwear on. And THEN... came Steve's present. The guy right across the table from us got his gift of a box of maple cookies and a small bottle of maple syrup. What do you think the guy does? Everyone: "drink it drink it!" And so, after chugging beers and long-drinks, he emphatically chugged the maple syrup. With a buzz of curiosity (and sugar and booze) the bottle was passed around the table for others to try - there were one or two other chuggers (and us: "NOOO! noooo!") and one guy that poured a significant slug into his drink and then guzzled it. It wasn't until after half the bottle had been polished off that someone actually read the label - ooooh it's syrup! Yes, syrup. Not whisky, not drink... syrup. SO, that was interesting. We kept eating, guys kept drinking - kept chugging... and then it was over. Downstairs we went and informally circled up - someone made a short speech sort of thing, and we were told, pointedly, "okay, it is finished." There was a start to the evening, a flurry of drinking, eating and craziness, and then there was an end. From there some went on to karaoke, and others went home. We couldn't stop talking about how funny and crazy the whole thing was, and figure that the ridiculous drinking has something to do with one of these things: the guys are younger (20-25 I think); they probably live with their parents so have to start early, go hard and then, well, go home; and there is a beginning and there is an end - all drinking must happen within the predetermined time-and-place walls. It was an interesting, fun and funny... good times.
On Sunday night we saw the Michael Jackson movie which we both loved - I highly recommend it. Monday morning I went running with a group of American and Canadian ladies and, after an hour of me wondering how long we were running for, had coffee with a few of them at Starbucks in Roppongi Hills. The coffee shop was FULL of foreigners, so much so that if you told me that I was in Anywhere USA I would have believed you. It was great to meet some new people and get a solid workout in before 9:30 - I will run again. And finally, I spent the last few afternoons in the Run for the Cure office helping with emails and spreadsheets and emails. And now I declare this blog over; beginning, craziness... end.
And FINALLY, our cupboards are stocked. Yesterday we made the much anticipated trip to Costco Tokyo, where promise of North American goods in ample, staggering quantities awaited; we found (but exercised buying restraint) everything from Costco cake-muffins, croissants and bagels to Kirkland cheddar cheese blocks, raisin bran, vodka, wine and flats of root beer. It was, as Costco always is, MEGA. And, the best part? THEY DELIVER. We walked in empty-handed and walked out empty-handed (though minus a pretty packet of yen) - fabulous. The second best part about it was the jumbo-sized sushi trays, with rows and rows and rows of tuna, salmon and not-sure-what-else sashimi and sushi. YUM. There were no samples of the sushi-goods, but we did graze the croissant, rotisserie chicken, beef, pizza and strawberry sampler stations, and then a la piggins, ate pizza and drank orange-fizzy for lunch. And the third best thing about it was that it only took us 30 minutes to get there on the subway, rail and then bus lines... hurray. And so, now we are stocked. I actually have options for breakfast tomorrow - eeek!
When we first arrived I joined a few meetup groups (but oops, haven't gone to any yet), and was group-emailed by a writer's group about a children's book workshop thingy that's happening tomorrow out in Yokohama. The Tokyo chapter of the Society of Children's Book Authors and Illustrators is running the event, and it looks like it will be a neat little get-together. I will have to skip the post-workshop dinner, as Steve's team is having a sort of open the season party (I think that's the reason); season starts in three weeks (December 5th in Hiroshima), and I'm sure everyone is happy to have finally have some matches after logging soooo many hours of training.
I went out for lunch with a friend today, and she took me to the CUTEST little cafe in her neighborhood of Shimokitizawa. In a very sparsely decorated white-walled, wood-tabled salle, we ate soup and salad, and home-made english muffins. YUM. With coffee and tea. We had a great time wandering around and checking out the eclectic shops afterwards, and I'm excited to go back to explore the area a bit more. (And eat and drink coffee - lots of amazing looking cafes!) And for now, c'est tout - it's dinner time!
a hearty slice of pizza - we were hungry after the long Costco shop...
sushi and more sushi - AMAZING!
Yes that's a Louis Vuitton bag and yes you can buy it at Costco... interesting match-up!
We caught the final match of the day at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gym: Grand Champions Cup volleyball tourney is in full swing (paa-ha) - we watched Thailand take on the home team. The place was PACKED!
Our apartment building in all its massive entirety has been scaffolded and wrapped with gauzy tarp - we have been cocooned in here, cut off from the light, the trees, the sky, the rain. We're at the very end of the building, and have all three sides of our apartment curtained... until March. Ugh. We're not sure what they're doing to the place, but it looks just fine to both of us. Anyways... so I finally got a few things crossed off my list yesterday (no job yet, mrrr) - I went to the Canadian Embassy and then, at Meguro Library, got a library card! Yippee! The embassy first: there is an opening in the embassy's E.H.Norman library for an assistant who speaks Japanese, so I though, since I sure don't speak Japanese, I'd look into the possibility of volunteering. The building is beautiful - of course I didn't bring my camera, but the architecture is neat, very modern, lots of natural light... very nice. The library is a bit small but still a very nice space. The librarians there encouraged me to apply for the job anyways, so I did. Upstairs I went to inquire about Remembrance Day events; I'd looked online but came up with nothing... there has to be something going on in Tokyo, no? I waited and waited, and finally someone from the Defence department came down to see me with information about a ceremony at the Commonwealth Cemetery at Hodogaya, along with driving directions. Right. So, it appears that there's nothing going on in the city today (sadly), but we'll try our best to get out to the ceremony on Sunday. And, of course, today we will remember - our thoughts are there.
And the library! Oh, and the fitness class... Steps ZUMBA. I figured that I'd mix things up workout wise, and try out another fitness class, one that's advertised as "a program that can be enjoyed like the party." Alright... So I signed up for my card, browsed the small section of English books and couldn't resist - I checked out three books even though I JUST started A.S. Byatt's The Children's Book and am loving it. (The other books I checked out: The Book Thief (Marcus Zusak), The Island of Lost Maps (Miles Harvey) and Japanese for Busy People.) The library closed, I went to the gym and, along with 31 other fitness steppers, stepped and zumba-ed. Step class is a nice change from running or swimming but I still can't totally get into it; the enthusiasm, the stepping, the moves... meh. That part - the first part - of the class was standard, but the second part, the zumba, was NOT. Spastic, out-there, crazy world dance, led by spastic energy-bomb instructor - it made my eyeballs bulge. This woman was infused and enthused - she was in the jungle-dancing to crazy energy beats music (and... she kept yelping!), and leading us (sort of) through moves that my brain couldn't even comprehend. It was basically 30 minutes of spaz shake rap dance world dance - kind of fun, but not something I think I'd go back to. Maybe better than running? Meh. It was interesting.
Over the course of the last couple of days I've been making my way through a wide range of different websites that shed light on libraries, the future of books, the future of learning, the future of community learning, and more, and came across the Beloit College Mindset List. "It provides a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college," a set of statements about the perspectives and realities of students entering say, the class of 2013. Here are a few excerpts from that list:
They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
The European Union has always existed.
McDonald's has always been serving Happy Meals in China.
Women have always outnumbered men in college.
We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
There have always been flat screen televisions.
Everyone has always known what the evening news was before the Evening News came on.
There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.
Someone has always been asking: “Was Iraq worth a war?”
There is much more - the lists are interesting. It would also be interesting to look back at my high school yearbooks and look at some of the same sort of compilations. Anyways, my point here is that we remember - always; that we remember veterans of wars present and past, from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Great Wars.
Lest We Forget...
Steve's mom and dad sent us a link to this video, filmed and recorded locally (Belleville), by a local artist.
I spent much of my afternoon looking for a teapot, and had no luck. Is $40 or $50 the going price of a teapot these days? I couldn't bring myself to fork over so much dough, so will keep looking. The stores here are decked out in holiday gear, with some of them airing Christmas jingles over their loudspeakers... eek, it is upon us. And the commercials on Canadian TV? Is it normal that November (early November at that) is flooded with Xmas commercialism? These are probably stupid questions - yes, of course. Buy early. Buy buy buy. Meh. Anyways! I spent much of last night with a cup (no pot) of tea and my computer. Steve is up in Sendai for the weekend, playing a few exhibition games, and I am here, researching library stuff and e-book readers. I came across a TON of great websites last night - my tabs bar was near capacity and I was actually wondering if my Mac might pull some PC stunt and just shut itself down/off/blackscreen because of a bad case of tab-overload. It didn't... yay. I was interested in opening the e-book vs book, future of libraries can of worms, and there is just so much out there. And, after three hours of reading and tabbing and reading some more, my thoughts are in complete disarray and mumble-jumble - this is a big issue and there is a lot to think about. The whole Google books thing, physical vs digital, and the influence of social media on information and nature of information makes for some hefty issues to toss around upstairs. So, here are some sites that I have/had open last night - there are some gooders. With the Times article, I found the comments just as interesting (if not more) than the article.
There's more... but this is enough to occupy several hours of your life, at least. (That is, I suppose, if you're into libraries.) I realized how nerdy (or maybe grown-up? GASP! no!) I am when, at 10:30 on a Friday night I was wishing I had a teapot for more yummy tea, whilst browsing and reading and learning about libraries and the future of librarianship.
At the Used Bookfair last week in Jimbocho: there were many stalls and many, many people ogling over books and more books... love it.
nothing to do with books but... floating head guys - so funny, no?
F.C. Tokyo vs Kawasaki Frontale - fans showing their colours...
The last few days have been on the busy side (but not too busy), a little chilly (not so much by Canadian standards), and full of good news. We woke up to sunny skies on Tuesday morning for the national holiday: Culture Day. After Steve's early morning commute and practice we met up at the Olympic Stadium to watch the Nabisco Cup Soccer Final between F.C. Tokyo (same club as Steve's vball team - go team go) and Kawasaki Frontale. And once again, in front of a sold-out crowd some 48,ooo strong - we were entertained... AND, WE WON! The other team (boooo) was favoured to take home the gold, but the home team prevailed winning two goals to nil in front of some decked out - but not crazy a la Italy or Greece or Spain or UK - fan clubs. That was our culture for the day; there were many events going on in and around the city (and country for that matter), but we only really had the time and energy for the one. Okay sure, we didn't support the arts or academic endeavor (does reading my book count?) but we did support sport, and that is definitely part of culture.
Today was good and blah. I went for a run this morning and felt like I was lugging around a sack of bricks (me) at high altitude (lungs burning) - blah. Why is it that even with a solid handful of workouts under this week's belt, I feel like I've never ever EVER exercised before in my life? Horrible. Anyways, moving on. I had an interview this afternoon that went comme ci comme ça - fingers are crossed that I get the job, but my hopes will stay between up and down, so as to not disappoint.
Other hopes are that we soon meet some friends. One of the negatives of this itinerant life is that we are away from friends and family for a good part of the year, and I sometimes wish that I could snap my fingers or click my heels and instantaneously be back for holidays and birthdays and births. Because, the best news of the week of the month is this: my very very good friend Lindsay and her husband Marcus welcomed their first bébé into the world early this week - Elsa Elizabeth Nilsson. I am so so so happy for them, but also a little sad that I can't be there to see Lindsay and Marcus and meet Elsa. Oh well - I'm thankful that I have such wonderful people to come home to - after all, it's the people that make home home, and there's no place like it....
Yes, fruit is, on average, more expensive in Tokyo, but I have found some good little fruit and veggie stands where you don't have to pay $3 for an apple or $100 for a cantaloupe. I mean SERIOUSLY! Ridiculous. But apparently, the perfectly uniform, perfectly packaged melons are quite a popular gift, and in this nation of gift-giving, I suppose that means that these things actually sell. In fact, last year some guy paid the equivalent of over $29,000 for two Yubari melons while another guy dished out over $6,000 for a watermelon. Ummm... right. I'll pass on the melons and stick with these delicious little mandarins that we've been buying for the right price. Yum.
The All Blacks + the Aussies, National Anthems + the Haka in front of 50,000 people = CHILLS, goosebumps, welling, emotion... amazing. New Zealand's national rugby team beat the Aussie squad in the last game of the three (or four?) game series to win the Bledisloe Cup, the biggest trophy in world rugby, and I got to see it! Eek. How? Why? There's an Australian guy playing rugby here that we ran into (he lives upstairs), and his parents (here visiting) had tickets and asked if I'd like to come along. Yes! Yes I would, yes I did. And it was a spectacle. From the loopy oohs and ahhs and aa-ooooohs of the audience to complete silence (and reverence) of 50,000 people in front of NZ's Haka ... these were the good things. That the stadium ran out of beer at half-time was a shocker - people weren't too impressed with the lack of grog (especially after waiting in line for 30 minutes... oops), and that the game wasn't played on the stadium's big screen was another sore spot. Instead of close-ups and game footage there was the score. Meh. Anyways, it was a good game and an awesome experience. Dinner after was good too (French), and then I finally came home, rang the doorbell and trick-or-treat brought Steve some beer and chocolate. Yum. That was the extent of our Halloween celebration - there were big events at the bars and clubs but I was zonked and Steve's foot has been bothering him so we stayed in, had a drink and crashed.
Heather, Heather and Lynn - the ladies at the game ")
the HAKA
Friday was also a long day; I volunteered at the very fancy schmancy Pink Ball, an event hosted by Japan's Run For the Cure Foundation. The event was held at the Westin Hotel in Ebisu in a very posh ballroom; there were bands (two), a silent auction, a live auction, door prizes, a magician, a four-course meal, dancing, drinks and more - it seemed like a really fun evening for guests. It wasn't bad for the volunteers either - there was food for us, we mingled, and I even snuck in to catch the magic show. FUN. And so I'm looking forward to a bit of a lazy day today. We might get out and check out Akihabara, but I'd be okay with cleaning up the apartment and settling in with my book and a cup of coffee. OOh, and it's November! EEK!
Just outside Roppongi Hills - check the giant Louis Vuitton store in the background... posh.
