Questions Answered

Normally I like to post with a picture but I don't always have one available. So this post answers some questions my Gradmother wrote in a letter-

1. Do the Koiobori for the Children's Day in May represent the # of boys in the family? Yes- I beleive the Big Koinabori is for the Dad, then a smaller red one for the Mom and then the little ones for the boys- I don't know if it has changed to include girls- I will have to ask.

2. Does our toilet have a dry button for after using the spray? I don't think so- Liam has played with every single button and has not mentioned a dry button- I am sure some do though- there appear to be all kinds of styles.

3. Do we remove our shoes insid e our house? ACTUALLY- It is in the LEASE agreement. Pretty funny- even the movers took their shoes on and off while bringing in heavy furniture- pretty talanted, I have a hard time balancing on one foot just to try not to touch the part of the foor where you leave your shoes. I guess the Japanese have had a lifetime to master it :) Also we have a really big shoe cabinet at the front of our house, you can leave the shoes you are not wearing in there and a pair in the shoe floor area (picture to come later) The only bad thing is the shoe closet gets a little stinky so I spray it with Lysol every so often and leave these charcoal things in there to absorb the odors.

Lastly, I try to update every few days- so check back often!!!

Japanese KItchen

With almost no usable space or cupboard- there are a few on the bottom and a few up high- I cannot reach anything in the cupboards up high- not even the first shelf- everything we use on a daily basis is out. Notice the containers attached to my refirgerator. I bought these at the 100 yen store for about 300 yen each- they have magnets on them and hold a lot, I am going to get a few more later this week. I have decided that they are perfect for holding our Tupperware that we use everyday. I am going to be putting the glass stuff up in the cupboards that I have not been using. Also notice the only counterspace- it is where the dish drainer is- we have a large title top kitchen table that we use instead, it is in the dining room. Also, pictures of the refrigerator- it has drawers for the freezer, a special area just for ice and a large drawer for vegetables, fruit, juice, etc- the top of the refrigerator is just like an American one. I like the refrigerator.

Star Festival

The decorations for this festival were so pretty!! They hung at the entrance to the train station in our little town. So bright, colorful and sparkly. When I find the story behind the festival I will post it.

My teaching spot

Here is where I taught at- it is a cool Starbucks. Not sure where i found this photo or I would give the photogragher credit ....

We are O.K.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/4819469/powerful-earthquake-hits-northern-japan I guess I was right when I thought and earthquake woke me up right after I fell asleep- wasn't sure- anyways we are o.k. Here is a link-

English Class

Short post- gotta go....... this is where I taught today-
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YfcWBJbdqAA&feature=related

Star Wars Celebrate Japan

Here are some photos from Star Wars Celebrate Japan.

Funky Handbags

In Japan men sometimes carry these big bags, some look like women's purses, some don't.I would love to get Brian to carry a big bag, then I could carry less- maybe one for Christmas!!!! (in mens colors)

Dinner at Roy's In Tokyo

http://www.soho-s.co.jp/english/roys/tokyo_fs.html Well worth the splurge! Or cut back on something else for the month (such as fast food, junk, etc!) The view is actually better from the restaurant than it shows on the web page. We had a window table that looked right out to the Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo night sky. Champagne with fresh squeezed pineapple, appetizers, main course and dessert around 13,500 Japanese yen or around $130 no tipping required, but what was different in this Japanese restaurant was the 10% gratuity charge added to the bill- which was part of the 13,500 Japanese Yen total- not bad at all considering the food, the VIEW and the outstanding service. I would highly recommend. In addition- we forgot our camera so they took photos for us and developed them on the spot!!!!

Do It At Home!!

We liked this poster hanging in the Tokyo Subway Station and in the actual subway trains. Tokyo was fun but super hot and sticky in July. A lot cooler at home where we have many trees.

Mosaic Mall

http://www.mosaicmall.co.jp/ Went here today- interesting- HOT AS HECK!!!!!! I don't think I saw too many trees, just a lot of concrete everywhere- it was soooooo HOT!!! There were a lot of cool shops and a hige grocery store/food area in the basement, a Lush store, Starbucks etc. The subway stopped pretty much right at the mall- about 10 stops from the Yokohama Station- interesting adventure :)

Wave Pool

This appears to be the place that Liam went to with the summer day camp. Good thing they did not go in July or August. It is amazing how crowded it is in some places....... http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=inA-36YRV0Y&feature=related (better than watching Friends!!!)

Huge Spider of the Ropponghi Hills

This is a photo of the humongous spider that rules the Rappongi Hills area. Cool gigantic spider overlooks a garden with swimming fish, shopping areas, Starbucks. You can also see the Tokyo tower from the area. Lots of shopping, upscale stores and very good, inexpensive restaurants (you would not expect this from the area) a easy trip from the Tokyo subway lines.

Shopping in Yokohama

Picture of the Landmark Tower at night in Yokohama. The bookstore where I went shopping for English teaching books is here, it is a nice place to shop and you an find pretty much anythingyou need in this area.

Tatami Mats

What are they? They seem to be made out of straw type stuff. Our house has 2 rooms like this- the room was measured by the number of tatami mats that are in it- so for example are room is a 10 tatami mat room- to replace mats it is about $50 each. All of our heavy furniture has stuff under it to protect the mats from being dented. Cleaning is done with a swiffer and a lightly damp rag (water only).