Being a young (under thirty is young, right?) doesn't seem to help me stop being such a techo-peasant. I had planned to write a post today, but my computer had other ideas.
This evening I discovered that while trying to clean up my over-stuffed hard-drive, I accidentally deleted my internet browser. No big deal, I though, I'll just get on-line and download it again... Ummmm.... Yeah...No. Turns out not having a browser means you cant search the internet. Not even if your awesome husband sends you a link to the page you need.
After some quick thinking on his part, and hijacking our staff "Dropbox", I was able to install my browser again. Woohoo!
Of course, sorting out the internet situation sucked up all my blogging time for tonight. Drat, and I was finally going to sit down and write.
Tomorrow? Hmmm... We'll see how the baby treats me. ;)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
A Beginner's Guide to Winter
I thought I had experienced winter before moving to Japan. Turns out my 26 years of life in California did nothing to prepare me for real, honest to goodness winter.
Snow has always been something I loved. Taking trips up to the mountains to play in the powder were the best part of winter. When I was about 8, I even asked Santa to make it snow for Christmas. I always thought living in the snow would be the best thing ever! My childhood self would squeal with delight if she knew I was living in the snowiest city in the world with a million or more people.
I'm prefacing today's post with that because I don't want to give the impression I'm anti-snow. Far from it. It's just, my adult self now has some perspective 8-year-old Kathryn couldn't even begin to imagine. Living in the snow is a pain in the behind!
So, this is for all my California friends complaining about the "cold" winter. I feel like we're only scratching the tip of the ice-berg in our new appreciation for the winter-wonderland. If you have anything to add, leave a comment.
-The love/hate relationship with the snow plow:
Snow plow: clearer of roads, I do love you. But yesterday, when you dumped your pile of snow in front of my driveway... yeah, that wasn't cool.
Also, do you have to drive so slow when you're not plowing. You block the whole road. Both lanes. :/ I just want to get home before the baby gets tired of sitting in her carseat, either pull over or go faster!
-Where'd the _____ go:
The thing with snow is it accumulates. Rain washes away; it absorbs. Snow just keeps on piling higher. For the first full winter in Sapporo, I didn't know there was a park across the street. Then one spring day (mid-May, I think) I spotted the top of a jungle gym.
-Shoveling:
I am so thankful to have a dear husband who shovels the driveway. Both times I had to do it ( both times because the snowplow buried my exit) I thought I was having a heart attack later in the day because my left arm hurt so bad. Turns out, my shoveling muscles in my left arm are much less toned, if not non-existent.
-Wear the right shoes:
I have a pair of warm boots. They're cute and fuzzy and I love them. The problem is there have virtually no tread on the bottom. I bought a pair of galoshes with a flip out cleat that I've dubbed my "safety boots." Not as cute nor as warm, but I've stopped falling on my butt when I walk around, which is a plus.
Plan wisely when you leave the house:
Hat: check. Scarf: check. Coat: check. Gloves: check. Are you socks warm enough, because cold toes get old fast. Did you grab every single thing you might possibly need for yourself (and your baby if you've got one of those), because walking back into the house after managing to get into the snow covered car is NOT an option.
Plus, if your primary mode of transport is walking (like mine), you're going to look like a lost sherpa as you run your errands because heaven forbid you forget an essential item when it starts dumping snow on your walk home from the grocery store.
Snow has always been something I loved. Taking trips up to the mountains to play in the powder were the best part of winter. When I was about 8, I even asked Santa to make it snow for Christmas. I always thought living in the snow would be the best thing ever! My childhood self would squeal with delight if she knew I was living in the snowiest city in the world with a million or more people.
I'm prefacing today's post with that because I don't want to give the impression I'm anti-snow. Far from it. It's just, my adult self now has some perspective 8-year-old Kathryn couldn't even begin to imagine. Living in the snow is a pain in the behind!
So, this is for all my California friends complaining about the "cold" winter. I feel like we're only scratching the tip of the ice-berg in our new appreciation for the winter-wonderland. If you have anything to add, leave a comment.
-The love/hate relationship with the snow plow:
Snow plow: clearer of roads, I do love you. But yesterday, when you dumped your pile of snow in front of my driveway... yeah, that wasn't cool.
 |
| See those piles on either side of the plow? Those are driveways. Good luck residents. |
Also, do you have to drive so slow when you're not plowing. You block the whole road. Both lanes. :/ I just want to get home before the baby gets tired of sitting in her carseat, either pull over or go faster!
-Where'd the _____ go:
The thing with snow is it accumulates. Rain washes away; it absorbs. Snow just keeps on piling higher. For the first full winter in Sapporo, I didn't know there was a park across the street. Then one spring day (mid-May, I think) I spotted the top of a jungle gym.
 |
| There's a jungle gym and swing set under that snow pile, but you'd never even suspect it. |
Landmarks too, are obscured. I have to relearn how to navigate the city in the winter and then again after the thaw.
Stephen's had to learn to be careful about where he leaves the snow shovel. We lost one to a snowdrift that piled up over night. Which brings me to my next lesson...-Shoveling:
I am so thankful to have a dear husband who shovels the driveway. Both times I had to do it ( both times because the snowplow buried my exit) I thought I was having a heart attack later in the day because my left arm hurt so bad. Turns out, my shoveling muscles in my left arm are much less toned, if not non-existent.
-Wear the right shoes:
I have a pair of warm boots. They're cute and fuzzy and I love them. The problem is there have virtually no tread on the bottom. I bought a pair of galoshes with a flip out cleat that I've dubbed my "safety boots." Not as cute nor as warm, but I've stopped falling on my butt when I walk around, which is a plus.
Plan wisely when you leave the house:
Hat: check. Scarf: check. Coat: check. Gloves: check. Are you socks warm enough, because cold toes get old fast. Did you grab every single thing you might possibly need for yourself (and your baby if you've got one of those), because walking back into the house after managing to get into the snow covered car is NOT an option.
Plus, if your primary mode of transport is walking (like mine), you're going to look like a lost sherpa as you run your errands because heaven forbid you forget an essential item when it starts dumping snow on your walk home from the grocery store.
 |
| My baby sherpa, modeling proper snow attire. |
 |
| And another pic of the bundled up baby for good measure. |
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Bringing Laughter to the Tutoring Center
Some time last year it hit me that living in Japan as a limited language foreigner is a lot like being a small child. I can't read. I can't write. I don't have a high vocabulary. I may even be worse off than a small child; even they know the cultural expectations and processes like lining up their shoes, something I ALWAYS forget to do.
I guess it's fitting that I just started attending an after school tutoring program geared towards young Japanese children to improve my Japanese.
Kumon is pretty much standard around here. I'm willing to bet there are more Kumons in Japan than there are Starbucks in California.
Like I said, it's an after-school tutoring program. Kids go there to practice reading, writing, math, and English. Often, foreigners, like me, will go to learn kokugo (the country's language) Japanese, rather than Japanese geared towards foreigners. The benefit is you can learn Japanese how Japanese do. You have the vocab; the idioms and sayings; the common children's stories; and other things that make language what it is.
My first day was last Thursday. What a humbling experience, let me tell you! There is nothing like reading a kindergarten reading passage out loud while a room full of 7 and 8 year olds watch you in amusement as you, a grown adult, stumble through.
People, so you understand, although I've never been the best student, I'm grade-level at the very least. Being semi-illiterate is a bit of a blow to my self-esteem. Having that fact highlighted by 1st and 2nd graders turns the whole thing into a comedy show. I'm choosing to be glad I can bring laughter to the otherwise quiet classroom. ;)
Then, I had to fill in some worksheets to have the teacher grade. When she took her red pen to my work and started circling EVERYTHING I nearly died.
Until I remembered circles mean correct. It's "X"s that mean wrong. Blargh, even how they grade is different!
Turns out I did well on my first worksheet, and only had one error in my handwriting (Yes, handwriting is graded, too).
I go back today with a stack of homework for them to grade. This time, I'm hoping for lots of red pen circles!
I guess it's fitting that I just started attending an after school tutoring program geared towards young Japanese children to improve my Japanese.
Kumon is pretty much standard around here. I'm willing to bet there are more Kumons in Japan than there are Starbucks in California.
Like I said, it's an after-school tutoring program. Kids go there to practice reading, writing, math, and English. Often, foreigners, like me, will go to learn kokugo (the country's language) Japanese, rather than Japanese geared towards foreigners. The benefit is you can learn Japanese how Japanese do. You have the vocab; the idioms and sayings; the common children's stories; and other things that make language what it is.
My first day was last Thursday. What a humbling experience, let me tell you! There is nothing like reading a kindergarten reading passage out loud while a room full of 7 and 8 year olds watch you in amusement as you, a grown adult, stumble through.
People, so you understand, although I've never been the best student, I'm grade-level at the very least. Being semi-illiterate is a bit of a blow to my self-esteem. Having that fact highlighted by 1st and 2nd graders turns the whole thing into a comedy show. I'm choosing to be glad I can bring laughter to the otherwise quiet classroom. ;)
Then, I had to fill in some worksheets to have the teacher grade. When she took her red pen to my work and started circling EVERYTHING I nearly died.
Until I remembered circles mean correct. It's "X"s that mean wrong. Blargh, even how they grade is different!
Turns out I did well on my first worksheet, and only had one error in my handwriting (Yes, handwriting is graded, too).
I go back today with a stack of homework for them to grade. This time, I'm hoping for lots of red pen circles!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Peanuts, Crying Children, and Ogres' Underwear
When we moved here 2 years ago, every one was gearing up for the weirdest holiday I've ever heard of. Let's let that sink in, this is a weirder celebration that pranking friends all day; dressing up and begging strangers for candy; OR even waiting for a rodent to tell us if spring is on the way. Yep, it's THAT crazy, friends!
The day where children all over Japan are scared witless by big monsters called Oni and throw peanuts at them to make them go away. While the kids do this they chant, "Oni wa soto; fuku wa uchi" (monsters/evil out; happiness in).
Our first week here our host family showed us a home video of the father dressing up as oni and trying to get in the house as the daughters chucked peanuts at him. Well, the oldest threw peanuts; the younger daughter cried and hid behind her mom's legs.
Crying is pretty much a mainstay of Setsubun. Moms I've talked to about it share how the schools have people dressed as oni come so the kids can throw their peanuts. Then they take a class picture, which is mostly a group of red-faced crying children.
Maybe it's like how I think it's hilarious seeing pictures of kids freaking out on Santa's lap.
Although, to be fair, people don't expect the kids to freak on jolly old St Nick's lap.
At play group last week, we sang a setsubun song about oni's underwear. It was pretty funny. I told an American friend and she said it was a common song that her daughters learned at preschool, too.
I've found the words for you so you can sing it, too!
To the tune of "Funiculi, Funiculi" (The traditional Italian song)
and the translation:
Setsubun
節分
The day where children all over Japan are scared witless by big monsters called Oni and throw peanuts at them to make them go away. While the kids do this they chant, "Oni wa soto; fuku wa uchi" (monsters/evil out; happiness in).
Our first week here our host family showed us a home video of the father dressing up as oni and trying to get in the house as the daughters chucked peanuts at him. Well, the oldest threw peanuts; the younger daughter cried and hid behind her mom's legs.
Crying is pretty much a mainstay of Setsubun. Moms I've talked to about it share how the schools have people dressed as oni come so the kids can throw their peanuts. Then they take a class picture, which is mostly a group of red-faced crying children.
Maybe it's like how I think it's hilarious seeing pictures of kids freaking out on Santa's lap.
 |
| Image: kleinburtts.com heartbreaking, yet hilarious |
At play group last week, we sang a setsubun song about oni's underwear. It was pretty funny. I told an American friend and she said it was a common song that her daughters learned at preschool, too.
I've found the words for you so you can sing it, too!
To the tune of "Funiculi, Funiculi" (The traditional Italian song)
| ||
and the translation:
| ||
Friday, January 25, 2013
Only in Japan: Onsen
I can't believe we've lived in Japan for almost 2 year (the time has flown) and we haven't written even once about onsens!
Onsens are the places to be in Japan. Whole vacations are planned around the best ones. No place inspires as much terror for a first-timer, yet once you've been, it is one of the greatest parts about living here.
The onsen is a public bath, divided men and women (usually, I've heard scary stories from missionaries who've been here longer than I). Think large naked spa, more than high school locker room.
Once you get over the whole "I'm naked and people can see me!" thing, it's a nice time of relaxation.
Since Japan was formed by lots of volcanic activity, there are a lot of natural hot springs. You can take trips to towns that have sprung up around the springs (bu-da dum). There are also basic onsen in each little community.
Stephen and I took Jillian to our neighborhood onsen this weekend. We didn't stay long since wrangling a slippery baby kind of cuts into the relaxation element for me. I think Stephen had a nice time on his side of the wall though.
Jillian loved the baths, even if her rubber duckies had to stay home. Though, I do think I have to work on keeping her from trying to swim in the tubs. I feel like it will be frowned upon when she's older. And incase you were worried (cuz it's always on the forefront of my mind when I take Jill to the public bath), there were no accidents to be had. All potential debris was left safely in her diaper before we got there. :P
Would you ever go or have you ever gone to an onsen? Any funny stories to share? Leave me a comment.
Onsens are the places to be in Japan. Whole vacations are planned around the best ones. No place inspires as much terror for a first-timer, yet once you've been, it is one of the greatest parts about living here.
The onsen is a public bath, divided men and women (usually, I've heard scary stories from missionaries who've been here longer than I). Think large naked spa, more than high school locker room.
 |
| Image I don't have any pictures of the actual onsen we go to (for obvious reasons) . It's pretty much like this, but with ya know... people) |
Once you get over the whole "I'm naked and people can see me!" thing, it's a nice time of relaxation.
 |
| Image Here's a better picture. I think we're getting closer. |
Since Japan was formed by lots of volcanic activity, there are a lot of natural hot springs. You can take trips to towns that have sprung up around the springs (bu-da dum). There are also basic onsen in each little community.
 |
| Image Here we go! Nicer than the one we went to, but a good image of onsens in Japan. ( click the image link to read the wiki article, if you're interested) |
Stephen and I took Jillian to our neighborhood onsen this weekend. We didn't stay long since wrangling a slippery baby kind of cuts into the relaxation element for me. I think Stephen had a nice time on his side of the wall though.
 |
| Outside the baths, we were able to snap a pic of our little bathing beauty, squeaky clean and warm in her jammies. |
Would you ever go or have you ever gone to an onsen? Any funny stories to share? Leave me a comment.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Today I learned...
If you blog, have you ever looked at the "stats" page? it's crazy. Today I learned there are people in Tajikistan, India, Malaysia, and Russia reading my blog. What?! I don't know people in ANY of those countries.
It's both inspiring and humbling. Here I am going more than 2 months without posting an entry and there are people from the far corners of the world reading my dinky little blog.
Makes me think I should get my booty in gear and write more often.
It's both inspiring and humbling. Here I am going more than 2 months without posting an entry and there are people from the far corners of the world reading my dinky little blog.
Makes me think I should get my booty in gear and write more often.
Skinny Santa Visits the Play Group.
Today, Santa came to Nishioka (our little corner of Sapporo, Japan). Not the fat jolly guy you'd expect, though. This Santa was a skinny Japanese man. It didn't matter too much though. The Nishioka play group was filled with joyous squeals as Santa danced, sang, and passed out presents.
Even my little one, only 8 months old, was quite taken with this Svelt St. Nick.
That is until it was time to take a picture with him.
We managed in the end to get her calm enough to snap a pic.
Santa was sure a treat today. The main fun, though, was getting to spend time with Jilly's new friends (and their mothers).
Being part of this weekly play group has been a great experience for me. It's nice to be connecting with neighborhood women in the same stage of life as me. I think we've even made a breakthrough. They've stopped referring to me as Chiyo's mom, and instead use my real name. I, in turn, get to use their given names too! Such a silly thing to be excited about, but I feel like it means I've made it to the inside of this group, rather than just being a foreigner watching from the outside.
Even my little one, only 8 months old, was quite taken with this Svelt St. Nick.
That is until it was time to take a picture with him.
We managed in the end to get her calm enough to snap a pic.
Santa was sure a treat today. The main fun, though, was getting to spend time with Jilly's new friends (and their mothers).
 |
| Jillian and her friend M-Chan, born only 2 days apart. |
Being part of this weekly play group has been a great experience for me. It's nice to be connecting with neighborhood women in the same stage of life as me. I think we've even made a breakthrough. They've stopped referring to me as Chiyo's mom, and instead use my real name. I, in turn, get to use their given names too! Such a silly thing to be excited about, but I feel like it means I've made it to the inside of this group, rather than just being a foreigner watching from the outside.
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