Things that make me laugh

The Top 5 Questions I get asked:

5. Why did you come to Japan?
4. What are your hobbies?
3. Do you like Japanese food?
2. Have you tried natto (fermented soy bean)?
1. You're American? But you look Japanese!?!

Funny Cultural Differences:

1. The middle finger is not considered offensive here, so people use it freely. People point to things or scratch their eye or do other such mundane things and I feel like I'm constantly being flipped off!
2. It's considered impolite to walk and eat or drink at the same time. In fact, you're really only supposed to eat or drink in designated areas, unless you're on a picnic or something. I find this rather inconvenient seeing as how I love to sip my coffee as I stroll along, or eat a piece of fruit as I make my way to work.
3. No one says anything when you sneeze. I think traditionally people found it almost embarassing to recognize a weakness in someone's health so a sneeze is always ignored.
4. In restaurants there is a little button you push whenever you want service. It's kind of cool, it makes a little "bing-bong" noise, but it's probably pretty annoying to the servers.
5. There are never papertowels or anything in public bathrooms, so you always have to bring a little handkerchief with you wherever you go.
6. Wearing a face mask around is perfectly normal. Especially now with all the strong winds and pollen people wear masks all the time.

I'm sure I'll come across many more cultural differences, but that's it for now!

Shiba Inu

This posting is dedicated to the cutest dogs alive, the Shiba. Here in Japan these fox-like, smaller versions of akitas are really popular. They have the sweetest little ears, and their tails curl back over! They are also very friendly, and on the smaller side so they make perfect pets. I see so many people walking their shibas here, and I seriously want to grab the lesh and run! I guess shibas are developing a strong following in the States as well, so I highly suggest everyone getting one. They started out as hunting dogs (hint hint, dad), but were so loving and even tempered that they quickly became beloved members of the family. Enjoy the pictures, you'll see why I'm totally gushing over them!

I want one! What a cute little puppy!

So cute! 

My Apartment and the Crazy Weather!

So here are the pictures of my apartment as promised. There's not much decoration right now, but it will just take a little time for me to find the things I want and to earn the money so I can afford them. I hope you enjoy the pictures, and that it gives you a better idea of my daily life.

In other news, spring is nowhere to be seen in Fukushima. The past two days have been super windy and rainy, which are usually harbingers of spring and warmer weather, but this is not so in Fukushima. There is even a saying here, "Two days sun, three days snow." As you have probably figured out by now it is snowing here, and not just lightly snowing, it's practically a blizzard! Okay, maybe being raised in California has left me unfamiliar with such harsh winter conditions (or any at all for that matter), but there are serious gusts of wind that cause my single pane windows to rattle! I can also see walls of snow being blown past my window. I included a picture, but it doesn't do the weather any justice. I think the snow is just moving too fast to be easily photographed, so try to use your imagination.

Well, I'm off to another day of work! I'll definitely wear my big Columbia jacket, and lots of extra layers! Too bad I don't have any snowboots . . . oh well, how bad could frost bite be anyway?

The view when you first come in. Straight ahead is my kitchen and bathroom, to the left is my living room and bed.

My kitchen! That black thing in the corner is my washer, and the hardest thing to get used to in Japan is that there is no dryer.

My fridge, microwave, and toaster. They're to the right of the washer, and the door you see on the right leads to the bathroom.

Bathrooms in Japan are super small, so maxmizing your space is key. The bathtubs are also smaller but deeper than in the States.

The living room. The sofa is pretty comfortable so please come and visit! I'm saving the boxes and clubs for the new teacher, Alex, who's coming in a few weeks.

A view of my desk and bed.

Miss Muffit welcomes you to Fukushima City!

A view of my balcony. Usually I can see the moutains, but today is dark and snowy. Actually, it was only lightly snowing when I took this picture, but now I swear it's like a blizzard outside!

The doorway leading out to the entrance. I use the curtain to keep the heat in when it's super cold outside (almost always).

The view of my entrance when you leave. Thanks for taking the tour!

I'm not sure if you can see all the snow, but if the picture looks a little blurry or grey that's because it's snowing like crazy over here!

Sendai, Tea Ceremony, Fukushima & more!

Okay, so here are the rest of the pictures. There are more of shrines and places in Fukushima, but there are also some of my trip to Sendai. Last Monday Kaori and I took the bus to Sendai, about an hour trip, and met up with Ayako. Sendai is known for its specialty in preparing the delicacy of gyu-tan (cow tongue), so of course I had to try it. The flavor was actually pretty good, but the texture was a little chewy. They slice the meat pretty thin, so I guess it's like eating any other part of a cow. Later we did some shopping in a huge walkway or covered outdoor mall. I bought some cute shoes, a spring coat, some earrings, a Japanese culture book, and a pretty wind chime for summer. I also got to have Starbucks! In Japan it seems that the measure of how cool a city is depends on the number of Starbucks it has. For example, Sendai has three, Fukushima has zero. In fact, someone from Fukushima asked Starbucks to open a cafe here, but Starbucks declined saying that there weren't enough young people or commuters. It's also really hard to get a good cup of coffee here, especially one made with soy milk (as odd as it sounds, but even though plenty of people here drink soy milk on its on, they don't make coffee with it) so I was really excited to sit down with my white and green cup and sip on my soy mocha.

Later that night we took a short train to Ayako's aunt's house. She teaches the art of tea ceremony and was kind enough to perform one for us. She has a traditional Japanese style house, and it was so amazing to take part in such an old and disciplined custom. There are all kinds of rules like how many steps you have to make on one tatami mat, and how many times and at what angles to turn your tea cup. The tea used in a ceremony is different too. It's made from a powder and tastes much thicker and almost chalky compared to other green teas I've had. While Ayako's aunt was making the tea, we got to eat some really delicious and colorful sweets. I had an amazing time, and now I'm thinking of maybe learning how to perform a tea ceremony.

Well, it's getting late here so that's all for tonight. Enjoy the pictures!

The entrance to Inari Shrine. 

This is where you wash your hands and rinse out your mouth before you make your prayer. Normally the top cover is off, and there is a little fountain for fresh water (I forgot to put in the picture for the other shrine). 

Inari shrine. Behind the white box is where you throw your 5 yen, and after you make your prayer you pull on one of the ropes to ring a bell (I forgot to mention that last time). 

Sometimes you can buy a fortune for like 100 yen or so. If the fortune is really bad or really good then you tie it here. If it's only so-so then you take it with you. 

I'm not sure what this is, maybe another little temple. It's right next to Inari temple though, so maybe not. 

A pet store near my apartment, they sell mostly birds here. I thought it was funny that they sold roosters. 

Paseo Street, near my apartment. It's all made of cobblestone, and it kind of cute. Unfortunately, it's also where many hostess bars are found. 

My apartment building. 

In Sendai, a big city! 

The shopping walkway in Sendai! 

The chashitsu (tea room). On the right is the tokonoma (alcove) where there is always a flower arrangement (it's really small on the wall), and banner (this one says "wash heart"). In the floor is the ro (hearth). 

On the top is the hishaku (water ladle), and on the bottom is the mizusashi (jug of water for pouring into the kama or washing the teabowl).