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And We're Back!

I don't think I have to tell you that I have been busy. I just got back to Tokyo after a month-long vacay in California and I am getting the bloggin itch again. I've been stuck to my computer most of the time since I returned for a number of reasons. The biggest of these reasons is that Omar is working full time (yay!) and gone most of the day. The other reason is that the night I got back to Tokyo, while trying to exit the Narita Airport into the Keisei train station, I fell down an escalator...! I know, right? Iam getting better but still ahve some trouble getting around, so it's hard to leave the house by myself. Tomorrow I'm heading to a local hospital to make sure my healing is progressing normally.

Anyway! Now that you all know my business, let me catch you up with a few pictures.

I learned how to salt-grill fish (so easy!)

I continued to make hotpot

I found out that Omar has some exceptional UFO catcher skills

I baked a lot of sweets

We made mochi in Tochigi for New Year's

It snowed in January (but only a little)

I started making jewelry

We saw the sakura trees in full bloom

I made an Amineko

I'm thinking my next next undertaking might be making some umeshu...

New Keychain

Keychain du Lievre

I know. Most. Boring. Post. Ever. But I cannot get over how adorable this keychain is. I wanted it forever, but I already had one (this really big gnarly neon pink sparkly stuffed dog - but I could find it in my purse). So when I moved out here, I left the old keychain behind, hoping to make a change to something more elegant.

I ordered it from i.klee on Etsy and it is the perfect size for my tiny Japanese house key. It was suppose to ship from Germany, but the package arrive mysteriously from France. Elegance!

Stitch by Stitch Exhibit

Omar and I visited the Stitch by Stitch Exhibit at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum yesterday. I had read about it here and wanted to check it out. It took some convincing to get Omar on board (he was expecting a bunch of needlepoint pillows?), but in the end he agreed to go and we both loved it. They didn't allow cameras in, so sadly I don't have any pictures of all the art.

Entrance to the museum

The exhibit featured artists using embroidery, beading, etc. as their medium. Translation: it was really cool. I think my favorite installation was the corner filled with artificial plants that had been beaded and embroidered. So otherworldly.

Kichijoji Afternoon

A few days ago, Omar and I took a trip over to Kichijoji to check out some restaurants. The first is called Pancake Days and while they were seating us, I noticed that a black and aqua butterfly landed on me. I had to leave the restaurant to try and get that critter to fly away. It took a couple tries before it finally took flight and didn't fly right back on me.

Maple Cream Pancakes

So Pancake Days was pretty good. They serve pancake everything. Pancake sundaes, pancake burgers, regular old pancakes. And they have smiley face fries.

We ordered the maple cream pancakes (and of course those fries). They were good, but I think Pancake Days is like the pop music of food. I would go there more for the novelty of going to a restaurant called "Pancake Days" (which is really as good a reason as any, right?).

As a bonus, all the pancakes had smiley faces cooked on to them. I would have taken a picture, but I was already halfway through them before I noticed the faces. And really, does the world need to see a photo of my half-eaten pancakes? Don't answer that.

Cafe du BUNZ

The second place we went to was Cafe du Lievre. I cannot recommend it enough! Tasty crepes, delicious soup and salad, and a super relaxing atmosphere. Yum! It's in the middle of Inokashira Park and it's filled with little bunny statues and shabby-chic furniture. Love! We will definitely be coming back here.

Crepe with tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, and pesto

By the way, is anyone else following "The Colony" on Discovery Channel? This show is amazing! It's a reality show (Wait! Let me finish!) about a group of people trying to rebuild society after the end of the world (See?). A rag-tag band of strangers with various skills are thrown together in a deserted post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. They have to scavenge for food/supplies, learn to filter their own water, and defend their home from "marauders." It's awesome. Period. I'm bummed that the last episode aired tonight (Wednesday) in the states.

If you live in the US, you can catch up on previous episodes on their website. I'm hoping they'll spring for a second season. I'd like to see what people could do with an abandoned farm or something.

Grand Opening!

I am pleased to announce the Grand Opening of my new Etsy shop: For the Shorties! I'm selling a selection of japanese craft supplies, craft books, and hankies. I stocked it as best I could for the moment, but if things sell at least at a reasonable rate (please please please), you will be seeing regular updates of new merchandise.

Check it out here!

I'm currently up to my waist in fabric and other stuff, but I have things to post about (the only question is... when?)

And Now For The Announcement

We are running out of time here in Breaksville. Why, you ask? Because we are moving to Japan (sans dogs- sad face) in about a week! We leave on August 11th. I wanted to keep it under wraps until we had our tickets and then I had trouble with the internet, so I haven't had the chance to really sit down and write until now.

So - Japan! My cousin owns an old Japanese-style house in Tokyo (Kita-senju, to be precise) and he graciously offered us the chance to live there, wait for it... RENT FREE. It is actually cheaper for us to buy two one-way tickets to Japan than to pay one month's rent on our current apartment. And anyway, I am having trouble finding a job, Omar was having trouble getting enough hours in at his job, so the decision was pretty much made for us. We don't know how long we're going to be staying, but we don't have much to lose at this point. Away we go!

Omar and I both recently completed an ESL teacher training course and we are now getting our stuff together and anxiously (very anxiously) awaiting our flight. I'm thinking of starting up an Etsy shop to sell Japanese craft supplies, since our house will be minutes away (by train) from the infamous Nippori Textile Town. I also might be interested in doing some one-on-one swapping? Maybe? I'm sort-of over Swap-bot after getting a couple of flakes as partners.

So then. Questions? Comments?

Edit: I am cracking up over my first nasty comment! :) Actually our ESL course is providing job placement at schools that can get us work visas. So.... enjoy your sour grapes, anonymous? Or was it a joke?

Edit #2: Sorry, Anonymous #1. I was wondering why someone would come on to my blog just to complain. :)

Anonymous #2: I'm not actually there yet, so I'm uncomfortable giving advice on which companies would be best. But what I've heard is to steer clear of the big language factories like Geos or Nova (RIP) or whatever company bought out Nova. Try to find a smaller private language school. There's also tons of info out there from people who actually know a bit more about what they're talking about (unlike me!)

Beans Loves the Sunroof of My New Car

I'm Sort of Back

Inokashira Park, Kichijoji, Tokyo

Hello? Anyone there?

I've been trying to sort out my life for the past several months. Omar and I went on a great trip to Japan in December (pictures to follow). Then there was Christmas. Then on January 6th I was downsized from my job. Thanks, job, for making me think I had enough money to go on an expensive trip and then laying me off right after I spent all this money on presents! Also, I crashed my car.

But things are starting to look up. I have a new (used) car, but still no job. I have taken up yoga. I'm reading more. And there will probably be an announcement in the next couple of months. A big one. (No, I am not pregnant, and note to strangers who keep asking me if I am: I just happen to have big boobs and like empire waist dresses!)

Yes We Can!

I am so proud to be an American.

Wha?

Has anyone else ever had this problem?

I work at a small company and, among other things, I answer the phones and route all calls from the main line. A few months ago I got a call from a telemarketer (you know how you can hear that they are calling from a giant room with other telemarketers around them talking on the phone?).
Anyway, he asked me for someone who's name I did not recognize and I told him there was no one by that name at our company. Then he was all "well, maybe it's his wife." ???? And kept pushing me to find someone who I had no idea about. So I asked him "Who's calling please" because maybe I could figure out where to route him so he could be better helped. And he said "Well, who are you?"

???

WHA????

And this went around in circles until he finally mumbled his supposed name (Jerkface McBoogers, I presume) and of course I couldn't hear him and asked him to please spell it and he said "It's spelled exactly how you spell you name. WHAT IS YOUR NAME?"

Uh. So I transferred him off to someone who is way better at dealing with jerks and she told him off and to not call back. End of story, right? RIGHT?

NO.

I got a call just now from a telemarketer who asked me for another person I didn't know of. Usually when I tell a telemarketer I don't know who they are asking about, that is the end of things because they realize they will not get anywhere. But no. This guy got pushy with me and then was all "Who are you". At which point I realized who I was dealing with (why did he call again!) and responded "Who's calling please?" because, really, any legitimate person is going to identify themselves, right?

This went around in circles for a while until he blew up at me and YELLED (seriously, he actually yelled) "OH, COME ON!!!! BLAH BLAH SOMETHING SOMETHING..." Bitch, please.

I disconnected him.

Now I realize that I may be getting a call from this idiot every few months.


My question to you is:

What the hell is he doing?! Does this creepy-aggressive routine really work on people? Is that the best way to do business? What makes me the MOST angry is that I get the feeling that these scary intimidation tactics are how he approaches the people he calls if they are women. Like I'm stupid enough to transfer him to the president of the company when he won't even identify himself just because he yells at me. Which makes me wonder how he treats the women in his real life, assuming there are any (Probably not!). And all this makes me feel very Second-Wave Feminist and I also want to smash his sexist face down hard. But as he never tells me WHO THE HELL HE IS or WHAT THE HELL COMPANY HE WORK FOR I cannot GET HIS ASS FIRED for being an incompetent boob.

Crafting post to come, I swear.

My Garden

I have a few planters on my deck and after a month or two, these California poppies finally started to bloom!



You can also see a bell pepper growing on this plant! There's a few more smaller ones on the other side.

This Means War

*this is not our oven

Our oven is totally possessed and evil. It has been acting up lately and only turning on sometimes, when it wants to. Now it is only broiling or something even when you set it to bake. It completely burns the top of stuff while the middle is still raw. Last night I was trying to bake a "lighter Pineapple Upside Down Cake" from a recent issue of Everyday Food and after all the preparation and flitting around the kitchen and chopping up a whole pineapple, the oven ruined my cake. I thought it was done, though kind of burnt, when I pulled it out to cool (the top was BLACK). But when I cut into it, the rest was LIQUID BATTER. I can't tell you how traumatic this was for me, seriously. I kept replaying it my mind like if I had seen body parts on the street after a car accident or something. After baking for 45 minutes, my cake was still batter (and also burned). I can't get over it. I also somehow accidentally baked a scratch ticket into the cake (?). Omar was searching all over the house for it, and he SWORE that he handed it to me. I do not remember this, but obviously I had it at some point because I BAKED IT INTO MY CAKE. Go figure.

Although the cake ended up in the trash, the ticket was miraculously salvageable. Omar said he rinsed it off and toasted it in the toaster oven (is this really a good idea?). We didn't win anything.

New Sunglasses

They were like, $10 at Urban Outfitters. I love you new old lady sunglasses! Yes, I am wearing two pairs of glasses. That is how I roll. Sometimes when I am driving I wear sunglasses over my perscription glasses so I can see and (not) look cool at the same time. Whatever, Vogue seems to like it.



Make your own ridiculous pictures

I also love Angry Chicken.

Japan Catch-Up

HAPPY GRADUATION OMAR!


(He's the one on the right!)

I have been back for about a week now, doing all the things you do when you think you are still on vacation. Omar's parents are in town for his graduation, which has made things doubly crazy/hectic, but fun.

So, as you can see I am so busy with my important life and all that I haven't been able to really get my head around my trip until now, sorry for the late posting.

I'm also going to apologize in advance for not taking enough pictures. I get all nervous and sweaty in public situations that involve cameras and me being by myself. And I always think that people are annoyed that I am standing in the middle of the road trying to take a picture of a crowded street (see below). But I tried my best! And also after a while I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot I was supposed to be documenting everything. So here are the results... Keep in mind that I am actually going back in December, so I promise I will try to make it (the lack of pictures) up to you until you are so overwhelmed with images of Japan that you will think you have actually been there already or something.

TOKYO - DAY ONE


*view from the plane

My flight arrived about an hour before it was supposed to, so I had a lot of extra time on my hands. I was awake enough that I decided to venture into Tokyo after I checked into my hotel. BIG MISTAKE. It was a Sunday, and of course I was all "I think I'll go to Harajuku" since that's where I always go first. Note to self and readers - I have never been to Harajuku on a Sunday for a reason. It was wall-to-wall people EVERYWHERE, and you know how I hate people (well, you do now).


*Takeshita Dori, how I love thee (when you are not filled with other people)

After about an hour of meandering around feeling sorry for myself (and being to tired to correctly attribute the sorry-feeling to my jet lag) I moped back to my hotel. But not before I picked up some rice balls for Sunkus (a convenience store). Convenience store rice balls make up about 50% of the Reasons Why I Go to Japan.


*Shunned salmon on top, Sekihan on the bottom

I got a few different ones including a tasty one with beef kalbi in the middle and crunchy nori all around the outside that was sprinkled with salt (not pictured- chomped beforehand) and a sekihan one because I haven't had sekihan in forever. I also got a salmon one by mistake. (Note #2, I don't like salmon).

Then I fell into bed and slept for a few hours at a time until morning with the TV blaring Japanese news.

END OF DAY ONE.

Wine for Puppehs

It's non-alcoholic, but still. (I love Japundit!)

P.S. Yes, I'm back.

Goodbye Japan!

I'm at the bus terminal in Sano, wating to get shipped off to Narita. I can't wait to see Omar and the dogs!

Leaving Tomorrow

Well, tonight is my last night in Japan. I'm all packed up and ready to go back to the Bay Area. One week is waaay too short a time when it involves me and Japan. I'll tell you all about my trip after I get home.

Goodnight!