This That and Whatever Comes to Mind

Been a long while

Can't believe how long it's been since I posted here....well, I can believe it as it's true.

Too much Facebook (blushing...busy reading and commenting on my friends' posts and playing games, although I have cut down considerably on the games)....lots of reading (raiding my neighbor's bookshelf has kept me busy in Michael Connelly's world, plus rereading and adding to my Discworld series)...daily posts on OhLife, an online diary (every day an email asking me 'How did your day go?' arrives, and all I have to do is write a reply...it gets stored online and only I can access it...a great way to clear the mind before going to bed and so much easier than longhand...and the best part: it's free!!)

I know...excuses, excuses. OK, I admit it...I am just plain lazy!

No promises, but I will try to post more often in the future.

Time to get serious

The latest buzzword in Japan is 断捨離 (dan sha ri)

断= refuse, decline 捨= throw away 離= separate

Together it symbolizes cleaning up and out and simplifying your life.

One of my students is an editor for a small publishing company, and he sent me a copy of a book titiled DanShaRiAn...the An meaning person...that went on the market last month. Part manga, part text...an easy read with lots of advice and tips. Just what I needed as recently I've felt a bit overwhelmed...not only with physical things, but with happenings in my life...nothing major, but lots of minor happenings.

One thing that's been on my mind is my blogs...what to do with them. Today I decided to clean out my Typepad account...downgrade! Backed up 4 (couldn't quite bring myself to deleting them completely..hey, I put a lot of work into each and every post!) and kept 3...this one, my Japanese social issue portal and my ESL business site. Rereading a lot of what I've written in the past, I admit to being quite impressed with my writing...^-^

As a result, I figure it's time to get serious...posting on a relatively regular basis (no promises...I don't do well under pressure), getting back to what I originally planned for each blog. So here I am...outputting.

Next is my ESL blog...one of my students is a marketing coach, and we are working together during our lessons...I help her give me advice in English, and so far it's very effective for both of us. I'm having new name cards made (VistaPrint) and debating whether to move my site so I can use the same template...will wait and get some feedback on the name card template first. Before I do that, though, I need to rewrite a lot of the content...add keywords...rethink the benefits for my students...should keep me busy for awhile.

Then to my portal site...as I can publish my posts on both Facebook and Twitter, I can kill 3 birds with 1 stone (gads, that's such a brutal metaphor...the only one I can think of at the moment...any suggestions for future reference appreciated...^-^)

OK! Enough for one post...still have a lot to get out of my system and am feeling excited, but the sun has set (right in front of my living room this time of year), I lit some of the candles my sisters sent me for Christmas, I just let out a big sigh...time to go!

Shoes: to wear inside or leave at the door

This started out as a comment on Life in Flip-Flops , a blog by Cheryl Linn Martin that my sister introduced me to recently. As you can see, once I got started, it was hard to decide when to finish...so please read on!

It's the custom in Japan to take off your shoes at the front door....2 reasons I can think of:
1. Up until very recently, indoor floors were made out of thick straw mats called 'tatami'...shoes or any kind of outdoor footwear would ruin these beautiful mats in no time.
2. Cleanliness...it really is amazing the difference this makes.

Most Japanese homes do not have central heating, so your feet would get rather cold without warm slippers in the winter. Nowadays, many people I know (myself included) wear slippers with sheepskin inners...soft as well as warm. And in the summer, an indoor pair of flip flops is also handy...especially during the humid weather when even wood floors feel sticky.

However, if your home still has 'tatami' rooms, you must remember to take off your slippers or other indoor wear before entering those rooms...warm socks are helpful here. Or, if it's a traditional household, there's a low table with a comforter placed under the table top and an electric heating unit attached to the bottom of the table. This is called a 'kotatsu', and on a cold night, it is the ideal place to be...so much so that you almost have to force yourself to get up and out of it!

May I make a suggestion? Get a pair of cheap sheepskin boots (ankle length would probably be best) for indoor wear in cold climates.

When you enter a home in Japan, there is an area just for taking off your shoes with a handy cabinet of some sort (usually built into the wall) for the family to store their shoes. This prevents a shoe pileup for people to trip over. (Unless you are having a party...then it can turn into a free-for-all!) You then step up one step into the house proper...this also prevents dust and dirt from blowing in on a windy day.

There is even etiquette for removing your shoes...once you step up, you turn around, bend down at the knees so as not to have your rear end sticking up in the air and turn your shoes around to face the door so that all you have to do is step into them when you leave. Trust me, it takes practice to do this gracefully....!

One problem with sneakers and other shoes with laces is having to put them back on. The solution? A good shoe horn...you can buy a long one for a few dollars so you don't have to bend over or sit down on the step all the time. A real time saver as you don't have to untie and retie the laces...^-^

An inroduction into this custom here in Japan. Comments welcome...

Running errands...a productive 2 hours

Another hot day...the temps have been in the 80s and 90s for almost 3 weeks now, and with the humidity over 80%, it's been uncomfortable, to say the least.

So I decided today to try and get all my errands done at once:

• bakery: a nice sesame loaf for the next few days and today's breakfast of a raisin and Camembert cheese bun (raisins in the bun surrounding a chuck of cheese) and a cream bun (custard cream in a soft bun)....made a cup of raspberry flavored black tea about 20 minutes for my travel mug before leaving the house, and it was just the right temperature by the time I ate on the way to central Yokosuka
• office supply store: ran out of yellow ink in my printer yesterday, only to discover I had already used the yellow in the set I have, so on top of a full set of ink cartridges, one separate yellow
• gas station: filled up my tank (18.8 liters/approx 5 gal...half a tank) for ¥2388 which, at our present yen rate of ¥85 to $1 comes to $28.10 or $5.62/gal
• car dealer: my remote key has been acting up, taking 3, 4, sometimes 5 clicks to lock/unlock...had a new battery installed in 5 minutes for ¥500...talk about service...I pulled in the parking space head first, and the salesman actually turned my car around so I wouldn't have to back into traffic!
• post office: sent off 2 books I sold through Amazon Marketplace...checked my account balance to find a student paid me early for our next 10 lessons, bless her heart!
• convenience store: paid off July co-op purchases...next month, should be an automatic bank withdrawal...bought a few snacks while there...bad habit, I know

After sitting in the air conditioned car for a couple of hours, I just couldn't open up the apartment to the heat and humidity and have had the A/C going all afternoon. The sun will be down in an hour or so, at which time I will open the curtains and all the windows and turn off the unit...if I don't do that, I will never get to sleep tonight in my un-airconditioned bedroom....^-^

A late lunch, some reading (rereading Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke for the 3rd time...), a nap (Zip, my dog buddy from next door kept me company), here and there on the internet, and now it's almost evening TV time. Just another day in the life!

Monday morning

Most people dread Monday mornings....time to go back to work after an all too short weekend. For me, though, Monday is very relaxing...it's my day off! Since I work on Saturdays, my weekends are Sundays and Mondays....^-^ And I find it's more convenient that way as the banks are open, the stores aren't crowded and neither are the roads. Trust me, there are many weekends when you do not want to be on the beach road that runs by my home...the traffic can be horrendous at times!

Got up this morning to clouds and wind...oh, and don't forget the moisture and salt the wind carries along. You should see the windows on the beach side of my apartment...almost opaque from the salt and practically dripping from the moisture. A good day to go out for breakfast..right?

Recently I've become a regular customer at the Starbucks in Hayama (葉山 = leafy hill), the town next to Akiya (秋谷 = autumn valley) where I live. I needed to get to the supermarket nearby today, so off I went for a lavender tea latte and a cinnamon roll...took my book and a scarf (can't stand A/C) and was happy to find my favorite corner table open...perfect!

I'm always surprised by the number of elderly customers...something I've never really seen much of in Starbucks in the States..or at least the ones I've been to. However, there aren't any other coffee shops in that neighborhood, so maybe that's why.

This morning, a couple of elderly ladies came in together...they spent a good 5 minutes asking the barista questions about the best drink, then the best size for them. Once they sat down and got comfortable, the conversation turned to none other than cell phones! I looked over to see both phones on the table as they spent some time showing each other all the things they've learned...I had to chuckle when one of them piped up with 'I finally learned how to find my own phone number!' Both had lots of gray hair, and one was wearing hearing aids...it was really quite cute!

On the way home, it was a battle with the wind...in my little car, you need to have both hands firmly on the steering wheel, especially when you hit the area with open ocean on one side of the road. There's this long curve where the winds from Hayama hit the winds from Akiya, and it's almost like being in a whirlwind...you definitely have to pay attention or you'll wind up loosing control. I don't recommend trying it on a motorcycle or bicycle!

And now I have the rest of the day (it's only 11am) to read, play on the internet and, later on, watch some TV...may even take a nap after lunch...^-^

A sigh of relief

I started a class of 3 year olds last August with great trepidation. I mean, really, they can barely speak their own language...! And I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep them under control. It's turned out to be great fun...we're in the process of learning 5 songs, names of colors and numbers. Oh, and a few animals here and there.

Been a little worried as 2 of the 3 girls in the class just didn't seem to be able to remember the words...we only have 2 lessons a month, and it seemed like just enough time in between for them to forget everything.

However, today was different...I could actually hear all 3 singing the parts of songs they remember, we did really well with 1 to 5, and they all had a great time coloring in Super Dad pictures for Father's Day. Lots of Hi 5s...what is it about kids and Hi 5s?

So it is with a huge sigh of relief that I sit here, listening to the sound of the waves and the rain...time to have a snack and get a cup of coffee going as a reward to a lesson well done by all!

It's here!

As of yesterday, the rainy season has arrived in the Kanto area, according to the weather people. So what happens? We had a gorgeous sunny morning...go figure!

I have come the the conclusion that we shouldn't call it the rainy season, but the monsoon season. My reasoning? Last week, during an English lesson, my student asked me when the rainy season was in Seattle, and she was very surprised to learn it's in the winter.

Japan turns subtropical in June..today's humidity proves that...and the rains are the beginning of the hot season. This is just like other Asian countries...India, Cambodia, the Philippines for example. And the rain clouds definitely come from the south, bringing lots of moisture that sticks around throughout the summer...after the rains are gone, it's just hot and humid.

Due to all of this, many Japanese just assume that everyone's rainy season is in the summer. It takes me awhile to explain the geography around Seattle and that, although the surrounding areas get snow, this turns into a cold rain around the city. Another example I bring up is Southern California, which also gets its only rain in the winter...I have memories of the winter thunder storms from the 3 years I lived in the LA and Orange County areas.

So I will rephrase my beginning sentence: As of yesterday, the monsoon season has arrived in the Kanto area, according to the weather people.

A quiet Friday afternoon

A gray day...quite warm with high humidity...a preview to the monsoon season which is forecast to start next week in the Kanto area where I live. Unfortunately the rains are very necessary to help the rice grow...at least, it's a warm rain, although some days can be a little chilly....will keep a fleece pullover out just in case.

Went to Zushi this afternoon...had to go to the banks, and I was surprised at how quiet it was around the station and the local shopping area. I mean, it's Friday which is usually not a good time to go to any bank, especially in the afternoon....long lines are a given. But today, I didn't have to wait at either of the banks I visited! Proof, perhaps, that the economy has not recovered as much as the government wants us to think....

Had lunch at Lapereau for the first time in 3 weeks...cabbage and potato pasta with anchovy sauce...trust me, it tastes oh so much better than it sounds with super crunchy garlic scattered throughout. A couple of older ladies were at the other end of the counter, and they talked and talked and talked the entire time I was there...I had to laugh as they bowed to me on my way out...their way of apologizing?

And of course, the big news today is the start of the 2010 World Cup...football to most of the world and soccer to those of us from the US. Not a fan, but still excited that it's all happening in Africa! Go, South Africa...you've done a great job so far, and I will be watching with the hopes that all goes well throughout the month. And may you go all the way to the top!!! Wouldn't that just be so wonderful?

Running out of new material to read...picked up Stranger In A Strange Land for the umpteenth time, but debating whether I really want to read it again. It's the only Heinlein I kept when I cleaned out my shelves some years back...I guess because it's the first of his works I read...back in 1967...when I lived in LA that year I took off from college. I can still remember how shocking it was to my 18 year old psyche and how it pales compared to the DH series of today, for example. Still a good read, though...yes, I think I will continue with it.

Ah, the sound of the ocean...one of the best things about this time of year is being able to sit with the window open on the beach side of my apartment. It's only a little after 9, but sitting here listening to the waves washing up on the shore is making me very sleepy. Guess I will take Zip home early tonight and go to bed myself....my next door neighbor's fox terrier comes over a few nights a week to sleep on my sheepskin for as long as I let him....more on him another time.

Come to think of it, my first lesson tomorrow is at 6:30...gads, what a way to start off my Saturdays! G'nite, world!!

A new year

Here in Japan, the fiscal year ends on March 31st, so this is a busy time for many people... graduation ceremonies, college freshmen moving into new living quarters, employees being transferred to different departments and branches...moving vans are a common sight these days. Many of my students sound exhausted...even if they are staying in their present position, they will be saying goodbye to some team members and welcoming new members...the pressure of change can be serious.

On a lighter note, it's also the time for the television season to end, creating new programs  and the change of personalities, especially news anchors....my favorite evening anchor is moving to a morning program...I have no idea who her replacement is and can't make a judgment, but she will be missed. I guess I could watch her new spot, but unfortunately I'll be teaching at that time.

Even the weather is following the flow...it's supposed to stay cold until March 31st!

(I am very proud of myself...this week, I've posted twice here, once so far on my Japanese blog, tweeted a little and sent out a newsletter to my Abundance Sharing mailing list...and all the while, I've spent time reading...both social issue related and fun books...watched all my favorite TV programs and even played with family and friends on Facebook! Oh, and I almost forgot..I posted daily on my Kiva team page...^-^)

Spring? What ? Where? Are you sure?

Up until last week, it looked like spring was here to stay...then March 21st...the first day of spring...suddenly we are back to cold winter rain! Reminds me of the PNW (sorry, sisters..^-^) And it looks like the weather is going to stay cold for the next few days...sigh...the forecast is for snow in parts of Tokyo tonight!!!

The cherry blossoms started blooming in the Kanto area on the 21st...a week earlier than usual...driving around today, the buds on most trees look like they're ready to burst any second...all we need is another warm day. At this rate, with the cold temperatures, the trees will be blooming right on schedule!

Took a short trip into Yokohama today to meet a new friend...we became aware of each other through the Art of Non-Conformity, Chris Guillebeau's blog. ET is also a coach and an expat...on the other side of the Pacific. It was interesting to compare our situations over lunch and coffee/tea. I look forward to getting to know her better through email, blogs and twitter.

As long as I was out and about, I went looking for a pair of Zumba shoes...I'm getting my DVDs back on Sunday and want to get started again next week. Of course, since Zumba isn't exactly well known here yet, I asked for something that would be good for aerobics...the store clerk spent quite a bit of time explaining the difference choices. Amazing how light the pair I purchased are...I'm trying to break them in by wearing them around for a few days, and so far they are really comfortable. Good ankle and heel support with flexibility in the front...not sure of the color, but there wasn't too much to choose from. Bring it on...I'm ready!!!

And on that note, I'm off to fix dinner...