Kelly in Japan

Furniture and Karaoke

// March 8th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Uncategorized

Sorry if anyone was unable to access the blog this weekend. Apparently my host took a nap on Friday. But it’s awake now, without me doing anything. *Sigh* I’ve had this problem before, but I’m too lazy to transfer hosts … Maybe one day it will go up in flames and then I’ll be forced to make the switch …

Yesterday Ashley took us across town to Jumbo Encho in her car, and we bought a bunch of fabulous stuff we’ve been needing. We got a rug for the living room, a REAL KOTATSU BLANKET!!!!, and two floor chairs to sit in while under the kotatsu. As a result of these purchases, we were able to rearrange the living room today. It looks much more spacious, and Caspian has confirmed his approval of the new kotatsu arrangement. We also bought strawberries and Dr. Pepper, so I’ve been sitting in my comfy new chair drinking Dr. Pepper and watching the internets. Such a nice day!

Karaoke is hugely popular here in Japan. However, instead of performance karaoke like we have in the states, Japanese karaoke consists of small private rooms where people can sing with a small group of friends. Usually people smoke in the little rooms, which can get pretty old pretty fast. So last night I organized a “no-smokey” karaoke. Here is the poem I wrote for the invite:

The weather has been cold and rainy;
Made you grumpy and complainy.
Up until all hours grading,
Now your energy is fading.
Stop your grumbling and your yawning!
Tests are done, and hope is dawning!

Though the week has been severe,
Saturday is finally here.
Forget about the ones employing –
Now it’s time for some enjoying!
Nothing’s more revitalizing
Than some friendly harmonizing!

Just one simple caveat –
Smelly hair is not so hot.
For the loveliest vibrato,
Leave those cigs at your apato.
Join us as we sing no-smokey.
Let’s all playing karaoke!

We gathered a small group of friends go out and sing. Before dinner, Joe and Andrea invited us over for chili and cornbread. Joe is a great cook, and we always enjoy going over there. We’ll be sad when they leave in July. :( Karaoke was a blast, though. We sang everything from Alicia Keys to Disney, from M.I.A. to Elton John, and from Weezer to Celine Dion.

Fabulous.

February rocks

// February 3rd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

February is already better than January.

Kelly Picking Strawberries

On Sunday, I went strawberry picking with my onsen girls, Ashley and Andrea. We wanted to take the boys but didn’t have enough seats in the car. The boys said they’d live, so it was just the three of us beautiful ladies in the strawberry greenhouse! Of course, the worst part is that I forgot my camera, but Ashley remembered hers (see pic). We got all-you-can-eat strawberries for thirty minutes, for 1500 yen. For those of you who think that isn’t such a good deal, consider the following: how expensive fruit is in Japan (you have no idea) and the amount of strawberries you can actually eat in thirty minutes (any more would make you sick). They gave us condensed milk to dip our strawberries in, but we clever things brought chocolate syrup in our purses and proceeded to continue with the dipping delight long after the condensed milk was gone. Just pluck, dip, and eat. SO DELICIOUS!

It was a really beautiful day, so after strawberries we decided to go down to Lake Tanuki to take pictures of Mount Fuji reflected in the water. We made it down to the first photo site and started taking pictures of ourselves against the backdrop of Mount Fuji (didn’t make it to the reflection place). Instantly, and I kid you not, we were accosted by five or six different photographers, each carrying at least one Nikon with huge, intimidating lenses and asking to take our picture. So we posed for pictures for awhile. Then we decided we felt silly enough and that it was time to leave. Ashley asked me to take one more of her, with her camera. As soon as she went back to the posing spot, we were accosted by three or four more photographers. This went on for a ridiculously long time. I guess the sight of three gaijin girls plus a crystal clear view of Mount Fuji was more than the poor photogs could handle. Ah, well. I guess I can relate. If anybody finds us on Google, please let me know. I’d like a high-res version, since I forgot my own camera.

Girls with Mount Fuji

Today is Setsubun. I was told to throw beans out of the house and yell, “Oni wa soto!” (this scares away the demons) and “Fuku wa uchi!” (good luck/gods inside). I went to the store but they didn’t appear to have any special beans for Setsubun. I do have some red beans I bought awhile back. I think I will throw some out the window before bed, just in case.

I got my first Japanese haircut today. Not my first haircut in Japan, mind you, but my first haircut where I didn’t try to make the poor Japanese stylists do something Western. I just plopped down in the seat, gestured in the general direction of a few cuts I’d picked from a magazine, and said, “Nan de mo ii” (anything is fine). The girl was awesome and we had a funny conversation in my terrible Japanese and her worse English. And I ended up with a pretty decent cut - better than last time, for sure. So I’ve decided that “Nan de mo ii” is the way to go.

We are going to Yuki Matsuri (snow festival) in Hokkaido this weekend, so I’ve got to make sure the cameras are cleaned off and charged. But now Kory is opening and closing doors in the bedroom, so I think it’s time for sleep.

Better go get those beans.