What's my size? Shopping for clothes in Japan requires a lot of patience if you're like me...curvy. The Japanese women don't have a lot of curves. I quickly found I could possibly fit into the larger sizes, sometimes. Japanese malls and shopping districts are full of cute clothes, but the days of walking into a store and choosing what's on the rack are no more. It took me having Q baby and losing the weight for me to be okay with this. Before that, shopping for clothes not so fun.
As expected, Tokyo has the best and wildest choices of clothes and accessories. And as expected, Tokyo has some of the most outrageous prices. For me, shopping can be therapeutic - even if I don't buy anything. So shopping in Tokyo is a great time even if I only come home with a belt or a hair clip.
Shopping for other items in Japan can be a hoot! The Japanese version of the Dollar store, called 100Yen store, can be a fun date, motivation for good behavior, or a mini escape from overwhelming daily demands. From gift boxes to purses, or chopsticks to underwear you can find practically everything you didn't know you didn't have. My favorite items are the things with Engrish phrases on them. The best we've seen so far was a T-shirt that said, "Body Strong, Willing Heart, The Sky is Sleeping!" Wish I had a picture of that one and the cute little Japanese boy who was wearing it.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Driving in Japan
No street signs? You've got to be kidding me! Getting around in this unbelievably ordered country is an adventure to say the least. The order, however, does not transfer to street names and addresses. No seriously, there are NO street names and addresses. Directions to anywhere include passing or turning at a Lawson's convenient store. The trick is knowing which Lawson's, as the streets are littered with them. In addition: narrow streets, nonexistent sidewalks in many areas, and - oh yes - driving is done on the left side of the road. Once you've got that down you HAVE to be on guard at all times as the car in front of you will stop without warning. Usually to talk on the cell phone. You could simply be selecting your favorite tune on your Ipod, then you look up to see hazards flashing and break lights lighting up on the car ahead. Cat-like reactions are needed to avoid a collision!
Hard to believe? The country is strict with many rules. Yet, they allow TVs to play on a car's dashboard while driving...baffling!
Hard to believe? The country is strict with many rules. Yet, they allow TVs to play on a car's dashboard while driving...baffling!
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| Approaching a road construction site... |
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| My FAVORITE construction warning robot worker with a hard hat!! |
Week 4 - No crisis or surprises
Now that we have time to breath, Roxanna realizes her brain has stopped functioning properly.
Mark said...
Mark said...
Week 3 Earthquake
So we're settling in. Feels good, then why do we feel like we're on a ship in choppy waters? Oh, I guess that would be the 6.8 EARTHQUAKE!!! Actually, the center was about 60 miles south, so what we felt was a 5.2 for 40 seconds. More than anything I'd like to experience again. You might wonder how we handled it all. Well, the kids would have slept right through it if it wasn't for all the screaming Roxanna was doing and the efforts Mark was making to calm her down. They might have slept threw that too, maybe, if they hadn't been yanked out of bed and out onto the sidewalk by their hysterical mother and their accommodating father. After the kids were settled in bed again, Roxanna researched emergency preparedness tactics suggested by the American Red Cross. What she discovered were similar to Mark's seemingly useless suggestions: "stay calm, stay inside, and take cover." Her favorite was, "if you're in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow." What it boils down to is that there is not a whole lot you can do to save yourself from an earthquake. We've decided to pray more ;-)
Week 2 - ER visit
Keeps getting interesting. Luckily the hospital is just a block away, since Roxanna couldn't find her keys to take Campbell to the emergency room. Poor guy had to walk as he struggled to be brave despite the immense pain he could feel in his whole body - thanks to the broken middle finger of his right hand. Yes, he is right handed - but he overcame that hurdle. Just days later he managed to master the art of riding his bike without training wheels. One week post the stitches and splint were removed. The finger is healing fine thanks to cautious Campbell's diligent protection of it.
Week 1 - What jet lag?
Hold your breath, things get interesting. Thursday our first hours in Misawa - we decide the best thing to do is eat and sleep. Day two, we enjoy some 4th of July day time festivities on base, then join friends at a BBQ. Day 3, Mark is called into work as a crime committed the night before threatens relations with our host nation. Roxanna and kids are shouffered to a horse park with some wicked slides and yes, horses. That night we get a phone call that the stake president wanted to meet with Mark in the morning. A leader picks Mark up early for church, Roxanna gets the kids ready and a friend drives them to church where Roxanna learns Mark has been asked to serve as the first counselor in the new branch presidency (basically like the 2nd in charge of the congregation and all church dealings in the branch). He didn't even know who the new branch president was. The announcement is made in sacrament and the congregation is slightly confused when very few recognized the name, "Mark Patterson."
The next few days consists of a boat load of information about what the base offers, local customs, warnings, and a driving course. The course taughts us some road symbols, driving laws, and common sense stuff. One of Japan's driving laws is NO cell phone use while driving. So most Japanese will pull over the side of the shoulder less road with almost no notice, to talk on the phone. Which means if you are behind one of these drivers, you must hit the brakes and go around the car when it's safe to do so. This sounds very dangerous, but the average speed in the area is around 25 miles an hour. Have things slowed down for us, you may wonder? Well, at least in the car they have ;-)
The next few days consists of a boat load of information about what the base offers, local customs, warnings, and a driving course. The course taughts us some road symbols, driving laws, and common sense stuff. One of Japan's driving laws is NO cell phone use while driving. So most Japanese will pull over the side of the shoulder less road with almost no notice, to talk on the phone. Which means if you are behind one of these drivers, you must hit the brakes and go around the car when it's safe to do so. This sounds very dangerous, but the average speed in the area is around 25 miles an hour. Have things slowed down for us, you may wonder? Well, at least in the car they have ;-)
Arrive in Misawa
After a shuttle ride to the international airport, charter bus to the domestic airport (1 hour), and over an hour flight to Misawa, we arrived. Smaller airport, but bigger attention to our crew. Almost the entire legal office were there to greet us, provide us a ride to the base hotel, and help us with bags all the way to our room stocked with basic essentials (food, drinks, and a goody bag for the kids).
Tokyo in an hour
Breakfast was traditional and nontraditional. Miso soup, steamed rice, sliced veggies, eggs, bacon , and fruit were just some of the menu items. There was something for everyone. We just caught the bus to a nearby mall, to see what we could see - only little time before our trip to our final destination of Misawa. Lots of shops and a stop at McDonald's and Baskin Robbins for lunch and treat. You might think McDonald's isn't very adventurous, but Mark and Eva agreed the fried shrimp burger was and tasty. Baskin Robbins turned out to be just familiar ground, despite trying the army green colored ice cream that may have been seaweed or green tea...oops! Back on the bus, but this time it's so crowded that our entire clan only fit on the steps next to the door. Yes, we prayed the doors wouldn't come open or we wouldn't get in an accident.
13hrs in the air
The whole gang did very well for 13 hours. Lots of leapster lmax playing, some reading, some sleeping, a little picking at the food, minimal outburst, and no obviously annoyed passengers. In fact, some even thought Micheil to be pretty cute. It was musical seats for most of the way, with Mark and Roxanna holding on to their own for the whole flight. Roxanna felt like She-Ra the Warrior Princess compared to her Japanese counterparts. Janelle was happy she felt tall for once.
Other than getting by with VERY little Japanese ("hello" and "thank you"), Roxanna had to suck it up and accept the uncomfortable Japanese cultural lack of personal space as some rubbed her very pregnant belly for good measure (she normally loathes that). Mark was disappointed when he realized he forgot to request vegetarian dishes before boarding. He got by with all the bread, veggies, and dessert no one else would.
We landed in Tokyo and discovered only one of our 9 bags was lost. The language barrier slowed the processes of retrieving it only slightly. It arrived at the hotel only 3 days later. Customs was not a problem, except for the confiscation of children's scissors from Eva's backpack. They were very apologetic for having to take it. Of course we were a bit embarrassed and a lot of head bowing took place from both parties. As Mark noticed one of the bizarre Japanese signs (two chicks sitting down drinking tea - what the heck did that mean??), he instructed the rest about the frequency of such unexplainable signs we'll encounter in the country.
We arrive at the Hilton by shuttle. Too tired to eat, we decide to shower up and turn in - local time 6:30pm; EST 5:30am. However, the little ones bounced on the bed (only a foot off the floor) for hours before passing out. Roxanna begins rousing around 3:30am local time when the sun starts shinning its pretty little head. She manages to toss and turn till 6:30am when she and Mark can hit the gym.
Other than getting by with VERY little Japanese ("hello" and "thank you"), Roxanna had to suck it up and accept the uncomfortable Japanese cultural lack of personal space as some rubbed her very pregnant belly for good measure (she normally loathes that). Mark was disappointed when he realized he forgot to request vegetarian dishes before boarding. He got by with all the bread, veggies, and dessert no one else would.
We landed in Tokyo and discovered only one of our 9 bags was lost. The language barrier slowed the processes of retrieving it only slightly. It arrived at the hotel only 3 days later. Customs was not a problem, except for the confiscation of children's scissors from Eva's backpack. They were very apologetic for having to take it. Of course we were a bit embarrassed and a lot of head bowing took place from both parties. As Mark noticed one of the bizarre Japanese signs (two chicks sitting down drinking tea - what the heck did that mean??), he instructed the rest about the frequency of such unexplainable signs we'll encounter in the country.
We arrive at the Hilton by shuttle. Too tired to eat, we decide to shower up and turn in - local time 6:30pm; EST 5:30am. However, the little ones bounced on the bed (only a foot off the floor) for hours before passing out. Roxanna begins rousing around 3:30am local time when the sun starts shinning its pretty little head. She manages to toss and turn till 6:30am when she and Mark can hit the gym.
Japan, here we come!
Here we go...
On our way to Baltimore - after more than a 2 week stint in a bed and breakfast, two hotels, and dear friends' houses - we were feeling pretty peaceful before our long haul to Japan. We arrive at BWI unscathed despite suffering serious axle damage to our recently purchased 2008 Toyota Sienna. There was nothing we could do to remedy the van since we had to put it in storage for the next 3 years - we'll deal with it then. No need to go into how the damage occurred, suffice it to day no one was hurt.
First stop, Detroit. Everyone did well with the exception of the older gentleman sitting in front of a 3 1/2 year old chipmunk, aka Micheil. He didn't appreciate the kicks to his seat. Roxanna's encouragement to him was a reminder that he was the adult and it was a short flight. Micheil was content and clueless to the man's annoyance. Unbeknown to Mark what was happening, he publicly praised Micheil for his good behavior during the whole flight as everyone prepared to exit the plane. That caused a chuckle from Roxanna and possible embarrassment from the impatient stranger. Word to the sympathetically annoyed...buy 1st class.
Next stop, Tokyo.
On our way to Baltimore - after more than a 2 week stint in a bed and breakfast, two hotels, and dear friends' houses - we were feeling pretty peaceful before our long haul to Japan. We arrive at BWI unscathed despite suffering serious axle damage to our recently purchased 2008 Toyota Sienna. There was nothing we could do to remedy the van since we had to put it in storage for the next 3 years - we'll deal with it then. No need to go into how the damage occurred, suffice it to day no one was hurt.
First stop, Detroit. Everyone did well with the exception of the older gentleman sitting in front of a 3 1/2 year old chipmunk, aka Micheil. He didn't appreciate the kicks to his seat. Roxanna's encouragement to him was a reminder that he was the adult and it was a short flight. Micheil was content and clueless to the man's annoyance. Unbeknown to Mark what was happening, he publicly praised Micheil for his good behavior during the whole flight as everyone prepared to exit the plane. That caused a chuckle from Roxanna and possible embarrassment from the impatient stranger. Word to the sympathetically annoyed...buy 1st class.
Next stop, Tokyo.
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Hmmm... Not sure about that! As presiding and conducting authority for our Sacrament meeting in Church, I was a bit unsettled having literally every aspect of the meeting appearing to fall through as Church began: no organist, no songs, no prayers, no bread, no speakers. Thankfully, it did all work out. My new motto in Church (with apologies to the animated movie, "Madagascar"): "Just smile and wave boys; just smile and wave."