I realize my last post was a bit crabby sounding..it was a rough week, and didn't seem like much was going right...but this past week has been much better!
On Saturday, our friend Emiko, who I have met through a friend in Hancock, Blake Freeman (thanks Blake!)took us to Asakusa. Asakusa is a place that has stayed traditional Japanese- architecture, shrines, etc. Emiko was a most gracious and wonderful tour guide, and we were so grateful that we had the chance to go with her. That being said, I believe our two girls were possessed by the devil that day. While we dragged two crabby, emotional and (sorry to say) annoying children everywhere, we tried to enjoy the sites and the history of it all. We had the opportunity to see visit the Sensoji Temple, get our photo taken with a nice big Buddah,stick our face in the smoke pot (ok, it was an incense pot and I was the only one who did it), and just look at a traditional Japanese area...very neat. I am hoping that Emiko will want to get together again, so we can treat her to her favorite American dish- Sloppy Joes!! :)
Here is a site, if you are interested: http://www.tokyoessentials.com/asakusa.html
I still didn't get my cell phone....we applied almost 4 weeks ago, and found out Friday that they couldn't verify our credit (or course..since we just got here), so we would have to start the entire application process over...NOT cool. Scott and I have decided that it isn't worth saving $100 to go through the same frustration again, so we are heading out tomorrow to just purchase one instead. YAHOO.
We also found out our shipment has arrived and will be delivered next Monday through Wednesday. That was enough to make me a very happy camper. Our beds, our furniture, our stuff. We can finally start making this feel like home. Next week is going to be a wonderful week!!
This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to go to the Setsuban festival. It is a festival to welcome Spring- bring in good luck, out with evil. It was a very interesting festival- they first had 4 Japanese comedians take the stage...no idea what they were saying, but I felt like I was watching So you want to be on a Japanese Gameshow. After that, they had a parade of people walking up to the Temple. It took place at the Zojoji temple, and the parade had some Buddhist Priests, followed by children wearing masks of the devil, followed by loads of people who were born in the Year of the Tiger. Next, a bunch of people came out with boxes and boxes of hard, wrapped rice balls. They threw these out into the crowd, and they did NOT feel good to get hit with. I saw a few smart people wearing helmets (of course, I thought they were silly, until I got hit with a hard rice ball...then realized that maybe they are a bit smarter than I originally thought!). Then, they started throwing small packs of beans out into the crowd. I have never seen so many older ladies and men jostling for position and so competitive about doing anything, must less about catching little packs of beans! While they were throwing them out, they kept yelling Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi! (which means Devils out, good luck in!) over and over and over. Apparently, you are supposed to eat the number of beans that you are old, and that will bring you good luck for the upcoming year. After that, some men, dressed as devils came out, and the school kids chased them around the stage throwing beans at them. I am not sure what the bean significance is, but apparently, here, Beans are good...very good. They did a big thing at both Maya and Hanna's schools, so they were very into beans and the devil this week...very weird combo if you ask me.
I also have started taking Tennis lessons every Friday and am so happy that I have started to make some friends there as well. One, Laura, is a U.S. Embassy employee's wife. We get along quite well. She has a 4 year old daughter, and access to the Embassy courts..so we are going to start playing and hitting the ball around down there. Tennis is very expensive, and these courts are free to Embassy employees and their families...so I am quite excited! She also took me to the convenience store on site at the Embassy- I was able to buy sour cream (yeah! You can only get teeny, tiny containers of sour cream here, and it is traditional, old school, thick as you get, make you want to throw up sour cream!!), shredded cheddar cheese, and best of all, TURKEY lunchmeat!! I hate to say it, but buying those three things made my entire day. You can not buy turkey here in any Japanese grocery store. You can buy it at one international deli, but it costs about $6 for 6 slices...not going to buck up for that very often. I was THRILLED!! It is truly the little things that can make a huge difference.
I am having issues posting any pictures of multitude on this site...I can do one at a time, etc., but haven't been able to figure out if I can post albums. I have a lot of photos on my Facebook page, so if you are interested in seeing more than I have on this page, just "friend" me on Facebook, and you will be able to peruse our adventures!!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Japan...ugh. :)
Last Saturday, we took the girls out and about..took them to Omote-sando, which is Tokyo's version of Rodeo Drive. Phenomenal area- lots of money, great people watching, tons of cool shops (that we could never afford to shop in!), and a Shakey's pizza...a place in the States we never went to, but here, the girls thought it was golden. Pizza, drinks and some random other things (one pizza was corn pizza, one was S'more pizza...with marshmallows, chocolate and banana pudding-- quite weird, if you ask me..even the girls thought it was a bit strange). From there, we took the girls to see the interesting College kids (that I talked about in my last blog) dressed up in Character, as well as to check out the Rockabillies in Yoyogi-Park. Their favorite part though, was the Dog Park, where they got to go in and pet/play with a bunch of dogs.
We also had the opportunity to get out with some of Scott's co-workers from Stryker Kalamazoo. We went to an Indian restaurant and had a ton of laughs and a very good time. The funniest part was the "burglar" alarm in the bathroom...I couldn't stop laughing, wondering if I had to be aware of some random burglar trying to steal my purse while I was indisposed...do I just press the button and the restaurant police come flying in? Not sure, but I definitely was not going to test it out!
Scott and I also met with our Japanese Sensei yesterday...she will be teaching us Japanese 2 days a week for 2 hours at a time. However, I could barely understand a word she said, because she talked so darn fast....so, I am hoping when the actual lessons start, I do not look like a complete moron...
I do want to tell everyone a bit of what it is like to live here in Japan- daily living. I think it is pretty typical to any big city, except the culture and language are completely foreign. My life here personally, especially right now because (a. we don't have our sea shipment (so we are living with all rental stuff) b. we don't have a car or even bicycles to make travel to the train station, grocery store, etc easier and c. I don't have a cell phone yet) has been quite difficult on a day to day basis to get anything done. In the future, when I say "it is very Japanese", you should know that means slow, deliberate and extremely FRUSTRATING. I have to go to the grocery store every other day to every third day, because I don't have b. above...and I can only purchase what I can carry home. I also have to bag my own groceries!! They give me my basket right back, and a few bags, and I have to take it to a shelf and bag my own goods! It also takes me 1 hour to get Hanna to preschool, and another hour to get her home....I thought I would have all this free time, once she was in school full time to work, workout, meet with friends, have lunch...yada, yada, yada...so far, that has happened, but stuck in between a gazillion other things that have to get done to live. That being said, there is a fantastic community of people here, and they have more than made up for any frustrations that I have been experiencing in getting things done (it all equals out, right??).
The cell phone process for us has been exceptionally frustrating. We took advantage of a deal to allow me to get a free iPhone...we applied 3 weeks ago, and it is still not here. The entire process was: us applying and sending in the forms, them proofing them but then needing to send a verification of address (so, they called one night last week and said they were going to mail us a thank you letter, so the delivery man could verify we were actually living where we said we were), and us waiting...to apply, Scott had to show proof of everything- his passport, his alien registration form, his proof of employment- ridiculous. So, they "say" I should have it by this week...though they said I should have had it by last week as well..so I am just crossing my fingers! Very Japanese! :)
Tonite, our TV died..completely died. Like I said, things have been a little bit rough- not just to get things done. Not having your own stuff really makes every day living difficult as well. A week after we got here, our slingcatcher remote stopped working (the only way you can watch the slingcatcher is with the remote!)..and Slingcatcher does not "provide service over seas" though they market their product as a global product...ugh! So, my laptop has been connected to the TV whenever we want to watch the slingbox...this worked out great, you know, until the TV died!
On a positive note- I tested out a car- a Honda Stream- tonite, and I didn't kill anyone!! I almost slammed into the back of another car (talking and driving here in Tokyo on the first attempt to drive on the wrong side of the crazy road- not a good idea!)..I thought Scott was going to have a heart attack..but I do think I can do it, and I know it will make my life a LOT easier here than it is now.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Shipment has arrived..finally! :)
Last Thursday morning our air shipment arrived. I can't believe the difference just a little bit of home makes. Maya was so excited to see our living room lamp, she sat and hugged it for a solid minute! The girls finally have toys to play with (YAHOO), our phones (please feel free to give us a call on our Portage phone number- just remember we are 14 hours ahead of EST), our slingcatcher, so we can watch our Charter TV from home (thanks Sobells!), the Wii...aahhh...not to mention boxes and boxes of food! The past few days have been much better..I can only imagine how much better it will be when we get our beds and all of our own stuff!!
On Saturday, we took the girls to the National Children's castle,and they had a blast. It had a nice big indoor playland called Waku Waku land (I will share some pictures of Scott on it soon!), as well as a craft room, rooftop play land (with little bikes), and a big white board type wall, where the girls could go get buckets of paints and paint on it--we spent a lot of time in this area.
Sunday, Dawn, a new friend of mine, took me to the 100Yen store...a nice, better version of the American Dollar store. The one we went to was in Harajuku, two train stops from our apartment. After, we took a long walk home and I got to see a few things I never thought I would see. First, let me explain that the culture here is very honorable, and based on towing the line, and basically, not standing out (nothing like you would see in the U.S.!). They have beer in vending machines, and you can literally leave something outside the train station and come back an hour later, and it will still be there! (I leave my umbrella stroller there every day while I bring Hanna to school..one day I went back for it 3 hours later and it was still in the exact same spot, unlocked, where I left it). That being said, the young adults, mostly college age, go down to Harajuku every Sunday dressed normally, rolling small suitcases behind them...go into the bathroom and come out dressed up as complete freaks! Actually, they pick their favorite character (I am told, but I am not sure where the characters are from) and dress up as it...so they have spiked, colored crazy hair, huge black platform shoes, crazy getups, crazy makeup....it is very weird. People go to just take photos and see it...it is the one time a week where they can just be- whoever they want to be, however they want to be and they don't have to worry about not fitting the mold. It is kind of sad, but in the same respect, pretty admirable- that this thing they do that allows them some freedom to be themselves and let loose is completely harmless and peaceful...
The second stop we made on the walk home was to see the Rockabilies. They "perform" in Yoyogi Park. They are a HUGE group of adults- all ages, that are regular working people during the week- that dress in 1950's U.S. outfits and hairstyles (so think black leather jackets with the name of their "gang" on the back, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, greased back hair etc.), and they do the dances from the 50's- the mashed potato, etc.. It was very peculiar, and they seemed to be having a fantastic time doing it. Pink ladies, anyone???
This Monday marked the first week of work for Scott here in Japan- taking the train to work every day, and getting home a bit later than he normally did in the states. It has been a pretty good week for him overall and he hasn't complained once about the train ride there and back. Yesterday he did come home though and say he took a train that was the most crowded he has ever been on here- he couldn't even lift his arms up, and when the train swayed, the entire crowd in the train swayed together. Crazy.
Today, for me, was a GREAT day- best I have had yet here in Tokyo. I managed to find my way to the Roppongi station and back this morning. I start my tennis lessons tomorrow morning and had NO idea where I was even going. From there, I took the train to a station I had only been to once, and somehow, found my way to the Shibuya Ward office to pick up our Alien Registration Cards. On my way back, I was trying to find another train station that I have never been too...and wasn't quite sure where the I was going...so I turned to an Asian woman standing next to me, thinking I would use one of the four Japanese words I know- Sumimasan (excuse me), and just say the name of the station, and see if she could point me in the right direction...well, she turned out to speak perfect English, and was from Colorado!! So, we walked to the station, and realized that we had girls the same ages (6 & 4) and live in the same general area! So, we are planning to get together and let the girls play soon...just goes to show you, you never know who you will meet, and where it will happen! So, I come home from this little adventure feeling pretty good about myself- traveled all over, didn't get lost, etc., etc. etc....went over to my friend Dawn's house, and got lost walking back!! She literally lives 10-15 minutes away....but none of the streets have names on them, and they all just intertwine.....so I walked around like an idiot for about 20 minutes before I found my way back to a major street and could get myself back home!!
I also had the opportunity to meet up with a group of women for Coffee at Starbucks this past Tuesday. They seem like a really nice group of women. I have found that everyone is so helpful and kind- they have all been in our boat at one time- the new person/family, without a clue as to how to live or get around in Tokyo...they offered up some really good tips and tricks that I am sure will help my transition a ton. I have also been invited to a movie night at one of their houses...really looking forward to getting together with them and getting to know everyone a little better. My neighbor Karen also spent about 2 hours with me yesterday- giving me a personal tour of Yoyogi-Uehara- showed me a few other parks to take the girls, a place to bring them to ride bikes, another grocery store that delivers...what that help means to me- it is truly unbelievable, and I am really looking forward to the day when I know enough to pay it forward!
Maya is finally getting used to the commute to school. After being sick for two days last week, she really struggled and was pretty petrified to get back on that bus on Monday. Tuesday, she actually ran OFF the bus, bawling her little head off...it was a horrible way for her to start her day, and a horrible feeling for me to have to force her back on that bus to go to school for the day. Needless to say, she didn't die from it, and the past few days has become friends with another little girl on that bus, so it has been much easier getting her to get on it!!
I am going to upload some pictures tonite, so I will try to post them soon! I know I keep saying that, but I promise, I will!!
On Saturday, we took the girls to the National Children's castle,and they had a blast. It had a nice big indoor playland called Waku Waku land (I will share some pictures of Scott on it soon!), as well as a craft room, rooftop play land (with little bikes), and a big white board type wall, where the girls could go get buckets of paints and paint on it--we spent a lot of time in this area.
Sunday, Dawn, a new friend of mine, took me to the 100Yen store...a nice, better version of the American Dollar store. The one we went to was in Harajuku, two train stops from our apartment. After, we took a long walk home and I got to see a few things I never thought I would see. First, let me explain that the culture here is very honorable, and based on towing the line, and basically, not standing out (nothing like you would see in the U.S.!). They have beer in vending machines, and you can literally leave something outside the train station and come back an hour later, and it will still be there! (I leave my umbrella stroller there every day while I bring Hanna to school..one day I went back for it 3 hours later and it was still in the exact same spot, unlocked, where I left it). That being said, the young adults, mostly college age, go down to Harajuku every Sunday dressed normally, rolling small suitcases behind them...go into the bathroom and come out dressed up as complete freaks! Actually, they pick their favorite character (I am told, but I am not sure where the characters are from) and dress up as it...so they have spiked, colored crazy hair, huge black platform shoes, crazy getups, crazy makeup....it is very weird. People go to just take photos and see it...it is the one time a week where they can just be- whoever they want to be, however they want to be and they don't have to worry about not fitting the mold. It is kind of sad, but in the same respect, pretty admirable- that this thing they do that allows them some freedom to be themselves and let loose is completely harmless and peaceful...
The second stop we made on the walk home was to see the Rockabilies. They "perform" in Yoyogi Park. They are a HUGE group of adults- all ages, that are regular working people during the week- that dress in 1950's U.S. outfits and hairstyles (so think black leather jackets with the name of their "gang" on the back, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, greased back hair etc.), and they do the dances from the 50's- the mashed potato, etc.. It was very peculiar, and they seemed to be having a fantastic time doing it. Pink ladies, anyone???
This Monday marked the first week of work for Scott here in Japan- taking the train to work every day, and getting home a bit later than he normally did in the states. It has been a pretty good week for him overall and he hasn't complained once about the train ride there and back. Yesterday he did come home though and say he took a train that was the most crowded he has ever been on here- he couldn't even lift his arms up, and when the train swayed, the entire crowd in the train swayed together. Crazy.
Today, for me, was a GREAT day- best I have had yet here in Tokyo. I managed to find my way to the Roppongi station and back this morning. I start my tennis lessons tomorrow morning and had NO idea where I was even going. From there, I took the train to a station I had only been to once, and somehow, found my way to the Shibuya Ward office to pick up our Alien Registration Cards. On my way back, I was trying to find another train station that I have never been too...and wasn't quite sure where the I was going...so I turned to an Asian woman standing next to me, thinking I would use one of the four Japanese words I know- Sumimasan (excuse me), and just say the name of the station, and see if she could point me in the right direction...well, she turned out to speak perfect English, and was from Colorado!! So, we walked to the station, and realized that we had girls the same ages (6 & 4) and live in the same general area! So, we are planning to get together and let the girls play soon...just goes to show you, you never know who you will meet, and where it will happen! So, I come home from this little adventure feeling pretty good about myself- traveled all over, didn't get lost, etc., etc. etc....went over to my friend Dawn's house, and got lost walking back!! She literally lives 10-15 minutes away....but none of the streets have names on them, and they all just intertwine.....so I walked around like an idiot for about 20 minutes before I found my way back to a major street and could get myself back home!!
I also had the opportunity to meet up with a group of women for Coffee at Starbucks this past Tuesday. They seem like a really nice group of women. I have found that everyone is so helpful and kind- they have all been in our boat at one time- the new person/family, without a clue as to how to live or get around in Tokyo...they offered up some really good tips and tricks that I am sure will help my transition a ton. I have also been invited to a movie night at one of their houses...really looking forward to getting together with them and getting to know everyone a little better. My neighbor Karen also spent about 2 hours with me yesterday- giving me a personal tour of Yoyogi-Uehara- showed me a few other parks to take the girls, a place to bring them to ride bikes, another grocery store that delivers...what that help means to me- it is truly unbelievable, and I am really looking forward to the day when I know enough to pay it forward!
Maya is finally getting used to the commute to school. After being sick for two days last week, she really struggled and was pretty petrified to get back on that bus on Monday. Tuesday, she actually ran OFF the bus, bawling her little head off...it was a horrible way for her to start her day, and a horrible feeling for me to have to force her back on that bus to go to school for the day. Needless to say, she didn't die from it, and the past few days has become friends with another little girl on that bus, so it has been much easier getting her to get on it!!
I am going to upload some pictures tonite, so I will try to post them soon! I know I keep saying that, but I promise, I will!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
First week of school..first week of school!
First week of school, and what do we get?? STREP THROAT!! Today, Wednesday, started off so well- both girls were up, ready and done eating before we had to leave for the bus (yesterday, Scott and Maya had to run up the hill to catch her morning bus...from what we are told, they DO NOT wait for late comers). Maya mentioned that her throat hurt this morning, and I said (like I have said a gazillion times in the past "well, you can still go to school, and if you do not feel better by mid-morning, make sure to tell your teacher". Only problem is, school is 40 minutes away, and we do not yet have a vehicle. The school health office called around 1pm (right as I was arriving home from Costco in Kawasaki-- another 40 min away, by car), to inform Scott and I that Maya was running a fever, and she would not be able to take the bus home!! So, we had a sick Maya in Chofu, and a healthy Hanna in Omoto-sondo at preschool...who had to be picked up by 2:30...what to do, what to do? Nothing like being in a city for 8 days and having to figure out how the heck to get both of your kids, within an hour, in two opposite directions!! Luckily, a friend that I have made here, who took me out to Costco and was with me when the school called, drives, and was willing (THANK GOD) to drive me out to Chofu to get Maya, while Scott went to get Hanna...trial by fire. When we got to the health center at school, the nurses were VERY concerned that she might have H1N1- to the point where they gave me, Maya and Dawn all masks to wear around (one thing about this country- they are mask crazy!!), and insisted I bring her to the doctor to get checked out. In the states, I would have never brought her for a fever and a sore throat on the first day, but here, being that I had someone willing to drive me to the English speaking doctor, I thought it would be a good idea. There is a doctor here, Dr. Joe, educated in the U.S., who speaks perfect English, and was quite fantastic..he took one look at her throat and said he didn't even need to test it- she either had strep or another bacterial infection, as her throat was all red and swollen. So her prescribed Zithromax and we were off to the pharmacy. Zithromax (my girls are both allergic to penicillin) comes in a powder form here...much different than in the U.S., and according to Maya, not very good in taste. So..day 4 of school for Maya will be spent at home, with her parents. :)
Hanna started school on Tuesday and LOVES her preschool here at Tokyo Union Church. There are only 7 kids in her class, and she has seemed to bond with them all quite quickly. Today, day #2, she could not WAIT to get to school. For those of you who know us and know Hanna- that is quite phenomenal. Her preschool at Curious Kids in Portage this year took over 2 months before I could leave her at school without peeling her off my leg and running out the door with the teacher holding a kicking and screaming Hanna. It has made the week so much easier- knowing that both kids are adjusting and enjoying their new environments.
As I mentioned before, I took my first trip out to Costco today, and I felt right at home. I can get almost everything I can get at home there...and the prices are much less expensive than in a grocery store- even a japanese grocery store! I spent quite a bit of money, but feel like we finally have some food in our house to make lunches and send snacks to school for both girls.
Finally, our air shipment is set to arrive tomorrow morning at 9!! Yeah- we are all very excited about this. We will finally have toys, our sling catcher (to watch our american TV!), laundry baskets, bedding, our pillows, my kitchen supplies (cook wear, utensils, seasonings, my bread maker--bread here is sold in loaves of 8 or 10 slices, and milk is sold by the quart- not convenient for a family of 4!!- hangers to hang our clothes, and most important, a lot of staples from Sam's club in the states in the way of food!!). Whahooo...finally something from home (other than what we packed in our checked luggage when we travelled here last week!).
Hanna started school on Tuesday and LOVES her preschool here at Tokyo Union Church. There are only 7 kids in her class, and she has seemed to bond with them all quite quickly. Today, day #2, she could not WAIT to get to school. For those of you who know us and know Hanna- that is quite phenomenal. Her preschool at Curious Kids in Portage this year took over 2 months before I could leave her at school without peeling her off my leg and running out the door with the teacher holding a kicking and screaming Hanna. It has made the week so much easier- knowing that both kids are adjusting and enjoying their new environments.
As I mentioned before, I took my first trip out to Costco today, and I felt right at home. I can get almost everything I can get at home there...and the prices are much less expensive than in a grocery store- even a japanese grocery store! I spent quite a bit of money, but feel like we finally have some food in our house to make lunches and send snacks to school for both girls.
Finally, our air shipment is set to arrive tomorrow morning at 9!! Yeah- we are all very excited about this. We will finally have toys, our sling catcher (to watch our american TV!), laundry baskets, bedding, our pillows, my kitchen supplies (cook wear, utensils, seasonings, my bread maker--bread here is sold in loaves of 8 or 10 slices, and milk is sold by the quart- not convenient for a family of 4!!- hangers to hang our clothes, and most important, a lot of staples from Sam's club in the states in the way of food!!). Whahooo...finally something from home (other than what we packed in our checked luggage when we travelled here last week!).
Monday, January 11, 2010
Week #2
We have just started week #2 here in Tokyo, and so far, we are doing ok. This past weekend we had the opportunity to our friends from Portage over to visit, as well as check out the International market- Nissan Deli. I will have to say, I will only be shopping there if I am so homesick, I can't take it!! I got 6 slices of turkey for $6!!! My kids are just going to have to like eating Ham, because there seems to be an overabundance of Ham in this country- 3 shades, multiple shapes, single packets, large packets...they must have some unbelievably large Pig farm somewhere here that I am not yet aware of...I feel like Bubba Gump talking about his shrimp...too many options!
This week also was the beginning of school for both of our girls. Yesterday (Monday) we went to ASIJ for Family orientation. We all rode the bus out with her and home with her, which was a great comfort to her and started the day off well. Maya has Mrs. Olson for her first grade teacher, and so far, she seems fantastic. She is from Minnesota (yahoo..a mid-westerner!), has been in Japan for 22 years, and this is her last year here, as she is leaving to go back to Minnesota. We had some really good conversation with her yesterday afternoon, and feel that Maya is in a class that fits her pretty well. They focus on reading and writing a lot, which are the two things Maya loves...they treat the kids so special here when they arrive. The nice thing is, every student in that classroom has gone through the same thing she is going through- they have all been the new kid. There are 10 girls and 10 boys in her class, and she really seemed to like the majority of the girls- I think it was a very good day for her. Mrs. Olson also said Maya was right on target with what they are learning right now, so Portage schools must be doing a pretty decent job!! The busride home has a little girl, Kate, from Maya's class on it, so she was happy as a clam- they sat together and laughed and giggled the entire way home.
Today (Tuesday), Hanna started preschool at Tokyo Union Church (TUC). She has 7 kids (including her) in her class, and two teachers. We stayed with her until she went to recess at 10am, and then said our goodbyes. She seemed ok when we left, so I am hoping all is well when we pick her up. I am sure tomorrow she will grab my leg and cry like crazy when I leave her...and if it is anything like Curious Kids, it will take two months for her to stop crying and grabbing my leg...ughh!! :) At least this time, I expect it. :)
We are going to finally be able to open a bank account tonite...we have to get or passports back today before we can do it..and I am hoping to get my new iPhone as well sometime today or tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my big trip out to Costco...I am really looking forward to finally having some food in my house- and not living day to day, and visiting the same grocery store EVERY day. I am also going to join a Japanese co-op, that will have my milk, eggs, veggies and fruits delivered weekly, so I don't have to go every day to the store. I have my neighbor to neighbor friend Miwa, who is going to help me out, as everything on their site/order form is in Japanese....and, being that I have only been here for a week, haven't quite learned it yet!
Our air shipment is supposed to arrive on Thursday at 9am, so I should have my vonage phone (same number as in Portage) before too long, as well as kid's toys, bedding, and best of all, kitchen stuff!!! Whahooo!
I have alot of pictures to share, and things to share about every day life here...but they just won't be done justice if I just explain, and I don't follow it with a photo!!
This week also was the beginning of school for both of our girls. Yesterday (Monday) we went to ASIJ for Family orientation. We all rode the bus out with her and home with her, which was a great comfort to her and started the day off well. Maya has Mrs. Olson for her first grade teacher, and so far, she seems fantastic. She is from Minnesota (yahoo..a mid-westerner!), has been in Japan for 22 years, and this is her last year here, as she is leaving to go back to Minnesota. We had some really good conversation with her yesterday afternoon, and feel that Maya is in a class that fits her pretty well. They focus on reading and writing a lot, which are the two things Maya loves...they treat the kids so special here when they arrive. The nice thing is, every student in that classroom has gone through the same thing she is going through- they have all been the new kid. There are 10 girls and 10 boys in her class, and she really seemed to like the majority of the girls- I think it was a very good day for her. Mrs. Olson also said Maya was right on target with what they are learning right now, so Portage schools must be doing a pretty decent job!! The busride home has a little girl, Kate, from Maya's class on it, so she was happy as a clam- they sat together and laughed and giggled the entire way home.
Today (Tuesday), Hanna started preschool at Tokyo Union Church (TUC). She has 7 kids (including her) in her class, and two teachers. We stayed with her until she went to recess at 10am, and then said our goodbyes. She seemed ok when we left, so I am hoping all is well when we pick her up. I am sure tomorrow she will grab my leg and cry like crazy when I leave her...and if it is anything like Curious Kids, it will take two months for her to stop crying and grabbing my leg...ughh!! :) At least this time, I expect it. :)
We are going to finally be able to open a bank account tonite...we have to get or passports back today before we can do it..and I am hoping to get my new iPhone as well sometime today or tomorrow.
Tomorrow is my big trip out to Costco...I am really looking forward to finally having some food in my house- and not living day to day, and visiting the same grocery store EVERY day. I am also going to join a Japanese co-op, that will have my milk, eggs, veggies and fruits delivered weekly, so I don't have to go every day to the store. I have my neighbor to neighbor friend Miwa, who is going to help me out, as everything on their site/order form is in Japanese....and, being that I have only been here for a week, haven't quite learned it yet!
Our air shipment is supposed to arrive on Thursday at 9am, so I should have my vonage phone (same number as in Portage) before too long, as well as kid's toys, bedding, and best of all, kitchen stuff!!! Whahooo!
I have alot of pictures to share, and things to share about every day life here...but they just won't be done justice if I just explain, and I don't follow it with a photo!!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Crazy first few days in Tokyo
So...I am sure you may be wondering how the first few days of ours have gone in Tokyo....a bit difficult to say whether they have been good or bad...really, they have been different, overwhelming, emotional and crazy. Can 4 days cover all those things?
We arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday (Monday in the U.S)...the flight was 13 hours, the time difference is 14 hours. Four days later, and we are still not sleeping well. The girls were fantastic on the flight over- Maya thought it was like staying in a "hotel" in the air, while Hanna was just glad she could watch whatever she wanted and didn't have to "compromise" with Maya. By the time we got to our hotel, it was 7pm, and we were all beat. Scott went down and grabbed McDonald's from the bottom floor of the hotel...needless to say, he did NOT get it right, according to the girls (meltdown #1 of a gazillion that we have had this week). They do not have Ranch dressing here...so I guess I am going to have to carry a bottle in my purse at all times, in case of an emergency! He also couldn't get apple juice..apparently the little kids over here like White grapefruit juice (WHAT???), so he got the girls each one of those...which sat on the table and didn't get a second glance once the girls found out what they were. Lastly, he forgot ketchup...OH MY GOD. According to Maya- he didn't get anything right, and she was NEVER going to be able to eat in Japan....so, please expect a very skinny 9 year old when we get back from here...
Day #2- move into our apartment....(in case I forgot to say it, we had 8 HUGE suitcases, 4 carry ons, 2 stuffed monkeys, and 2 kids from Detroit to Dallas, rechecking in Dallas to go to Narita...we were one big spectacle, and had a lot of people staring at us in all airports and had to do it again from the hotel to the apartment, with two kids who had been up since 2am)...the rental furniture was here when we arrived (small victory!), but I will tell you- it is a lot less when you see it in actual, than when you are filling out a form for plates, cups, towels, etc. Apparently saying you needed measuring cups means you get 1 cup...checking the kitchen utensils box gives you 1 spatula, a butter knife and an egg beater..no can opener, no wooden spoons, no oven mitts...and somewhere in there, we didn't even get wash clothes...I think I washed my face with a floor mat last night (Scott was wondering what the heck I was doing..but hey- you have to make do, right??).
We also made our first attempt at shopping at a Japanese grocery store. With 2 kids...at lunch time, and with a 30 min walk away. I know, I know- what were we thinking?? The only thing I can say, is we were really tired, and not thinking at all! It was completely overwhelming...we went to the OK store, which seems to be the equivalent of our idea of a Meijer or Super Walmart..but in a lot less space and with five times as many people, and everything, obviously in Japanese...oh yeah, and you can't drive to the grocery (no parking)- you walk, so everything you buy has to be carried back, or have legs so it can walk back with you! Needless to say, Maya saw Octopus and started bawling, because we don't eat octopus in the United States, and Hanna thought it would be a good time to run up and down the aisles and pick up everything she could. So...we took a cab back home and though overwhelmed, at least had some food to eat.
Day #3- found us walking about a mile (yes, with both girls- Scott and I had to share carrying Hanna, and I think are both on our way to giving ourselves hernias) to get registered as Aliens...we have to do this withing a few weeks of being here, or we can't stay...or open bank accounts, or buy me a mobile phone (as they are called here)...or get Maya's 1/2 off Suica (train) pass...we had help with this, which made the process go fairly smoothly. Once back, we had a playdate with a little girl, Sarah, who will be in Maya's school at ASIJ. I have been VERY fortunate to have found connections and contacts here prior to moving- we have had SO much help that we really have no reason to be able to complain about much of anything. Sarah's mom, Miwa, is my neighbor to neighbor contact, and has signed up to help me figure things out here in Tokyo, and for that, I am so grateful. She is Japanese, speaks fluent Japanese, and seems like a very warm person- I am really looking forward to getting to know her better. We have also made friends with one of our neighbors, Karen, who we met while we were over here on our house hunting trip. Karen has been completely unbelieveable in her help and with sharing her knowledge. She took me to a different grocery store yesterday and walked me through the entire store- which is going to be so helpful. She has brought us cookies (chocolate chip- yum!), and showed us how to work our rice cooker, heating system, showers, etc (everything here is electronic!!)...she has been completely fantastic. And best of all, her husband has the NFL package, and has invited Scott over to watch the games on Sunday- something he desperately needs- some downtime, watching Football. :)
Day #4- Hanna's 4th Birthday! Today was a great day, all things considered. It was Hanna's 4th birthday, and we tried as hard as we could to make it as special as we could... We took the girls to visit Hanna's preschool- which they both really liked. I think it is going to be a tremendous fit for Hanna (or at least I am hoping it will be!). Her teacher, Mrs. Jennifer seems great, and Hanna really seemed to like her and the preschool (the play area the best though...). Mrs. Jennifer even gave Hanna a Happy Birthday Hat, with her name on it, and darn it, Hanna wore it ALL day long- until she got into her PJs tonite. It was really nice, and made Hanna so happy. From the preschool, we went to the Kiil's home. Skip and Mariann Kiil moved here to Tokyo in November from Portage. We had the opportunity to get together with Mariann and the kids before they moved over- their oldest two are Maya's and Hanna's ages...Jackson will be in Maya's first grade at ASIJ, so she will be going to school next week knowing two kids already. We spent some time over there, getting reacquainted, and letting the kids play, and then took Hanna for a birthday lunch at TGI Fridays (they sing Happy Birthday and give a free kid's sundae to the birthday girl!).
Today was also the first day the girls rode the trains, and I will tell you, they LOVED it. The only part they don't like is getting from the apartment to the train (a good 10 min walk with two kids) and then getting from the train to wherever we are going from there (which is always a solid 10-15 minutes, no matter what you are doing). We now know that everything here is going to take twice as long to do, especially when you are taking two little kids on long walks around the city!! Maya loved having her own Suica (train) pass and Hanna insisted on using mine and running it through every time....she doesn't need her own, as kids under 6 ride free (yeah, us!! About the only thing we save money on here!!) Hanna had fun playing and trying to communicate with all the Japanese people- she even asked one if she spoke Japanese!! :) The people here seem to really like our kids and are very interested in them- you don't see blondies much, so they really stick out!
We capped our day by having Domino's Pizza (MUCH better than in the states- it was delicious!), and eating birthday cake (I packed a cake mix, frosting,candles and a cake pan in our checked luggage!). It was a pretty darn good night...the only unfortunate thing is that our Air Shipment isn't here yet...and Hanna's gifts are on it so she didn't have much to open (one gift from Grandma Murphy and one from us, bought in Dallas, when we realized the others might not make it). Hanna was too darn tired to really care, so she was not one bit upset...and is looking forward to opening her gifts when they get here!
I think once our air shipment arrives (mid next week hopefully), we will feel so much better, and have so much more (like toys!!). I have found someone to take me to Costco next week to get some things, and Maya and Hanna both start school next week..so that is what we will be doing in the near future!!
We arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday (Monday in the U.S)...the flight was 13 hours, the time difference is 14 hours. Four days later, and we are still not sleeping well. The girls were fantastic on the flight over- Maya thought it was like staying in a "hotel" in the air, while Hanna was just glad she could watch whatever she wanted and didn't have to "compromise" with Maya. By the time we got to our hotel, it was 7pm, and we were all beat. Scott went down and grabbed McDonald's from the bottom floor of the hotel...needless to say, he did NOT get it right, according to the girls (meltdown #1 of a gazillion that we have had this week). They do not have Ranch dressing here...so I guess I am going to have to carry a bottle in my purse at all times, in case of an emergency! He also couldn't get apple juice..apparently the little kids over here like White grapefruit juice (WHAT???), so he got the girls each one of those...which sat on the table and didn't get a second glance once the girls found out what they were. Lastly, he forgot ketchup...OH MY GOD. According to Maya- he didn't get anything right, and she was NEVER going to be able to eat in Japan....so, please expect a very skinny 9 year old when we get back from here...
Day #2- move into our apartment....(in case I forgot to say it, we had 8 HUGE suitcases, 4 carry ons, 2 stuffed monkeys, and 2 kids from Detroit to Dallas, rechecking in Dallas to go to Narita...we were one big spectacle, and had a lot of people staring at us in all airports and had to do it again from the hotel to the apartment, with two kids who had been up since 2am)...the rental furniture was here when we arrived (small victory!), but I will tell you- it is a lot less when you see it in actual, than when you are filling out a form for plates, cups, towels, etc. Apparently saying you needed measuring cups means you get 1 cup...checking the kitchen utensils box gives you 1 spatula, a butter knife and an egg beater..no can opener, no wooden spoons, no oven mitts...and somewhere in there, we didn't even get wash clothes...I think I washed my face with a floor mat last night (Scott was wondering what the heck I was doing..but hey- you have to make do, right??).
We also made our first attempt at shopping at a Japanese grocery store. With 2 kids...at lunch time, and with a 30 min walk away. I know, I know- what were we thinking?? The only thing I can say, is we were really tired, and not thinking at all! It was completely overwhelming...we went to the OK store, which seems to be the equivalent of our idea of a Meijer or Super Walmart..but in a lot less space and with five times as many people, and everything, obviously in Japanese...oh yeah, and you can't drive to the grocery (no parking)- you walk, so everything you buy has to be carried back, or have legs so it can walk back with you! Needless to say, Maya saw Octopus and started bawling, because we don't eat octopus in the United States, and Hanna thought it would be a good time to run up and down the aisles and pick up everything she could. So...we took a cab back home and though overwhelmed, at least had some food to eat.
Day #3- found us walking about a mile (yes, with both girls- Scott and I had to share carrying Hanna, and I think are both on our way to giving ourselves hernias) to get registered as Aliens...we have to do this withing a few weeks of being here, or we can't stay...or open bank accounts, or buy me a mobile phone (as they are called here)...or get Maya's 1/2 off Suica (train) pass...we had help with this, which made the process go fairly smoothly. Once back, we had a playdate with a little girl, Sarah, who will be in Maya's school at ASIJ. I have been VERY fortunate to have found connections and contacts here prior to moving- we have had SO much help that we really have no reason to be able to complain about much of anything. Sarah's mom, Miwa, is my neighbor to neighbor contact, and has signed up to help me figure things out here in Tokyo, and for that, I am so grateful. She is Japanese, speaks fluent Japanese, and seems like a very warm person- I am really looking forward to getting to know her better. We have also made friends with one of our neighbors, Karen, who we met while we were over here on our house hunting trip. Karen has been completely unbelieveable in her help and with sharing her knowledge. She took me to a different grocery store yesterday and walked me through the entire store- which is going to be so helpful. She has brought us cookies (chocolate chip- yum!), and showed us how to work our rice cooker, heating system, showers, etc (everything here is electronic!!)...she has been completely fantastic. And best of all, her husband has the NFL package, and has invited Scott over to watch the games on Sunday- something he desperately needs- some downtime, watching Football. :)
Day #4- Hanna's 4th Birthday! Today was a great day, all things considered. It was Hanna's 4th birthday, and we tried as hard as we could to make it as special as we could... We took the girls to visit Hanna's preschool- which they both really liked. I think it is going to be a tremendous fit for Hanna (or at least I am hoping it will be!). Her teacher, Mrs. Jennifer seems great, and Hanna really seemed to like her and the preschool (the play area the best though...). Mrs. Jennifer even gave Hanna a Happy Birthday Hat, with her name on it, and darn it, Hanna wore it ALL day long- until she got into her PJs tonite. It was really nice, and made Hanna so happy. From the preschool, we went to the Kiil's home. Skip and Mariann Kiil moved here to Tokyo in November from Portage. We had the opportunity to get together with Mariann and the kids before they moved over- their oldest two are Maya's and Hanna's ages...Jackson will be in Maya's first grade at ASIJ, so she will be going to school next week knowing two kids already. We spent some time over there, getting reacquainted, and letting the kids play, and then took Hanna for a birthday lunch at TGI Fridays (they sing Happy Birthday and give a free kid's sundae to the birthday girl!).
Today was also the first day the girls rode the trains, and I will tell you, they LOVED it. The only part they don't like is getting from the apartment to the train (a good 10 min walk with two kids) and then getting from the train to wherever we are going from there (which is always a solid 10-15 minutes, no matter what you are doing). We now know that everything here is going to take twice as long to do, especially when you are taking two little kids on long walks around the city!! Maya loved having her own Suica (train) pass and Hanna insisted on using mine and running it through every time....she doesn't need her own, as kids under 6 ride free (yeah, us!! About the only thing we save money on here!!) Hanna had fun playing and trying to communicate with all the Japanese people- she even asked one if she spoke Japanese!! :) The people here seem to really like our kids and are very interested in them- you don't see blondies much, so they really stick out!
We capped our day by having Domino's Pizza (MUCH better than in the states- it was delicious!), and eating birthday cake (I packed a cake mix, frosting,candles and a cake pan in our checked luggage!). It was a pretty darn good night...the only unfortunate thing is that our Air Shipment isn't here yet...and Hanna's gifts are on it so she didn't have much to open (one gift from Grandma Murphy and one from us, bought in Dallas, when we realized the others might not make it). Hanna was too darn tired to really care, so she was not one bit upset...and is looking forward to opening her gifts when they get here!
I think once our air shipment arrives (mid next week hopefully), we will feel so much better, and have so much more (like toys!!). I have found someone to take me to Costco next week to get some things, and Maya and Hanna both start school next week..so that is what we will be doing in the near future!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
We have arrived!
Let the adventure begin! We left on Monday at 12:05pm from the Dallas Airport, and made it into Tokyo at 4:35pm Tuesday...with this flight, you basically miss a day, and your poor body doesn't know what to do with itself. We flew American, Business class, and it was wonderful. The kids LOVED it- Maya compared it to a Hotel in the air. :) The girls were both fantastic- not a tear, not a fit...they each slept a good amount, and spent the rest of their time eating and watching TV/Movies. 13 hours went a lot faster than I thought it would with two young girls. The two hour van ride to the hotel was great too- the girls and I slept the entire time, so it was really quick. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo, but leaving today (and I say today, because I am writing this at 4:50am, and have been up with the kids since about 2am!) at 9am for our apartment in Yoyogi-Uehara.
Our rental furniture is supposed to be at our apartment when we get there, so that will be nice..and hopefully our air shipment will be there before the middle of next week.
So far, so good. Maya has been in awe since we arrived at the airport. In Japan, a lot of people wear masks- when they are sick, so they don't spread it, when sickness is going around so they don't get it (H1N1 for example) and for allergies...so she was asking last night why they wear masks and where she can get some (she doesn't want to wear a swim cap for school P.E., but apparently a mask is ok!). She also asked why we were the only people with blond hair- a very obvious thing, but didn't know she would pick up on that so quickly! Hanna on the other hand, is just enjoying saying "JAPAN" really loud every where we go!
Our rental furniture is supposed to be at our apartment when we get there, so that will be nice..and hopefully our air shipment will be there before the middle of next week.
So far, so good. Maya has been in awe since we arrived at the airport. In Japan, a lot of people wear masks- when they are sick, so they don't spread it, when sickness is going around so they don't get it (H1N1 for example) and for allergies...so she was asking last night why they wear masks and where she can get some (she doesn't want to wear a swim cap for school P.E., but apparently a mask is ok!). She also asked why we were the only people with blond hair- a very obvious thing, but didn't know she would pick up on that so quickly! Hanna on the other hand, is just enjoying saying "JAPAN" really loud every where we go!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Where are we now??
Friday! Yeah!! We made it past the move out of the house...it ended up taking 3 full days, but we did it. The movers finally left at a little after 5pm on Wednesday, so it was a much later day than we had planned (or not planned- had NO plan of attack for what to do with the girls or ourselves). We ended up bothering our friends Mike, Amy and Emma, and basically hijacked them for the morning, and their home for the afternoon (Thanks guys!).
We got to Detroit around 8pm on Wednesday night, so we missed out on what we thought would be a full day running around visiting Scott's family..so we spent all day Thursday doing that. It was great to see them and get a chance to say goodbye before we head out of dodge. I personally, had a rather challenging day....broke a door hanger and flooded my mother in laws laundry room, in less than 24 hours!! Needless to say, I went to bed early, trying to avoid ruining anything else before we left this morning. :)
Today we arrived in Dallas, and have spent the day enjoying good conversation and catching up with Scott's brother Greg and his wife Missy. The weather is much better than Michigan right now (50+ and sunny), so we spent a bit of time letting the girls play at the park and get some fresh air...very nice. We are going to try really hard this weekend to just enjoy our company and relax before we leave Monday morning.
Hope you all have a great New Year's day, and a fantastic 2010!!
We got to Detroit around 8pm on Wednesday night, so we missed out on what we thought would be a full day running around visiting Scott's family..so we spent all day Thursday doing that. It was great to see them and get a chance to say goodbye before we head out of dodge. I personally, had a rather challenging day....broke a door hanger and flooded my mother in laws laundry room, in less than 24 hours!! Needless to say, I went to bed early, trying to avoid ruining anything else before we left this morning. :)
Today we arrived in Dallas, and have spent the day enjoying good conversation and catching up with Scott's brother Greg and his wife Missy. The weather is much better than Michigan right now (50+ and sunny), so we spent a bit of time letting the girls play at the park and get some fresh air...very nice. We are going to try really hard this weekend to just enjoy our company and relax before we leave Monday morning.
Hope you all have a great New Year's day, and a fantastic 2010!!
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