July 2006
The real Japan
Mon, 2006-07-31 10:07 | by Erin
Eric and I went to anouther matsuri in Numazu after a quick trip to the beach. We had to catch a train in a hour so we did not have alot of time. We strolled down the lane of stands and I got a beer while Eric ate some shaved ice. As we made our way back to the station Eric wanted to play a game to win some fish. Just like the carnvile guy said "Everybodys a WINNER!" Eventhough Eric has no concept of how to play the game .... he gets 2 fish every time.
This is part of the real Japan.
This also anouther more anoying part.....as I purchased my ticket to get on the train Eric was standing a few feet behind me when I heard him scream. I turned and looked then there he was standing pointing to his fish on the floor. He had dropped the bag some how and was now screeming and tears were streaming down his face as his fish flopped helplessly oh the station floor.
And not a single person stopped to help him.... Sad.
I walked over and calmly scooped the fish into the bag with the remaining amount of water. I purchased our ticket and finally we went to the rest room and added some water to the bag. Tragedy overted no thanks to the local population though.
It is pretty trivial a boy crying over dropping his fish....but I was really irritated by how little everyone seemed to care....
Regardless the fish made it home safely after that and just keep swiming round and round in the take with the other matsuri fish!
E./
Matsuri Booty
Mon, 2006-07-24 18:28 | by Erin
Eric and I had a chance to go to a local matsuri (festival) and we had a pretty good time.
I was pretty surprised that they had as many things there to do as they did but basically it was a place to spend money. Eric and I played some games and bought some stuff, bugs mostly. We headed home after Eric won some fish so they would not die.
Here is a picture of the bootie!
2 bugs and 4 fish!
Later after dinner Eric Miku (my niece) and I went back to see the fireworks. We took a picture on the firetruck and then played on some of the kids toys.
Miku tried to keep up with Eric and was pretty good at it. After a while Miku was tired and wanted to go home so I called my mother in law and she picked up Miku. Eric and I stayed for the fireworks.
Eric and I walked home, took a bath and went to bed. It was a pretty god day.
E./
Here is a picture of the bootie!
2 bugs and 4 fish!
Later after dinner Eric Miku (my niece) and I went back to see the fireworks. We took a picture on the firetruck and then played on some of the kids toys.
Miku tried to keep up with Eric and was pretty good at it. After a while Miku was tired and wanted to go home so I called my mother in law and she picked up Miku. Eric and I stayed for the fireworks.
Eric and I walked home, took a bath and went to bed. It was a pretty god day.
E./
Sunburn and Shimoda.
Mon, 2006-07-24 15:57 | by Erin
Last week there was a 3 day weekend. Satomi Eric and I all went to Shimoda along with Rieka and her boyfriend. It would have not been so bad but the day before we went I got REALLY SUNBURNED. I think it was the worst burn I had in 10 years.
The beach was nice as always and the waves were pretty good and Taro had recently given me a board and I wanted to try it out. I got out there no problem but quickly got worked over cause I was dehydrated and exhausted my chest hurt so bad when I laid down on my board.
Eric made himself busy with not listening and trying to find crabs. The whole day was pretty good even though I spent most of my time hiding from the sun.
At night we went to our hotel which was really nice. I thought it was a little weird that they called us for dinner and we were not able to go down when we wanted but dinner was good and served traditional 17 course Japanese style with dish after dish.
I was whipped out after another day in the sun and Eric and I went to bed early after we watched a TV show about dinosaurs.
The next day we were summoned to breakfast at 830. Which was of course fish ....
I decided (wisely) that I could not take anymore sun and while everyone else hit the beach till noon I would rest in our room. I thought I sucked it up pretty good since now I have 6 or 7 small sores on my chest from my burn.
Anyways it turned out to be good weekend in the end.
Japan Hate it or Love it top 10 list!
Wed, 2006-07-19 11:41 | by Erin
So I have been here in Japan just over 3 years now and I have developed a kind of keen sense about what is going on around me. Hence a top ten list Actually it is a top 20 10 likes 10 dislikes. All in no particular order. This list will be a work in progress let me know if you want to add something.
Love it
1. Food Japan and Tokyo particular has some of the best places to eat of anywhere I have every been. Indian curry, Italian Pasta, Sushi. Ramon you name it its here!
2. Beer ya it is expensive ( a case costs about 40 dollars US) but they have Hoposhu which is a cheaper quality of beer. Real beer in America gave me gas and acid reflux. But not Hoposhu! I am not really sure what the actual difference (something about the amount of hops I believe) But it tastes good and does the job.
Hate it
1. Food Even after 3 years I am still a little perturbed by the fact there is no Taco Bell and Mt. Dew and a really good Mexican Restaurant is about as easy to find as a real Mexican person.
2. Getting there. In Japan it takes 1 - 2 hours to get almost anywhere. Well anywhere worth going and when you get there usually there is about 4 billion other people who cant wait to get there.
3. Old People I have no problem with the average Ogie-san or Oba-san I see on the street but I am growing some what tired of the following situations;
Being stared at like I am a crook or I stole from them etc...... the war was over along time ago... get use to seeing me I am not going anywhere but to work any time soon!
Being asked what English school I work for........ I don't teach English.
You are what you eat!
Mon, 2006-07-10 22:23 | by Erin
So Eric has been out of control lately and it has been showing I took these pictures at a recent all night RAVE that he threw for all his 4 year old friends. It got pretty off the hook as you can see here;
I thought he looked a little to much like this trouble maker Noel Gallger from Oaisis so I made him get a haircut.
He was excellent about the whole thing, and here is a picture of him getting his hair cut by Kawri-san, one of Satomis friends.
More recently though Eric has started to take great pride in his physique, and insist on showing it off constantly!
At home....
@ MOS Burger....
But perhaps his boldest display was on the train from Numazu to Gotemba last Sunday where he had managed to pick up 2 high school girls (its ok remember he is 4). He had been busy impressing them with his flexing and English conversation while putting up a good show at that. Just before the girls stop I asked him if we could get a group shot with him flexing with the girls. He said " OK Dada!" and then with out another word he stripped off his shirt on the train and gave it his best! I am sure they are still swooning!
The fact that Eric is actually so into his muscles is good though every time he sits down to eat he asks Satomi or I ...... or any one who will listen come to think of it "What happens if I eat this? " Satomi and I usually reply " oh that will give you biiiiiiggggg muscles!" Then he goes through all his food with some very loud animated gobbles. Very helpful when it comes to getting a 4 year old to eat stuff that he normally wouldn't.
One of the girls who was on the train was nice enough to send me this picture.
Thanks KANA, RISA, YUI and KAYO !!!
I thought he looked a little to much like this trouble maker Noel Gallger from Oaisis so I made him get a haircut.
He was excellent about the whole thing, and here is a picture of him getting his hair cut by Kawri-san, one of Satomis friends.
More recently though Eric has started to take great pride in his physique, and insist on showing it off constantly!
At home....
@ MOS Burger....
But perhaps his boldest display was on the train from Numazu to Gotemba last Sunday where he had managed to pick up 2 high school girls (its ok remember he is 4). He had been busy impressing them with his flexing and English conversation while putting up a good show at that. Just before the girls stop I asked him if we could get a group shot with him flexing with the girls. He said " OK Dada!" and then with out another word he stripped off his shirt on the train and gave it his best! I am sure they are still swooning!
The fact that Eric is actually so into his muscles is good though every time he sits down to eat he asks Satomi or I ...... or any one who will listen come to think of it "What happens if I eat this? " Satomi and I usually reply " oh that will give you biiiiiiggggg muscles!" Then he goes through all his food with some very loud animated gobbles. Very helpful when it comes to getting a 4 year old to eat stuff that he normally wouldn't.
One of the girls who was on the train was nice enough to send me this picture.
Thanks KANA, RISA, YUI and KAYO !!!