Another typhoon is coming our way. People say these things are not as bad as hurricanes. Hopefully this one won't be too bad.
Tropical Storm Talas : Tracking Map : Weather Underground
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
My other other job...
In an effort to bolster our savings account to its maximum potential I freelance write articles for advertisement websites and I've started my own pet sitting business.
My first two petsitting clients are named Cupcake and Barney. They're tiny sweet and easy going dogs. They have been a treat to sit for. Here's a video of Barney getting a running start into our recliner:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My first two petsitting clients are named Cupcake and Barney. They're tiny sweet and easy going dogs. They have been a treat to sit for. Here's a video of Barney getting a running start into our recliner:
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Japanese Things At My Work
Universal Japanese exit sign has a person sprinting out the door.
Fanta Melon soda. I haven't tried it because I don't care for fruit flavored soda, but I hear it's good!
A panel to contact the fire department directly. I have no idea how it works.
There was a small leak in the ceiling. The Japanese maintenance workers engineered this to keep the leak under control until they can fix it.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mt. Fuji - CANCELED
After much though, John and I decided to cancel our Mt. Fuji trip this year. We kind of rushed into it because it was the last trip of the season, but then we realized we weren't very prepared. Climbing Mt. Fuji is something you need the ultimate zen in order to do. It's not some ho-hum easy walk climb. From where they drop you off, you climb about 6,000 - 7,000ft up. There are parts that are almost vertical straight and you find yourself on your hands and knees trying to make it up the mountain. Altitude sickness aside, the air becomes very thin and taking even a step can wear you out like you've been running all day.
John and I decided we'd rather do it with a group of friends. If someone falls behind at least there's a possibility they will have someone to fall behind with. One of my friends out here just finished climbing Mt. Fuji last weekend and she said it was one of the hardest things she's ever done in her life....and she's given birth...so take away from that what you will.
There are reports of people getting to the summit and jumping for joy and crying. Not because they were at the summit but because the climb was over. So, John and I are going to go for it next year when we feel a little more mentally prepared. Mt. Fuji is something you have to know you want to do 100% otherwise the climb can be the most horrible day of your life.
John and I decided we'd rather do it with a group of friends. If someone falls behind at least there's a possibility they will have someone to fall behind with. One of my friends out here just finished climbing Mt. Fuji last weekend and she said it was one of the hardest things she's ever done in her life....and she's given birth...so take away from that what you will.
There are reports of people getting to the summit and jumping for joy and crying. Not because they were at the summit but because the climb was over. So, John and I are going to go for it next year when we feel a little more mentally prepared. Mt. Fuji is something you have to know you want to do 100% otherwise the climb can be the most horrible day of your life.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Climbing Mt. Fuji
Mt Fuji (or Fujisan as the Japanese call it) is the largest mountain in Japan. It's a volcano that has been dormant since 1707 but is still classified as active. Fujisan rises 13,000 ft over the island of Japan and John and I are climbing it on August 27th and I'm nervous.
There's a type of sickness you get from being in thin air called altitude sickness. The oxygen levels at the summit of Mt. Fuji are less than what we're currently breathing now which means the air is thin.....which means your body has to work harder to do simple tasks like walk or breathe Some people may experience headaches, dizziness or general "loose" feeling much like waking up hungover and wondering if you're still drunk. Then there's another school of people with more serious altitude sickness. They may faint, fluid may enter their lungs and brain and they may have serious health complications from breathing thin air.
There's no test to tell if you will get altitude sickness. About one in four people feel these symptoms and the condition is genetic. So no matter how in shape you are, how old or young if it's in your genes, you're going to get sick.
Now let's flashback to the early 90's when my family went to go visit my Aunt and Uncle in Colorado. We decided to take the cog railroad up Pike's Peak. Pike's Peak is one of the highest summits in the Rocky Mountains stretching to a height of almost 15,000ft (2,000 ft higher than Fujisan). There's a train that will take you all the way to the top. Guess who was the only person out of their family to get sick? This girl.
Not only did I get sick, but it felt like someone was pressing on my head. Aside from giving blood and fainting once, it was the closest I've been to a complete faint session. I felt ill, my head was swimming, I couldn't catch my breath, I was pretty sure my lunch was about to be on display. Aside from getting sick I don't really remember anything about the summit. I vaguely remember looking out over the ledge of the summit lodge. I remember spending a lot of time in an oxygen enriched room where a lot of moms and babies were hanging out. I remember laying down in that room and feeling better. Then I remember sleeping in the train on the ride back. The most complete and exhaustive sleep I have ever had.
So guess what, turns out I have the gene for altitude sickness. Hooray! Now I don't get the luxury of a train ride to take me up and back down. It's all done by walking. Guess what, if you're going to wretch you get to do it in front of everyone. There's no bushes. Most of the climb up Fuji is barren and covered in rocks. So everyone can see your shame. John and I are thinking of renting horses to make our climb easier because the whole climb on foot can take up to 9 hours.
I hope I'm not psyching myself out. I want to make it to the top and feel great. I want to show myself I can do this, but altitude sickness is crippling and worrisome for your loved ones that will make the climb with you. I'm going to take some Dramamine to help with the stomach symptoms so I don't yarf in front of horrified Japanese people. I'm going to take an ibuprofen to help with the headache and then just cross my fingers that I don't pass out.
I'm so nervous, but I really want to do this.
There's a type of sickness you get from being in thin air called altitude sickness. The oxygen levels at the summit of Mt. Fuji are less than what we're currently breathing now which means the air is thin.....which means your body has to work harder to do simple tasks like walk or breathe Some people may experience headaches, dizziness or general "loose" feeling much like waking up hungover and wondering if you're still drunk. Then there's another school of people with more serious altitude sickness. They may faint, fluid may enter their lungs and brain and they may have serious health complications from breathing thin air.
There's no test to tell if you will get altitude sickness. About one in four people feel these symptoms and the condition is genetic. So no matter how in shape you are, how old or young if it's in your genes, you're going to get sick.
Now let's flashback to the early 90's when my family went to go visit my Aunt and Uncle in Colorado. We decided to take the cog railroad up Pike's Peak. Pike's Peak is one of the highest summits in the Rocky Mountains stretching to a height of almost 15,000ft (2,000 ft higher than Fujisan). There's a train that will take you all the way to the top. Guess who was the only person out of their family to get sick? This girl.
Not only did I get sick, but it felt like someone was pressing on my head. Aside from giving blood and fainting once, it was the closest I've been to a complete faint session. I felt ill, my head was swimming, I couldn't catch my breath, I was pretty sure my lunch was about to be on display. Aside from getting sick I don't really remember anything about the summit. I vaguely remember looking out over the ledge of the summit lodge. I remember spending a lot of time in an oxygen enriched room where a lot of moms and babies were hanging out. I remember laying down in that room and feeling better. Then I remember sleeping in the train on the ride back. The most complete and exhaustive sleep I have ever had.
So guess what, turns out I have the gene for altitude sickness. Hooray! Now I don't get the luxury of a train ride to take me up and back down. It's all done by walking. Guess what, if you're going to wretch you get to do it in front of everyone. There's no bushes. Most of the climb up Fuji is barren and covered in rocks. So everyone can see your shame. John and I are thinking of renting horses to make our climb easier because the whole climb on foot can take up to 9 hours.
I hope I'm not psyching myself out. I want to make it to the top and feel great. I want to show myself I can do this, but altitude sickness is crippling and worrisome for your loved ones that will make the climb with you. I'm going to take some Dramamine to help with the stomach symptoms so I don't yarf in front of horrified Japanese people. I'm going to take an ibuprofen to help with the headache and then just cross my fingers that I don't pass out.
I'm so nervous, but I really want to do this.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Don't Ask Stupid Questions!
It's only natural to be curious about what life is like in Japan for your friend or loved one, but sometimes people will ask the dumbest (and borderline racist) questions and all I can do is sigh....on one of the forums I visit, the people have compiled this list of "dumb FAQs" and I've attempted to answer the questions so that none of my friends or family, who have so far been not stupid at all, will not be stupid question askers:
Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you? Yes, probably. Use the computer to convert the time if you don't know exactly how many hours ahead Japan is.
Are the Japanese really that short? Shorter than Americans on average, yes, but like all people there are a variety of shapes and sizes.
Do restaurants serve just sushi? Only sushi restaurants. Sushi seems to be a US concept. It's actually hard to find a run of the mill sushi place here. Many sushi places are very high end and very expensive.
Does everyone live in houses with paper doors? No. And if they do it's more for decoration than use as an actual way to block out the elements. All of my paper doors have glass sliding doors behind them.
Does everyone drive like they do in 'Tokyo Drift'? No. I wish.
Do they eat fish everyday? You must miss hamburgers and fried food. There's plenty of hamburgers and fried food to be had. Fish is a huge diet staple for the Japanese people.
Do you have bamboo floors? What?
Are the woman that submissive there? They're like slaves, right? Again, what? Japanese girls are crazy. Ever had a girl block your driveway with her car?
I was wondering about the japanese sanitation system. I dont want no fountian in my toilet. Their sanitation system is set up for toilet paper, right? RIGHT? Umm...yes, they do indeed have toilet paper.
Do have Japanese people come up to you for a autograph? What? No. They usually don't care about Americans one way or the other.
Are there Walmart's in Japan? No, but there is a company called AVE which is owned by the WalMart corporation.
Have you eaten dog yet? No. The Japanese people would be horrified. They love their dogs.
Why do the Japanese drive on the wrong side of the street? It's not the wrong side to them.
Do you use chopsticks every time you eat? At restaurants, yes. At home, no.
Do they use dollars there? No, Japan is not like some other countries which will accept the dollar and their native currency. Stores in Japan usually only accept yen.
Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you? Yes, probably. Use the computer to convert the time if you don't know exactly how many hours ahead Japan is.
Are the Japanese really that short? Shorter than Americans on average, yes, but like all people there are a variety of shapes and sizes.
Do restaurants serve just sushi? Only sushi restaurants. Sushi seems to be a US concept. It's actually hard to find a run of the mill sushi place here. Many sushi places are very high end and very expensive.
Does everyone live in houses with paper doors? No. And if they do it's more for decoration than use as an actual way to block out the elements. All of my paper doors have glass sliding doors behind them.
Does everyone drive like they do in 'Tokyo Drift'? No. I wish.
Do they eat fish everyday? You must miss hamburgers and fried food. There's plenty of hamburgers and fried food to be had. Fish is a huge diet staple for the Japanese people.
Do you have bamboo floors? What?
Are the woman that submissive there? They're like slaves, right? Again, what? Japanese girls are crazy. Ever had a girl block your driveway with her car?
I was wondering about the japanese sanitation system. I dont want no fountian in my toilet. Their sanitation system is set up for toilet paper, right? RIGHT? Umm...yes, they do indeed have toilet paper.
Do have Japanese people come up to you for a autograph? What? No. They usually don't care about Americans one way or the other.
Are there Walmart's in Japan? No, but there is a company called AVE which is owned by the WalMart corporation.
Have you eaten dog yet? No. The Japanese people would be horrified. They love their dogs.
Why do the Japanese drive on the wrong side of the street? It's not the wrong side to them.
Do you use chopsticks every time you eat? At restaurants, yes. At home, no.
Do they use dollars there? No, Japan is not like some other countries which will accept the dollar and their native currency. Stores in Japan usually only accept yen.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Japanese Fans!
I've decided to start a Japanese fan collection. They're colorful, fun, and given out for free at practically every retailer imaginable.
Here's my collection so far. The beer one I found in a trash can....how can someone throw something so fun away!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Here's my collection so far. The beer one I found in a trash can....how can someone throw something so fun away!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, August 12, 2011
Adjusting!
Life here is getting easier and easier everyday. I'm learning a few key Japanese words and phrases and am learning to bow from the waist and not just bob my head (which makes you look silly, by the way). I'm getting very comfortable driving that it's starting to seem weird to me to drive on the other side of the road. John and I are falling into a routine between our two jobs and I'm really starting to get into this whole being a manager thing.
About the only thing that is not good right now is the heat. It's 91 degrees outside with humidity like I've never felt in the US. Everyone seems to think that if you're from the south you should be okay with the humidity in Japan. Nope. It's so incredibly humid here you need to change clothes by the time you walk to your destination, even if it's less than a mile. I can't wait for this heat to break. We'll be exploring more as soon as this gnarly heat wave leaves Japan.
About the only thing that is not good right now is the heat. It's 91 degrees outside with humidity like I've never felt in the US. Everyone seems to think that if you're from the south you should be okay with the humidity in Japan. Nope. It's so incredibly humid here you need to change clothes by the time you walk to your destination, even if it's less than a mile. I can't wait for this heat to break. We'll be exploring more as soon as this gnarly heat wave leaves Japan.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Paper Lantern Festival
| Click on the below picture to be taken to photos of the Kamakura Paper Lantern Festival (or use the link: https://picasaweb.google.com/108189389542959500825/PaperLanternFestival?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK6J95POvYuG2AE&feat=directlink). | ||
| Very cool experience! |
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| Paper Lantern Festival |
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Friendship Day!
Friendship Day is a day when the US base opens their gates to any and all foreign nationals who want to come visit. They have tours of some of the Navy boats, food vendors set up all along the main road, displays and demonstrations. This event attracts hundreds, if not thousands of Japanese people from around the area trying to get a peek at an American military base.
Don't be fooled, things are not done all willy nilly. They only open a certain parts of the base and rope off everything else. If you are an American, you have to show your military ID hundreds of times just to get to the different closed off parts of the base. The naval ship tours are heavily monitored and patrolled to ensure no one tries any funny business. So, it's not like an open base free for all.
One of the things the Japanese people love about the open base is the American pizzas. I witnessed them buying 15 pizzas and wrapping them up with twine and carrying them home. I guess everyone loves fatty and delicious pizza. Japanese pizzas are....well....small and very different than American pizza.
They have several Friendship Days throughout the year and in all the bases in Japan. It's a way for the American base to reach out to their foreign neighbors in a gesture of goodwill. However, this Friendship Day happened to fall on the day the US dropped a nuclear bomb (the Little Boy) on Hiroshima. So, whether or not it was a coincidence, no one can say.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Some pictures from my Tokyo trip!
Under a train station.
Building ad.
Start of Chinatown.
Interesting architecture.
Note the roller coaster.
Smack!
Akihabara, the technology capital of the world!
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Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Earthquakes all the time...
The above photos are two examples of earthquake damage in our house. Everything standing in this area has survived a 9.0 earthquake, so in that regard, I feel safe. However, earthquakes happen all the time here and the scary thing is, no one knows if the next one is going to be another big one.
In the past few months I have been woken up be several 6.4's and up. It's pretty frightening to wake up to your room and bed shaking and then wonder if you should run outside to safety or if it will all be over soon.
Since the 1960's, Japan has dedicated a team of scientists to predicting when the next major earthquake will strike near the Tokyo region. Supposedly there's an earthquake that happens along the Tokyo fault line once every several hundred years and the area has been due for the big one since the 1960's. Japan has been so engrossed in studying this particular fault line that everyone ignored the other fault lines and no one predicted the large 9.0 that occurred this March.
The trouble with earthquake prediction is that it's not an exact science. The methods the Japanese are using to try to predict the next big Tokyo earthquake are not completely proven on a large scale.
I bring all this up because it worries me. Earthquakes aren't like other natural disasters, there's no warning. The big one could strike on a completely sunny day causing a wave of other natural disasters (tsunamis, the eruption of Mt Fuji).
I don't know how people living here for so long deal with all of these earthquakes, granted many of them are aftershocks from the 9.0 in March, which scientists predict will continue for at least a year. It would be nice not to wake up in a complete state of panic. Going from dead asleep to panic is not pleasant.
PS - As I typed this we had a little tremor.
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Fresh tofu!
There's a little mom and pop tofu shop within walking distance of my house. While my parents were in Japan, my dad insisted everyday that he wanted to go visit the tofu shop. Since the shop is open from about 5am to 10am no one particularly wanted to get up early and make the trip with him.
On the last day they were in town my parents struck out on their own to find the tofu shop. Japan is not set up on a grid system and many roads do not have names. I don't know why the roads aren't named, but the Japanese get around very well by giving directions using visual cues (go 12 stop lights then turn right at the fire hydrant). So my parents got lost and remained lost for a few hours.
After locating them, I took them down to the tofu shop and luckily they had stayed open late that day. We got fresh made tofu (bottom of the picture), ganmodoki (circular things), and fried tofu (rectangle things).
Ganmodoki is tofu fried with scrambled eggs and sesame seasoning. It's absolutely delicious and would make a great breakfast dish. The fried tofu is just flattened tofu lightly fried and has very little flavor. It's meant to be an additive to soup and rice dishes. The fresh tofu was great as well. They don't serve it firm, medium, or soft as we do in the US....you get it one consistency and that's the consistency it was made that day. I eat tofu by pouring soy sauce over it and sprinkling crushed red chili peppers on it.
It was a delicious snack and I'm glad my dad was so insistent otherwise I would've been to intimidated to try this place so soon. They only speak Japanese and sometimes you run into a few places who refuse to serve you because you're not Japanese....they don't have discrimination laws here and yes they can and do discriminate.
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