As our time dwindles, we’re rushing to do the things we’d have done if we’d been in Japan on vacation but never did because we live here full-time. It’s a beautiful day outside? That’s nice – I’m tired and I’ve got to go to the dry cleaner. The list of “Never Done”s is long and […]
Japanese
The First Few of Many ありがとうs for Today, March 10th
I might be officially pushing 30 today, but I’ll always appreciate adorable artwork like this very sweet, thoughtful and suupa suupa kawaii birthday wallpaper made especially for me by North Central Florida homegirls Kao and Lara. Ladies – what a lovely surprise. おきにありがとうございます！ A 3-way iChat today with my brother and parents this morning (ありがとう), […]
Your 358-Word Mini Japanese Culture Lesson
Unlike English, Japanese isn’t a language that puts emphasis on using pronouns. For example, an English-speaker would find it imperative to denote whose sweater they were using or that they themselves like cheese but a Japanese speaker would simply say: “using sweater” or “like cheese” because the “who” in both cases is, somehow, implied. Nonetheless, […]
Taught by the Tune of the Hick’ry Stick
There are things you learn so well that they become ingrained – even in a culture that isn’t your own. In the two years I’ve lived in Japan, I now know without a doubt that “ちょっと待ってね,” means “wait a little bit, okay?” “大丈夫?” means “You okay?” and “できた!” means “I was able to do it!” […]
Freshly Tweezed
This week, I lost my tweezers and after 3 days of stubbornly refusing to buy a new pair, I had no choice but to relent. I grabbed a pair at Kokumin drugstore while waiting for my train and since I was in a rush, didn’t bother to examine my purchase. The only thing I noticed […]
Open Wider
Drinking beer at home with Sean, arguing over who is whose 先輩 (senpai) (superior), and I notice that there is a notification on my beer can claiming that my beer brand is now offering a New! Big! Drinking Hole! Oh, really? Is that so? Well, son of a gun. It sure is.
At the Funeral of a Baby Girl, in Japan
In the old days, the Japanese wore white clothing to funerals. Nowadays, black is the color of choice so I am perched on a small couch with a handful of other guests, wearing charcoal gray pants that don’t quite match my black work shirt. I feel a little uncomfortable about them, but I have to […]
Buon Giorno
Two weeks ago, I went to the bakery outside my Friday school for my usual chocolate croissant and ordered my pastry in Japanese. On that particular day, however, the girl at the counter ignored the fact that I’d already told her what I wanted and asked me in English, “What would you like?” I repeated […]
In My Two Cups
Note: Today, I ventured to Nara prefecture to do some research for a “Day Trips” feature I’m writing for a travel magazine. So as not to scoop myself, I will only reveal that this involved being served some complimentary sake. I wrote this on the train coming back to Osaka. It is, obviously, part of […]
Brush-a Brush-a Brush-a
My new toothpaste. It’s peppermint-flavored, made from natural ingredients. And, of course, extra cute.