Well, this week was boring. So I'm gonna talk about Valentine's day.
I'm not sure how much I mentioned before, so I'm gonna start at the beginning.
Valentines day came to Japan a thanks to Western influence. And thanks to western influence, we got the translation all wrong.
See, the advertisements basically said "this is a day when guys get chocolates for the ones you love" but it translated to "guys get chocolates FROM the ones they love".... More or less
Anyhow! So in Japan, Valentine's eve will see loads of girls clustered around the chocolates, buying last minute treats 'cause they forgot.
all girls.
Now, it has extended over the years. Girls don't just get chocolates for their guy, they get "friendship chocolates" as well. (because "pity chocolate" is still chocolate) To spread around all the acquaintances, and, honestly, get some candy for their girl-friends as well.
Because of this, you'll have some seemingly normal chocolates
little hearts
And of course, the "fun chocolate"
And then you have the cute ones
legos!
penguins!
various animals!
SPAAAAAACE. (suckers were expensive)
karuta cards! (popular card game)
And there's the ones that are obviously for the younger (or younger in interest) males in your life.
trains
super heros
tools
cars!
sumo? wrestlers?
chocolate light saber! I'll take that!
And then you have the...just odd ones.
I don't know what flavor these actually are
they're in a soy sauce container. No idea way.
I have been informed there is a joke in here about the food being strong, like the man. Either way, it's valentine's curry.
they AREN'T sushi flavored, I know that much.
for the otaku in your life.
dig up the dino bones from chocolate crumbles!
And of course, the nasty tasting ones.
One thing I gotta admire them for, is the dedication. I mean, when you're not sure which novelty to get, they even had a section of just normal chocolate like you can get in a grocery store.
Of course, if it's the same, why would you buy from here? How can you make money off it? The answer?
VOLUME
I did not buy it. I was tempted though.
Of course, if you feel that these are a little impersonal, they always break out loads of baking and candy making stuff this time of year too. And the Japanese certainly have an eye for detail!
they cut the strawberries into heart shapes.
But I'll admit, I didn't get anyone a valentine. I got lazy, I was poor, I didn't have the special someone. So I sat in the corner, eating my valentine's fish
it's a wrapper that makes the chocolate look like a fish. no worries
...no, no I didn't.
Now, because it's not fair that the girls get something for the boys, and that's it, a month later (March 14) they "White day" in which the boys get a return gift for the girls. Usually something white. Which is why I had trouble finding anything but white chocolate for a little last month. :P
Then, as is to be expected, the youth took it one farther, and instituted an unofficial holiday (which has gained in popularity) called "Black day" on April 14, in which singles get together, do very non-coupley things, and eat black soba noodles. And other black foods. I'm all for eating black chocolate, I'll be honest.
Hopefully next week will be more interesting, or you'll get an overview of bikes in Japan! Or how the schools are set up. We'll see. :)
So! I tried to save money this week by staying in! It...kinda worked.
I was all ready too! I had computer games, and food and everything!
I did manage to leave the room at least once a day.
I helped the missionaries with their English class they have every Tuesday.
I started getting out to go for a jog. I won't say that was nice, because now everything hurts. Now, I have told many people this, but I listen to a program when I jog. It's called "Zombies, Run!" It is like a radio show based in a post-apocalyptic world, where you're a "runner" and you help by picking up supplies and stuff. In between story bites, it plays music off your playlist. Sometimes, during the music, the computer will inform you that zombies are approaching, and if you don't speed up by about 40% for 30-60 seconds, you will be "eaten" and lose points. It's lots of fun, especially as, in the story, you're a really good runner. So you can be limping along, being out raced by local turtles, but the people in your ears are going "Yeah! You're the best runner! Look at you go!" :D
Anyhow, so I got out and I was like "It's been a while, but if I take my time, I'm SURE I can do one mile."
Almost made it, and was like "nope, nope, can't jog ANY more."
I took 5 steps walking. FIVE. "Zombies approaching"
"AAAAHHH!!" runrunrunrunrun
"You have run one mile."
"Zombies evaded."
Ah, incentive. Guess I COULD run one mile. Did not make it that far the next day. I got eaten. :P
Friday, I went on a temple trip! We had a bigger bus this time, and I don't remember much of it.
It was a stake trip.
I was one of the lucky few that got two seats to myself, which was really good because I do NOT sleep sitting up well. Yes, it was an overnight trip. Tokyo is an 8-9 hour bus ride away, so when we go, we go at night, drive overnight, arrive at around 6 ish, which is nice because it's enough time to spruce up, get food and do general stretching so we feel alive again. I don't really sleep well on buses or planes period. At least as long as I can't afford first class, fully-reclining seats. :P
Getting food in Japan is easier though. The vending machines!
see that?! That's REAL FOOD
and the rest-stops are much more elaborate and nice too.
It was like a mini-mall! Every single one we stopped at was like that! I was impressed.
So we made it, it was a long trip, I was exhausted, I enjoyed the temple, and then we left at 1:30 to drive back. (and I didn't get my two seats on the way back)
Remember how I said I'd get exercise every day? Boy did I.
So, Monday, I went and helped a friend of mine pack up to move. It's my festival friend, which I'm really sad about, because NOW who will I take to festivals?!
We did a lot of sorting and throwing out and then for break time, we went to the store, bought a pint of ice cream, poured hot fudge over it and had it for lunch. :)
Then I sat down and swore at her computer for 3 hours. As previously mentioned, I tend to take after Yosemite Sam when I swear.
Still, I hear it's doing a little better, so I'm glad I could help.
Tuesday, I went and had lunch with a friend. She told me she found this GREAT Okinomiyaki shop.
Okinomiyaki is normally either referred to as Japanese pancake or Japanese Pizza. It is neither. It is a bunch of foods cooked on a skillet, held together by a little batter. As demonstrated in this restaurant.
You make your own here, and you order what kind you like and they bring it to you in a bowl. I got pork.
Then you mix it.
It is, honestly, mostly cabbage. Then you put it on the griddle in the middle of the table.
each side cooks for about 4-6 minutes
After it's cooked, you put on Okinomiyaki sauce.
and mayo. They love mayo.
Then the seaweed flakes
guaranteed to stick to your teeth on a date!
and the fish shavings
they are so light, they wiggle in the heat of the grill. and it looks alive.
And then you use the little spatulas to cut it up and eat it! It's really good!
THE CARNAGE!
And then after a walk to work off some of the food, we went our separate ways.
Wednesday was a day off. It was nice. I relaxed most of the day. I woke up and did some exercises. I talked to people. I cooked some food. I caught up on some TV. That was nice.
In the evening, some members of the ward got together to play volleyball. Now I'm not normally one for volleyball (those suckers HURT) but they use playground balls! So it's much easier to hit, it doesn't hurt as much, and there's less predictability as to where the suckers are going. Though with our amazing skill, I'm not sure that's the balls that are making it unpredictable... Either way, it's lots of fun! :)
Thursday, I went on a hike with, well, I'll be honest, I call her my hiking friend. She's the one I had lunch with on Tuesday. Anyhow! We went on a hike! :)
it was a BEAUTIFUL day! ...for DEATH (that's a graveyard)
And we saw lots of little statues. Someone had knitted most of them hats.
I canNOT get anyone to tell me what the bibs are for.
I like how they stuck a hat on the top of this one. that's not his head.
there's even a tiny hat for the kid! :D
The temperature was PERFECT, not to hot, not too cool. Especially with all the hill climbing.
a view
And it was nice to get away from the city.
there it is!
There were pretty plants
look at that graceful curl!
the flowers are coming!! :D
And a rock that looked like it was sealing away some great evil.
but we couldn't ask.
Either way, it was lots of fun, and we were wiped out afterwards!
Friday, it was my last day with my Festival friend, so we went to Universal Studio's Japan!
wheeee!!!
So did the rest of Osaka, it seems.
Anyhow, we had fun. We went to Potter world again, but since it wasn't RAINING, I got to see the acrobatic performance! :)
Tri-wizard presentation
I love their uniforms!
And they did pictures
behold my completely ridiculous outfit! Go Hufflepuffs!
People kept commenting on my ears.
Selfie!
I agree, they're cute.
And as usual, one of the best things was all the other people dressed up.
you have the minions
the Elmo's
the adorable Snoopy
the...rabbits?
I love those poof hats from Sesame street!
Attack on Titan. Very big here.
So really, my ridiculous outfit barely got a second glance, and that's only because I wasn't dressed as SOMETHING.
It's an anniversary, so they had a big ol' parade
And amazingly bright and cheerful dancers.
The theme was "reborn!" so everyone was singing "Get! RE! BORN!" and it sounded almost like a religious song. Still, it was fun to dance to. :) Yep. totally danced.
no one's REALLY surprised, right?
I do have ONE question about the food.
it's a churro, in a bun with ketchup and mustard on it.
REALLY?!
Looking back on this week, I spent a lot of money. Ouch. So, I've
decided to save money. Besides getting out to exercise, I'm gonna stay
in my room and play computer games!
Especially after a day at USJ.
Of course, we were both tired after THAT. EVERYTHING HURTS
So Saturday I slept in, Kinda.
See, I had a job interview. I was looking around, and a member of the ward suggested this one school, so I'm like "well, ok, I'll try!" And so I dressed spiffy, arrived early, and they didn't even interview me, they were like "this is where you'll work, and these will be your classrooms, and" etc. And I was like "WOAH, slow down!"
And so they gave me until Tuesday to make up my mind.
Well, I spent the rest of the day hunting down family members to chew it over with, get opinions, and stew on my own. There was also a lot of prayer and agonizing.
It ended up being a split between full time vs part time job. The part time paid better per hour, but in the end, gave me WAY less hours. So I decided to stay with my full time job. Which pays less per hour, but at least it's full time with benefits and stuff.
Still, nice to be wanted. :)
Sunday was, of course, church, and after church was a Single's get together! :)
after dinner entertainment!
They do this about once a month, and it's a nice time to get together. I still can't talk much to them, but we communicate ok.
