The morning following fireworks, Matt fixed us some French toast. Aww, so sweet! And so sorely missed! O:
Then we went to Costco. They sell American foodstuffs at wholesale price. Even in Japan! I wanted some root beer, and Matt wanted some graham crackers and marshmallows for smores with his coworkers.
It was boiling hot outside, but we went anyway. Upon arriving, we were dismayed to find that there is no way to buy anything from Costco except to be a member, which costs, if I recall correctly, 4,280 yen. Or close to.
So the guy we were talking to (who thankfully spoke good enough English to get his point across) told Matt that he should buy a membership now, get what he wanted, and come back in a few days to cancel the membership, with a schtick about how the customer service was bad or some such. This would warrant a refund, he said.
I thought this was hilarious! He was telling us to lie to the store in order to get out of being a member, after taking advantage of being a member. Keep on keepin' on, dude.
Matt was hesitant about lying, and trying to come up with less untrue excuses for wanting to cancel, like "oh, I'm leaving Japan in a month." The guy kept saying, "No, that's not good enough, say you got food poisoning or something." (Okay I made that one up, but I'm sure had I suggested it, he would've thought it was a GRAND idea.)
Nonetheless, Matt bought a membership and we proceeded inward...
Turns out my favorite part of this type of store when I was a kid is still my favorite part: samples. I got some sashimi, some smoked southwestern-style salmon, some strawberries, and more more more. Greatness!
I found my root beer. It is great. I've never heard of this brand before (Dad's Old Fashioned Root Beer) but I was later assured it is jin-yoo-wine American brand. I don't particularly care, though. ROOT BEER. Protip: root beer doesn't exist in normal Japan.
Matt found his jumbo marshmallows, but couldn't find his graham crackers. We looked in many places, to no avail. Matt was furious. Enraged! Incensed. He canceled his membership posthaste - as soon as we paid for our food!
Ah, good times.
Now came the hard part: carrying this all to Robert's. I mentioned before it was boiling hot outside. That did not change during our shopping extravaganza. ):
Luckily, a nearby bus stop alleviated the pain of carrying everything we had on foot.
Blah blah blah boring description of boring trip - ARRIVAL.
The food at Robert's was great, of course. I enjoyed my root beer as a supplement to the many dishes, including but not limited to maabo dofu (a newly-discovered favorite Chinese dish of mine which consists of tofu in a spicy meat sauce, usually served with rice), a pork and cabbage lettuce wrap thing, and good ol' kimchi.
It was an enjoyable time.
Ironically, I forgot to take pictures of his many dishes AGAIN. I promised myself I would remember after forgetting the first time he did this. But then I didn't remember.
Addendum: I am hilarious. Or at least the things I say produce much laughter. But no, I'm hilarious. Feel free to agree with me, but don't disagree. If you do I know you're lying.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Boom, boom, boom
My weekend adventures were pretty great, as far as weekend adventures go. Fireworks and chillin'. What more could I ask for?
When I accidentally left a little later than I intended, I thought it would make me a little late. However, I ended up arriving at the meeting place almost an hour late! Which was sort of okay because Matt was also late. (Even later than me!) Unfortunately, Tyler had already come and gone by that time, since we had no way of contacting him. I felt bad, but it's not like I could do anything about it.
So I met Matt's Japanese friend, Tomo, who'd been there since the actual meeting time, and we waited for Matt. He spoked da gooder Amurrcan then I didded Japanse. Jealous!
Matt arrived and we traipsed along to our destination.
It's at this point I feel I should point out I've been wearing sandals since I left my apartment for fireworks. I'm not used to wearing sandals while out and about. Flippy-floppies, to be exact. I couldn't make my feet walk "normal." It felt weird.
Soon enough, we were at our destination - a large field! The fireworks had just started, but Tomo's family was already there saving a spot with a large blanket. We found them, introductions were made, and the celebration began!
It was pretty rad.
We had edamame (soybeans) to munch on, and some sushi rolls to devour. I accidentally grabbed the nattou roll, but Tomo saved me just as I was about to take a large bite. Phew! Instead I ate a shrimp roll. It was ever so delightful!
The fireworks were pretty great, too, of course! I think it was literally the first time I've ever had a camera in my hands while watching fireworks. Which is strange, but I guess now that I think about it, not entirely unbelievable. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed taking a ton of pictures, and managed a few that I really like. Eventually I will upload them to my flickr, of course. Dial-up is slow!
The coolest part, though, was being surrounded by all the people in kimonos or yukata. (Honestly I can't tell the difference between the two, unless I look really close, so I'll henceforth refer to them all as kimono. Just know that yukatas are meant for more casual summer occasions - to keep cool. I have a feeling most of what I saw were kimonos.)
There was one adorable little girl in front of us who kept dancing in her pink kimono, with the large bow tied at her back. Adorable! Ohoho. I would've taken a picture, but that could have been construed as either creepy or super creepy, so I didn't. I think she was in one of my better pictures though... completely on accident, I swear!
Then it all ended.
We walked to the bus stop and waited in an obscenely long line that literally wrapped around itself, spiraling inward. But since we were less than 500 feet from Tokyo Bay and I could smell the beach and feel the ocean winds, I didn't care. I would've stayed there longer. Felt so good. Love it. The ocean. Love it.
But, alas, all good things come to an end. Tomo and his family waited with us, but it was only me and Matt who actually took the bus. It was a long and arduous trip, but I survived. Stayed the night at Matt's place, 'cause the next day was food day at Robert's. Aw, yeah.
TO BE CONTINUED AT MY OWN LEISURE
When I accidentally left a little later than I intended, I thought it would make me a little late. However, I ended up arriving at the meeting place almost an hour late! Which was sort of okay because Matt was also late. (Even later than me!) Unfortunately, Tyler had already come and gone by that time, since we had no way of contacting him. I felt bad, but it's not like I could do anything about it.
So I met Matt's Japanese friend, Tomo, who'd been there since the actual meeting time, and we waited for Matt. He spoked da gooder Amurrcan then I didded Japanse. Jealous!
Matt arrived and we traipsed along to our destination.
It's at this point I feel I should point out I've been wearing sandals since I left my apartment for fireworks. I'm not used to wearing sandals while out and about. Flippy-floppies, to be exact. I couldn't make my feet walk "normal." It felt weird.
Soon enough, we were at our destination - a large field! The fireworks had just started, but Tomo's family was already there saving a spot with a large blanket. We found them, introductions were made, and the celebration began!
It was pretty rad.
We had edamame (soybeans) to munch on, and some sushi rolls to devour. I accidentally grabbed the nattou roll, but Tomo saved me just as I was about to take a large bite. Phew! Instead I ate a shrimp roll. It was ever so delightful!
The fireworks were pretty great, too, of course! I think it was literally the first time I've ever had a camera in my hands while watching fireworks. Which is strange, but I guess now that I think about it, not entirely unbelievable. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed taking a ton of pictures, and managed a few that I really like. Eventually I will upload them to my flickr, of course. Dial-up is slow!
The coolest part, though, was being surrounded by all the people in kimonos or yukata. (Honestly I can't tell the difference between the two, unless I look really close, so I'll henceforth refer to them all as kimono. Just know that yukatas are meant for more casual summer occasions - to keep cool. I have a feeling most of what I saw were kimonos.)
There was one adorable little girl in front of us who kept dancing in her pink kimono, with the large bow tied at her back. Adorable! Ohoho. I would've taken a picture, but that could have been construed as either creepy or super creepy, so I didn't. I think she was in one of my better pictures though... completely on accident, I swear!
Then it all ended.
We walked to the bus stop and waited in an obscenely long line that literally wrapped around itself, spiraling inward. But since we were less than 500 feet from Tokyo Bay and I could smell the beach and feel the ocean winds, I didn't care. I would've stayed there longer. Felt so good. Love it. The ocean. Love it.
But, alas, all good things come to an end. Tomo and his family waited with us, but it was only me and Matt who actually took the bus. It was a long and arduous trip, but I survived. Stayed the night at Matt's place, 'cause the next day was food day at Robert's. Aw, yeah.
TO BE CONTINUED AT MY OWN LEISURE
Friday, July 24, 2009
All you have to do is ask!
I just spent the better part of the day wandering around Yokosuka (specifically nearby the Yokosuka Chuo station) looking for an electronics store. About two and a half hours, I believe. I really needed a new SD card and SD card reader, just in case it's the reader I've been using that fried my past two cards.
I didn't find one there.
Dismayed, I returned to my station (Kenritsudaigaku) and ate some tempura shrimp soba. Worth it! On a whim, I went off the beaten path (i.e., the path home) on the off-chance there would be the kind of store I needed in that direction. I thought I found one and went inside. Alas, it only LOOKED like the kind of store I needed. But I asked where I could buy an SD card, if they knew, and this guy came out the back (because he could speak English, unlike the lady I was talking to previously), and started trying to explain to me where to go.
But then he gave up and took me there. Just up and walked out of his store to walk for ten minutes and show me the building.
Japan rocks.
(As it turns out, I've looked at this very building many times from my balcony, wondering what that smiling sun was. Now I know. Kojima - where all your electronic dreams come true.)
I didn't find one there.
Dismayed, I returned to my station (Kenritsudaigaku) and ate some tempura shrimp soba. Worth it! On a whim, I went off the beaten path (i.e., the path home) on the off-chance there would be the kind of store I needed in that direction. I thought I found one and went inside. Alas, it only LOOKED like the kind of store I needed. But I asked where I could buy an SD card, if they knew, and this guy came out the back (because he could speak English, unlike the lady I was talking to previously), and started trying to explain to me where to go.
But then he gave up and took me there. Just up and walked out of his store to walk for ten minutes and show me the building.
Japan rocks.
(As it turns out, I've looked at this very building many times from my balcony, wondering what that smiling sun was. Now I know. Kojima - where all your electronic dreams come true.)
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 3
I'm not sure which is worse. Having the pictures and losing them, or simply not being able to take the pictures in the first place.
It might seem immediately clear to you: "Obviously, losing what you already have is worse!"
But, for me, just the act of taking the pictures is enjoyable. I like lining up the perfect shot. I like zooming in on a flower or bug or rock in macro mode. I like pulling back and getting as much of the view as possible into one shot. I like framing things in the branches of a tree. (I like the last one a lot, probably to a fault - they sadly rarely ever turn out as well as I think they will.)
I definitely enjoyed taking those pictures on Fuji. You know, the pictures I no longer have. I still have the memories of climbing and the memories of taking the pictures.
However, losing them was pretty devastating. Not nearly as devastating as not being able to take pictures at the Imperial Palace, as described below...
Then again, the Imperial Palace is NOTHING compared to climbing to the summit of the tallest mountain in Japan. If you ask me!
Gah.
Gah.
Gah.
(Gah.)
03/24/09 - PALACE OF THE DEAD CAMERA
Goddamnit. Camera battery died before the day was out. Lesson fucking learned. Charge that shit every night. Maybe get a spare. Looked in Akihabara, but it was expensive or not the same voltage. Gah.
Maid cafes -- weird. Didn't go in one but we walked by and I swear at one point we were surrounded by eight maids all advertising for the same maid cafe.
Oh, and I walked into this figurine store and saw some creepy old guy staring creepily at some bare-breasted figurines.
Angry about the camera. Gah. Palace was pretty damn cool.
It might seem immediately clear to you: "Obviously, losing what you already have is worse!"
But, for me, just the act of taking the pictures is enjoyable. I like lining up the perfect shot. I like zooming in on a flower or bug or rock in macro mode. I like pulling back and getting as much of the view as possible into one shot. I like framing things in the branches of a tree. (I like the last one a lot, probably to a fault - they sadly rarely ever turn out as well as I think they will.)
I definitely enjoyed taking those pictures on Fuji. You know, the pictures I no longer have. I still have the memories of climbing and the memories of taking the pictures.
However, losing them was pretty devastating. Not nearly as devastating as not being able to take pictures at the Imperial Palace, as described below...
Then again, the Imperial Palace is NOTHING compared to climbing to the summit of the tallest mountain in Japan. If you ask me!
Gah.
Gah.
Gah.
(Gah.)
03/24/09 - PALACE OF THE DEAD CAMERA
Goddamnit. Camera battery died before the day was out. Lesson fucking learned. Charge that shit every night. Maybe get a spare. Looked in Akihabara, but it was expensive or not the same voltage. Gah.
Maid cafes -- weird. Didn't go in one but we walked by and I swear at one point we were surrounded by eight maids all advertising for the same maid cafe.
Oh, and I walked into this figurine store and saw some creepy old guy staring creepily at some bare-breasted figurines.
Angry about the camera. Gah. Palace was pretty damn cool.
Consumed earlier: MAN SNACK
男スナック
Man snack.
Snack man.
It was nothing special to eat, really. But the name. And the bag was damn near impossible to open.
I have to present my knowledge on Microsoft Search Server on Thursday. In English, thank god. To Japanese people, though. Eek! I'm not looking forward to it. I had my suspicions my boss would make me do this, but I was really hoping it wouldn't happen. And now it has.
Should be fun? Maybe?
D:
Man snack.
Snack man.
It was nothing special to eat, really. But the name. And the bag was damn near impossible to open.
I have to present my knowledge on Microsoft Search Server on Thursday. In English, thank god. To Japanese people, though. Eek! I'm not looking forward to it. I had my suspicions my boss would make me do this, but I was really hoping it wouldn't happen. And now it has.
Should be fun? Maybe?
D:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
BLAST FROM THE PAST pt. 2
Look at that. I was a wide-eyed child basking in the glory of the New and Wonderful. How cute!
Incidentally, I did eventually go to the top of the Tokyo Tower at night, but it was rainy. It looked beautiful, as I knew it WOULD, but the pictures came out, well... like pictures I took at night in the rain!
Personally, I think the rain made it look extra sweet. But it also made the pictures come out extra not-sweet.
C'est la vie! Haha I can speak French.
03/23/09 - FIRST FULL DAY OF GLORY
Jeeeesus Japan is awesome. Today we went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center and took a bunch of pictures. Awesome view of the city. I'd love to go back there at night some time, to look down on Tokyo with all the lights turned on. Bet it would be beautiful.
Before that, first day of class. Eh, nothin' special. Same old. Sensei is pretty cool, though. He took us to the tower.
Thoughts still jumbled, but Japan seems pretty cool so far.
Incidentally, I did eventually go to the top of the Tokyo Tower at night, but it was rainy. It looked beautiful, as I knew it WOULD, but the pictures came out, well... like pictures I took at night in the rain!
Personally, I think the rain made it look extra sweet. But it also made the pictures come out extra not-sweet.
C'est la vie! Haha I can speak French.
03/23/09 - FIRST FULL DAY OF GLORY
Jeeeesus Japan is awesome. Today we went to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Center and took a bunch of pictures. Awesome view of the city. I'd love to go back there at night some time, to look down on Tokyo with all the lights turned on. Bet it would be beautiful.
Before that, first day of class. Eh, nothin' special. Same old. Sensei is pretty cool, though. He took us to the tower.
Thoughts still jumbled, but Japan seems pretty cool so far.
Fish eggs or fish and eggs
My job is getting more tolerable every day!
And that's all I've got to say on that.
Today at lunch they made fun of me for using chopsticks to eat an omelet. I guess I was supposed to be using a spoon. O: Truth is, I didn't even see a spoon! Except the ones they had. Ah well. It was a good omelet anyway! ROCK IT.
They also asked me if I wanted to go fishing. Unfortunately, I had to turn them down, because I already have plans that day and will have to leave somewhat early since these plans take place up north at the north pole or some shit.
But it makes me sad.
I've always loved fishing! Always! For as much as I love it, though, I never really do it. Shame on me! I guess if I wanted to count how many times I did real fishing, I could do it on... two hands? )':
Man do I love it, though. Hopefully next time they go, I'm invited again and can go!
Ohoho.
And that's all I've got to say on that.
Today at lunch they made fun of me for using chopsticks to eat an omelet. I guess I was supposed to be using a spoon. O: Truth is, I didn't even see a spoon! Except the ones they had. Ah well. It was a good omelet anyway! ROCK IT.
They also asked me if I wanted to go fishing. Unfortunately, I had to turn them down, because I already have plans that day and will have to leave somewhat early since these plans take place up north at the north pole or some shit.
But it makes me sad.
I've always loved fishing! Always! For as much as I love it, though, I never really do it. Shame on me! I guess if I wanted to count how many times I did real fishing, I could do it on... two hands? )':
Man do I love it, though. Hopefully next time they go, I'm invited again and can go!
Ohoho.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)