Halloween Tokyo style

They don't trick or treat, but it'll be fun seeing the costumes. I'll be in the states for Halloween this year. Might have to do a Japanese costume

This  is actually a Claire's in Shibuya.

More parade photos

Cutie patooties.

People everywhere, but everyone was polite and careful of each other. Nice.

How cute are these little ones? They had so much energy.

Don't have a clue who this is-maybe the Energy or electric company? 

Our Sundays

We are getting into a routine here in Tokyo and Sundays are easy, but usually something new to see and experience.

I usually go for a slow 5-6 mile run and some interesting sights. Two guys sleeping off a night out on the street corner. I live in a high rent area, so not something I expected to see. The trains all stop at midnight, so if people don't make the train they will plop in the station or street and sleep it off. No one bothers them and once the trains start at 5 am the weaving masses start to exit the stations. Yesterday I think I could have gotten drunk from the fumes coming from the people I passed on the train. I was just worried these two would get hit by a car, but nobody else seemed to blink.

On to church and usually lunch after the service. We decide on meals depending on what festival or event is going on in the area. Church is near Yoyogi park and many events are held in the park almost every weekend. Once the weather gets colder we will try to hit more of the inside museums, but right now enjoying the locals.

There were dance groups performing in parades right in front of the church, so we stopped and watched for a while. So many people and beautiful costumes.

Ok, and then this weird store window display. Looks real.
We usually walk back to Shibuya from church and take our time people watching and usually doing some errands in town. It is always nice to have my husband to help lug things back to the apartment. I can shop for more things. It is something that is always in the back of your mind when shopping. Is this all going to be too heavy or should I use delivery? That is why I shop almost every day for food and other things.
Back to the apartment and now that we have US tv we look for some football or soccer. Yesterday we watched the Seahawks beat Kansas city and had a nice light supper. Very relaxing and a fun day.

Politeness does not equal kindness

To start with I am posting this photo to just smile. Really nice store here in Shibuya.

So today I was doing an errand and whoops I fall up the stairs in Shibuya. Crazy busy as usual and purse went flying. Ok, where were the hands to help me up-Not one person tried to help. Is it a culture thing? I'm a westerner? All these thoughts went through my head and as I limped on I got a bit annoyed. Ok, pissed off for a minute or two and home I went.
I started to look at some info on Japan a few hours later and the main theme of many articles and bloggers is to not confuse the bowing, smiles and so called politeness as a real welcome to anyone.
 It certainly confirms the feeling of always being a tourist while living here.

This is not sour grapes just the way it is. I read the local papers and it certainly comes to me that the western goods are welcome, but not always the people. I find the elderly are much more friendly and the younger people seem to have a disdain for my presence. Many times walking in the city there is an arrogance to not move and will even push if they have the opportunity. Is this the western culture invading? In some ways I can see how it would translate here.

I still haven't connected with anyone here and hoping to meet a few people once we join a group at church and people are back from their summer trips overseas. Two women I had met in the spring are not coming back-one moved back to the states and the other has decided to live in the states while her husband works here. Not an option in any way for me. I have been away from Wayne too much in this marriage and certainly don't want to live apart when it's our time to be together alone. The other thing is the western population is 1% here and not many from the states and UK.

As you can see this is not an up day in many ways, but it'll get better. Limping off to do the laundry.

God answers

What is my plan for Japan? I still am thinking that through and maybe shouldn't think too much.Today I saw a gentleman I see usually grooming his dog actually walking and working together. Too cool and brings tears to my eyes.

Up the stairs they go.

Then I see this cutie and what is he wearing-a Go Guide dog shirt. That is the official doggie shirt for JGDA here in Tokyo. No second guessing, I am meant to work with the doggies. It gets hard some days because of the language, but it's nice we all have the same goal. This is going to be my joy in Japan!

The Orange tower

Tokyo tower. It's funny how you see this all over the tourist info and then it's just there. The tower is right across from the medical buildings. Once the summer is over I think we will make a visit.

Obon is the 2nd week in August that you don't want to travel in Japan if possible. Much is closed and people go home to honor their loved ones and visit graves. Being 2012 that doesn't always happen and many people are here visiting the city. I'm told Disney is packed. Warning to anyone who wants to visit-don't this time of year. It's also very very hot and 91 degrees in a city and on trains isn't great. It should start to cool down in the next few weeks.


Someone asked if we have a view and this is where the bedrooms look out onto. It's the local street and actually very quiet. When school starts there are many children walking to school that is up the road and a kindergarten across the way. I am missing the kids laughter and the playing outside. Yes, they have recess here a few times a day.

Not much else. Feeling much better and I am getting antsy to go for a long run. Hopefully tomorrow.

First doctor visit in Tokyo

We were all set to meet our new doctor here in Tokyo next week but I had other ideas. I have been sick  for about 5 days and finally gave in and said ok to see a doctor. I'm ok, have a  kidney infection and will be fine in a week or so. The company has us set up with an International clinic and great care, but different. Signing in they asked for a history, basically my age, sex and where I live. No questions on medical history. Ok, I guess the doctor will ask. 

I then hear my name over a speaker and told to go to a numbered room. The doctor was German and listened, but thought I might have been out running in the sun too much after a few questions. We talked and then he examined me, no undressing, no nurse in room and said I had an athletes heartbeat. Liked hearing that for sure. Off for tests and then waited for results. Back to doctor and he prescribed meds, forgot to say I was never weighed or asked for my weight. Oh, well haven't heard of the japanese people dropping from prescription issues,so happy to get some help and onto being healthy.

We had taken a cab to the office, but I wanted to walk a bit and we took the train home. On the way we were treated to seeing a buddhist temple celebrating Obon(more later) and the lovely decorations. We were outside the gate, so my husband thought it was funny to take a photo of me sneaking around.

Of course, we rounded a corner and could take pictures with out issues. Will try to find out more info, but I was feeling tired, so off we went. Looking forward to going back.

Then a reminder of home or shall I say one of our homes.

Toddlers and Tiaras-really?

So, we now have Slingplayer and get a billion channels on our tv-all in USA time. I had a headache and started watching some tv and woke up to TAT. Ok, I am not going to get into the pageant thing, but damn where are the parenting skills in this world. My kids screamed at me or anyone else like these kids do and they would still be sitting in their rooms.
Ok, ranted, but I don't get why people like the shows where everyone is yelling at each other. I know there is editing, but still don't want to hear yelling on my tv shows.

By the way, my girls turned out ok and a NO and sit quietly in your room works wonders. They still are afraid of Mom getting quiet-Ok, being silly and I have blocked TAT.

A good run always makes for a good day

Wayne and I were up to watch the soccer games and they started at 3:30 am or so they said. Naturally it was later and the game went into overtime, but USA won!!
Excited, so went for a 6 mile run with no watch, just my route. The whole time I felt like a real runner, not a plodder in this horrible heat and just enjoyed every part of the trail. I was rewarded by another runner with his 14 week old yellow lab pup-I was over the top excited! The gentleman knew very little english, but I said kawaii-cute and asked to pet the pup. He was happy to oblige and if I had had my camera I am sure he would have posed for a photo-that won't happen again. The japanese love to show off their dogs.

So on that note I decided to do some grocery shopping and it all just arrived. About $10 and all gets delivered. This is an online service and I can actually get some produce from Costco, oh and enough toilet paper to last until Christmas.
Made the dressing for Oriental chicken salad and we will have a nice quiet dinner and more Olympics.
Good day, God is good!

Why I blog

I blog to let my friends and family be a part of my life and journey far from home. I miss all of you very much and want to stay connected. There will be all kinds of topics and photos.  Example:I saw a NY cheesecake and thought of someone, so I took a photo, besides the fact it was almost $30.00 for a 4 slice cake here in Tokyo.
Hope you enjoy ,but it's ok to ask why I have written on a subject
Love you all!

Do you like the food?

The number one questioned I am asked is if I like Japanese food?

 How do I answer? I don't want to answer in a negative, but I have never liked most Japanese food, so I am not eating it here. There is certainly more options then what we have in the states, but not partial to the flavors and textures of japanese cooking.

Ok, so this is the fake food they put in all the restaurants ad stores, still not looking good to me.

Why you ask, flavors, don't' like sushi, miso, soba noodles, tempura, so what is left-rice, which you can not seem to get plain in restaurants. They don't really do much in simple vegetables either.

Now the sweets. Bakeries here are huge, but not as sweet as you are used to in the states. The chocolate is very bland and you can't find chocolate and peanut butter anywhere, except for US brands. Great bread though, but I tend to stay away from bread anyway.If you really have to eat fried dough you can find KK in many places and they are busy.

Plus side, a ton of foreign food has invaded Japan. I am not a fast food person, but many Italian, American and hamburger joints everywhere. Hard to find breakfast places, but they are starting to pop up also. Good chinese everywhere which makes us happy because we love.
Bottom line, I am cooking simple food at home and my answer to the question about food"We are trying all kinds of different foods here"