Thought I'd just share some of my recent "Tokyo Moments"... they just seem to have every day!
Last week, I made my first trip to IKEA. WOW - I quickly understood why people fall instantly in love with this place! Lots of fun things to see and do. Here's the fun part (not really)... Patti and I walked around the second floor first - when suddenly I realized that we were going against the flow of traffic... apparently there are arrows on the floor showing you the direction to walk! We were living out our daily metaphor... acting as fish swimming upstream! Afterwards, we went for lunch at the cafeteria - we followed all of the rules, got our tray, and cart to carry our tray, and proceeded to order our food. I pointed to the ham meal and said I would like the "Ham" and was met with a confused look - I said it again, pointed to the picture, and again confusion... just as I was about to change my order, another woman behind the counter said "h-ah-m" and then suddenly everyone knew what I wanted... As the lady got my food, they all just sat and chuckled and chuckled at this misunderstanding... but I did get my "h-ah-m" and now know how I should order it next time!
Friday night, I went to a toy store to do some shopping. If you spent oer 5000 yen (roughly $50), you were able to get a free die cast car. In the process of the 3 people helping me... one to ring things up, one to wrap, and one to pack the bag... someone forgot to put my car in the bag. I didn't realize this until Saturday and had plans of just stopping back in and asking for the car. Well... Sunday morning around 10 AM the doorbell rang and it was a delivery company... he had me sign for a small package and as I opened it, I realized that it was the car along with a note profusely apologizing for the error! I don't think there's one store in America that would go out of their way to send a customer a free gift!
As if that wasn't enough, around 11 AM the bell rang again and it was another delivery man... this time with a box from amazon in Japan - I had placed an online order with them on Saturday afternoon around 4 PM, and by 11 AM the next day, I had it in my hands! Talk about service!!!
These are just two examples of everyday life here - either its so precise and conforming that it's staggeringly funny, or it's so efficient and timely that you spend the rest of your day touched by the extra effort that was shown.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
A trip to Costco...
Who knew that going to Costco could be such an event???? Well, here in Tokyo - it ranks right up there with getting a package from home! Pattie told me on Wednesday that she wanted to go on Thursday, so I cancelled my Japanese class (again!) and got my thermal "keep stuff cool bag" and we were off! Not sure if I mentioned this or n, but Pattie is now a licensed driver in Japan! She has a car and can now officially drive on the "wrong" side of the road - and she does a pretty good job of it, too! My job is to sit in the passenger seat and make sure she doesn't hit anything on that side! Only a few times have I had to say... "pole!" or "pedestrian!" or my personal favorite - "cab!"
We arrived around 10:30 shortly before the hordes of others... It's just so much fun to go up and down each aisle and see what new little treasures await us - we both nearly fell out yesterday when we saw a box of cornbread mix! It wasn't Jiffy brand, but it certainly was good with dinner last night! There was also that also jar of caramel popcorn! There are several American brands here - the meat products are mostly USDA as well which is nice - they also carry American sizes for clothes which is helpful for the oompa lumpa that I am... I found Sydney some of the CUTEST little dresses yesterday and also found a 3 piece PJ and robe set for her - too cute! She will love getting that for Christmas...
The highlight of the day had to be searching for the turkeys - they are the Honeysuckle brand and include the pop-up timer - but they are labeled in kilograms... so imagine if you will... I call Chris while holding said turkey and ask him to google the kilogram to pounds converter - I keep pulling out frozen turkeys and he keeps telling me the exact weight - then we have to debate about what size we need... I got about a 20 pounder for Christmas and then couldn't decide what I needed for this weekend for our Thanksgiving part two with the Lashers... We finally decided on a size and again, I am in the freezer digging through the turkeys with my purple cellphone in hand... must have been quite a sight. I finally found one that worked and loaded it up - all in all, it was around $70 in turkeys - actually not too bad.
After we totaled up our purchases, we treat ourselves to the large hotdog and soda meal... only about $2.50 and we were off... it is just such a fun day. Pattie and I spent the ride home discussing our awesome purchases and how we got so much for the amount we paid... we have truly become more numb to the prices - we are thinking we did good - yet, our total together was around $900... but our freezers are stocked, my wine fridge is full, and I have caramel popcorn and corn bread and turkeys - makes it all worth it somehow...
We arrived around 10:30 shortly before the hordes of others... It's just so much fun to go up and down each aisle and see what new little treasures await us - we both nearly fell out yesterday when we saw a box of cornbread mix! It wasn't Jiffy brand, but it certainly was good with dinner last night! There was also that also jar of caramel popcorn! There are several American brands here - the meat products are mostly USDA as well which is nice - they also carry American sizes for clothes which is helpful for the oompa lumpa that I am... I found Sydney some of the CUTEST little dresses yesterday and also found a 3 piece PJ and robe set for her - too cute! She will love getting that for Christmas...
The highlight of the day had to be searching for the turkeys - they are the Honeysuckle brand and include the pop-up timer - but they are labeled in kilograms... so imagine if you will... I call Chris while holding said turkey and ask him to google the kilogram to pounds converter - I keep pulling out frozen turkeys and he keeps telling me the exact weight - then we have to debate about what size we need... I got about a 20 pounder for Christmas and then couldn't decide what I needed for this weekend for our Thanksgiving part two with the Lashers... We finally decided on a size and again, I am in the freezer digging through the turkeys with my purple cellphone in hand... must have been quite a sight. I finally found one that worked and loaded it up - all in all, it was around $70 in turkeys - actually not too bad.
After we totaled up our purchases, we treat ourselves to the large hotdog and soda meal... only about $2.50 and we were off... it is just such a fun day. Pattie and I spent the ride home discussing our awesome purchases and how we got so much for the amount we paid... we have truly become more numb to the prices - we are thinking we did good - yet, our total together was around $900... but our freezers are stocked, my wine fridge is full, and I have caramel popcorn and corn bread and turkeys - makes it all worth it somehow...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Happy Birthday Chris Hudson!!!
ON our last night in Saipan, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe - a man came out playing acoustic guitar - he was great. A few songs into the show, he asked if it was anyone's birthday... Chris was quickly volunteered by his "friends!" Before we knew it, he was on the stage and wearing a microphone singing Sweet Caroline! SO funny...
When the man started saying "Happy Birthday, Chris Hudson!!", Sydney looked at me as if to say, "Did we know this was happening???" Nicholas thought it was pretty funny, too. Later that night after Sydney and I went to the room on the 5th floor, I heard this loud booming voice from the pool bar below... yep, it was my husband and the other Corning boys singing Sweet Caroline yet again... It was so obvious, even little Syd came out and said "Is that my Daddy??"
When the man started saying "Happy Birthday, Chris Hudson!!", Sydney looked at me as if to say, "Did we know this was happening???" Nicholas thought it was pretty funny, too. Later that night after Sydney and I went to the room on the 5th floor, I heard this loud booming voice from the pool bar below... yep, it was my husband and the other Corning boys singing Sweet Caroline yet again... It was so obvious, even little Syd came out and said "Is that my Daddy??"
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Decorating for Christmas
OK I admit it, I'm a Christmas tree snob. I grew up with artificial trees and loved them just the same, never knowing the difference of a real tree. However, once Chris came along, we started getting real trees and I fell in love with everything about them - that is, of course, until after Christmas when you have to take them down and throw them out - very messy... anyhoo... it is just so much fun going to the tree lot searching for the right one and taking it home, seeing Chris challenge himself to get it straight and put on the lights. Then when it's all done, we just sit back and gaze upon its beauty and enjoy the smell.
We've done this for over 10 years, even when we were in Hawaii - we got trees that had been cut in August, frozen, and then brought over to the islands. Well, this year is different, there are real trees here, but just like everything else that is different, it comes with a price... like $500!!! Even a "Charlie Brown" tree costs around $300... I had heard this before, but was able to see it for myself last week. I was walking down the street and smelled that familiar smell and saw a parking lot full of trees... I walked up and rubbed a few branches and stuck my face in to breathe in the smell... then I saw the price tags and literally sat there on the street corner with tears in my eyes.
Fast forward to yesterday... we got home from Saipan and I promised the kids that we would put up our tree. A tree which I got for 75% off at Target last year - I had intended on using it as a second tree in my living room, however, it came along to be our tree. It took us a few minutes to get it together and then the kids proceeded to put on the decorations... it's a bit small but watching the kids put the ornaments on was one of those special times where it didn't matter what the tree was made of.
Those of you who know my son, Nicholas, know that he has a heart of gold and the sweetest soul around. He was SO incredibly excited about putting on the ornaments and told stories of each of them as he pulled them out. He talked of previous Christmases and memories with each one of his family members. Throughout this, I kept looking at the tree and giggling about how small it was... finally my sweet little boy looked up at me and said, "Mom, Christmas isn't about the decorations or presents, it's about family and friends, and the birth of Jesus, right?"
Again, I was given a slap of reality from my 7 year old son... So I am happy to say that I have a small, artificial, Christmas tree full of ornaments from vacations with friends and family and handmade treats from my precious little ones - and it's beautiful!
We've done this for over 10 years, even when we were in Hawaii - we got trees that had been cut in August, frozen, and then brought over to the islands. Well, this year is different, there are real trees here, but just like everything else that is different, it comes with a price... like $500!!! Even a "Charlie Brown" tree costs around $300... I had heard this before, but was able to see it for myself last week. I was walking down the street and smelled that familiar smell and saw a parking lot full of trees... I walked up and rubbed a few branches and stuck my face in to breathe in the smell... then I saw the price tags and literally sat there on the street corner with tears in my eyes.
Fast forward to yesterday... we got home from Saipan and I promised the kids that we would put up our tree. A tree which I got for 75% off at Target last year - I had intended on using it as a second tree in my living room, however, it came along to be our tree. It took us a few minutes to get it together and then the kids proceeded to put on the decorations... it's a bit small but watching the kids put the ornaments on was one of those special times where it didn't matter what the tree was made of.
Those of you who know my son, Nicholas, know that he has a heart of gold and the sweetest soul around. He was SO incredibly excited about putting on the ornaments and told stories of each of them as he pulled them out. He talked of previous Christmases and memories with each one of his family members. Throughout this, I kept looking at the tree and giggling about how small it was... finally my sweet little boy looked up at me and said, "Mom, Christmas isn't about the decorations or presents, it's about family and friends, and the birth of Jesus, right?"
Again, I was given a slap of reality from my 7 year old son... So I am happy to say that I have a small, artificial, Christmas tree full of ornaments from vacations with friends and family and handmade treats from my precious little ones - and it's beautiful!
Thanksgiving in Saipan
We left for the airport at 6 AM on Wednesday - everyone did a good job getting up and the cab we had reserved arrived at 5:50 and rang the doorbell at 5:59 - gotta love those prompt Japanese folks! We had a 5 minute ride to the hotel to await the Friendly Airport Bus - the airport is about an hour outside of Tokyo. Once at the airport we checked in and headed for the Northwest Lounge. It was the kids first time there - they loved all of the snacks and Mac computers. We boarded a huge, new plane complete with personal movie players for everyone and we were off. I enjoyed watching Mamma Mia on the way, Sydney watched Peter Pan, and the boys watched Wall E. We arrived safely and as we landed, I looked at Chris and said, welcome to Kauai!
The airport was small and easy to move through - everything was very "island style" and Chris and I were quickly reliving our lives in Hawaii! The hotel sent a bus to get us and we were off - I was loving all of the palm trees, ginger plants, and just gazing at more green than buildings!
Once arriving at the hotel, we quickly checked in and headed to our rooms, our luggage was brought up and within 15 minutes of arrival, we were in the pool! It was beautiful and the kids were in heaven! That's pretty much the way it went for the rest of the trip... swim, eat, swim, go to the beach, swim, eat, hang out, play putt putt golf, watch the evening show, shower, sleep... then get up the next day and do it all over again - I don't think we've ever done a vacation like this with the kids and it was very nice. The weather was great - a few sun showers here and there but nothing that lasted over a few minutes...
A few highlights...
- the staff was amazingly nice and helpful - everyone from the front desk staff to housekeeping always smiled and made us feel genuinely welcome
- I went under the assumption that there was no shopping there - imagine how surprised I was to see that there was a Costco and an ABC store!! I came back with a suitcase full of cereal and another full of poptarts and granola bars
- there was even a Hard Rock cafe - we ended up eating there two nights - on the second night, we went with several other families - Chris was "nominated" as the one with the birthday and before I knew it, he was on stage singing! He sand Sweet Caroline and we all did our best to help out... video to follow...
- every night there was a show put on by the employees of the hotel - Sydney LOVED it... one night was hula - she jumped up and danced with them...
- I realized how fun it was to hold and use American money and speak English to everyone around me!
- we even found a movie theatre - went to see Madagascar 2 - LOVED it - can't decide if I was more excited about the movie or the milkduds and popcorn???!!!
- we saw an AMAZING sunset - photos to follow
- I realized how funny it is to be on the 5th floor of the hotel with the balcony door shut and hear people singing and know instantly that it was my husband!
- I got a Thai relaxation massage and Chris got to golf - we were both very happy campers!
- I was blessed that my children still would rather hang out with me at the pool and beach rather than run off with other kids
- We flew out on Monday morning at 5 AM - Sydney waltzed through the airport in her PJs and Nicholas decided never to even put on his... we were in a row of three and Chris graciously "allowed" me to sit with the kids - where I spent the next 3 hours being a human pillow for two tired little children...
- However, I realized that flying out in the dark, with two sleeping children, and being exhausted myself really helps reduce my flight anxiety greatly!
This was the first Thanksgiving where I wasn't with extended family and didn't eat turkey or get to go shopping on Black Friday - so it really doesn't seem like it happened at all. Chris and I ate steak that day and decided that we would have our own Thanksgiving when we came back - so come on over on Sunday if you didn't get enough turkey yet!
The airport was small and easy to move through - everything was very "island style" and Chris and I were quickly reliving our lives in Hawaii! The hotel sent a bus to get us and we were off - I was loving all of the palm trees, ginger plants, and just gazing at more green than buildings!
Once arriving at the hotel, we quickly checked in and headed to our rooms, our luggage was brought up and within 15 minutes of arrival, we were in the pool! It was beautiful and the kids were in heaven! That's pretty much the way it went for the rest of the trip... swim, eat, swim, go to the beach, swim, eat, hang out, play putt putt golf, watch the evening show, shower, sleep... then get up the next day and do it all over again - I don't think we've ever done a vacation like this with the kids and it was very nice. The weather was great - a few sun showers here and there but nothing that lasted over a few minutes...
A few highlights...
- the staff was amazingly nice and helpful - everyone from the front desk staff to housekeeping always smiled and made us feel genuinely welcome
- I went under the assumption that there was no shopping there - imagine how surprised I was to see that there was a Costco and an ABC store!! I came back with a suitcase full of cereal and another full of poptarts and granola bars
- there was even a Hard Rock cafe - we ended up eating there two nights - on the second night, we went with several other families - Chris was "nominated" as the one with the birthday and before I knew it, he was on stage singing! He sand Sweet Caroline and we all did our best to help out... video to follow...
- every night there was a show put on by the employees of the hotel - Sydney LOVED it... one night was hula - she jumped up and danced with them...
- I realized how fun it was to hold and use American money and speak English to everyone around me!
- we even found a movie theatre - went to see Madagascar 2 - LOVED it - can't decide if I was more excited about the movie or the milkduds and popcorn???!!!
- we saw an AMAZING sunset - photos to follow
- I realized how funny it is to be on the 5th floor of the hotel with the balcony door shut and hear people singing and know instantly that it was my husband!
- I got a Thai relaxation massage and Chris got to golf - we were both very happy campers!
- I was blessed that my children still would rather hang out with me at the pool and beach rather than run off with other kids
- We flew out on Monday morning at 5 AM - Sydney waltzed through the airport in her PJs and Nicholas decided never to even put on his... we were in a row of three and Chris graciously "allowed" me to sit with the kids - where I spent the next 3 hours being a human pillow for two tired little children...
- However, I realized that flying out in the dark, with two sleeping children, and being exhausted myself really helps reduce my flight anxiety greatly!
This was the first Thanksgiving where I wasn't with extended family and didn't eat turkey or get to go shopping on Black Friday - so it really doesn't seem like it happened at all. Chris and I ate steak that day and decided that we would have our own Thanksgiving when we came back - so come on over on Sunday if you didn't get enough turkey yet!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
