Friday, February 27, 2009
Coldplay Concert
Chris and I went with two other Corning couples recently to see Coldplay in concert. To be honest, I really hadn't listened to their music much prior to this - but downloaded some before the show and decided that I really liked them! Fortunately, Chris's secretary ordered the tickets for us - or else we would have not been able to do it since it was all in Japanese!
The concert was about an hour by train with only one switch - I clearly have gotten more acclimated to being in Tokyo because I left with no notes/directions and really had no idea where I was going! We made it there somehow and found our seats - the concert started at 5 PM - which we decide must be so that everyone can get back into the city by train (the trains close down between 11 and 12).
All I can really say is that we really stuck out like sore thumbs - we had seats which was nice since those on the floor had to stand - I have NEVER been in an arena that was so quiet! I wanted to scream out a friend;s name and see if she would answer me from the other side of the arena, but decided that might not be appropriate!
We got some food and drinks and suffered through the opening act - then realized no on else around was eating, so thinking that might have been mistake number 15 of the evening! We went out after the opening act to find that they were closing down the food stands - looks like last call was before the big show ever started!!!
The show started and it was AWESOME - we jumped up and started dancing, but as I looked around, I realized that we were the only ones dancing! Those around us were standing, but they all stood nice and politely with smiles... I threatened to do the bump with the lady next to me, but I think I would have given her a heart attack!
After the show, we all tried to walk out quietly, but you know - it was just too quiet! And we (led by Rob) decided to start singing oldies songs... The Righteous Brothers, Temptations, even a little David Allen Coe - yep we made a spectacle of ourselves, but they seemed to like it! We got lots of looks and smiles - and even a few pictures!
When we made it to the train, we realized once again that we had no idea how to make it home! So we just went to the track that said "Tokyo" and had lots of people - fortunately, we even saw some fellow expats on the track so we assumed that it was right! We were even so cool, we watched the stations and found a place to change trains which got us home much quicker - we made it back to Tokyo before 9 and were able to grab dinner at one of our favorite places, Junkadelic, a Mexican restaurant for burritos and margaritas -
It was a great night - we were back home before 11!
The concert was about an hour by train with only one switch - I clearly have gotten more acclimated to being in Tokyo because I left with no notes/directions and really had no idea where I was going! We made it there somehow and found our seats - the concert started at 5 PM - which we decide must be so that everyone can get back into the city by train (the trains close down between 11 and 12).
All I can really say is that we really stuck out like sore thumbs - we had seats which was nice since those on the floor had to stand - I have NEVER been in an arena that was so quiet! I wanted to scream out a friend;s name and see if she would answer me from the other side of the arena, but decided that might not be appropriate!
We got some food and drinks and suffered through the opening act - then realized no on else around was eating, so thinking that might have been mistake number 15 of the evening! We went out after the opening act to find that they were closing down the food stands - looks like last call was before the big show ever started!!!
The show started and it was AWESOME - we jumped up and started dancing, but as I looked around, I realized that we were the only ones dancing! Those around us were standing, but they all stood nice and politely with smiles... I threatened to do the bump with the lady next to me, but I think I would have given her a heart attack!
After the show, we all tried to walk out quietly, but you know - it was just too quiet! And we (led by Rob) decided to start singing oldies songs... The Righteous Brothers, Temptations, even a little David Allen Coe - yep we made a spectacle of ourselves, but they seemed to like it! We got lots of looks and smiles - and even a few pictures!
When we made it to the train, we realized once again that we had no idea how to make it home! So we just went to the track that said "Tokyo" and had lots of people - fortunately, we even saw some fellow expats on the track so we assumed that it was right! We were even so cool, we watched the stations and found a place to change trains which got us home much quicker - we made it back to Tokyo before 9 and were able to grab dinner at one of our favorite places, Junkadelic, a Mexican restaurant for burritos and margaritas -
It was a great night - we were back home before 11!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
You just can't make this stuff up...
I was out at lunch today and just had the most fun looking at the menu! Pattie and I were at a Chinese restaurant and there was one menu with both Japanese and English writing... and, as usual, something just got lost in the translations... here are the things we noticed that gave us a giggle...
"cray pot" rice set
"cray pot" noodles
"cray pot" dish
(side note... we saw the aforementioned "cray pot" it was made of a substance we commonly refer to as CLAY)
"chiken"
"beef tendon" - we are really hoping this meant beef tenderloin!
We also took a class today about touring in Tokyo and the nicest Japanese lady had put together a manual for us - her notes were wonderful, except that we saw one brochure - and I am not kidding! - it said "please pay at the front desk and leave your belongings in the lockers provided - no rash is necessary during your stay" - seriously? no rash??? the fact that the brochure was for a Japanese bath and relaxation place makes me a little nervous! Again - hoping that they meant "cash"!
In other news - I also thought it was pretty cute that I saw an older Japanese man on the bus the other day - he was wearing a Stetson hat - he nor the hat looked like anything I had ever seen associated with Stetson before!!!
"cray pot" rice set
"cray pot" noodles
"cray pot" dish
(side note... we saw the aforementioned "cray pot" it was made of a substance we commonly refer to as CLAY)
"chiken"
"beef tendon" - we are really hoping this meant beef tenderloin!
We also took a class today about touring in Tokyo and the nicest Japanese lady had put together a manual for us - her notes were wonderful, except that we saw one brochure - and I am not kidding! - it said "please pay at the front desk and leave your belongings in the lockers provided - no rash is necessary during your stay" - seriously? no rash??? the fact that the brochure was for a Japanese bath and relaxation place makes me a little nervous! Again - hoping that they meant "cash"!
In other news - I also thought it was pretty cute that I saw an older Japanese man on the bus the other day - he was wearing a Stetson hat - he nor the hat looked like anything I had ever seen associated with Stetson before!!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!
We had a very "American" day yesterday - well about as close as you can get! We started off the afternoon with a movie - High School Musical 3 has just made it to Tokyo and we went with the Lasher's - as always, it was different and a new experience!
We were told that we should buy our tickets online and it was "easy" - well, my Japanese teacher had to help me! But we got it and got our tickets - you get seat assignments here, by the way! None of that pesky searching for a seat... As we walked to the refreshment counter I saw a GIFT SHOP on the other side - you could get "programs" for the movies and postcards all kinds of things - next it was time for the food...
Fortunately, we had just gotten a care package from TN so I smuggled in Reeses Pieces and Dots! But the popcorn... oh the popcorn! You can get a large bucket with half caramel and the other half butter - does it get any better than that?? Nope - don't think so!
We went into the theatre - after having our tickets checked and getting a free treat - it was present day! We got a High School Musical postcard... and we went to find our seats - awesome, comfy seats - we made sure we were ready to go when it started because you aren't supposed to leave once it starts -
We loved the movie - it was all in English but had Japanese subtitles on the bottom -we were all dancing in our seats - but everyone else sat still! When it was over, and the credits started to roll, we saw that the Americans were the only ones leaving - everyone else I guess must wait for the last credit to roll before they leave...
After that we walked to the train and went to a place called Tokyo Dome City - it's mainly a dome where they play baseball but there are several rides, attractions, and stores around it - it was just such a beautiful day and we were amazed that this place wasn't packed with people! A definite bonus!
the kids rode some rides and we had dinner at Bubba Gump's - just like back home! - and then we got dessert at Baskin Robbins!
So it was a great day and I'm thankful we found this new place! We will have to go back again...
We were told that we should buy our tickets online and it was "easy" - well, my Japanese teacher had to help me! But we got it and got our tickets - you get seat assignments here, by the way! None of that pesky searching for a seat... As we walked to the refreshment counter I saw a GIFT SHOP on the other side - you could get "programs" for the movies and postcards all kinds of things - next it was time for the food...
Fortunately, we had just gotten a care package from TN so I smuggled in Reeses Pieces and Dots! But the popcorn... oh the popcorn! You can get a large bucket with half caramel and the other half butter - does it get any better than that?? Nope - don't think so!
We went into the theatre - after having our tickets checked and getting a free treat - it was present day! We got a High School Musical postcard... and we went to find our seats - awesome, comfy seats - we made sure we were ready to go when it started because you aren't supposed to leave once it starts -
We loved the movie - it was all in English but had Japanese subtitles on the bottom -we were all dancing in our seats - but everyone else sat still! When it was over, and the credits started to roll, we saw that the Americans were the only ones leaving - everyone else I guess must wait for the last credit to roll before they leave...
After that we walked to the train and went to a place called Tokyo Dome City - it's mainly a dome where they play baseball but there are several rides, attractions, and stores around it - it was just such a beautiful day and we were amazed that this place wasn't packed with people! A definite bonus!
the kids rode some rides and we had dinner at Bubba Gump's - just like back home! - and then we got dessert at Baskin Robbins!
So it was a great day and I'm thankful we found this new place! We will have to go back again...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A day at the hair salon...
SO I went to get my hair done this week - after so many times with highlights, it seemed it was time for an all over color and a try to start over. Of course, the all over color was to hide the numerous gray hairs that keep cropping up as well!!!
And, as with everything else in Japan - there is a process. In this case, it took 3 hours! I'm all for pampering, but this got a bit old... so here goes.
It started out with the assistant brushing my hair and then applying something to the edges of my hair - guessing that was so my skin wouldn't be stained. Then it was time to evaluate and explain what I wanted - to someone who didn't speak fluent English - then it was time for the color. Two women coloring at the same time - this process was in 3 steps and took quite a while as well. Meanwhile, I'm starting to get a headache and noticing that my head is tingling - thinking this can't be healthy!
Then it was time for was number one - 20 minutes worth - now this I like - nice massage while getting the hair washed - quite relaxing!
Then it was time for blow dry number one - two blowers at the same time - now time for highlights - again two women - one holding the foils and one to paint on the color.
It was then time for wash #2 - more washing, more massaging - still loving this part.
Finally it was time for the blow dry - now it was the third person who came in to dry - It was now 2:00 and my appointment had started at 11:15! When he finished drying - it was 2:25!!!
It was a process but I've decided that I liked the end result - I at least don't see the gray anymore! My headache lasted for the rest of the day and I couldn't seem to breathe through my nose without pain - again, that really doesn't sound right???
And, as with everything else in Japan - there is a process. In this case, it took 3 hours! I'm all for pampering, but this got a bit old... so here goes.
It started out with the assistant brushing my hair and then applying something to the edges of my hair - guessing that was so my skin wouldn't be stained. Then it was time to evaluate and explain what I wanted - to someone who didn't speak fluent English - then it was time for the color. Two women coloring at the same time - this process was in 3 steps and took quite a while as well. Meanwhile, I'm starting to get a headache and noticing that my head is tingling - thinking this can't be healthy!
Then it was time for was number one - 20 minutes worth - now this I like - nice massage while getting the hair washed - quite relaxing!
Then it was time for blow dry number one - two blowers at the same time - now time for highlights - again two women - one holding the foils and one to paint on the color.
It was then time for wash #2 - more washing, more massaging - still loving this part.
Finally it was time for the blow dry - now it was the third person who came in to dry - It was now 2:00 and my appointment had started at 11:15! When he finished drying - it was 2:25!!!
It was a process but I've decided that I liked the end result - I at least don't see the gray anymore! My headache lasted for the rest of the day and I couldn't seem to breathe through my nose without pain - again, that really doesn't sound right???
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