Saturday, December 25, 2010

Our First Ski Trip

It's Christmas Day here in good ol' Kitami, Japan, so my husband and I decided to go skiing for the first time since we moved here (two years ago). We went to the local ski hill, Wakamatsu. This was my husband's second time ever skiing; the first time being when we was a kid. I hadn't been skiing in, at least, six years, so it was all pretty exciting. Here's a video I took from one of our runs.






Needless to say, it was a great time! Can't wait to go again after I fully recover from this trip!

Merry Christmas

Though we may be many miles away, I want to wish all my friends and family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I love and miss you all!

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Blow & Eat Technique

As I watched a child discover an uneaten snack from snack time, proceed to blow on it, and then eat it. I learned that the blow and eat technique is universal!

Friday, December 10, 2010

A Sad Day...

Tonight, I went to my first funeral in Japan. One of my closest co-worker's daughter died a few days ago and tonight was the service. It was heart wrenching.

The service was very ceremonial, like most things of importance in Japan. Two monks came out and said some prayers and then someone gave a eulogy for the family. I managed to keep in my sorrow until we greeted the family when we were leaving.

My heart weeps for Muchan-sensei and her family. I wish that I could express my sadness for her and let her know that I am here for her. She is such an amazing person and things like this shouldn't happen to people like her. My heart goes out to her!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Winter Has Arrived...

I have been so lucky this year because today the snow came late...for Hokkaido! I wished it away, and it worked! Unfortunately, it is here now and my running has come to an abrupt halt. Also, my apartment has gotten colder.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Discrimination

Today in my morning class, made up of five women all 50+ years of age, we talked about discrimination. It was an interesting discussion. I taught them about the civil war and the discrimination between blacks & whites. They were all very interested to learn such a thing about a country that is now so culturally diverse.

Then I asked them if there was ever discrimination in Japan? They couldn't think of any. I was surprised because, I believe, discrimination is all over Japan. Though it may not be as obvious as what we knew of America, but it's definitely here. I, myself, have gotten the looks and even been asked "Why am I here?", and not in the "I'm just curious" way. Plus, there is the discrimination for Koreans and Chinese. Let's be honest, none of them like each other. In fact, one of my students told a story about when she was in China and some angry Chinese woman asked the friend they were with, who was also Chinese, why she was helping a couple of Japanese people.

Discrimination is everywhere! I just want to help open my students' eyes to the topic and make sure they recognize it and don't do it themselves. Very enlightening!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Thinking back...

Tonight I was having a chat with one of my students about what it was like for me when I first moved to Japan. It didn't take long to remember those feelings. The feeling of always being stared at by everyone! But, I think, the hardest thing for me to get used to was being surrounded by a sea of Japanese.

In America, we have all different ethnicities around us. So, to suddenly go from the majority to the minority can be an almost frightening experience. It was like being a giant red spot on a white piece of paper. That was probably one of the lowest parts of my time here. It's a feeling I can't really put into words and don't really ever want to experience again.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Note on Playing Favorites...

Today I learned a couple lessons about myself. One being that I play favorites! I've always kind of denied it but today it was pretty obvious. However, I don't feel bad about it. I think it's normal, and I know my fellow teachers can agree. I'm sure we are all taught not to play favorites but we all have them!

Well, my favorite (by a landslide) is a two year old, boy by the name of Ototake Aoi. We are the best of buds, at least in my eyes. We play together everyday and he's very enthusiastic about English.  I think I could go as far as saying that I love this kid as though he was my own!



Well, today we reached a turning point in our relationship. I realized that he was using me to throw tantrums. Meaning, the other teachers would get upset with him and he'd start crying. So, instead of trying to calm himself down, he would come to me with tears in his eyes, his bottom lip hanging out, and his arms up as for me to pick him up...and I would. Another thing I learned: I baby the kids!

This all got way out of hand! He kept taking advantage of my kind-heartedness and every time he would slightly get scolded he would burst into tears and come looking for me. The worst was during snack time. The kids gather around their tiny tables and wait for all the kids to finish changing out of their pajamas from nap time.  Aoi decided that he was going to throw a fit and only wanted to sit with me, since he was having a fit. I kept telling him that he needed to sit with everyone else by himself, but he wasn't having it. So the head teacher, Muchan-sensei, pushed him away and told him that he could sit with me but that he couldn't have his snack, which in turn made me feel bad. He then got even more upset. I didn't know what to do. So Muchan-sensei distracted him while I dashed to the other end of the table. He cried a little more but was able to calm himself down and join everyone else once I left his side. It was at this moment that I realized, I need to help make him more independent no matter how much I LOVE the attention!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Christmas Decorations

Here are the Christmas decorations we put up today!



My foot

Sadly, after yesterday's post, when I was heading to the supermarket I tripped down the bottom steps of my apartment stairs and did something to my foot. I don't think it's broken, since I can walk on it but I may have busted something else. I, also, don't think it's anything serious, so don't worry too much. I'm still going to try and run tomorrow. We'll see how far I last.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

It's Official...

I have lost over 20 lbs., which makes me only 15 lbs. from my first goal weight! I feel so happy for myself that I wanted to share it with everyone. As most of you know, I've been struggling with my weight loss for quite some time. I was working out everyday but I wasn't losing the weight.  Everything was getting slimmer except my belly, and maybe it was denial but I couldn't figure out the problem. So, I took a step back and looked at my diet. I started looking around for some great low-calorie foods and stumbled across Eating Well's 28-day Weight Loss Meal Plan. It's great because it teaches me delicious, healthy recipes and I don't have to plan any of my meals! Plus, it's been working for me! Of course, you have to remember that just eating a low-calorie diet is not going to make you lose weight. You have to exercise too! In fact, today I am going to try and run my first 5K! Wish me luck and good luck to all of you who are trying to lose weight too!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Thanksgiving

I want to wish all my friends and family a Happy Thanksgiving! I wish I could be there to share the festivities with you!

Here in Japan, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving. I don't even get the option of making a Thanksgiving meal, unless I want to spend an arm and a leg importing everything I would need. It's so strange for me to think that several of my students have never even tried turkey. We don't even think about things like that, but they don't have that kind of meat here. I am hoping to make a Christmas honey-glazed ham, though. It's just not Christmas without it!

Anyway, I love and miss all of you!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

No Pictures

I noticed that I haven't posted many pictures lately! I'll get on that. I hope to get our Christmas tree decorated tomorrow, so looking forward to that!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Take care of yourself...

If there is one thing that I can't seem to learn, it would be to take care of myself. I am constantly going and moving that I don't think to stop and rest. Then I end up getting burned out and getting way behind on everything. That is also the time that I usually stop working out for several weeks.

 So, I've been running/exercising everyday for the past two weeks and today it all caught up with me. I could barely get out of bed, but I went to work for a few hours and took the rest of the day off (it also doesn't help that I have a head cold)! I still feel exhausted but am hoping to feel better tomorrow, so I can run again!

Oh, and by the way, I bought two Lonely Planet books today! I'm really excited, plus I got to feed my need to shop!

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I Just Need to Shop...

As I sit in my bed, this morning, surfing the internet all I can do is find things that I want to buy. It's tough though because I can't buy anything. We are currently saving money for Christmas gifts. So, I guess I should quit before I do something stupid!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Super Arc

As some of you know, I moved to a new apartment last February because my last apartment was way too small and poorly located for my job. Anyway, one reason I picked this new apartment (after looking at about 10) was because it's 5 min. from work, across from a 7-11 (which has our bank atm), and next door to Homac, Tsuruha (drug store), and Fukuhara (supermarket). It may be true that our apartment has it's trouble, since it was built in 1984, but the size and location makes everything else seem small. And since I don't drive, being next to a drug store and supermarket was key.

So, you'd understand my utter shock when I got an email from my husband telling me that Fukuhara had been closed! I couldn't believe it. In fact, I made him drive me by just to prove it to me. There it was, covered in green netting and surrounded by work vans. BUT, I thought, maybe they are just remodeling...

Well, they were remodeling, but not Fukuhara, rather a brand-new supermarket! Now, I'm not one to get so excited about a new supermarket but it made me so excited for several reasons.

1. I still have a supermarket next door to me.
2. It only took a week to remodel.

In fact, it opened today! I went to see what it was all about, which leads to my next few reasons to love my new Super Arc grocery store!

3. Much bigger store, which means, more food options!
4. They have hamburger buns! Which probably sounds lame but you can't find them anywhere here! I bought two bags!
5. The incredible alcohol selection. I'm actually not much of a liquor drinker but it's nice to have variety!
6. They have a chef in the store that cooks daily specials!

The list can go on and on! I just wanted to share my joy of a new supermarket with the world! YAY!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What to say?

I haven't been very good at this everyday thing. I did pretty good for awhile but when I find myself with nothing to say...I have nothing to type. For the next couple weeks my life will be pretty boring because I have to English programs to prepare for and when I get home late at night, the last thing I want to do is blog. I'll try to be better though...promise!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Storm Clouds

I meant to post this yesterday but for some reason I didn't, so here it is now...

<Knock on wood before I write this> We have been so lucky this year! We haven't had any snow yet. For Hokkaido, this is not normal. Usually, by now, we are at least ankle deep (if not, knee deep) in snow by now. We have had rain and some crazy storm clouds!


I took this yesterday from our apartment. One side of the sky was bright and cheerful, and the other side was this! Crazy!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Logic Puzzle

One of my students gave me a puzzle on Tuesday and I've been sharing it with everyone. So, I thought why not share it with everyone on my blog, too. Here goes...

You have three buckets: one 10L bucket, one 7L bucket, and one 3L bucket. There is 10L of water in the 10L bucket. The other two are empty. With no other measuring devices, how can you transfer water between the buckets to end up with 5L in the 10L bucket and 5L in the 7L bucket.

Post me your answers. Good Luck!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Catch up

In a country with their own fashion trends and femininity found everywhere (even with the men), I feel like I'm constantly playing catch-up. I always feel frumpy, even when I try to look "fashionable". My whole life I've been labeled a tomboy, but now that I want to change that image, I feel I don't have the tools to do so on my own. What to do? What to do?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Santa Lives in Finland?

Well, to be honest, I had a rough day today and I was going to get on here and just release all my built up frustration from the day. Instead, I got home to find pork and beans cooking in our new cooker


and after reading my best friend's blog, I no longer felt the need to rant. I thought it would be funnier to talk about my class tonight.

Did you know that in Japan, they are taught to believe Santa Claus lives in Finland? Finland? Not that there is anything wrong with Finland but Santa clearly does not live there. Apparently, one of my students (an adult, mind you) was telling me about when she went to Finland and got to meet "THE REAL" Santa. She had her picture taken and everything. My jaw dropped and I couldn't help but start laughing. I didn't know which was funnier, Santa living in Finland or how excited she was about having had her picture taken with Santa. 

Well, she's supposed to bring the pictures next week, so I'll take some pictures of them and see what you all think! 

Monday, November 8, 2010

Just Another Manic Monday...

Actually, Mondays aren't so bad. They are just the day before my longest two days. I ran 3K again today and then had my calligraphy lesson.

I've been studying Japanese calligraphy for the last two years. I really enjoy it so I thought I would share some of my work with you.


My most recent pieces...

These three have been in art shows here in Kitami...

Sunday, November 7, 2010

There's a Time Difference!

I just realized that my post times are on American time. So, my last post was meant for November 6th (my friend's birthday), which it was in Japan, but Blogger dated it at November 5th. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I want to do a date specific blog!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

My Bestie's Birthday!

Today is my best friend's birthday, Ms. Bailey Ann DeReus! I thought since I couldn't be there to celebrate with her, seeing how I live in Japan and her in the states, I would dedicate an entire blog entry to her! I would tell some stories but some of the best are inappropriate for this family friendly blog. I will say though that she is one of the most amazing people I know! She has been through so much with me and never gave up on me (even when she maybe needed to). She is not only one of my best friends but a member of my family! I love you to pieces, Bailey! Wish I could be there!


Friday, November 5, 2010

Vices

We've all got them but do we do with them? We really only have two choices...continue or stop. Well, I have recently decided to make a true effort to quit my vices and live a happier and healthier life.

The big question now is, what to do with the extra time? My whole schedule has changed and my habits. I need to make new ones, so I've decided to start baking again. I've always loved baking but slowly did less and less. Now I want to do more and more, so I'm going to try baking something new everyday until Christmas or so. Wish me luck!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Pesto Lasagna with Spinach & Mushroom


I had a request for this recipe so here it is...

4 cups torn spinach
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup pesto
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
1 (15 oz) carton fat-free ricotta cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 (26 oz) jar fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
Cooking spray
1 (8 oz) package precooked lasagna noodles


1. Steam spinach, covered 3 minutes or until spinach wilts. Drain, squeeze dry, and coarsely chop. Combine spinach, mushrooms, ad pesto in a medium bowl, and set aside.
2. Combine mozzarella, provolone, ricotta, ad egg in a medium bowl, stirring well. Stir in 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and set aside. Combine pasta sauce and tomato sauce in a medium bowl. 
3. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce mixture in bottom of a 6-quart oval electric slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over pasta sauce mixture, and top with 1 cup cheese mixture and 1 cup spinach mixture. Repeat layers once, ending with remaining 1 cup spinach mixture; top with remaining cheese mixture ad 1 cup pasta sauce mixture. Place 3 noodles over sauce mixture; spread remaining sauce mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover and cook on LOW 5 hours or until done. Yield: 8 servings.


Calories: 398 (41% from fat); Fat 18.2g; Protein 22.2%; Carb 38.5%


All credits for this recipe goes to Cooking Light: Five Star Recipes

****

Substitutions for those in Japan:
(This is, at least, what I did...)

Pesto - Basil Pasta Sauce
Part-skim mozzarella cheese - 1 pkg. big mozzarella ball
Provolone cheese - thinly shredded cheese (you can find at the supermarket)
Ricotta cheese - cottage cheese
NO egg
Tomato-basil pasta sauce - any kind of PIZZA sauce (not spaghetti sauce)
Tomato sauce - tomato puree
*Also, I didn't use a slow cooker, but rather a shallow baking dish in my toaster oven.

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, let me know!

Running is hard!

My whole life I never thought I could run long distance but this last summer I decided I was going to run. Some of you may understand that one day when you wake up, take a hard look at yourself in the mirror, and realize "Wow! I'm not a size 8 anymore"! Well that moment is what inspired me to start running.

When I first met my husband, I had just lost about 40 pounds due to a bad breakup and was looking pretty good. I had gone from a size 14 to almost a size 8. I felt good! Then I met my husband...and I started getting (dun dun dun) comfortable. Now you have to understand that my husband has a smaller stature. In fact, he's been working out to get bigger. So, he eats ALL THE TIME and he can eat whatever he wants and not gain weight. I know, right? Well, long story short, I was no longer my almost size 8. I had managed to gain all my weight back and was looking at a size 14 pant once again.

So, I started working out...kinda. I would go really good for a couple weeks and then get lazy. I kept getting frustrated because I wasn't losing weight as fast as I wanted. You know, I workout a couple days and turn into a supermodel. Is that too much to ask? Well, apparently it is! Needless to say, we went back to the states for the holidays and I thought, what diet? Then on our trip back to Japan, we stopped in Thailand for a week.

For some reason I felt pretty good about myself and my body, but then I looked at the pictures. I hadn't lost any weight!?! That is when I had to be honest with myself and confront my laziness. I had become that "big girl" again.

It was then and there that I made the decision to be more dedicated to me and my diet/exercise. So I've been working out and keeping a diet pretty regularly and have lost 15 pounds (since April). I'm very close to my first goal weight and I hope to run a half marathon by next spring.


I've still got about 20 more pounds to my final goal but at least I've already lost two pant sizes. 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Holiday...Celebrate

Today I was off work for Culture Day. Apparently it's just a day to appreciate Japanese culture. I'm not sure that there is anything special people do on this day but we just relaxed. We did get out, though, to get my monthly dose of sushi. It was so busy. Busier than I've ever seen before. While we were sitting in the waiting area, my husband noticed that a giant poster for the YMCA was hanging on the wall displaying a rather large picture of yours truly. I was just praying nobody noticed. Luckily, I got out without being spotted.

Tonight I only eight about 10 plates of sushi (15 being my record) and some vanilla pudding.


It was in this jar type bottle and looked a bit like milk. Luckily, I was able to read the napkin and understand it was pudding but my husband didn't read it yet and thought I was crazy. The whole thing reminded us of when we first moved here and everything was a trial and error process. We'd go to the grocery store and choose things that had English writing on it or looked familiar. Many times we had to learn the hard way not to eat certain things. I think the most embarrassing moment for us was at a local restaurant, "The Western" (ironically), where there is a buffet of raw meat that you cook at your table on a hibachi grill. Anyway, I loaded my plate with everything that looked like beef or chicken to later learn that nothing I had chosen was beef or chicken. Rather, I had eaten intestines, colon, and marrow. They weren't terrible but not what I had expected. Actually, now I eat those items, no problem.

*****

Once we got home, I got the baking itch. So, I decided to make my first apple pie and since I'm trying to lose weight, I wanted a "healthy" apple pie. I went to two different websites but pretty much merged the two recipes together to make my own. Now I'm not sure the calories but between the two, I'm guessing one slice would be around 150 calories. Here's a picture...


If anyone is interested, I could put up the recipe on a later blog. Well, I think I have taken up plenty of your time. I'll see you tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Blog Everyday?

So apparently there is this "thing" going around for bloggers. It's National Blog Posting Month, so we bloggers must blog (or, at least try) to blog everyday.

Shouldn't be too hard...but let's see how I feel about that in a couple weeks. Or even the end of the week.

Here's hoping!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Halloween

Now with Halloween over, I move on to my busiest month of November. It is also the month in which the snow comes, but won't think of such horrible things quite yet. Here are some pictures of my Halloween...














I don't have very good pictures from the party in Asahikawa but plenty of the kids! Enjoy!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Convenience

I realized that I've been posting a lot but, honestly, if I don't write it right away I will forget it. Anyway...

The other night during dinner my husband and I had a conversation about what miss most about being in America. We excluded the obvious things (ie language, friends, family). My husband said convenience of food. For instance, fast-food and delivery. It's not so much about the quality of food because, let's be honest, it sucks but rather the easy accessibility. Those days when you just want to pick something up or better yet, have it come to you is not a real possibility here. They have McDonalds and KFC for fast-food or Pizza Hut and sushi for delivery but you can only eat so much of that food.

I, however, said technology convenience (ie dryers, dish washers, ovens). Being here I have realized how lazy I am when it comes to cleaning my apartment. Before my apartment as always pretty clean but now that I don't have technology to do things for me faster, I don't want to do them at all thus leaving my apartment dirty most of the time. There is always dishes to do and laundry to wash!

All in all we miss convenience!

Best Insult Observation Ever!

My husband is one of the funniest and most honest people I know. Sometimes a little too honest!

Yesterday on our ride home from the super market, he apologized to me for what he was about to say..."Honey, you smell like old nacho cheese"!

I started laughing so hard that I couldn't even feel insulted. It was probably the best insult observation ever!

Exciting Weekend

Today is my wonderful husband's birthday. However, we celebrated this last Saturday. We went to this new izakaiya (Japanese pub) for dinner. When we told the host that we wanted to eat there, he went on to explain that there we no pictures on menu and asked us if this was ok. I laughed a little inside because this is just another example of how different our new world can be. Nobody would ever, possibly, turn costumers away because they can't read the menu, nor ask them if they can read the menu.

Anyway, we preceded to eat there. I was pleasantly surprised at myself, though, and the amount of the menu I could read since it mostly consisted of kanji. Plus, you learn to be adventurous with food. Sometimes we like to just point and order things that we clearly don't know. All of our food turned out pretty good. We also did the two hour nomihodai (all-you-can-drink), which is always a steal. In a country that is pretty expensive, drinking is actually a pretty cheap thing to do. Most bars/restaurants have nomihodai for 1.5-2 hours at a cost of around $20. Crazy!

After the restaurant we went to a "Snack Bar". Most snack bars in Japan are small bars, usually with karaoke, and women who wait on you hand a foot. We walk it and they bring the choice of whiskey or shochu. We go with the shochu and orange juice. So, they bring a new bottle of shochu, orange soda, a bucket of ice, and two glasses to our table and anytime our drink was less than half empty, someone was there to fill it up. Even though I enjoyed the attention, I think that bar is usually geared toward lonely business men, not a young foreign couple. They really enjoyed us though, and kept encouraging us to sing. I could help but think, "when in Rome".

All in all it was a good night, but now we are back to work and preparing for Halloween this weekend. This year, we'll even get to make it to the annual Halloween party in Asahikawa!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Skinamarink



A few of my 4-5 year olds practicing their English song for their fall recital.

Colors





My youngest students practicing their colors with me. Too cute not to share!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Halloween Crafting





The finished ones are mine and the last two pictures are of the kids' progress. We ran out of time so we have to finish them next week.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Waiting...

I hate waiting for Nathan to come home on Monday nights. He doesn't get home until around 10:30 pm. I have way too much time to do nothing. BORING!

Day Two

With Halloween right around the corner, I have been busy crafting and decorating. When we were in Sapporo last weekend, I bought a copy of Martha Stewart Living: Halloween Special. I was so excited because Halloween is one of my favorite holidays for decorating. I found some amazing projects for me and to do with my elementary students in the magazine and from her website. I'll post pictures tomorrow of our crafts, once completed.

I have also been busy planning, or better yet searching, for my Halloween costume. I am hoping to make a Pikachu costume but I can't seem to find yellow fabric anywhere. It's crazy! For those of you who don't know who Pikachu is...he's an anime character from Pokemon.



If I am able to find the appropriate fabric and can complete it by Halloween, I'll post picture of that too.

Other than that, everything is great. Oh one more thing, one of my students asked my today about subjunctive mood sentences and how to teach it. If someone could contribute that would be great!

Thanks for listening! Meg

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Third Time's A Charm

I know that I have had two blogs already but I found that they were to hard to keep up (aka they were too fancy for me). Though they may have looked nice, I finally got honest with myself and accepted my laziness. This blog, however, seems much more convenient and I can upload a new post from any computer or even my phone!

What to expect?

* Updates in my life & misadventures
* Interesting cultural differences
* Pictures of the adorable children I teach
* Interesting conversations with my adult students
* Maybe even some craft projects
* Blah, blah, blah

So, let's all hope that this new blog will be able to embrace my laziness!