Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Mom and Dad in Japan
So it has been a very full week with my parents here. They left today, back to the cold north, but first a stop in sunny LA to see my sister September.
Okay so for our very busy week:
Day 1: Parentals arrive and we head to Tokyo Dome City for dinner. Why? Because it is amazing and close to the hotel. My parents loved it!
Day 2: Morning tour of Tokyo- Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa. We then went to my apartment which is walking distance from Asakusa temple. After a little rest and an Udon lunch we headed on the monorail to Odiba. There we checked out the futuristic Fugi building and the view of Tokyo from Tokyo Bay. As the parentals were fighting jet leg, pneumonia, and I a bad cold, we ate dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Shimokitizawa in the morning to see the funky neighbourhood that I wish to live in. Then to Shibuya to see the famous crossing, then a walk from Shibuya to Harajuku-Omotosando. Dad was very tired so Mom and I left him briefly at a cafe so that I could show Mom the Harajuku alleyways with the funky mixed crowd and cool shops. She loved it. Then it was back to the hotel for a rest, before heading back to Omotosando to see the fabulous shops (and fabulous in Japan is like Fabulous on 'e' in Canada) and to the Thai restaurant I went to for my birthday. I really had to push this evening outing but they loved it.
Day 4: Head to Kyoto, very cold wind, dinner at Kyoto station. We all loved the dinner and my parents were amazed by Kyoto station- it does take your breath away and when they decided to play classical music from the speakers as you go down the open escalators under the my blowing domed architecture, one really does feel like they are in a movie.
Day 5: Morning tour of Kyoto and afternoon trip to Nara. The Niji Castel was amazing- it was nice this time to see it on a guided tour. The Golden Pavilion and Shinto shrine (whose name I have forgotten) were beautiful. Nara was fabulous and the wild deer that just wander around were crazy fun to see. Nara is an ancient capital of Japan. My mom loved the history lesson we were all getting. Soo much to learn, soo much she didn't know! All the more reason to visit again...
Day 6: Morning at Kyoto Handicraft Center to buy buy buy. Then off to an Onsen. This is a tourist free, all Japanese Onsen. My parents got to see real Japan. After facials, foot massages, body massages, soaks in hot springs, and a light Japanese lunch we headed downtown to do the only thing that was so far missing from the full Japanese experience....that's right folks, KARAOKE!!! We sung our little hearts out for over an hour. Mom sang, Dad sang, and we had a great time. Then we walked to one of the main temple complexes downtown near Gion which had a lantern and flower arrangement festival going on. Truly magical. Then we rushed to Gion Corner to see a cultural show which gave us little tastes of Japanese cultural arts- tea ceremony, harp music, flower arrangement, court music, Geisha dance, and comedy theatre. Then it was back to the hotel where we all collapsed.
Day 7: Morning back to Kyoto Handicraft Center to do more shopping- the previous day's shopping only resulted in two purchases and lots of stress, so this one was all business with a 40min time limit. Dad and I went one way, Mom the other. Then it was back to the hotel for a final coffee together and a tearful goodbye.
Now they are flying over the great, way too large, Pacific on route to LA and then Toronto.
I am back in my apartment.
I loved seeing my parents. I was sad to have to say goodbye. I miss them lots. We really had such fun together.
I do however have JK's visit to look forward to. He arrives on Thursday evening. And then my friend Jenna comes sometime in April.
Pictures have been downloaded and will be posted soon.
Cheers
Okay so for our very busy week:
Day 1: Parentals arrive and we head to Tokyo Dome City for dinner. Why? Because it is amazing and close to the hotel. My parents loved it!
Day 2: Morning tour of Tokyo- Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Asakusa. We then went to my apartment which is walking distance from Asakusa temple. After a little rest and an Udon lunch we headed on the monorail to Odiba. There we checked out the futuristic Fugi building and the view of Tokyo from Tokyo Bay. As the parentals were fighting jet leg, pneumonia, and I a bad cold, we ate dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Shimokitizawa in the morning to see the funky neighbourhood that I wish to live in. Then to Shibuya to see the famous crossing, then a walk from Shibuya to Harajuku-Omotosando. Dad was very tired so Mom and I left him briefly at a cafe so that I could show Mom the Harajuku alleyways with the funky mixed crowd and cool shops. She loved it. Then it was back to the hotel for a rest, before heading back to Omotosando to see the fabulous shops (and fabulous in Japan is like Fabulous on 'e' in Canada) and to the Thai restaurant I went to for my birthday. I really had to push this evening outing but they loved it.
Day 4: Head to Kyoto, very cold wind, dinner at Kyoto station. We all loved the dinner and my parents were amazed by Kyoto station- it does take your breath away and when they decided to play classical music from the speakers as you go down the open escalators under the my blowing domed architecture, one really does feel like they are in a movie.
Day 5: Morning tour of Kyoto and afternoon trip to Nara. The Niji Castel was amazing- it was nice this time to see it on a guided tour. The Golden Pavilion and Shinto shrine (whose name I have forgotten) were beautiful. Nara was fabulous and the wild deer that just wander around were crazy fun to see. Nara is an ancient capital of Japan. My mom loved the history lesson we were all getting. Soo much to learn, soo much she didn't know! All the more reason to visit again...
Day 6: Morning at Kyoto Handicraft Center to buy buy buy. Then off to an Onsen. This is a tourist free, all Japanese Onsen. My parents got to see real Japan. After facials, foot massages, body massages, soaks in hot springs, and a light Japanese lunch we headed downtown to do the only thing that was so far missing from the full Japanese experience....that's right folks, KARAOKE!!! We sung our little hearts out for over an hour. Mom sang, Dad sang, and we had a great time. Then we walked to one of the main temple complexes downtown near Gion which had a lantern and flower arrangement festival going on. Truly magical. Then we rushed to Gion Corner to see a cultural show which gave us little tastes of Japanese cultural arts- tea ceremony, harp music, flower arrangement, court music, Geisha dance, and comedy theatre. Then it was back to the hotel where we all collapsed.
Day 7: Morning back to Kyoto Handicraft Center to do more shopping- the previous day's shopping only resulted in two purchases and lots of stress, so this one was all business with a 40min time limit. Dad and I went one way, Mom the other. Then it was back to the hotel for a final coffee together and a tearful goodbye.
Now they are flying over the great, way too large, Pacific on route to LA and then Toronto.
I am back in my apartment.
I loved seeing my parents. I was sad to have to say goodbye. I miss them lots. We really had such fun together.
I do however have JK's visit to look forward to. He arrives on Thursday evening. And then my friend Jenna comes sometime in April.
Pictures have been downloaded and will be posted soon.
Cheers
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The Cherry Blossoms are Out
Yes the cherry blossoms are just coming out. They are early this year because of the very warm winter that we have all enjoyed here in Japan.
If there is no great storm - wind or rain, they should be in full splender for the arrival of my parents....6 days until they arrive!!!
Ueno Zoo and Mhairi's Birthday
Last Sunday we went to the Zoo.Thats right, we went to Ueno Zoo for Mhairi's birthday. Her actual birthday was on Feb 28th, Ani came over and we ordered pizza, which I of course decorated with 23 candles, and watched Heros. The zoo was the offical bday celebration.
Sunday was a beautiful day and so warm.
We started off at the zoo, then hit the paddle boats in Ueno park and then topped it off with TGI Fridays, massive beers and a warm chocolate brownie which was intended to be Mhairi's bday cake but she didn't get any... we did offer to get another one but she said she didn't want any. I know, she is crazy. If you have not had the good fortune to have tried a TGI Friday's brownie, you really should. They are just fabulous.
Yeah so enjoy the pics.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Cherry Blossoms - a frighteningly sacred event.
I have been thinking.
There are some things I see here in Japan that I don't want to see in Canada.
It is the beginning of Cherry Blossom season here in Japan. If you haven't heard of this special season, well it is a very very big deal. Streets are decorated, Starbucks has brought out its special mugs, the dollar store is full of cherry blossom decor and everything imaginable. It is actually bigger then Christmas.
Autumn was also a really big deal. The news would follow the appearance of the fall colours throughout Japan as if it was the reported sightings of a magical creature. I have never seen normal acts of nature being treated with such reverence.
So my first reaction, besides my little snicker and humor of this strange act, was a feel that we in the west should take a lesson from the Japanese and treat our natural world with the same reverence and appreciation.
I feel differently now. I still feel that we should pay attention to the way the Japanese treat their natural world but I am now worried. I am not worried that we don't treat our natural environment like the Japanese but that one day we will. It is a scarcity of nature that compels the Japanese to treat it in such away although they do have a historical tradition to celebrate the seasons with festivals.
I feel like Japan is in fact the realization of Joni Mitchell's song Big Yellow Taxi. The trees here are not yet in museums but that almost feels like the logical next step.
I don't want to live in a world where the majority of the population will see the colours of the fall foliage on the TV news or where people line up with there massive cameras to snap pictures of blossoms as if it could be the last time they ever appear.
Nature is a gift in Japan, not fact of life or a right. They worship what is left.
I don't want to have to pay to see trees, flowers, grass and nature.
That is not what I want.
I don't want us to abuse what we have until the point when we treasure what little remains.
We should look closely at Japan. A warning of the price of over development.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
My Auntie Karen
Four years ago my Aunt Karen was diagnosed with brain cancer. At that time I barely new her.
This evening (Feb. 26, 7:00pm Atlantic time) she passed away, I had gotten a chance to get to know her.
The death sentence she was given four years ago united the family. As tragic as that may seem, it does not feel as tragic to me.
My aunt was given time. She got to greet her grandchildren Liam and Olivia when they came into the world, she got to go on family vacations with her three sisters and parents, and most importantly she saw how very loved she was and how lucky she was to have a family that would do anything for her.
I got to get to know her. And that is a gift I will always hold dear.
Kathy and James I can't even imagine how hard this has been for you.
Mom, Auntie Judy, Auntie Cheryl, Nana and Granddad you are an amazing family and you gave her so much.
I wish I could be there.
Auntie Karen, oh the beautiful world you must be in now. If you have a chance to check out Japan, I recommend it. It is really cool. You would love it.
My love to all.
This evening (Feb. 26, 7:00pm Atlantic time) she passed away, I had gotten a chance to get to know her.
The death sentence she was given four years ago united the family. As tragic as that may seem, it does not feel as tragic to me.
My aunt was given time. She got to greet her grandchildren Liam and Olivia when they came into the world, she got to go on family vacations with her three sisters and parents, and most importantly she saw how very loved she was and how lucky she was to have a family that would do anything for her.
I got to get to know her. And that is a gift I will always hold dear.
Kathy and James I can't even imagine how hard this has been for you.
Mom, Auntie Judy, Auntie Cheryl, Nana and Granddad you are an amazing family and you gave her so much.
I wish I could be there.
Auntie Karen, oh the beautiful world you must be in now. If you have a chance to check out Japan, I recommend it. It is really cool. You would love it.
My love to all.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Chinese New Year
Yesterday Ani and I went to Yokohama to Chinatown for Chinese New Year. Chinatown was not as festive as I expected but when the dragon dancers came around it was a different story. Ani and I went through a lot to get these pictures...elbowed in the chest, trampled on, basically beaten up by little old ladies in a massive crowd all trying to see the dancers. Please enjoy! 
The last picture is Shibuya crossing in the rain with all that umbrellas.
The last picture is Shibuya crossing in the rain with all that umbrellas.
Friday, February 16, 2007
A Pigeon-toed Brain
So I don’t know if I have mentioned it much but there are a lot of women here in Japan that are pigeon-toed. And yes, when I say a lot, I mean scary high percentage. So you ask yourself why? Why in this highly developed country are so many of the women pigeon-toed? Is it because they sit on their knees from childhood and this deformity can take place? Is it a genetic trait? If it is genetic, why does it not also affect the men?
These questions have been plaguing me since my arrive in Japan, so many months ago now, and today I got the answer.
It is not a genetic condition, it is not because they sit on their knees. The pigeon-toed walk is an attractive feminine walk. Little girls, as in just learning to walk little girls, are taught by their parents and their community to walk this way, to turn their toes inward to that the to big toes touch. Their bones set in this way and that is how they are basically forced to walk throughout life.
Shocked?
I am. Horrified and shocked. It may not be Chinese foot-binding but it is still deforming your child to that they will be more attractive to men in basically taking away their ability to run. This might be a totally western view, and maybe I should be more culturally sensitive but I can’t help it. The Japanese society has some major failings (in my view) when it comes to the gender roles for women but this physical deformation has gone to the top of my list.
The thin stereotype that we are so obsessed about in the west (and here), and many other “attractive” qualities and pressures that we place on women are not far from my mind. Am I wrong to be so horrified by this one?
I feel uneasy about passing judgement. I have fought weight issues all my life and will continue to. Wax, shave, pluck. I wear my hair long, I straighten it, curl it, dye it. I wear high heels, I wear make up. I take pride in the fact that I have blue eyes and brown hair. I tan in the summer. Some of this I do for myself, but most for men and society in general. Beauty is necessary, its a fact of life. If walking in a "feminine" way is just another form of beauty is it that different? But then again what I do is temporary and can be changed, I can go all "natural" if I wanted though I don't think I would wear a skirt, shorts, or a bathing suit. But I can still play sports, these women can't.
Any thoughts?
These questions have been plaguing me since my arrive in Japan, so many months ago now, and today I got the answer.
It is not a genetic condition, it is not because they sit on their knees. The pigeon-toed walk is an attractive feminine walk. Little girls, as in just learning to walk little girls, are taught by their parents and their community to walk this way, to turn their toes inward to that the to big toes touch. Their bones set in this way and that is how they are basically forced to walk throughout life.
Shocked?
I am. Horrified and shocked. It may not be Chinese foot-binding but it is still deforming your child to that they will be more attractive to men in basically taking away their ability to run. This might be a totally western view, and maybe I should be more culturally sensitive but I can’t help it. The Japanese society has some major failings (in my view) when it comes to the gender roles for women but this physical deformation has gone to the top of my list.
The thin stereotype that we are so obsessed about in the west (and here), and many other “attractive” qualities and pressures that we place on women are not far from my mind. Am I wrong to be so horrified by this one?
I feel uneasy about passing judgement. I have fought weight issues all my life and will continue to. Wax, shave, pluck. I wear my hair long, I straighten it, curl it, dye it. I wear high heels, I wear make up. I take pride in the fact that I have blue eyes and brown hair. I tan in the summer. Some of this I do for myself, but most for men and society in general. Beauty is necessary, its a fact of life. If walking in a "feminine" way is just another form of beauty is it that different? But then again what I do is temporary and can be changed, I can go all "natural" if I wanted though I don't think I would wear a skirt, shorts, or a bathing suit. But I can still play sports, these women can't.
Any thoughts?
Dear Dad
Dear Dad,
You gave me three weeks, it has been five months. Come on Dad, when have I ever done what I have been told?
I am so looking forward to your trip. And if you were staying long enough I would be spending my time scouting out golf courses and driving ranges for you, but as you are only here a week there will be no time. Stay longer and I will see what I can do....
Oh and you should try to get the bucket seats on the plane- the emergency exit seats. Your knee will have all the space you need there. And British Airways is NOT the standard in flying as I found out on my first flight to Asia so be prepared to be squished and to not be able to see the movie screen which is not on the back on the seat in front. But I know that no matter how uncomfortable the flight you will only be thinking of the fact you get to see me so you will be okay.
hehehe
You gave me three weeks, it has been five months. Come on Dad, when have I ever done what I have been told?
I am so looking forward to your trip. And if you were staying long enough I would be spending my time scouting out golf courses and driving ranges for you, but as you are only here a week there will be no time. Stay longer and I will see what I can do....
Oh and you should try to get the bucket seats on the plane- the emergency exit seats. Your knee will have all the space you need there. And British Airways is NOT the standard in flying as I found out on my first flight to Asia so be prepared to be squished and to not be able to see the movie screen which is not on the back on the seat in front. But I know that no matter how uncomfortable the flight you will only be thinking of the fact you get to see me so you will be okay.
hehehe
Monday, February 12, 2007
Tokyo pictures
Hey,
This is a link to Ani and Nina's blog. This is a link to pictures that Nina took over Christmas. I realize that I have not been taking pictures of Tokyo, so here are some. They are Nina's pics but with all but the exception of the Disney Sea pics they are the things are see day to day in Tokyo.
http://www.sexdrugsww2.com/blog/?p=247
I hope you enjoy.
Cheers
This is a link to Ani and Nina's blog. This is a link to pictures that Nina took over Christmas. I realize that I have not been taking pictures of Tokyo, so here are some. They are Nina's pics but with all but the exception of the Disney Sea pics they are the things are see day to day in Tokyo.
http://www.sexdrugsww2.com/blog/?p=247
I hope you enjoy.
Cheers
Museum d'Orsay
I don't know if I mentioned it, but on the day that Ashley left to go back to Toronto Ani and I met up and went to the Museum d'Orsay exhibit at the Tokyo Museum of Modern Art in Ueno Park. Ani was wonderful as she tried to lift my spirits. She did not have to work hard to show me the wonderful life we have in Tokyo. I never wanted to go home, I just didn't want Ashley to leave. Anyway, here are some pictures of our day in the Park. I can't wait to see this park with all the leaves on the trees. It is supposed to be very nice for Cherry Blossoms!I know I say it a lot but man I LOVE Tokyo.
Nina's Goodbye Party
Nina is not leaving us right away but as her parents are coming on Friday this was the last chance we could all go out just us Tokyo Girls.
We did dinner at a Thai restaurant and then it was off to Karaoke!!!
This was one of my absolute favorite Karaoke experiences.
We sang our hearts out. My throat is killing me today. We danced. We didn't cry, but it was fabulous!
Nina, karaoke will not be the same without you. I am going to miss you so much.
What can I say, it was a fabulous Tokyo night.
(this pictures have been taken from Ani and Nina's blog..I forgot my camera)
We did dinner at a Thai restaurant and then it was off to Karaoke!!!
This was one of my absolute favorite Karaoke experiences.
We sang our hearts out. My throat is killing me today. We danced. We didn't cry, but it was fabulous!
Nina, karaoke will not be the same without you. I am going to miss you so much.
What can I say, it was a fabulous Tokyo night.
(this pictures have been taken from Ani and Nina's blog..I forgot my camera)
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