I know I haven't been updating much. I've got a bad case of blog apathy. I usually don't have a lot of free time, so when I do have some down time blogging is usually far from my mind. I'll try to keep updating the blog, but don't expect it to be every week. Sorry.
On an interesting note, last weekend we went to Aomori City. At the city museum they had an exhibit from Ghibli Studios. It's a famous animation studio, started by Hayao Miyazaki. He is a little bit like the Walt Disney of Japan, but I think I prefer his movies to Disney's. They are aimed at a little bit older audience. If you can find My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, or Kiki's Delivery Service I would suggest watching them. Those three are a good starting point.
Anyway, we went to see the museum exhibit. All it was was framed story-boards from his movies. He writes and directs the movies. He also draws the first draft of the art for each scene with animation notes.
For me, it was one of the memorable experiences here. Great animation isn't magic; it starts with a person who has an idea, paper, and colored pencils. Out of such simple materials comes the vision for great stories. Seeing it all effected me enough that I've been picking up a pencil and drawing. There is joy in creating. Sometimes I forget that. Imagining and creating something outside yourself can create a lot of joy and well being within yourself. Maybe now I'll start finding some creative hobbies. I hope you have some too.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Convenient Stores
Imagine convenient stores being separate from gas stations. How often would you go in?
I'd say just about never, unless you lived next door to one. Maybe that is why there are so many in Japan. If there is always nearby you are prone to go.
Japanese convenient stores have one huge plus. I really hope American convenient stores and utilities get organized and do this to. Here, you can pay all of your utility bills at any convenient store. Only our cell-phones require another method of payment. It really is nice to pay bills in cash. When all the bills come, I just grab my cash, walk to Sankus (the Japanese approximation of "thanks") and pay my bills. The cashier scans the bar codes. I hand him the money. He stamps each bill, tears the receipt stub off of each one, and away I go.
It is strange getting gas and not being able to run in and grab some honey roasted peanuts and a fountain drink, neither of which are worth making a stop for, especially when they don't have fountain drinks. The convenient store prices for bottled drinks are about 50 cents higher than from vending machines, which are often just outside. Vending machines are so ubiquitous I'm not sure why you would by a drink in a convenient store.
On my daily fifteen minute walk to school I pass 8 vending machines that I can think of off the top of my head. No, make that ten. There everywhere and in random places. Driving through the countryside, there might be vending machines where two county roads intersect. Walking through backstreets, there might be vending machines at the end of a dead-end alley.
Now if I could only pay my bills at the vending machine behind my apartment, I'd be set.
I'd say just about never, unless you lived next door to one. Maybe that is why there are so many in Japan. If there is always nearby you are prone to go.
Japanese convenient stores have one huge plus. I really hope American convenient stores and utilities get organized and do this to. Here, you can pay all of your utility bills at any convenient store. Only our cell-phones require another method of payment. It really is nice to pay bills in cash. When all the bills come, I just grab my cash, walk to Sankus (the Japanese approximation of "thanks") and pay my bills. The cashier scans the bar codes. I hand him the money. He stamps each bill, tears the receipt stub off of each one, and away I go.
It is strange getting gas and not being able to run in and grab some honey roasted peanuts and a fountain drink, neither of which are worth making a stop for, especially when they don't have fountain drinks. The convenient store prices for bottled drinks are about 50 cents higher than from vending machines, which are often just outside. Vending machines are so ubiquitous I'm not sure why you would by a drink in a convenient store.
On my daily fifteen minute walk to school I pass 8 vending machines that I can think of off the top of my head. No, make that ten. There everywhere and in random places. Driving through the countryside, there might be vending machines where two county roads intersect. Walking through backstreets, there might be vending machines at the end of a dead-end alley.
Now if I could only pay my bills at the vending machine behind my apartment, I'd be set.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Gas
One thing that you take for granted when you are around your native language is gas pumps. Next time you buy gas, imagine not understanding any of the words on the pump.
Here, the gas stations vary. Many are full service. Simply tell them how much gas you want in liters or yen, and they'll pump it for you. They also wipe your windows and give you a damp rag to wipe the interior of your car while the gas pumps.
Other stations are self serve. Some of them are pay-at-the-pump and some require that you go in the office and pay. One thing that is interesting about Japan: convenient stores are separate from gas stations. I have no idea how there can be a convenient store on every corner, except that they are more convenient than American convenient stores (more on that another day).
When you first visit a gas station, you have no idea what type it will be. Inevitably, whichever type you think it is, you'll be wrong. You'll think it is self serve because none of the staff are outside, you'll hop out of your car, and then be ushered back in when an attendant rushes out.
Or, as happened to me earlier this week. You'll think it is a pre-pay and try to put cash into the receipt slot. The self-serve stations all have touch-screen pumps. I know the symbol for cash, and I can read the katakana writing for credit card. When you select the cash option, then it lists options for how much you want to pay. I selected 5,000 yen, knowing I would get some change back. I hit the button and tried to slide my cash in the slot. It didn't work. I was confused. I tried again. An attendant hurried over and explained that you pay afterward. I'm sure it made that girls day. Over dinner with her family she got to tell them about the dumb foreigner who tried to shove fifty bucks in the receipt slot.
I wish I could tell you that was the only idiotic thing I've done trying to get gas, but it isn't. Just two weeks ago I was at a pre-pay self-serve. I told it I wanted to put in 2000 yen worth. I put the green nozzle in my car and...nothing happened. How annoying. I hit cancel, got my change and tried again. Same thing. Just as I was starting to get frustrated, ready to get my change and leave, an attendant came over and pointed out that I had the wrong nozzle. Thank goodness there is always someone around to witness me acting like a moron.
In retrospect, maybe the problem isn't with the language barrier or the gas pumps...
Here, the gas stations vary. Many are full service. Simply tell them how much gas you want in liters or yen, and they'll pump it for you. They also wipe your windows and give you a damp rag to wipe the interior of your car while the gas pumps.
Other stations are self serve. Some of them are pay-at-the-pump and some require that you go in the office and pay. One thing that is interesting about Japan: convenient stores are separate from gas stations. I have no idea how there can be a convenient store on every corner, except that they are more convenient than American convenient stores (more on that another day).
When you first visit a gas station, you have no idea what type it will be. Inevitably, whichever type you think it is, you'll be wrong. You'll think it is self serve because none of the staff are outside, you'll hop out of your car, and then be ushered back in when an attendant rushes out.
Or, as happened to me earlier this week. You'll think it is a pre-pay and try to put cash into the receipt slot. The self-serve stations all have touch-screen pumps. I know the symbol for cash, and I can read the katakana writing for credit card. When you select the cash option, then it lists options for how much you want to pay. I selected 5,000 yen, knowing I would get some change back. I hit the button and tried to slide my cash in the slot. It didn't work. I was confused. I tried again. An attendant hurried over and explained that you pay afterward. I'm sure it made that girls day. Over dinner with her family she got to tell them about the dumb foreigner who tried to shove fifty bucks in the receipt slot.
I wish I could tell you that was the only idiotic thing I've done trying to get gas, but it isn't. Just two weeks ago I was at a pre-pay self-serve. I told it I wanted to put in 2000 yen worth. I put the green nozzle in my car and...nothing happened. How annoying. I hit cancel, got my change and tried again. Same thing. Just as I was starting to get frustrated, ready to get my change and leave, an attendant came over and pointed out that I had the wrong nozzle. Thank goodness there is always someone around to witness me acting like a moron.
In retrospect, maybe the problem isn't with the language barrier or the gas pumps...
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Census
I'm sure people think we're crazy for moving to a country where we don't speak the language. I'd reassure those people that for the most part you can adjust to daily life. It's the special events you have to watch out for.
Have you ever wondered what a Japanese census form looks like?
Those are the directions. If we hadn't had our Japanese tutor, I don't know what we would've done. I was able to figure out one question on the whole census (which made me very proud, by the way). The rest I stared at in wide-eyed disbelief. I'm pretty sure filling in random bubbles would've been a bad idea on an official census, but without help, that's all we could have done.
One of the small things that is was a pleasant surprise was seeing the envelope.
Vertical writing seems so cool. It is amusingly foreign, at least until you try to read a book. It is really hard to keep track of what line you are on.
Have you ever wondered what a Japanese census form looks like?
Those are the directions. If we hadn't had our Japanese tutor, I don't know what we would've done. I was able to figure out one question on the whole census (which made me very proud, by the way). The rest I stared at in wide-eyed disbelief. I'm pretty sure filling in random bubbles would've been a bad idea on an official census, but without help, that's all we could have done.
One of the small things that is was a pleasant surprise was seeing the envelope.
Vertical writing seems so cool. It is amusingly foreign, at least until you try to read a book. It is really hard to keep track of what line you are on.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Weddings
Last week I talked with a teacher who is getting married soon. It reminded me that Japanese weddings are different from western weddings in one specific way.
American style ceremonies are very popular here. Unlike in American weddings, it isn't traditional for guests to bring a gift. No, here guests are charged to go to the wedding, usually around $300. Around half of that price is returned to them in the form of a gift from the bride and groom.
I think it is an interesting custom. It pays for the wedding, and provides money for the new couple, and--hopefully-- the guests feel appreciated. It also cuts down on people who barely know you trying to shoehorn themselves in on the guest list.
American style ceremonies are very popular here. Unlike in American weddings, it isn't traditional for guests to bring a gift. No, here guests are charged to go to the wedding, usually around $300. Around half of that price is returned to them in the form of a gift from the bride and groom.
I think it is an interesting custom. It pays for the wedding, and provides money for the new couple, and--hopefully-- the guests feel appreciated. It also cuts down on people who barely know you trying to shoehorn themselves in on the guest list.
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