Terminal

I had my own “Terminal” moment the other day while trying to get home from Shinjuku – yet another crowded part of town where the rail station has 15 exits. I was on my way home after running some errands. I tried to enter the station to get home, but strangly enough, found only JR line entrances. This is one of the “other” train lines, not the main subway line nor the one I wanted. You see, you need a different ticket for the JR line and if you put in the regular subway ticket (which I did) the machine spits out your pass and the little gates close so you can't enter (it did, to yet another instance of me disgracing my home country). Yes, people were watching and shook their head in disappointment. Politely, but still.

I tried to retrace my steps to where I came out, and ended up walking into several other “JR” entrances before I got to one that would let me in. It wasn’t my subway line, but I figured once I got in, I could pull out my -trusty train atlas - yes, there is an entire 119 page book that helps you get around Tokyo and trust me, you need it!! I walked and walked, going up escalators, around corners, up stairs, down hallways, down stairs, around more corners, down escalators, all underground, having visions of not be able to find my way out and ending up living in the subway, like Tom Hanks did in the airport in “Terminal”.

Finally I saw a subway that would get me close enough to home and followed the signs – 10 minutes later I am still walking and I see my line – a smile grew on my face and my pace got a little quicker - that little green circle with the N in the middle never looked so good!!

I’m home now.

The Shriners

All over Tokyo, in between the shopping malls and office buildings, are various kinds of shrines. We went to two of them today; the Meiji Jingu Shrine, dedicated to the emperor and empress who helped open Japan up to the outside world more than 100 years ago; and the Togo Shrine, dedicated to Admiral Heihachiro Togo, who was in charge of the fleet that defeated the Russian army during the Russo-Japanese war. To get to either one of them, one first has to brave the teen haven that is Harajuku. This is where most Japanese teenagers hang out on Sundays. They are dressed in the most trendy of Japanese fashions, if they are not costumed in the favorite Anime character’s outfits. It truly is a site to see.



A beautiful stone covered path leads the way to the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is shaded and quiet, which provides much needed relief from the sun and noisy streets of Harajuku. One could spend a whole day exploring the grounds – it is so serene.




Again we made our way past the teenagers, feeling older and older the farther down the street we went, on our way to the Togo Shrine. Unfortunately, it was closed when we got there. However, this man did not let a closed door stop him from his prayers.

Denny's

yes, that Denny's - you are reading correctly

Today Husband-san’s colleague Stuart took us around and showed us more of our new neighborhood and Tokyo in general. Prior to returning to his almost native San Francisco, he lived here for about two years and his apartment was not far from where our new one is. We started our day at Denny's for an American breakfast; bacon, eggs, sausage and toast – delish!!

Then, we wondered around Meguro, the next town over from ours. He showed us the good market and fruit stand, the yoga studio and good Thai restaurant that is all a nice walk or quick subway ride away. Unfortunately, his favorite Ramen shop closed down (sorry Jed!). We walked back to the subway station in Shrokanedai for a subway ride on the JR line (the train that runs around the main part of Tokyo – kind of like the Beltway in DC) to BIC camera, a huge electronic and well, a little bit of everything store. We wondered around from floor to floor looking for cables and headsets, passing children’s toys, kitchen appliances and wine on the way. They had the biggest selection of IPOD paraphernalia I have ever seen.

Back on the JR line, we made our way to Ebisu, another area close to where we will live. We stopped at the English language used bookstore, a crowded and airless space on the third floor of a small office building. They have the largest selection of English language books and it’s great if you can find what you want. By 3pm we were all wiped, as the humidity gets to everyone after a few hours out running around.

Nap time!!!

Ole Ole

We went out for Mexican food last night to a highly recommended place called La Fiesta, located in Roppongi. It was our first time visiting the “party central” area and it was definitely a partying place. We passed a sports bar where most of the patrons were foreigners and saw the Hard Rock Café across the street. We found the restaurant with little trouble – it is located on the second floor of a building. One of the more surprising things about Tokyo is the location of stores and restaurants – they turn up in the most unlikely places and if you are not careful, you can miss them completely.

La Fiesta turned out to be on the second floor of a small building. They didn’t have a table right away, so they sent us downstairs (to the floor below street level) to their tapas bar for a drink, where I promptly ordered a marguerita in keeping with the Mexican theme. There was a salsa class going on – five people, all Asian, following the bespectacled teacher. I suggested to Husband-san we join in, but as with all white men, he had not had enough to drink to get on the dance floor. He promised to “dance later”, but I didn’t believe him.



After about twenty minutes, a waitress came down from the restaurant to tell us our table was ready. We followed her upstairs with drinks in hand and were promptly seated. Everyone spoke English so we had no trouble ordering and the food was quite good. On the way home, Husband-san made good on his promise….




ole!!!

To Pass the Time

So as to not sit in front of the computer trolling for answers about my impending motherhood and get my mind off the chaos that would ensue if we actually got our referral this month, I did the only thing I could think of that would occupy my mind - I went shoe shopping - to an area called Shinjuku - a crazy, busier than Times Square where there is actually a mini-Empire State Building and more stores than Ginza. The subway station has 14 different exits and I even though I was there for over three hours, I barely left the station, even after visiting several department stores and mall areas. The best was Lumine, a seven or eight story building that had little boutiques on each floor. It had Kelsey's name written all over it as the clothing was the young and hip (I am slowly coming to the sad and pitiful conclusion that I am neither of those things anymore). I then headed over to Takashimiya and after circling around and around the shoe department, finally selected a very comfortable pair of flats. Me, in flats!, but after my little spill down the stairs, I am determined not to have that happen again. Plus, I am walking so much I really need shoes that are not going to hurt my feet.

So of course, I wore them out today for the first time today and promptly got two lovely little blisters on my feet - I just can't win.

Oh My......

Ok, so let’s all say it together... “Jennifer is freaking out!!!!” The rumors now say LID’s of 7/27 are being matched. Now, keep in mind this may only be a rumor, but........... at this moment, this very moment, I may be becoming a mother and not even know it. There may be a child in China that now has the name “DiLaura”. Oh my God!!!!!

Who is she? Where is she? How old is she? How big is she? Is she sitting up by herself? Is she eating solid food? Is she a happy baby? Does she sleep through the night? I don’t know how I am going to be able to function until I know for sure. I have emailed my agency and am waiting for a reply. All this waiting - all of the anticipation – could it be over? – will I know? will I finally know.......oh my God!!!!!

This wasn’t supposed to happen. July was a big month – as big as May and June. It was supposed to take more than a month to get through the entire month of referrals. We were supposed to be able to get settled before the referral. Our stuff isn’t even here and won’t be until the end of August! It’s sitting on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean. We don’t even have our new apartment until the end of August! We have to update the homestudy and don’t even have a social worker yet? Oh my God!!!!!!

All of Your Japanese Appliance Questions Answered

I am finally figuring out how to use most of the appliances in the apartment thanks to this great website.

Most importantly, I have learned which button on the toilet is for the spray (there are two kinds, based on the desired direction of flow - use your imagination), which is for air (cold or warm) and which actually heats the toilet seat. Now, in the dead of winter, I can see how this may come in handy, but right now, in the heat and humidity of July in Tokyo, the sensation is similar to sitting on a metal bench that has been placed in direct sunlight - ouch!!!

Dear Tess,

Hope you are having fun with Julie, Stuart and Jack. Good News - we found a new place to live and there is lots of room for you to run around and balconies too, so you can go outside without a leash - what fun!!!

Here is a picture of the new building:














Yes, front steps too!!!

We walked around what will be our new neighborhood and I'm sure you will like it. There are lots of parks that allow dogs. Also, many of the restaurants we saw allowed dogs; in fact, the one we had lunch in not only allowed dogs, but fed them as well. Several of your contemporaries were busy chowing down on either snacks or full meals, lovingly brought by the bowtied waiters. There were a couple of dachunds that were not behaving and a little Boston Terrier that had the nerve to puts it's paws on the table.


There will be done of this un-restaurant worthy behavior from you as I know you will sit like the nice little dog you are and behave yourself.

The grocery store has wee-wee pads, so you won't have to go out when 1) you don't want to 2) we don't want to take you, or 3)the typhoon hits. Still no progress on the Science Diet. Perhaps you will like Japanese dog food - we are definitely enjoying the people food here.

There are many pet boutiques that sell little doggie outfits. Don't worry, I know how much you hate getting dressed up and I promise, I will not put you in anything other than your leash.



And no, you can cannot have this chandelier bed in the window - yes, I know you would look fabulous in it, but the answer is still no.


miss you lots,

mommysan

The Comforts of Home

Amazingly, we can get H&H bagels here, along with Philadelphia cream cheese. Ok, so the bagels are frozen and the cream cheese is the japanese version of Philadelphia brand, but still............. our breakfast was quite tasty.

We also bought bagels at a store in Hiroo, called "Bagel & Bagel". They claim to have "New York Style Bagels" but I must say, in New York I never saw "pumpkin seed", "soymilk and edamame" or "volcano" bagels. I had the pumpkin seed one for breakfast and it was bagelicious!!!

46,730 yen later, I'm just fine

For those of you who are not aware of the conversion rate, that's about $400. That is what it cost me to find out I am experiencing an acute case of acid reflux and indigestion. From the food? The stress of a life altering move? The fact that I am now an alien wife in a strange and mysterious land?

For the past few days, I've been having pains in my chest. They came and went and I attributed them to jet lag, new food, etc. Before leaving New York, I had a complete physical complete with EKG and was fine. Today I decided to be on the safe side, to go to the doctor. I called the clinic that is in the complex where we live. Arny had gone there to get his company physical and said the doctor spoke English,so I thought it would be a safe bet. Sadly, the receptionist didn't speak English and my few words of Japanese were not enough to communicate. So, I went down to the front desk and asked if they would call and make the appointment for me. The man at the desk asked me to describe what the problem was and then said I should go to the Tokyo Clinic, the same place Arny's boss had recommended, but not the clinic next door. He called and made the appointment and at 11:30 a.m. a cab was waiting downstairs for me.

I met with the doctor, who asked me lots of questions, filled out a lot of paperwork, did a short exam where I had to "breath in, breath out" and then sent me off to another room for an EKG. It was kind of funny, in a charming polite Japanese way. For those who have had an EKG, you know the little clips and pads they attach to various parts of your body? Every time the technician attached one, he said "excuse me, thank you" in English. I laughed to myself because while those are two phrases I would have actually understood in Japanese, he was saying them in English, depriving me of being able to respond. But wait, I don't know how to respond to that. How do you say "no problem" in Japanese?

After about seven rounds of "excuse me, thank you", everything was in place and all of a sudden the sound of my heartbeat filled the room. Something fell and my heartbeat got faster(a quick "excuse me, sorry" from the technician). After that, I got dressed and went into another room where they took blood.

Now finished, I went to the front to check out. Imagine my surprise when they said they didn't take the Japanese insurance card as this was a private clinic. I had to pay and then get reimbursed, either by them or by the expat insurance policy. 43,730 yen. They took the Expat insurance form and said they would send it to me in a couple of weeks. I pulled out the trusty American Express card and quickly signed my name on the receipt.

I then went to the pharmacy downstairs where another 2500 yen later, I had my seven little pills and my day was complete.

I would have much rather bought shoes...