Excuse Me, I have to use the restroom....

The toilets here are downright luxurious. It sounds silly to say, but 99% of the ones I've seen are equipped with the works - a seat warmer, a bidet and a number of other options to enligten your experience. At the airport, at work, at hotels...they're all over the place. I'd enjoyed and appreciated them for a few weeks...until a trip to the rural area of Mei, located about an hour away from Tokyo. I was there to speak with a global recruit working there at auto factory. About halfway through the interview, I asked to be excused to the restroom. I was led to an outdoors trailer like building, and gasped when I opened the door. This was my first time seeing the traditional Japanese toilet, and it was shockingly different from those I described before. I tried to limit my reaction - I certainly didn't want to come across as the rude American....but it was certainly interesting, that's for sure.
A few days later, at a train station on my way to the American military base, I encountered my second traditional toilet. What's most interesting about them, to me, is that in both instances both styles of toilets are in the same bathroom, it's merely a question of which door you open...and I suppose, your preference. This time, I went for it...with my camera and all....tradition comes alive!!

Happy Bday - Karaoke Style!!

Although not necessarily routine, my colleagues organized a big celebration for my birthday. They insisted on taking me out, they got me lots of nice pink presents...and we ended the night in....a Karaoke bar!! Of course, I knew of the somewhat cliche idea of the Japanese love of karaoke bars. I despise the thought of singing in public, and have only gone to watch other people back in the States. In spite of my reluctance, I was persuaded into going (the wine with dinner made my persuasion a bit easier) with the group.
Upon entering the bar, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the bar was completely different than the ones I'd been to in the States. Unlike the big room with one performer on center stage, the bar had a number of small soundproof rooms with their own little systems and booth. So, instead of facing a roomful of curious strangers, I would only have to embarrass myself in front of small group of my co-worker...so much better!! We sang a long in a group to a variety of hits both Japanese (I couldn't really follow along) and American (some even I didn't recognize). Soon, soothed by the encouragement and support of my new friends, even I took the mike and belted out a Britney classic..."Baby Hit Me One More Time." A night to remember...

Earthquakes...Oh My!!

When I left work last Friday, the big news was that a typhoon was heading towards Tokyo. Several people reminded about me the rain and the bad weather that was on the way. At the end of the workday on Friday, in fact, I was startled to look outside and see just how dark and ominous it was. I got myself mentally prepared for this typhoon.

Truthfully, by the close of the weekend, the impact of the typhoon was barely detectable to me. It did rain quite a bit, but on Sunday morning (I think it was either Saturday or Sunday) I woke up to the feeling of my world shaking. My room on the 17th floor was unsteady for about five minutes (it seems like such a long time....especially when your in bed coming out of a deep sleep).

At this point, that is the second earthquake I've experienced in Tokyo and in life. When people say that they happen frequently here....they weren't exaggerating.

All of the training and orientation material information I received about Japan had significant amounts of information about what to do in the event of an earthquake. While looking for apartments, all of the listings boasted that their buildings would remain safe during earthquakes. During my first week of work, my manager directed me to an earthquake simulation training held by the police...we all took turns putting on helmets and running under desks while in a little trailer area that was moving and shaking similarly to level 5 earthquake. For those who may not know, here a few bits of info:

- The last earthquake in Tokyo over magnitude 5 occurred in 2005
--During level 5 earthquakes "many people try to seek safety and some/many people find it
difficult to move"

- Both earthquakes I experienced thus far were level 3
--Level 3 earthquakes "are felt by most people indoors"

Just in case you were wondering....

Getting My Feet Wet

One of the many things that I plan on enjoying are the onsen or "hot springs" here in Japan. I love hot tubs, and the thought of one makes me think of long languid soaks and enjoying my time here. I love being pampered, I love relaxing...so this seems like the perfect activity, for me right? Well...not quite...you have to be completely nude to enjoy this particular Japanese activity. So, when some of my new co-workers here invited me on a day trip to celebrate the holiday weekend...we thought long and hard (and exchanged about a dozen emails about where we'd we and what we'd do). Of the many suggestions considered, going to an onsen was one of them. I immediately leaped at the idea...after all, I'm certainly no prude. However, after a little consideration I knew that in spite of the great personalities of my new friends, and our mutual desire to learn from each other...this was one adventure that I wasn't quite ready for. While it is one thing to enjoy an onsen in the company of complete strangers (who by the way are speaking in a language I can't understand) it is quite another to do so with the women who sit right next to you day after day.
We ultimately reached a compromise...a wonderful day spent at Fruits Park...with you guessed it, plenty of fruit, yummy wine, great conversation...and a mini onsen...a foot onsen!! Great thinking, ladies!!

Sour Grapes

It's been nearly two weeks since I arrived in Japan...and the transition has gone remarkably well. Few, if any real complaints and aside from brief but sharp bouts of homesickness...I feel very comfortable here, like I wouldn't mind living here. The people are super nice, the city is cool and I love sushi and getting around without a car. Of course, there is more to eat here than sushi, and most of it is quite healthy. The small portions, while initially disappointing, are fine and I always think that this is the way things should be if you have any regard for your health and weight (which I do, even though it may be hard to tell...). In spite of all the positives, there are some significant drawbacks. First, there is the unease that comes with being unable to read a large amount of the menus and the great majority of the labels in the supermarket. It doesn't help that a fair amount of this food is completely unrecognizable. What is most saddening is when I can either (a) read the label or (b) discern the product...and THENＩsee the price. I'd been warned before coming about just how expensive everything was...but as a true food lover...seeing the actual prices made my heart hurt. This weekend, I went to the countryside with some co-workers...we went to Fruits Park and bought grapes and wine. Delicious..and almost a steal...a small bunch for 500 Yen= $5!! This is merely one of many such examples, but when I explained my feelings to my co-workers, they tried to soothe my anxiety by reminding me how much less we were paying for these grapes than we would in the grocery story...what a relief!!

New to This...

I've been living in Tokyo for about two weeks now. I've never lived in Japan before, and aside from one short trip here in June..this is all a very new experience to me. I've never blogged before either, but hopefully my posts will be helpful to other people in similar situations...thanks in advance for your patience...I'm new to this....