Things I love about Japan (Misawa)

So I have been trying to come up with a few things that I feel like I need to share. Understand me correctly, it's not that hard to come up with some advantages of being overseas and in a foreign country. Sometimes it's just hard to think about them when you are "living life" here.
Just some random ideas to share:

1. It is very safe here. I do not lock my car. I do not lock my house. When parked off base, I sometimes even leave my wallet in the car--it is that safe. I let my kids go to the bathroom on their own (which I would never do in the states), as long as they know how to find me when they are done. Basically, I feel like everyone is trying to be a good citizen here and trusts each other.

2. The people. Japanese people are amazing. So hard-working, so honest, so polite. I have never heard anyone yell here. I have never heard anyone speak rudely to another person. I have never heard a parent discipline his/her child in public, and if he/she did, they were not speaking in harsh voices, so I didn't even notice.

3. Customer service. They want to please you. They work hard to make you come back. I've got two examples. After my cell phone took an extra couple days to arrive to the cell phone office, the manager himself, gave me a call and asked me if he could drop the cell phone off at my house in person. He simply wanted to apologize for taking such a long time. I kept asking him "But why?" when he was talking on the phone with me. I am sure I sounded kind of suspicious.

And then there is our Japanese auto mechanic--Datesan. Great guy! But what makes him really great--he speaks decent English!-hehehehe. The best part is that he tries his best to actually pick up your car when he needs to work on it and then drop it off. Don't know about you, but I have never had that done in the US:)

4. I stand out. I have to admit, I like it. I like being blonde and "taller". I love being able to be spotted easily:)

5. Being able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables anytime. Anywhere I go in Misawa, I can find small shops that have a ton of produce for sale. We have an "Apple Lady" who has lots of good apples and pears, sits rain or shine in her small shop. Speaks only words like "SWEET" "SOFTO" "HARDO", but that's enough for me. She always gives kids samples of apples and knows their names.

6. Bakeries. Ooooh, just thinking about them makes me want to go out and get some of the yummy Japanese bread. It looks and tastes a lot like European pastries. You just have to try them to appreciate them. My favorite is bread with chocolate swirls in it.

7. It is beautiful here. I did not expect to see so many mountains here! I mean, I knew there is Mt. Fuji in Japan, but I didn't realize there are so many hills and forests where we are--northern Japan. Breataking views. Every time I drive down from main base, by the beach of lake Ogawarako (or something that sounds like that:)), I am amazed at how beautiful the landscape is. Of course, half of the time, I can only see the first layer of mountains because of the clouds.

8. Japanese have thought of every little thing. They love to invent these tiny contraptions/containers/ equipment to ease your life. No, I don't really need a nose massager, but just in case....they've got it. Storage containers of all shapes and sizes are plentiful at the 100Yen store (dollar store but better). In small spaces that they live, they have to use every inch of their house. And that's exactly what all those organizational tools do. My personal favorite that I still have to go and try is this one:

Any ideas what it is?

Amazon description: Baby Nasal Aspirator Vacuum Suction

This nasal cleaner is with a tube for mother to vacuum out baby's mucus. You can feel and control vacuum suction. When the nose is clear, you will feel the free air go in your mouth. The mucus will be collected in the container. All parts are detachable for cleaning (the large white part can be separate into two parts as well). Just rinse with warm or hot water right after each use. It can also be sterilized in boiling water (except the clear container and carry case). I personally like to hold the baby upright when vacuuming the mucus, so I can control the directions as well. It's a very handy tool when baby got running or stuffy nose.

If you are interested in buying one, let me know, I can get it here for around $9-haha. (A regular American pediatrician here actually recommended it to me).

9. Yaki-soba. What can I say, I love Yakisoba. To find out what I am talking about, you just going to have to come visit us.

I am sure the list is not full. But this is just the beginning...