Things Lately

Did you know that because now we’ve had a blog for awhile, I find myself thinking in my head in sentences and stories as if I am writing my blog?  Sometimes when I am driving, I come up with these crazy blog entries, trying to remember to share some of the things that impress me. But life gets too busy… There are so many things in Japan that I wish you could see! So many things that used to be so strange but now I don’t think twice about them.

Anyway, I found Mark’s favorite vegetable-red pepper. I guess if he has to, he can settle for an orange one. I have also figured out that the best way for Mark to fill up on veggies is when he is watching TV right before dinner—he’ll eat anything—carrots, green beans, bell peppers, broccoli.  Not a great habit to eat in front of the TV—but for now it works.

One day Mark was helping me clean out some drawers. He opened my container with spaghetti—tada! Katya volunteered to help him to collect that pasta (with a hidden motive of eating it while cleaning up).

Do you remember I mentioned our Japanese friends—Futakawas? We went out on a double date with them last Friday.  Their daughter, Shoko, stayed at our house with Amber, the babysitter. Did you know that it’s not part of Japanese culture to go out on dates in the evenings and leaving kids with a babysitter? It was the first date night in a year or so for Maki and Tatsuya. And it happened to be their anniversary. They are very modern Japanese people and didn’t mind leaving Shoko at home. They said they only were able to do it when they lived in the states for a year. Here, it’s a little bit frowned upon. Lunch dates are okay if you kids are at school:)

We took them to Yoshino’s—the best steak house in town. I got my seafood set again. Scallops are my favorite.

Another Japanese tradition that I am finally finding out about—it’s almost Ukrainian—whenever you go meet a friend or go to their house, you bring a gift. Something home made or store bought and edible is very common. Maki always brings us some of her yummy home made bread or Japanese sweets, packaged in fancy boxes.

I also found out from Maki that fashion in Aomori Prefecture (where we live) is quite different from Tokyo and surrounding areas. She says that moms do wear high heels in Tokyo even if they are just going out to a playground. Here, in Misawa, it’s really rural fashion. So now, I am thinking of how fashion in a small town of Dubno (where I was born) is different from Kyyiv, at that makes me laugh.

Oh, there is so much more to share. Maybe next time.

By the way, how much does gas cost these days in your state? It’s $3.86 per gallon here. Just wondering.

Mata ne, Lyana