I thought it'd be interesting to see how many little changes have occurred to me (and Ryan) since we came to Japan. Mostly this'll be about me though, since Ryan's not with me right now.
Since Coming to Japan I Have
...switched Diet Coke for Tea (Took me a while, but it's official)
...obtained the ability to walk for at least 4 or more miles daily in uncomfortable boots/shoes/sandals etc.
...begun carrying a shopping bag with me at all times, while still carrying my good 'ol purse/backpack
I call it the "shopping look" but many women (usually younger) actually carry a shopping bag with them all the time. Probably because their regular bag alone is insufficient to hold all the outfits and make-up or other things she may need in a day. It's just that many nicer stores put your purchases into this major high quality, cool looking bags. I carry a bag from the Apple store, as it's handy and my sandwich and fruit no longer become squashed or bruised.
...obtained "conductors legs." My personal nickname for the fact that I no longer stumble all over the place when the train makes a sudden stop or start. Although the bus is another story.
...switched my sweet tooth for kusamochi 草もち. A Japanese sweet that has a bright green outside with a texture like chewy bread and maroonish colored sweet red bean past inside. I probably switched for it since it fulfills my sweet tooth but is also more satisfying than the average candy bar--probably since it's healthy.
...become acutely aware of the amount of fiber in my diet. White bread is mostly what's available here, along with white rice of course. The first has inconsequential (to zilch) fiber, the second makes good glue. A year worth of trouble was enough. I now eat nuts, prunes and raisins at an appalling rate and eat All Bran daily.
...become more acutely aware of the greatness and quality of homemade cookies and Wisconsin cheese. Mostly, cookies are sold in stores here, there are no ovens. Cheese is either really greasy, or the texture or cream cheese--or both. Here belongs a special thanks to Moms and Grandmothers--hugs!
...started to brush my hair more than once a week Mostly due to it's longness, but also the girliness of the culture here.
...wear a lot of layered complicated looking clothing. The layer thing I've always done--it's just that now I fit in more with it since it's popular here.
...stopped thinking, "Is there something on my face?" whenever I see someone staring at me. This is because it IS my face they're staring at.
...check and respond to emails more frequently than my previous "once each season" basis. Although I'm still pretty bad about this.
...not used a dryer in 1 year and 3 months. Most people hang out their laundry in Chiba year 'round since it rarely freezes.
...instintively have Ryan walk on the inner side of the side walk when we walk together so I don't get trampled. It's probably the culture, but also because Ryan's big that people will move out of the way for him, but not "notice" me until they ram into me. If the sidewalk is crowded it's a problem because there's usually nowhere for me to go to avoid the oncomers. I love my sidewalk hero. ^_^
...realized that there are even more cruddy (in terms of number) cartoons in Japan than the U.S. Although the increase in number of cartoons has led to many fantastic ones as well.What makes it from Japan to the U.S. goes through the Japan popularity filter first. Making it seem like in general they might be higher quality--but they're not. It's just the same thing for both countries.
...become fluent in katakana English and can understand phrases such as: "Watto du uu sink abauto zatto?" "What do you think about that?" or "Ai uddo raiku tu teru U abauto Parisu Hiruton." "I would like to tell you about Paris Hilton." I actually asked my students at the end of their speech if on "Parisu Hiruton" was Japanese 0.o;; I felt really bad about that one.
...no longer bat an eye at paying $100 once in a while for a couple 'o baskets of groceries. I've learned to shop around, but things are still pretty expensive here. I have to admit, my eye still twitches a little bit, but I'm able to control the near-fainting spells now. Heh.
That's all for now, check back at this post once in a while, I plan on adding to it as things come to me.
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