loads of kindness

Sean's birthday cake.

Kotoko breaks the ice with Mirah.

Good times at the kid table.


Around 5 o'clock this Friday evening, Mirah and I went to the train station in order to make our way down to Shake Station and Proto Labs. We got there with no problem and met up with Brian and Khing-san. We also wished Takamura-san a safe voyage to the United States (he leaves on Sunday) where he will be training at Proto Labs US.

We visited the Proto Labs 'bachelor pad', met up with Sean and Matt, and then headed out to dinner at the restaurant that Ishikawa-san runs. Ishikawa-san is a part-timer at Proto Labs and runs the restaurant, called "Kyu Style", in the evenings along with his wife, Setsu.

I was excited to be out on the town in the evening, and I was also looking forward to seeing this restaurant and meeting Setsu, who had expressed interest in befriending this American (me).

The restaurant is small, with about four tables and a four-seat bar eating area, which only enhances its coziness. Also, when we walked in the door, The Ishikawas greeted us and Setsu presented me with a bag of some very cute clothes for Mirah. Super sweet.

We began our meal with drinks and then started up the grill in the middle of the table. We had various small bites, sausages, cabbage, and potato, and later chicken, mushrooms, liver, and okonomiyaki. The food was delicious and so tasty fresh off the grill. Khing-san was our food tour guide, identifying things that we couldn't have otherwise. Mirah had an orange drink that came in an awesome glass bottle that looked vintage. She didn't eat much during our meal, but later, when she was playing with two of the Ishikawa children, she had some onigiri. She had eaten an early supper back at the apartment so I wasn't too concerned about her getting a full meal at the restaurant.

So the Ishikawa kids. We met two of four. A girl, Kotoko, 6 years old, and a boy, Taichi (sp?), 5 years old. They were super friendly to Mirah in just the right way. Not too overbearing, but welcoming. Mirah eventually went over to the table where they were playing and joined in. They had all kinds of kid fun.

Meanwhile the other two tables at the restaurant had been filled and all of a sudden the atmosphere was just totally convivial and everyone was taking pictures and having a good time. We were celebrating Sean's birthday and Setsu even had a cake and candles for the occasion. Everyone in the restaurant shared the cake. The kids were playing. My head was spinning thinking how nice it was to be in such a welcoming place.

I was grateful for the evening out. And what's more, I'm astonished at the kindness of new friends and strangers alike!

settling in

The tatami room / our bedroom closet and light fixture.


Mirah noting that we're at yet another new park.


We've been in our apartment just over a week now. It's so nice to have moved out of the hotel. When we first arrived in Japan, we stayed for two weeks at the Okura Frontier Hotel in Ebina. The following two weeks, we lived in the Loisir Hotel in Atsugi, Ebina's neighbor city. Both hotels were lovely, but the lack of a kitchen and a space of one's own while Mirah was sleeping made things very difficult. Now we are back in Ebina and our apartment is located right across the street from our first hotel. This is familiar territory!

Each day brings some new adventure, be it big or small. Yesterday I was determined to get some stationary and write a couple of old-fashioned letters. Then, Mirah and I ventured to the post office. I had been in the post office before as it is the home of an ATM that works for us, but I had never used the actual postal services there. As we walked in, I noted a smallish window off to the right and a larger area to the left with a number of cashiers at stations. Being afraid of the big area, I headed to the small. Of course when I pulled out my two little letters, I was redirected to the intimidating area. I am so thankful for people who pick up on my cluelessness and take pity--a woman noticed that I was unsure of what to do, so she showed me the way. What stood in my way was a "take a number" system that was automated. There were four buttons from which to choose. I was unsure which one to push so just stood there hesitatingly. Luckily, Helpful Woman hit the top button for me and handed over the numbered receipt that was produced. Helpful Woman gave up her spot in line for me. Bless her. From there, the rest was simple. I produced my little letters and the cashier asked me, "air mail?" and away we went. The cost was 110 yen per letter.

I'm often asked questions at cash registers that I don't understand. Often it involves a question about needing parking, or if I have some kind of points or rewards card. Usually I can answer correctly, according to my situation. And until yesterday, I hadn't gathered any points cards. In the course of one day, though, I received two such reward cards. I had no idea what they were for, but I got one stamp on each of them.

Today it became clear that one of my rewards cards, from our nearest grocery store SATY, was for bringing my own bag. When it was time to pay, I got out my cash and the card, and handed them over. The cashier had already given me a plastic bag (bag your own groceries here), but when she saw the card, she gave me a stamp and took away the bag. Aha! I still have no idea what happens when one fills up the card. We shall see!

The grocery store is so interesting. And being there at the busy times, particularly around lunch and dinner, never ceases to amaze me. All the cashier lanes are open and there are lines at every single one. It's true that the Japanese are just used to being cooperative and living and working in small spaces because even though everyone's nearly running into each other, somehow collisions are avoided and everyone seems to get along. I often imagine the inner grumblings of crabby people, but they usually aren't apparent. In the U.S. I could just hear people in line complaining about having to wait, looking anxious, asking for managers, etc. In Japan, everyone just knows they have to wait and we're all in this together, so why grouse? I very much appreciate this. Usually when we are waiting in line I spend my time subtly people watching. There are generally several mom and child combos to check out, or kids to catch Mirah's eye.

Settling in to our apartment means that it's been generally outfitted. We have kitchen utensils, appliances, furniture, and even drapes as of last weekend. Soon we will need to figure out bedding for guests who will arrive. SATY or Simachu, another home goods store, are near our house and both have folding beds of a sort.

I think we are getting a rental car soon. I don't really think we need one, and I don't plan on driving it during the day, but Brian may use it for work and it could be helpful for some shorter weekend trips. If the car arrives this evening, Brian hinted that he wanted to find the Toys r Us. Yep, there's a Toys r Us in Atsugi and Brian's been longing to find Transformers. We haven't seen them around much. Can't wait to have more TFs hanging around our apartment. Ha ha!

golden week

It's Golden Week in Japan. A major holiday, although there are still many, many people working. Including Brian.

We did have a relatively work-free weekend, however. Brian went in for part of the day on Saturday. On Sunday we visited Mt. Fuji aka Fuji-san thanks to a good host, Khing-san. Proto Labs U.S. employees Erick and Mark are here right now, so the six of us made the journey to the mountain / mountains. We left the hotel around 8 a.m. and returned at 8 p.m. A few hours could have been shaved off had there been less traffic, but that's the way it goes around here. I didn't really care as I was too busy enjoying the comfortable combination of English conversation, sightseeing, and Khing-san's knowledge of Japanese!

I know that I've been pretty tightly wound these past couple of weeks. There have been only two instances where I have laughed uncontrollably in Japan. The first time involved laughing at the computer, at a comment my sister made about the scoring in a word game. The second time was in the car on the way home last night. I don't even remember what started it. Maybe it was the constant joking about love hotels? All I know was that it felt great. And laughing more would be good.

At the hotel there have been signs about Golden Week dining deals: "Golden Week Family Viking". Being a Nordic soul myself, I was really confused as to the whole viking thing showing up in Japan. Khing-san explained that it means all you can eat. Eating as the vikings do? I totally get it now!