Pizza

We rarely get pizza, but tonight we decided to order some from the base. We had some trouble finding the phone number so D.J. called the main store to get the phone number for the one closest to us. The conversation went a little like this:

D.J.: “Hi, do you know the hours for the pizza store on the Ikego base?”
Clerk: “Yes.”
<30 seconds of uncomfortable silence>
D.J.: “The hours for the store on Ikego; what are they?”
Clerk: “Hello?”
D.J.: “What time do they close?”
Clerk: “Ten.”
D.J.: “Do you have the phone number for over there?”
Clerk: “Yes!”
<30 more seconds of uncomfortable silence>
D.J.: “Nevermind, I think we found it.”

Then when we finally got a hold of the pizza shop, he ordered the pizza and was asked, “What size would you like?”
“Well, what sizes do you have?”
“We only have one size,” was the reply.
So, D.J. was forced to answer, “Then I guess I’ll take that one.”

Birthdays, kitty punches…you know, the usual

I turned 27 on Saturday. Yea me. D.J. and I had planned on going to Tokyo that day, but it was cold and rainy so we put it off until Sunday. Instead we went to a pizzeria down on Zushi beach. I love that place. My favorite pizza there is sauceless with just cheese, prosciutto and rocket. It’s oven fired and oh so good. The rest of the day we just spent cuddled on the couch and vegging. Then Sunday morning I was minding my own business and sleeping when out of nowhere Zorro nails me right in the face. Um..he’s a cat. Why am I being punched in the face at 6:30 in the morning? He got me right in the mouth and split my bottom lip. I don’t know exactly how he did it, but when I opened my eyes, he had one arm stretched out at me and was staring straight at me like, “Oh hello, mum..you’re awake. Good. Is it breakfast time?”

Asakusa Jan. 13th crowd Asakusa Jan.13th

After the football game, D.J. and I headed for Asakusa. I wanted to get more daruma dolls and to get a good Italian dinner. Asakusa was PACKED. Oh my god. I know Tokyo is usually crowded, but it was truly crazy. We wandered the streets exploring for awhile and later ended up in Roppongi. We never found Italian that didn’t have the exquisite influence of the Japanese (what, with their delicious addition of hot dogs to spicy pasta) so we ended up in Tokyo midtown. It’s an expensive part of town (the mall is attached to the Tokyo Ritz Carlton) and got Indian instead. It was gourmet Indian. And I honestly prefer our T-Side, but it was good. We even stopped and bought some wine and other goodies at the Dean & Deluca. I had been a little upset that I didn’t get a cake or anything this year, but while we were at the gourmet shop, D.J. picked this up. Made me feel all better.

Birthday cookie

T-Side

After my lessons on Thursday evenings, I have been going to Kamakura to pick up Indian dinner for D.J. and me. A couple of months ago, we found this review of the place and have been going back frequently ever since. The owners have come to know me and we sit around and talk while they make my food for carry out. They also usually give me a glass of warm tea while I wait. I’ve never had any tea like this and I love it. So, while I was waiting for my food I asked them about it and they taught me how to make it. I was SO excited to get a lesson in making this stuff. Maybe next time they’ll teach me how to make my favorite, Mutton Che Tenad. Yum.

Going downhill

Yesterday I missed the bus so as I often do, I took the hill behind the house. I love Japan for these paths everywhere. I can also go uphill and view Fuji-san, but yesterday I had to make it to work on time. I love the peace you feel in the middle of the woods. It’s quiet and full of life and yet you hardly ever see another person back there. It’s nice to get away from the crush and noise of the city sometimes. I’ve hiked up and down in the day and in the darkness and believe me, the woods are always different. Please excuse the shoddy camera work. I took all the photos with my phone.

Bird Cookies

A student brought me bird cookies for Christmas the other day. I LOVE this things. I am totally obsessed. They’re called Hato (doves) and made by Toshimaya. They’re uniquely from Kamakura (which is conveniently only one train stop away). They’re just butter cookies, but I love them. My Japanese neighbor HATES them and calls them foul, but I just can’t get enough. I was first given one by a neighbor who had just moved in and then my obsession grew.

HatoBird Cookie

This gift was given by my eldest student. She’s a sweet elderly woman who lives in my neighborhood. She gets dressed up for my lessons and as far as I can tell…this and going to the doctor are the highlights of her week. Every time she comes over she says the same things, “Oh..nice smell” and “Your house. So clean. Always so clean.” I don’t know if she’s surprised that an American’s home can be so clean or smell so good, if she actually thinks it stinks and is dirty or just has no idea as to what else to say. I’m guessing it’s the latter. But I bet she doesn’t know that about a half hour before she gets here, I’m scrambling around the place throwing stuff in the laundry room . Or does she?

Daruma dolls

Daruma doll in my bedroom

When Mom was here I bought myself a Daruma doll at the shrine in Asakusa. Daruma dolls are armless and legless, hollow and round wish dolls that you buy eyeless. You paint one eye in black ink as you make your wish. You then paint the other one in when your wish comes true or the year ends. I’m not telling what my wish was, but it did not come true. The year ended. Once both eyes are filled in you are then apparently supposed to take the doll back to the shrine to have it burned by the priests. This is because you are not supposed to throw anything away that has eyes. It is also done for purification reasons. It tells that kami (or gods) that you have not given up on the wish, but are on another path to make it come true. I like that sentiment a lot.

I doubt I’ll take it back to the shrine, although I would like to get another one and make another wish. I am obviously on a different path to make the previous wish to come true, so new wishes are always good. I have a feeling that this will instead be burnt on the grill in the backyard. Since BBQ’s happen in this house about once a week, it’ll go soon. Have no fear.

Still hopingFilled in