Honest Pizza in the Sky
Posted on May 20, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
About a month ago, Jason’s co-workers put together a Saturday outing that involved a trip to a Japanese restaurant called Pizza in the Sky. Around 5 families joined together and caravaned to a northern peninsula of the island to the restaurant high above sea level. The restaurant is situated on top of a mountain, and is quite popular among the locals as well as Americans who live here. It took us about 90 minutes to get to the restaurant, mainly because traffic is always bad and red lights are plentiful. When we arrived at the restaurant, we had to wait at least an hour to get seated/served because of the size of our party. Following our American-style upbringing, we all ordered way to much food.
Jason and I order a salad and 2 pizzas. We received our salad and one pizza. (As a long side note: In Okinawa, and I think mainland Japan as well, they bring out the food when it is finished, not all together. Many Americans do have issues with this way of being served. It is just a part of living here and dining out, so you have to assimilate.) Our group was almost finished eating when the second pizza came to our table. Knowing we couldn’t eat the second pizza, we set it aside on an empty table. We couldn’t take it with us because we were going to the local Aquarium after lunch.
Most of our group had gotten up from the table and started back to our cars. The restaurant is set back from the road so there is a little bit of walking involved to get to the parking area. Wyatt and I were the last of the group at the table when the servers began to clean up our gigantic American mess. Most of the group had left pizza, like us, but only a few slices in each pan. As Wyatt finished eating, I watched the ladies clean up the tables murmuring to each other in Japanese. I assumed only by their facial expressions that they were disturbed by all the left over pizza and subsequent waste we produced. I pointed to our untouched pizza on a separate table and told the women that we did not touch the pizza, we ordered too much and could not bring it with us. I told them to please take it and maybe the kitchen would eat it later if they wanted. The women looked at me and acknowledged, for the most part, that they understood what I was saying.
Wyatt finally finished eating and we left down the road to catch up with the group. About half way down the road I heard a women saying excuse me in Japanese. I turned and our server was in front of me. In the best English she could, she explained that the manager was going to eat the pizza and he didn’t feel right not paying for it. She handed me the money back for the pizza (1000 yen = $12.00) and thanked me. She said the manager wanted us to come back and didn’t want us to leave unhappy. I was in shock and confused at the manager’s offering; I just stood there not saying anything. I did finally refuse the money, but our server refused my refusal. Not knowing what to do, I said the only thing I knew how to say in Japanese, “arigatou gozaimasu” (which means thank you), and lowered my head. Wyatt broke my exchange with the server when he took off running down the road.
This was my first real experience learning the difference between Americans and Okinawans. My friend D says this is pretty typical of the Japanese culture - the honesty and kindness. We haven’t had another experience like this again on the island but we do order much less food now when we go out. The impact the pizza experience had on me has not disappeared. I am learning that the Okinawan/Japanese culture holds respect and honesty, at least in business relations, to a very high standard. I am definitely looking forward to visiting and sharing that pizza restaurant again with friends and family who visit. The pizza was very good by the way =)
Cars for sale, love and never surrendering
Posted on May 17, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
When we arrived on the island, one of our first purchases was a car. Most cars here are used and around 10 years old. While buying an ten year old car in the states seems unheard of, it’s the norm here. In fact, if you buy a new car on the island you stand to loose about 80% of what you bought it for originally. Every two year you have to take your vehicle through what is called a JCI inspections. These inspections cost around $400-$600 each PLUS the cost to fix anything wrong with the car. Generally, a 10 year old car is in pretty decent shape because of the JCI inspections, you can’t drive very far on the island and the max speed limit is around 50mph. There are no trucks or SUVs here, just old skool hooptie-types and box-style cars. Cars and mini-minivans go up not out.
It became clear to us, especially after purchasing our second vehicle, that people are in a hurry to dump their car onto anyone willing to buy it. About 90% of the used cars on the island run between $2.500-$4,500 dollars. You can usually bargain a seller down about $500.00 and get a new JCI inspection as part of the deal. That is how we got our vehicles. Folks are very willing to bargain because they have a very limited time on the island and don’t want to pay to junk their cars. I think to junk a car here costs about $500 in Okinawa.
After our first purchase, the Toyota FunCargo, we found in the vehicle a decent screwdriver tool, an ipod, and some other random stuff. In our second vehicle, a station-wagon, we are still finding items from the previous owners. Most recently we discovered the car was equip with a 10-plus CD drive hidden under the passenger seat. All the CD’s are of mix of songs burned onto CD’s. Flipping through the CD’s, Jason and I got a glimpse into the previous owners lives. There were recent songs on the CDs like Lady Gaga and Britney Spears but also some serious old skool ones from bands like Air Supply! But the best song of all, though, came from Jason!
Most of you can remember the marbles in the mouth ballad, Never Surrender, by Cory Hart. If you can’t, google it and you’ll remember. (Never surrender came on after “Lost in Love” by Air Supply which I had just finished singing loudly in the car to Jason and annoying Maggie to the brink of insanity.) Jason, following my awesome performance belted out the words to ‘Never Surrender’ like a true Karaoke star. It was ridiculously funny but also made me realize how much I love him. Most people we know and meet never get to see the side of Jason that makes me love him so much. In all of his cerebral seriousness, he can really make me smile and laugh in hysterics. Jason remembered all the words, as did I, and we enjoyed ourselves until Maggie screamed at us to turn it off!!!
Ugh, back to being boring parents driving a wagon.
Toilets, what the…???
Posted on May 15, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
As new residents of the island, our curiosity of what’s here has sent us out to local parks, stores and tourist destinations. As a part of life and leaving the home it is inevitable that someone would have to use the bathroom while we are out. That first someone was Maggie. On our first trip to the beach (actually the only one so far since all its done for weeks is rain) Maggie had to go potty. I let Daddy take her since I was busy with Wyatt. They both returned to our blanket a little while later and then headed to the water. About an hour later it was my turn to use the bathroom so I got Jason to take over watching Wyatt. Just a short walk away I found the restrooms. I saw the typical woman sign and turned into that bathroom only become both surprised and confused. The toilets were, well, on the ground. Hum, I thought. Maybe I went into the mens’ bathroom by mistake. I checked. Maybe someone switched the signs? I waited for someone to come by and use the bathrooms so I could have a clear confirmation. I did get my confirmation that I was indeed in right bathroom. So what the (fill in) are these rectangular holes in the ground? I then gasped, realizing that Maggie had used one of these toilets. I quickly turned around and marched back to Jason. Here went our conversation:
“Did you go into the bathroom with Maggie?”
“No, why?”
“The toilets are on the floor!”
“Hun?”
“Get Maggie over here!”
“Maggie, how did you go potty?”
“I sat down”
“YOU SAT DOWN?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU SAT DOWN??! OMG!”
I scanned the beach trying to locate the closest American woman and ask her how to use the bathrooms. (By this time I really had to go!). From my conversation with her, I learned that you actually squat above the toilet, a foot on either side. I decided not use the toilet and left the beach to head home and scrub Maggie with Clorox.
There are regular “American” toilet seats here. Most places, except for parks, have them. Besides the strange toilets in the ladies restrooms, which I have yet to try out, they have heated ones too! I have used the heated toilets and they are pretty neat. These upgraded toilets are usually in department stores. Besides having heat control function, there are other buttons (marked in Japanese) on the toilets as well. I have yet to try any of the extra button for fear I may blast off or be catapulted out of the bathroom like a sling shot. The good part about pubic restrooms is that most are quite clean and usually have toilet seat sanitizers in every stall. Many also have someone who actually cleans the restrooms instead of just checking a box that it was completed when it really wasn’t. It has become a quest of mine to check out and take pictures of bathrooms in Japan. I am still amazed at the toilets in the floor and find it very hard to logistically understand how to use these toilets without making a mess.
I will upload some pictures of the rectangular toilets and will get a good one of the super-bionic heated ones uploaded soon.
Drinks, Drinks, Drinks …everywhere!
Posted on May 13, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
I love to drink. No not alcoholic drinks, but coffee and soda. Fortunately for me, the Okinawans do too! On almost ever corner (not exaggerating) there is a vending machine. Drink machines are everywhere, on street corners, in the front of stores, and even on the side of the road where there is nothing but fields and grass. What makes these machines so special, I think, are that they serve both hot AND cold drinks. In the same machine! About 50% of the drinks are coffee beverages. Most beverages in these machines are ones I’ve never even heard of or seen before - except for the tiny logo that identifies it as made either by Coke Cola brand or BOSS. The drink cans are written in Japanese with one or two English words describing the drink for those that can’t read the local language.
In my quest to try each beverage, I’ve come across one I’m totally addicted to. It’s a canned iced coffee with cream. So yummy I could probably drink one an hour. It almost tastes like a coffee milkshake. The unfortunate part is the cost is high, not unlike Starbucks drinks (which I adore as well). Each one runs 120 yen which is the equivalent to about $1.50 dollars. For about 8 oz of pleasure, it’s 48 calories. Not bad compared to an American coffee drink. I’ve tried it hot, but find it better tasting cold.
There are more beverages other than coffee in these machines. Tea made with milk and apple juice are popular choices as well. I once bought what a thought was a plain apple juice and gave it to the kids. Both were excited until they took a drink. Maggie, my super honest five year old let out a, “Yuck mom! This isn’t apple juice! Gross!”
While Maggie was in her math class the other day, I headed to the nearest vending machine. I got my drink and then looked down to see Wyatt sticking out his tongue and panting. Maggie taught him this annoying display a couple weeks ago and it has stuck with him, only because Maggie laughs every time he does it. After telling Wyatt to stop panting and request a drink using words instead of acting like a thirsty dog, I got him a drink. I looked in the machine and saw one of the few kid (American) friendly drinks, white grape juice. After my purchase, I looked at the can and read it more closely. Hummm, white grape juice with aloe? Really? Aloe? I opened the can and took a sip. I first got the clean taste of grape juice and then I got a nasty glob of something in my mouth. Holding back from regurgitation, I gave it to Wyatt to see what he thought. His response, “Yum, tasty!” (Maggie taught him to say that too.) He did continue to drink it until I decided I’d better look in the can. After I looked, I dumped it out. I think the globs are normal by the way, just not normal to me. No one got sick btw.
You can usually find a regular Coke in the machines, but Diet Coke is pretty much non-existent. Once in a while you can find a Coke Zero, but it’s rare. If you like Pepsi products, forget about them here. They don’t exist here. Coke rules. When I get a chance, I will take a picture of a vending machine and post it.
The Okinawa Wave
Posted on May 12, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
After 36 hours of eating, sleeping and sitting in airports and airplanes we finally landed in Okinawa, Japan. Strangely, for me at least, everything looked the same as the country we left until I got into a car. My friend D, who I met through Maggie’s friendship with her daughter, moved to Okinawa last year. She met us at airport when we arrived to welcome us to Island and see if we needed anything after our long trip. She offered to take the kids and me to our hotel and leave Jason at the airport to pick up our luggage. I agreed of course! Walking out to her car, I instinctively opened the passenger side door only to discover the steering wheel on ‘my’ side and hear D say “Are you gonna drive already?” Okay, maybe things are a bit different here.
The first couple times I sat on the passenger side of a Japanese car I had this overwhelming feeling of falling backwards. If you have ever had one of the dreams, you know what I felt. I actually had to close my eyes a couple times, especially during left turns because it looks and feels like you are turning into oncoming traffic. D thought my reaction was funny only because each time she turned I let out a goofy, nervous, uncontrollable “Bahhh!” For a couple of days I really doubted my ability to learn to drive here.
We bought our first car about 10 days after being on the island. It’s a Toyota FunCargo. I think it is so cute but Jason hates it. It is roughly the size of a small box with 4 bike tires attached to it. We were desperate to not depend on others for help so for $1800, we bought it . On a side note, most parking spots in Japan are about half the size of an American parking spot so any vehicle larger than four-door Toyota Corolla makes it difficult to fit into a spot. In the process of learning to drive, I went about 10mph and repeated over and over, ” stay to the left, stay to the left.” Generally, if I was driving on the wrong side, I would know it because another car would be coming towards me in my lane. Those experiences allowed me to further perfect my awkward, “Bahhhh!” reaction.
Since everything having to do with driving is opposite, the turn signal and windshield wipes are of course, opposite too. For the first three weeks into driving here, I would go to use the turn signal and the wipers would turn on instead. Bahhhh! This, so I’ve been told, is known as the Okinawa Wave. It is pretty much a clear indication that it’s someone new to the island. After a while, it gets embarrassing. It’s been almost 6 weeks since I started driving here and I still do it occasionally.
Somehow, something clicked and I really don’t have to think so much about which side is the drivers’ side or which lane to be in. I do occasionally have to remind myself to stay the the left, especially if I’m tired. I’m still not a comfortable passenger over here so my preference is to drive whenever I can. I know in a few years when we return to the states, I’ll have to learn to drive all over again and resurrect my “Bahhhh!”
Posted on May 11, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
(Written by J in April)
What a busy month! First we settled in to Okinawa (arrival, pet issues, getting cars, finding housing, getting Maggie registered for kindergarten, etc., etc.). All along the long and varied process, we were preparing for me to leave for almost three weeks on a work trip to Alaska. I was told about the trip on my first day of work. It’s very unusual to be sent somewhere so soon after arriving on island, but I guess they saw fit to do so.
There’s so much to write about because I’ve taken so long to get around to it. I guess first thing’s first. We arrived on Oki in mid-March, which seems to have been the perfect time weather-wise. In fact, after being here for two days, Maggie commented that she loved Okinawa because of the nice cool breeze. It was about 60 or 65 in the afternoons. We were told the monsoon season would start sometime in April or May; that hasn’t really happened yet (although Erin did say that she heard thunder that sounded like firecrackers). And then the heat and humidity is supposed begin. I guess we’ll see.
The island is busy. There’s a lot to do and a lot of traffic. There are plenty of beaches and parks (both indoor and outdoor). The people seem nice, but apparently, rumor has it, under the surface they really don’t like Americans. I can understand that. We have been on their island for quite sometime and, while we bring lots of money, we also do a lot of damage. That said, it never hurts to have the world’s big brother nearby to protect you.
Our house is nice; three bedrooms, two stories, and a yard. We were really lucky to find a place that will allow Maggie to go to one of the best schools. Unfortunately for her, it’s an American school and an Okinawan one. She really wanted to go to school with Okinawan kids, I think so she could learn Japanese. The good news is, there is a tutoring program where I think she will have that opportunity.
(written by Erin in May)
We finally got all our house items delivered - a little earlier than expected so I was happy. We are slowly adjusting to Okinawa. The food, humidity, constant traffic and language barrier has made it an interesting couple of months. Maggie, Wyatt and I have picked up a couple Japanese phrases. Most notably is how to say thank you. The locals almost fall over laughing when Wyatt says thank you in their language. It is very cute. Boys definitely seem to be more of a favorite here. Plus when you add in his size (35lbs and not even two yet) it makes him stand out even more among the smaller-built Okinawans.
Maggie has started taking a math course through a local/international company called Kumon. She seems to enjoy it although she has homework to complete every night. It was her interest and desire that drove me to find the company. I’m all for it but Jason is a bit hesitant.
I have enjoyed my share of great, good, and nasty sushi. I’m learning that you don’t go for sushi where the restaurant specifically caters to Americans. Your best best, for sushi, is to go where English is a small part of the menu but basically caters to Japanese taste. The Japanese do eat much more than just sushi, by the way. Soba or Yakisoba are pretty important to their diets as well as rice (duh!), eggs and pork. Soba and Yakisoba are basically noodles in a fish/pork broth. You wouldn’t think it would be yummy - but it is. It is almost addicting. Maggie loves to eat it with chopsticks. CoCo Curry is favorite of Maggie’s as well. We all enjoy it. Curry to Okinawa is like BK or Pizzahut to Americans.
The animals are doing well. Charley is settled into feline routines - eat, beg to be fed, sleep, eat, beg to be fed and so on. Wilson is adjusting to to the dampness of the island and actually his knee is almost back to normal.
Here and good
Posted on March 19, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
Good news: We are in place safe and sound. The trip was VERY long but went alot better than I or Erin had expected. The kids and parents held up very well. We are, of course, suffering the effect of jet lag, Wyatt especially. His sleep schedule is way off. Wilson and Charley also seem to be fine. They are being kenneled right now but we will be able to get them tomorrow.
We are working diligently on purchasing cell phones and vehicles. Those two things are most important right now.
Maggie and I went outside this morning and she said, “I love Okinawa!” When I asked her why, she said it was because of the sun and the cool breeze in the air. She later told someone she could live here 100 years. So, obviously it’s good for us to have our 5 year old on the side of the team. If things weren’t good on that front, things would be bad. Although, as we all know, a 5 year old’s attitude can change radically as quickly as that nice cool breeze.
Everything’s on schedule
Posted on March 15, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
We have gotten a lot of phone calls, etc. from folks wondering what’s going on with us because of all the stuff happening in Japan. The good news is, all is still in place. Okinawa is far enough south that it really wasn’t effected by the earthquake or tsunami. As far as us, we are hanging in there. It hasn’t been very pleasant with all the hotel stays, road travel, etc. but we’re doing okay.
More to follow…we will use this site as the first way to let folks know we are safe once we are on the island.
The death of an old person is like the burning of a library (supposedly an African proverb)
Posted on February 28, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
I really like driving, especially if I am traveling in an area I haven’t seen before. Chalk it up to the wanderlust in my nature. One of the reasons I like to drive is that it gives me time to think (assuming I am alone…there’s no thinking when kids are around). I drove to Baltimore to see some family today; the three hours each way trip gave me quite the opportunity to burn up some brain cells.
Another reason I like driving is that it gives me a chance to listen to my favorite podcasts, one of which is To the Best of Our Knowledge from Wisconsin Public Radio. The specific program I listened to was about aging. One of the people being interviewed mentioned that elderly people are at a point in their lives during which they can display their mastery of some skill. This got me to thinking, but first I have to explain the other thing that got my wheels turning.
When I was teaching in Mtn Home, we operated under a framework for learning. I don’t know who came up with it, but I like it. It stated there are four levels of learning: knowledge, comprehension, application, and evaluation. Basically, the issue at hand is the depth of ones learning. Knowledge is shallow; it is the easiest kind of learning to achieve. Comprehension is when someone really understands the ‘why’ or the importance of what he or she has learned. Application is when you can take what you have learned and apply it to a new situation. Finally, when one has reached the evaluation level of learning, he or she is able to look at someone else’s work (or his or her own, I suppose) and call it right or wrong and explain why.
So, my thoughts today were about putting these two concepts together. Someone who has truly mastered something has definitely reached the evaluation level of learning. The aging angle of all of this is that—and I am speaking very generally here—the older you are, the further along in the levels of learning you are. (This is my humble opinion, so if you disagree, I’m your target, not the radio show.) Young folks—kids, teens, even some 20 somethings—are mostly at the knowledge level of learning. They do what they’re told, not really appreciating the reasons for it or the implications for not doing so. As one goes along, gaining experience, he/she begins to understand the importance of things, achieving the comprehension level. Yes, this really is a sequence; I truly believe you can’t skip steps. Application comes next, making the person look as though they are really good at whatever they are doing at the moment. But there’s still one more level, the one at which one can truly be called a master. I think time, repetition, and aging are the only ways to arrive at this place.
To wrap all this up, I realized while driving that older people are a treasure on this level. The person who does not attempt to learn from them is truly foolish. Some of us do not have too many older people in our lives; this is sad. So, maybe I should attempt to seek them out, especially since my grandparents are here in the States and I am about to be thousands of miles away. It’s cliche but maybe I will try to find somewhere to volunteer that involves old people (I don’t know if they have nursing homes in Japan).
When people are nearing the end of their lives, they often seek out what their life’s significance is. For many of them, part of it is going to be what they have mastered. Maybe part of what we are supposed to do as younger people is assume the ’sponge’ role and learn all we can—let them teach us. It adds to their significance; everyone wants to live forever, to achieve immortality. Maybe being their student is a way to help them live forever.
A story worth remembering
Posted on February 22, 2011 - Filed Under Uncategorized
Erin told me a story yesterday that is definitely worth writing about. (I am going to hijack it because she has such little time to write.) The kids were napping in their room. Erin heard Wyatt talking; though he does sometimes talk in his sleep, this is usually a good sign that he is awake and ready to come out of his crib. When Erin came into the room, he his finger up to mouth and said, “Sshh, Maggie.” Once Erin got him out of his crib, he walked over, got one of Maggie’s Barbie dolls, and laid it down beside her in her bed.
We’ve noticed that Wyatt can be a very sweet kid. Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see if this lasts. Also, you might have noticed I wrote, “…their room…” when referring to where the kids were sleeping. Yes, Maggie and Wyatt share a room because we were only able to get a two bedroom upon arriving in Texas. We didn’t necessarily mind this because we knew we were only going to be there for a short time (about six months or so). Also, I made the case that the kids need to learn to share. It has been good and we’ve had no major problems, although we really hope we are able to get a three bedroom in Japan. Erin has convinced me that Maggie is getting to the point at which she needs her own room.
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