Grocery Store Fun

Okay, so I decided today that she can ignore me all she likes, but ain't no Internet fairy that can keep me from sharing the wonders of recycle shopping and Japanese grocery stores. I have a few photos to share, but please look for more post-Internets.

Going to the grocery store in Japan is, at best, an adventure with potential catastrophes lurking down every aisle. How, for example, does one choose soy sauce when there are (I counted) 56 options? I went for the Kikkoman with the red label, but I have no idea how that might be different from the Kikkoman with the green label, the blue label, the gold label (too expensive), or the silver label. I fully understand the importance of brand marketing now that I am reduced to buying the things in the most attractive packing. Do I get the rice with the cute flowers on it or the rice with the funny looking bunny using a mortal and pestle? Obviously the bunny.

Which brings me to Peter Rabbit. Yes, Peter Rabbit. We all know the importance of Hello Kitty to the Japanese school girl and salary man alike, but even in my farthest imaginings, I never would have guessed the popularity of Peter Rabbit. I mean, he's a pretty damn dapper bunny (or he was until he lost his coat in Mr. McGregor's garden, good thing his cousin helped him get it back later), but really? Peter Rabbit?

On my first venture into the school's mercifully air conditioned library I thought it was probably a fluke that they happened to have every single Beatrix Potter story ever written all bound into adorable mini books. Then I got to the English Preparation Room, discovered more English books and among them was, you guessed it, The Complete Works of Beatrix Potter - now with never before seen drawings! But okay, this has got to just be the work of my predecessor who simply failed to mention her Peter Rabbit fetish, right?

Wrong! A couple of weeks ago, a coworker took me on a recycle shop (think Goodwill/Salvation Army, but not as cheap) tour and what did I see? A Hello Kitty toaster, complete with speech bubble of adorable pink and silver salutations. Did you know that Hello Kitty's birthday is on Novemeber 1st? Or that she weighs as much as an apple? Well, consider yourself enlightened... by a toaster. If I had had the $20 to spend on a toaster, I might have gotten it then and there. But that would have been a mistake.

Just last weekend I returned, determined this time to get the toaster. What could be better than a coffee maker that says, "Do you love me? I love you!" (no joke, "aishiteru? aishiteru!") and a Hello Kitty toaster? The answer should be obvious by now.... a Peter Rabbit TOASTER. That's right folks. Every morning when I wake up, I turn on my coffee maker, take my time in the shower to decide if I really do love it back (I always do), get out, kindly ask Peter if he will toast my bread (he always does), and have myself a spectacular breakfast. Well, as spectacular as I ever feel at 7:20 a.m. Oh yeah, did I mention that my predecessor gave me a couple of coffee mugs my first day here? Of course, one of them features my new favorite bunny, Peter Rabbit.




Photo 1: a campaign poster for my new favorite political party. Not sure what their precise policies are, but how can you go wrong with the "Happiness Realization Party"?

Photo 2: yes, that is correct. Your eyes are not deceiving you. This is Peter Rabbit mayonaise. No joke.





Photo 3: when the culture shock gets too bad: Asian Therapy

The Internet Fairy

I just wanted to give you all a quick update to let you know that I have neither been stung to death by a jellyfish while skinny dipping nor fallen into a gaijin trap. I haven't been crushed by a kiriko, and I haven't even gotten swine flu yet. I may, however, be thrown into jail for attempted murder if the Internet Fairy continues to be the coy minx that I now know to be her true self. Honestly, in a country where tv comes standard on cell phones and a cute pink kitty can take over a national psyche, why can't I get Internet! Bah, so until the happy day finally occurs, updates may be few and far between. When I had nothing to do at work but pretend I was doing something, life was good and Internet was plentiful. I am now dealing with overworked teachers and 1,700 Japanese middle schoolers in addition to trying to make enough friends that when winter comes I will not be left to mold in my apartment on Saturday nights. Thus far, I would say that I am succeeding on both accounts. Now if only I knew how to get me some internets...

More on festivals, Peter Rabbit, and hippies later.