Oishi desu! (It's delicious!)

Thanksgiving came and went and there I was with no leftover turkey sandwiches...no reheated mashed potatoes with gravy...no pumpkin pie for breakfast. I thought that Japan was strange but what's really strange is not stuffing myself silly on the third Thursday of November. What's strange is not having 3 sink fulls of dishes to wash before taking the obligatory triptophan induced nap on the couch....what's strange is that I actually miss that.

Don't worry friends and family...this story has a happy ending or should I say beginning? I don't know if I believe in luck but if it exists, I've been very lucky since I came to Japan three months ago. A great roommate, a good job, a sweet bicycle (it has a bell and basket), a few shows, and great new friends...let me emphasize that GREAT NEW FRIENDS. On Sunday the 27..a few days after the real Turkey day, my friends Lindsay and Sarah invited us (David, Jenny, and me) to their house in Yokohama for a home cooked American Thanksgiving. The only thing they had not planned on making was mashed potatoes (about the only thing I care about on Thanksgiving) so I volunteered. I made them the way Dad makes em...loads of butter and milk..he would have been proud. I carried those heavy potatoes the whole way...my biceps are huge. Jenny made a superb avocado and feta salad...yeah it's not typical Turkey Day fare but it was delicious. Sarah and Lindsay pulled out the stops...they cooked up real homemade stuffing, sweet potatoes, pies, whipped cream, and chicken (churkey). Turkies are hard to come by in this country. If I was a turkey I'd move here for sure..much safer than the US.

Not only was the food amazing but the vibe was warm and inviting. The minute we stepped into their foyer I felt right at home. There was some Robert Johnson on the cd player, the boys (Errol and Fumi)were watching the boob tube (no football game though) while the ladies fussed in the kitchen. The wine flowed. Lindsay and Sarah's boss, Andrea, showed up later on. It was her and her brother Craig's first Thanksgiving (they're australian mate). Our friend Akito's 15 year old sister was brave enough to join us even though her English was very limited and she was very shy. I hope she had a good time! We gave thanks, we ate, I played the guitar, we had coffee and pie, we watched the sunset over the rooftops and shrine...it was beautiful. The only thing missing was seeing my family and going out to Johnnies afterward to get drunk and listen to gossip about old high school classmates. That will have to wait for next year I guess.

Afterward we went out to karaoke. Beer after beer, song after song, we kept it up for 2 hours and could have gone on for more if we'd paid for more time. I sang so much that my voice went hoarse the next day. We took alot of pictures (I only have a few at the moment..Lindsay is sending me some more). After karaoke, we got some Japanese food...not the same as Thanksgiving leftovers but still delicious.































This day definately rates as one of the best days I've spent here in Japan. I've met some great people and I'm looking forward to more intimate gatherings like this. I am thankful for friends who make me feel at home in a far away place. THANKS!

Do I look like a deer hunter to you?

Anonymous said...
"I was just browsing and found your blog. Very Nice! I
have a deer hunting supplies site. You can find everything about deer hunting supplies as well as info hunting rifles, scopes, bows, feeders, stands and more. Please visit, check it out and enjoy!
Rod"

Ok "Rod" if that's even your name...I seriously doubt you read any of my blogs or you would know that I'm not the kind of person to need deer hunting supplies. There are just so many deer in Japan! really! I'm sorry but you are dumb. What's with the anonymous comments containing adds for stupid products no body wants? I use this blog "spot" as a place for my own ramblings..I have no desire to click on links to useless sites which will probably give me some kind of virus. You tricky tricky tricksters...

Here's another one,

Anonymous said...
"Nice Blog!!! I thought I'd tell you about a site that will let give you places where you can make extra cash! I made over $800 last month. Not bad for not doing much. Just put in your zip code and up will pop up a list of places that are available. I live in a small area and found quite a few. MAKE MONEY NOW"

Honestly, if I had a dollar for every one of these messages I would be making money.

Let's Pretend We're in Antarctica...

How do we make things light again?
Yours truly with the man behind the madness, Kevin Barnes
How do I say this without sounding like a gushing fan...? "I met Of Montreal last night OMG!!!" ok, that's totally out of my system now. The really great part of the experience was that I felt like I was just talking to nice people..I guess because I was.

I have to say the show last night was a little surreal. I got to On @ Off (a terrible name for a club...shouldn't it be "On & Off?" or "On or Off?"--I like the second one better) I was the only gaijin (non Japanese person) there at first. I sat at the bar next to a sweet Japanese girl. We wrote notes to eachother since she couldn't speak much English and I couldn't speak much Japanese not to mention the music was too loud for conversation. I can only imagine what it would be like to find random pieces of paper that say, "I liked to watch the swimmers" and "Sometimes I smoke, cigarrettes are BAD!!!" This went on for a while until I spotted Dan, the sound guy who tours with Of Montreal. We spoke for a while about overalls vs. coveralls and how terrible the opening band at the North 6 (Brooklyn) show in April was. Later on, I met Matt, the bassist for Of Montreal. It was great to not only be talking to someone who I respect musically but to also be speaking in English. Matt reminds me of a friend from home..that's another bonus I guess. I went outside to escape the sensory overload I was experiencing inside the club. The place is wall to wall movie screens..flashing lights..loud music...

It was raining outside..make that 'pouring' Luckily there was an awning to hang out under. Most of the evening was spent under this awning talking with the members of 'Of Montreal' and their friends. My friend, Lindsay, showed up a while later with her friend and roomie Sarah (with an 'h'). They were soon to find out why I have such love for this band...


The set was acoustic. Kevin played some brand spankin new songs solo style and was joined later on by the other members of the band. It was great to hear some of my favorite songs stripped down like that. Actually, "stripped down" may not be a good description considering that the songs still sounded so full and pure. Kevin Barnes really has a way with words that so few people do. I got to stand so close to the band and I could hear every single line thanks to the skill of my new friend, Dan the overalled sound man.

Eventually, I couldn't overcome my urge to have my picture taken with Kevin...I don't deny that I am a fan. I said, "Would it be really cheesy if I asked to take a picture with you?" and he said, "Is it going to involve cheese?" and I said "Probably." (See my myspace pics).

After we said our goodbyes (the band had to fly back to Georgia this morning), Lindsay, Sarah and I walked to the Ruby Room to hang out until the trains started up again (5am yikes!). Lindsday's bartender friend bought us a round which we drank while avoiding eye contact with a guy Lindsay dubbed, "Radiohead boy" (he had a Radiohead tee-shirt on). Then our stomachs got the better of us and we headed back out into the misty Shibuya streets to search out some late night Japanese cuisine. We sure found it and some drunken American airforce guys too. I could have done without the airforce guys personally. I've been pretty good at avoiding culture shock up til now. Two of the men were extremely loud and obnoxious, trying to impress us with stories of their drunken escapades and cursing up a storm. The other two guys weren't so bad. I kept my eyes downcast and tried to place my full concentration on my rice and miso. Sarah kept up conversation with the guys which was just as well for me and Lindsay who couldn't help but notice that the Japanese patrons didn't stick around too long. It's times like that where there is no wonder that Americans get the reputation they do. Think about it, I'm not dissing people in the military but they travel all over the world and represent the American people more than anyone else wherever they go. I know some guys in the military who are great people but the two loud guys didn't seem very bright and they certainly weren't interested in respecting Japanese culture. To be fair, they did pay for our food... nice southern hospitality. Also, the two quiter guys did respectfully apologize for their obnoxious drunken friends.

The train ride home at 5:30am was a long and drawn out one. Last weekend I ended up falling asleep and going around the Yamanote line 1 or 2 times before catching my stop. This time, I struggled to stay awake. Finally I heard the sweet twinkling notes of the Kaihimmakuhari stop...never did that song sound sweeter...got off the train, unlocked my bicycle, wiped off the rain spattered seat and biked myself home to bed.

I can't help but wonder if my magnificent luck was do to my "favorite cute Laura Ingles Wilder" dress.

My Dream is Relaxed

Sapporo food
Karaoke, Hidemi and Jenny
Owen, Lindsay, and me


Much has happened since my last post. I don't really expect that I'll always write about everything but I'm hoping once I get pictures up, I'll have to do less talking. This weekend was truly wonderful I must say. On Saturay, Jenny, David, Ryuta,Hidemi, and I went out for Hidemi's birthday. We went to the Sapporo restaurant which is right next to the Sapporo brewery. We didn't catch the tour but we did have a beautiful view of the bay and sunset. Dinner was ridiculous! We got the buffet meal and had all you can eat and drink. The tables had bbq grills in the center of them. The five of us definately ate and drank our money's worth and managed to play several drinking games (Pin, Pom, Pan/ Fuzzy Duck/ and 31) in between mouthfuls of Sapporo, lamb (sorry little lambs!), and veggies. After dinner it was off to icecream and karaoke...the pictures are worth a 1,000 words! On Sunday, I met up with Martine, she worked with my brother at a cafe in our home town of Boonton. She is teaching English with GEOS and I gather it's very different than my work situation. It's a bigger company with more teachers and is spread out over a much larger area in Japan. The teachers come from all over the world. I met many of them on Saturday when Martine invited me to a Jamaican BBQ at her friend's house in Machida. Her friend, Greg, is thinking of opening a Jamaican restaurant in Tokyo and I sure hope he does because the food was delicious! Before we got to his house we came face to face with a festival. There were women, men, and children dressed in bright costumes. They were singing, dancing, and playing the drums...it was amazing to see! Of course I took pictures! The party was nice but the real partying happened afterwards. Around 6-ish, most of us trekked to the station to go to Fujisawa for some bar hopping. There were about 20 of us in the group. My friend Lindsay, a gal from Minnesota whom I met in Tokyo on the birthday weekend, met up with us there. I didn't go too crazy drinking..for one, I'm making a half-hearted attempt to save money...hah! For two, I drank entirely too much Sapporo the night before on Hidemi's birthday. I did manage to lose an earing and a headband..I'm learning to accept this handicap of mine. Martine's friend, Corinne, was sweet enough to let us sleep at her place in Fugisawa. The next day, Martine, her friend Owen, and I made a semi-epic voyage to the train station to go home. Along the way, we stopped for breakfast in a Denny's/Friendly's style restaurant. The food was very strange and un-breakfast like by our western standards but the coffee was amazing the the music playing made us feel like muppet babies. Actually, it was quite similar to the song you'd hear when Pee Wee Herman would get on his magic red bicycle and fly off to the credits of his TV show back in the 80's...man I miss that show! Anyway, we all felt like we were dreaming somehow...especially when we walked by a motorcycle shop that had real spider monkeys and Tucans dancing around in cages. We walked further until I spied a sweet little puppy staring out of a store front window at me. I had to go in and say hello...so cute! After a quick hello, we left only to discover a vintage guitar shop. Vintage guitars are right up there with cute puppies so, once again, I had to go in. I couldn't resist! We met the coolest Japanese man named, Kenichi Kamei. He played the banjo for us and showed me a mini koto. I ended up buying a Tai Sho Koto for about $100. It is small like a dulcimer but you press buttons (which make chords) and you strum the strings. I have no idea how to tune it but I hope to find out somehow. Kenichi Kamei plays in a surf style rock band (think, the Ventures)and I plan on seeing him perform in the future. I would go see him on Oct. 8th but I have managed to book a show that night! My first show in Tokyo will be at a venue called Bar Drop. I'll be playing with some other Japanese bands I met through myspace. I'm really excited. I'm going to try posting some pictures now!

Ku-wai-eeeeeee

Kuwaii (left)
Kowai (right)



I think I've finally figured out the difference between "Ku-wai-e"(sounds like Hawaii) and "Ko-wai" (please excuse the misspellings) The first means cute, atleast I hope it does because a few Japanese boys said I was "Kuwaiee" tonight. They were drunk. The second means "scary"..I believe I accidently told a student that her shoes were scary yesterday. Kate-sensei when will you ever get it right? Tomorrow I go to Tokyo! Yea birthday fun!

Ohhh Benny Hawaii!!!

Today was pretty awesome I must say. I had to work but not too much and work isn't really like work yet anyway. I really enjoy my students so far..although I'm kind of new at the whole ESL teacher thang. The other teachers, David and Jenny, are great! We've gone out to eat a few times and they are super at helping me with the menus and such. We also got drunk on sake and sang karaoke which makes for fast friendships. I met their two Japanese friends, Hidemi and Ryuta, today and we went to a baseball game. I haven't been to a baseball game in ages because..well..I usually find baseball to be boring as hell. This was totally different. Hidemi showed me the wonders of what we call, "the Lemon girl" because she makes these lemony alcoholic drinks which are yummy and half the price of a beer. She (Hidemi) also explained how "Benny" (a ball player on the Marines team)was her favorite because he's from Hawaii and cute but kind of ugly. We made friends with the people all around us and they supplied us with snacks, balloons, and signs which made for a proper baseball experience. Everyday I am seeing new things and interacting with people like I haven't before. It's only been a week but I am really getting to like this place. Next week we'll be celebrating my 25th birthday in Tokyo and meeting up with various friends of friends. It should be a crazy night!

When in Chiba...

Well I'm here and in one piece. It's more humid than heck and the wind howls at night...I kind of like the howling. Speaking of howling...the cat I live with, Doc (short for Doc Holiday) meows constantly. If he wasn't so cute, we'd have problems.

The city of Chiba is really cool! There is anything you could want in a small city...cafes, restaurants, train station, a bay, shops, parks...but I haven't checked out the night life. I don't really have any friends yet although my boss and her sister have been very accomodating and generous.

I've been a bit of a hermit so I don't have too much to say at this time. I'll post some pictures soon and some stories too! I just wanted to let you know I'm doing fine and I miss you! Please feel free to write, I should be getting internet service soon.

Grace in Rotation

to buy my album go here

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/katesikora

to read press on the album go here

http://www.nj.com/weblogs/music/

My address in Japan

Kate Sikora c/o Motoyama
2-601 Grand Patios Nishi-no-machi
2-1-2 Utase Mihama-ku
Chiba-shi, Chiba-ken
Japan 261-0013

email: k8sikora@msn.com

It's the Final Count Down...

I've decided that the best way for me to keep my friends posted about my travels to Japan would be to start an e-journal or blog or whatever. I think this is better than forcing people to read about it by sending out giant emails. Who knows, maybe I'll send out the monstrous emails anyway. Now on to Japan...

It's Tuesday, August 16th and I'll be blasting off to Japan on Friday, August 19th..9am. I don't really know how I feel. I am certainly excited but not the jump up and down kind of excited. I think this is because I'm going to miss so many people, especially my family and my cats. I'm also afraid that I'll be interrupting the momentum I've had with the release of my album. I don't know how people are going to respond to my music in Japan and I don't know where to start with booking and promoting myself. I'm going to be teaching at a school in Chiba-ken called "Hands on English." They'll be setting me up with an apartment nearby and there is a train station within walking distance. Not that I'm so good with the geography, but Chiba is about a 30minute train ride into Tokyo. My knowledge of Japanese is embarrassing and I've soaked in as much prior knowledge about the culture as I can glean from friends who've been there and books from the library...which isn't much. I'm not good at preparing for this and I think I won't really learn what I need to until I'm there. I'm thinking it will be the equivalent of jumping into a freezing cold pool. You know it's going to be cold but you don't really know how cold until you jump in.

Tonight is my little "See you later" party. It's actually not really a party but a bonfire/gathering of close friends and people I want to see before I go. If there are pictures I will definately put some up...if only for me to look back on them when I'm feeling lonely in Japan.

See you later,

Kate