Keeping the bugs at bay

I have complained again and again about the mosquitos in this country.  They are blood thirsty and determined.  Last year we stumbled upon a natural spray that has proved very good - when we remember to use it!

The absolute best solution is to stay out of the places they love.  So far in 2020, that hasn't been a problem.  But at some point, we are hopefully going to be spending a lot more time outdoors.

The convenience of it

Have you ever wanted something from the convenience store, but can't be bothered to actually get yourself there?  Well, if you were in Japan, have no fear - you can have it delivered!!!  Since you can get practically anything at "combini", this service can actually bring a lot to your door.

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this little delivery car.  Not only is it super tiny and adorable, it helps those that don't want to (or can't) venture out.  And I thought the McDonald's delivery scooters were funny!  This one takes the cake.

Covid numbers on the rise again

Tokyo's infection rate is on the rise again.  There have been 334 new Covid-19 diagnoses in the past week, averaging almost 48 per day.  Of course I don't want to live closed up and fearful for the next couple of years.  But this is discouraging.

Many fingers are being pointed at bars, especially host clubs where people pay for a companion to sit and drink with them.  I have never experienced a host bar, but they are very popular in some areas, especially in big cities.  They don't tend to be quiet private affairs, but more like have a party at your table with very energetic "friends".  I've heard they can get quite spendy (over $100 per hour, not including drinks).  But this is all just hearsay.

Host clubs are not sexual in nature.  They are for fun and having someone to hang out with - giving the client someone's (or multiple people's) undivided attention.

I've never heard of such a thing in the US, but it isn't the circles I generally run in.  So, maybe they are there, I just don't know about it.

Haircuts in the garden

I'm not ready to send my boys to the barber.  It is a place that was deemed essential by the Japanese government during our Covid closure, and they remained open for business.  While the guys like going to the barber, I have been hesitant to let them go.  But it was LONG over due!  Since I am not able to make sure they are taking all the proper precautions, I decided to bite the bullet and cut my boys hair myself.  

This is pretty scary for me because I don't want to mess it up!  And people go to school for a very long time to cut hair professionally.  It isn't something I would normally do.  

I went to the store today and bought an electric razor.  I suddenly had flashbacks to my mom lining all four of us kids up and cutting away.  I sported a bowl cut for many, many years (as did many kids in the 80's).

I prepped myself by reading the instructions very closely and reminding myself that if worse came to worse, I could send him to the barber tomorrow.  

I went slowly.  I was more grumpy than I should have been ("Hold your head this way!"  "Stop moving!!!").  I even nicked my son's ear.  But I just kept plugging away.

Soon both boys were done.  I threw lots of tufts of hair into the garden containers to use those nutrients.  And I sent the boys to shower off all that hair that stuck to their shoulders, neck and face.  

When they came back for a final check, I was impressed with my work.  I didn't do a horrible job!  I'll never be as awesome as a barber or my lovely hairdresser back in the US, but at least I didn't do damage.

Hopefully when they need another cut I can send them back to the barber to get a GOOD cut!  Until then, at least I know I can help them out.

Until we meet again

Saying goodbye to friends is part of life as an expat. Non-native people tend to make friends within the international community. There is a common bond between those who immigrate and choose to live long-term in foreign countries - an understanding of the chaos, bliss, and frustrations of living in a new place. Over time, it is inevitable that some of these friends will stay and others will go.

I am in the process of saying goodbye to a dear friend who is moving back to New Zealand.  She came crashing into my life a year and a half ago (I dropped something off my bike and she helped me), and has been a wonderful friend ever since.  She has been my coffee date, therapist, cheerleader, and so much more.  I've loved sharing new places and hidden gems with her.  Our family sushi dates have always left me feeling refreshed and reinvigorated.

As she boards her plane (the first going into New Zealand in a long time), a piece of my heart is going with her.  She's an amazing human and I will miss her greatly.

Luckily these days it is easier to keep connected with people, but it still doesn't make the miles any easier.