A real dish

My husband rarely agrees to get dinner delivered. Pretty much anytime I bring up getting something delivered, he offers to cook instead or we just go out. But the other night it was raining, and we had spent the day in our pajamas, and I didn’t have anything planned, and…. Well, I just wanted to order delivery!

After a short debate, he finally relented and agreed to order from a family owned Chinese place we have been meaning to check out, but have never gotten around to actually visiting. We just happened to have a menu in the stack of never used delivery menus and coupons. So he called and ordered a few of our family’s preferred dishes to be brought to our door.

Less than a half an hour later, our doorbell rang, announcing the food had arrived. My husband immediately jumped up and alerted the delivery person we were coming using the video doorbell system. Then he asked for me to give him a hand. I looked at him quizzically, but followed to help get everything from the door to the dining table.

Behind the door was a delivery person holding a large metal box, called an okamochi. I’ve seen these boxes many times over the years, typically hanging on the back of a motorcycle with a stabilization system so the food doesn't shift. I knew they were used for food delivery. But I’ve never had one bring me any food. They slid the door to the box up, revealing the food inside, and began handing four plates to my husband.

My son has a miniature okamochi in his play food set.

As my husband passed the first two plates over to me, I exclaimed “These are REAL dishes!”

My husband turned and looked at me like I was an idiot. As eloquently as he could muster, he replied “Duh.”

“But what do we do with the dishes?” was my next question.

“We leave them by the door and someone comes to pick them up later.”

Talk about service!!! I have never, ever, heard of such a thing!

I continued to fuss as he paid for our food (cash, of course) and thanked the delivery person for his service. Once settled at the table, he told me that getting delivery served on dishes was totally normal for him. When he was growing up, all restaurants delivered food on actual dishes. Only recently, specifically with Covid and the introduction of companies like UberEats, have take-out containers become more typical. But, for many small restaurants that have their own delivery people, delivery on real dishes is still the norm.

Dinner was absolutely delicious. We are so excited to find more yummy food in our neighborhood. And, hopefully, my husband will relent to my requests for delivery a bit more knowing this restaurant checks so many boxes for us.

After we ate, I rinsed the plates and put them outside our front door and they were gone before noon the next day - just like room service in a hotel.

Despite the fact that I constantly complain about the wastefulness in this country, there is a small league of traditionalists that don’t leave you with a pile of garbage after a meal - just four small pieces of plastic wrap that covered each plate. These people (and their businesses) have my full support, especially since it means that I’ll be supporting a second type of business that I like to give my money to - family owned, small businesses.

Working 9 to 5

Last year I went out and got myself a job. This definitely wasn't my first job! I've had many jobs throughout my life. I started, as many people do, working in retail to pay for my various wants and saving for a rainy day while in high school. In college, I worked a variety of jobs to pay the bills. Immediately after college, I taught English in Japan. Then I moved into the corporate world.

I worked for a huge company for 11 years. There were good parts and... challenging... aspects as I worked my way up the corporate ladder. I got to be part of a team and I learned a lot about myself and my potential. I was really good at my job (if I do say so myself) and I felt a level of satisfaction from my successes.

But, after I had my son, my priorities changed. Suddenly, I wasn't interested in "playing the game" anymore. I simply wanted to do my job and then rush home to spend as much time with my son as I could. Being a working mom is incredibly difficult! The balancing act is intense and never seems to even out.

Just a few days shy of my son's second birthday, I quit my job. I walked away from a regular paycheck, a regular schedule, and everything I had worked so hard to achieve (in the corporate world).

Over the past 6 years, I have rarely missed any part of working beyond the paycheck and the friends. I have had an incredibly wonderful time being a stay-at-home mom. Of course, it wasn't an easy profession either! The balancing act of working outside the home is extremely different than the balancing act of the stay-at-home parent, but it is still there and intense! I must say, I never had to deal with crying meltdowns on trains when I worked in an office.

In Japan, it is still the norm for women to leave their jobs when they have kids to stay at home at least until they start school. The percentage of stay-at-home parents that I personally know is much higher in Japan than it was in the US.

When my son started elementary school, COVID-19 had just arrived on the shores of Japan. We were officially in a pandemic. During the first 6 weeks, I homeschooled my son. Then, he headed into the classroom. And I was all alone. Well, my husband was upstairs working in the office we set up for him in our bedroom, but I'd only see small glimpses of him when he'd refill his tea cup or come down for lunch. My reality was me feeling more isolated than ever.

Since moving to Japan, I have often felt lonely. Between physical distance, language barriers, and what-have-you, it is really hard to form tight bonds when you live in a foreign country. Although I've always had my boys, they are definitely not girlfriends! Only seeing loved ones through a screen has been incredibly challenging for my heart and soul.

After a LOT of prompting from a friend, I applied for a job as a relief teacher at an international school (meaning: the classes are taught in English and use a European teaching philosophy). This way, I could be around other English speaking people (people who know what it is like living abroad), but still be master of my own schedule. I was worried that I wouldn't be hired because I had been out of the workforce for 6 years AND I sometimes needed to have a day off because I needed to be with my son. Even with all my "what ifs" and so forth, it didn't matter. They needed teachers and I needed something to do. In the end, my experience and enthusiasm earned me a position and I was quickly put to work.

Since starting, I have taught kids between kindergarten and eighth grade. I've helped kids with reading and math and art. I have met so many friendly faces and found a new source of joy. Whenever I leave a classroom, I am refueled in a way I haven't been in a very long time. I have reconnected with a side of me that I desperately missed, and didn't even know it. Being in this particular environment has been so important to my mental health.

I was recently explaining to someone that teaching is extremely selfish for me. All of my reasons for showing up are about me. I am there to be a part of the community. I teach because I like feeling like I am helping people. I gain so much by being a part of something where the sole purpose is encouraging others to succeed. In this particular sea of people, I feel like I belong and I am wanted. And more often than not, I get to spend my day hearing kids laugh and get excited about things.

For the longest time, I was really unsure about getting a new job. I had so many reasons to not do it. But in the end, it has been a really good thing.

Adventures with medical care

A while ago I started having difficulty swallowing. I ignored it for a very long time because I simply didn’t want to go to the doctor. It is such a frustrating process for me as I seem to run into a lot of language barriers and different expectations of care.

A friend finally convinced me it was time to go. I swallowed my pride and had my husband seek out an English speaking doctor.

He actually found one not too far from our house. I went by myself, hoping for a quick consult and a simple solution. Instead of what I wanted, he gave me a referral as well as an unexpected opinion on my lack of Japanese skills. (It is so interesting how people like to give opinions here for things that are really none of their business.) Despite his critical comment, he took quite a bit of time to ensure the doctor he was referring me to could speak English.

A few days later, I was headed to the hospital to see the specialist. To an American, heading to the hospital is sounds pretty unnerving, but here it is more like going to a clinic with a whole bunch of departments. Shortly before my appointment, my husband informed me he was going to come with me to my appointment. I was grateful to have him join me to help with all the paperwork I knew I would need to fill out.

The morning of my appointment was a whirlwind of paperwork and waiting. Lots and lots of waiting! When we were finally called back, we were greeted by a different doctor than the one I was referred to. I softly asked “can we talk in English?” The doctor replied “I can understand everything you are saying, but I don’t have the confidence to speak to you in English.” At that point I was very, very grateful to have my husband, aka my translator, along for the appointment.

The doctor decided that my issue required a bit more investigation and we scheduled another appointment.

Last Saturday my day finally arrived. Since my husband was once again accompanying me, I needed someone to watch our son. Luckily, our beloved neighbor was free and more than willing to spend a few hours with him. She arrived with a bag of fun to keep them occupied while we were gone - including a gingerbread house! My son was over the moon.

The comfort I felt, knowing he was with someone I trusted, was pretty overwhelming. Since he was in trusted hands, I was able to relax for my appointment and focus on my medical care.

The appointment went smoothly (weirdly all in English), revealing there was nothing to be concerned about.

Throughout the whole process, I kept thinking how up a creek I’d be without my lovely husband as well as the support of friends. They keep me going, encourage me, translate for me, and even watch my kid at times. I’m so grateful for everything they do for me.

A little this and that

I’ve had a couple pokes and prods to get back to writing. I didn’t really intend on taking a break. But, suddenly I realized it had been almost two months since I last checked in. Life has been continuing to pass day by day. The autumn leaves are finally out, which always delights me.

At this point with COVID, we are still avoiding big crowds and rarely take mass transit. Therefore, we are still spending lots of time at home and only traveling to places within biking distance.

This past week, my son had a day off of school (recognizing Labor Thanksgiving Day or Kinro Kansha no Hi, which has nothing to do with turkeys and everything to do with giving thanks for labor and production), giving us a chance to go check out the colors of the season at Heirinji Temple. The day included a long bike ride, a few brightly colored trees, carrot udon noodles, and lots of laughs.

We have rented a car a few times to get away for a day or night. These trips have been sanity savers on so many levels.

At the end of October, we rented a car and drove to Kawaguchiko. We made a pit stop along the way to visit our friends at Kasamatsu Farms. We had never met face-to-face, but formed such a connection over the past year and a half that we took the chance while we had it. It was quite dramatic getting there between a delayed rental car, horrendous traffic, and a kid suffering from horrible car sickness; but we eventually made it. Our visit was short, yet heartwarming as we immediately confirmed our friendship. This family business has not only supplied our tables with amazing vegetables, but also provided a lifeline of sanity, knowing that not everyone in Japan wants to triple wrap every item in plastic and sustainable practices are achievable here. At some point, I really hope to go back again and get my hands dirty!

After our visit, we finished our trek and explored the Kawaguchiko area. We went to a magnetic train demo museum, hiked up a hill to see a famous view of Mount Fuji (only to discover the viewing area was under construction!), and took our son to experience a ninja school (Oshino Ninja Village). While the activities were fun, the real treat were the amazing views of Mount Fuji. We could not have had better timing, as the mountain was not hindered by clouds the entire time we were there. We would gasp in delight every time we had a new view. The trip was one of the most revitalizing experiences we’ve had in a very long time.

The sunrise view from our hotel room!

While out and about in Tokyo recently, I was introduced to an old co-worker of my husband’s. She was super fun to meet and we clicked right away. At one point in our conversation, she asked me if I liked living in Japan. My husband and I both laughed. I can honestly say that right now I don’t enjoy living in Japan. I feel more isolated that I have ever felt in my life and the challenges of living in a foreign country feel extremely magnified. For the past two years I find myself being excessively irritated by things that would normally roll off my shoulders and my general enthusiasm has tanked. I find myself not wanting to talk or communicate with people because my list of angst far outweighs my joys. I don’t like feeling this way, but it is my current truth. Without my American breaks (visiting friends and family in the US), I am struggling. I increasingly find it hard to cope.

My frankness evolved into an interesting discussion about life, basic needs, and our desires.

At home, not much is going on. We get through each day as best we can. My son goes to school and studies tons of kanji as well as his multiplication tables. My husband works from a desk in our bedroom, peaking his head out for tea and random chats. I spend my days reading, watching too much tv, tending to our house, and getting out periodically for groceries, friends, and volunteering. Earlier this week, I was able to buy 30 organic yuzu (which is really hard to find) and I made ponzu and yuzu honey.

Uninspired

I have not been wanting to write lately. I wouldn't say I have writer's block. I would declare I am uninspired.

Feeling burdened with covid, state of emergencies (which has just been extended - again), and claustrophobia, does not foster the desire to write.

Last week was super hard. My son returned to school. I got my second covid vaccine. It was my dad's birthday. It was a lot to deal with.

My second vaccine was administered at a vacant school.
It was a little strange to get an injection in a school gym.

No side effects other than a REALLY sore arm for a couple days.

It seems like it would be a good idea to write about the overwhelming emotions that I've been feeling. But, honestly, I'm so tired of writing the same thing again and again. I don't have any new ways to say "this pandemic sucks and I am really sick of it!"

When I do leave the house, I am doing the same things that I've written about in the past. I am not exploring Japan like I have in the past and I rarely meet people or have interesting exchanges.

I'm not depressed. I am doing things I enjoy like sashiko and other sewing projects. I recently started a sourdough started, which I'm very excited to play with once it matures (I can't wait to make sourdough banana bread - it's so good). The weather isn't insanely hot, which also makes things much more tolerable in so many ways.

I am, however, simply existing. I'm waiting for something interesting to come along. And while I wait, the keyboard isn't a huge draw.

Big blue

On the rare occasion we rent a car, we try to fill our day with fun things. Desperate for a Costco run, my husband relented and rented a car. Unfortunately, this time, the weather wasn't going to cooperate for a fun day with outside adventures. But we weren't going to be deterred.

We decided to start our day with a quick stop at a blueberry farm for u-pick berries. At this particular farm, customers could pick if they wanted to nibble their way through the field or snack and pick to take home. Since getting to take any berries home from a u-pick is a rarity, I was excited to choose the latter. We can never have enough blueberries at home!

Lucky for us, it was only sprinkling when we arrived at the farm. We donned our ponchos and began to pick. I love farms that have a variety of berries, so we can find the type that we most enjoy.

Most blueberry fields I have seen in Japan, reside within a huge netting "cage". While it isn't very attractive, I would guess they don't loose huge crops to birds.

We picked an extra kilo (2.2 lbs) of berries to take home with us. My son was super excited, as he loves to have berries as snacks as well as with breakfast. I love to nibble on them, but also to cook with them! This time, I decided to make some jam with some of the berries (I also had some in the freezer, because I didn't want to use all the fresh berries for the jam).

I found a lovely recipe on foodinjars.com for cranberry-blueberry jam that doesn't use pectin. It is a very simple jam to make. I happened to have some leftover cranberries in the freezer from the holidays. Cranberries are not a common ingredient in Japan, so I was super happy to have these!

I was overjoyed to make the jam. Now my family has a couple jars, and I was able to gift a couple jars to the neighbors!

Much ado about nothing

As the summer days go by, my family is staying home. My husband continues to work from our bedroom. Our son does his summer school work in the morning and plays with the neighbor kids in the afternoons. I spend my days reading, cooking, and doing random tasks. It is nothing like I dreamed our summer would look like.

We watch the Olympics on television, just like the rest of the world. We've enjoyed watching the games, including tonight's equestrian jumping event (we loved the fun Japanese themed jumps). I feel bad for the athletes that have come all this way to compete, but are not able to experience Japan. I heard about 2 athletes that decided to sneak out of their hotel. They were caught and had their Olympic IDs revoked as punishment. It is such a shame.

I realized earlier this week that I have only left the house 2 times in the past week, both times to go to the grocery store. While I have most of my produce delivered, I still need to grab other ingredients periodically. Even after living here for almost 4 years, I still feel like my fridge is incredibly small! While most Japanese people shop daily or every other day, I still prefer to go to the shops only once or twice a week. It is just something that I don't think I will ever get used to. The only type of shopping that I want to do every single day is gathering items from a garden.

Speaking of the garden, my pots are miserable in the heat. Many of my plants, just like in years past, have bolted or keeled over even though I've been religious about watering them. My tomatoes seem to be the only thing happy out there right now. We're getting a good bowl full of cherry tomatoes every other day. Oh, and the sage is ready to harvest. I will most likely make my beloved brown butter sage pesto tomorrow after my best friend inspired me to do so by mentioning it today.

My big excitement this week was being able to order plain Cheerios from a website called iHerb.com (they specialize in herbal supplements). I'd been hearing about the website for a while, but my husband was hesitant to open another online account. Luckily, my neighbor orders from them and told me I could add to her order anytime. It might seem strange to be excited about getting a box of Cheerios, but familiar tastes of home really provide a lifeline at times. I still recall special packages sent to us over the years with peanut butter, graham crackers, spices, apple chips, pretzels, my beloved Puffs tissues, and more. Every package has meant so much and left us feeling elated beyond belief!

As summer continues to pass us by, I wonder if we will get to do anything special. It is looking like a resounding no. That realization makes both the US and Japan feel even further away than they have been for the past year and a half.

Sorry

No post tonight... With Covid number going crazy, we're not doing much of anything right now. Hopefully, I will have something interesting to report next week.

Let's talk about it

Living as an expat is not for the faint of heart. It is downright difficult, with challenges around so many corners. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to about all the ups and downs. But where does one turn?

Hopefully there are friends and family in the wings to lend an ear, but that isn't always the case. In Japan (specifically Tokyo), I've learned about three counseling practices that specifically cater to the expat community.

• Tell Japan - telljp.com
• Tokyo Counseling Services - tokyocounseling.com
• Tokyo Mental Health - tokyomentalhealth.com

One of them, TELL, even has a Lifeline, where people can call for immediate support for free.

I was so encouraged and relieved to hear these resources are available, as it is a much needed service. But my positivity quickly soured upon learning that Japan's national health coverage does not cover mental health services. So anyone that needs their services have to pay around ¥22,000 ($200 USD) per appointment! That isn't very affordable for many people.

There is the Lifeline, but that isn't the same as getting regular help.

Japan, in my opinion, needs to remedy this! They need to care for those suffering from mental health issues - for both the citizens and residents. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death in men between the ages of 20-44 and women between the ages of 15-34. And, yet, help is unaffordable to so much of the population. Maybe there are free or less expensive mental health services, but I haven't found them for non-Japanese speaking population.

An emotional week

There are no qualms about it, it has been a very emotional week. There have been many emotions coursing through my body as I process the loss of my father. It has been quite discombobulating.

Desiring to stay in bed all day and process, a friend challenged me to get outside for a bit everyday. Since it is spring, she asked if I could send her photos of the flowers blooming in the neighborhood.

Cherry blossoms outside the library are in full bloom.

Cherry blossoms on a major street are just starting to flower.

These pink cherry blossoms are early bloomers.

A variety of magnolia native to Japan is blooming all over our neighborhood.

More magnolias.

Flowering quince brighten up any day.

Sometimes getting outside is the best thing for us.

Life is just a game

Sticking close to home is getting more and more draining. We have to work harder to find things to do around the house because we feel like we have been on repeat for a while now.

My husband decided it would be fun to buy some more board games. He heard about an international board game shop that might help us find a new game that everyone could play. Why would we need to go to an international board game shop? It all boils down to instructions! We need something that has English instructions so anyone in our household (I) can play at any time.

Just 9km (5.6 miles) away, in Koenji, is Sugorokuya, a cute little shop filled with games from all over the world.

We saw several familiar games and many that we've never seen before from Germany, Australia, and many other places. Each game came with the original instructions as well as a second set in Japanese.

We knew we would pick up a couple new games, but had no idea that we would bring home THE CUTEST GAME EVER MADE! Ever since traveling to Australia in college, I have been obsessed with echidnas! This store carried Echidna Shuffle, a game where little plastic echidnas help bugs find homes in stumps. I'm enamored with this game.

It just goes to show me that when I'm feeling like I'm all alone as a foreigner in this country, there are places I can go to find a little bit of fun.

We're now having lots of family time playing games together. It has been nice to try out some new games.

A solid foundation

It has been a weird week. I actually forgot what day it was multiple times. My son was sick and stayed home from school for the first time. Plus, we had a holiday mid-week.

National Foundation Day, or Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, is a day celebrating the ascension of Jimmu (the first Emperor of Japan) to the throne in 660 BC. Like many other national holidays in Japan, this day isn't met with many traditions or fanfare. I heard there is a small celebration at Meiji Shrine, but otherwise is mostly just a day off work.

My husband celebrated the day by doing our Japanese taxes, which is always a joyful experience. Just kidding. It's just as painful as doing taxes anywhere else in the world.

I swung by a shopping center to pick up food for our household. While there, I noticed a bank of arcade games (still very popular around Japan). The games had hand sanitizer stations at either end of the row as well as big plastic dividers secured between each machine. A pandemic isn't going to stop dedicated gamers from getting their fix!

Tomorrow, my son will attend another Saturday school, causing even further confusion on what day of the week it is. Hopefully next week will be more "normal".

The white stuff

I have barely left the house since the start of the new year. I had a couple dentist appointments, forcing me to take the train into Azabujuban. These excursions left me feeling stressed about exposure to viruses, resulting in a self-imposed quarantine. Besides going to the dentist, grocery store, and taking my son to ballet, I have kept the couch company. This has afforded me to read seven books and work on a quilt.

While I know it has been the responsible thing to do, I’ve felt lonely and missed my friends as well as the “outside world”. But it was important for me to complete 2 weeks of isolation following my last appointment. Today was the day ending the confinement.

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve created a new habit of curling up on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket, to read for a while after sending my son off to school. I start the day by escaping to Seattle, Scotland, North Carolina, or Paris through the pages of the books I dive into. This morning, my husband yanked me out of the streets of historic Paris by letting me know that my bike battery was ready to be picked up from the bike shop. I acknowledged his message, but decided that I would go in the afternoon to get it since I was in a really good part of my book and I quickly stuck my nose right back into the story.

I had special ordered a new bike battery because mine was not holding a charge for very long anymore. Since we tend to go on long adventures, I need a battery that can keep up with my demands. When I put in the order, the owner told me a few tricks to make the battery last longer - let the battery warm up to room temperature for an hour before putting it on the charger and bring it inside every night, as huge variants of temperature make it die faster.

When I had decided to go to the bike shop in the afternoon, I didn’t realize it was going to be raining. Riding a bike in the rain is not my idea of fun. It feels extra cold as the large drops smack you in the face, often obscuring your vision. Plus, no matter how much rain gear you are wearing, you always feel wet when you arrive at your destination. Regardless of my hesitation, I had committed to the bike shop owner I would go, so I did.

The owner was pleased to see me. He had the battery ready for me, so the visit was pretty quick. It is always nice when I can get in and out of a shop in a timely manner. While it was a really quick transaction, I left with much lighter pockets though, as the battery cost ¥41,000 (or $393 USD). I guess that is what I pay for transportation maintenance/repairs in Japan. I guess compared to a car, it is a bargain! But the sticker shock is still there.

As I rode home, the rain pelted me. I was getting a bit grumpy with my bad timing. I was cold and wet and just wanted to be back on that couch reading another chapter.

Once through the door, I peeled off my coat and wet layers. I found a new set of clothes and hung the dripping wet poncho that I wear bike riding in the bathroom to avoid a mess. Then I went to the living room and stopped. Just outside our sliding glass door, I saw huge snowflakes falling out of the sky!

They were so pretty to see. My grumpiness dissipated as I called out to my husband to look outside. Like two big kids we cheered and exclaimed over the cold white crystals dancing toward the ground.

It continued to snow for hours. My son walked home from school in it. When he arrived, he shouted at us, worried we would miss it. Then he dashed back outside to join in the dance. The flakes were huge, allowing him to catch many on his tongue and laugh as they hit his eyes and nose.

While I know the snow won’t be there in the morning, it was fun to see and feel the magic of it. We didn't mind one bit walking to my son's ballet class through the accumulated snow. It felt nice to enjoy the pretty scene.

It served as a reminder to me today that there’s always something to look forward to, even surprises. If we are patient, the delights of life will reveal itself to us.

Shop til you drop

We have been without a shopping center since July. While we still had several local grocery stores to choose from, it was still an inconvenience to be without an easily accessible array of shops. I have had to travel further to purchase things, like replacing the bowls that I broke and new clothes for my son because he refuses to stop growing. The store I missed the most was the import store, which carries many food items that are hard to find other places.

After months of waiting, lots of peeking and wondering, as well as heaps of anticipation, the Hikarigaoka IMA shopping center reopened. My husband was gifted preview tickets by a friend, giving us early access to the 4 floors of refurbished real estate. I was very grateful for this special experience, otherwise I would have waited an entire week after opening to go because, although I was super excited for the shopping center to open, I wasn’t going to deal with the crowds.

With the preview tickets, only 200 people were allowed into the building every 30 minutes. To our delight, we were in the very first group, meaning there was hardly anyone in the building (after we waited in a short line to get inside)! 

We immediately headed for the basement, where food stalls live. Some shops had left, others moved, and there were several new places for us to try below ground. As we wandered up and down the aisles, we took note of the many changes. Our first stop was at the chicken counter to order a whole chicken for Christmas dinner. I typically roast a whole chicken for holidays here, but since they are rarely found in regular grocery stores, we just had chicken thighs at Thanksgiving.

We were excited to learn that not only did my much relied upon import store move to a bigger space, a second import store moved into the basement as well. In Seattle, we know Kinokuniya as a bookstore, but here it is an import store offering all kinds of special treats for foreigners and locals alike.

Upstairs we found a variety of both old and new. There were new clothing and housewares shops. We were pleased to find our much appreciated family owned stationary store and my favorite dish shop. My husband was most excited to see the entire 4th floor was redone to house a food court - something much needed in his opinion.

There are several new restaurants as well, which I think we desperately needed. I’m excited to try them out. All in good time.

There are still several areas that have not opened up yet. So, we still have lots to look forward to, including a Starbucks! While I may only drink 10 or so Starbucks beverages a year, it is a place of comfort for me. It always has been. When I lived in Osaka many, many years ago, I would travel almost an hour each way to sit in a Starbucks and have a mental break from the exhaustion of living abroad. It was my escape. But I’ve never had one close to me here (whereas in Seattle, I don’t think I’ve ever lived less than half a mile from one). I hope it will have comfy chairs that I can read in while sipping my beverage of choice.

Since it has reopened, it has been so nice knowing that most of what I need is ready for me over at IMA. I don’t have to bike 20 minutes or longer to go to a big shopping center. Now, if only we could get a bookstore that sold English books in the neighborhood... I’d be set.