There are things you learn so well that they become ingrained – even in a culture that isn’t your own. In the two years I’ve lived in Japan, I now know without a doubt that “ちょっと待ってね,” means “wait a little bit, okay?” “大丈夫?” means “You okay?” and “できた!” means “I was able to do it!” […]
The Acquisition of Language
Energetic
The school year is drawing to a close and we are given certificates to fill out for the students. Our school has made it as safe for business easy on us as possible – all we must do is sign our names and circle one from a choice of encouraging remarks. Takuya receives special recognition […]
Freshly Tweezed
This week, I lost my tweezers and after 3 days of stubbornly refusing to buy a new pair, I had no choice but to relent. I grabbed a pair at Kokumin drugstore while waiting for my train and since I was in a rush, didn’t bother to examine my purchase. The only thing I noticed […]
Open Wider
Drinking beer at home with Sean, arguing over who is whose 先輩 (senpai) (superior), and I notice that there is a notification on my beer can claiming that my beer brand is now offering a New! Big! Drinking Hole! Oh, really? Is that so? Well, son of a gun. It sure is.
At the Funeral of a Baby Girl, in Japan
In the old days, the Japanese wore white clothing to funerals. Nowadays, black is the color of choice so I am perched on a small couch with a handful of other guests, wearing charcoal gray pants that don’t quite match my black work shirt. I feel a little uncomfortable about them, but I have to […]
Buon Giorno
Two weeks ago, I went to the bakery outside my Friday school for my usual chocolate croissant and ordered my pastry in Japanese. On that particular day, however, the girl at the counter ignored the fact that I’d already told her what I wanted and asked me in English, “What would you like?” I repeated […]
In My Two Cups
Note: Today, I ventured to Nara prefecture to do some research for a “Day Trips” feature I’m writing for a travel magazine. So as not to scoop myself, I will only reveal that this involved being served some complimentary sake. I wrote this on the train coming back to Osaka. It is, obviously, part of […]
Brush-a Brush-a Brush-a
My new toothpaste. It’s peppermint-flavored, made from natural ingredients. And, of course, extra cute.
Not Milk
… so today, in my class of 2 year-olds, Masa was captivated by my purple nail polish, 1 and a half year-old Minna led me by the hand to the classroom, and Mia kicked off everyone’s new favorite game: “Stand Behind Liv.” Somehow, though, the January 23, 2009 moment I will remember most vividly is […]
Goodnight, O honorable Sir Moon
Still in the afterglow of President Obama’s Inauguration, I spent the afternoon window shopping in Osaka yesterday. Walking through Kinokuniya – one of Japan’s largest bookstore chains – I paused by the DVD section to enjoy the clips of Obama’s Inauguration Day speech that was playing on loop. Beautiful, baby; beautiful. Did I feel the […]