What the Heck is that Noise?

Last night we were watching a movie when suddenly we heard a loud whistling tone. It kept getting louder and louder, leading us to run around to different windows to figure out where -- and what! -- the noise was coming from. I began to get a bit more frantic in my search, wondering if a factory was going to blow up or if it was some kind of earth quake warning I hadn't heard about.

In the end, it turned out to be nothing of the sort. It was a yakiimo truck selling roasted sweet potatoes! I ran down and took the video above (which is very poor quality, but can give you an idea of the sound we'd been hearing), and then bought a sweet potato for Chad and I--a whopping 500 yen!

The price was worth the experience I guess--it was cool to be able to take a picture of the guy's truck and get a sweet potato randomly at 10:00 at night. The guy even whistled to his dog to come to the front window! Then again, Chad pointed out that by buying a sweet potato from loud truck-on-the-move, I had also encouraged the guy to repeat his sales on other nights. 

 This is the back of the truck where the roasting is done--and where all the noise comes from!

Our great, big sweet potato

 Delicious as the sweet potato turned out to be, I sure hope Chad isn't right about that noisy business coming up our little mountain again!

Slippers, Sweets, and a bit of the Strange

 I used to get really offended when Japanese people commented on the way Americans never take off their shoes when they get home because I always had to when I was growing up (then again, that was after we got new carpet). When such a conversation occurred, I was always sure to defend myself and say that each family is different, but that my family...well, you get the idea. In any event, what I couldn't say is that we have to take off our shoes anywhere else. In Japan, you take off your shoes and change into inside shoes/slippers as soon as you enter someone's home, but also when you enter a school, a gym, or sometimes even a restaurant. That, to my knowledge, is not at all an American custom.

We've gotten pretty used to wearing slippers indoors everywhere, to the point that my slippers had gotten worn out to an embarrassing degree. I finally got around to buying new ones the other day--one pair for home, and one for school.

What do you think? I got them at one of my favorite stores, Loft. 

When I was searching for slippers, I couldn't help but notice some more Valentine sweets that I have to share with you! Rather than being kind of strange like the other ones I posted, these ones are just cool! 

 Isn't this turtle pretty? 

Cute little piggies! 

 

 This detailed crocodile is too cool! 

 Darling Rilakkuma chocolates!

I would just like to drop a subtle hint to Chad about the chocolate turtle and Rilakkuma. As in they would be good for Valentine's Day. For me. 

And before I go, since I did mention those unusual Valentine's gifts earlier, I'd like to point out these pet snacks. Is it strange to anyone else how similar these look to the fish bought for Valentine's Day that I showed you in my last post?

                       

Interesting and Strange Finds for Valentine's Day

By the beginning of January, most Japanese supermarkets had already set up displays full of sweet goods and loving intentions in preparation for Valentine's Day.

 

One of many rows full of fancy chocolates available to purchase for Valentine's Day

Some goods I've never seen (and might be surprised to see) at a supermarket in America:

A Macaroon-Making Kit

 

Dried Fish

Bottles Filled with Breast-Shaped Milk Chocolate

Sake-Flavored Chocolate

...and a Giant Meiji Chocolate Bar

Which do you wish you could purchase the most?

My Broken Boy

Well, now that his momma has been informed, it's safe to let everyone know: Chad broke his foot last Wednesday playing futsal. Apparently breaking his collar bone in November playing Aussie Rules Football wasn't enough to make him take it easy!

 

I do feel sorry for him though. Not only does he have to deal with all of the things anyone with a broken foot would, but he also has to deal with living on a mountain. Anyone who has visited our apartment knows that getting to and from it is no no joke. We live up several flights of steep stairs and hills, and after all that, our apartment is on the 3rd floor of our building. Getting down from our apartment to the subway the other day took about 30 minutes (when it usually takes less than 10!). In the picture above, you can see Chad, dripping with sweat, wiping his face with my Totoro hand towel. That wasn't even to the bottom of the subway yet! (I told him he could just go ahead and hang on to the towel for now.) He physically cannot make it up to our apartment when he's coming home, so he has to take a taxi. That's right! CHAD IS TAKING TAXIS! The man who hates taking taxis.


...Not that he has a choice.

Anyway, the thing that I find most notable about this situation is Chad's amazing good humor. He can't play sports, he has to hop to get around unless using crutches (which is also pretty tough), and can't even get home without a taxi. But through it all he has been so positive and --mostly-- cheerful. That's one of the many things I love about him.

Amaou Strawberry KitKat

One of my friends went to Kyushu and brought back a sweet souvenir for us! Amaou Strawberry KitKats!

 

I looked up Amaou in a really useful (and free!) iPhone app called iTranslate, and the app said it meant, "Getting too much." Upon trying the KitKats for myself, I wouldn't say that at all. But you know I can never get enough when it comes to sweets ;-)


Immediately after opening one of the KitKats, I was greeted with a very powerful smell that reminded me of the Nesquick Pink Milk mix. The KitKat tasted a lot like pink milk, too, except with a KitKat texture.

 

I took a bite before remembering to snap a quick picture. (And yes, those are my sweatpants that I set the bars on...because, what else would you wear while doing KitKat tastings in your bedroom at home?).

It's always fun trying all of the different flavors KitKat comes out with in Japan. Have you ever heard of or tried any crazy flavors (in or out of Japan)?

Tin Tin

One of my favorite traditions growing up was getting books from my parents every Christmas Eve, and then toys and other kinds of presents from Santa on Christmas day. One year for Christmas Eve, I got a collection of The Adventures of Tin Tin, and I loved it. (Looking forward to seeing if the movie is any good.) Today we had a walk around Kitano and went in a few of the shops with our friend Yasu. In one of the shops I found a Tin Tin book! I was really excited to see that inside the book it showed the original comics in French, with Japanese subtitles.


I'll be interested to see if (and how) Tin Tin will get more popular in Japanese culture. I'll also be interested to see if Tin Tin will live up to the amazing standards Beard Papa has set for us.

They don't call me Beard Papa for nothing!

On my way home from work today, Chad wrote me to say he was going to leave a cream puff for me in the fridge! Of course I was excited, but come to find out...I wasn't excited enough. Chad didn't just bring me an ordinary cream puff, he brought me a strawberry cream-filled one! I was so surprised after my first bite that I had to take a picture, and then as I ate it I actually closed my eyes so I could focus on the delicious flavor without distraction.


Like most Japanese sweets, this little delight had a subtle sweetness; however, the strawberry filling really rounded it out with a fresh, bright flavor. (Can we say cream puffs with fruit in them are healthy? Because I could definitely get my daily fruit servings this way!)

The store Chad bought it from is called Beard Papa's: fresh'n natural cream puffs. It's a chain that started in Japan and has spread all over the world. I found a rather entertaining video on the Beard Papa's website that tells the story of Beard Papa. Although the chain first opened in Osaka, Beard Papa and all of the customers inside look Caucasian. (Maybe they were having a foreigner's party? Admittedly, the customer in front of the shadowed crowd outside the shop appears to be Asian. Also, he isn't strangely shaped like the kids inside begging for Beard Papa to create a new delicious treat.)


My favorite part of the video is when Beard Papa is struck with the idea for cream puffs: "My fluffy beard! I'm going to fix up a cream puff with my own original recipe and make it just as fluffy and loveable as my beard. They don't call me Beard Papa for nothing!" It's also pretty trippy amazing when he holds up the completed cream puff to the world.

Unfortunately there aren't any chains open in Michigan yet, so friends and family back home in the mitten state might not be able to enjoy cream puffs from Beard Papa's anytime soon. I would definitely recommend the chain to those visiting or living in Japan, though. That strawberry cream puff I had today was the reason I got distracted from getting any work done over the last hour!

Catnip, anyone?

Due to our flight schedule this year, we ended up in Detroit for New Year's Eve. I learned about a couple of interesting things that night: most notably that in the city of Detroit, gunshots are fired off at midnight all around the city to celebrate the New Year. Also of note, though perhaps less exciting, was the discussion we had after watching my sister-in-law's cat rolling around like a drug addict in some catnip. I learned that catnip is also an herb that is used in tea (sipped by humans, not kitty cats), and that it supposed to have a relaxing effect. (You can read more information about catnip here, if you like. Because that's what I did.) After being enlightened to the other uses of catnip, I put the information aside. That is, until I returned to Japan and saw a drink called Lemorea:


The ingredients on the front label include catnip, passionflower leaf, blueberry leaf, chamomile, lemon verbena and lemongrass. It also says it's low calorie, so I thought, hey, why not? I tried the sweet tea and hoped to feel the relaxation set in. I did feel sleepy soon afterwards, but I don't know how much of that can be attributed to jet lag yet. I also felt relaxed, but that could be because I had been really thirsty. So, the verdict is still up in the air.

Anyway, hope you've been finding ways to relax. We're in the third term of the year--a short one, but full of work nonetheless! Luckily, with sweet students and a wonderful husband to come home to each night, I think I'll get by just fine. One day at a time!

Kobe Luminarie

Following the Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, Italy donated beautiful lights to Kobe to commemorate the tragedy. Now an annual event, the Kobe Luminarie attracts three to five million people a year. Before our visit home in December, we bustled through the crowded streets of Sannomiya with a couple of friends to see the illumination. (It was definitely on a different scale than Nabana no Sato!)

The first display was a tunnel of lights.

After walking through and seeing all of the lights, there were the usual yatai, or food stalls. Among yakitori and takoyaki stands was a stand with candied apples and mandarin oranges. I've never tried the candied fruits, but I've always thought they looked pretty!



Below is an okonomiyaki stand. It might be difficult to see, but I really like the smile on the man's face.


Going to see the Luminarie was a nice time, but unless you have friends to keep you company and patience for long lines, you might not be interested if you're in Kobe December next year.

Do the Dishes!

When we got back to Japan earlier this week, we were happy to be greeted with a sparkling clean apartment (it actually smelled newer and nicer than when we first moved in!). In a desire to keep up with cleanliness, we decided to do the dishes as soon as we finish using them. And so far, we've been doing a pretty good job! Every time we're washing them, we say to each other, "Let's keep up with this!"

A clean sink is a happy one!

And so, without intending to, we made a new year's resolution. I always seem to be making resolutions, but while we were at it for new years, we decided to make another one. The entire time we've lived in Japan, we haven't decorated our apartments much because 1) there isn't much you can really do with a tiny apartment, and 2) we always told ourselves we weren't going to stay very long. Although those things still hold true, we figure we can at least do a few things to make our apartment a bit more comfortable while we're here.

We've hung our weekly meal plan board, a super cute clock Chad's mom got us from a 300 yen store when she visited last May, and a calendar. (Yes, I know we need a new calendar and that it's time to take down the Christmas touches. Actually, while in the states I meant to print this cute, free-to-print owl calendar, but somehow I forgot!).

We've also started to put up more pictures, like these fun ones we made at Oddsides during the Ugly Sweater Party when we were home. We had a few up, but we've decided it's time for more!

Other resolutions include being healthier, reading more for fun (I've started a list of books read in 2012 on my pinterest), doing more artwork, going for walks as often as possible, and appreciating every day! Do you have any resolutions?

Happy New Year!

Guess what! We got a new computer! Which means (if all goes as planned) we should be able to update here much more often and with much less hassle! Hurrah! I know there are a lot of people who have been secretly reading our posts and were going crazy wondering the fate of this little blog, but rest assured clandestine readers! All is well on dykehousesensei and we're going to try and post more often.

Speaking of things going well, there are a few things besides a new computer I should mention. Firstly, as many of you know, we had a great time back in Michigan visiting friends and family in December. We were fortunate to have a generous holiday, but it seems no matter how long our break, it's never long enough--we miss you guys! The bright side to being back in Japan is 1) We've come back with loads of pictures to keep us chipper, 2) We have a job! And I got promoted!, and 3) We get to eat food like this:


By food I'm of course referring to what's on Chad's plate, not Chad himself (though he is pretty sweet!). Around a month and a half ago Chad found a restaurant near Oji Zoo in Kobe called Nanjaro?. The restaurant itself is very clean, and it has a really nice atmosphere and super friendly staff. On top of that, the food is very fresh and very delicious. The two times we went together, we ordered katsukare, which is basically curry and rice with fried pork cutlet on top. The curry is probably the best I've ever had in Japan, with a nice texture (not too soupy, not too thick) and pieces of beef that fall apart in your mouth. And despite being deep fried, the pork cutlet tastes really light. Looking forward to a future date there sometime soon!

The other thing I wanted to mention is that this is going to be a good year! You may have already known it, but I thought I'd say something just in case. It's the year of the dragon, which means it's supposed to be a successful and happy year. I've got a good feeling, and I feel encouraged with all of the decorations hanging around our neighborhood.





There are a lot of changes and challenges coming, and scary as that might seem, it's also pretty exciting, don't you think?