Halloween and Bronchitis

After a crummy day/week/2 weeks, my knight in collar bone-padding met me at the Hanshin gates with a shu-cream, a smile, and a readiness to help me find a clinic nearby to see what was causing my ongoing ailments. That's right, Chad's got a fractured collar bone, and yet HE was meeting ME with a cheer-me-up present. *He's awesome*

After arriving at the clinic, I found out I have bronchitis, which is a serious bummer. Especially because I was supposed to be doing the Osaka Night Run tonight, and I really wanted to beat my time from last month. When I told the doctor that I was supposed to be running, he looked at me like I was crazy and told me not to exercise for at least a week. Guess I know how Chad feels now...except that instead of trying to watch what I eat since I can't work out, I'd rather drown my sorrows in the shu-cream he bought for me.

And so here I am, crumbs on my lips and typing in between coughs, writing a post I intended to write a few weeks ago. On the bright side, the post is about Halloween fun!

First, I'd like you to take a moment to admire my beautiful nails. This is 100 yen store action at its classiest: orange nail polish + Halloween nail stickers = 200 yen.

Next, I want to show you this:

1. Pumpkin Pudding Kit Kats (which I sadly didn't get to try)
2. Halloween Display (Halloween stuff was out way back in September!!)
3. Random Halloween Singing Thing
4. Super Cute Hat for a Costume

Next comes a place that dangerously awaits me every morning right inside the Hanshin Line gates: The Fresh Bakery.
This bakery has the most delicious mango pastries I've ever tried, as well as some pretty delicious blueberry ones. Walking by a few weeks ago, I couldn't resist trying one of their Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Pies. Chad and I split one and it was really nice! The crust was flaky and buttery, and the inside was filled with cooked-down slices of kabocha (Japanese pumpkin). Subtle sweetness and spice!

Every year, Halloween seems to get more popular in Japan. This makes me very happy as it's one of my favorite holidays, and because it's fun to share the fantasy and magic of Halloween with kids. At school my kids can't get enough!

Speaking of school and Halloween, I've got a big all-day Halloween lesson tomorrow with parents. Better get to sleep! Take care... <3

What? It's Already November?

~

October flew by, and for the most part it was an uneventful month here in Yokkaichi. Some things of note:

• I auditioned for a job as a wedding singer, and I got the job! I am officially starting in December, and currently have three weddings lined up that month. Now to find a dress to perform in...

• We bought tickets for home! We're coming to visit from late December to early January. Can't wait to see everyone ♥

• We've been working for another branch of our main company and got to do a couple Halloween parties. I love Halloween and was feeling pretty homesick because Japan doesn't really celebrate it to the extent Westerners do (though it is growing more and more popular year by year). These parties really helped fill my Halloween withdrawals--I got to see loads of kids dressed up, play Halloween games with them, listen to spooky music and do "trick-or-treating" with them.

• We've been trying to make or find fall treats that we take for granted back home. I decided to have a go at making homemade caramel apples, but the Japanese caramel was SO sweet! Not to mention I thought I'd try and make them fancy by adding crushed M&Ms (and got lazy and just stuck them on instead of crushing them). Despite my slight disappointment at how they turned out, I was pretty amused by the look on the face of our friend from New Zealand when he saw what I made for dessert. Apparently they don't eat caramel apples in New Zealand, and he was totally taken aback. He told us he'd like to see us "try that" on our friend from Australia!

• Lastly, we tried to have an Oktoberfest party, which basically consisted of Chad, our friend Yasu and me. Though it wasn't really Oktoberfest at all, we figured the Japanese take things from other cultures and make them their own, so why shouldn't we? When in Rome -- or Japan -- right? Below is a picture of our feast:

Apples, homemade caramel apple dip, French bread, Kenchin Jiru (Japanese Stew), pumpkin bread, Brazilian sausages, Gouda cheese, wine and beer.

This is an up-close shot of the Kenchin Jiru. It has pork, potatoes, daikon, carrot, mushrooms, green onions, several seasonings and sauces. So good!

That's all for now. We'll try and be better about November updates than we were last month! Take care!