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?