Our Valentine’s celebration was atypical this year. I decided since Darin and I already go dates a couple times month that it would be nice to include the kids in this year’s Valentine’s Day celebration. So we went to karaoke! It was awesome! It isn’t like karaoke in the states. Here you rent a karaoke room (box) for an hour or two at a time. The room is big enough to accommodate several adults and is complete with a table and plenty of seating. And, of course a karaoke machine and large monitor. We had the option of ordering food, but since this was our first time with the boys we had planned to only stay an hour. The hour flew by so we requested another hour. There were plenty of English songs, even Johnny Horton. Caden mostly enjoyed sipping on his orange slushy, but did sing along to “Happy Birthday” (one of the only songs he knew).
Japanese cashiers have a unique way of counting paper money. I’ve been curious since we arrived here as to how they do it. I have tried multiple times to do it myself but have failed. I know this must sound really silly to those of you who haven’t seen this process. But it’s interesting. They stick the bills between their ring and pinky finger of the left hand, bend the money up around the hand, then they flip through it with the other thumb. They count it so fast and when they get to the last bill they do a little flick with their finger to make a popping sound indicating the counting is complete. I’m telling you, it is so cool! Long story short, I learned how to do it! It is much harder than it looks. We (yes, there are other people also intrigued by this) spent several minutes practicing (yes, practice is required, it looks easy, but it’s not). This was a case of being in the right place at the right time…happened to have the cash, the time to learn, and most importantly…a Japanese bank employee in the room to show us how it’s really supposed to be done. As Darin pointed out, my newly acquired skill resulted only because I verbalized how curious I was about the process. Most people wouldn’t share something like that out loud. Me, well...I don’t have a problem sharing my curiosity. And, now I know. Unfortunately it does nothing for my long-term quality of life but it was fun nonetheless.
We have lived in this apartment for 18 months now. It took our three-year-old to discover we have heated mirrors in all the bathrooms. Always wondered what that mystery switch in all the bathrooms did. Thought maybe every time I pushed it the neighbor’s garbage disposal started running or their doorbell rang. Nope. It warms the mirrors to prevent fogging during showers and baths. Will the Japanese surprises ever stop?
Got a call from the preschool the other day about a half an hour after I dropped Caden off. The boy sitting next to him threw up which then prompted Caden’s gag reflex. Guess we don’t have a doctor in the house. Thankfully, Caden wasn’t really sick, just empathetic.
We had Flat Stanley visit so we showed him around Harborland. My goal was to get a picture of him at Port Tower, the signature of Kobe’s skyline especially at night. We got there to find it completely wrapped with scaffolding. Explains why it hasn’t been lit up at night for the past several weeks (which I have been wondering about). Not sure what the purpose is…renovation, paint,…don’t know, but it’s not visible. So we took a forty-minute boat ride around the harbor instead. It was time well spent. Not so much for the ride itself but for the view of Kobe we otherwise don’t get.
Darin and I, along with many friends, attended “Carpets and Cocktails”. This annual fundraising event is a Persian carpet auction. It was great entertainment. The auctioneer was very humorous and persuasive. Although there were some beautiful pieces, we did not purchase anything, as most of the prices were a tad out of our price range. Fortunately for our bank account, this style of rug is not my decorating taste. But it was enjoyable viewing the rugs and learning about the trade. It is truly an art. I look forward to next year’s event.
Nathan is doing well. He just finished his Speech and Debate club and has informed me he wants to sign up again. I still don’t like the idea of him becoming any more skilled at arguing. We attended his music concert last week. The kids did a nice job. It is always fun to see the kids wearing their native country dress. Reminds me of how fortunate Nathan and Caden are to be exposed to so much cultural diversity.
Along with some awesome friends, I attended Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Plum Festival in Kyoto, about an hour from here by train…only 20 minutes by the Shinkansen (bullet train). This festival occurs only once a year on February 25, a tradition which began in 987. We enjoyed the beautiful plum trees along with their sweet scent. But the highlight of the day was the Japanese tea ceremony served by geishas. Unforgettable!
The term geisha literally means performing artist. According to Wikipedia, “Their purpose is to entertain their customer, be it by dancing, reciting verse, playing musical instruments, or engaging in light conversation. Geisha engagements may include flirting with men…however, clients know that nothing more can be expected.” This contrasts history when geishas many times were more than just art entertainers to their male customers.
There is a distinct hierarchy among geishas indicated by the makeup, hair, and dress. The more ornately decorated, the younger they are. If a geisha chooses to get married she must resign. This tradition is uniquely Japanese. Which is why having tea served by geishas was rare and one I will always remember.
