February 2014

Brooke's 3rd birthday 


Brooke's birthday was a huge success. In total we had 6 kids, one of them just a few months old, and 11 adults, including Graham and I.

The weeks leading up to her birthday, she would squeal with excitement when we mentioned it. The party was from 10am - 2pm, so people came and enjoyed lunch, cake, gifts and playing/socializing. Graham made the largest batch of Grandma Steel's spaghetti, and everyone enjoyed it. One of Brooke's favorites is Grandma Steel's spaghetti. She usually blends together Grandma steels Spaghetti and some spaghetti and says "Grandma steels (steals) some spaghetti". I get a chuckle out of it every time. Graham's co-workers wife, Amanda, made her cake, and it was amazing! It looked professionally done, and was delicious. 

"Japanese birthdays are not as big a celebration as they are in the West. In fact, there was no custom of celebrating birthdays in Japan until around 1950! Before this, there was only one day on which to celebrate birthdays (everyone’s birthday) and that day was New Year’s Day. This was because ancient people thought everyone got older on New Year’s Day, not the day they were born. Since then, however, Japan has been influenced by Western culture, so they started celebrating people’s birthdays on the date of their actual birth."

Valentine's Day

So we ended up doing a BIT of a mix. Graham received several chocolates from his female co-workers and came home for lunch to a chocolate mousse that Brooke and I made him. To add a bit of a mix of Canadian Valentines, Brooke made some Valentine's to give to Graham's co-workers (guys and girls). 

Next up is White day, where Graham will give back to all those who gave him chocolate on Valentine's day. Graham's co-worker Kaz, says he always makes a list on Valentines day, so he remembers whom to reciprocate to on white day. 

In Japan, Valentine's Day is typically observed by girls and women presenting chocolate gifts (either store-bought or handmade), usually to boys or men, as an expression of love, courtesy, or social obligation. Handmade chocolate is usually preferred by the recipient because of the perception of sincerity, effort, and emotion put into a home-made confection. On White Day, the reverse happens: men who received a honmei-choco (本命チョコ^?, 'chocolate of love') or giri-choco (義理チョコ^?, 'courtesy chocolate') on Valentine's Day are expected to return the favor by giving gifts. Traditionally, popular White Day gifts are cookies, jewellery, white chocolate, white lingerie, and marshmallows.^[1]

Sapporo Winter Festival

Wow! What an amazing experience. It was so beautiful to see all the sculptures. 

First of all, I have to say the people there were the friendliest I have met so far. As soon as we exited the bus station, we started to look around to try to find out which way to walk, to find the hotel. Immediately a lady came up to us, and asked if she could help. This happened on several locations while in Sapporo. It happens the odd time in Tokyo also, but not as much as it did in Sapporo.

There were 3 different sites for the snow festival, and we visited all 3. One was made up of very large SNOW sculptures and castles. We visited it during the day and again at night, when it lit up. 

Another was more for kids and had slides, snow-rafting, a mini-bullet train and kids play area. Brooke went on the mini-bullet train several times and really loved the fast and bumpy snow-rafting ride.

The last had ICE sculptures. I really enjoyed all three, but had the most fun watching Brooke play at the Tsudome site for kids.
  

We tried some King Crab in Sapporo as well as their Ramen soup. We were recommended to try both and enjoyed both very much. We also tried hot buttered rum, hot sake and hot red wine. So delicious! 

Every time we talk to our Japanese friends about where we are traveling to next, they always mention a food we just HAVE TO TRY! It is very interesting. Graham and I find in Canada, provinces are known more for their nature and scenery, whereas in Japan, food seems to be the most important. Each prefectures (province) seems to be famous for some sort of food. I am curious what you guys have to say? Think about the province you are in, what would you say it's known for? I guess Alberta is knows for Alberta beef, but when I think about most other provinces it usually areas you have to visit. For example when people say they are going to BC I would usually recommend to go to Long Beach or Whistler mountain or Butchart Gardens, things like that. The city where I grew up, is known for their Salmon fishing, but I still probably wouldn't say, oh you have to try the Salmon in Port Alberni, LOL!

Days to myself

Brooke was going to school twice a week for 3 hours, as of February she is now going twice a week for 8 hours. I have been taking this time to explore more areas of Tokyo and venturing out on my own. 

My first day to myself, I went to Sumida river and took a one hour river cruise to an area called Odaiba. Odaiba is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay. I checkout out the shopping mall, had a nice lunch and went for a walk along the bay. I was about to take the subway back, but then decided last minute, I would walk across Rainbow bridge :) This is a large suspension bridge across Tokyo Bay. It is a famous Tokyo bridge, and illuminates different colors at night. The walk across took me about half an hour, I took my time to enjoy the views.

Rainbow Bridge

 

Inside Rainbow Bridge. Two, separated lanes of traffic and a subway train that runs down the middle.

 

View from Rainbow Bridge

The next adventure on my own, I signed up for a walking tour. The Metropolis of Tokyo offers free guided tours for tourist. You pay for your transportation costs and admission costs for different sites, but that is it. There are 10 different tours to choose from. I have done 2 so far. 

My first one was started at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings. I arrived early and was glad I did, as there are two towers you can go up for free and both have magnificent views of Tokyo. A lady was there to point out different buildings parks, as well there was a map to help show you what you were looking at. Roughly 100 days of the year, you can see Mt. Fuji, I didn't see it on this day. 

From there we went to Ginza, Ginza is a known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffee houses. It's recognized as one of the most luxurious shopping spots in the world. I was able to check out Kabuki-za theater. It is known for it's beautiful architecture and live performances of Kabuki. Kabuki is a Japanese dance-drama. I have not seen a performance yet, but will for sure during my time in Tokyo. 

Kabuki-za Theater 

After Ginza we visitied Tsukiji Fish Market. This is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. They have a tuna auction every morning that is for restaurants around Tokyo. The lady was mentioning they start to line up at 3:30am to get into the 5:20am auction, and only the first 100 people are allowed in. 

From there we visited Hama-rikyu Gardens. It's a landscaped garden, surrounding Shioiri pond. There is a tea house in the middle of the pond, in the garden where you can enjoy tea and sweets. I will for sure visit this park again in the Spring or Summer.

300 Year old Tree. Almost died at one point, and was fed Sake to come back alive

 

Tea House

Room for Tea Ceremonies

My second tour involved checking out the Shinjuku basement shopping. I was able to check out some of the very nice Department stores of Tokyo. During my tour I bought some Matsusaka beef from a depachika (basement shopping, in the basement of a department store. This was a surprise for Graham, as we have wanted to try Matsusaka beef for some time, as it is highly recommended. It was roughly $60.00 for 2 very 150gram pieces. We barbecued it for one minute on each side, and WOW! It was for sure the most delicious steak I have ever tried. It melted in your mouth and was so very tender. 

We showed up at one of the department stores at 9:50am and it opened at 10:00am. It was very cool to be there when it first opened. Every single employee lines up at the door, or at the top of each escalator to wish you good morning and to say welcome to the store. I have never experienced such excellent customer service, as I do in Japan. Anywhere we go, we are welcomed right away. We visited one store to buy a baby gift, the employee walked us out the door and right to the elevator then bowed until she couldn't see us anymore. Also, usually the restaurants here are small, so you can see the entire staff including the cooks as you exit. Often on your way out of a restaurant, EVERY employee will say thank you (gozaimasu) at the same time, it is quite the experience!

Shinjuku is a pretty cool area knows for their skyscrapers, red light district. Shinjuku station is the largest in Tokyo and has over 3 million commuters PER DAY! If you are there during their morning rush hour (7:30am - 9:00am), you are usually pushed onto the crowded trains by the attendants, no thanks! 

Whenever we travel by subway it is usually 9:30am or later, so we haven't really experienced the crazy crowds all that much. However, once on our way back from the airport, we experienced it during the evening rush hour. I kept Brooke busy, and she didn't really notice until 2 stops before our exit point, as I started to get our things together. People were being pushed on the train and having to push people to get off. I had to push our way off the train. Brooke had a little stress attack and we just sat down for a few minutes after we got off the train. Most people that work in Japan have to deal with this 1-2 times EVERY day, as most people have very long commutes to and from work. One of Graham's co-workers commutes 2 hours EACH way during the week. Commuting is very common and due to this many Dads spend very little time at home with their family as they leave very early in the morning and get home late at night. It must be hard! I have realized, that when we are back in Canada, I can't really complain about an hour or two of unpaid overtime, as I would prefer that over 5-6 days a week of barely any time at home.

Now that we are getting to know more areas of Tokyo/Japan, we are very much looking forward to company in the upcoming year! Love to you all!! xoxo