my ikea christmas

 A tedious Sunday evening after a tedious Sunday whole day of studying resulted in a quick trip to IKEA. As December is coming up I was in dire need of gingerbread biscuits and glögg to fulfill my Christmas spirit. And look what welcomed myself and my friend Rin outside: a whole busload of Christmas trees! They were real ones and the smell was magical. For a moment I considered getting one as they cost about £17, or 180 SEK but there is no bloody space in my room! Ah, that smell though. Lush.

Food, food, food!

 And see here what I found in the Food Court: lussekatter! No idea how to translate that into English, but you get the deal. Very Swedish, very Christmassy. I don't really care much for them to be honest, but it had to be done. Every Christmas I eat them; every Christmas I wonder why. They do look nice though, and the little board thing beside it had an explanation as to where the name comes from. That's more than I know.

 After having paid for the gingerbread-scented candle and my new carrot soft toy (hereafter referred to as Mr C) it was time for the reason at least I'd gone there - Food Shop. Gingerbread houses, Christmas ham (very traditional, although not for a veggie as myself obviously - IKEA, where's the vegan ham???), super extraordinary expensive gingerbread biscuits and lots and lots more.

Mr C.

Usual IKEA food stuff. Super cheap ice cream at roughly 5 SEK / £0.40 etc. This is my happy place.

Today's treasures. The gingerbread biscuits were 700 yen, or £6, or 65 SEK; glögg £8 / 75 SEK; + the essential raisin and almond for a lovely £0.70 / 8 SEK. Very happy (and soon fat-ter) lady.

Jo x

sweet's paradise: the face of gluttony

 Christmas is approaching also in Japan, and the decorations are starting to come up! This (see right) horrible garlic-looking decor is in Shibuya. Vampire-repelling or not, I like it. I love Christmas and all the crazy decorations that are socially acceptable (well...) to put up, and soon I shall ornament my own room with glitter, spruce, and cones to max! (Although the 16 degrees and sun somewhat detracts from that Christmassy feeling.)

Anyway. Yesterday we had a full afternoon in Shibuya after my private tutoring (where I talked politics, believe it or not - something I know close to nothing about! My students really should not listen to a word I say) and we went to Sweet's Paradise. Yes, Sweet's Paradise. It's just as amazing as it sounds.

Basically it's a buffet. Of cakes. And food. In Japan (and also in Canada I've learnt) buffets are time limited - not like in Sweden or UK where you can just goff down food for hours on end without anyone giving you the evil eye. For the one we went to we had 80 minutes to stuff ourselves with pasta, rice, curry, crackers (carbs, carbs, carbs), veggies (yay!), soft drinks - and cake. Sadly I didn't take a photo of the cake counter but I'll see if I can steal one off one of my friends later. For now, let this suffice:

There were all kinds of cake: brownie, Green tea cake (the green stuff, also the best one!), 3 types of cheesecake, and so on and on and on. Must have been about 20 different ones there. + of course the chocolate fondue. Now, to be honest, yes, it wasn't the best of quality and the same sponge cake was probably used for half of them - but still! They also had mochi and jelly cubes but I'm too scared of the latter to eat it. Needless to say, this was Sweet Paradise in the very definition of the word. It cost us 1500 yen, so roughly £14, or 145 SEK. Not bad, eh? And because it was so cheap they didn't have a lot of meat, so I could eat almost everything! Jo vs Japan 1-0!

Might have gained about 3 kg just from this meal though. So much pasta and not to mention sugar from the cakes. All worth it.

Outside a restaurant. Freakshow!

Shibuya never fails to deliver. This guy was standing on the street, as you do, wearing his, erm, outfit. Not entirely sure why he was doing this, but according to my friend he said: "If you don't laugh, you don't live" or something like that. Very true, and he did make me laugh, so kudos.

Goldfish ear rings. For reals!

This Sunday does not promise anything overly exciting. All of a sudden I have lots of work to do, so at the moment I'm trying to write the optional essay of 2,000-infinity words (mine's looking at 5,000 at the moment!) and I have never been bullshitting so much in my university career! Hopefully the Cambridge-graduated professor won't notice...

How's my RoHo doing? And my Sweden? I must say the updates are lacking a little these days...! 

Jo x

mita-sai [三田祭]

 This week saw the annual Keio event of Mita-sai, or Mita Festival - another one of those school festivals they seem to be awfully fond of here. It meant a whole week off from classes and 4 days on incessant festivities on campus: food stalls from all circles (societies, clubs), performances in music, dance and theatre, and over 200,000 visitors!

For me these 4 days resulted in the following:

1. Trying bubble tea. Bubble tea is a Taiwanese (EDIT! Apparently I was misinformed on this!) invention consisting of usually milk tea (but I had some kiwi stuff) and small jelly-looking/tasting balls of tapioka (which is starch from a root). As two of my best friends are obsessed with it (and one even works in a shop selling it!) I felt compelled to try. Verdict: funky, but cool.

Main stage

 2. Listening to a Japanese ensemble concert. A friend of mine played the violin.

 3. Finally - finally! - getting to hear Jason Mraz 'I'm Yours' played on ukulele (by a Hawaiian guy!). All performed by exchange students. Also note the dancing Radish Man in white. That's how we roll here.

 4. Trying this sweet. I don't know what it is, but it was damn good. Chocolate flavour! As mentioned before, putting it on...

People!

5. Watch Kabuki theatre. I didn't understand a word they were saying but I got to experience the essence of Japanese drama. Not sure how I feel about it though. It's very special. Very different from Western theatre. People in the audience will shout out random things, like the name of the actor/character on stage. Just like that. And there are black figures moving around, fixing props etc. Kabuki is more about the performance rather than the story, and the real shows will go on for 4-5 hours! Still, an experience.

And finally...

6. Being picked up by them Japanese boys. Now this is a tradition at Mita-sai. Girls will sit around on campus, and boys will choose a group and go up and talk to them with the sole incentive of getting a phone number/date/whatever. There's even a word for it: nanpa. My friends and I sat down on the side (and this was by the end of the whole festival, so people were getting desperate) and it didn't take long before 2 Japanese guys came up to us and started talking. They didn't speak English very well but somehow we managed to communicate, although awkwardly, and during one particularly tense silence one of the boys decided it was time to clear the air. He searched for the correct English words."This...is nanpa."

Jeez, thanks for clearing that up! Soon they went on their way, probably disappointed that no numbers/e-mails were exchanged. In the next 10-20 minutes boys would walk past, slow down and stare for a bit, then reluctantly walk on. We had some stand close by, (in)discreetly looking our way, but ultimately deciding we were too scary (I blame my hair) and leave.

Still though - if you're in need of a confidence boost, hanging around Mita-sai could just be the thing for you!

Sadly now the festival is over and on Friday we are back to classes. I also realised my presentation is next week, + the essay, so this weekend will be work, work, work. Funsies! Take care of y'all, and stay tuned for exciting news which might be released next week!

Jo x

the sensational story of squid

The frequent reader will remember I had an arts project a while back where we created a book out of the photos taken at an arts exhibition. I promised to put it up here, but as it turned out a whopping 30-odd pages it would simply be too much. Instead I've put up parts of it, so the story might not make sense. In short, THE SENSATIONAL STORY OF SQUID is a story in verse about Squid's quest for the ruby and the obstacles on his way. As follows.

The end.

Jo x

whoopi-doo i wanna be like you

No, that's a not a photo of me (although the similarities are disturbingly striking! Big eyes, extremely thin lips, bags under the eyes, the hairy arms etc). It is, for now, the only clue I shall give you regarding a very exciting future project I'm currently putting the stitches to. The very first step has been taken just this morning, and now some serious work awaits to finish the masterpiece.

Watch this space for news, and those of you who know what it is (perhaps one or two) - no gossiping!

Jo x

have a merry christmas

Christmas is around the corner and here I am, far east in a country that sure, celebrates it to some extent, but hardly with the traditional blinged-up Christmas tree, fake meat-meatballs, vegan ham, rice porridge etc as I'm used to. So what do to? Sit alone in the room, devouring gingerbread biscuits from IKEA by the bucket? Could, (and probably will at some point) but no.

I'm going to Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara with 2 friends. All of those cities are located west-ish in Japan (see map) and are all within an hour's travel from each other. Kyoto is an über traditional town with temples behind every tree and geishas sauntering the streets all over the place (well...), Osaka is something like Tokyo only smaller, Nara is deer paradise (they have wild ones running around!) and Kobe is beef town with lots of temples too. In short - all 4 are a must if you're in Japan.

22 December we're taking a nightbus for 9 hours from Tokyo to Kyoto. We'll stay in the area doing stuff and leave from Osaka 26 December.

A very different Christmas 2011 indeed.

Jo x

healthy japan?

I remember before I left England/Sweden to come here; when I began telling people I was going to Japan for a year. Roughly 76% of the people I told went "Oh my goood, you'll come back soooo skinny!" Well, hate to break it to you, friends - this is not going to happen.

That food in Japan is healthy is a myth. Yes, it is so. Sure, as in every country there is the healthy side - tofu, noodles (soba) etc. But the truth is that the majority of food here is unhealthy! Plus vegetables and fruit is ridiculously expensive. Instead we see low prices of rice (carbs!), snacks and red meat. Additionally, everything seems to be deep-fried: from snacks to actual food. Tempura, fried beans, fried edamame/pea snacks to mention a few. The healthy nuts are expensive (except peanuts) while carby soy rice crackers are practically thrown at you alongside the chocolate-covered thisandthat. The only bread available is whiter and fluffier than in the UK.

Had these bad boys yesterday

But let's not be unfair. Japanese people are super skinny, that much is true. They keep a healthy lifestyle and work, work, work everyday. In the gym (which is super expensive) they spend more time on the treadmill and crosstrainer than doing weights, and so get that tomboy-ish body most girls display. Also, it's probably partly genetic.

So for a Western girl this environment is not ideal. Those of you who expect to see a stick walking towards you next time we meet, think again. This lady is putting it on, and putting it on good. Look at it this way - you'll have plenty more of me once I'm back! What a way to make up for the year of absence...

Jo x

blonder = better!

Upon request: the new hair. Japanese hair dye for the win! Blonder than blonde - yours truly! Japan, prepareth!

Jo x

fail of the day: losing one's way

After a lazy Saturday + half a slothful (is that even a word?) Sunday I decided it was time to drag my sorry behind out in the real world and go for a run. As I already spend a lot of time at the gym and the weather was lush (20 degrees or so!) I thought I'd take it outside. I've done it before and I have a route of sorts that I usually go on, so I felt confident. Oh, dear, little did I know.

For I planned a short run, 30 minutes or so, as I tend to get quite bored. So off I went, following the river. With Eric Saade and Mr Saxobeat busting on top volume in my ears I jogged along without any major trouble. Then all of a sudden the river was gone. I have no idea how it happened. Somewhere, somehow, I took a wrong turn and I found myself basically lost. And rather than retracing my steps I decided to find my own way back. Bad, bad decision. After fifteen minutes or so I was further away from the river than ever, and a lot more lost than before. Again, rather than retracing my steps, or even asking someone, I continued on following my instinct. Bad, BAD, decision. Utterly lost, and the street signs did not even hint towards my area. They said Kawasaki and Motosumiyoshi, which are both about 10 minutes away by train!

Finally I managed to find the railway and luckily (!) a train just passed, heading towards Hiyoshi, my area. I had enough sense to follow the tracks and soon found myself in the centre of Motosumiyoshi - on the main shopping street! Remember this was Sunday afternoon/evening = lots of people, Christmas decorations and lights everywhere - and then me, sweaty, lost and getting quasi-desperate (and superblonde as I dyed my hair today...)! Not a splendid sight, or maybe amazingly splendid, I don't know.

Aanyway, long story short(-er), I ended up asking someone after having ventured on small dodgy streets in the dark (thank deity-of-your-choice that I'm in one of the safest countries in the world; UK/Sweden, and I would not be alive to tell the tale) and they pointed me in the right direction. My 30 minute run transformed into around 1 hour 40 minutes. Of course that includes me stopping and staring at maps, turning 360 degrees a couple of times, changing direction, running back and forth etc.

As a reward/comfort after this traumatic experience I went to Starbucks with a friend afterwards (photo stolen from her) for a nice large cup of coffee. I discovered they DO have the Gingerbread Latte! Come December, I shall have one of those bad boys. And/or a Chai Latte. Yes, veganism has been temporarily semi-abandoned.

Plans for the week are not particularly impressive: tutoring (getting the monetas!), studying (presentation and essays and kanji test), volleyballing (wiie!), gymming (yay?), and the beginning of Mita Fest - a huge school festival at Keio! They're expecting over 200,000 visitors during the week in which it takes place. Watch this space for full coverage.

Ta!

Jo x

quick update

Hello, peeps. Just a little short update on recent events here in Japanlands. For some reason I am ridiculously busy and hardly have time for anything but...whatever it is I'm doing. If I'm not in class, I'm in the gym, and if not there, I'm off in some gallery and what not. Is this what they call 'having a life'? If so, I suppose the point with life is to get time to fly by. It's almost mid-November and I've been here 2 months. How did that happen?

Anyway, what have I been up to in my excessively exciting life? The truth is - not a lot. Well, I did go to the volleyball club (or circle as they're called here) and had a marvellous 3 hours with the lovely girls. The reaction when I said I was from Sweden was priceless: 10 girls in a circle going "SWEEEDEN!" in a high-pitched (think Sailor Moon) chorus. Just...priceless. But yes, super nice people and I might be joining the club and play once a week. I am after all in need of a new hobby.

Today I attended a class I'm not actually enrolled in, but they were talking about confectionary and I felt the need to go (did I mention I'm gaining weight rather than losing it as I was promised before I came here? Then again I always put on weight in time for winter - a sort of extra layer of insulation if you will. I know, I know, I'm from Sweden I shouldn't be cold. Have I heard it before? But forgive me, I've gotten sidetracked). So the class had a visit from a man from Japan's most famous sweet producer. The company - Toraya - was founded in the 1520s (!) and have since the beginning been the main supplier for the Imperial family. Of course the highlight was when we got to try the £20 a piece cake made with only natural ingredients (see right; photo stolen from Serruria). It was lush, just lush. Some red bean paste yummyness inside enclosed by a sugary cover that melted in the mouth. Incredible.

This weekend will be mostly studying. Boring, eh? Well for one of my courses we're doing a presentation and we drew lots to decide in what order we will have them. Guess who drew lucky number 1 out of 21 pieces of paper? Indeed.

That's all for now. Ta!

Jo x

ps. Right: Bottle of hot coffee out of a street vending machine. Surprisingly good!

blow my windbell

It sounds like a crude innuendo (or is that just me?) but it's not. Take it literally: because today that's exactly what I did.

The arts class I'm taking takes us on field trips every now and (you may remember the arts exhibition a few weeks back), usually in places far off in the middle of nowhere - today was no exception. We took a train, and then another train and then, 75 minutes later we arrived at Mizue Station from which we walked 25 minutes to get to the place.

 Windbells are apparently a big thing here and they consist of a glass ball thing and a metal 'stick' hanging from a string, which then creates a sound as the wind causes it to hit the glass.

First we made the glass ball by blowing (see photo) - with a little help from the real practitioners. They said it takes about 3 years to learn how to make a perfect one, so we figured we'd save some time this way. Basically all we had to do was blow in a tube, so I'm not going to take too much credit for my performance (even if the guy said my windbell had good size!).

Don't laugh.

 Once it's done you put it to cool on a bed of glass shards for about 10 minutes. Then you paint it on the inside. I made 2 attempts, one worse than the other. Have I mentioned I have zero artistic talent? Well, you're about to find out just how true that statement is. And I'm really honouring the medium of a blog here with my candid exposure of my utter failure so feel special, people. I don't do this every day.

Then I decided it looked as though a 5-year-old (4?) had made it and flushed the whole atrocity away with water (thank frick for water-based paint). Of course the second attempt did not prove to be any larger a success than the first, but I did not feel as ashamed to present it. I took the safe road for that one.

I repeat: don't laugh.

So there you go. My artistic failure of this lovely Saturday revealed to the public eye. Hope you enjoyed. Oh, and I guess some lucky someone can look forward to an authentic, loving, handmade Christmas present this year.

Jo x

culture day

Today is a national holiday in Japan - it is Culture Day. This means no classes (thank god - today I usually have the Evil Witch in Japanese class!) and you are supposed to do cultural stuff. Me, I'm barricaded inside my little 10-sq. metre room, learning how to have Japanese conversations.


Let me illustrate:

サラさん よくコーヒー お のみますね.
Meaning: Sarah-san, you often drink coffee, right? 

My head hurts. 

Later I will drag myself out for a run. Had an epic gym session planned for today, but then I remembered it is closed on national holidays. Silly me (silly gym!).

Oh, and it's 19 degrees outside. Yeah, that's right. November 3rd. Yesterday I got home at about 10pm after my private tutoring. I was wearing shorts, people! Shorts! Gotta love Japan.

Jo x