Slow blogging, fast living

It's been harder to keep blogging than I thought. It's been so busy trying to get settled. My brother Greg got married and the wedding was really fun. I'll get pics up at some point. We've been slowly organizing and cleaning up the apt. Merging our stuff is tricky and finding space in a NY apt is not easy. We're trying to buy some new furniture too. At work I thought the month would be slow but I jumped right back into things and with so many meetings and catching up to do I already feel overwhelmed. Christmas rolled around so quickly. This weekend we had Christmas dinner and gift exchange with Kenn's family and we'll be going to my parents on Christmas day. Been squeezing in some last minute Christmas shopping. Last weekend we had some welcome back drinks with friends. My dad gave us broadway musical tickets for Friday to see the Drowsy Chaperone. It was really good and really funny. Bob Saget was in it. We went to see the tree. Also last week we went ice skating at Bryant Park with Livia, Doris, Karl, Aileen, and Peter. That was fun so we are getting our NYC events in.

It almost feels like we never left. Japan seems so long ago now. Because we've been so busy I haven't really had time to miss it yet. Kenn's been interviewing for full time jobs in Manhattan, he's gotten a lot of good interviews so far. So things are going well and in a way I wish we could slow down and relax a bit.

A whole new blog

BACK IN NYC!!!!!!

It was a good flight, not crowded so we had 3 seats. Slept at least half of it. Had our pizza fix for dinner. The weekend was spent battling jet lag and attempting to clean and organize the apt. We also made it to Bed Bath and Beyond for some storage/shelving and other items. It was hard to get a ton done with the jet lag though.

I am going to keep this personal blog going so stay tuned for posts on my life in NY. I'm not going to create a new blog or change the name although today I am OFFICIALLY changing MY name! I will now be Jennifer Okula! First on my list of to-do's today is to head to the social security office to change my name.

I knew I wanted to change my name but I started to question my decision a little thinking about what a pain it is. Personally, I like the sound of Okula and find it easy to use and spell. I also want to have the same name as my children. I also simply like the idea of it- being a family unit - there's a sense of intimacy and closeness to it. The main down side is the pain of changing my name technically and professionally. My feeling on that is that it will be easier over time though. People will deal. The other annoying thing is the reaction I get from people about it. I feel like a lot of women these days don't change their names and most people are surprised I am. I don't think it has anything to do with losing individuality or feminism. To me it's practical. I also know who I am and my name doesn't make me that person. It doesn't change me or who I am.

Ok, enough babble, I have lots to do! Social security office, DMV, stop in at work, clean, organize, and help my brother out with wedding stuff... I've been up since 5am so hopefully I won't lose steam!

KYOTO and back home tomorrow!!!!!

This is it, we leave for NY tomorrow! Yes, I will say it again, I cannot believe it!

Kyoto was definitely the perfect end to Japan. It was the perfect time to visit, the trees and foliage were absolutely stunning. I only have a few pics below from my camera phone to upload for now until we can get everything off our camera. We packed in the major sites including a trip to Nara. What a gorgeous country. I feel like descriptions will not do anything justice. We went to the major temples and shrines in Kyoto and had some great meals including a Kiseki meal that was one of the best meals (if not the best) we had in Japan.

Our last night in Japan and we are going to have sushi. Tomorrow for lunch is our last ramen....

The Golden Pavillion:



Kiyomizudera Temple and it's amazing view:



Sashimi from our Kaiseki meal:



FAREWELL JAPAN!!! *sniff*sniff*

Videos and last cooking class

Here are some videos from the dance music festival. In the first one, check out the old guy at the beginning! They can really party in Tokyo!





For my last cooking class, we made a root vegetable salad with sesame vinegar sauce, mackerel with hot and sweet balsamic sauce, white miso soup (it had soy milk in it!) and a pumpkin something or other dessert.



Mine:

Tokyo Dance Music Festival

So we actually got blown off from dinner. It's a long story and confusing, I'm not even going to bother writing about it. Needless to say it's starting to feel like a good time to move back home where are family and real friends are.

Anyway, in the afternoon we walked around Harajuku and stopped in Yoyogi Park where there was this random Tokyo dance music festival



There were guys like below carrying around full bottles of wine. We also saw flasks, bottles of whiskey. Sheesh. Anyway, it was the last time we would see anything like this. Japanese party goers, just enjoying the music on a brisk autumn afternoon in the park.



A random sign:






Will upload a couple videos soon.

Thanksgiving dinner analysis

Thanksgiving dinner at Lawry's was good but expensive. A whole turkey costed $200! We had 11 people at dinner. Salad, turkey, mash, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and wine. The turkey was good. Stuffing was weird, it looked like sliced meatloaf:



We think it was some mixture of bread, rice, dried fruit, nuts... We had 2 turkeys and 3 people had prime rib:



We had way too much turkey left so everyone got to take some home. Overall we stuffed ourselves (as thanksgiving should be) and had a good time but not the same as a home cooked meal. Pumpkin pie was different too. Less fluffy and no cinnamon taste.
We are going upstairs to Brandon and Caroline's place for Thanksgiving dinner part 2. I think they are cooking a whole dinner for friends tonight.




Hope everyone had a great meal!

Happy Turkey Day

I hope I don't gain too much weight. Leaving the wonderful city of Tokyo, full of delicious food. We're getting all our last meals in.

On Tuesday, I met up with my old coworker and we went to an Izakaya. Kenn and I don't get to go to those often since the menu is always only in Japanese. This was a real old school one where salarymen go and you can see the old beer advertisement posters on the wall. I think there was one other woman in the place besides me.



We tried whale again. This time sashimi and we were able to taste it. We also tried horse meat sashimi. I know, terrible, but we had to give it a shot. It had more flavor than whale but I personally couldn't get over the fact that it was horse so couldn't quite enjoy it.

Last night Kenn and I went to our favorite yakitori place behind our apt. We tried the chicken meatball hot pot. Yumm.

For turkey, we are going with some friends to
Lawry's Steakhouse but they're specially serving turkey, mash, and stuffing.

8 more days in Japan!

Beef Stew

Taking the last of my cooking classes these last few days. Made beef stew, here's the cooking school pic:



Here's mine:




Came out great, we learned how to make the stew sauce from scratch, pumkin cream salad (actually really good) and cheesecake dessert. The dessert was like a quick gelatin cheesecake which is a great quick dessert instead of baking a whole cake if you're pressed for time.

Next up is a japanese meal including grilled mackerel.

This week we have a bunch of dinners including Thanksgiving at a restaurant and probably a second thanksgiving dinner at our friends' place. Then it's our last weekend, Kyoto, then NY!

Design Festa - Nov 2007

Random pics from Design Festa:




The Chief & Mischief booth:




Kenn dj'd at the booth and had some t-shirt and sticker designs for sale. It was a tiring weekend of set-up, working the booth, tear down... but a good overall experience.

Tsukiji Guy Part 1

*****READ THIS POST FIRST*******

Went to Tsukiji fish market again today with Jen and Bashi. Last time when we went with PC and Melissa we saw this poster and started cracking up. Can you tell why without looking at the next post?

Tsukiji Guy Part 2

************READ ABOVE POST FIRST************





His eye!!! It's just so funny that the one eye is looking in another direction. Of course, it's not really funny because it's a problem with his eye but it really made us laugh. We were also really confused as to why he's holding a steak on a fish market poster.

Then I ruined it all by asking my coworker about this pic. I asked what the text said and it says something like "Tsukiji is interesting on a Saturday". With "interesting" also interpreted as fun, unusual, or full or surprises. This explains the steak. Then I pointed out the guy's eye and was told he's a famous tv/variety show producer and always wears dark glasses.

Finding out the mystery behind this poster made it not funny anymore. *sigh* sometimes things are better left "Lost In Translation".....

My relation to Jen

So last night Jen (the cousin that's visiting Tokyo) and I figured out how we are related. Actually we didn't figure it out but her mom knew. We drew it out on paper because it's a bit confusing to try to keep it straight in your head.

Very interesting to think through the family tree. I've always been interested in creating a really large family tree that spans distant relatives. It's not something talked out or thought of often and is fascinating really.

As family members move to different cities or states and as family members grow apart or get older and pass away, these things tend to get forgotten.

Here is our relationship tree (I think I have it right. Dad, you were close):



Check out how confusing it gets!

It's been a week since I've posted?

Wow, how did that happen? Time really flies. At least you have my short Twitter updates. Last week was mostly uneventful. Had a nice dinner with Rupa who is also moving back to NYC. My cousin Jen and Bashi arrived late on Friday and we went to Milwaukee Bar. Saturday we took them around the shopping neighborhoods (it was yucky weather out unfortunately) - Omotosando, Harajuku, Shibuya.

Sunday was rest and relaxation day, I can sleep a lot lately.

This week Jen and Bashi are visiting Hakone and Kamakura. This coming weekend is Design Festa. Kenn is going to help out a friend's booth and hopefully sell his own tshirts and stickers he designed, and dj too.

Boots and hats are back

As autumn arrives the knee high boots are back in Tokyo! Often paired with short-shorts and not hose or tights but with bare legs and socks. I don't understand how women are not cold wearing the shortest shorts I've ever seen out.

On the flip side, hats are back. Along with hats people are already wearing scarves and full winter coats. WHAT? Kenn and I can't figure out how some people can be wearing full winter gear in a city that barely gets under 40 degrees!

More Tokyo

(Hey Livia,) This subway ad caught my eye because it's for a GE Money AMEX card (she worked/works for them). The outdoor advertising in Tokyo can be amazing sometimes. They had these ads down the entire stairs and escalator at my subway station. On the platform they are also on all of the pillars. Impossible not to notice (at least the first day they put it up, then you get used to it). I'll see if I can take more pics.


Kenn and I had a Mos burger the other day. Mos burger is a Japanese fast food joint. The burgers are small and cute as you can see from the pic. But really yummy and the lettuce and tomato so crisp and fresh. They also have burgers with rice cake buns.



We went to Ueno Park and Odaiba. Odaiba had nice views, there happened to be a festival there with some dance performances and there's also a Toyota showroom we went to.

We had fast food Katsudon for lunch and for dinner we had great Yakitori. PC & Melissa's last lunch in Tokyo so today we're off for one more ramen. :)

Kenn and I have a few days break until more guests!

PC & Melissa in Tokyo

First, here is what I learned to cook this week. Pork miso soup, steamed salmon & veggies with ponzu sauce, a side dish, and a sweet potato/cream dessert:


The lighting isn't so great so you can't really see how it came out.

This close up is really yummy though!
My dessert came out looking like a turd but tasted delicious! :)


So with PC & Melissa this week, we've eaten: ramen, tonkatsu, oudon, sushi (once at the fish market and again at a conveyor belt place), and some random restaurant where we had small dishes of pasta, steak, and chicken.

We've gone to Akihabara, The Tokyo City View at the Mori building, a really cool Mori Museum contemporary art exhibit, and Asakusa.

It's been a great week. Tonight we're off to Milwaukee Bar.

Osaka Part 3

On the Shinkansen high speed train to Osaka Kenn had a sushi bento box:



On the platform waiting for the train we saw this special edition Kit Kat. As I mentioned in a previous post, Kit Kats here come in all kinds of flavors including seasonal and special edition ones. We've recently seen chestnut, caramel, and cookies & cream.



Statues outside of PC & Melissa's hotel:


Funny fat guy (no, I don't mean Kenn!)



Overall, there was a lot of walking involved but it was a nice trip.

On a completely separate side note, I saw this in the news today:
A former creative director at Dentsu USA has filed suit against the holding company, claiming he was fired after he complained about being put in sexually-charged work situations that included side trips to a Czech brothel, a Tokyo bath house, and a Maria Sharapova photo shoot.

One of the the complaints is: A 2004 trip to a Tokyo bathhouse during which the Dentsu chief told Mr. Biegel and others to dip naked into a bath with him.

Umm, yea, anyone that knows Japanese culture should know that's normal for Japanese at a bathhouse. It's rude and actually prohibited to wear clothes.

Osaka Part 2 (really Himeji castle and Kobe)

Melissa was our wonderful planner for the Osaka trip. We took a side day trip to Himeji Castle, which is one of the few original castles in Japan and to Kobe. Himeji is about an hour train ride from Osaka:



Kobe is on the way back (kind of in between). In Kobe, we stopped by the Earthquake Memorial Park near the Port of Kobe where damage from the earthquake in 1995 is still in tact:




We also passed through the Kobe Chinatown. And of course the main purpose for going to Kobe. KOBE BEEF!




Oh boy! I can say truly delicious. Mouthwatering. So tender. Steak will never be the same again. I'll get links to more pics that PC took. For now, here is a special video we took specifically for Livia. It's called "Last Bite" hehehe:

(sorry it's a bit blurry, taken from my mobile phone)

Osaka Part 1

Osaka was great! Was really nice to see another city in Japan. It's known for it's food and we had plenty really good meals! From Okonomiyaki (pan fried batter cake; picture below) to Takoyaki (octopus dumplings). We went to one restaurant where you make your own takoyaki.



We even tried whale! I know, I know, that's terrible. But when in Rome right? We had to at least try it once. It looks like tuna don't you think? It doesn't really taste like anything at all.



We met Peichung and Melissa in Osaka and it was fun traveling with them, sightseeing and eating. We stayed and walked around the Namba/Dotonbori area, a very busy entertainment and shopping district. We went to the Osaka Castle (not original but renovated) and to the Shin-Umeda Floating Garden Observatory. Great view from there!

More pics from my mobile phone to come... plus details of Himeji castle and Kobe side trip.

Sushi lunch

It was a blackout on the subway yesterday that caused the train problems.

I've been working from home some days lately. Since work is slow and I'm not needed in the office I've been saving myself the wasted travel time. Today the moving company came to assess our belongings too so I stayed home. Kenn and I went out to the local sushi place for lunch. Lunch specials are an equivalent of just $7.15 each! I had 8 piece sushi + hand roll and Kenn had a chirashi bowl (sashimi on rice). Comes with soup and salad and the sushi is great!

We even had live entertainment. Hehe. There were these 2 guys who were drunk who probably just came from a night out at a Roppongi club or hostess bar. One guy was so wasted he kept spilling things and banging glasses. For some unknown reason he was wearing a wig (which looked real) and then took it off. The other guy looked like he was just trying to keep his friend in control. So strange.

Anyway it was a good lunch. :)

Japan Today

Some good Japan bits today.

Often times when I rode the subway in NYC and suddenly the local went express or there was some station announcement about train changes, I wondered how people who did not understand English would figure out what was going on. Well, on my commute to work today, I got to experience that.

There were announcements in Japanese at my station. There was some sign (in japanese) and even a guy with a video camera. I had no idea what was going on but proceeded to enter the station anyway. A train arrived and I got on it, there were some more announcements. Then after 2 stops, more announcements and everyone got off the train. It didn't seem like another one was coming and everyone was exiting so I decided to follow some signs to another train line. I found a train map with enough english on it to figure out it went in the direction I wanted. I took that train and transfered to another one to finally get me to my work stop. Whew. I guess I got lucky that the train let off somewhere I could transfer. I later asked my coworker what was going on today and he looked it up online. Apparently some electrical issues. It kinda sucked to be so in the dark about what was happening!

My friend Glory forwarded me this hilarious article today. Though street crime is relatively low in Japan, quirky camouflage designs like this vending-machine dress are being offered to an increasingly anxious public to hide from would-be assailants:



I mean, how ridiculous is that! You have to love the Japanese!

"...By holding the sheet open and stepping to the side of the road, she showed how a woman walking alone could elude pursuers — by disguising herself as a vending machine.....
But the devices’ creators also argue that Japan’s ideas about crime prevention are a product of deeper cultural differences. While Americans want to protect themselves from criminals, or even strike back, the creators say many Japanese favor camouflage and deception, reflecting a culture that abhors self-assertion, even in self-defense...
“It is just easier for Japanese to hide,” Ms. Tsukioka said. “Making a scene would be too embarrassing.”..."

Friday's dinner and new guests

Kenn and I had a low key Friday and went out for dinner at a restaurant we've never been to near us. It has a fish tank where supposedly they take fish out of to cook for you fresh. There weren't really many fish in it though. We ordered the set course menu and here were some of the items beautifully presented:






Peichung and Melissa arrived on Saturday evening. They found their way to our apt and we went for ramen for dinner and had some drinks at Propaganda. Sunday we slept in late. I had a cooking class and Kenn took them to Yoyogi Park where I later met them. We walked from Harajuku/Omotesando to Shibuya and had dinner there. PC/Melissa are off to Kyoto today and we'll be meeting them in Osaka on Friday. Looking forward to that.

Here's the pic from my cooking class:





It was Chinese - fried rice with thick crab sauce, chicken stir fry, marinated cabbage, and apple tea gelatin dessert.