Pet Lost In Japan

We recently had our hearts ripped out our chest... & put back in, when our precious Molly went missing... in JAPAN! We were so lost with the language & cultural barriers (which is our fault) that I was just certain that we had lost Molly forever. She did find her a nice older single lady who did keep her safe & returned her home!

The postman accidentally, in a hurry, left our gate unlocked, so when the wind blew, it just opened up to a world beyond the fence... our Molly took off without even a warning. Being we had (notice the past-tense there) a doggie door, she easily went in & out all day on her own... so when she saw the world beyond the fence, she had to take advantage.

Well, like silly Americans who have an indoor dog, we took her collar off because 1- she was micro-chipped & 2- the constant scratching, thus ringing of the collar was pretty annoying at 3 am. So she set off to see what she could find without a care in the world & without any visible identification!

HOW DID WE GET HER BACK? Well, we weren't sure where to start, so we called the realtor, who's our go-between with the landlord up in Tokyo & he made some calls.

Then after hours of no Molly, & the sun was setting, we went to the city police station to report her missing. We had to use the Yokosuka Police because our "koban" was closed & they spoke no English. They took the report & sent out FYI's to all our local police departments. What we learned was:

1. Though it is required to import your pet to Japan & has to be compatible to their standards, they don't have the ability to scan your pet's microchip! A vet might, but the local authorities do not (as least not in Yokosuka... which is predominately where Americans are in this area).

2. Even if you have their ID tag on them, or a vet scans your pet's microchip, it is a stateside programed chip, so they would have to call America to get your contact information... which we were told they would NOT call... they might call the base to ask if they knew...

3. So because of #2, you need to call the military vet to report your lost pet, who then notifies base security. If you notify base security first, they don't contact the vet...

4. And you need to call the microchip company (Home Again in our case) and let them know so they have an FYI in case someone does call... the part that sucks here is that since we are overseas, they can't help us find our lost pet like they could in the states.

5. There are NO shelters or kennels for the homeless pets.

6. If your pet is reported & have no one (founding civilian) willing to keep your pet until your are notified, they have 3 days & then they are put "to sleep". They kill your lost pet if they can't find you & no one willing to take them in!!!! And this was expressed to us very strongly more than once & with "very strict law in Japan".

As with most individuals who meet & know Molly, our little neighbor lady who found Molly was more than willing to keep Molly if we couldn't be found :D I am glad to know that my Grands (God Rest Her Soul) was watching over Molly & kept her safe.

Sagami-gawa River Koi Nobori Festival

This is an adventure! If you are not able to travel past your comfort levels, it is not recommended. The Koi Nobori Festival held annually at the Sagami-gawa River in Sagami is a local festival that is gradually gaining popularity throughout the region...into globally. (Kanagawa being the region & Yokosuka being the not so local.)

They string about 1,200 carp fish flags over the river in celebration of children! The koi (carp) & nobori (flag) was introduced to Japan was originally for Boys' Day or "Tango No Sekku", encouraging them to grow up brave, strong, & successful, which many Japanese still hold true to this tradition. Today (since 1948) it is now a representation of Children's Day, May 5th, to represent "energy, strength, & perseverance." Adding children's day into the "Golden Week" allowed the Japan by law to have an entire week of vacation! Many corporations extend this into two weeks...

I am personally obsessed with these flags & the little representation of them in other forms. Maybe because I am a new mom to a miracle: a son, maybe because I love gold fish or koi, or maybe it is both! Seeing them flowing in the breeze makes my heart lighten up just as much as seeing big white sails on open water! For me, this was a trip that was worth a little effort.

The traditional order of hanging is: Black = father, red = mother, & then one additional smaller carp for each child. Red & white ribbons are often added to symbolize the water. The Chinese legend says that is a carp swam up river he would transform into a dragon that went to heaven.

http://koinobori.fr/en/les-origines-japonaises-2/

http://homepage3.nifty.com/hinaya/sekku,eng.htm

You don't realize how globally these string of fish are until you see them on a DIY site! http://www.diylife.com/2008/05/05/fish-kites-for-childrens-day/

DIRECTION TO SAGAMI-GAWA RIVER & PARK:
*Note: there is no English out this way, maybe a number or a hello, but that is it. If you are going, take your notes with you, written in print so that they can help.

• Go to the Sagamihara Station
• Take bus #17 from bus pole #5... bus pole will be in the middle right by the stairs. (There are other buses that go that way, but 17 will be the least "rural" in transit).
• 30 minute ride to last stop, you will know it is the last stop when the bus pulls into a small rural semi-circle area with stone sign & parks (there may or may not be other buses or people). If you feel like you are getting off in the middle of nowhere, yet a nice neighborhood, you are at the right spot. 310 yen you pay on your way off...
• Leave the bus parking & go LEFT up the road
• Take the FIRST RIGHT only a few yards up...
• Take the FIRST LEFT again, it will have a double mirror pole in the corner... the road you turn onto will be windy &/or curvy looking
• Turn RIGHT at the Yamasaki store or the red & yellow "Y" store.
• Walk straight on that road, no turns...
• Pass a tori gate on your right
• Up the little hill
• POOF! You are there!

STROLLERS -

With no more than 3 strollers per bus you can do this. Also, though there may be stops closer to the park, it will be very hard or impossible to load & unload with the strollers, so be sure to use the stop listed above both ways.

When you get to the park, you will need to walk along the top ridge to your right, all the way down until you get to the ramp that then brings you down to the lower level or the actual "park". You will find restrooms this way too... not baby friendly.

Ofunakannon-ji Temple

A newer temple devoted to the events of the Atomic Bomb, nestled away in Ofuna, Kamakura, Japan, right outside the Ofuna Train Station.

This beautiful white lady Buddha is made from concrete completely poured by hand... no trucks. Some of the stones are remains from Hiroshima & Nagasaki. An eternal flame continues to burn here, just as it does in Hiroshima, until all nuclear war weapons are abolished. The symbolism of peace are throughout the entire temple & grounds... though small, well worth a day of just a visit, picnic & reflection.

This temple is not an easy little "just get off the train & follow the crowds" like many temples are in Kamakura... this one actually takes a little thought & some help from the locals, iPhone google maps, or someone else who has been. Once you leave Ofuna Station via the South Gate (not the North Gate which many Yokosuka people will come up at), you cross the canal, take a left to the end of the sidewalk, then a right & an immediate right ... along a very exclusive looking alley way. A few yards in you will see two stone lanterns with a sign in kanji & 300 yen (adults), 100 yen (children). That is all the signing you will find on your way.

As you stand at the base of the hill in front of you wondering if this is possibly the right place... take a deep breath & bite down hard... it is a steep hike up & back down... and not with stairs! I kind of was reminded of Mt. Fuji... straight up!

I highly recommend that you pack a lunch to take with you & spend the day. You can get cold beverages at the temple. Once you are up, it is beautiful!

DIRECTIONS:

• Take the train to Ofuna Station
• When you arrive at Ofuna you will come up at the North Gate (for most all my fellow Japan dwellers) DO NOT EXIT
• Walk down the big center hall way past a lot of yummy little bakeries! Yummm...
• You will now be at the South Gate... EXIT
• Then go to your right towards what looks like the back of the station (STROLLERS) You will find a small hallway to an elevator... it is large enough for 4 adults with 4 single large strollers easily... take it down
• You will come out at an small intersection. You will need to cross the canal (over the bridge)
• Once all the way across take a left down the sidewalk to the first road,
• Turn right at that road/end of sidewalk (you will be looking at a hill & currently construction at that little intersection)
• Then take the next immediate right (before the hill) down what looks like an exclusive alley... remember to be quieter & respectful
• Walk a few yards in & you will see 2 stone lanterns... a sign with kanji with 300 yen (adults), 100 yen (children).
• You will be at the base of a rather steep hill, with determination, strollers can go up! They will guide you at the top where to park them.

STROLLERS, you will want to either have a child that walks or a carrier to switch over to for the grounds.

Living Under Constant Scrutiny

The other day, while I was in a deep coma with my "love seat therapy" session, the doorbell rings...again. Everyday for a week now at about 10 AM, that thing is being pushed by someone. So I was ignoring it & hushing the dog quietly. I had drool down one side of my face along with indentations from the pillows & hand, and was still in my P.J.'s.

"It" didn't go away, like others. NO!, instead it rang the thing again! So I figured it had to be important...right?

With the door barely cracked to keep the dog in & to hide my appearances, I see two Japanese men dressed alike, one with a bag brief case thing showing me his ID. (Have I ever mentioned Japanese poor dental hygiene?) Once they realized I was "english" & spoke no Japanese, they turned to leave in complete confusion. I am not really sure what they were confused about! We have a Dodge Nitro with pimped 20" rims in the drive...it screams American!

Anyway, I called my landlord liaison to see if he sent someone over for something. He said no, but said it sounded like Jehovah Witnesses. WHAT!? In Japan? You have them too? Great! Now I do need to learn some Japanese! LOL!

He also tells me that he hasn't "heard anything about" us in a few weeks now. WHA-what-what? "Heard anything about" us? People call him to tell him about us?

Apparently yes! A neighbor called to tell him that we don't pick up after our pet when we walk her. LOL! (Thankfully our landlord liaison knows better & never called to tell us this.) But I was upset! First, we hardly walk our dog, because we all all lazy, including the dog. Two, we have these pink little doggie poop bags we use ALL the time! You can't miss them! Hot Pink! And the poop on/in our concrete yard, well it can sit 24-48 hours before my big ol' pregnant belly can get bent over to pick it up! After all it is "our" yard. Fourthly, I have a water bill that clearly shows that I wash down our concrete yard way too often! Fifthly, she only poops once a day since we have been here anyway & in the same spots!

However, this is the pure essence of the Japanese. They have this great face-to-face with you. All smiles, "konnichiwa" & bows, but behind your back they are watching you with an eagle eye. They don't much trust Americans, and in the last 5 years, around these parts, Americans have left a really foul taste in their mouths...so it can be partially understandable. But to be going out of their way to make up some crap to complain about...OH the glory of living in J-town!

I remember the last time B was stationed here. The little old lady that lived behind us used to come into the house & just walk through it & then back out. Once I started cleaning up after 4 generations of dirty American boys, things were "miraculously" getting done...like the yard being tended to & all. She also kept an eagle eye on those in that house & was reporting back to the owner.

Now that I think about it...it is always the older folks....

Amazon Boycott!

Once I learned of Amazon's new APO/FPO shipping policies & also learned that it is strictly Amazon.com with the issue, I started to do some work-a-rounds. For Example:

I wanted a Microplane Cheese Grater (the best on the market!) but Amazon.com could not ship it to me for whatever category it fell into...gourmet cooking items? So I thought, let's see if this is Amazon or Microplane. I went to Microplane.com & ordered my grater & got it here in less than a week! THANKS MICROPLANE! Thus, it is definitely Amazon with the issue, not the companies of the actual products. I have done this with a few items.

However, one item that I cannot do this with is the one product that is strictly Amazon: the Amazon Kindle DX. I can get all the accessories shipped here or to the States no matter my billing address, but I cannot get the Kindle here or in the States because of my billing address? Yes! Here is Amazon's response:

" Hello,

In regards to your inquiry, it seems that the Kindle order has already been canceled, as we have tried billing your credit card three times. Canceled orders can't be reinstated. I looked at your credit card and found that the billing address is an FPO address, and that is preventing the order from completing. As you already know, the shipping and billing addresses need to be a U.S. based billing address, and FPO address can't be used.

As a suggestion, you could purchase an Amazon Gift Card and have your friend that you are shipping it to redeem it to their account, purchase the Kindle using their information. They will then be able to send the Kindle to you.

I hope this information helps.

Please let us know if this e-mail resolved your question: "

Yes, I have some bloody questions!:

• First, are you saying you split my order up to move the Kindle to it's own "order"? Because every other email I have received showed the Kindle DX & the Belkin Sleeve on the same order...as one order...under the same order number in reference. So you purposely are not shipping the Kindle to or for a service-member?

• Are you now saying that I cannot use your site to ship any items because my "billing" address is a military address?

• Are you suggesting that because of my billing address that I will not be able to use your site to ship any gifts (i.e. Christmas & birthdays) to the States, which is where this order was going?

• Are you suggesting that you have been in error with shipping to anyone who does have a military address, since many still have received items from you recently here in this overseas military community?

• Or are you simply suggesting that I, me, personally, cannot get items from you, however, everyone else can?

Amazon, when a product that is solely manufactured by you, such as the Kindle, it should be exempt from any "policies" you have in place. Secondly, you are limiting your customer base by handling this product by such "policies".

Thirdly...I am boycotting you from now on! You will no longer have my business, and I will continue to spread the word about your bad customer service & foul attitude towards military service-members and their families.

The Once Prestigious Amazon.com Now Letting Down Those Who Serve!

I have been on a online shopping warpath! I can't get what I need or want here in Japan on the economy, I can't get it at the NEX online or here on base, & I now can't get it with Amazon!? What kind of horse-poo is that?

The once prestigious Amazon.com that promised many overseas Americans a way of getting what they need & want has limited their shipping policies to very limited goods. You can't even get a cheese grater through them, or cutting boards, because they fall under "gourmet cooking" items! Seriously? 4 cutting boards at $14.95 are "gourmet" now? Wow! I sure am behind the times.

To rub more salt into that wound, the Amazon Kindle cannot be shipped to an APO/FPO address under the "computer" items limitation. Really? So those who can really get the best benefits & use from it, sailors aboard a ship stationed way out to sea, can't get this product?

Below is what Amazon's policies are for shipping:

Shipping Restrictions

Warranty issues and manufacturer restrictions prevent us from shipping certain products to all geographical locations. In addition, some items too big to ship to a P.O. box must be shipped to a street address. You'll be notified while placing your order if we're unable to ship specific items to the address you've selected. Below are some general guidelines for items shipped by Amazon.com to the following destinations:

• Alaska and Hawaii
• APO/FPO Addresses
• U.S. Protectorates (including Puerto Rico)
• Prisons
• International Shipping Help

If you are purchasing an item from Amazon Marketplace, read about Marketplace shipping restrictions.

Books that require special handling because they are extremely heavy (for example, multi-volume sets) can be shipped only to locations within the U.S. Please also check the product detail pages for this and any other item-specific shipping restrictions.

---

Alaska and Hawaii Addresses

Most items can be shipped to Alaska and Hawaii addresses, except:

• grocery items
• gourmet food items

Additionally, some items from our Tools & Hardware and Outdoor Living stores can't be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii if they are extremely heavy, oddly-shaped, or considered hazardous. Check the item's product detail page for eligibility and available shipping options. Only specific shipping options may be available for some addresses. Available shipping options will appear at checkout when you enter a shipping address.

APO/FPO Addresses

Most items can be shipped to APO/FPO addresses, except:

• cell phones and service
• computers
• furniture
• grocery items
• gourmet food items
• outdoor living items
• Target@Amazon.com items

Additionally, some apparel, camera and photo, electronics, health and personal care, housewares, jewelry, software, sports, and tools and hardware items cannot be shipped to APO/FPO addresses. Check the item's product detail page for eligibility.

Learn more about shipping to APO/FPO addresses.

U.S. Protectorates (including Puerto Rico)

Only the following items can be shipped to U.S. Protectorates:

• baby items
• books
• DVDs
• music
• software
• toys
• VHS videos
• video games

Learn more about shipping to U.S. Protectorates.

Prisons

Amazon.com delivers to penitentiaries, but we strongly suggest you contact the prison first to confirm that they accept deliveries and to note any special regulations the prison might have. Some prisons don't allow delivery of hardcover books. Others place a limit on the number of items contained in a package.

We're unable to affix any special labels or instructions to the packages and on the outside will indicate only the destination address, our company name, and our return address. We also cannot allow gifts to be sent anonymously to inmates; the sender's billing address will appear on the order invoice.

Because inmates cannot sign for deliveries, packages must be sent via U.S. Mail. While Amazon.com often sends packages via U.S. Mail, we also use UPS and FedEx. There is no way for customers to request a specific shipper. To avoid delivery problems, you might consider having the items shipped to you and then shipping them to the penitentiary via U.S. Mail.

I understand that many countries depend on us silly military Americans to be their middle class, heck so to most of the cities in the States that you find these bases. However, as loyal patriots, we often like to support our own companies & that includes our own online companies. So why are there so many restrictions on online shopping? And why so many more here lately?

Believe it or not, as rumor has it, & backed up by the horses mouth, the Military Postal System is not here for us silly dependents & families. They offer us mail as a "cordial benefit"; as an extended service. Thus large packages, multiple packages, at home businesses, etc. are not to be shipped through them. (TOO BAD BOZOS! I have a baby on the way, I am getting multiple packages from the same place whether you like it or not!) And like a dentist told me, I "should not be wasting the taxpayers dollars to spoil myself" while living abroad. HA! Really? Spoiling? That is what my online shopping is? It is spoiling myself now?

Funny! I thought that MY online shopping was me trying to get the best product for my husband's very hard earned dollar...like most any other American. And last I checked, those "wasted" tax dollars aren't me using the military postal service with paid shipping & handling, but are being ate up in the Capitol for stupid government programs...that aren't military!!!

No matter what branch of service these men & women serve, as well as their families who support them & make just as many sacrifices, these are the individuals that should be able to receive ANYTHING online! They have all earned it!

P.S. Did you read all the shipping policies...Prisoners can get Amazon shipments WITHOUT ANY restrictions other than it has to go through the US Postal service.

Nice huh? Prisoners have more rights than those who serve this country! Amazing!!

OK I Am A LIttle Confused!

Not that that is really anything new, but I am a little confused.

5 years ago, when B was stationed here in Yokosuka, Japan I was in awe of their technology, cool gadgets, & amazing odd & ends that you couldn't find in the States. I was particularly happy with my 100 yen phone (which was about $0.95 minus the actual connection fees, etc.) then that still did more than any phone on the market in the States outside something like a Blackberry.

Even every day items for your kitchen or computer desk were way cooler than the States & it wasn't the most expensive item you could find either!

However, 5 years lapsed & I am looking at what? Nothing? Cheap plastic, cheap fabric, & stuff that looks like it was ALL made in China for the dollar stores back home. Incredible! What happened?

To add injury to insult right now, it also cost more as they have raised their prices & the yen keeps getting stronger as the dollar gets weaker!

But I thought that Japan was on the cutting edge! I thought that they were more advanced than us. So what happened? Can someone explain, please?

I was so looking forward to coming back to Japan & ditching my old American whatever for something new & trendy. I am so upset & let down. Was there an economic depression in Japan while I was gone?

OH & don't get me started with the poor mismanagement of the NEX & Commissary here! They are so behind on the "newest" items & trends. And the items that they have are usually out of stock. You can't even get green chili enchilada sauce here! What? Is that even legal?

Used to be you wanted to shop on base for all the best produce & meats, etc....but now...we are looking at ordering our meat from a local company that will deliver to our doorstep for the same price as the browning, rotting meat you can get on base. Crazy!!!

I am back to shopping online...which bites because, though it is just as expensive....the items I want usually don't ship to a military address or I have to go to the actual manufacturing company to purchase it, making it more to ship!

Bloody hell already!! I just want good quality items for my hubby's hard earned money! Is that really too much to ask?

Japanese "Gomi" Broken Down in Plain English!

It is the number one complaint about Americans living in town in Japan: They just can't get the trash right! Heck, some of the Japanese still can't get it right either! When you have so many separation categories & are constantly having to change the regulations due to the change in new packaging concepts...it is amazing that they even get the trash sorted!

So for those of you who have heard the rage of sorting & disposing of your trash in Japan, here is the booklet that we got this year (2009) when we moved in. Other times that we have been here all we have gotten is a little page of generalized sorting & disposing regulations with our designated trash days. HA! Apparently the Japanese have learned that Americans truly do need it "drawn out" for them. It is rather cute, but be sure to read all the print. There are all kinds of little rules & regulations in fine print!

Hope you enjoy...& I hope it helps some of you. Especially those of you who might be considering living in town here in Japan. It really isn't that bad. It is just a lifestyle not a "task". That is the hardest part to switch over in the American brain. We want it to be just a "task" like in American, but things are very different here...like personal responsibility & accountability for the greater good of the complete whole!

Why Are Japanese Snacks Addicting?

Ha! Ever wonder why are Japanese snack foods so addicting?

Well it sure isn't their loads of high fructose corn syrup, or their huge sizes. Every thing here lacks a lot of sugar, & is usually more of a rice based bland sugar or real sugar. And nothing comes in even an American size serving...except the occasional American made candy bar, if you are lucky.

Go to a restaurant & your Pepsi is most likely going to be spiked with some sort of citrus flavoring to "enhance" your well-being. However, I am certain that it is to make up for the lack of sugar in the drink.

So as the article points out, "One of the ways that Japanese snack makers keep consumers coming back for more is by including 'rare characters' in random packages." Now there is a concept that you never would see Americans getting hooked on. Looking for characters in our snacks but having to eat multiple packages in hope to find the one odd one? Right, our attention span would have given up after the first few packages & when we saw there was no real "prize" in finding this rare character, we would eventually want our bad high fructose corn syrup filler back.

However, I must say, in Japan, being around others, old & young, this has started to rub off. Along with so many odd flavors that you can't find in the States, eventually you learn to live without the sugar & enjoy just trying new & random little treats in cute packaging...when you can get to them. Sometimes you have to beat off the children to even get close to the snacks "aisle".

*For those who live here or get these fun little snacks in care packages sent back to the States this article points out to look for:

• A Heart Shaped Pinky
• A Koala No March koala WITH eyebrows
• Apollo with reversed colors (brown top, read bottom)...that is the pink strawberry things in the upper right corner of the photo
• Penguin shaped Ottotto

Now who is paying that much attention to their food?

A New Theory

I have a new theory on why people overeat. I am not discrediting those with real issues, you know the kind of internal emotional issues that make you plum to hide or whatever. Which in itself makes no sense since it really just makes you more noticeable but in a bad way.

Beside the point, so I was making my lunch today. I great big sandwich with avocado & all. It was so tasty. Anyway, I could still remember the taste of the chicken we had last night in our homemade enchiladas & was thinking....

"Wow! I had forgotten that chicken could taste like that...like homegrown, just rung it's neck chicken. No wonder I had never really been a big meat eater growing up."

That reasoning then played into the knowledge I know about today's chicken. It is so chalked full of hormones that when we see a little breast for $6.00 a pound, we go with the big one for $1.50 a pound instead. But that chicken really has no flavor. Not a gamey, chicken flavor at all. It is just a white meat kind of flavor & is often dry. So we do our absolute best to cover it up with juices & seasonings abound.

This chicken I had the other night was a local Japanese selection from the local Co-Op (farmers market but like a real store). They were small in American standard size, still had some skin on them, & lots of juice once frozen & thawed. I thought for sure that the freezing then thawing took all the juice out & these were going to cook up try.

Not at all! Instead they were still really juice with some FAT still in the juice. They even plumped with cooked. When was the last time you saw your chicken "plump", none-the-less, your hot dog?

I am not a meat eater in any capacity, but I do like really got piece of deer or elk. Having a chicken taste like a real chicken yanked up out of the wild, that was a treat. Why? Because I could taste it!

If our senses all work together & our sense of smell plays the biggest roll in our sense of taste...I am going to assume that our obesity problem in America isn't just the FDA allowing crap in our foods, but that they also have no taste. They all have a generic taste instead. Yep, white meat, red meat, some green thing, etc. Even the tomatoes here remind me of my early childhood. So freaking good!

When we can taste what we eat, we can enjoy it & need a lot less of it. Hence the reason God gave us the sense of smell & taste combination. To enjoy His great works!

What Is This?

Upon moving into our new home, I had found this little guy shoved in the back of one of the 4 drawers the kitchen came with. I wasn't sure what he was, so I had temporarily shoved him in the closet until I could deal with it.

Do you know what this is? Take a stab at it! One guess? Okay, one more...there was a sponge in the package originally. Well...not really a sponge but more like...

A Japanese version of the Mr. Clean Eraser! White like ours, but thicker. When I went to clean the spots off the walls from the movers dirty hands & such, I thought I would try this thing out first before using my own Mr. Clean Eraser from the base NEX.

It works! It works just as good as Mr. Clean himself! I bought a stash of Mr. Clean, but I will be keeping an eye for this little guy. And don't be surprise if yo get him in your "care package" from us! LOL!

The Japanese Toilet

Many of you have heard us talk about the “Japanese toilet” from our prior visits. Well the true Japanese toilet is a much like a urinal on its side in the floor much like this one:

Yes, same for both men & women, though the men have progressed much faster & have mostly urinals on the walls now, while the ladies are still....squatting. The original design of these toilets was so that back when everyone wore traditional dress, you simply lifted up the skirts & relieved yourself. But then again, they used to do this in the streets too & then wash the streets at night.

You will still find these traditional toilets all around Japan, especially at the train stations & most older stores & malls. They may have added a more western style toilet, like ours at the top, but there will only be a limited number of them available & usually reserved for those who are elderly....or in my case I believe pregnancy applies. (Squatting down off balance & getting back up is hard labor for a pregnant lady on a slippery floor.)

However, a western style toilet in Japan is not like one that you see in the States. You don’t just sit, do your business, get up & flush in the home. Because in houses toilets are kept separated from the rest of your “wash & bathing” facilities, behind their own closed doors & houses are small, the back of the toilet is also your sink.

You you read that right, the sink. Don’t panic! No! Wait! Listen! The sink that you see on the back of the toilet is fresh water coming in from a pipe, not from the toilet tank. I know that the appearance is very deceiving. I assure you though it is indeed fresh water. First you close the lid, then you lean over slightly & you wash your hands. The soapy water then fills the tank & bowl portions of the toilet. The nice thing is...it helps clean the toilet too! (The Japanese are always so practical & logical...it’s hard to get upset with them...ever!)

Other features you will find on Japanese Western style toilets that are also on the many in town versions is a built in bidet (french bum washers). They also come with built in seat warmers, so in the cold winter months you can have a warm tush when you use the toilet. Some of the in town versions also have a noise machine that will play sounds of running water to help you hide your “business” from the others ears. And in town, they have this new thing where you can clean the seat yourself with foam cleanser (much like hand sanitizer) & toilet paper before & after each use.

OH! And the flushing handle can be like the American style or one that you have to flip forward instead of backwards, or even better...a button on the wall! This is the tricky part about using toilets in town. They even have automatic & semi-automatic flushing. Sometimes you aren’t sure where to “flush” the dang thing!

P.S. Don’t be pushing too many buttons though...you will set off the bidet or a Japanese screaming something!

The Enlightenment in Trash

People always ask, "What is so different about Japan?" As a sociology major I should be able to draw up a number of intellectual examples. However, for the first trip all I could ever seem to bring to point was the obvious things: their super clean behaviors, their niceties & super over politeness, their simple ways of life, & their impeccable logical abilities with no real example of one over another.

This time however, I have grown to see the true underlying component of Japan that is so different than that of the world I come from, the States. Their sense of responsibility. Yes, you read me: RESPONSIBILITY! Something that Americans have long ran away from & choose to make with a false facade of an ever growing me only society.

It came to light at first with the trash. Their trash system, though seemingly harsh to those Americans accustomed to just throwing away whatever they want on the curb & it disappearing the next day, is the most amazing recycling effort I can witness.

You really never know how much trash you create, even if it does overflow from the trash cans, until you have to literally take one item & dispose of it in 3 different trash components.

For example, a bottle of water. You drank the water & now you have this bottle. In America we complain about having to take the label off, & usually just refuse to do it, tossing it reluctantly into a "recycle" portion of the trash. WRONG! Here in Japan, you first take the label off. If it is paper then it goes in burnable, if it is plastic then it goes in "other plastics" or "non-recyclable plastics". Also, the cap to that water bottle now goes in the "other plastics" or "non-recyclable plastics".

So that is not a big impact, or so you think. Imagine if you drink at least 5-6 bottles of water a day? Then add your soda cans, which have to be rinsed first then tossed. Then add your daily food packaging & personal items. A razor blade is completely a different component all together! And to toss a thing of toothpaste you have to first cut the tube in half, rinse it clean, then throw into the right bin. Etc, etc., etc....

And every day is a different trash pick up, including group collections. Those are the bigger items or the multiple items you might have like cardboard, milk/juice carton (paper kind not plastic), clothes, etc. Oh Yes! You have to break them down, rinse them out, whatever, & then tie them up for disposal as well. There is never a just toss it option.

But the fact that they do this every day & do it well, no complaints, it amazing. Why? Because they each feel that they have a role in their community & in their culture that needs their responsibility.

Same with a driver's licensee. You get one, then you must be a professional driver. There are no excuses for bad driving behavior. None!

They keep their mouths covered even with a common cold or allergies to make sure that they don't spread it to everyone else around them. They wear masks & still go to work. Yes, it looks funny, but would you do that? Do you feel the need to protect everyone else around you from your germs that cause pain? Nope.

When was the last time you let your kindergartner walk 6 blocks home from school? Or trust that your 12 year old made it to school by taking the local public bus or train? Right. You didn't. Here is Japan, they do & everyone else also looks out for them & helps them if they need it. However, they never need it. They already have such a sense of responsibility at such an early age!

It could also be the strict rules & laws, unlike ours that allows for years of imprisonment before the actual term is served. But the fact of the matter is, it keeps everyone feeling like they are a part of a bigger whole rather than a victim of harsh laws & regulations. They work together to create one, like a society is supposed to. It is so amazing!

Costco in Japan

We were so excited when we learned that Costco was now in Yokohama, Japan, just up the road from Yokosuka. We couldn't wait to hit the international Costco. 

A hole in my shirt, shoe prints on my leg that didn't match my shoes or B's, & a ding on my wrist that hurt like hell & $200 later we emerged from the depths of a Japanese Costco on a Saturday afternoon. It is a jungle! 

There are many familiarities about the Costco here in Japan  & the ones 

in the States. Like you will find American clothes, & all the usual department areas. However, even the American products are packaged in Japanese! There is a one line, shorthand, description of the product on the price tag just above it in English. Some products you will recognize & not need a sign, however...chicken strips for the dog...you need the sign! 

ALL the appliances are Japanese in both packaging & build. However, you can find some really nice appliances from refrigerators, to deep freezers, washer & dryers, to rice cookers! 

The grocery department is about the same, just their bulk is about half the size. Instead of 12 Fuji Apples you get 6. But it is still cheaper! As we kept shopping we noticed a number of baskets with doughnuts & bread. It was in just about every cart. OMG! Then when we got back there in the bakery corner it was a true jungle of Japanese everywhere! Duh! It hit me...they don't have ovens in most Japanese homes, so baked goods are a real commodity. 

You will park & then take these flat escalators into the store with your cart. The cart is got some magnetic locking device that it stays in place on these belts. 

But really caught us off guard was the interest in hot dogs. Yes, you read me...HOT DOGS! There is an entire cooler isle of hot dogs in every flavor you can imagine. I suppose most of Asia got spam...Japan got hot dogs! There is even Fish hot dogs! Gross!! And some hot dogs, like the fish ones, don't need refrigeration. You can locate them in the regular isles! 

Their meat department of course is mostly fish. There is also a whole cooler of sushi. However, if you can withstand the madhouse, there is the traditional pizza & dog joint inside up by the registers. I say stop there first & get yourself a beverage...you will need it as you move at a snails pace throughout the Japanese jungle called Costco. 

Wal-Mart? Where?

Ha! We were out shopping the other day at the Livin Store here in Yokosuka, Japan, & stumbled across these wonderfully colored Wal-Mart bags for about $0.99 each! WOW! 

Wait? Where is Wal-Mart in Japan? There isn't one!!! There is a Wal-Mart in China, but Japan hasn't bought into the whole Wal-Mart propaganda as of today. So where did all these Wal-Mart bags comes from? Who knows! Probably some buy off from a mix up. 

But what is more important here is, why aren't these colorful Wal-Mart bags not being sold in the States at Wal-Mart? Who wouldn't want some of these brightly colorful, cheerful bags? I haven't seen them before I left at the end of May. Have you seen these bags?

Maternity Care in Yokosuka, Japan

I had my first official OB appointment today with the doctor. I was a bit hesitant at first because I have heard a number of stories from those who aren't as pro-active as me & those who are. Some have been good while others have been horrible.

I wanted to clear up any hesitations that you might also be having about delivering your baby in Yokosuka, Japan. Maybe I just had a really great OB today, but I find some ease in my future care. I have had every questioned answered & then some. Let me try to break some of your hesitations or myths you have heard:

I Get NO Say In My Care: FALSE! Actually, I was told today that NOTHING is mandatory. You have the right to refuse any care or procedure. However, the OB also has the right to walk away from your care & hand your case to another physician if they feel that they are risking themselves professional or morally. That's fair, right? I thought so! So I now back into the scale to avoid having to see what my weight is as a compromise between what I want & what they need. And you are allowed to question any & everything. Just be sure when you question that you keep your ears, mind, & heart open to what they are telling you. You might miss something that is "logical" & "medically necessary".
There is NO Intermittent Monitoring Available: FALSE! There is & it is available. It just depends on you, baby & where you are in the process when you check in. If you check in & there is no distress to either you or baby, you are actually encouraged to walk about & only get intermittent monitoring. Internal Monitoring is only performed when there is a medical necessity but it is not routine.

I Will Be Forced to Get An Episiotony: FALSE! No doctors here perform them as routine labor & delivery care. The ONLY time that an episiotomy is performed is if it is medically necessary to get a baby in distress out quickly in order to save the child's life. This practice supports many current (as in the last century) studies supporting that a "tear" is easier on the body & will heal faster than a "cut" through the entire muscle. Also, vacuums & forceps are not used either. There is only a few doctors who use one or the other, but some may have been trained but have never had to use either.

I Will Be Forced to Deliver On My Back: FALSE! The beds here are designed to adjust to allow you to deliver in any number of positions from all fours, to a sitting position. This is great news to support those who have done their reading & has arrived at the same conclusion in regards to the laws of gravity. They also have birthing balls, birthing poles/rods, mirrors, etc.

I Cannot Have A Written Birth Plan: FALSE! Actually, they again encourage you to write out your birth plan since you will be attended to whichever OB is on call when you enter that delivery room. All that they ask is that you first write it up weeks before your due date & go over it with your OB to make sure that what you are asking is allowed by the hospital or can be performed by all OB's. This helps prevent from any misunderstandings or misconceptions during your delivery by all parties involved.
They Will "Sneak" in Pitocin No Matter What: FALSE! Pitocin is tricky, but they will first consult you with the option & why it is being recommended for use. And as I mentioned before, you still reserve the right to say, "No!".

I Cannot Have A Water Birth: TRUE! There is no facility supplies here to have a water birth. Absolutely no tubs available. So this is true. However, there are showers, they just aren't in the labor & delivery room. Plus, once your water has broke, they don't want you in the water due to possible infection. Some OB's in the States may not have this concern, however, here the water is a little questionable at times.
If I Refuse Pain Medication I Then Have NO Other Options: FALSE! There are many options available besides the spinal block or epidural. They even offer hot/cold back therapies, breathing, meditation, narcotics, some nerve numbing shot, etc. You are allowed your own music even, but you have to supply the music & if it is an iPod, the ability to play that iPod as well.

There Are No Pictures or Videos: FALSE/TRUE! You are allowed to take photos & video. However, it is against hospital policy to video record any procedure & a vaginal birth is still considered a "procedure". Some OB's might allow you to video part of the birth from the mother's point of view but not from the doctor's point of view. You will also need to make sure all equipment is cord free in case their is an emergency that arises. They don't want to be worried about equipment in the midst of worrying about lives. In a corner you can plug something in to charge but you can't be using the cord to keep power to the equipment when you are using it.

I hope that this helps anyone like me who was really leery & hesitant of delivering their child in Japan. This is our first & I was very set on a home birth with a midwife. However, this is not an option here in Japan due to many issues including how the Japanese respond to 911 (119) calls for Americans.