Some stuff happened. Went to Okayama. Went back to Kansas.
Tried snow boarding the other day. Besides the pain in my inner thighs from a surprise spilt when going down hill, I rather enjoyed it. I know, I know, hell has frozen over. Also-- my toilet did too. Apparently I can't leave my house long in winter without it pitching a fit. Not as bad as some other JETs around, but still. Did you really have to freeze the toilet house? Really?
Anyway. My top ten favorite things to eat/drink/put on food in Japan.
10. Mayonnaise. Now don't freak, all you mayo haters out there. Japanese Mayo is a whole different beast. I mean, I like the American miracle whip ok, I guess, but nothing beats the weirdly addictive Japanese Mayo. I have two bottles currently in my house. The white top one is 1/3 of the calories. Look at me trying to be healthy yo. And notice it hasn't been touched. Its just because I have to finish one before I start on the other one. It would be wasteful. Riiight. Don't look at me like that!!! I see you rolling your eyes!!!
The Japanese are obessessed with their mayo. The mascot is this rather creepy naked baby called Kewpie. When you go on vacation you often purchase a little key charm of kewpie dressed up as the town's mascot.
And this is the normal verison on the packaging. *shudders* Some may find it darling, more power to you, but I find it, him?, her?, freaky.
9. Coffee Milk. In Japan, perhaps one of the things I miss most about America is my chocolate milk. Family, you know my lifetime love affair with Chocolate milk. (a shout out to Dad and G(not sure if you want me to put your name on here or not!) my step-mom who sent me a tub of chocolate mix that has lasted for the past 6 months!!) During my last time in Japan, I began drinking coffee milk--which is the Japanese substitute for Chocolate milk-- and became hooked. I love drinking all of the different flavors (honey and carmel coffee and custard pudding coffee are the two specials running now at 7/11). But most of all I love, love, love throwing a cold one back after a dip in the onsen. I happen to be located in cow-country and my town has really really really yummy local coffee milk.
This stuff is the bomb. The Bomb. And I can't talk coffee without tossing out my love with starbucks mugs. The big town nearby, Hakodate, finally FINALLY got its starbucks. OMG. Bliss. For a limited time they had this tumbler for sale:
I can barely look at this picture now, as my tumbler bottom became unscrewed and ruined my mug. I had to take a hammer to it to save the paper part. This tumbler is not for sale anymore and won't be brought back. Ever. T.T However, I have been buying other mugs to help heal the gapping hole the Hakodate mug has dealt to my heart. Like this gem.
There is a smaller version, which I also bought, that is red with black. It is the new 2011 New Year's version. It almost heals my soul. I think a few more oughta do her.
Ok so that is part one of five. It is way late, and I am tired~ all that snow boarding and jazz.
