Travel Phrases

Posted on January 14, 2015 by kmah88

This is a list of phrases I had ready to go last time… Not sure how helpful they will be this time considering I have forgotten 95% of the Japanese I learned. 😦  These aren’t the phrases you would think – like, where is the washroom? Or how much does this cost? Apparently, 5 years ago, these are the phrases I wanted to remember.

I don’t know. – shirimasen.

I forgot. – wasuremashita.

Please repeat that. – mou ichido onegaishimasu.

Please show me~ . –  ~o mitte kudasai.

Let’s have a drink together. – ippai nomimashou.

I’m staying at a hotel. – hoteru ni tomarimasu.

Jason cannot speak Japanese. – jason san wa nihongo ga/o (hanasu koto ga) dekimasen.

I want to buy souveniers before I go home. – (kanada he) kaeru mae ni omiyage o kaitai desu.

We got married 8 years ago. – (watashitachi wa) hachi nen mae ni kekkonshimashita.

Can I take pictures here? – koko ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?

I’m full. – onaka ga ippai desu.

I’m hungry. – onaka ga sukimashita.

I’m thirsty. – nodo ga kawakimashia.

May I take your order? – gochuumon wa.

Excuse me, can you take our picture? – sumimasen ga, sashin o isshoni totte kudasai.

Sorry, but could you take one more? – aa, sumimasen ga, mou ichido totte kudasai.

(right before eating) – itadakimasu.

(when done eating) – gochisousamadeshita.

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(originally posted to Japan – Here I Come!)

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Accommodations

Posted on January 13, 2015 by kmah88

Now is the time when I have to start looking into places to stay in Japan. We’ll definitely be in both Tokyo and Kyoto again, but since we haven’t narrowed down if we adding other stops and which those might be (Nikko? Nara? etc.), I haven’t even started with those yet.

I saw a video about a group of themed hostels in Tokyo from a girl I subscribe to on YouTube who lives in Japan. She only highlights the one she stayed at (obviously) – the ninja one – but they also have samurai, kabuki, origami, labratory, and “world” themed ones. They look so cool! And the prices are pretty good.

But Hubby said “shared bathroom? No way.” So that kiboshed that idea. But if you’re headed to Japan and aren’t afraid of shared facilities, check it out.
Khaosan Tokyo

Another cheaper option are the business hotels. Meant for business men who don’t live in the area but are attending late night company parties and meetings, I guess. They are often VERY cramped, but at least have the privacy that hostels and economy hotels lack.

This list has a few, as well as some other options.
10 Best Budget Hotels in Tokyo

And for the extremely budget conscious, check out this list of options. (McDonald’s? Really?)
Gaijin Pot – Cheap Accommodation in Japan

I have a feeling Hubby is NOT going to go for any of those options. He mentioned just staying at the same place we did last time – the Prince Park Tower Hotel in Hamamatsucho. It was pretty expensive… but hey, he’s paying. Whatever. It was also super nice, so I would not complain.

As for Kyoto~ last time was stayed at the Hotel Granvia. Again, super nice… Super expensive.

It was great. Connected to the Kyoto station. Very convenient. But… not helpful for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a shitton. I gotta work on that to come up with some more affordable options (whether we go that route or not ourselves, it’s helpful info for other people who may be looking at this to help plan their own trips) so I’ll get back to you on that later.

A lot of stuff I know about Japan – these little tidbits I become obsessed with – are usually things I hear about from documentaries. One (of the thousands) of these things I saw on a doc and am enchanted by are machiya. Otherwise, townhouses. These would be the really old, street front homes. Generally one would think of Kyoto for this type of home. There was a lot of them being renovated in recent years and I just found out that someone has turned some into guest homes. Sweet!

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So, this may be an option too.
Kyoto Machiya

I have yet to show it to Hubby so we’ll see how that goes. It looks amazing. *fingers crossed*

(originally posted to Japan – Here I Come!)

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Going Back

Posted on January 13, 2015 by kmah88

I didn’t think I’d ever get to use this blog again, but guess what? Hubby and I are going back to Japan!! I could not be more excited.

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This time, we’ve decided to time it to see the cherry blossoms. That’s something that was on my original must-do list, but we couldn’t make it work. Only problem is that the planning time is more rushed. We are aiming to go for the end of March/early April. I’ve got a lot of work to do. Like last time, I’m unemployed, so I’ve got the time. I’ve just been… in a funk. Extreme laziness is the main symptom. Better get started now.

My only ideas this time around, so far are:

hanami (cherry blossom viewing party crashing – Ueno Park?)

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revisiting some of the same places as last time – wandering Akihabara, Tokyo Station, Fushimi Inari Taisha

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Ghibli Museum (missed it last time – best to buy tickets at the same time as getting the JR pass because they sell out)

more temples and shrines

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Gundam Cafe

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Imperial Palace

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and maybe head out to Nikko or Kamakura~

Edo Wonderland

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Daibutsu

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Things I Want to Buy:

toilet slippers

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uwabaki

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eco powder for used cooking oil (Katamete-pon)

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Bull Dog sauce

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heated toilet seat?

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wagashi

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konpeito

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I love how I wrote out precise instructions on obtaining an exchange order for the JR pass. I was doing it to help out other people (even though no one reads this blog), but as it turns out, I helped myself. There is no way I would have remembered all that. I just hope the process hasn’t changed in 5 years. (Has it really been that long?!)

I’m still trying to update the days from my first trip… I SWEAR, I will stay on top of it this time around. Even if it’s just point form with pictures, I WILL post something every day when we’re there again.

(originally posted to Japan – Here I Come!)

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Colour Blind

Posted on December 29, 2014 by kmah88

In general, I am a fairly laid back person. I am quite particular about the way I like things and obsessive in that way, but when it comes to ‘issues’, it’s not often that I get riled up. There are, however, a few topics that I have very strong opinions about. Racism is one of those things. So it makes sense that my mind is flying right now…

I just finished watching a documentary called Hue – all about cultures all over the world valuing light skin above darker variations and the extremes that people go to and the discrimination people who are darker than others of their culture go through, not only from “white” people, but from themselves. I found it interesting that there was absolutely no mention of light-skinned people who spend thousands of dollars and hours to tan their skin… but I guess that would take away from the point. Just something to keep in mind. And, believe me, I do get it. It may go both ways, but not equally. That is for sure.

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Hating other people based on things they have no control over (their race, their situation they were born into, their looks, etc.) or their life choices (who they choose to love, how they want to live) has never made sense to me, especially if their life has no bearing at all on others. I wish it was this way for everyone. And I wish that people (INCLUDING myself) were happy to be who they are. I wish that differences were celebrated instead of used as a means to ostracize and separate.

I guess it’s human nature to seek out others “like us” in order to categorize and define ourselves. We want to be surrounded by people who share similarities – same tastes, same lifestyles. That makes sense. But I also think we grow as human beings when we venture outside of what we know to understand those with a different perspective.

I just think, as humans, we were given this beautiful world we inhabit to enjoy. Why do we do horrible things to each other?

I have so much more going on in my head right now, but it’s disorganized, so I’ll save it for another time.

(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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Top 10 Christmas Movies

Posted on December 22, 2014 by kmah88

I’m supposed to be packing to leave at 5am tomorrow… Flying to my parent’s place for a super quick Christmas visit. But, I hate packing. So I made a list instead!

These are the 10 best Christmas movies as determined by me. (They are MY favourites. Of course they don’t include some ‘classics’.)

And be forewarned ~ I’m totally gonna cheat.

1. Mickey’s Christmas Carol – My very favourite Christmas movie EVER. Hands down. I can recite the entire thing. Oh, and JIMINY!!

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2. Home Alone & Home Alone 2 (See, cheating.) – Classics. But only the first 2. Any others are an abomination.

3. Miracle on 34th Street – Both the 1947 and 1994 versions. Different movies but equally great. Tear up every time.

4. Elf – This is Hubby’s tradition. Has to watch it every year. It is great though.

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5. The Santa Clause – I LOVE this movie. It’s magical.

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6. The Grinch – Again, with the magic and the feels.

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7. The Bishop’s Wife / The Preacher’s Wife – (Still cheating.) TOTALLY different movies but both great.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Love when they all gather around the piano and “ooh-ooh-ooh” the carols. And the tree! Iconic.

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9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – C’mon.

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10. Frosty the Snowman – Ditto. (And Karen FTW.)

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Honourable Mention: The Night They Saved Christmas – I watched this as a kid once or twice and never forgot it. I thought it was so magical. Then I watched it as an adult….  Supercheesy 80’s movie, but I still kind of love it.

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Now go ahead and tell me about all the ones I left off my list…

(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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Daily Vignette: Day 8

Posted on December 18, 2014 by kmah88

unwrapped gifts

Opened Christmas presents with Niecey and Oldest Nephew (and SIL and FIL) tonight via Skype since we won’t be at home on Christmas day. That’s usually our tradition. Wake up and have videos calls with all the sibs and kids scattered all across the country.

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(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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Daily Vignette: Day 7

Posted on December 16, 2014 by kmah88

cupcakes

I wish I was one of those people who enjoyed food. Instead, I have a hate/hate relationship with it. I hate food and it hates me. Who knows who is to blame for this psychological defect? Point is, I’m not someone who enjoys eating. And grocery shopping is its own form of torture. This depicts the only section of the grocery store I don’t loathe. Because… cupcakes. That is one food I like.

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(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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Daily Vignette: Day 6

Posted on December 16, 2014 by kmah88

daruma

It’s good to remind myself from time to time that I don’t give up on everything I attempt.

Daruma dolls are a Japanese thing (read about them here, if you’re interested). When you get one, the eyes are blank. You determine a goal and fill in one of them. When you successfully complete your task, you fill in the other eye.

I got to fill in the second eye of this guy when I graduated with my ECE diploma. Yay me.

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(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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6 Ways to Die

Posted on December 15, 2014 by kmah88

There are only 6 possible ways to die.

1. old age/peacefully in your sleep
2. “splat” (immediate crushing or severing – including gunshot to brain)
3. bleeding out (includes accidental dismemberment, stabbing, gunshot, and internal haemorrhage)
4. starvation
5. illness (organ failure)
6. asphyxiation (including choking, drowning)

Think about it. I wanna know if you disagree.

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Daily Vignette: Day 5

Posted on December 15, 2014 by kmah88

the nest

Where I spend an unbelievably high ratio of time – sometimes called the fort, the tent, the cloud. Usually just referred to as my nest. It’s very, very comfy.

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(originally posted to wohngsikneuih)

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