New things!!!!!!!

Yes, when it comes to keeping up with our blog... total and complete fail. However, I think we have a good excuse ;)

These last few months have gone by incredibly fast and we are just greatful that in spite of the fact that we don't have it all blogged we do have it all in photos (which you can refer to our FB pages for) :)... and memories of course.

A couple of highlights from the past couple of months.

Thanksgiving was kinda awesome and truly unforgetable. We hosted a Thanksgiving lunch party at our place with some great friends. Our friend Leland made the Turkey in our oven and well... if you were able to see our oven you would know that it takes some magic and skill to accomplish such a task. Not only did he accomplish it but it was one of the best turkeys we have ever had! Yummy!
I made all the other things one might love on a Thanksgiving table... except for cranberry sauce. Since we can't get fresh cranberries, I was gonna settle for canned but of course waiting till the last week to buy it was a bad idea and all the other foreigners snatched all the cans up. Lame. And of course being 8 months pregnant... I had an emotional breakdown over it. We got past it and Thanksgiving was a success ;)

December... oh December.

With baby on the way we hustled to get last minute things for the nursery and made sure to get as much "us" time in as possible. Most of that "us" time took place in our humble city of Chichibu as I was scared out of my mind to be prancing around Tokyo and having my water break.
Chichibu's night festival was at the top of the month and our friends Chris and Mel came out to join us for the cold, fireworks, crowds, street food and fun!
It had everything wonderful about a festival in this country! Yummy snacks from street vendors, the most amazing fireworks show that can be compared with no other in my mind, tons of people, beautiful traditional floats and just a really great time. One of the best times we have shared here in Chichibu.

Our due date was set for the 19th and the doctor said if the baby hadn't arrived by then that they would enduce on the 20th because according to Japanese standards the baby was big and didn't want me to go much longer.
Very long story, short... we checked into the hospital on the 20th at 2PM to be induced and after several attempts of being induced and 56 hours later at 12:34AM our beautiful daughter was born.
We spent a total of 10 days in the hospital and I had the best coach anyone could ask for... my husband. He was so great and I really could not have done it without him.

The day I was released to come home our family (Zephs parents, grandparents and sister) arrived in Japan to celebrate the arrival of the new princess with us for a couple of weeks.
Most of our time was spent in the apartment staring at Shiloh and taking pictures of her ;) but Zeph did manage to get everyone out for a couple of trips into Tokyo to enjoy some sightseeing and tasty food. It was so great to have everyone here and have them share this memory of "Japan" and Shiloh's arrival with us.

Jan- Feb

Winter has been wonderful so far and not too cold with snowfall only a couple of times (which was beautiful). Big props to Zeph for driving in the snow like a pro without ever having done so!

We cannot believe that our time here is coming to an end... and so rapidly. This year has been nothing short of unexpected and wonderful. With only 5 weeks left, we are soaking in all the beauty around us and loving our time here together and look forward to coming back here one day and showing Shiloh where she was born!

I'm sure I am missing a whole bunch of things but what can you expect from a new mama??? ;)

More later... maybe.

Looking forward to introducing the best souvenir we could ask for to you all... soon. Hope this blog finds you all doing really well and enjoying life!

thanks for reading!

Summer, let us be done!

Long time no post...

August came and went so quick that we barely had time remember what month we were in. Zeph had a 3 week vacation in August which was great! We took a trip to Yokohama and enjoyed some tasty food and a fancy hotel for a few days.
This summer was the hottest Japan has seen in 113 years!!! It felt like it.
Luckily, it seems to have left us and the weather in a span of about 2 days went from a scorching hot and humid to a lovely, cool 72ish. Life is good again and I can go outside for more than 5 minutes. A couple of days ago we turned off our central air for the 1st time since June... literally. So glad we don't pay that bill. Yikes!

September has not been extremely eventful, mostly because it also flew by. Dinner or lunch with some friends here and there and many trips to Baskin Robbins and Costco. Other than that, pretty low key... in a good way.

All is well on the baby front. We saw her smile for the 1st time last month and there are pretty much no words to describe the joy that came along with that. She is "genki" (healthy and good) from what the doctors say and she likes to suck her thumb (3 times we have seen her do this on our visits). 2 months to go and we will have a new addition to the Scotti Family!

Being that the weather is getting better, Z and I look forward to some day trips in Tokyo this coming month so we'll have more to share then. But for now, Japan is still treating us well and the always new and improved Fanta drinks and Kit Kats are keeping us nice and entertained.

Tradition:

A recent observation we made was how interesting it is that Japan and the people here have kept so many of its oldest traditions and still maintain many ancient practices.

At any time of the day when you drive in a residential area there are homeowners squatting in their field, tending to crops, rice, vegetation etc; and often wearing the traditional "conical" shaped straw hats.

There is not a day that passes that you won't see a woman in a kimono somewhere in town. In thinking about this tradition, If this was a practice we had back home (wearing garb that was worn wayyyyy back in the day) we would have girls looking like Laura Ingles and Anne of Green Gables on the street. Not gonna happen... for the most part.

The train and bicycle and truly a primary form of transportation to this day. Don't get me wrong people do have cars but you see just as many bikes on the street and the trains never cease to be packed.

Just to mention a few.

From shrines and festivals to kimonos and Buddhist hats, this is one tradition-keeping country. Even if they themselves don't always know why they do what they do- some things are just tradition!

Such an amazing thing to keep traditions going for so long!!
Just made me think of why we do the things we do...

Anyway, have a great October everyone!!

It's hot!!

Its been a crazy past month. I took a trip to LA in June because our visa situation was in essence not working. We're giving Japan another chance to get it together ;) and hope they don't blow it.

Had a great time in LA. Tony & Karen picked me up from LAX and took me to my favorite Mexican food spot immediately, Pepe's. A taco never tasted so good!! Got to spend time with some friends and a lot of time with our family which was awesome. Rachael accompanied me to multiple ICEE tastings and I don't think she hated it.
I got showered with early birthday gifts and the baby scored an awesome stuffed giraffe from Auntie Rach and inherited daddy's first baby blanket :)

I enjoyed LA weather but was quickly greeted by "Japanese summers" when I got back to Japan on June 23rd and it was 90 degrees and pouring rain. Not so fancy.
Loved my visit but missed Zeph and had to save him from eating anymore McDonalds.

Things have been pretty low key with a few exceptions. Its hard to want to leave an air conditioned home when its hot as all heck outside and raining.
Sunday we found an International grocery store which was like visiting Disneyland for the 1st time.
Corn tortillas, jalapenos, turkey (for thanksgiving), red vines and enchilada sauce all in one place equals a good day and worth the 2 hour train trip in the rain.
We had dinner at TGIFridays that evening in Shibuya which was awesome!

We got a new IMAC a couple weeks ago and it has changed our lives ;)
Renting movies and Anthony Bourdain episodes on Itunes makes life a little more comfy. Lately we have been spending our evenings reading my geography book ("Geographica: World Atlas and Encyclopedia"-check it out) and trying to figure out where things are in the world and ending the evening with a show or movie. Not bad.
Well that's how my night ends. Zeph stays up working on papers and being productive. I have a good excuse though ;)

Last doctor visit was on July 6th and our baby is good and says hi. We find out its gender on our next visit August 3rd. 4 and a half months down 4 and a half to go.

This week was the Chichibu summer festival. It was pretty great. Beautiful, traditional floats are brought in from the surrounding neighborhoods as part of the festivites. One of the main streets is lined with all kinds of different booths which range from yummy kebobs, shaved ice, fish on sticks to turtle catching games for small children. The first night of the event ended with an hour fireworks show. This fireworks show makes Disneyland's fireworks show and the 4th of July fireworks (at least that I've seen) look like little sissies. Just amazing!

Zeph wants to thank McDonald's for helping him manage while Claire was away. He reports that he pretended he was eating a taco every time he sunk his teeth into a cheeseburger... or chicken mcnugget, or pancake, or sausage mcmuffin, or shaka-shaka chicken, or (hey hon, will you insert the rest of the menu before you publish this, thanks, Z). Also, McDonald's contributed to the number of drinking glasses we have in the house; every time Zeph ordered a lunch or dinner combo/set, he got a glass commemorating the World Cup. We will not be forgetting the world cup anytime soon as Zeph has racked up a modest 12 glasses. Yet, bizarrely, Zeph lost weight while Claire was gone. Makes one wonder about the validity and fairness of the claims made in movies like "Super Size Me". Zeph wants to become McDonald's "Jared", but wasn't Ronald McDonald "Jared" before Jared? Who knows? Good luck with that Zeph.

So many things...

It's been a pretty busy past couple weeks thus the reason for the late blog.
Well I suppose that first and foremost in the past couple weeks is the announcement of our baby. On April 25th we found out we are pregnant which came as quite an unexpected surprise but we are truly happy and excited about it.
"Having a baby in a foreign country?!?!" Some might say. But we feel very safe and at peace with everything so far. Japan is pretty up on technology if you haven't noticed and people have been having babies here for quite some time from what I gather.

Luckily we have been blessed by people here in Chichibu who are willing to go with us to doctor appointments to translate and see us through until baby Scotti arrives in December.

We waited to break the news until Rachael came to visit a couple of weeks ago in order to surprise her. And it worked. Best surprise we have ever pulled off. Her face brought new meaning to the word "priceless". Truly one of the best moments of my life.

Having Rach in town was such a blast. She actually LIKED the shops I took her in and she refrained from pacing behind me and breathing down my neck wondering when we would leave.
Zeph doesn't do this.
Just in case there was someone like this. She wasn't.

Some of the things we did: Explored Chichibu, put the 100Y store back in business, shopped in Harajuku, crossed the street in Shibuya, stayed at the Hilton in Tokyo Bay, Zeph and Rach went to Disney Sea, we shopped in Odaiba and lets not forget the photo booth sessions. And of course we ate all kindsa junk.

The week ended this past Tuesday when Rach and the Dittrich family left. A very sad and quiet day in Chichibu.
We wanted to tie Rach down and not let her leave.

Joey & Juliana you have been nothing but amazing friends to us since we've known you and have been such a help to us since we got here and we are going to miss you more than you know but we are excited for your future in Canada. And of course looking forward to visiting you ;) Chichibu is not the same without you.

Our visa situation is well... a situation. Looks like I am flying back to LA on June 10th in order to come back into Japan on another tourist visa in hopes that I can get the proper visa within 90 days. As much as I am going to miss Zeph and our home here in Japan I am looking forward to seeing our family & eating a substantial amount of mexican food. Look out taco truck!

Eat of the week: A delicious pita bread filled with roasted chicken, lettuce, tomato and some tasty sauce at a Turkish Donar kebob stand in Harajuku.

Quote of the week: "If we are really honest with ourselves, often our plans don't work out as we'd hoped so instead of asking our young people 'What are your plans?' maybe we should tell them this: 'Plan to be surprised'." - Dan in Real Life

Golden Week...

So one of the great things about Japan is there are Holidays all the time...which means vacation for us so we're not complaining.

Zeph had the past 2 weeks off because of Holidays that are being observed. Last week was "Golden Week". Its a week that observes 4 different national holidays within 7 days. (Showa Day- which celebrates a former Emperor, Constitution Day- which celebrates a post war constitution put into effect in 1947, Greenery Day-a day dedicated to environment & nature and lastly, Children's Day- Families pray for the health and future success of their sons by hanging up carp streamers and displaying samurai dolls, both symbolizing strength, power and success in life).

Unfortuantely, the extent of our celebrating was resting at home since Zeph came down with a cold. During this time we have have gotten slightly hooked on the show Heroes so we've spent a little time... alot of time watching that and are currently in season 3. We watch it so much that in most of my current dreams I myself am a Hero or everyone else around me is. Yes, we are addicted.

Thursday Zeph was feeling a bit better so we went down to Arakawa River in Nagatoro. Its a beautiful river (with awesome rocks) and there was almost no one there. I love that just 20 minutes from our home we can be in a quiet and relaxing "retreat" as Andrea put it. The water was nice and the weather was warm.

Some random-ness:

City Song- At noon and 6PM everyday our city plays a song over loud speakers for the whole city to hear. It's not loud or annoying...just a nice little song to let you know that its noon or 6. Kinda silly.

Amazon- Japan has a version of Amazon and its kinda great. We can order anything from books to houseware things, make-up, clothes, music and have it shipped to our local convenience store. The awesome thing about it is that we can pay for it when it gets here or pay in advance at the store. 2-3 days shipping since Japan is so small.


BBQ -The barbecue sauce they have here taste like A1 sauce. Costco has the good stuff though... next trip there I am getting some!!

Eat of the week: Yakitori

We have actually added pictures for this weeks pick to try and emphasize the magic that is Yakitori. This past week we discovered a "Yakitori" man outside of our local grocery store- Belc. Yakitori is grilled chicken on a stick in some delicious teriyaki/soy sauce. Like a shishkebab but glorified. In the words of Zeph "this place has taco truck status!". Our favorite is Negima- alternating chicken pieces with leek all grilled up. We somehow managed to ask the guy for his schedule and found out which stores he will be at for the next several weeks. Yes, it is that good. Did I mention that they are only 80 cents each??


Word of the week: Chotto Matte - Which means "wait a second"

p.s- Within the next 2 weeks we are going to have a special guest contributor to our blog so keep your eyes open!!

Zeph's Corner

Several weeks ago, I asked Claire if I could write one of our blog entries. Given how wonderful and generous she is, her reply of "yes" was rather unsurprising. But, as some of you may know, I was born a procrastinator and for the last two weeks I've been constantly reminded that I need to write a blog entry because, as Claire put it, "MY BLOG HAS FOLLOWERS". Today the situation escalated in the Scotti household when Claire vowed not to make dinner til the entry is finished.


The Makoto Incident, etc.
Children are strange, and I have the feeling that this is a universal (and not just Japanese) thing. This is what has stuck out to me the most in the last month or so. What exactly must be going through your 6 year old head when you decide that Zeph-sensei's classroom is the place to expose your "no-no secret place"? For those of you who didn't hear, my student Makoto pulled down his pants, started jumping up and down, and screamed "chinko! chinko" (translation: weeny! weeny!). This was perhaps the most revealing incident that happened in my classroom in the last few weeks, but not the only one. There is also a five year old boy named Komei. Every Tuesday he enters my classroom and grabs a bin full of small stuffed animals (or plastic fruit or whatever) and deliberately throws them across the room, all the while laughing hysterically as if he were the reincarnation of The Night Stalker-if Ramirez is still alive, then this phenomenon is even more troubling. Does little Komei help Zeph pick up these toys? Nooooo, despite the fact that he most certainly knows I'm not nearly as limber as I used to be. Lastly, there is Shoma. Shoma is one of my favorite students. He is my lone student on Saturdays; he is also 6 years old. Last Saturday I was teaching Shoma animal names and some action words. So, I would say things like: "Shoma, throw me the cow" or "catch the cow". One time, after giving the latter command, Shoma caught the cow and then I heard a "mooo"; that's right, his butt decided to participate in the English lesson. Indeed, this happened three or four times. After having ignored it a couple times, I finally asked him in Japanese "Shoma, what was that?" This sent him to floor laughing really hard, which (predictably) caused him to indulge his flatulence even more. For those of you who are wondering, and you know who you are, they were short and exceedingly violent bursts of air, much like the sound of quickly letting a little air out of a very full balloon. So, I had to end the day by teaching Shoma the word "fart".

Settling In
Indeed, we are settling in. We are becoming locals. In fact, we were eating at one of the restaurants in town (Grazie Gardens, where they have decent wood-fire ovens and, therefore, decent pizzas-especially the cheese pizza and the four cheese pizza with gorgonzola and honey) and a Japanese woman couldn't figure out how to get the drink machine to deliver water. So, I had to show her; I'm fairly certain that she was humiliated. We've gotten used to shopping at the supermarket; Claire bought a suit at the department store (BTW, she had a successful interview with K&M modeling agency in Tokyo, but I'll let her share that with you). Claire and I took a drive for about three hours yesterday, just exploring the countryside, and we found a movie theater and Sweet Factory (yes, the same one from back home).

Also, I got my work visa processed which was important. Unfortunately, getting Claire the appropriate visa has been frustrating and more difficult. In order to celebrate our half-victory (and a certain tradition that I share with Ryan Smith) we ate dinner at Outback Steakhouse of all places. A taste of home is nice. A taste of steak is even better, but Outback did not make the cut for eat of the week:

Eat of the Week: I took Claire to Chichibu's most famous soba restaurant. We enjoyed handmade soba (noodles made from just buckwheat flour and water) served chilled and accompanied with a tasty dipping sauce, and a variety of tempura (a big old succulent shrimp, pumpkin,a single shiso leaf-interesting, and a green pepper). It was really good. So, you dip your noodles in the sauce and then eat the noodles. When the noodles are gone, they bring you a pot of the water that the noodles were cooked in, which your pour into the cup containing the dipping sauce. You finish your meal drinking that delightful concoction.

Claire, my dear, you can now cook dinner.
Z

One month mark...

I can't believe this Monday will be one month since we arrived!! In some ways we feel like we just got here.

This week was nice. Fast but nice.

A couple of weeks ago we met this really great couple from our church (Chris and Melissa) and they invited us over last weekend to stay the night on Saturday and go to Sunrise service with them on Sunday. We had such a great time eating tasty food, playing Wii sports, Monopoly deal and some really great conversation.
Sunday we went to KBF for Sunrise service (at 8:30) which was nice. After the service the four of us went into Tokyo (Chidorigafuchi to be exact) to see Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) which are now in bloom. I have posted pics on FB if you would like to check them out.
There was a ridiculous amount of people both at the Cherry Blossom viewing and in the train stations- total madness but... it really does make the whole experience so much more exciting. The trees were truly amazing and beautiful. The weather was also nice to us so a made for a really great experience.

Our train home was down due to an accident so we had to take a different route which meant taking a brief stop in Shibuya. There is a "famous" crosswalk right off the train station where everyone walks at the same time going all directions (kinda like in Old Town Pas) and just the sight of SO many people all in one place is just crazy. It was awesome.

This week has been pretty low key. I did cook dinner every night (with the exception of last night when we enjoyed a very yummy Shepherd's pie a la Juliana). Cooking is still a bit of a challenge for me as I'm still trying to get a feel for the grocery store. Simple is currently the key until I am positive that I am not buying fish gut or something of that nature.

Today Zeph went with Joey and the kids up to Hitsujiama park to see Cherry Blossoms while I had coffee at Tully's with Noriko (one of our newly acquired friends who I'm going to possibly swap English for Japanese lessons with). After that we all met up with Juliana for lunch at Asian Garden (Indian Cuisine I told you about last week). Buttered Curry... so so good but sounds so so unhealthy, eh? We'll pretend it's not.

Compared to home, we do a pretty good amount of walking here and much less eating out so slipping up once in a while isn't so bad ;)

Tomorrow, Costo!!! You know you're an adult (or in another country) when going to Costco is as exciting as going to a theme park as a child. I'm having a hot dog and a piece of pizza...maybe.

Eat of the week: Corn on the cob from a street vendor in Tokyo. We don't know what the guy put on it so we didn't ask (we couldn't have if we wanted to anyway). It was so good though.

Word of the week: Nani -means "What?"

talk to you next week :)