Monthly Archives: February 2011

Sensei Wields the Sword of the Samurai- on Ouiser

And cut me to the quick. For the last 8 months, Sensei has attempted with no results to teach me the building blocks of the Japanese phonics- the 46 Hiragana characters. I have resolutely and with great success blocked her … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

What a Doll!- Hinamatsuri

Beginning February, and ending on March 3rd with Girl’s day, is Hinamatsuri – the Japanese Doll Festival. Japanese homes throughout Japan display elaborate dolls on red carpets depicting the Emperor, Empress and Court Attendants from the Heian period. Unlike the Chistmas … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

The Melter- You Just Made a Mistake- Culture Lesson #11

Today I found myself the regrettable but most certainly deserving recipient of most noxious and withering look, the kind of which stops all life related activity dead in its tracks- I call it the Melter. So named because of the … Continue reading

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Posted in Culture Lessons, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Miss Hathoway- Take A Memo

MEMO TO: Readers FROM: Ouiser-san SUBJECT: Action Items, Follow-up, and Blatant Lies Date: Right Now As a result of last week’s postings, several items were deemed necessary for further review, discussion or action. Those items are outlined below: Action Items: … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Ordering Food Japan Style

The day started with a threat. A certain Offspring claimed the discovery of a snowboarding sweet spot currently off-limits according to the snow patrol, while mysterious evidence of recent use in the form of tracks proved otherwise. And I don’t … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The “M” Series: Misrepresentation or Mute

A family can move from one country to the next but one element remains consistent. The teenager that left one country is the same teenager that arrives in the next- welcome to another installment of the “M” series – so … Continue reading

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Posted in "M" Series, Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Was Ouiser’s Meltdown a Symptom of Japan’s Population Crisis?

Yesterday I dug out real clothes to meet my friend Yorkie at Inner Noodle. I had big, dramatic hair and make up fully exposing my Southern roots. Tall wedges. I was towering at 6 foot 2 at least. When shopping … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

For ME? You Shouldn’t Have…

I got an Award? WOW. Two thoughts crossed my mind upon reading the news. The first was relief that it was the “Memetastic” award, not the “Metastatic” award I first read it to be, and second it surpassed the last … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

A Food Puzzle- And the National Snack of Japan

The Rice Ball- The national snack of Japan. Sold by the dozens in every convenience store in Japan, each costs about 120 yen- 140 or $1.20- $1.40. Crunchy sea weed surrounds sticky rice which then encapsulates a filling. The filling … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving Lesson | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

“We Interrupt our Usual Broadcasting to Bring You This Important Message..”

The Japan Sumo Association confirmed the cancellation of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament due to match fixing. The last time a Grand Sumo Tournament was cancelled occurred in 1946 due to damage of the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium from WWII. … Continue reading

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Posted in Moving to Japan | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments