Onegaishimas

The title of this blog entry is about the only word of Japanese I know.  It means "please," and you use it after ordering or requesting something.  Since I have eaten out a lot this week, I have used this each time I've ordered.  Of course, I always have to ask Sarah how to say the food I want to order, but I have got "onegaishimas" figured out!

Work this week is going well.  In the morning, we have 2 hours of lecture followed by a one hour break for lunch.  We'll always have a lunch break from 12-1pm during the work day, which is nice.  In the afternoon, we have 2 more hours of lecture followed by an assortment of class observations that stretch into the evening hours of 7, 8, and 9pm.  This past year's teachers are still here and have been very helpful in answering all of our questions about living in Japan, learning our way around Tsu, and figuring out how things are done at OBC.  Sarah, Peter and I have already learned so much from the three of them and the Japanese staff at the school.

I've been keeping a list of differences I've noticed between the US and Japan.  I figured some of you would be interested to know a few of them:

1. They don't have garbage cans in public/on the street.
2. The recycling system is INTENSE.  Everything is separated and divided, mostly by what is flammable and what is plastic.  That's why they don't have garbage cans - they want you to recycle.  You always have to think about your waste before you throw it away, which I think is a good thing.
3. For being so into recycling, it's suprising how much packaging is used here.  My spaghetti, for instance, is bundled into serving sizes.  I guess it's convenient because I don't have to guess how much pasta to put in, but what a waste of materials!
4. They drive on the other side of the road here, but they don't turn left on red (the equivalent of our right on red).
5. In some public places like supermarkets, they offer plastic bags next to umbrella stands that you can put your umbrella in if it is wet.  No dripping while you shop!
6. They have umbrella stands everywhere!  During the rainy season, everyone carries one!
7. You have to have lived in Japan for a certain number of years or be a Japanese citizen to drive here.  That means no rental car, mom and dad!
8. The one thing that I like more about living in Japan than Ireland: hot showers every day!
9. The yogurt is unsweetened, but some packages come with a little packet of sugar that you can use to flavor it to taste.  I didn't like it at first, but it is growing on me.
10. Vending machines are everywhere - even more so than in the US!
11. Bread is sold in half loaves, so you can buy 5, 6, or 8 pieces at a time.
12. They have remotes for their air conditioners, and there is usually a different air conditioner in each room.

*Coke tastes the same here!

I hope you all are doing well!  I love hearing from you!