Untitled

I didn’t really know what to call this post, since there’s not really a cohesive theme; I just wanted to share a few pictures. I have a lot to post, I really REALLY do, and I keep putting it off and it just keeps getting bigger. But just to keep things flowing, here are a few of the pictures I’ve taken recently with my phone’s camera.

This is Takashi. He was one of my favorite students before he moved to Tokyo for a really good hospitality program there (not sure which school). His English wasn’t fantastic, but he had a certain knack for communicating using body language, and classes with him were never boring. As any teacher can attest, favorite students are not necessarily the best scholars.

I occasionally eat lunch at a place called “Freshness Burger.” (I can tell I’ve been in Japan a while because that name doesn’t even strike me as odd any more.) It’s a Japanese fast-casual hamburger chain in direct competition with Mos Burger, a considerably larger chain. Anyway, on this particular day, I decided to try their Spam burger combo with a lime soda. I was a little wary (which was part of the reason I ordered it), but the thing turned out to be really good. If you look closely, you can see the little mustard smiley faces they put in our ketchup thingies.

This picture may not strike you as all that unusual if you’re from the US. Lots of cars still sport these little bears, years after the Grateful Dead disbanded. (Heh. Disbanded.) But here in Japan? I don’t think their legendary touring schedule brought them out here, and I’m pretty sure they never sang anything in Japanese. That being the case, I wonder if the owner of this minivan just bought it because it was a cute bear with a rose, without knowing where the image of the bear came from. Anyway, moving on…

I went shopping yesterday at one of those used clothing stores that tries to sell thrift shop clothes at designer prices. Holding up one of their display tables, I spotted this crate with a Goleta Lemons label on it. Assuming you didn’t contribute any genetic material to my being, I’ll excuse you for not knowing I was born in Goleta Valley Hospital in Santa Barbara, where these lemons come from.

The Wayans brothers called. They want their “In Living Color” wardrobe back. Also taken at the overpriced used clothing store.

None of the fitting rooms I’ve used in Japan have had locks, but all have had this little area for you to set your shoes so they’re easily visible from the outside. It’s like a cute little designated shoe removal area in every dressing room. 🙂