Takoyaki party

I went to a takoyaki party today! Takoyaki are little balls of a pancake like batter but hearty tasting. They have tako (octopus) and lettuce, mochi, cheese, ginger, konyaku, and a bunch of other things in them. They were soooooo good. Anyway the best part was when one of the ladies decided to put a big chunk of wasabi in one ball. They made 10 and whoever got the wasabi ball had to hide it. They were not allowed to show how hot it was. After everyone ate their ball we had to all guess who had the wasabi ball. I was cracking up the whole time. the one who thought of the game and put the HUGE helping of wasabi was the one who picked the ball. I was impressed she kept her cool but her watery eyes gave her away. She didn't cough... but she did try to reach for her drink a little too smoothly. Everyone pointed her out at the one who got the ball. I haven't laughed that hard in ages. so as a batsu game (which was her idea...) we all got to ask her one question about anything!

Japan Dealbreaker

Ok people, so the other day I went to the grocery store determined to find some garlic. Well, I found some for 200yen ($2) and i was like ok thats a little pricey. I picked it up expecting to have 3 or 4 in a baggy and what do I get. One little head of garlic! In my slightly louder then speaking voice I said "what?!?" it was a litle embarassing because people turned to look at me. one old lady had a huge smile on her face because she knew i was sticker shocked. I hate that look of knowing! Anyway I couldn't believe it! I'll use nearly a whole head of garlic in one dish! I asked my mom to send me minced garlic in a jar. otherwise i'm coming home. i'll miss fresh garlic. it will only be for special occasions, like my birthday. Bet when you saw the title you didn't think garlic would cause me to reconsider did you?

Mondays seem to be a day for reflection

Yesterday I had one of my training buddies, Ellen come over. We went grocery shopping and she spent the night. It was nice to have a girls night out. We went to my favorite Izakaya (watamin chi's). Today we went to get her a cell phone because we have been here for a month and she still didn't have one. Then Ralph came and joined us for lunch/dinner. Ralph is also a training buddy. Wow I just realized how short my sentenes are. My brain is fried from translating cell phone stuff. Anywhoo, I made curry rice for the first time and was shocked that it turned out ok. I didn't have any garlic though. I haven't seen that over here... it doesn't seem as readily available. That's a shame because you know I love my garlic. OH I also bought a new rice cooker. I made rice twice with the cooker that came with the apartment and it was so nasty I had to throw it away. that's 3 cups of rice people. there was no saving it. I'm tight for cash but its cheaper for me to buy a cooker and make my own food. My curry rice was perfect. I should have taken a picture. It was the first meal I cooked since I got here. And by meal I mean cutting veggies and using the stove. I used the stove to heat water and make instant ramen before and thats it. I have officially broken in my new apartment. How nice. Anywoo I need to do my hair and we all now how long that takes.