Invitations went out today!!

Symian is: feeling great as the Big Day draws nearer.
Currently Reading: The Book of General Ignorance
Currently Listening: Southern All-Stars (self-titled)
Kanji of the Day: 野　ヤ／の

Sazae on Sale

Only a hundred yen!! Wow!! ...i think.


Symian is: completely unsure how to cook these things.
Currently Reading: Teaching English to Kids in Asia
Currently Listening: Kuriru
Kanji of the Day: 来：ライ／く（る）／きた（る）／きた（す）

Cherry Blossom Bottoms Up

Ah, the seasonal Sakura (cherry blossom) beer, back again, just in time for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). At least it's not pink.

Symian is: really going to enjoy the next two weeks!
Currently Reading: Teaching English to Kids in Asia
Currently Listening: Fort Minor - We Major
Kanji of the Day: 桜　さくら／おお

Oh Yeah, Nagoya

I am not a fan of Nagoya. Nor am i a fan of the Canadian government. So on Wednesday, when Ulala and i had to go all the way to Nagoya to visit the Canadian Consulate i felt like Homer Simpson on his way into New York. Minuses: ¥7500 for the train (each!) and ¥3700 for a THREE MINUTE MEETING to sign the affidavit that says i'm not married in Canada (required so that i CAN get married in Japan). Pluses: Good food at both lunch and dinner and despite my dislike of his employer, the consul (Allan Edwards) was quite friendly and nice to meet. He also spoke fondly of Osaka. Why on Earth the consulate got moved from Osaka to Nagoya remains a mystery. The reason he gave was basically that idiots (my term, not his) in Ottawa made a "rookie mistake which they no doubt regret but now we all have to live with."

Ulala outside the Consulate Office


The affidavit. It cost me time, money and stress worth far more than this barely half a page.


Ulala in front of Nagoya Tower.


The view on the way up Nagoya Tower.


The view from the top of Nagoya Tower. It actually reminded me a bit of Buenos Aires.


Delicious "kishimen" noodles, a Nagoyan specialty.


I have no idea what this flowering tree is. If anyone knows, please tell me.




Symian is: glad to be done with this annoying errand.
Currently Reading: Time Magazine
Currently Listening: Fort Minor - We Major
Kanji of the Day: 曜　−　ヨウ

A little (and random) Canada-Japan connection

So i'm with Ulala and we're on our way to meet some friends to see a movie and we have a few minutes to kill so we wander around the shopping center. One of the things that Ulala and i share in common is a penchant for browsing in stationary stores or housewares shops, so we stopped at a very elegant shop oddly called "Angers." There i noticed some nice elongated and thin notebooks and on the inside i was surprised to find the familiar royal coat of arms of Canada. No theme, no explanation (except the little Japanese sentence which basically just says, "This is Canada's coat of arms." and has a translation of the Latin phrase "from sea to sea." Too weird. And with any luck and a couple of phone calls these will be included in the gift bags at my wedding in June!