The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku is a prime example of Tokyo's crazy side

Allow me to start today's blog by wishing everyone a Happy Halloween! I know it's a bit early but I've been doing non-stop Halloween themed games and activities at school for my students so I'm really in the spirit of the spooky season!

Since Halloween is a time to embrace all things wicked and weird, I thought I should dedicate a blog to exposing the skeletons hiding out in Tokyo's closet. As you probably already know or have heard, Tokyo is definitely an otherworldly place full to the brim of bizarre oddities. However, the strangeness of this metropolis goes beyond the typical talks of panty vending machines and deadly puffer fish sushi (yes, those are real). Every single day there is a guarantee that I will stumble across something that will make me say, "What in the world is going on in your head Tokyo?!". I realize as a foreigner who doesn't know many things about Japanese customs and cultures, many of these things may in fact seem normal to Japanese people, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around them. Be warned that this list may have some "uncomfortable" moments so I'm just going to go ahead and tack a PG-13 warning on it right here and now. Also, know that I'm not trying to insult Tokyo in any fashion. I just want to invite you into the weird, wacky, and wonderful world that I get to experience every day!  

Kooky Commercials

Commercials in Japan are honestly the most entertaining tidbits of TV that I have ever seen. I could honestly be happy just watching a string of commercials instead of the actual program. On the trains right underneath the map, there is always one television screen playing a random commercial while the other screen shows the route. My commute to work always seems to go by in a flash because I am too busy laughing hysterically (doesn't help my crazy foreigner image...) at the bizarre commercials. My favourite commercial out of everything so far is this one here:

I die laughing every single time I see this weird commercial! I might just have to pick up this hand mist (I don't even fully understand what it does) just for the sheer hilarity of it.

Then there are the commercials that catch you completely off guard. These good ol' "double-take" commercials usually sell the most bizarre items you will ever see. These commercials are barely half a minute long but I find myself still wondering about them hours later. You'd like an example? Well BEHOLD. The Facial Fitness Pao:

Wasn't that the most confusing 30 seconds of your life?! Who are all of these foreigners? Why do they need fitter faces? Is this device going to help me take flight like Dumbo ears or am I just supposed to bounce around like an idiot?! So many questions... little to no answers. 

Lastly, there are the strangest celebrity appearances in Japanese commercials. Some days I'm just minding my own business passing all of the blinding billboard sized TV screens in Shibuya when I catch a glance of a familiar face out of the corner of my eye. Usually I see a lot of Lady Gaga or Brad Pitt, but recently my favourite celebrity commercial is this lovely gem right here:

Oh Tommy Lee Jones, what are you doing in a Japanese coffee commercial? Also, why are you the most badass sensei that I have ever seen in my entire life?!  

Pervy Moments

Unfortunately, when you have things that are "good-weird" you must also be stuck with things that are "bad-weird". Like any other country, Japan has it's pervy moments. By this, I do NOT mean to say that all people in Japan are perverts or anything of the sort because that would be incorrect, insensitive, and stereotypical. Most people are shy but friendly, and I feel quite safe everywhere I go in Tokyo, but there have been a few cringe worthy moments with some "unsavory" characters... Today I'll share two of my stories with you just so you can kind of get the idea about what kind of naughtiness some suspicious types get up to over here.

Story One: The Upsy-Daisy Oopsie-Daisy

Once upon a time, an innocent gaijin princess was riding the escalator down to the train platform in Shibuya. As she descended, she noticed this peculiar sign on the wall.

She thought to herself, "Goodness! How drôle! Upskirting?! How utterly retro! I bet no one even does that anymore!" She chuckled and chortled as she continued her descent into the belly of the station, This is when she noticed something peculiar happening on the escalator beside her. A man was crouched down on the stairs and the innocent gaijin princess wondered if he had dropped something or if he was hurt. The next moment is when all innocence was lost. She realized she was wearing a skater skirt and the man was crouching down in order to get a better look at what might be underneath. She had just been upskirted promptly after she had been scoffing at the thought of its existence. The End.

Story Two: Rub-a-Dub-Dub
Once upon a time, at the stroke of midnight, a gaijin princess caught the last train home from a party in Shinjuku. She was feeling quite exhilarated by the fact that she would not have to pay an exorbitant taxi fare to get home, and because of that, she let her guard down. She let herself drift off into a place of sunshine and smiles until she felt a very strange sensation on her arm. She slowly turned her head to find a not-so-very-gentle gentleman rubbing his arm up and down her own arm. She instantly wanted to move away, but the train had become so crowded that she had no escape. She decided to endure it until something unbelievable happened. The man on her other side started to rub his leg on hers. The gaijin princess had been transformed into a pervy sandwich... The End.

This is a perfect time to talk about the beauty of the "Women Only" train <3

Crazy Train

*Please insert your own witty Ozzy Osborne joke here*. While we are on the subject of train shenanigans, I would like to take a moment to appreciate just how wonderful, yet weird, the trains are in Tokyo. They are honestly everyday lifesavers that transport you from home to work to shopping to friend's homes and then back home again. However, in a city like Tokyo where the streets are always lit and the clubs stay open well into the am, I have to wonder why in the world does the train stop promptly at 1 am? It just seems so strange to me. At many popular holidays, they extend the hours of operation, but in my opinion they should just have the train running round the clock.

Another bizarre fact about the metro is that instead of waiting for the next train to peel around the corner in 3 minutes, people will fight until their last breath to get on the train. I imagine that they have their lives scheduled down to the minute... If you don't believe me, please enjoy this video depicting the regular occurrence of "train pushing":

Actually, this video was taken at Naka Meguro which is very close to where I live and work! Gives you an interesting look into how I get to work every morning LOL!

One last bizarre tidbit about Tokyo's trains is concerning the good ol' white collar workers. These salarymen work harder than any other group of people. They put in long hours and they always look quite dashing in their business suits. However, sometimes I have witnessed a salaryman enjoy one too many beers after a hard day's work and the result is somewhat of a tragicomedy. Behold, the "I'm-so-drunk-but-I'm-on-the-train-and-almost-home" guys:

"The Electric Slide" Sleeper

"The 3 Seat Sprawl" Sleeper

And last but certainly not least! "The Clothes Line" Sleeper

Fashion... Forward?

It should come as no shock when I say that I am in love with fashion. Every chance I get I love to adventure out to Harajuku or Omotesando to check out the latest trends or to catch a quick fashion show. However, there has been many times when I've seen an ensemble and wondered, "Is that stylish or is that just freaky?" I fully endorse dressing however makes you feel cool or beautiful or what have you, but sometimes I just can't wrap my head around how certain fashions thrive here. 

One of my favourite fashion fad in Tokyo so far is "Decora Fashion". If I had to describe this fashion style, I would say that it is like you cracked a giant unicorn egg over your head and let all of its rainbow-y goodness run down your entire body.

 One fashion style that simultaneously intrigues, yet terrifies me is "Gyaru and Gyaruo Fashion". I kind of enjoy how this style isn't just for the ladies! Guys get into it just as much as the girls do. I'm also fascinated by the fact that an entire lifestyle comes with this fashion choice. While I'm sure not all "Gyaru and Gyaruo" enthusiasts have the exact same lifestyle, it is said that many of these ruffians with their dark skin, crazy hairstyles, and gritty clothing have quite the reputation for partying.

Watching makeup tutorials for this kind of fashion is my new obsession by the way. It's so mind boggling that I end up binge watching hundreds of girls get into their "Gyaru" characters. Also, I just can't figure out how they can do their makeup without stabbing themselves with their giant nails...

Lastly, the fashion I've learned the most about since coming to Tokyo is "Lolita Fashion". From walking down the streets of Harajuku on a bustling Saturday afternoon and from chatting up a few girls all decked out in their Lolita outfits, I've come to realize that there are many different types of Lolita styles. Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita, Old School Lolita, the list goes on and on! If I had to give this fashion a slogan it would probably be, "Victorian petticoats on LSD".

Well that's all for today's adventure through the weird and wonderful ways of Tokyo! If you are interested in learning more about Japanese fashion, please visit Tokyo Fashion which is where I got all of these beautiful fashion photos. I'll be sure to make another post about other strange sightings soon because I didn't even get halfway through my list of odd tales! See you soon and once again, Happy Halloween!

          With all of its glittering lights, cutesy jingles, and endless shops, it's no surprise that Tokyo is basically a town teeming with temptation. Since I am but a lowly teacher with a lowly teacher's salary, I've been trying my best to ignore the siren call of the shops, but I'm not always able to pull myself away. Some things in Tokyo are just TOO cute and TOO glittery (and sometimes too delicious) to ignore! Below are a few of my must-buy items and must-visit shops that always help my wallet to lose a bit of weight.

Nail Stickers

I usually go for floral ones like these

My love for nails stickers is so strong that even my students have started to notice it after only knowing me for about a month! They always come up to me and grab my hands and ask to see what my "new stickies of the week" are. I kind of feel bad for wearing them at school since the students aren't allowed to wear any sort of polish... but even that's not enough to stop me from going sticker crazy!
     In Canada, we have nail stickers of course, but they always seemed pretty cheap and not very popular. Here, there is honestly a set of nail stickers for EVERYONE. Disney fanatic, gothic, lolita, you name it, there is a sticker out there for you! I just went to this Vogue Fashion Night Out in Omotesando with a few friends the other day and I splurged on some really cool stickers. The addicting thing about them is that they just slap right over your own nail and then they fall of in about one week's time... Meaning time to shop for more~!

Tsum Tsum

If you don't know what Tsum Tsum are, watch this video and EDUCATE THYSELF!

Sushi Carnival Tsum Tsum

Cuteness overload with this plushie tower

Basically it's just all of the Disney characters in mini, cylindrical form. I don't know how this makes them any cuter but IT DOES. Perhaps it's the magic of Disney, or perhaps it's their adorable, fluffy butts. Who really knows...
The danger with Tsum Tsum is that these adorable characters are available in every shape and form. The merch for these little guys are endless. I may or may not already have a Tsum Tsum towel, keychain, and plushie... I also have been spotted playing Tsum Tsum at arcades in Akihabara as well as obsessing over the app on my train ride home from work.

So hard to say no when it's only 100 Yen to play!

In the app you have to connect 3 or more of the same Tsums

Moni Moni 

whale moni moni steals my heart <3

First Tsum Tsum and now Moni Moni... Things are just so cute in Japan that they have to name everything twice. Moni Moni are basically little, squishy animals about the size of a bouncy ball. The unique thing about Moni Moni is that they kind of feel soft but squishy at the same time! I guess the best way to explain would be to say that they feel like powdered mochi? This is one of those strange addictions that I can't really explain to other people. Sure, they are cute, but they are also 1,000 yen for these super tiny things that don't really do much. Even so, whenever I pass by their lovely, colour co-ordinated shop displays I want to give in and buy them all.

Gudetama

Gudetama is basically my spirit animal. He is described as "the most unmotivated egg". Even his name is hilarious. "Gude" basically means "zero energy" and "Tama" means "egg". I feel like we have such a mutual understanding about laziness. Watch the video below to see Gudetama in action!

Gudetama and the Remote

I could watch Gudetama's videos all day long!! I haven't been able to collect much of his merch yet, but I am on the hunt for a really cute key chain and train pass holder!

Raw, fried, or boiled; he's cute in all forms!

Choco-Cro

To give you a breather from all of the cuteness I've been busting out, I'll let you in on a little Tokyo-Canadian secret... Choco-Cro is the new Tim Hortons. If you want the peaceful café atmosphere without shelling out a million dollars for a small cappuccino (Yes, Starbucks. That was a direct shot at you) then Choco-Cro is the place for you! Their coffee as well as their matcha iced lattes are to die for and as their name hints, they have pretty darn good chocolate croissants.

Another win with Choco-cro is that they have a special sealed off room for smokers. Most cafés in Tokyo have smoking and non-smoking sections... but it's really not that effective when there is nothing to divide those sections so the smoke just consumes everything. However, in Choco-Cro there is always a different glass door room that the smokers have to go into which is so nice when you want to enjoy your pudding croissant without hacking up a lung.

Tokyu Hands

Stickers, stationary, stamps, oh my! Aaaaand we're back to the cuteness! Sorry, that didn't last long! I am definitely a regular at my nearest Tokyu Hands store. Anything that sells a "creative life" has instantly caught my interest. I went in on a whim one day to pick up a stamp for school and I left with about 5,000 Yen worth of stationary, pens, stamps, and stickers. You honestly never know what they will have in this store. The array of knick-knacks is absolutely mind boggling in some of the larger stores. I guess you can kind of compare this place to Michaels to get the idea of what kind of fancy magic happens at Tokyu Hands. 

Before the Boom

How could I get through a list of my addictions and not mention a Kira-Kira (sparkly) accessory store?! This place has every accessory that you could ever possibly need/want at surprisingly affordable prices! Since the students at my school are not allowed to wear their hair down if it falls past their shoulders, I've been trying to sweep my hair up into a chignon as often as possible. My favourite accessory to buy here is this long chopstick-like hair pin which you can twirl your hair up into a bun with. Some are really ornate with a lot of bling and dangly bits, but some look super classic with their small, intricate patters and floral tops.

Well that's about it for now, but I hope you enjoyed reading about my addictions as much as I enjoy suffering from them! Hopefully I've passed on the shopaholic bug to you! And remember, you can always order a lot of cool stuff from Japan online! ;)

Hello everyone! 

As promised, Here is a short video illustrating some of my favourite moments from my first two weeks in Tokyo which mostly happened in Shibuya and Shinjuku. Since Movie Maker hates me and I'm terrible at using my computer for anything other than Youtube and Word, the video quality is super low, but I hope it helps you get an idea of what I've been up to! Just in case you can't bear to watch such a low quality video, I'm posting a few of my favourite photos from the first two weeks that you can scroll through as you please.

こんにちは皆さん！

約束しましたから、今私の〝二週間に東京で住む″ビデオをポストするよ！このビデオは私の大切な思い出がありますから見てください！映画監督じゃないですから、このビデオの質はすご～く悪いです（笑）。ごめん！ビデオを見えなければ、下の写真を見てください。

The first day of Tokyo Orientation for all JET participants in group B

Everyone looking so nice and spiffy in their suits for the opening speeches

Our first tour of Shinjuku! The guides took us to see the Robot Restaurant

One of my favourite parts about Tokyo are the crazy signs lighting up the city

My first Nomihodai and Awaodori show with my JET friends 

Game arcades are way too fun! I could spend my entire paycheck here if I wanted to!

We were able to watch a kind of broadway musical show at Disney Sea

I have very fishy friends... Haha! I had the greatest time with this trio at Disney Sea

The scenery at Disney Sea is absolutely beautiful!

Yes, that is Atlantis and yes, I am wearing a giant Minnie Mouse bow

The shrines that are in Tokyo are beautiful. Relics of the past hidden in a metropolis

I went to this shrine to watch a floating lantern festival

"What can you do when the back that you must look out for is your own?"
Made with black ink (and a few glasses of wine pour moi :P)

      So... I've been a bit of a failure at blogging... My bad. I want to blame the fact that I haven't had a stable internet connection for about a month, but half of the reason is because I've just been so super lazy. I'll write something and then I'll be too lazy to type it up and then in a natural Sam fashion, I'll lose the paper somewhere when I'm in tourist mode... Aiya...
     Luckily, ever since I went to Shibuya and checked out this AMAZING art store that a friend recommended (Check it out!), I've been thrown back into my art craze so at least I have something to show for my time away!

"A flash of lightning! The sound of dew falling among the bamboo" - Haiku by Yosa Buson
Black, grey, and white charcoal

     I've been obsessing over Japanese tattoo art lately (No, mom, I'm not planning on getting inked here, don't worry) so I'm planning on making more art similar to that style. Maybe something with koi or cranes. We shall see! Anyhow, I'm always looking for new drawing inspirations so if you have something cool in mind feel free to comment below and suggest something!

     I pinkie-promise the next blog I do will be about my Tokyo adventures from the first two weeks of my stay. Get ready for lots of Shibuya and Shinjuku escapades!

Saying goodbye to your friends and family when you move away is one of the hardest tasks. However, for every goodbye or "sayonara", I believe that you will be blessed with two hello's or "hajimemashite".

I was hoping to make a post about my first couple of weeks in Tokyo, but it has been so busy with my new school and my endless adventures that I thought I should just take a little time to reflect on the last moments I had in Canada before moving.

I was given the chance to give a speech at our farewell reception and I'm going to post it below just so you can understand what kind of crazy thoughts were running through my head before my move:

Hello and konnichiwa, minna-san!

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to say a few words to the wonderfully genki people that I have met thus far, and to those whom I am looking forward to becoming better acquainted with on our long haul flight to Japan.

Everyone’s journey up until this moment has been very different, but I look at all of you now and see the same mixed look of nerves and excitement as we all take the final steps together towards our placements in the JET Programme.  While I cannot speak to the unique and enriching adventures that each and every one of you will have in Japan, I can, however, let you all in on the secret formula which I have concocted in order to make us all JET Super-Sensei’s.

The first ingredient is a dash of role model. Know that when you walk down the street or down the halls of your school, you represent a lot more than just yourself. Our shadows are comprised of our commitment to the JET Programme, our respect towards our families and friends for their endless support, and our pride for Canada. Therefore, be someone who students can look up to (metaphorically and in my case, literally) to inspire positive and lifelong language and cultural acquisition.

The next ingredient is one cup conformity to two cups individuality. Find where you fit in in Japan and then show them how you stand out. Take the time to carefully look at the culture and customs around you as you embrace the challenges that are presented by living in a new surrounding with an open mind. This being said, you should also never be afraid to let your personality shine through. Be proud enough of your hobbies and interest enough to say, “why yes, I am a Korean drama enthusiast slash violin player slash amateur fortune teller” as your celebrated differences are what made you stand out in the first place.

Next is a juicy slice of humility. Earning respect and showing kindness to your co-teachers, your supervisors, and your students will open up so many special opportunities for you. Be prepared to teach, but get ready for a lot of unexpected learning. It is here that I would like to indulge in a bit of humbleness on behalf of all of the departing 2015 JETs in order to thank all of the inspired, caring, and motivated individuals who spent so much time and effort upholding the standard of excellence within the JET community. To the Consulate General of Japan and to the paper-application and interviewing committee – I extend a thank you for your dedication and your commitment to the JET Programme. To the volunteers at the Japan Foundation, and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre - I extend a thank you for the time you invested into igniting our passion to learn more about Japanese cultures. To the members of the JET Alumni Association and the Japanese Visitors Association – I extend another warm thank you for you endless encouragement, enthusiasm, and openness that you channeled into every second of the P-DOT weekend. The final thank you goes out to Marcia Iwasaki, the JET Programme Coordinator at the Consulate, whose guidance, patience, and wisdom has been present in every email, letter, and meeting.

To stick with tradition, every secret formula must end off with a secret ingredient, correct? Well it should be no surprise that the secret is you. Each and every one of you add such a special flavour to the JET community. I am truly honored to have the chance to get to know many of you and be moved by your dedication, kindness, and determination. Remember that only you have the power to make the best of your own experiences abroad, but feel at ease with the knowledge that your JET community that will always be ready to help you face whatever happens next on your special journey. So with that, minna-san, ganbattekudasai!

I hope that speech made you feel nice and whimsical haha! I know this wasn't the most exciting blog post ever, but I have a special video in the making so please look forward to that!