A Dominos Tale

BREAKING NEWS: Kamagaya just got a Dominos!

Was the text I received last Monday, from my friend and neighbor, Kris. 

shut.up.

Was my response.

I had been praying for some local pizza that came sans mayonnaise and sea animals.

Kris had passed the latest and greatest addition to Kamagaya on his ride to school earlier in the week, and had been scoping out its daily progress. Kris reported that they appeared to have the signs up, promising a buy one get one free, promotion to celebrate its grand opening, though he couldn't see workers inside. Japan is know for the speed in which buildings go up and into operation, I swear some appear overnight so we all took bets that the store would be up and running by Friday. 

We had no idea that this little experience would be such an emotional roller coaster...

Friday Kris texted everyone to say that the fliers were out, delivery scooters were ready, people were inside and lights were on. He copied down the number for delivery and we quickly organized a pizza and beer dinner at my house. The excitement was palpable.

We were so excited!

We found a Dominos website online...IN ENGLISH.

We were thrilled!

I texted, called, and vibered everyone who was enroute home from work. 

Taking down names and orders.

Kris tried calling first and was doing ok until the woman asked him something he didn't understand.

He panicked and hung up.

Nice job Krisu.

We were embarrassed. 

Once orders were sorted, we went to Kim and her rather fluent Japanese. She called the number Kris had and a woman answered. Kim asked if they delivered to our area, and we all understood when the woman said no.

We were puzzled.

The place was no more than a 10 minute bike ride away, but we chalked it up to the recent opening. Though one of us joked that maybe Dominos was racist. We chuckled. 

Leave it to the foreigners to place the first order at our new Dominos. 

We placed our orders and elected the 3 people who would go pick up the pizza in 20 minutes.

Kris, Rachel and I walked to our bikes, sat down, and it started raining. 

We were bummed. 

But nothing a little American pizza couldn't fix.

We biked the 10 minutes in the rain and parked our bikes under the Dominos sign that was no less than 5 stories high.

We walked into a brand spankin new Dominois building. It smelled of plastic and freshly assembled pizza boxes. The 6 or so workers looked at us, smiled, and asked if they could help us.

We explained that we had placed an order under, Kiiim-ba-ly. They looked at each other. 

Then to us. Telling us they weren't open until Saturday.

Then who had we talked to?

We were perplexed.

We explained that we had called the number outside, and spoke to someone. 

Mr. Dominos said that since they were not open, the number had been rerouted and our pizza was waiting in Matsudo.

About a 20 minute train ride away.

Damn.

So are we getting pizza? Are we not getting pizza?

The employees talked among themselves, and felt so bad, saying it was their fault for the mix up. They explained that they were going to make our order right there.

You could almost see the stress and excitement, as their boss must have said to them, 

“Ok guys, this is not a drill! Apron, dough, sauce, cheese...go, go, go!”

Kris, Rachel and I smiled and chatted to the manager who surprisingly spoke English. 

We apologized profusely.

We felt so bad.

He assured us it was ok, and confirmed that they would be delivering to our area in 

the future...starting next Friday. Ooops. 

Ingredients exclusively for our pizza.

Finally our pizza was ready. 

YAY!

We overly thanked everyone in the place, sheepishly smiling and apologizing. 

Promising to be back when they were open for real.

Pizza Shift.
Tasted just fine, don't you worry.

We biked back in the rain, as fast as possible. 

I was hungry and I think part of me thought they were going to chase me down and take my pizza away.

We made it home in one piece, not entirely true for the pizza after I flipped it to make it fit in my basket.

Passed out beers and had a lovely, extremely familiar meal.

Made only better by the reality that their were a few times this meal wasn't going to happen at all.

First to order, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: 12 Problems Busty Girls Have...from Buzzfeed. I chuckled, though none of these apply to me :)

Google Search: Free Attractions in Hiroshima.

Tune: Call Me Maybe By Carly Rae Jepson. 
Again.I'm obsessed with this song, even though it makes me feel 13.

Accomplishment: Studying Japanese rather consistently.
Obsessions: Painting my planters.

Technology Love

Jessica, one of my favorite people, former college roommate, and current timezone buddy, finally got internet. As the only person I know from the states who is living in the same hour of the day as I, over in Korea, I was eager for her to get internet so we could get our skype on. 

That magical day came yesterday. 

Welcome back to 2012, Jessica.

3pm for Kate, 3pm for Jess,
Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: The Californians...from SNL. A watch rather than a read. I'm probably the last Californian to see this, I chuckled.

Google Search: The Girl Who Played With Fire.

Tune: Call Me Maybe By Carly Rae Jepson. I'm obsessed with this song, even though it makes me feel 13.

Accomplishment: Finishing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Obsessions: Cheez-Its...THANKS MOM!

Taiko

This past weekend I went to a taiko festival about 40 minutes away in Narita. Since seeing taiko as kid at some festival in Torrance, I have been completely enthralled by the drums. I love how massive they are and how rich the sound is. Most arcades here have a “taiko to the beat” type game. I am in love with it, and would realllllllyyyy like to have one of my own. If anyone wants to make that happen, let me know.

The festival this past weekend had groups of taiko drummers of all ages from all over Japan, set up in booths down the main street, with a collective parade at the end. I started to take pictures, but realized they wouldn't do justice to the sound and power of the drums. So I began taking little videos. Last night I put them together to make one big one!
And by big I mean like 4 minutes.

The video isn't super impressive, but I'm so proud of the little guy!

Click here to watch.

 Enjoy!

Drum, Drum, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: 50 People You Wish You Knew...from Buzzfeed. Number 36 went to my High School!
Google Search: Chiba Orphanages.

Tune: Fidelity By Regina Spektor.

Accomplishment: My little video.
Obsessions: Love and Other Drugs-the movie.

The Norm for Me, A Chuckle for You, 3

Last week, I was in search of a new planner. So, after drinking down a Starbucks, my friend Debs and I made our way toTokyu Hands. A store, like many in Japan, that has everything. Suitcases, exercise equipment, make-up, cell phone covers, lotion, cooking supplies, you name they have it. After browsing the, always entertaining, make-up counter, looking at tools to roll out wrinkles, or stickers to give ourselves a more visible eyelid, we headed to where we needed to go. The stationary section takes up a large portion of the top floor, and after walking past approximately 54895793 pens in 7498 colors, we found paper products.

Tokyu Hands Pen Collection.

Just as I picked up a planner to flip through, I heard Debs laugh from the next aisle. She had stumbled up these winning post cards. And after the post cards, the stationary entertainment didn't stop there.

Boo.

It's always a good day when a kitten is randomly placed in front of a sakura tree.

Whoever gets married next will no doubt get this awesome Disney, hologram, wedding card. 

Not adjectives you usually see together. 

Happy Wedding, from hologram-ed Minnie herself.

“The Perfect Tiered” 
Whatever the hell that means...

Without question, my favorite find of the day. 

Bible Sized monthly refill paper. 

In Japanese it says, diary refill, which if anything, just confuses me more.

Chuckled,
Kate

P.S. Read the first The Norm for Me, A Chuckle for You here and the second here.

[The Latest]

Must Read: 6 Life-Changing Uses For Binder Clips...from Funny or Die. 

Google Search: Kamagaya Dominos.

Tune: Cupid Shuffle By Cupid. 

Accomplishment: Finishing Book 5 of my JET Program Japanese Books.
Obsessions: My new planner.

Taxes...

...they suck.

But I'm done!

Mailing them tomorrow.

Never felt more adult in my life.

So let's laugh about them shall we!?

Taxed, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Managers of Yokohama Mini-skirt Restaurant Busted for Employing Teen Girls...from Tokyo Reported. Eww.

Google Search: Chiba Marathon.

Tune: Wild Ones By Flo Rida feat. Sia.

Accomplishment: Finishing my taxes!!!
Obsessions: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Thoughts Today II

On this, my first Monday of the new school year, here are a few of my thoughts, dreams, sights and sounds. 

What I'm Seeing...

Our New Textbook.

What I'm Eating...

Our First Kyushoku or School Lunch.

What I'm Reading...

I know, I'm a little behind the times...

What I'm Hearing...

“Sugoy Keitoooo, Nihongo pera pera! ”
Believe me, my Japanese is FAR from fluent.
If I had to take a guess, I'd go with pre-school level.

What I'm Saying...

What I'm Dreaming...

I wish this happened...

So I could do this...

All over the place.

What I'm Pondering...

-I wonder how the students first day of classes is going?

-I hope I get to see the chest X-ray they took of me today at school.

-I wish my nail polish didn't chip so easy.

-I am loving this warmer weather.

-What should I bring for our little picnic dinner tonight?

-Shit, I didn't do my taxes.

-Oh, but we get a two month extension cause we're abroad. Sweet.

-I need to swiffer my house.

-I'm glad everyone likes the peppermint patties I brought back!

Being, 

Kate 

P.S. Read the first thoughts, here.

Hanami Weekend

The beginning of spring is always a refreshing wake up call after months indoors, safe from the cold and dark. As the cherry blossoms here in Japan come to life, it's like the entire country wakes up and comes outside. For about a week the cherry blossoms are in bloom and hanami, (lit. translated, flower viewing) is well underway. Everyone grabs a blanket and packs a picnic, heading to wherever the little pink/white blossoms are on display. 

Saturday

[Goko, Chiba]

Saturday I stuck close to home, going for a walk down a street lined with the famous trees.

We walked and walked until deciding to pop in to a conbini to create lunch and sit in a little park we had passed on our way. It was a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Sakura Matsuri.
Cherry Blossom Festival.

Sakura Biru.

Sunday

[Yoyogi Park, Tokyo] 

Sunday we came a little more prepared. Stopping to grab sandwiches and smoothies. Then braving our way through the crowd at Yoyogi Koen, one of the most popular parks in Tokyo. Finding a spot to sit, snack and stare.

Debs.

This Is How You Hanami.
Keigo & Debs.

Hanami-ing.

Exiting Took Teamwork.

To Say It Was Crowded Would Have Been An Understatement...

The trees are undoubtedly gorgeous, and it's so fun to see the whole country get in to the season. There are hanami themed things at just about every restaurant, including Starbucks and McDonalds.

I have a few plans this week to head out to local places to have a picnic type dinner and soak up as much of this season as possible. The blossoms are scheduled to fall within the week, which apparently is also supposed to be amazing. I hear it looks like snow! And we know how much I love snow! I can't wait to see how it all goes!

Blossomed, 

Kate

[The Latest]

Must Read: Study Finds Gene Variants Behind Childhood Obesity Risk...from USA Today.

Google Search: Hiroshima.

Tune: Wild Ones By Flo Rida feat. Sia.

Accomplishment: Cleaning out my closet.
Obsessions: Crossword puzzle app, makin my train rides fly by.