Yoinked from Boing Boing, this is librarians doing Gaga. It needs to be seen!
I should be asleep because I have class in nine hours (it's 12:39 am on Wednesday morning here in Japan), but screw it, I'm writing this post.
Today, I marked an epic milestone in my three-month long trip to Japan: I bought new insoles for my New Balance walking shoes. For those of you who have never owned New Balances, they're tough shoes. I have the 845s, which are the successor to the long-loved 844s. I've worn the same model of shoe, or practically the same model of shoe, for the last five or six years. If there's any shoe I know, it's these shoes.
And so, when I tell you that I have never, ever, had to replace the insoles on these shoes, I hope you believe me. But here we are, six weeks into my trip in Japan, and I have walked enough that I must replace them or die first. The shoes were brand-new when I left the US on April 6, 2010; it's now May 26, 2010, and they're getting a replacement pair of insoles already. Besides the dirt from regular use, the outer parts of the shoes don't even show any wear-and-tear.
As an American, and particularly, an American who hasn't been physically active for many years, this amazes me. I have literally never walked this much in my life.
Tokyo is a city that is built for walking with residential areas radiating out from central stations that have adjoining commercial centers. Which isn't to say that there aren't stores far from stations or houses close to stations, but that's the basic principle of the place. There are stairs everywhere, and while there are elevators and escalators on some train platforms, the stairs are often more convenient. On top of that, because of the way the city is laid out in general, I have the ability to walk ten minutes from my house and get the majority of my daily shopping done, including groceries from the supermarket. If I want to go farther afield, I have a choice of taking the regular trains or the subway; I can go shopping at various other stores including in a covered shopping arcade; and I can choose from a wide variety of bars.
Once I hop on a train, I can walk practically anywhere from whatever station I end up at. For example, Shinjuku, a favorite of mine, has large-size women's clothing (Isetan, my dearest expensive department store friend), a Kinokinuya bookstore with English books, and all the arcades and karaoke you could want within a 15 minute walk from the station. But when I go out, I don't usually go out to one place, so I end up walking and walking, just looking and enjoying myself.
Take today, for instance.
I walked from my house to the local station, which is 900 m each way, a little more than a half mile. I took the train to Takadanobaba, where my school is, after transferring once within Ikebukuro station. I walked from Takadanobaba station to my school and went to class. Then, I went from the school, past the station, and walked a few blocks more to go to the cheap udon/soba place with my friend, Kim (last-name). We didn't go very fast, since Kim is almost six months pregnant, but we walked it all. We ate lunch at the udon/soba place, walked back the way we had come from school, and got on the train at the Takadanobaba station. We rode down to Shinjuku and then navigated the positively gigantic Shinjuku station, until we figured out the right exit to take for Tokyu Hands, a lifestyle/home goods/random stuff store we wanted to visit. Ten minutes from the Shinjuku station, we got to Tokyu Hands, which was delightfully in the same building as the Prada and Gucci stores; we gazed adoringly at the extremely expensive stuff we can't afford. An hour and change later, we had covered two floors of Tokyu Hands, both bought lots of stuff, and were ready to go home. Walking the entire time, mind you, as women do while shopping together.
God, this is long, so let's do a paragraph break! Feel free to visit the bathroom and replenish your beverage. =)
Ok, so then ten minutes back to Shinjuku station, onto the train again, and we set off on our separate ways, Kim for home, me to kill time. I rode the train to Ueno station, exited at the Park Gate, and spent a delightful hour and change in Ueno Park. I saw a Japanese bagpipe player, a pair of acrobats/jugglers/balloon animal creators, and had an ice cream cone. It was lovely and cool in the park, very leafy and green. It was considerably smaller than I thought, but it still took me fifteen minutes to get back to Ueno station to go home, once I decided to leave. Back home I went, and this time, instead of the standard 900 m, I ended up wandering around my neighborhood. About a 1.5km walk back instead, which isn't that bad. Maybe a little less than a mile.
And that was my day in Tokyo, ladies and gentlemen, which is a completely typical day for me. Sometimes I walk more and sometimes I walk less. I did all of this today in 86 degree heat because it was either walk or go nowhere at all. That's the beauty of Tokyo that you have to move, if you don't want to sit in your house.
Now, contrast that directly with the US, where we drive in most areas. I live in the middle of a suburban oasis--suburbia prime, as my friend Spencer calls it. Even if there were places within walking distance, I can't get there safely because of 40mph roads right outside my housing development. If I want to go anywhere, I must drive. I get no exercise like this at all. And the great thing is that it doesn't even really feel like exercise, although I do admit that my feet hurt most days.
I wish the US was more like Japan in this very aspect. I know that you can get a similar experience in urban areas, but it's very, very unlikely in the vast majority of the country. In Japan, pedestrians are respected and encouraged; in the US, pedestrians are often in imminent danger whenever they step onto the street. I wish the US was built for walking like this, and that more people took advantage of it. Want to stop childhood obesity and make all Americans healthier in general? Then make them walk everyday, even if it's just a mile. The results add up, trust me.
I am not on a diet. I eat something sweet everyday, usually a piece of cake or a confection. I do not count my calories while I'm here.
I've lost 10 lbs (11 lbs, when the scale is having a good day) in six weeks.
But it's more than just the 10 lbs that I've lost, since I'm fairly sure I've gained muscle, too. Because besides those 10 lbs, I've lost 2.5" off of my waistline, 1.5" off of my hips, and 3" off of my bust. And had to buy new insoles after just six weeks, even though I was fairly immobile for two to three weeks, due to two sprained ankles. I've dropped at least one clothing size, if not two.
All because of walking.
Top that, America.
Today, I marked an epic milestone in my three-month long trip to Japan: I bought new insoles for my New Balance walking shoes. For those of you who have never owned New Balances, they're tough shoes. I have the 845s, which are the successor to the long-loved 844s. I've worn the same model of shoe, or practically the same model of shoe, for the last five or six years. If there's any shoe I know, it's these shoes.
And so, when I tell you that I have never, ever, had to replace the insoles on these shoes, I hope you believe me. But here we are, six weeks into my trip in Japan, and I have walked enough that I must replace them or die first. The shoes were brand-new when I left the US on April 6, 2010; it's now May 26, 2010, and they're getting a replacement pair of insoles already. Besides the dirt from regular use, the outer parts of the shoes don't even show any wear-and-tear.
As an American, and particularly, an American who hasn't been physically active for many years, this amazes me. I have literally never walked this much in my life.
Tokyo is a city that is built for walking with residential areas radiating out from central stations that have adjoining commercial centers. Which isn't to say that there aren't stores far from stations or houses close to stations, but that's the basic principle of the place. There are stairs everywhere, and while there are elevators and escalators on some train platforms, the stairs are often more convenient. On top of that, because of the way the city is laid out in general, I have the ability to walk ten minutes from my house and get the majority of my daily shopping done, including groceries from the supermarket. If I want to go farther afield, I have a choice of taking the regular trains or the subway; I can go shopping at various other stores including in a covered shopping arcade; and I can choose from a wide variety of bars.
Once I hop on a train, I can walk practically anywhere from whatever station I end up at. For example, Shinjuku, a favorite of mine, has large-size women's clothing (Isetan, my dearest expensive department store friend), a Kinokinuya bookstore with English books, and all the arcades and karaoke you could want within a 15 minute walk from the station. But when I go out, I don't usually go out to one place, so I end up walking and walking, just looking and enjoying myself.
Take today, for instance.
I walked from my house to the local station, which is 900 m each way, a little more than a half mile. I took the train to Takadanobaba, where my school is, after transferring once within Ikebukuro station. I walked from Takadanobaba station to my school and went to class. Then, I went from the school, past the station, and walked a few blocks more to go to the cheap udon/soba place with my friend, Kim (last-name). We didn't go very fast, since Kim is almost six months pregnant, but we walked it all. We ate lunch at the udon/soba place, walked back the way we had come from school, and got on the train at the Takadanobaba station. We rode down to Shinjuku and then navigated the positively gigantic Shinjuku station, until we figured out the right exit to take for Tokyu Hands, a lifestyle/home goods/random stuff store we wanted to visit. Ten minutes from the Shinjuku station, we got to Tokyu Hands, which was delightfully in the same building as the Prada and Gucci stores; we gazed adoringly at the extremely expensive stuff we can't afford. An hour and change later, we had covered two floors of Tokyu Hands, both bought lots of stuff, and were ready to go home. Walking the entire time, mind you, as women do while shopping together.
God, this is long, so let's do a paragraph break! Feel free to visit the bathroom and replenish your beverage. =)
Ok, so then ten minutes back to Shinjuku station, onto the train again, and we set off on our separate ways, Kim for home, me to kill time. I rode the train to Ueno station, exited at the Park Gate, and spent a delightful hour and change in Ueno Park. I saw a Japanese bagpipe player, a pair of acrobats/jugglers/balloon animal creators, and had an ice cream cone. It was lovely and cool in the park, very leafy and green. It was considerably smaller than I thought, but it still took me fifteen minutes to get back to Ueno station to go home, once I decided to leave. Back home I went, and this time, instead of the standard 900 m, I ended up wandering around my neighborhood. About a 1.5km walk back instead, which isn't that bad. Maybe a little less than a mile.
And that was my day in Tokyo, ladies and gentlemen, which is a completely typical day for me. Sometimes I walk more and sometimes I walk less. I did all of this today in 86 degree heat because it was either walk or go nowhere at all. That's the beauty of Tokyo that you have to move, if you don't want to sit in your house.
Now, contrast that directly with the US, where we drive in most areas. I live in the middle of a suburban oasis--suburbia prime, as my friend Spencer calls it. Even if there were places within walking distance, I can't get there safely because of 40mph roads right outside my housing development. If I want to go anywhere, I must drive. I get no exercise like this at all. And the great thing is that it doesn't even really feel like exercise, although I do admit that my feet hurt most days.
I wish the US was more like Japan in this very aspect. I know that you can get a similar experience in urban areas, but it's very, very unlikely in the vast majority of the country. In Japan, pedestrians are respected and encouraged; in the US, pedestrians are often in imminent danger whenever they step onto the street. I wish the US was built for walking like this, and that more people took advantage of it. Want to stop childhood obesity and make all Americans healthier in general? Then make them walk everyday, even if it's just a mile. The results add up, trust me.
I am not on a diet. I eat something sweet everyday, usually a piece of cake or a confection. I do not count my calories while I'm here.
I've lost 10 lbs (11 lbs, when the scale is having a good day) in six weeks.
But it's more than just the 10 lbs that I've lost, since I'm fairly sure I've gained muscle, too. Because besides those 10 lbs, I've lost 2.5" off of my waistline, 1.5" off of my hips, and 3" off of my bust. And had to buy new insoles after just six weeks, even though I was fairly immobile for two to three weeks, due to two sprained ankles. I've dropped at least one clothing size, if not two.
All because of walking.
Top that, America.
....or tell me something happy... or tell me something that just makes your day brighter.
I am having one of those days that I won't blog about because it will drag the entire world down into an abyss of blah. =) So instead, I will tell you what makes me happy, and you can tell me what makes you happy. Sound good? Sounds good to me. (Notice how I'm doing both parts of the conversation here... =)
What Makes Me Happy: I have half a bottle of ice-cold milk tea and an air conditioner. This is tantamount to bliss right now.
What makes you happy? What's something good or day-brightening? Comments will be unmoderated periodically, although I may not reply to all--I'm still reading though.
I am having one of those days that I won't blog about because it will drag the entire world down into an abyss of blah. =) So instead, I will tell you what makes me happy, and you can tell me what makes you happy. Sound good? Sounds good to me. (Notice how I'm doing both parts of the conversation here... =)
What Makes Me Happy: I have half a bottle of ice-cold milk tea and an air conditioner. This is tantamount to bliss right now.
What makes you happy? What's something good or day-brightening? Comments will be unmoderated periodically, although I may not reply to all--I'm still reading though.
Dearest UK readers who have opinions,
Can some of you please explain what the recent election means in terms of your country? I've been reading lots of news coverage, but I'm a little lost on how this impacts the regular people of the UK. Thanks much in advance!
With hugs and anticipatory knowledge and elucidation,
Jenny
Can some of you please explain what the recent election means in terms of your country? I've been reading lots of news coverage, but I'm a little lost on how this impacts the regular people of the UK. Thanks much in advance!
With hugs and anticipatory knowledge and elucidation,
Jenny
There are so many reasons that I totally heart Tokyo, but today, I love it for the shopping. Most of the time I just window shop everywhere, but today I hit Tomato the fabric store and got a million and one fat quarters. After years of not being able to find quilt fabric that I loved--I found it. And my mom is going to dig up the sewing machine and give it to me when I get home, so finally, finally, finally, I will make my Flying Geese quilt. It's the silly, crafty things in life that make me so happy. =)
Tokyo is many things, but the segment of its shops that cater to crafty people + bored homemakers has to be among my favorites. I am frighteningly domestic sometimes.... for years, I was convinced that I wasn't a girly girl at all, but then I hit my twenties and realized that yes, I was. And now I can take wonderful delight in totally girly things in a city that has a ton of them! =)
(Yes, pictures to follow. I've been busy and I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.)
(Also, addendum #2: I've decided that most of you are all bored with me now, due to lack of comments. Obviously, my life is now deathly boring since I'm not an active agent. I shall just babble from now on, I suppose.)
Tokyo is many things, but the segment of its shops that cater to crafty people + bored homemakers has to be among my favorites. I am frighteningly domestic sometimes.... for years, I was convinced that I wasn't a girly girl at all, but then I hit my twenties and realized that yes, I was. And now I can take wonderful delight in totally girly things in a city that has a ton of them! =)
(Yes, pictures to follow. I've been busy and I have a ton of homework to do this weekend.)
(Also, addendum #2: I've decided that most of you are all bored with me now, due to lack of comments. Obviously, my life is now deathly boring since I'm not an active agent. I shall just babble from now on, I suppose.)
My dearest, dearest family dog, Dusty, has made it through his spleen removal surgery with flying colors. He's home, groggy, and being babied by my mom. He lives with my parents, by the way, which is why you don't hear about him often. It's probable that he has lymphoma, but I'm just so thrilled that he made it through the surgery alright. At almost-13-years-old, that's no easy feat for a Labrador Retriever. =)
I can't seem to find a nice clicky map that makes different colors for prefectures in Japan, so I'll do this the old-fashioned way. =) Stealing from Wikipedia:
I've been to numbers 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, and 13. =)
I've been to numbers 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, and 13. =)
I have succeeded in simultaneously having two ankle sprains. Hey, it's not a break, at least! Let's be thankful for small things! =)
Today, I did the following:
Today, I did the following:
- Went to a second hospital in Japan; it was $100 this time, which makes my left ankle officially cheaper than my right ankle. =) Also, it illustrates that Tokyo is more expensive than northern Japan, where I am right now. And I can now explain my entire history of ankle sprains in coherent Japanese...
- Got to ride the Denden mushi bus all around Morioka, which made me irrationally happy. It has snails and other happy bugs on it and it sings at you. I'm all for singing buses.
- Discovered the casing of my Macbook has cracked, which makes me sad. Does anyone know if you can fix something that you bought two years ago, if it's under warranty? (presumably still)
- Bought an adorable iron cat stand thing, which is ostensibly for letters, but is just cute. It's handmade, too. Also, gazed adoringly at $800 handmade iron teapots, which I didn't buy.
- Walked all around Iwate Koen, which is the park in central Morioka. We visited a castle! We saw a million and one cherry blossoms and it was seriously gorgeous. We saw a monument to some poet I didn't know. It was one of the most lovely places I've ever been in my entire life, and it was a simple public park. =)
- Rode the shinkansen from Morioka to Hachinohe.
- Rode the shinkansen from Morioka to Kakunodate.
- Walked around Kakunodate in the rain and cold. It was beautiful and quaint. I took pictures at an old cemetery and we saw a river with cherry trees blooming in the cold.
- Also, saw a Japanese dance thing as soon as we got off the station.
- Went to the Kakunodate cherry blossom festival and ate festival food. Amazake is good, although strange-smelling. Chocolate bananas rock. And grilled squid are very attractive, although we didn't sample them.
- Fell in ditch--see prior day's entry.
- Visited the Aoyagi samurai house museum, which is a preserved samurai house from the Edo era. Got to see kick-ass swords of all types and neat armor. Also, an early fire engine which I neglected to photograph.
- Had sakura udon for lunch.
- Tried in vain to convince Chris that we should ride a rickshaw back to the station; he thought it was too weird, so we didn't.
- Rode the shinkansen from Kakunodate to Tazawako. Normally, all the shinkansen riding would be prohibitively expensive, but we had the JR rail pass, which made everything extremely affordable.
- Took a bus tour around Lake Tazawako, which is HUGE. Easily close to the size of Lake Champlain, I think. It's the largest caldera lake in Japan (possibly, world). Breathtakingly beautiful, and we've seen a lot of lovely scenery here so far. We were also the only ones on the bus, and the driver was nice enough to make an unscheduled stop to take pictures at a temple/red arch thing. The proper word for it escapes me but it's gorgeous. It's also sort of familiar, and I wonder if I've seen it in a drama?
- Rode shinkansen from Tazawako back to Morioka.
- Rode shinkansen from Tokyo to Morioka.
- Hopefully, Osorezan, if we get up in time. =)
Today, dearest blog readers, I went to a wonderful little town with preserved samurai houses and a cherry blossom festival and a neat cemetery. I had a lovely time, for most of it, despite the intermittent rain and freezing-cold wind and the husband who was in culture and language-shock the entire time.
And then, I fell in a ditch.
A deep ditch. A painful ditch. A ditch I totally didn't see at all because I define the word "oblivious".
And I managed to injure my other ankle.
I'm going to go to bed now and try to convince myself that it's really just another sprain, and so I should ignore the odd swelling on the top of my foot and eversion pain that originates from there... I'm going to bed and going to hope that it's not a talar fracture (thank you, Google) because I really don't want to brave another hospital with broken Japanese.
And then, I fell in a ditch.
A deep ditch. A painful ditch. A ditch I totally didn't see at all because I define the word "oblivious".
And I managed to injure my other ankle.
I'm going to go to bed now and try to convince myself that it's really just another sprain, and so I should ignore the odd swelling on the top of my foot and eversion pain that originates from there... I'm going to bed and going to hope that it's not a talar fracture (thank you, Google) because I really don't want to brave another hospital with broken Japanese.
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