Moved

So we went and moved back to America. I must say I'm happy to be home but find that I am at least half Japanese now. I heard that it was common to be depressed when repatriating. Japan was the first place I really wanted to live just to be there and I will always remember the beautiful moments there and wonderful friends. I feel the worst about my daughter when she asks to go home and says she needs a riceball.

The trip was smooth enough considering there were three flights and two bus rides within 24 hours. I hate descending, especially in a small plane. The best part is looking out at the clouds.

Tea Tales 1: Mugicha

I've been thinking I wanted to do a series of post related to different types of tea because I love trying new kinds and can frequently be found drinking it. For my first post on this topic, I wanted to tell those who may not know already about mugicha.

Mugicha (roasted barley tea) is a Japanese summer favorite. As soon as the weather heats up, you can find boxes and bag of mugicha tea bags on display at the ends of grocery aisle. I'm drinking it now!

Mugicha is very easy to make, you simply put the tea sack in a pitcher of water and leave it in the fridge for a few hours and it makes itself. Since the barley doesn't get bitter like regular tea leaves you can leave the tea bag in the pitcher for as long as the drink is in there, which isn't very long because people guzzle this stuff like water. Mugicha is usually served unsweetened and it is caffeine free!

From Wikipedia:

According to Japanese food conglomerate Kagome, a recent study stated that drinking mugicha increased blood fluidity. This action is caused by an alkylpyrazine, which is a primary flavor in the drink. Japanese consider it to cleanse the blood of impurities. Mugicha also has been linked with reduced stress during a study by the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products in China.

Hey, that's good news!

Cute Commercial

Winter things

Well, since we kind of had Thanksgiving last weekend it is officially winter in my mind. I thought about the new winter activities of Japan that I will warmly remember for the rest of my life from the comfort of my future home in the southern U.S.

Top Ten Winter Activities for 2007:
10. Accidentally taking a moonlit stroll home with my daughter because I went grocery shopping at 4 pm and forgot that it gets pitch dark really fast
9. Getting a bottle of hot Royal Milk Tea from Lawson and sharing it on the walk home
8. Eating mikan (Japanese tangerines) - it is really unavoidable because they are everywhere, but why would you avoid it?!
7. Wearing socks all the time
6. Taking a nice bath and having the water feel really hot on your cold feet at first
5. Big udon
4. Knitting hats for the family (including dolls)
3. Snuggling up under the big blanket and watching the holiday episodes of The Simpsons
2. Christmas and New Year celebrations
1. VACATION IN KYOTO! *sigh*

To Dye For

Yeah, it's a stupid post title, I know but I can't help it.
Anyway, my hair is naturally brown but I always end up dying it black because I like dark black the best.

I was so stoked when I needed to dye my hair again and I found this FRESH LIGHT brand because of the gorgeous model on the box.

First Post

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tina, I'm in my early twenties and I live with my husband and daughter in Japan.

Today is the first day I have spent with my new Blythe and I thought, you have something to contribute to all that community - start a blog or something. Well here it is baby. But I am also quite crafty and have other ideas to share so I'll be putting those up to.

So about the girl: I got Enchanted Petal at Toys R Us last night after drooling over her for quite some time. Her name is Lurlina and I hope I will be a good mom to her. I love Blythe's face, at first she seems a little snobby but then you realize quickly that she does want to be friends and is just shy. I also have a petite Shanghai Season named Marie. She's a cutie.