Let's Try Some Japanese Food!

More than two years in Japan and I don't know how to cook any Japanese food. (insert sad face) I'm in Japan so I didn't find any need to cook Japanese food. I can just go out my apartment, walk less than a hundred steps and buy some Japanese food from 7/11. If I'm craving for sushi, I just need to cycle in 10 minutes and I'll be eating at Kaiten Sushi. If I want some ramen, I just simply have to go to the station or grab my perpetual stock of cup noodles. So I guess you get it why I didn't find a need to learn how to cook Japanese food.

But not all foreigners are like me. I found this foreign blogger who tried cooking various Japanese food using Japanese Soul Cooking book. Check out the recipes and her experiences with the food below. (Just click the link on each food). She gives her own take and expressed useful commentaries on Japanese food.

For ALT's: Ideas for Playing Crossfire

image credit: http://www.clker.com/clipart-178701.html

Crossfire is a popular warm-up and practice activity in the Japanese classroom. Most Japanese English teachers I've worked with are familiar with it.

Here's how to do a simple crossfire game: 

1. Ask all students to stand up. 

2. Ask a question in English. (Examples: Do you like pizza?, Do you play basketball?)

3. Call a student who raised his hand. 

4. If the student's answer is correct he can choose to save the students on the same column or row. 

   Once the student choose which students to save, the other students can sit down. 

   If the student's answer is wrong, call another student. 

5. Keep on asking question until all students are seated.

Tips When Buying a Bra in Japan

I'm old-fashioned when it comes to bras. I like them in neutral colors and plain designs. No laces, frills and shocking colors. It's for practical reason. I like wearing well-fitting and light-colored tops. If I wear a colorful bra, it will show through. If I wear a lacy bra, it will make creases on my top. I didn't realize it's not easy to find this kind of bra in Japan.

For starters, I didn't know if I looked at the right place. I visited the Shimamura, Entetsu department store, AEON department store, Don Quijote and Uniqlo. They're considerably big stores but their bras are too girly- all lace, foams and frills. They're perfect for those wanting to look nice and cute for their men but that's not my purpose. I just need a simple, plain, white bra! They have plain walking bras but the material is too light it won't cover enough what it's supposed to cover. I don't know if Japan has a special underwear store or something but I didn't find what I was looking for in the stores.