日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #41: 発表 / Presentation

The bookstore attached to my train station has a weekly updated ranking for books divided by genre, and last week I wondered if any of them were available to borrow from my local library. I wanted to read『トヨタの片づけ』actually, but that was a no-go—checked out and too many people in front of me in the reservation line. The other books were also either checked out or not in the library—except for this one, about the magical ways to get over your fear of talking in front of people.

I don't necessarily have that problem, but since it was the only book available, I thought it couldn't hurt to read it on the train. (Plus I have presentation on Friday! Perfect timing!)

Much of the book discussed ways to get your brain to start processing (and then overcoming) your past traumas that made you dislike talking in front of people, and then to visualize yourself enjoying and succeeding at it instead. And while I may not necessarily lie there chanting "I am awesome, I am awesome" before I go to sleep at night (well, I may, but it won't be because I'm afraid of talking in front of people), there were three tips I took away from the book.

1. Visualize yourself in a positive manner—things about yourself that you dislike, think of their alternatives that you do like, and then visualize yourself as having those qualities instead. And your shortcomings? Try to spin as them as positives!
2. Express thanks in having the opportunity to present—and for having an audience to listen to you. Out loud, at the beginning.
3. Imagine your head and shoulders as being stuck to a hanger—and when you turn your body, turn the whole hanger, not just the hook (i.e., your head). You look more...calm. (And sexy. (And like you have a stiff back.))

Those are probably not things that the writer intended for me to take away, but that's OK, she's not here. And while these tips may not help me with Friday's presentation, I feel more positive just having read the book!

しかし、日本の本はやたらと余白が多い。本を一冊、森下へ行って帰ってくるまでの間に読み終わってしまった。まるで小学生時代のティーンズ・ハートみたいだ。これでは資源の無駄遣いではなかろうか・・・

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #40: 調味料 / Condiments

I just received the second-to-last delivery from my co-op. And whaddya know—two packets of blueberries, lots of tomatoes, and a bag of okras (along with a rice flour roll cake)! I couldn't be more excited for my summer o' plenty.

Being in a "use up everything in the fridge" mode, I'm currently down to a minimum when it comes to condiments—though I suppose turmeric, mirin, and nam pla will definitely get me places. The thing about summer is that 1) I don't feel like cooking, and 2) produce is so delicious it doesn't need to be seasoned much. I suppose, as they say: "Hunger is the best sauce." Cheers to that.

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #39: 節約 / Frugality

That's a lie, I've known ways to be frugal since before I understood the meaning of compound interest. And if it weren't for my frugality I wouldn't have gotten through my (mysteriously, simultaneously) extravagant lifestyle in San Francisco in my 20s.

But apparently the Japanese media likes to promote "frugality" as a virtue in ways that I never thought were possible. If I read one more magazine article telling me that I should pack my own bento box instead of buying lunch out at work, I am going to go on a convenience store shopping rampage to buy up all the rice balls on the shelves.

Recently, though, I've been thinking about my future and all the things I'd like to do in it—and how, in all practical seriousness, it's nice to be financially comfortable, not to have to worry about paying for (un)expected or (un)expecting life events. And I realize also that, with a specific goal in mind, saving up—or "being frugal"—can be a lot of fun.

But since I cannot keep a straight face while switching off the circuit breaker before I leave my house every morning, I figured I should consider some basic guiding principles in my attempt to save up for my future.

1. Keep a clear goal in mind, however distant—so that I can judge whether being "frugal" in a given situation makes sense in light of that goal.
2. Spend money when it makes sense to—in difficult situations or at amazing restaurants, for example. 
3. Never skimp on other people—because what goes around comes around (and it's always fun to see people happy, even if it involves some spending).
4. Think not about "what to give up", but more about "what to give"—because saving is about giving (and receiving), either to (from) myself or to (from) people I care about.
5. Remember that life is full of unexpected things, and that it also may be short (though such things are relative)—and that it's always more important to live in the present than to worry about the future.

Now, if you'll excuse me—I'm going to go relive the experience of that wonderful dinner we had last night at Ristorante HiRo for Japan Restaurant Week, which, however pricey, was worth every yen—and I'm also going to think of how to save up for our next such dinner, though it may well be a lovely gluten-free pasta and wine night at home...

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #38: 芸能人 / Celebrities

Sometimes I think, maybe if I had a celebrity crush, my life would be more interesting. I'd have someone to stalk on the Internet, I could make little squealing sounds when someone got off the plane at the airport, etc., etc. ... But as the underwhelming unfolding of my opportunity to see Satoh Takeru in real life proved, I just can't seem to care much for celebrities. Especially in Japan.

Not counting that embarrassing period in my life when I really wanted to meet Taylor Hanson in person (::sigh::), I can't share in the excitement that people feel over actors, musicians, and other celebrities. Would I be stoked if I got to talk to Lisa Hannigan? Maybe Sam Beam? Throw in a little bit of Harrison Ford for good measure? 

I'm thinking "no". Especially after being in Japan for the last several months, I've become wary of the use (in multiple senses of the word) of celebrities, where people are commodified for their looks and little else. Satoh Takeru is certainly beautiful, but that standardization of "looks" among celebrities (male and female) and the creation of both desires and complexes among consumers disturbs me.

でも「芸能人」って言葉でいいのかな？なんか高級な感じがないな〜。やっぱ「セレブ」とか「有名人」とか？！

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #37: 向田邦子 / Mukōda Kuniko

Mukōda Kuniko should actually not be a discovery in Japan, since she was on my qual exam list at some point until she got de-prioritized for reasons I can no longer remember. Regardless, she as a writer has always had a special place in my heart, since she wrote the screenplay for the TV show with the character after whom I was named, based on a novel by Genji Keita. (That...was a long sentence. Sorry.)

文庫本は電車の中で手軽に読めるからいいんだけど、向田邦子の本は必ずと言っていい程涙で顔がボロボロになるから、公共の場で読むにはちょいと恥ずかしい。今日も帰りの電車の中で目真っ赤にしながら『あ・うん』読んでたし・・・

Mukōda passed away far too young, but even still she in her works (whether essay, novel, or screenplay) pens incisive and sensitive portrayals of a wide range of characters—men and women, young and old. And there's such an honesty and clarity there, something that makes you recognize yourself in those characters, that you can't help but look to the pages for answers to things that you've been struggling with...

さて、『あ・うん』も終わったし、次は中里恒子を読む事にしよう。こっちも電車で読んだらヤバいのだろうか・・・

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #36: 藤布 / Wisteria Fabric

昨日、綺麗な端切れに巡り会った。新宿の京王百貨店でやってる「若手工芸職人展」で、親切なお兄さんが「藤布」について色々と説明してくれた・・・が、結局藤布の帯は買えなくて、小ちゃな端切れで諦めたのだ。

藤布は、藤の蔓の皮から創るそうな。何しろ時間がかかる！と京都の「遊絲舎」ゆーお店の人は教えてくれた。

しかし。あのテのイベントは危険だ。五月の「全国工芸職人展」でも、目が離せなくて鼈甲を買ってしまった。今回は危うく珊瑚のピアスを買いそうになった。アブナイったらありゃしない。次回は財布は家に置いて行こう。

日本での発見 / Discoveries in Japan #35: 心 / Heart

今朝起きたら、何故か日本酒の瓶が空っぽになってた。何故だろう・・・不思議だ。全く身に覚えが無いのに・・・

Today I had coffee with a friend, the same one with whom I stomped around Ginza way back in November. It makes me laugh how so much has changed since we both arrived in Tokyo last fall—and how much hasn't, really. Turns out we both still need to write those pesky dissertations of ours...

今日は新宿に行って久々にポケットティッシュを貰っちゃった。嬉しーなー。なんか、女の子としてまた見られる程、髪の毛が伸びたみたい。頭ボーズにしてから、まるっきしあのテのお兄さん達に無視されてたからな・・・

Right now I have six bottles of wine sitting in the corner of my apartment. Although I've mysteriously finished off the bottle of the sake of my heart (disturbing), I suspect there will be quite a number of opportunities to cook some delicious meals with which to enjoy those wines...