EAT, pray, love

I have been to the movies all of three times during my 2 years in Japan, the third of which was this weekend.

The first two movies were randoms a year ago, one an old Japanese comedy at a film festival and another about a band called the Boredoms. Saturday was the first time I went to see a proper Hollywood release...Julia Roberts in what I thought was not her best performance. I had also read the book so naturally the story seemed slightly less intriguing.

What did fascinate me though was the popcorn/drink holder tray. Yes, the popcorn/drink holder tray.

It is a tray that has a slot for your drink and a square slightly indented space for your popcorn packet. I found my seat and put the drink in the seat cup holder and the popcorn packet on my lap and was looking around trying to figure out how to get rid of the tray.

My friend gives me a 'tsk tsk' takes the tray, puts the popcorn and drink back on it and slots the drink piece into the seat cup holder. I thought it was genius! you can keep it in the middle of two people or swing it to either side if you want to hog the popcorn (imagine a little desk in front of you). no more accidentally spilling popcorn on you lap, no more need for people to attack your crotch. (unless of course you like that sort of thing)

I couldn't find an exact pic of the contraption but this one is close, only difference is that there was only one compartment for the drink which is then slotted into the seat cup holder.

bloody brilliant i tell ya!

 

Also, a friend was asking me how I related to the story (divorced lady goes on self-discovery adventure blablah) Well, I don't know about the praying and the loving but I can certainly vouch for the eating. And in light of that, I am off to Osaka tonight by the overnight bus on what I am calling, a culinary tour.

Osaka is the second major city in Japan, and known as the nation's kitchen, the food mecca. I can't wait. Will try to do a food diary if I can remember to take pics of the dishes before I start devouring them.

The trip is also to begin crossing off 'want to visit' places off my list before my last year in Japan disappears! I have been far up North to Hokkaido and down to Nagasaki and a few places in between, time to cover more distance.

courtesy of WorldAtlas.com

In all honesty it was beginners luck...

How could I not put this up!

Backstory:

My friends and I met for a few (too many) drinks one night, and had to change location when the bar closed.

So we went to another bar.

In it, there was a dart board.

So naturally, we had to play.

I had the first try.

and there it is.

after this ofcourse, my darts barely even touched the board >_<

Eats

Pics from random eats.

Onigiri set from a new onigiri place next to uni

Squidward sauced and sliced!

skinny face moral values

Excuse me while I put up more random pics I found on my phone.

 

 

My sentiments exactly!

taken in the toilets of a dorm near my university.

FYI, I haven't started using the boys toilets (yet)..a friend took my phone in and snapped the pic.

Flippy Floppies

So like most women, if not all, I also love shoes. But while the general market usually veers towards heels and boots etc, my heart stops at flat (and mostly open) shoes: sandals, strappy shoes, crocs and ...yes, flipflops (jandals, thongs or whatever else you call them)

I don't do heels. Period. I have worn a pair probably once or twice in my life to humour people and in the end it only further confirmed my dislike for them.

When I was younger I stayed away from them because I already towered over most girls my age...and guys. So I didnt need an extra few inches to hover over my dates.

Then I realised I had weak ankles (which apparently would be stronger if I wore heels, catch 22?).
Then there was the issue of never being able to find my size... yes, I have big feet, and moving to Japan wasn't the best help.

And then, I just decided that I enjoyed the comfort of not wearing them. So there.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against heels. I love looking at them, and Tokyo is the perfect place for that. Women here are apparently the most fashionable in the world, weird too, but definitely fashionable.

Shoe watching is a great time-pass on train rides, hundreds of shoes getting on and off at each stop. And Japanese women (and men!) raise their feet to the occasion by always sporting the newest, trendiest shoes. Its like shoe porn!

Back to flippy floppies, although my mother tells me its not good for my feet, I love the freedom they give my toes. One of the most depressing things about living through winter here is subjecting my toes to the claustrophobia that confines them into socks. UGH.

So... the reason for carrying on about shoes and toes is because today I came across this super genius creation called Switch Flops. Because while I love shoes, I hate having too many possessions. Practicality beats chic any day. And these Switch Flops combine the two. Its pure brilliance, I tell you. I can't believe no one had thought of it earlier.

The straps are interchangeable and one can velcro on and off whatever pattern or colour they like.

DO WANT.