Egg sandwiches Jan. 1 2007

Today is a day I spent inside my room... I must have studied Japanese for 5 hours or more; I want to complete a program called Assimil before school starts, but it is a tall order. I have 40 lessons to complete in less than 30 days, so it's alot of work, but I have alot of time on my hands. I also watched Japanese TV for a about 2 hours which is good to practice my comprehension of Japanese. I don't know if I am hooked to cable here, but I have 12 channels, and there are 12 buttons on the remote to switch to those channels. I'm not sure I understand the system yet, but anywho, I watched two different shows: one that people try to get hospitality from strangers, and another show which is similar to the price is right, but only with objects of great value and the contestants really have to know their art to determine the value, the price differences or even fake from genuine. Another show I have seen a little bit is called Gakinotsukai, where they put contestants in peculiar situations and if they laugh they get a big whack on their ass!?! You can see part on an episode on YouTube. Besides that, I have been adapting quickly for some things but slowly for others. My greatest challenge thus far is technology. Not only because it is more advance, but especially because everything is in Japanese. Simple things like pouring hot water from the hot water distributer, turning the heater on and setting the temperature, sending an email with my cellphone, and even using a computer becomes a complex task, whereas in Canada I am an expert with those things, we just know what buttons to press naturally right? Well not here. I think that if you know a little bit of Japanese, it is worth the extra effort to try to understand what is written, or trying to find out instead of pushing on any button (like I am always tempted to do). Before Jan.1, I went to the supermarket to make sure I had sufficient supplies for the next 3 days because most things are closed after New Year celebrations for 3 days. I didn't want to die of hunger in Japan! I bought instant Ramen noodles (very handy and easy to prepare), eggs, bread, Jam, cereals, eggs, rice and one Obentou lunch box. Today I felt like making egg sandwiches, but I didn't have mayonnaise nor salt for that matter. So I took a chance and went to a nearby convenience store (like Depanneur in Quebec), and they were opened, but I could not find Mayonnaise. I was looking for a glass jar filled with white substance... but here, mayonnaise is more yellow in colour and in a plastic bottle. So with a closer look I found that out. I also found a salt shaker and I was very happy because I had my egg sandwiches. I was also happy to find out that the convenience stores are open!