A Minor Success

One week into my tote bag experiment and today at the Union, the check-out lady didn't even reach for a plastic bag, but immediately started putting things into my tote! (This was after she tried to point out that there was toilet paper that was cheaper by 100 yen than what I was buying, but I couldn't explain that I don't like fragranced TP.) And! She didn't put my frozen vegetables or fruit in separate little bags either! I have no had one plastic bag come into my apartment last week. Yes! I guarantee that the check-out folks at the grocery store all know about my little experiment. Probably say something like, "Bloody gaijin with her bag. Always has to throw off the system." Oh, well, it's working!

Book #4 - Salt: A World History

Alright, another book finished. This one took me longer than I thought it was going to, but alas, now I need to buy some more smaller books capable of being carried back and forth from school. (Not possible with WAP)



"Salt:A World History" by Mark Kurlansky...

I often passed this book at Barnes and Noble, but never actually bought it. But thanks to desperate times at Chatan High School, I finally made the purchase. "Salt" has its "hmmm...interesting" moments as it connects the histories from around the world through salt usage and production. It looks at religious symbolism, war, development, and all the stuff usually covered by history books, but this time with a culinary twist. I know more about salt production, brine wells, lead pans, coal and timber methods, than I ever thought possible. And although some of the recipes made my stomach turn, most of the time, I became very hungry reading descriptions of breads, cheese, butter, pastas, fish, etc. that are all thanks to salt. Lovely salt.

20 more to go

The other day I read an article about how IKEA is going to charge customers 5 cents for every plastic bag they use at the store. So, although, this isn't a number on my list, it is all about self-improvement. I realized that it's ridiculous for me to consuming so much plastic. Japan is infamous for their plastic bag consumption. The other day at the grocery store, a lady with five items left with four plastic bags. They wrap up their meat, frozen goods, tofu, etc. all in their own special bag within a bag. I grocery shop every single day and even though I reuse the bags for my garbage each week, I have a huge stash taking up room in my kitchen. So, remembering my days in Cambridge where I brought my own bag to Aldi and paid more money at the other grocery stores if I didn't have my own tote, I decided that instead of complaining about the problem, it is time to do something about it on an individual level. Hence, I bought a tote for 100 yen today (less than a $1) and as I bought my bread, soup, etc., I refused bags and shoved my items in my tote instead. I have heard that you have to do something 21 times to make it a habit. So here goes. And if all goes well, I will continue this at home as well. Also, feeling a bit chic walking home, I decided to finally stop at the organic store on the way. I didn't buy anything because, well, like most organic stuff, the prices were ridiculous, but maybe at least I have become more aware of my impact on nature during my time in Okinawa.

The Russians are Coming!

It begins.

Book #3 - "Infinite Jest" (and 4 and 5 and 6...?)

(Just the major characters... And I had to move to other pages to continue them)

I can count this as the biggest accomplishment of the year. And the most enjoyable. The most addictive. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow me to cross anything off of my list, but I did put twenty gold stars next to my name on my personal "You're awesome!" chart. (kidding)

I finished it. IJ. Infinite Jest. The most intense reading experience I have ever encountered. It took over six weeks of reading and 1079 pages later, I am still reeling. In fact, I can't close the book. I have gone back through parts already and I just finished 30 minutes ago. I am reading online guides and getting other viewpoints. Truly Infinite Jest.

I cannot begin to describe this book. Ken couldn't stop talking about it when he read it last year and when he gifted it to me for Christmas, I was hesitant to dig in. But I found true joy at wikipedia-ing all sorts of obscure references. Putting together themes in my mind. Pondering characters on the treadmill. I was attached to this book. I didn't want it to reject me. It was almost as if I had a relationship with IJ for these weeks. It sounds strange. But read it yourself and you will be sucked into DFW's world. And what a world it is. Ken and I have already scheduled a rereading next year where we can both tackle it again at the same time and have full-blown discussions on The Entertainment, on the P.G.O.A.T, on DMZ, art and literature references using a different color pen for new marks and comments. I sound like an intellectual snob here, but really this book is accessible. It just looks daunting. Some reviewers refused to even finish it, and I almost want to send them belated emails and encourage them to try again. One review that offers a quick summary can be found here.

My fellow teachers thought I was preparing for an exam because I was concentrating with furrowed eyebrows and a scribbling pen. There were times when I forgot I was at school and would open my mouth in shock at what I was reading or laugh outloud. Ken has assured me that other books will be enjoyable, but I'm afraid that I've reached the pinnacle of my reading career. After searching for a book to fill huge shoes (and large chunks of time... 8 days of classes this month TOTAL), we are going to attack "War and Peace" head-on once the copies arrive. C'mon, Amazon, speed things up a bit!