Office Makeover

 

Creating a Work Oasis

[ Creating a work space with the old and the new ]

Norah and I spent the past couple of days sorting out my work space at my school - a quiet, tiny corner of the building that also houses curriculum, art supplies, the infirmary bed, and a rogue safe to which no one has a key. My introvert brain needs a place to go to when I am working where I can think and recharge from time to time. I knew that with a little creativity I could make this space work. It needed a little spin from the Martha Stewart of Burgaw.

[ First impressions got me problem solving ]

Norah and I spent the first day pulling everything off the shelves and out of the office so that we could see what we had to work with. We sorted, organized, and recycled our way into a new world order up in here. 

[ Sorting, organizing, and recycling ]

[ The Rogue Safe; now a base for my computer monitor ]

Next, we took a short road trip to the local DIY store (DCM) to pick up some supplies: a desk, some chairs, and a few other items to start to make this work space welcoming. We also stopped at the dollar store (Daiso) to pick up some baskets and organizers. Clearing the space helped to see what kind of art supplies were on hand so that I would know what I need to order before students arrive. It was an all around win-win. Once everything was back on the shelves I felt like I was in a dream land of paint brushes, drawing pencils, and collage-making supplies. Oh yeah, and nice space for sitting and thinking too. 

[ Just look at this organization! I can't handle it. ]

There are a few more items that I am hunting down to put in the space, and I will need a book shelf inside the door for all of my books when they arrive, but for now I have a space in this sweet little school where I can work peacefully, talk with staff, and marvel over my art supplies on the daily. 

[ Office Diminutive ]

[ I've got mail ]

On another note, I have received my first piece of mail. I think that it is an electric bill. I have no idea how to pay it.

Living half a world apart

 

Saying Goodbye to Wiley and Tom

[ A quiet day before departure ]

Well, Norah and I took Tom and Wiley to the airport in Chitose yesterday for the flight back to the U.S. It was hard to say goodbye, I definitely loved every minute of our time together here. We can look forward to their return in December, when they will bring Casper with them - another adventure all in itself. 

We hugged, we kissed, we said our goodbyes for now and Norah and I got back in the van for the drive back through the mountains to Niseko. I cannot quite understand yet what this adventure will be, but I am so grateful that I have a family that supports me, who are excited, and who are willing to go on this adventure with me. My ability to work, be brave, and pursue my curiosity is grounded by having my family in my life. 

[ I will miss him ]

The Benefits of Walking

 

Neighborhood Bakery

[ Almond cocoa, pumpkin, and rock cookies for sale ]

Tom and I were out on a walk around the neighborhood last night (we mapped out a 3-mile walk that can be done from the front door). We came across a sign that translated to, well, "bakery" so we decided to investigate. We walked up a gravel driveway towards a private home, a little nervous about trespassing, but encouraged by the idea that there might be some fresh bread for sale. We had some confidence about finding a bread shop because five minutes earlier we discovered a tiny cheese shop on the other side of the road selling camembert made on the premises. We tried their camembert ice cream and well, ugh. It was a little strong. 

[ "Bakery" ]

[ The road leading up to the house ]

Yes! The shop was there. Right around the corner from the road was a bed of flowers leading to the bakery door. Inside a variety of delights. 

[ Ah! Open! ]

We went inside to the tiniest shop with an abundance of selections of breads, tarts, and baked goods. Everything was beautifully wrapped and displayed and there was a small log table and benches to sit and enjoy an afternoon snack. We looked carefully over the selections and chose a  country french bread (pain de campagne) made with rye flower and sourdough, and a cherry tart made with local fruit and milk from a local dairy. 

[ Which tart should we choose? ]

[ A spot to rest from all the walking ]

[ This walk was worth every yen ]

I am really enjoying discovering the cottage industries at work in the neighborhood. We also walked by a barber shop set up in a shipping container and we have been told about a house down the street where a chef makes dinner for one table of guests each night in his downstairs kitchen. 

[ The Barber Shop ]

I am planning to walk this loop once a day so we will see how well I benefit from the exercise. I think I will carry a shopping bag next time. 

A Million Blunders & Two Bottles of Wine

 

Family Sushi Dinner

[Beautifully crafted nigiri ]

Last night we decided it was time for a meal of sushi so we piled in the van and drove to Sakana Isshin, a sushi restaurant in the town of Niseko. Our first blunder was upon arrival when we did not have a reservation. Graciously the waiter seated us anyway. The waiter brought us menus and a stack of small plates along with chopsticks and a wet cloth for wiping our hands.  We poured over the menu with our google translate in hand and finally agreed that Wiley and Norah should just order for the table. Tom and I would be in charge of drinks. 

[ The daily specials ]

[ Somewhat translated ]

[ Wiley contemplating ordering something challenging ]

So we happily discussed what we would order and then waited for the waiter to return. In the mean time, another couple was seated beside us. Within minutes they had drinks and five minutes later a beautiful meal appeared at their table. The waiters were swarming with drinks, water, more plates, and so on. We started thinking that perhaps because we did not have a reservation we had to wait until everyone else in the restaurant was served. This went on for about 30 minutes. The couple beside us finished their meal and left the restaurant. Then, we noticed a regular sound of a chime going off in the background. We looked around and noticed a small oval accessory on our table that I honestly thought held some sort of condiment. We google translated the words on this item and it said "ring the bell when you are ready to order". Blunder #2. 

[ The secret button ]

Now feeling like complete idiots we rang the bell. Instant attentiveness at our table by the wait staff. Wiley and Norah ordered our food like professionals and Tom and I ordered a small order of local Niseko dry sake and two glasses of chablis. Or so we thought. 

[First course - tempura vegetables and edamame ]

Well, the waiter brought the first course of tempura vegetables along with some edamame and a second waiter showed up with a sizable pitcher of sake along with four glasses. It was more than I thought we ordered, but okay - I was excited to try it. Then a third waiter showed up with a BOTTLE of chablis and I was like, okay, didn't realize I ordered a bottle but that's okay. And then another waiter showed up with a SECOND bottle of chablis. Okay, we now had enough alcohol on the table for a party of eight. Blunder #3. At this point Tom and I could not contain ourselves and Norah and Wiley were in full embarassed-by-the-parents mode. 

[ One bottle of chablis EACH ]

The sushi was delicious. There was every variety of fresh fish, including an oyster, shrimp, tuna, salmon, and a variety of white fish that I did not recognize. We got a second chance at sea urchin (still tastes like aquarium ] along with fresh salmon roe. 

[ Norah bravely downing the salmon roe ]

We managed to finish off the sake (delicious ) and one bottle of wine by the end of the meal. We game planned for how to exit the restaurant with the second bottle of wine because we were too stupid to know whether or not this was an allowable action. So, we decided that Wiley would go up and pay the bill while Norah and I assist, and Tom would walk straight out of the restaurant with the bottle of wine. We figured he would be least likely to be stopped. We also decided that Norah and I could not return to this restaurant for about six months to regain our dignity with the wait staff. 

[ We made it to the parking lot ]

We made it to the parking lot unscathed. Norah was the designated driver home, having had only one glass of sake at dinner. 

Hell Valley in Noboribetsu

 

Sulphur Baths and Eel Lunch

[ An Ojizo-sama watches over forest visitors in Jigokudani ]

Today we drove south along Route 66 and then the Hokkaido Expressway (a toll road with no switchbacks) to see an enormous caldera lake (Lake Toya) and to visit the mineral hot springs in Noboribetsu, in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.  My friend Polly helped me plan this day trip and I tried to document details so that she could see the fruits of her planning in my post today. 

[ Lake Toya - a volcanic caldera lake in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park ]

After that spectacular view of Lake Toya, we arrived at Noboribetsu and made our way to the hike through the forest to see the mineral hot springs steaming out of the earth. A map pointed out the various routes that we could take and we decided to follow a circle path through the forest that would eventually lead to a mineral footbath created by the hot springs run off in the forest. Small stone statues wearing read bibs, Ojiza-Sama, were tucked along the trail to guard over evil spirits or other calamities. I found their presence calming, especially when we came across what appeared to be bear droppings. After a decent uphill climb we made it to our first hot springs of steam coming out of the earth. There is a heavy sulphur content in the water (which is plus 50 degrees celsius) and well, the scent is pretty strong to be honest. The scenery was dramatic and the mineral pools were a stunning cerulean blue. There are several hotels in the town where you can go to soak in the natural mineral baths fed by the hot springs. The word Noboribetsu is from the Ainu language - the Ainu people are indigenous to Hokkaido.

[ Noboribetsu-onsen ]

[ The sulphur rock of hell valley ]

After taking in the sites we headed to the natural footbath that ran along a river bed in the forest floor. I was very excited about this - spa day! Wiley and Norah lead the way to a curve in the river where we found other tourists equally excited about soaking toes for a few minutes in a hot mineral spring. 

[ Hot mineral water foot bath ahead! ]

[ Seat cushion for spa time ]

[ A sibling moment ]

[ Better than Epsom Salts ]

After our spa time, we hiked along a grassy path through the forest to get back to town. We were the only people on the path as we wound our way along past lots of Ojiza-sama watching with a quiet eye. 

[ Forest magic ]

By the time we got back to town we were ready to eat some food. We stepped into Onsen Ichiba on the main street of the town to try some fresh eel and sea urchin. This tiny place was packed. Baskets of live seafood swam around in open tanks gurgling along the entrance wall. Our waiter took us to a table near the back and handed over our menus. The next ten minutes were spent pouring over the selections using Google translate! 

[ Our table ]

[ Abalone, scallops, and snails ]

[Sea urchin and a giant crab ]

Wiley was the most curious gourmand amongst us. He ordered sea urchin and BBQ eel. I ordered scallops, miso soup, and rice. Everything starts out alive and was then cooked fresh when ordered. Except the sea urchin which was served raw. I did try it. I would describe the taste to be quite similar to the smell of an aquarium. I think it is an acquired taste. 

[ Raw Sea Urchin ]

[ Eel BBQ ]

[ Scallops, rice, and miso soup ]

Our return to Niseko was mostly uneventful, except for when Wiley (the navigator) missed the turn for the toll road which sent us straight up a mountain, which I was trying to avoid. Even though it was not the route I had planned to take we were treated to a stunning drive on the return home. Only two high stress moments: first when climbing up the mountain on roads that were trestled above the tree line and second when we started the ascent through a steel tube that felt a lot like a roller coaster ride. 

[Driving on a trestle road above the trees ]

[ And now I'm on a roller coaster plunging at a 60 degree angle ]

Planning a quiet day tomorrow close to the volcano. 

Creature Comforts

Trip to Nitori

[ Enjoying breakfast with the Justin's Classic peanut butter I stashed in my suitcase. ]

A couple of days ago we went on a journey to Otaru, a coastal city adjacent to the Sea of Japan. The trip was just about a 1.5 hour journey according to Google Maps and we started out on Route 5 from Niseko heading up towards the Maple-Kaido road, Route 393, through the mountains. On Route 5 we drove through a group of mountains and then a valley of rich soil and growing crops before heading up a second mountain chain on Route 393. The views during the ride were absolutely stunning and impossible to capture with an iPhone. Spruce trees, maples and thick dense foliage lined the road. We did stop once at a look out to try to take a photo, but to be honest for most of this part of the drive I was slightly terrified and my eyes were peeled to the road. Very steep!

[ Heading up Route 393, the Maple-Kaido Road ]

When I thought I had a solid handle on things, and could ease up, we hit a bunch of switch backs before the descent to Otaru. The road was very well marked, very well protected but my heart was in my mouth. Through slow and steady driving I made it through this section of the road, to my great relief, and we dropped down to sea level to the city. On this particular trip, our goal was to find the Nitori store, to purchase some house items that would organize our belongings and contribute to the cozy dwelling we were setting up in our home. 

[ The route from Niseko to Otaru ]

[ The switch backs before the descent into Otaru ]

We made it to the Nitori store where we spent a considerable amount of time finding all of the items we were looking for - kitchen ware, storage units, small lamps, and some bedding. This took quite a long time and we decided that sight seeing would have to wait for another trip. I have to mention, however, how truly grateful that I was for the two digital natives in our family. To make some of our purchases, we had to register for the store's app which meant entering our full address, names, phone numbers, etc., in Kana. Using google translate, Norah's excellent knowledge of the Japanese alphabet, and unflappable confidence Wiley and Norah were able to get our account set up so that we could make our purchases. The woman helping us was very impressed with Norah's keyboard skills when she typed in my name: 

スパグノーリ ビクトリア

On the drive back to Niseko (yes, through the switchbacks and fog!) we arrived in the valley outside of Kutchan in time to capture a dramatic glimpse of Mt. Yotei (the volcano overlooking our house). We stopped for a photo and this one was my favorite:

[ Wiley and Norah in front of Mt. Yotei ]