Lost in Translation??

Tomorrow's February already. It's 5 and a half months since we first arrived in Japan. This means that our stay here is more than half over. Last week, I was issued my much sought after California teaching license that I hope to put to good use in 2010. I've started applying for jobs in the San Diego area and who knows, I just might get one. Veronica is waiting to see what happens with my job search first since teaching positions for the 2010-2011 school year get posted far earlier than any job that she'd be applying for would (assuming we'd both want to start work around the same time). We're also starting to talk about wedding possibilities and such. There is one thing that we have already figured out about the whole wedding thing...weddings aren't cheap. I mean wow! Seriously, the average wedding planner fee is between three and four thousand dollars? For what?

Anyway, on that note, I think it's time for some comic relief.

Since day 1 of our arrival here in Japan, we've been enjoying the English literature found on people's shirts, lunch place mats, junk mail, food wrappers, etc... More often than not, they've left us scratching our heads as to what exactly it is that they are trying to say. Just a quick disclaimer before we get into some examples though. I have no intention of trying to make fun of anybody or any culture by sharing this with you. I just think it's a testament to how different English and Japanese is and it illustrates how easy it is to translate the wrong message or in some cases deliver no message at all.

We've literally come across hundreds of these funny bone ticklers. The list below is just some of our favorites.

1.) On a motivational flier distributed to staff at my school, "Nothing about us without us" was the title in 28 font text.

2.) On the cookie wrapper of one of our favorite brands of cookies, "Chocolate Sand Biscuit."

3.) On our toilet paper packaging, "This propose your comfortable life."

4.) On the outside of my Japanese chap stick container, "Men's Lipstick."

5.) On a students pencil case at my school, "It is necessary to choose the thing becoming oneself."

6.) In a student's essay at school, "At first, Fuju teacher is very easy to be angry with a noody person."

7.) On a popular candy bar wrapper the name reads "Crunky" (This candy bar looks and tastes like a Nestle CRUNCH bar.)

What is clear to me after reading many statements like these is that there is only one person who knows exactly what they mean...the author.

Veronica and I are in "save money" mode now so we haven't been on any exciting trips recently worth talking about. We did go to the movies two weeks ago though. We saw Avatar. If you haven't seen it, we highly recommend it. Regardless of one's political insights concerning the film, it's hard not to marvel at the new, cutting edge animation/special effects showcased in the film. Since the movie ran us about 18 dollars EACH, we've considered that our one and only theater experience for our Japan stay.

Anyway, we hope everyone is staying warm this winter. The days ARE getting longer (daylight hours I mean). Soon enough the temperatures will start to catch up with the sun's rays. Hang in there hearty Midwesterners.

'Til next time.

Peace and Love.