Lunchtime in Japan

Another one of my student's lunches..................I had to take a pic!!

What was in your lunch box?

Can you remember when you were in Elementary and your mom would make your lunch for school? Do you remember what would be in your lunch box? I can!! Most kids at my school had things like potato chips, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies, an apple, and maybe some carrots in their lunch boxes. And everything would be wrapped up in foil, cling, or zip lock bags. Do you remember? Well, here in Japan it's a little different (maybe a lot). I don't think any of the kids have seen a lunch like ours.

For Japanese, presentation is everything. The lunches our moms made us would be frowned upon. When I first started teaching here and lunchtime rolled around my jaw dropped. I was so fascinated with the kid’s lunches. All the moms put so much time and effort into preparing their kid's lunches it's unreal. Everything is so detailed! It would make anyone want to eat their lunch. You know what, just check out the pics for yourself.

Above is one of my student's lunches. Cool Right? I told you it's all about presentation!

These 2 pics I found on the web of Japanese school kids lunch. Presentation is key!!

An Empty Belly Will Make You Do the Darnest Things...

Today was supposed to be my day off; however I am working for my friend who has left for Australia for a few weeks. The day has been, well, let’s just say better than yesterday. I slept in a little later than usual and I took my time getting ready for work and eating breakfast.

Anyway, today after I finished teaching one of my classes, I decided to go eat lunch somewhere different. I went to a really nice restaurant that was on the top floor of this building overlooking the city of Kokubunji (pronounced KO-KUE-BUN-GEE). It was such a beautiful sight. I had to share it with you.

Once I made it to the top and was seated with my menu, I discovered I was in for a surprise (literally). Can someone tell me why the entire menu was written in Kanji (Japanese writing) as expected, BUT there were absolutely NO PICTURES!! JUST MY LUCK HUH!! I mean, seriously, what restaurant does that?? Now, usually when I go to a restaurant here, they have tons of pictures and I usually point to what I want and chow down. NOT TODAY!! AHHHHH!!! What the hell? At first, I thought about leaving, but then I decided SHOOOT I'M TOO HUNGRY!! So, I did the unthinkable. Yep, you guessed it!! I CLOSED MY EYES AND STUCK OUT MY POINTER FINGER AND CHOSE SOMETHING!!

And....... WAH- LAH!! MY MEAL!

WHEW!!
I didn't do too bad huh!!

It was actually very good. I ended up having fried rice, pickled SOMETHING (LOL), egg drop soup, and pudding with jam in the middle. Considering how picky I am, you must believe me when I tell you it was Good!!
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WOW! WHAT A LUNCH.........

After all of that, I decided to stop by Starbucks and relax for a little while before my next class!! Three more hours left of work and then I am OUT OF HERE!! YIPPEE!!