The Amazing Japanese Toilet (and Toilet Paper Holder)

Okay, so awhile ago I mentioned in a blog about how some of the things in Japan are just genius compared to back home and I mentioned the toilet.  Well, here is the Japanese toilet and toilet paper holder.

Notice the buttons on the side. Those are to control the bidet AND there is TEMPERATURE CONTROL! Yes, the seats are heated and when it is very cold out, especially in the morning, it is a very nice feature to have.  Of course, we don't need it during the summer so we turn it off but in the winter, it is a necessity!

Notice the two arrows on the flush, one going up and one going down.  The one going up is a small flush and the one going down is a BIG flush.  Now, I think you can figure out which type of situation would need a small flush and which one needs a big flush.  And when I say big...I mean big.  There ain't nothing that hangs around.  What a great idea though.  You can choose how much water you need to make a flush.  Genius!

Now the toilet paper holder.  Why we don't have these back home, I'll never know.

Behold the toilet paper.  I've lifted the cover up. Yes there's a cover.  It helps you rip the toilet paper off.  To remove the roll, you lift up and the wands on both sides have springs in them and they lift up allowing the roll to come off very easily.

These are the two spring loaded wands.

All you do is lift the roll from below, pushing the wands up, until they spring into the roll.  That's it! No struggling with the center tube and trying to fit it back into position.  Here, just lift up, toss away, and load from the bottom.  Genius!

¥¥¥Januck¥¥¥

Fried Rice

So Rachel wanted to make fried rice today from some frozen packages I had in the freezer.  She asked, "How do you make it?"  I said, "Read the directions!" and starting laughing.  Then Januck starting laughing and Alex joined in.  She asked, "What is so funny?" not knowing the directions are in Japanese!
I always make things here by trial and error...you have to!
Joanna

Field Trip

Took my 2nd graders on a field trip up to a park with a hiking trail on Wednesday.  It was beautiful with trees changing, bamboo forest and a waterfall at the top of the hill.  Really enjoyed it.

Joanna

Alex the Scaredy Cat!

Alex came home Saturday afternoon from school and told us that he was planning on going to see Paranormal Activity 3. Immediately I started laughing because Alex and I don't do well with scary movies. He said it was fine because the friends he was going with have already seen him scared because they went to a haunted house during a school field trip. Alex didn't know what the movie was about so we decided to watch the trailer. It was hilarious because Alex was so freaked out watching the trailer. However, he decided to suck it up and go. His friends ended up calling and canceling because they were still at school. Alex was so relieved because he really did not want to go. Well, since Alex is now addicted to the television show Lost, he wanted to watch an episode. This picture is of Alex watching Lost on the computer. I can't imagine how he would be in the movie theater watching Paranormal Activity 3. Just another fun night in the Polikaitis household :)

-Rachel :) 

Why?

Long day... Rode the bus... Came out..... Pouring rain .... Had my umbrella...  Still SOAKED TO MY KNEES... Came home... and relax! :D
-Alex :)

Fun Halloween Party!

The halloween party was pretty fun with all the food and stuff at first. But, it was pretty much talking and just hanging, but then someone pulled out,'Catch That Phrase' and I guess you can say it was love at first sight. haha it was sooooo much fun and it's a great guessing game. We played that the rest of the time. Then we came home and I went to bed. I'm glad their was a halloween party or I wouldn't have anything to do.
-Alex :)

Sick again!

Well, I have a cold with a cough that won't go away.  Rachel woke up with the stomach flu, so we both went to the English speaking doctor in town.  He spoke to Rachel first, and told her since she is vomiting he would give her an injection!  She handled it better than I thought.  The nurse laid her on a bed, so I don't think she knew where the injection would go....luckily just in her arm.  He then told me I had a bad cold and to rest today,  When we went to the pharmacy, across the street, I ended up with more meds than Rachel.  It all took an hour and about $30.  Hope we recover soon, from these foreign viruses!
The boys are healthy for now.....
Joanna

Fujinomiya Festival

On Friday night, we went with friends to a Japanese festival.  It has been a tradition for over 1000 years for 20 floats on wheels to duel.  They have groups playing the drums, flutes and chimes and people pushing them together and apart.  We listened and waited to find out how they determine a winner between the two floats.  It was a tie, but I still don't know the rules.

The food at the festivals are always a favorite.  When I was little, I ate a candy called mizu-ame.  It is a blob of clear taffy with a coloring you can choose on chopsticks.  Very hard to describe- but hopefully from the photo you can imagine it.  Brought back such wonderful memories.

Joanna

Mr. Snazzy!

Alex looking might sharp in his winter school uniform!