April 26, 2010

They Might Be Giants

When we first moved to Japan,
I often felt like a large, loud, lumbering American.

(thank you David for demonstrating this)


Americans like our products to be BIG.

For example, our MILK
( I took this photo in America, to see the comparrison.
In Japan you can only buy milk in quart size, even at Costco)


We like our PARMESAN CHEESE BIG too
(the large size we brought from America, the small size we purchased in Japan)

and YOGURT
(American sized yogurt on left... in Japan this is probably "family size")


Even their ORANGES are smaller
(okay kidding... the tiny one is a kumquat) 


Japan's JUICE boxes for kid's lunches are smaller


And their SODA is smaller
(the regular size can I purchased at the International Import Market
 and the small can I purchased from a local Japan grocery store)


Japan sells almost zero CEREAL, but the few boxes do sell are TEENY TINY
( the large box was purchased from Sam's Club in the states)


In Japan, space is a comodity and compact is a necessity.

For example, CARS



BIKES that actually fold up
(my American sized bike is on the right)

Even the HOUSES are small....

You thought that was small, but check out the HOUSE on TOP!
(about the width of 3 futon mattresses)


Or this HOUSE
About the width of a bicycle... I would love to see the inside.


Tiny DOORS
(I have wondered if this is because of space or aesthetics)




You often see children's tiny TOILETS
that are even too small for Jonas



However, Japanese ART is BIG






And so are their paddles for spanking spoiled children....


Okay, really it is a giant sized paddle for serving rice
(the sign underneath probably claims it to be the world's largest rice paddle)

Yes, Americans might be giants....
if nothing else, we are BIG in Japan!

Miki House Boat Job



Jonas had another Miki House job, our favorite!  This time the shooting was held on a boat.  My Japanese words for the day were "fune" for boat, "sakana" for fish, and "omoshiroi" for exciting.  It was fun but I did get seasick, blah.  Jonas did not seem to mind the roll of the ocean waves.  In fact my biggest problem with him was keeping him from going OVERBOARD... uh, not good.



Jonas' dressing room was on the cabin bed.


We spotted Mt. Fuji!


And, we worked with my favorite director, Yamamoto-san


He is so amazing with children... look at the way Jonas' face lights up.
It was a terrific day.


Final Product

Just One Planet

Our kids school was preparting for their annual "One World Day" and announced they wanted musical numbers for a special school assembly.  Against all of my "non-musical" talents, I decided to teach Emma's grade 3 friends a most beloved song written by our former music teacher, Dr. Sarah Stevens, called "Just One Planet".  Dr. Stevens suffered a tragic death a few years back that made this song even more special.  This song's message was absolutely perfect for celebrating One World Day.  I also managed to teach them sign language for the chorus and the girls really loved that :).



JUST ONE PLANET

There are children in Korea and Mexico too,
And Afghanistan , Norway, and Sudan, Australia, Peru.
But no matter where they’re from, and no matter where they go,
They all live, they all love, and there’s something they should know.


chorus
We share just one planet, it’s all that we’ve got,
And it should never, ever be forgotten
That people are people, not symbols, not tokens,
But live human beings, so easily broken.
We’re sisters, we’re brothers, we’re neighbors, we’re friends,
We’re here together from the beginning to the end.
We’re mothers, we’re fathers, we’re daughters, we’re sons.
We’re one human family, that’s all, just one.


There are people in Alaska, and some in Nepal,
And they sing and dance, and they want a chance to join with us all.
‘Cause no matter where we’re from, and no matter where we go,
We all live, we all love, and there’s something we should know.


chorus
We share just one planet....


And for "One World Day", our American family was once again plagued with "what in the world (no pun intended) do we wear?"  This year Shailey and Jonas dressed in red, white, and blue cowboy outfits (note Shailey's I-pod cord dangling from her ear...nice touch).  However with Emma's muscial number I wanted her to wear something special.  So one night in my sleep I woke up with an American costume revelation.... BETSY ROSS!  I bought Americana fabric in the states over the break and sewed it in Japan.  She was in heaven :)

 

 

Momma's little cowboy


The grade 3 girls did a super job with their song and brought tears to their teacher's eyes and mine.


Isn't this the perfect way to see the world...
bright colors and naturally beautiful faces.

Emma (USA), Sophie (UK), Hana (Japan), Sara (Japan),
Julia (Spain), Giulia (Italy), and Shilpa (India)

We Share Just One Planet