Takoyaki Days

Alrighty! So, today I had a difficult time with my sixth graders at my smallest school. Two of them would NOT stop cracking up and I wasn't even saying anything remotely funny so it was rather annoying. Afterward I talked to one of my teachers, who lives in the same area as me, about ramen shops. I had a hungering for ramen, but then again when do I NOT have a hungering for ramen? lol. The ones we talk about are far away, so I decide that I'll swing by the 7-11, pick up a bento and a salad, and if the dinky little ramen shop near me that I've been dying to try out is open I'll just save the bento and salad for tomorrow's dinner.

Well, the shop was open! The shop's called "三十一番", which means "Number 31". The owner was really nice. He asked me where I was from and when I said Hawaii he said he LOVED Hawaii and that he'd been there, like, 24 times. He goes there to cook and to ride his motorcycle. He seems to really love motorcycles because he has a FINE looking bike parked outside! HAHAHA!

I had Sanmahmen, which the owner told me was a type of ramen that is rather rare and can sometimes be found in Chinatown off of Kannai. I'm glad I chose it because it had veggies, pork, tons of noodles and a good broth. It was slightly thick, probably from all the juices. I shouldn't have ordered gyoza to go with it because now I'm filled to burst.

Afterward, on the way home, I picked up Takoyaki from the little vendor on the road home. She remembered me from the first time I bought her Takoyaki, which was at least a month ago! Maybe it's because I'm one of the few foreigners in the area. OR MAYBE IT'S JUST BECAUSE I'M SO GOSH-DARN CUTE! HAHAHAHA! Anywho, we chatted for a bit while she put the dressings on my order. Her name is Michiko. I don't want to forget! She's so sweet. She actually had no fear and asked me in English where I came from and how long I'd been in Japan. TOTALLY AWESOME! She's open every Monday and Friday, though I don't think having Takoyaki every Monday and Friday is such a good idea. LOL.

I saw that the dry cleaning lady next door was downstairs at the counter (she sometimes stays upstairs, probably to keep warm), so I stepped inside to say hi. Whenever I go in there, half an hour to an hour of my life is lost because she totally chats my ear off, and though I don't understand everything I nod and make the appropriate comments at the appropriate times. She talks to me about cooking and her family and places she goes. She almost always gives me snacks when she sees me too, so I went in there with the intention of giving her one of my Takoyaki. Luckily, Michiko gave me two skewers. :3 Well, the dry cleaning lady gave me little new years envelopes, that are SO cute, and that I'm pretty sure are supposed to be filled with money and given to kids. lol. No money in these, but they're darn cute! She filled one with honey covered peanuts. I can't wait to try them!

After school I had to run to catch the bus and while sitting on the bus catching my breath I couldn't help but feel completely happy with myself. Each slowly taken deep breath made me feel so alive. Maybe it's because I was also thinking about my crush, who knows? I just felt wonderful and still do. Even though I'm sitting alone in my cold apartment at my kotatsu, I can't help but smile as I think about how I felt riding that bus, how I felt walking home with the excitement of possibly trying that new ramen shop. I'm so glad to be alive. :D