Sunday, December 11, 2005
お誕生日おめでとう (Happy Birthday)！
Another wonderful day with Mako in Kobe, made extra special because it was her birthday! I did my best to make her happy but she has a knack of outdoing me in that department.
First things first: she loved my card and the necklace I gave her. Her face lit up in a huge smile and she said simply 「うれしいー！」 ([I'm] happy). I was surprised that she didn't put it on but she was wearing a huge sweater so it's not like it would be visible anyway. Just seeing her beam like that was worth it.
We ate lunch in her hotel which was, much to my surprise, a hibachi-style restaurant. It just so happens I was asked to comment about hibachi restaurants over on Sunshine's blog and I ignorantly stated that "[Hibachi] food isn't all that Japanese." It turns out they do have restaurants like that except here in Japan they call it teppanyaki and they don't do any theatrics. However, I did get to eat some straight-up authentic Kobe beef and a little foie gras as well. As a long time fan of Iron Chef, it was a dream come true! Do I really have to tell you how delicious it was? Forget it, I can't express it in any language.
After lunch we went to the Hyogo Art Museum which we had previously visited on our second date. Again, Mako somehow obtained tickets for us without paying. How she accomplishes these things I don't know; it must have something to do with her job. The Silk Road exhibit was gone but in its place was an exhibition from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. So I had an opportunity to see a lot of Dutch art that I normally wouldn't be able to see outside of Holland.
From the museum we returned to the center of Kobe to see something called Luminarie. Basically, for about two weeks every December, the city erects these large light displays and closes down several of the main roads every evening so people can walk through the streets by the thousands. You know I took many pictures but it's late and I'm not sure how many of them came out. Once I have a look, you can see them right here.
Dinner was my first taste of Okinawan cuisine. In case you don't have time to read the entire history of that region, I should just tell you that Okinawa actually developed its own culture, language and cuisine before Japan took it over a few hundred years ago. Their language may be in danger of extinction these days but their food is pretty popular around Japan. It's not that different, of course, but I'd say it's closer to Chinese food than Japanese. They have their own unique alcohol known as awamori which I enjoyed as well. However, there was one particular item I did not like at all: bitter melon, a.k.a. gôya. I found it so bitter that I almost spit it out! Mako loves it though so she ate my share.
It's strange, no matter how much fun I have with Mako and how close I feel to her, I often feel like I have to struggle against myself to enjoy it. I am happy, so very happy, but when we part I inevitably focus on the negative aspects of our relationship during my long ride home. I think I'm just a little frustrated at how difficult it is be alone with Mako. As much fun as we have together, I know that she and I can't truly "connect" without opportunities to be alone together. This isn't about sex (OK, it's not entirely about sex), it's a matter of finding out if we're really compatible or not. Going sightseeing and eating together is great, but can we be bored together and still have fun? Until the two of us manage to spent an extended period of time together, I will have to deal with these doubts in the back of my mind.
Still, it was a great day. No amount of doubting can change that!
First things first: she loved my card and the necklace I gave her. Her face lit up in a huge smile and she said simply 「うれしいー！」 ([I'm] happy). I was surprised that she didn't put it on but she was wearing a huge sweater so it's not like it would be visible anyway. Just seeing her beam like that was worth it.
We ate lunch in her hotel which was, much to my surprise, a hibachi-style restaurant. It just so happens I was asked to comment about hibachi restaurants over on Sunshine's blog and I ignorantly stated that "[Hibachi] food isn't all that Japanese." It turns out they do have restaurants like that except here in Japan they call it teppanyaki and they don't do any theatrics. However, I did get to eat some straight-up authentic Kobe beef and a little foie gras as well. As a long time fan of Iron Chef, it was a dream come true! Do I really have to tell you how delicious it was? Forget it, I can't express it in any language.
After lunch we went to the Hyogo Art Museum which we had previously visited on our second date. Again, Mako somehow obtained tickets for us without paying. How she accomplishes these things I don't know; it must have something to do with her job. The Silk Road exhibit was gone but in its place was an exhibition from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. So I had an opportunity to see a lot of Dutch art that I normally wouldn't be able to see outside of Holland.
From the museum we returned to the center of Kobe to see something called Luminarie. Basically, for about two weeks every December, the city erects these large light displays and closes down several of the main roads every evening so people can walk through the streets by the thousands. You know I took many pictures but it's late and I'm not sure how many of them came out. Once I have a look, you can see them right here.
Dinner was my first taste of Okinawan cuisine. In case you don't have time to read the entire history of that region, I should just tell you that Okinawa actually developed its own culture, language and cuisine before Japan took it over a few hundred years ago. Their language may be in danger of extinction these days but their food is pretty popular around Japan. It's not that different, of course, but I'd say it's closer to Chinese food than Japanese. They have their own unique alcohol known as awamori which I enjoyed as well. However, there was one particular item I did not like at all: bitter melon, a.k.a. gôya. I found it so bitter that I almost spit it out! Mako loves it though so she ate my share.
It's strange, no matter how much fun I have with Mako and how close I feel to her, I often feel like I have to struggle against myself to enjoy it. I am happy, so very happy, but when we part I inevitably focus on the negative aspects of our relationship during my long ride home. I think I'm just a little frustrated at how difficult it is be alone with Mako. As much fun as we have together, I know that she and I can't truly "connect" without opportunities to be alone together. This isn't about sex (OK, it's not entirely about sex), it's a matter of finding out if we're really compatible or not. Going sightseeing and eating together is great, but can we be bored together and still have fun? Until the two of us manage to spent an extended period of time together, I will have to deal with these doubts in the back of my mind.
Still, it was a great day. No amount of doubting can change that!
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Funny, I recall similar anxiety with mine, going from dates with purpose to seeing each other for the hell of it. Rather hard to have a 'hell of it' when it probably costs 1800Y to get out there and back. But surely she too is looking forward to watching quiz shows with you over instant ramen.
# posted by 
: 12 December, 2005 01:23
: 12 December, 2005 01:23
Good to see you and Mako doing so well.
Dan, Mrs, Mystic gave you a little tap on the head on my post Raging Bull, very rare for the Mrs. to do so.
Dan, Mrs, Mystic gave you a little tap on the head on my post Raging Bull, very rare for the Mrs. to do so.
Professorio Doctorio, I think you ned to take your time and enjoy the process with this woman. Destinations are great and all, but make sure to watch the scenery.
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コメントがあります？ Type something, please. It's less work for me.BoooooAAAaaaa....
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