I Eat Everyday

     It has been non-stop since I got back from Mongolia. First, I had to move. I had three weeks before I had to return the apartment. I moved several boxes a day. Then my father came to help. While he was here, we had to drive to Kochi, which took three days. I drove 12 hours each way. Then it was moving week for both me and my cousins. A day before we actually moved the last of the furniture, my cousins got a phone call. It was dreadful news. Their father had passed away due to his illness. As soon as we finished moving, or more like shoving things into the house, they had to prepare to go back to Mongolia for the funeral. That week was horrible.      Then it was time to look for a parking spot for the car. The house comes with a parking spot, but we have two cars, so we needed to find a spot for the second car. It was a stressful week right after my cousins had left for Mongolia, because I had to park the car at the coin parking since my cousin hadn’t f...

     It has been a couple of weeks since I posted.       It was hectic for a couple of weeks.       First: Work. During the summers, we offer themed programs in English (of course). This year we had two different themes: Dinosaur and Pirates. There are a lot of things that go into putting a program together. From tiny details like who is going to buy the snacks or who is going to sweep the floor, to what each teacher is going to teach and make. I am responsible for all the seasonal programs. So, I had to delegate some of the logistics tasks to other people. The first week went fine. We had wonderful kids who could understand and speak in English to a degree. Also, we were more prepared for the week. Then the second week comes. We weren't prepared as much as in the first week. There were a lot of ideas, and we did them all. Even though it felt like we weren't that prepared, we were prepared enough to have some activities that we didn...

     So, it was a long Saturday.       In the morning, I had First-Aid training, which I wanted to attend to refresh my memory (I got certified last year).       A background story is needed here.       A few weeks ago, the person, whose position had only received a name makeover, wanted to have a training session without consulting anyone. That is fine. It is a good chance to learn from each other and discuss more about our programs. Then he sent an email about BBQ. In the beginning, everybody thought it was only for the staff, where we would casually hang out and get to know each other better. Then he sent another email saying that we are going to open up the BBQ to our students and their parents. It got escalated quickly because he decided he wanted to do it. Then he complained about the menu item, which he wanted to cook a burger. Also, he was second-guessing (or more like doubting) the lady who is working wi...

 Work drama 2 Here is what happened.       At the beginning of the year, several structural changes were implemented. At least, they are in work-in-progress. My position didn't change but got the official recognition of the work that I was doing for the last 5 years.       We had a head teacher. That person became the English School Director, which is basically the same position but a different name. Because he is in this new position, he thinks he has to butt in everybody's job. According to his new job description, he has to know everybody's work and schedule. However, he is not doing a good job of it or demanding the position responsibilities from the lady who does all the things aka my supervisor. It has been years since he only has a title and she does everything because she is Japanese. He can't speak Japanese even though he has been living here for more than two decades. I understand it is very easy to live in a bubble where you don't ...

     Every day has been over 30 degrees Celsius. During this heat, it is smelly if you are riding trains like me. don't think Japanese people realize that they stink.       Imagine this: you are standing next to a guy whose arm is stretched to hold on to the rail. You get a whiff of his underarm smell, and you must stand next to him until he or you get off because the train is packed. After all, it is rush hour. OR… you finally get a seat next to a guy. That guy is talking to someone that is sitting next to him. Every time he opens his mouth, you get the smell of someone who is not in the habit of brushing his teeth. Again, you must sit next to him because the train is packed. AND…you wish you had a mask to put on.       I don’t think Japanese people realize that they stink or don’t care about personal hygiene. Sounds ironic. Japan is the land of onsens and public bathhouses.       The majority of the time, you w...

     It is mid-June, and it is starting to get hot. We are still rainy season. However, it is hot when it is sunny.      Japan has a lot to see if you are traveling. On top of that, if you like the summer season, I applaud you.       I don't like the summer season. It probably is my least favorite of the seasons. Japanese summer, I would call it, the sweaty season.       If you are like me who sweat easily, the one you sweat through the crack of your butt, you will not like Japanese summer.       So, the sweaty season of the year has started. At this moment, it is tolerable. There will be a nice breeze, like today, once in a while. I feel overall okay when going out (of course with my hat and sunscreen).        Once July starts and rolls over to August, that is when it becomes unbearable. I would sweat just sitting still. I felt that last year when I broke bones in my foot ...

     I always wanted to own a house of my own. Since returning from my vacation, I have been seeing properties along with my cousins. Up until now, there wasn't any property that I liked. However, yesterday, we saw a property that I liked that everybody liked. Right then, I thought I would go for it.       So, after seeing the property, I applied for the mortgage. After sending my application, there was a feeling and thought that I might have decided on my emotions instead of rational thinking.       Right now, my mind is trying to justify the decision that I made yesterday. Other factors that affect whether I will get the house is getting approval for the loan. We will have to wait and see. 

     I just checked my BGL and it was normal.       I had carbs (even though I am cutting it out) on April Fools Day. In my defense, there is a time. A time when everybody can sit down and enjoy their lunch and each others' company. April 1st was the day.       For the rest of the week, I ate clean. I had been craving veggie omelet and I had it the majority of the time. I guess, it is becoming warmer and that affects what I want to eat.       I exercised every day this week including weight lifting (simple moves with lighter dumbells). For the first couple of days, my body was sore. Now, my body feels better.       I prepped lunch components (all frozen individually). This makes packing lunch much easier because I can choose and mix in the morning.      There was excitement when I saw my Etsy shop ( if you want to visit: PracticalJapan )  had its first order. However, the b...

     So many things happened in a week.       We are waiting for a business visa for my dad because he established a company in Japan. We have been waiting for a year. Yet, we still have to file for taxes and even pay local city taxes.       I know it is weird to pay tax on a company that cannot operate because the person who established the company hasn't gotten his visa, yet. We cannot open even a company bank account because Japanese banks ask for the owner's residence card. There is no residence card if you don't have a business visa.       In Japan, if you are a business owner, you must file for taxes 3 times. First, it is the national tax. You or an accountant prepare the financial statements and you go to the national tax office for tax filing. You may or may not pay taxes because it will depend on whether you had a good year or a bad one. Second, it is the city tax. It is the tax you pay where you have yo...

       It has been a busy week. My parents went home after a sudden trip to Japan. A friend and I helped a co-worker move (which they forgot to get me lunch when I said get me something on the way back). It had been a long tiring week. This week is going to be a busy one as well. However, my friend from Australia and I are gonna catch up when she visits.       It had been a few weeks since I last checked my weight and BGL. However, everything that I am eating is sugar-free. From next week, I am cutting out flour.       Finally, my foot feels like my foot. My calf muscle hurt so much this week. My thinking is that my leg is starting to relearn how much I move. Also, the shittiest part of recovering from a foot injury is that your toenail will bother you so much which it hurt so much this week.       On the positive side, I swam 4 times a week and I didn't snack much. Yesterday, I had a big bowl of salad for d...

     Like many Asian countries, Mongolians celebrate the Lunar New Year or we call it Tsagaan Sar.      We put an elaborate centerpiece, aka tavag, which consists of long-shaped fried dough with engraving. The number of layers depends on the household head or the elder. For example: If the head of the household is in their 30s, the layer would be three. If the person is in their 40s, the number of layers would be five. If the person is elderly, then the number would be nine. The centerpiece layer number cannot end in an even number. That is also reflected in the gifts that the guests receive, hence the guests would receive usually 3 pieces of things. On top, we put candies, aaruul (my favorite snack made from milk), and anything (people usually put white edible things).       Another thing we put on the table is an almost whole sheep, obviously cooking either steam or smoking. The "almost whole sheep" means that the front portion of the ...

So, I moved to Japan about 2 years ago for school. As a Mongolian, I love to eat, especially meat, and first I struggled with Japanese meat. Do not give me wrong because I know Japan is famous for its Wagyu and Kobe beef. HOWEVER, I prefer to eat Mongolian meat that comes from cattle that roamed the pasture and only consumed grass.  On top of that, I tried eating keto to lose some fat. I really struggled with finding ingredients that are low-carb, since Japan is a rice country. More on that later! So, in order to be accountable with myself, I created an Instagram account and started posting my food pictures, hence the photos for some inspiration.  During the last 2 years, I did keto on and off. Finally, I am starting to learn what I like to eat and how I should eat that is good for my body. Now, I tend to eat keto but I do not restrict high-carb foods like bread and rice. I live in JAPAN, the rice is very delicious!!! Hope you will join me on this blog and share your experienc...