Day 07

Last day at Namba's for the week 

    Masami thought that we might be hungry after sushi, so she bought a bunch of instant yakisoba boxes.  None of us were hungry for it when she arrived home the previous night, so they became our quick & easy fix breakfast!  While I was eating, Masami and I were brain storming on where to go on my last day there for the week.  We didn't come up with anything then, but we did manage to get distracted by frogs!

    The night before, Namba-san bought a frog at the mall to add to his collection!  He enjoys collecting plushies of this character named "Pickles the Frog".  So adorable!  With the one he purchased the night before (not pictured), he's up to lucky number 7!

    As soon as we figured out what to do, I quickly packed up a small luggage (with some gifts for my grandparents) and we all hit the road! ...Well, minus Miina because she was at a study group with her upper classmen.  For a quick bite to eat, we drove to McDonald's.  When we got to the drive through, I was surprised to find two rows with a McDonald's employee at the end of each line.  They would pass out menus and take orders one car at a time-- kind of like a drive in!  Masami told me that they do this only when they're busy, but when they're not, people just drive up to the classic menu board like they do in the US.

    While we made our way towards our destination, I spotted this cool looking car-- a company car!  Why doesn't America have cool company cars like this?  The bright orange color was stunning and definitely eye catching!  My cousins and I were goofing off and taking silly pictures again when I noticed something odd about my little Moogle (a mascot of the Final Fantasy series by Square Enix) camera charm-- One of his wings went missing!!  He lost his pompom quite a while ago, so I used the excuse that he was still a Moogle (their pompom is a source of their magic and flight capabilities-- wings are just for steering!), but a Moogle from FFVII, since it's the only FF whose Moogles have no pompoms.  Now this Moogle of mine has a large battle scar-- lack of a wing!

    We made it!!  Namba-san and Miriya dropped Mireka, Masami and I at a (in my opinion) "Fashion Mall".  About four stories of clothing and accessory stores (along with a few others too).  I ended up purchasing a few clothing items myself~  Mireka took us to the fourth floor where we found a candy store!  I purchased some candy cigerattes that Masami said "tastes good".  Masami purchased my candy (; v ;) ありがとう！　As soon as we started walking out, Masami pointed out some unchi (poop) lollipops... Needless to say, I purchased one of every flavor.  Aren't they adorable?!

    The mall parking line was so long, it went off the mall property and down the street!  The three of us met Namba-san and Miriya at the convience store right across the street.  We all got drinks since Namba-san and Miriya were snacking already and it was well past lunch time-- 3pm to be exact.  I picked out a bottle of Ginger Ale... but I didn't realize at the time of purchase the "EXTRA GINGER" written on the bottle.  When I opened it, I could clearly smell the ginger from it.  Once I put the bottle to my lips and began to inhale, I chocked on air full of ginger.  It burned my nose like wasabi does.  I only managed to drink about a fourth of it. (; v ;) I tried finishing it!  (I still have it in the fridge though!)

    Right before we left the mall, Masami got a phone call from my grandmother saying that my great aunt (her little sister) and uncle (her sister's high school sweetheart) were at my grandparents house and would be around for dinner!!  I was very happy to hear this until I realized that I have gifts for them-- at my aunt's house!  Namba-san and Masami were very willing to go back to their place so that I could pick up gifts for my great aunt and uncle.  When we turned onto their home street, we saw Miina walking home from her study group!  What perfect timing!!  While I retrieved gifts, Miina (rather slowly), changed out of her school clothes.

    When I arrived at my grandparents' house, my great aunt Mieko was talking with my grandmother through the screen door.  My grandmother was retrieving laundry while my great uncle Koji was smoking.  The three of them were talking about the different plants that my grandmother had planted.  She ended up getting her brother-in-law to help her cut some branches off when he finished his cigarette.  My cousins were still in the house and managed to find ice cream to eat.  When Koji and my grandma made it back inside the house, they began pestering my cousins with their mother about how "poor Namba-san was out in the car waiting".  They managed to get a couple of minutes to finish their ice cream and steal some cucumber slices before leaving.

    It was nice to be able to eat one of my grandmother's meals.  "A grandmother's food is best"... is what I think.  She's the best cook out of my entire family (in my opinion-- my apologies to everyone else).  She always tries to make everything herself-- even sauces.  Her expertise in cooking ranges from traditional Japanese cooking to modernized versions of dishes (mainly for my grandfather's sake since he loves potatoes and tomatoes).  My great aunt and uncle kept asking me what kinds of Japanese food I liked and what foods I don't like.  When Koji heard that I didn't care for okra, he happily shook my hand in agreement.  They were both surprised by my Japanese which made me bashful/happy.  The both of them ended up staying until  8:Something pm.  <3