About

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About the girl:
Hi, my name is Anisa and I am an emmigration officer’s worst nightmare. I was born in Iran, raised in New Zealand and recently teaching English in Japan. Now, I am travelling as much as my body and budget allows it. My favorite thing in the world, after my mother is literature. I live and breathe it. Aside from that, I enjoy spending long hours in the kitchen, dining out, early morning runs, fruit-salads, bookshops and good quality dark chocolate.

About the blog:
For as long as I can remember, people have always teased me for taking pictures of my food. So, after several suggestions (which I took as confirmation from above) I decided to start I Accidently Ate The Whole Thing. Here you’ll find simple, healthy and delicious (yes, there is such a thing) recipes, restaurant/product reviews and other exciting (if I say so myself) bits and pieces. Mmmmm reese’s.

About the name:
Two years ago I read an article titled “Untranslatable Words”. One word in particular stood out for me: shemomedjamo. It’s a Georgian word describing the many a occasion when you’re really full but your meal is just so damn tasty that you can’t stop shoveling it down your gob. Well my friend, the Georgians feel your (our/my) pain! Shemomedjamo loosely translates to “I accidently ate the whole thing”.

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Me, in expensive muesli bar form.

213 comments

  1. Hi Anisa! I discovered your blog through Jam’s. Very interesting. I’ve only been to Japan once, a long time ago, but I loved it, and am looking forward to browsing. Lovely meeting you, Marina

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  3. Hi, Anisa. This is such an interesting About page, and I can see what you mean about being an emigration officer’s worst nightmare. But what a wonderful place you’re in now. I long to visit Japan, and not only because I’m passionate about geology/geography. I love you blog title, too, and the reason you chose it.

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Hi Anisa, Thanks for your positive feedback re my Astromusings post. I enjoyed reading your post and learning about you. My sister, Sue, is having her first trip to Japan next week which she is really looking forward to. She has friends who have taught English there. Sue is a very good photographer so we are all looking forward to seeing her photos she takes in Japan.
    Love and Light
    Anne

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Hi Anisa!!
    Thank you for liking my post CATARACT and helped me in discovering your blog. It is an interesting page. I long to visit many places and Japan is one of them.

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  10. Hi Anisa! You wouldn’t believe it but when I saw the title of your blog I chuckled to myself how I could say it in one word – yep, I was born and raised in Georgia.
    So yes, when I reached the end of your About post, I couldn’t believe my eyes and had to read twice because finding a Georgian word in a blog that is being created in Japan – that can’t be a coincidence, can it? :) Anyway, I’ll enjoy your blog from now on with your permission, you cover really great topics

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Hi Anisa, thanks for liking my post! It’s fantastic that you teach English in Japan. This is something I have thought about doing for a time but never properly looked into. Would you be able to give me some pointers/what would of a younger you wanted to know before making the decision to teach English in Japan? :)

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    1. Hi! Hmmm well, I could write a book about that! I don’t know where to start… my experience has been out of this world but, without sounding like a complete snob, I feel that I myself actively made it that way. I really worked hard to have all the friends that I now have. Japan and Japanese are really different to what you imagine it/them to be as an outsider… Almost every foreigner says that… Some examples include Japanese not being able to speak English… or being too shy or in some cases xenophobic because of Japan’s homogeneous nature. Personally, I hate the education system.. English is taught like a mathematical equation with the sole focus of learning it being to pass tests… in saying that, I’ve made beautiful connections with students that will last with me forever.

      Hmm what else… the travel is amazing. The sites, the food, the things I have seen and done here will also stay with me forever. Though one must remember you’re not always on holiday! Actually, depending on what program you teach with, you are rarely ever on holiday. Japanese work SO much. Like, almost always.

      Another thing, I’m really into healthy food.. and healthy/organic food is almost unheard of here. Or if it exists, it’s super expensive. Somehow Japanese survive on sugar and noodles and still stay thin and live up to 100! The fruit are huge because they’re heavily sprayed.. everything is about image here.. ahh I don’t know if I should have said anything at all. Of course as with all things, everyone’s experience is different but for me, it was definitely not what I expected. Which means I made memories and discoveries I never in my wildest dreams imagined :) So good and bad as with all things!

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      1. Thank you for such a detailed response! Those are some really interesting things to think about. I’ve always been intrigued by Japanese culture and have wanted to learn more about it. Still to this day I have never visited the country! I don’t like the idea that English is taught like a mathematical equation, but then again, at least there is a set standard for what is expected. I have heard that Japanese culture really values hard work, too. I tend to always think its about balance. But I agree, any thing you try depends on how much you put into it. You do have to make a special effort to make connections with friends when you’re abroad. I think the experience is what you make of it too. Your article about how to eat healthy in Japan was really interesting to me! because a traditional Japanese diet is very healthy, isn’t it? But I can imagine how western foods have reached around the globe in terms of influence. But I too am someone who likes to eat healthy because I am allergic to gluten and dairy and I rarely eat meat so have to be careful to get a good nutritional balance. I’m not deterred by what you’ve said but these are the things you want to know about in advance before you make a decision. Thank you :) I’m glad the experience has provided you with discoveries you could have never imagined!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lots and lots of love to you xxx Yes, they certianly don’t eat the traditional way anymore! Restaurants hardly ever offer vegetarian options and there’s sugar and preservatives in everything hehe but if you are creative, you can survive! Also, my mother sent me many things like GF oats and raw nuts or I ordered things on Amazon.. Happy travelling! The culture IS amazing and there is so much to see! It’s endless xxx

        Liked by 1 person

  13. i really find your experiences very fascinatiing and intriquing
    and alot of depth and so much to learn. appreciate you sharing what you have. your blog is very informative and moving. peace and the best

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  14. Ah! Japan! Memories of my beautiful friend Kenaya but? Lost touch with him–Kenaya gave me much of an insight of life in Japan and? Now you have confirmed what he told me. It is refreshing to read about your experiences. I’m glad for your visit. Hope you visit again. :-)

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  16. Hi Anisa!(or should I call you a Kiwi?;)
    I’m from Japan. And believe it or not, I’ve been to NZ several times before.
    I found your blog interesting and I’ve got something to ask you….
    I’m gathering (inviting) a bunch of very talented but not so famous bloggers to share articles to TOAC and create something better than the Huffington Post or any other news blog.
    I want you to be a part of it. Please visit our site https://yourthoughtmatters.wordpress.com/recruitments/ if this interests you.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Hi Anisa, was just looking through some of your posts and wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I was really taken by your photos, they are so beautiful! And I learned a bit about New Zealand while visiting, too ;) Keep em’ coming!

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  21. Anisa: Thank you for visiting and liking my blog. This is the first I have seen your blog, and it is obviously well. done. I hope to explore it more ass time permits. Your love for writing came out nicely in the various pieces I read this morning. Be blessed!

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      3. Thank you! Btw, I made the overnight oats last night and ate this morning. I was a little dubious that it would work but it was so yummy – and so nice to be able to just dig in an start eating in the morning :)

        And thanks for telling me about the link problem – I finally figured it out :)

        Liked by 1 person

  23. OMG Anisaaa! I LOVE your blog! Thank you so much for visiting my space and leading me here. That zucchini banana bread is calling out to me! :D ;) It’s got both vegetables and fruits in it so that’s GOT to be healthy right? :D

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  25. Hi Anisa, thanks for the like on my blog. Loved reading your site. Sounds like you’re having a great adventure. I look forward to visiting Japan through your blog again :)

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  29. Hi Anisa. I have to tell you this because it kind of tickles me. Just as you liked one of my poems, I was looking up information on Koharu Sugawara, a Japanese dancer/choreographer. I had seen one of her dances and fell in love with her style. Anyhow, not that it is relevant lol, but I appreciate your visit and looking forward to reading your works :)

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  31. Thank you for liking my blog article “Eat it like a Man!” Appreciate it. Hope you can survive the rainy season, I’m doing my best over here in Ishikawa, which, to be honest, is always rainy!

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      1. oh I’ve read about that before I think! Do they have a preference on the accent?

        I understand that for Taiwan they do prefer Caucasian-looking speakers with American accent, notwithstanding their command of English..

        Liked by 1 person

      2. To be honest, there are all sorts of English teachers here. Philipino, Chinese, Jamaican, American and me Persian/Kiwi! I think you can do it! It’s worth a try! And if they decline you solely based on your ethnicity then that’s pretty sad.. and you shouldn’t want to work for them anyway.

        Liked by 1 person

  37. Thanks for liking my recent post, Anisa. Always amazing to me learning where my readers are located in the world. Appreciate your interest. Love the blog name, but then I love food. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

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  42. Greetings from a fellow movie fan! Thanks for reading my movie review on Her. The film was such a warm and fuzzy change of pace. Probably in my top ten now.

    Your pictures on your blog are beautiful! They’re pleasant to look at, because of the colours and how you keep the lines straight. Keep it up!

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  43. I’m so glad you liked my post so I can discover your blog. First of all, I LOVE Japanese food lol. I almost moved there when I was offered a job by a publishing company. I had graduated from the University of Hawaii Manoa with a degree in Journalism/Political Science and I could have minored in Japanese studies. I took 2 years of Japanese and Japanese History. Instead, I’m in Kansas City after a guy I met in Boston. Anyway, I look forward to reading your posts!

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  49. Hi anisa ,I am khurram. When I saw your photos of Japan I just wanted to talk to you, just a human urge i guess.I have always dreamt of japan but although i am just 18 but desire to go and visit Japan is as strong as any other dreamer.Naturally if possible I would like to talk about your experiences for hours, so be well and looking forward to a good conversation if possible.see you anisa-sempai

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  50. You sound like a great person to hang out with (without that sounding incredibly creepy as a comment) I can’t wait to read more of your blog, and I love the story behind the name, love and hugs from a fellow foodie xx

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