Pinterest mapping in a foreign language

Incase you missed it Pinterest rolled out Pinterest Maps, SUPER COOL! I am a travel nerd and many of my future plans involve travel, If we won the lottery I would spend most of it traveling, I am sure of it.

*if you already have made some pin maps share them with me in the comments! I would love to see them!*

So anyway, as soon as I had a chance, I set out to make up my Japan travel board (because we all know I have an unhealthy relationship with the country). Almost immediately I ran into a problem. I don't have a japanese keyboard, and even if I did, I don't know how to spell Tokyo, or Mt. Fuji in Japanese. 

Well folks, I found a very round about away around not having japanese on my keyboard, and I'll show you my work around. (BTW if you have an easier way of doing this please share with me!)

Follow the directions on Pinterest to start your first map, it's okay I can wait, they have directions on how to do that.... 

Okay, you're back already? Well than, lets go! 

(click on pictures to see larger images!!)

My Japan Pinterest Map

 Once you have your map set up you need to start adding places to it. You can move your map using your mouse and zoom using the +/- in the lower R corner

Lets add a place

Lets start with somewhere I have never been.

Never been to Kyoto? Check!

 Now what do I want to look at in Kyoto? How about historical places, you know, since I am a history major and all.

Oh No!

 You'll see above that it's kind of hard to search for general things, without knowing the exact name of what you are looking for, and in some cases, without having the name in the common spelling used in that country it can be difficult. I found some things you can work around, Like I was able to find Mt. Fuji, because I know where it is, but for some reason I had to zoom into the area while using the search "Current Map View"

Well I found a way to browse destinations, surrounding to areas I want to see.
 You'll notice Pinterest Maps uses FourSquare, a maping app for your smart phone, where you can check into places and post pictures and such, great for stalking friends and family.

I don't know if you need a foursquare account to do any of this, I have one, so you should too. 

So I decided to look at places around Hiroshima (I know it was Kyoto earlier, but I've never been here either.) Foursquare will automatically show me "Best Nearby" I really don't know how they decide best? I think it may be the most popular for people checking in that current day. 

 (for this part of the search I have Google Translate turned on)

But I want to look for something that interests me. I'm a tourist so I want to go sight seeing.

 BAM! Look at that. Thank you Foursquare.

 Once i find something I am interested in, I turn off Google Translate (either turn if off at the top or right click and choose to turn it off on the little menu that pops up)
Next I highlight and copy the Japanese

Go back to your pinterest page and paste the japanese into your search menu, and Ta-Da!

I already know the map location I am looking for is the castle, because that's what I wanted to see. 

Add your own description and then choose a picture

And you are done! 

Foursquare also has a few other cool ways of finding things. "More Like" "Places People Go After" and "Appears on XX Lists" the first two are self explanatory, the last is just where people can make lists of destinations, like favorite shopping places, or temples, or cheeseburger joints. All three of these are great ways to find more places to pin on your maps and explore areas.

I find this last part super useful for more than just Japan. Pinterest Maps doesn't yet have a way to find similar things, or other pins in the area, so using foursquare you can see more destinations like the one you have just looked up.

I hope my little photo tutorial helped you, let me know if you have found an easier way to do it!

I am totally in love with Pinterest mapping and see myself staying up all night playing with it.

(this blog post is 100% my ideas and opinions, I have no relationship with Pinterest besides a mild addiction)

My Maps:
California To Do
European Vacations
Island Paradise 
Japan
And of course:
Okinawa 

Merry X-mas

Paul and I have never been huge on Christmas. We put up a tree, and buy a few presents, but it's not been a huge deal to us. We don't do a whole lot of decorating, besides the tree. 

I think with the impending arrival of our wee one, I am really sort of getting excited about it. I am really hoping that we are in our new home so I can decorate, and go overboard, and give her the best first Christmas she'll never remember. 

Pinterest has given me lots of ideas too. In fact, I think Pinterest has really created this whole feeling of excitement. 

Source: jpmdesign.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

I think these would be cool if the hot glue were done on some fishing wire, so they could be hung in a window. 

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: weddingchicks.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: madebygirl.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: ikea-download.de via Alana on Pinterest

Source: realsimple.com via Kari on Pinterest

Source: vwbblog.com via Alana on Pinterest

fill a jar or a bowl with these

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Alana on Pinterest

The blurb for this one says "Kids' Christmas list in an ornament with the year. It would be so cool to go back and see what the children asked for years ago"

But for babies first few Christmases you could write down what baby got. 

Source: familyoffarmers.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: crybabyink.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: curiositiesbydickens.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: craftster.org via Alana on Pinterest

Source: ploughyourownfurrow.wordpress.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Alana on Pinterest

Source: kaboodle.com via Tamyhra on Pinterest

Source: grizzlybearmodern.com via Tamyhra on Pinterest

Before I got pregnant I actually was saving bottles for this very project. I have an assload under my kitchen sink. More than I'll ever need. 

Source: cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: sayyestohoboken.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: asortafairytaleblog.com via Janna on Pinterest

Source: cmro.travis-starnes.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Adrianne on Pinterest

Source: lessonplans.craftgossip.com via Chellie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kari on Pinterest

Okay, that's enough. 
But you can clearly see I am a little excited about this whole thing. I just hope that it's as perfect as I am imagining it. 

- Alana

Unpinned

Go link up with Joslin

We all love pinterest and Joslin has a link up where we can share a successes and failures from Pinterest! 

In the last week I have had my way with two recipes from pinterest.
First:

Source: mogwaisoup.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

This was freakishly amazing. The only mods I made was instead of cream of celery (which I just didn't have on hand) i subbed cream of mushroom. And I also used one can of chopped green peppers and one can of chopped Jalapeños. This meal was a total success. We ate it as leftovers for a second night with...


Second:

Source: theobsessivechef.blogspot.com via Alana on Pinterest

Again, another success. I made a few modswith this one, I didn't have dried ancho chilies so I used powdered. And I threw in a few handfuls of shredded mexican cheese to thicken it up. Totally delicious.

Both these recipes will stay in my book for future use.

Go find Joslin

Have a lovely day, and remember to find me on Facebook!

-Alana

 

Friday Letters

Dear Husband, I could really use some help sometimes. Also this help would be way more appreciated (and WAY less stressful) if it could be done without you loosing your temper. I know you hate dishes, so do I, but slamming shit around is only going to get you fired and me fired up, I just want help, I don't want to be angry with you.

Source: tribaltattoos24.com via Lori on Pinterest

Dear Internet, while I do appreciate you coming back so promptly after the fire, you still suck. Satalite Internet just SUCKS.

Source: blog.oliverphillips91.co.uk via Christopher on Pinterest

(btw, i totally have 16 tabs open right now, too many? maybe)

Dear Pintrest, You've been a little bit of a Fail Whale yourself.

Source: Uploaded by user via Raphael on Pinterest

Dear Body, You could start looking a little more pregnant and a little less fat any time now.

Source: thelensloves.com via Krystal on Pinterest

That is all for now. Click on the link up at the top of the page and join in on the fun!