HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The above is a great example of internationalism and friendship. My friend YU, the Japanese guy on the left, travels to many countries all over Europe. He loves soccer, Arsenal! He also likes design and art and a lot of stuff. He is an open and smart and young guy. He just moved into his own apartment in Kyoto too. Mayeb he wanted to get away from his parents :) (I know hsi father so I would understand! ;) or maybe he just wanted to live by himself, I don`t know. 2007 will be his first year living all by himself. I think he will learn a lot...When he was in London last year, he took asked this boy`s father to take a pic of him and the boy. e met the boy randomly, and just liked the boy`s smile. It`s a great photo I think...Simple, but speaks a lot...

2006 is coming to an end...What kind of year was 2006 for you? For me, many things happened...I was going to write a lot about my 2006, but...I will just be simple. Happy New Year everyone!

One last leaves photo...

The leaves have all fallen off the trees now...It is winter. This year`s winter is a little warmer than years in the past. I wonder if it will get colder in January and February next year...

In America, it`s still Christmas...

So it`s not too late. I wanted to post these too photos. The lights in the pic above are really cool! And a lighted and decorated Christmas tree is always magestical!

Merry Christmas!

Mr. K sent me these pics from his business trip to Singapore. It`s a famous sightseeing spot in Singapore! A Lion Statue spitting water. In America we have the Statue of Liberty, but in Singapore they have the Lion spitting water fountain! Interesting...
From this photo, the city looks very clean. I have heard from many people that Singapore is a very clean and safe city. One day I would like to go there.

Just a few more days until New Year`s vacation...

Christmas: Part 2

Now this is what we call a SNOW STORM!!! Alex told me they got a huge storm the other day in Chicago! It`s good for the "Christmas feeling" and for kids who don`t have to go to school because the schools are closed(I was always happy about that!) and for adults who don`t have to go to work because their work places are closed!!! BUT it`s very difficult for many because it is difficult and dangerous to drive in the snow, and many people have to shovel the snow (I used to do this every snow storm :), it was very tough physical labor. I was always tired and my muscles were sore so I enjoyed drinking hot chocolate afterwards!)
I bet Alex had a hell of a time driving in this! It looks treacherous! Can you see the car on the side of the road? I bet it skidded off the road and is waiting for a tow truck. That sucks!
This is Alex`s tree lot...where are the trees??? I can`t see them. I wonder if they are under all the snow! How many inches of snow do you think Chicago got? Do you remember ever having a big snow storm in Osaka? In Japan, where does it snow a lot? Ah- There they are! Good luck selling those trees Alex and send me a postcard! And to everyone...have a safe and happy weekend! Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Trees Part One

This is my friend Alex. He is in America now, in Chicago. Chicago is known as "The Windy City," because it is very windy and cold. It is located next to one of the Great Lakes, so the cold wind comes from the lake. Alex sells Christmas trees every year in Chicago. Below is a picture of his neice. She`s a cutie!! (And she is lucky that she doesn`t look like her Uncle Alex!!)

These are all of the trees. Almost all Christian families in America buy trees for Christmas and decorate them in their houses. So, Alex is very busy every winter. Also, many people put wreaths on their doors as decoration. Below are the trucks that Alex rents and uses to carry the trees. How much do you think one tree costs? How bif od you think the average tree is? I don`t know but I will ask Alex and try to find out. He must be busy though right now, cause many people by trees at the last minute, and today is only a few days before Christmas weekend.

CAP, JACKET...READY FOR WINTER!

The other day I got a wonderful present. My student`s mother knitted at cap for me. She is now doing rehabilitaion because she was sick. Part of her rehabilitation is to knit, so Ms. T asked her mother to make a cap for me. I always feel cold so I like to wear many layers of clothing, 2 pairs of socks, longunderwear, turtlenecks, sweaters, gloves, scarves...I like to bundle up! So the cap was a perfect gift for me! And it is one of my favorite colors, yellow, too! The cap also goes well with my winter jacket, don`t you think?! I can not express my thanks to Ms. T and her mother enough! Truly Thank you!

Also, I want to thank Mr F for taking me out to sushi last Saturday night. He was very kind and generous and treated me to everything...delicious susshi, beer, sake!! I only drink sake once or twice a year so it was a real treat for me! And we talked about many things for about 3 hours. It was a fun night! Thanks a ton!

Festival!

I got these photographs from Ms. O. They are from a festival in her town. There are many festivals in Japan. There are different festivals all year round. I like going to festivals a lot! The atmosphere is very traditional and unique. Sometimes people dress up in kimonos, and other tradtional dress too. I usually go in casual clothes, like jeans and a tee-shirt ;) though. Do you have a favorite festival? Or are there any festivals that you recommend? Tell me! I want to know!

Bread! Bread!! I`m talking BREAD!!

Now, you really don`t understand how good this bread is until you taste it! It is truly UNBELIEVABLE!! Hand-made!! Organic! I can`t imagine how long it takes to make it! Ms. T makes it for me sometimes!! I can`t thank her enough. Sometimes she even surprises me and leaves it on my door. Please read the comments to see what she has to say abou the bread. Do you know the names of all the different types? I do! Because she taught me, haha...:) Look at the powdered sugar in the above pic! Wow!! It looks so soft like snow!

This was my favorite! The picture doesn`t do it justice, but you will just have to take my word for it. It was divine!! THANKS MS. T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honeymoon in Spain!

My student, Mr. O, and his wife, went toSpain for their honeymoon last month. Mr. and Mrs. O are both patent lawyers. Actualy, Mrs. O just passed the patent bar examination a few months ago. Mr. O always told me how much she studied and studied, so I was happy for her. Congratulations!!! After she heard the results of the test, they went to Spain.
Mr. O said everything was wonderful and he really loved Spain. He said the sites, the food, and weather andn people, were all fantastic! I was glad that they could have a good time. Mr. O does overtime every night until about 9pm I think. This is not uncommon in Japan. He is a very hard worker.
They look like a romantic couple and this is a great pciture. I love the architecture. Look under the comments for Mr. O`s email about his trip. Thanks for the pics Mr. O and also thanks for the cool souvenir tee-shirt!

Wonderland of Colors

This is an unbelievable photo! Ms.N took this photo at a park near her house. It is not a famous park and maybe usually no tourists visit there, just the neighborhood people taking a walk, or walking their dogs, or playing with their kids, go there maybe. It is so simple, and yet so beautiful. There is a carpet of red and yellow and orange leaves!! Fantastic! It reminds me of a small park I saw the other day when I was riding my bicycle. Sometimes NOT famous places are the best I think...

M & M`s and Tofu...

M and M are the intials of the two women below. They sent me these photos from their day off in Kyoto. They went to a famous temple to see the colorful Fall leaves. From the pic can you tell which temple they went to? In the background you can see mannnnnnyyyyyyyyy people. It is always crowded this time of year in Kyoto. Above is the popluar Kyoto dish, "Yu-dofu". It basically means Tofu in hot water. It is actually very delicious and I like it vrey much, but at a restaurant it is a little expensive...maybe 5000 yen for one person. Considering it costs about 3 cents to make tofu, I think that`s a bit much...Tofu is a common food in Japan. I know one family who has a tofu shop. They have to get up very early every morning...Making tofu is not an easy business I think. M & M, thanks a lot for the photos! I really hoped you both enjoyed yoiur day off!

Nagoya Trip

This is a Japanese scroll. Below the scroll is a vase with a flower in it. In the background you can see a a tatami mat and also a typical traditional Japanese paper screen window. Many Japanese people have a room in their house with a hanging scroll decoreated with flowers. Can you read what the scroll says?
Nagoya Castle! I have never been there but I want to go there one day. There are many famous castles in Japan. I have been to Osaka Castle, and also Himeji Castle. How about you, what Castles have you been to in Japan?
This is a Japanese sweet that is eaten when drinking thick macha-style green tea. It goes perfectly with that green tea I think, because it is very sweet and the tea is very bitter. I really love Japanese sweets.
This is a great photo of a woman making green tea! I love this photo! Look at that red parasol! It`s so cool!
Green tea! The real deal! Have you ever tried it? Ever made it? Do you like it? Some people "study" how to make this green tea in Japan. It is a traditional art of Japan.

It`s warm this week...

Sorry for the photo on it`s side. I don`t know how to make the photo upright. I am computer illiterate...This week is realtively warm for the end of December...Can you believe it, it`s almost December! Time flies! too fast!!! In the beginning of December many people in Japan get their big bonus! That makes many people happy! In America, many people get a big Christmas bonus! Also, many people are happy! Will you get a bonus? If yes, what will you do with your bonus money?

Next week I heard it will get very cold, so let`s enjoy these last warm days of November!

Arashiyama Fall leaves

All of the photos are from Arashiyama, which is a very famous and popular pleace to see the colorful fall leaves in Kansai. Ms. N sent me these pics. I know many people who went to see the foilage this past weekend? Did you go? Where do you recommend to go?
In Arashiyama there are many old street and buildings and shops too. It feels like "old Japan."
Speechless...
What a view!
What is this? Do you know?

Thanksgiving Turkey!

Thanksgiving in America is a big holiday! Have you ever heard of Thanksgiving? Do you know what it means? Today is Thanksgiving in America. Schools and businesses are closed and it`s a national holiday all over the country. When I was a child my family, including my parents and brother and grandparents and aunts and uncle and cousins all got together and had a big dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving. We ate a huge turkey, and mashed potatos, pumpkin pie and a lot of other special foods. It was a great time! If you have the opportunity, I recommend to particpate in a Thanksgiving dinner with an American family. It`s a great experience.

From the airport in Nagoya..

No, don`t worry! Unfortunately, I am not going on a trip! Ms. N sent me this pic! She went to Nagoya a few weeks ago. A few of my other students also went to Nagoya recently! Nagoya seems like a popular place lately! I have never been to Nagoya..well, actually I have driven through Nagoya once...My students all said good things about Nagoya. It still has not reached my top ten list for places I want to go, but I am not interested in going to Nagoya a little. Nagoya is famous for a castle, MISO, and The Dragons. What else is Nagoya famous for? I will post some pics from Nagoya over the next few days. Please look forward to them! Hope everyone enjoys the National Holiday tomorrow!

Today is the first day of Beaujoais Nouveau! Have you tried it yet? I haven`t, but I hope to have a glass this weekend!!! It is a little sweet and fruity wine. I think it is easy to drink. Also, I think many air cargo shipping companies were very busy these past few days, because a lot of wine was imported to Japan.

Gion, Geisha, and tough business in Japan! ;)

My student Mr. M. He is a president of a medium size company in Honmachi. He speaks English well and comes from Kyushu. His father had a shoe business but Mr. M thought that the shoe industry had a bleak future so Mr. M left Kyushu and came to Osaka to start his own company in the I.T. field. Since then he has been working very hard as you can see above! ;)

Mr. M`s friend. He looks very stressed! And 2 Geisha! Geisha are part of an old culture in Japan. There are many? some? in Kyoto. It is NOT cheap, but I don`t know exactly how much dinner and dancing with Geish`s in Gion cost because I have never done it.

Can you see the Geisha playing an instrument in the background. Many Geisha must practice dancing (below) and and an instrument. They need to master a special talent!!

This is a great pic I think. True Traditional Japan.

There he is again. Mr. M. Dancing with the Geisha!!! I don`t think he could get any more stressed. Well done!

Business Trip to America

Mr. I went to a couple fo cities in America for a business trip. He went to Newark and Chicago and Los Angeles, and one or two more I think. He goes to America about 2 times a year for business, to meet clients and sometimes do presentations. He always has interesting stories. Actually his business partner from America visited Osaka(JAPAN) for ONLY 2 days. That`s a tough trip I think! The above is the sky in Los Angeles! A sky pic is always nice! The below photo is of a lonnnnnnnnng road in America. It looks a little hilly in tha area but I think from the car, maybe the surroundings look very flat. I once drove on a raod in Nebraska (=country!!). It was only raod and very flat land...nothing else...

Uniqlo is coming to New York!

I don`t know if Santa Claus or Uniqlo is coming first, but Uniqlo will be opening soon. Myabe just in time for Matsuzaka to buy his spirng clothes in the States! Uniqlo is a HUGE cheap but good? quality clothing chain in Japan. The simple design and color co-ordination of the clothes is good I think. I am interested to see how Uniqlo does in New York.
The above is from a winery in Napa Valley! Mr. I went around to many wineries during his trip. I am jealous because I like win. I once went on a wine tour in Australia. I was a lot of fun! Have you ever been to a winery? Anyway, have a good weekend! See ya next week!