What`s the best way to lose weight...?!? Look below!

Horie was released on bail last night. It was his first time "out" in 94 days! He lost 8 kilograms during that time! (After seeing him on tv yesterday, I know have a new incentive to exercise more and eat less!!!) He looks 10 years younger and like a different person. His trial will supposively begin some time this summer, with the verdict being delivered possibly before the end of the year. In my unprofessional opinon, the worst he will get is probation, wth no jail time. Possibly though, I think he could get a "not guilty" verdict. What do you think?

Look at this for an article from the Mainichi Newspaper:
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20060427p2a00m0na024000c.html

One year ago today, the JR WEST train accident happened...A lot of people were affected by that tragic day. I can`t believe one year has already passed.

HAPPY SHINJO

He is quite a character! Personally I like him. I think he is a terrible hitter, but I also think he is a very intelligent guy. To say the least, he is unique, a one of a kind. The other day, he announced he will retire at the end of this season. Rumor has it he will become a designer. (Look above for his sense of fashion!) Probably he will also become a t.v. personality. He was popular and successful in Japan, he played in the Major Leagues for a few years on 2 different teams, he then came back to Japan and has been relativley successful while also increasing his popularity. And I don`t think I have ever seen him angry!! That`s amazing. He`s always smiling, or smirking ;) There aren`t many ballplayers who can say they have done as much as him. I am looking forward to watching his highlights and listening to his remarks until he takes off his uniform for the last time and retires for good. Below is a link of an English article about Shinjo and his retirement. Check it out if you want.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20060419TDY24003.htm

DARTS!!

I hit a double bulls-eye! Two nights ago, I played darts with my friend Ms. T and her friend Ms. K. (look below! Sorry about the bad pic, but it was very dark in the bar. You can`t tell, but actually they are both very beautiful women...) Both of the brought their own "My Darts"!! But I used the regular darts from the bar. Ms. T is a darts fanatic! She plays often and sometimes even plays in tournaments. I hadn`t played darts in about 10 years. When I was in University I used to play darts a lot. First we played 2 games of Cricket. After that we played 2 (maybe 3 games, I forget..;) of "301". Ms T and Ms. K played great and beat me. I was disappointed but I ahd a great time and want to play again soon. I hope Ms. T gives me another shot to beat her!

Useful English 29: dispute

*a serious disagreement; a situation in which two groups or countries quarrel or disagree with each other.

The dispute bewteen the labor union and management has dragged on for several weeks.

Useful English: 28 Fight

*1. if two people fight, they hit and kick each other in order to hurt each other. 2. to argue about something

The two young guys at the bar got really drunk and started to fight.

The couple always fought, so finally they broke up.

Japanese - Philadelphia Connection

This is a famous Japanese house and garden located in...of all places, Philadelphia. http://www.shofuso.com/ It is called Shofuso. All over America, there is a lot of Japanese influence. Many Americans enjoy the beautiful Japanese gardens! In addition, the structure of the houses, the tatami, the screen doors, everything is very unique and new to many Americans. I have never been to Shofuso, but I know that my brother has. He said it was a nice place and recommended it. The chance I have, I want to go.

Useful English: 27 RESTLESS

*unwilling or unable to keep still, especially because you are nervous or bored.

The kid was restless the night before his first day in high school.

The teacher`s lecture was way too boring. Half of the students were nodding off, and the other half got restless.

Useful English: 26 butter-finger

*someone who often drops things they are holding or trying to catch.

Hey butter-fingers! Stop dropping the football!

Don`t let him carry that expensive vase! He has butter fingers!

One last time this year...

A weeping cherry treeA truly Kyoto scene...a river, stone bridge, a cherry blossoms. You can almost hear the silence from the photo
Kiyomizu Temple. One of my favorite temples in Kyoto. I took these pics from my friend`s Ms. A, blog. She and her husband left their lovely 3 toy poodles at home and went to Kyoto for a romantic date in Kyoto and lunch at the Hyatt Regent.

Useful English: 25 AWKWARD

*moving or behaving in a way that does not seem relaxed, comfortable, especially becase you feel nervous or embarrassed.

Ken`s girlfriend was very awkward when she met his parents for the first time.

I always blush and feel embarrassed when I remember how awkward I acted in my first job interview. I was just so nervous!

Useful English: 24. Clumsy

*not steady and dropping things often
*moving in an awkward(not smooth) way and tending to break things

Hey Alexander, are you OK? This is the third plate you broke so far today! What`s wrong? Why are you so clumsy?

Today is miserable, rotten weather...What a difference from yesterday!

Osaka Bike Ride

My friend NikoNiko is really into cycyling. He has a Blog with a lot of info about bikes and stuff. Here it is: http://www.geocities.jp/hello2525com/ Last week he went on bike ride with some friend in Osaka. He visited 7 Temples. He said the ride was about 2 hours long. The pics are from his cycling adventure. There is a (fat) Buddhist statue, and a temple, and on the bottom a time capsule. It looks like a cool ride and also NikoNIko said I can learn a lot about Osaka`s history. I want to try it one day!

Maybe after the rain today, the cherry blossoms will be gone...Fortunately I could go see some cherry blossoms at Utsubo park yesterday with a friend. There were many people there! It was interesting and fun to "people watch." We drank tea and ate McDonald`s. It was a real treat for me because I rarely eat fast food. But, it was pretty good. After I went to sushi in Dobutsuenmae with my friend`s sister and brother-in-law. They are both psychologists, and we talked about some interesting topics, like juvenile crime, and sports, and Japanese culture. I had a good time.

Cherry blossoms & THE ROLLING STONES !!!

My friend Ms. N went to Nagoya to see the Rolling Stones Concert! She`s a huge fan! While she was in Nagoya she also did some sightseeing. She went to Nagoya Castle and took the cherry blossom pic there! I have never been to Nagoya.

IF YOU CAN SEND ME ANY NICE CHERRY BLOSSOM PICS, I WOULD BE HAPPY. I WANT TO POST SOME CHERRY BLOSSOM PICS ON THE BLOG! PLEASE SEND ME!!

Mr. Hig sang many songs. He was much better than I expected him to be. In fact, he was pretty good. He sang an Elvis Presley song too! "Love me Tender..." happy... ;)
serious...
like a movie star...

ICHIBA-ZUSHI (in namba)

Hands down the best sushi restaurant I have ever been to. The sushi is great, the price is not expensive, the atmosphere is very "osaka"=a little noisy, simple, etc..., and the people are good. Above are my two favorite sushi guys! Watching them work is interesting and talking with them is funny.
Mr. Y! My idol! :) The best sushi guy ever! He has taken care of me and many of my friends for over 7 years now...He`s the man!

Last night I gave my friend Mr. HIG. a "Farewell/Goodbye Party" and "Thank You" because he was transferred to Hong Kong. He studied with me for 3 years. Last year he also took me out for my birthday, so I owed him. We went to my favorite sushi restaurant, and after that my favorite snack. We talked a lot and had a good time. Also, we were lucky because my friend Ms. har. also joined us by surprise. And she introduced us to her friend, who was a nice woman. It was the first time I went out with with Ms. har. in a long time so I was happy.
The other guy in the pic is my friend Mr. M. He works near my classroom and sometimes we meet and talk. He is the president of a small design company and works with one of his two daughters. He is also very good at golf and ma-jan!

Ms. M`s trip to Beijing!

(Click on the COMMENTS below to read her great and honest report!)

TANTANMEN

Last night I went to a great chinese restaurant. Here`s the home page: http://www.tantanmen.com My student Ms. Y recommended the restaurant to me. Her nephew works there as an apprentice to the chef! I think the chef is famous. Honestly the food is very unique and different than the chinese food I have seen in the past. The tantanmen was fabulous!!!It`s a little expensive, but I think you can get real, authentic, chinese food there. Also, the restaurant was packed so I think many people agree with me.

Independence Day

In America, July 4th is Independence Day. I am from Philadelphia and there are always big fireworks every July 4th because Philadelphia has a lot of history and used to be the capital of the United States. However, for me, today, April 1st 2006, is Independence Day. From today I am independent will run my own English school, EZENGLISH. (This is NOT and April Fools joke!!!) Since my "I am going independent" announcement, I have already received many emails and words of "Congratulations" and "Good luck" from many friends and students. They have been a great support to me. Although I am heading down unchartered waters, I will do my best to keep my ship steady and on course and make a great school for my students.