Ms. H and her family celebrating Christmas is Nara! Looks like they are having a merry time!
Now that`s either one short kid, or two really big Japanese snow-men...Which is it?
Tomorrow will be the last blog of this year...don`t expect too much!!! See ya
I can`t remember the last time there was a white christmas...Do you? Today is the 25th, which means Christmas day, which means absolutely nothing in Japan. In America I bet many people are opening presents, eating a big but earlist, about 4pm, dinner, and recovering from drinking too much egg-nog on Christmas eve... There is only one more week left in 2007...I wonder what it will bring...Have a good week everyone!
a beautiful beach on the Phillipines
a great shot of a lonnnnnnnnnnggg pier
Now is the Christmas season. One the radio and at Department stores, Christmas music is continuously playing. The lights in these photos are from Kobe. They are not Christmas lights, but they reminded me of Christmas lights, so I posted them on the blog. Many Japanese people go to Kobe to see the BIG illumination. I have never been there, but I heard it is really beautiful. BUT packed! jammed!! unbelievably crowded with people!!! So prepare yourself for shoulder-to-shoulder walking if you go! I might have said this before in a previous blog, but I recommend the smaller more "at-home" atmosphere of the Nakanoshima Christmas lights near the Osaka City Hall, which is about a 10 minute walk from here.
While on the topic going out to see the winter lights, I`d also like to say BE CAREFUL of the cold and bundle up when you go outside!! Now the flu is going around. I read in the newspaper that it is about 1 month earlier than usual. Already, some Elementary Schools have been shut down temporarily because too many of the children have the flu. (So many children getting sick could be prevented though IF they didn`t have to wear SHORTS to school in the winter!! It`s true!!! Many Japanese schools have a school uniform which the students must wear. And in the winter, some Elementary schools require shorts!!! Stupid!!! Whoever thought of that brilliant idea must have been a real brain scientist!) Anyway, if you get the flu, one way to prevent the flu from spreading to other people is to wear a mask! The mask looks kind of strange, and isn`t exactly the coolest look I have ever seen, but if you want to be considerate and think of the well-fare of other people, and don`t want to give your bad germs to other people, I think that wearing a mask is a good idea! I gotta go to the pharmacy now to buy me a pack of masks! See ya and have a good weekend!
This building looks like a miniature White House. Maybe it is the City Office, or a Courthouse, or some other government building...
Ms. H waiting at the bus stop. It looks a little chilly...
This is the ranch house Ms. H stayed in. A ranch house is a one story house. It is very flat and long. They are poplular in some areas on America. Some people like the design, and some people don`t. Personally, I think they are OK. If someone offered me one for free, I`d probably take it. But if I was using my own money, I would probably pass, and buy a regular two story house.Also, look at the big yard and many trees around the house. That`s pretty typical in suburbian America. In Japan, most people don`t have such a nice yard or trees or bushes around their houses. The main reason is that it is too expensive. In Japan, land prices are extraordinary!! Crazy expensive! And for the money, the size of the house or condominium is too small. It`s something to think about...
A Tower...Not the Tokyo Tower, not the Kyoto Tower,
it`s the ________________ Tower! You fill in the blank if you know the answer.
This is the official seal of the state of Washington. Of course, the face of George Washington, the first President of the United States is on the seal. Who was the first Prime Minister of Japan...do you know?
Have a good one.
It`s almost December! Can you believe it! Only one more month to go until 2008...I`ll talk about Christmas and the Winter Holidays and New Year`s parties, and New Year`s resolutions and all that jazz later! Right now I want to talk about International Exchange. There are so many different types of international exchange, culture exchange. Today I want to tell you as story of a woman, Ms. H, who really spread her wings, took a risk, challenged herself, and took a flight over to the U.S. for a one month home-stay study. I know, I know, you are thinking "What`s so unusual about that?! Many Japanese people study abroad..." Well, ya see, she isn`t just any Japanese person. She is a shy woman, in her fifties, who lives with and takes care of her husband. She also has two daughters and a son, all of whom are already grown up. And she also has one cute grand-son, tokumaru. She wanted to test herself and her English, she wanted to go to a foreign country all by herself and just see what happens, experience something new. Do you know how difficult that is!? It takes courage and bravery! I really admire her!
This is her class. There are so many different types of people in the picture, just like America, "a melting pot." She went to Olympia, Washington. Olympia is the capital of Washington. Did you know that?! I didn`t. I thought that Seattle was the capital of Washington. Boy was I wrong.
I have no idea what the hell this bus is...But it must have been interesting to ride. Ms. H said the food was just ok, and that every breakfast she ate standing in the kitchen. It`s kind of like my parent`s house in Philadelphia. Standing and eating is a very common thing in America! Some houses and restaurants don`t even have chairs!!! ;) Just joking! Hope you all have a good weekend!
Midosuji Street is swimming in yellow leaves. Midosuji subway line is marked RED in the subway map, but above ground in the winter it is without a doubt YELLOW! Every day when I walk on MIdosuji street recently I see the YELLOW leaves and for some reason I just feel thankful, grateful. In the past few years there has been a movement to build-up and improve Midosuji Street. As a result, many of the banks located on the first floor moved to the second or third floor or closed, making room for a flurry of cafes, car shops, wedding halls, restaurants, and more. There are a plentiful amount of shops on both sides of the street all the way form Umeda to Namba. In addition, TREES line the street on both sides. In the spring and summer GREEN leaves, in the Fall, brilliant YELLOW leaves. Every day, I feel like I am swimming in yellow leaves when I walk down Midosuji street.
On Friday I ran the Fukuchiyama full marathon. It was a hell of an experience! Basically, as I wanted to, I ran with a smile!!! :) However I forgot about one thing since the last time I ran...AFTER running the race, it is more difficult for me to smile because I can`t move my legs, especially knees and groin and ankles, which equals just about the whole leg...and oh yeah, usually the body goes into shock, so in addition to the drop in temperature upon sunset in Kyoto (Kyoto is COLD in the mountains!) and the natural drop in body temperature after running such a marathon, basically my whole body gets hot(partly due to the inflammation=fire=burning of all the above mentioned leg parts) and gets a fever. Fortunately, after much sleep and some good food and body care, I am back to about 100%. So let me tell you about the race...
My friend and boss, Mr. H, picked me up at the station at 6:30am and drove me to Fukuchiyama. That was such a big help!! Compared to riding on a crowded train for three hours, to sit in a heated and comfortable car while chatting and reading the newspaper is a dream. That time was a much needed rest time for my body. The race began at 10:30am...
While standing at the start line, waiting for the fireworks which begin the race, an old Japanese guy said to me..."Where are you from." I was in meditation mode, so to be honest I didn`t really want to talk, but I said "America." He said "How old are you?" I said "33". He said, "I am 65...You are American runner!" I said, "Yes, and you are Japanese runner..." We both laughed. Then about 20 kilometers later, as he coasted by me, he said with a BIG smile, "I am Japanese runner!" It was a funny moment.
I saw one runner with a shirt that said "I have ran 160 marathons." That guy was short and about 60 years old maybe. Unbelievable!!
I want to make a shirt for me that says "I ran 2 marathons and that`s it! Done! Finished! Retired for life!!! ;)"
Also, Mr. H, who is in his mid-fifties, began running when he was in his early forties. Now he runs about 3 marathons a year. He is in great shape! He finished this marathon in 3 hours and 51 minutes. I can only bow my head to him...that is a great time. I respect him a lot!! And he really helped me during the race, because after about 23 kilometers I was hurting and tired. Just at that time, he ran by me and said with a BIG SMILE "Glenn!!!" His words really encouraged me and lifted me up. It was a big help!!
After about 30 kilometers I began to talk to myself and sing to myself...of course with a smile. But my legs were literally dragging. Then, one woman runner , about 45, said to me "This looks easy for you, but are your legs OK?" I said "My legs are Okay...BUT it feels like someone is hammering a nail into my knee caps..." She said, "But your mouth is healthy! ;)" I said, "Yep, it is..."
There was also one other foreigner who I saw running the race. He was from England, a tall and lean guy. He was also friendly and said to me in the beginning "Looks like we are the only two foreigners (stupid enough) to run this race." I smiled at him. Then later, towards the end, I was furiously pumpimg my arms to move forward because my legs couldn`t move. At that time, I passed him...But I didn`t realize that until he ran up to me slowly and said "You gave me inspiration! I had just quit this sport..." Then he continued to slowly run. It was a happy moment.
The service and fan support at the Fukuchiyama is fantastic!! Really applaudable! There is ample food and drinks at every rest stop, and many people say "Keep it up", "Don`t give up!", "Only 5 more kilometers...", "FIGHT!!"...All of those words really go straight to the heart! A great motivation! And the fabulous scenery in Fukuchiyama, the country views combined with the beautiful red and orange and yellow fall leaves, really lifted me up! Without all the people`s support in addition to nature`s support, I could never have done it. Thanks a lot Fukuchiyama!!
In America, soon it will be Thanksgiving! Do you know about Thanksgiving in America? Do you know the meaning of this holiday? Do you know what Americans typically do to celebrate this holiday? If the your answer to one or more of the questions above is "NO", click on the link "November 2006" and "November 2005", and read about Thanksgiving on my blog from the past. 
Good morning! These are some pics from my trip to Ireland a few months ago...The above is a Castle, and the one below this is The Giant`s Causeway, and the one below that is some ruins and graves from Aran`s Island. In Japan, the are many castles, like Osaka Castle, Himeji Castle, Okayama Castle, Niji Castle...I have been to a bunch in Japan. Osaka Castle, a famous site, is good to look at from the outside, and the park and moat surrounding it is cool, and the view from the top is spectacular, but the inside is not so special I think. It`s too modern, too much about history... Himeji Castle is nice, and feels like a castle. BUT the Castles in Oreland really take the cake!!! There is no comparison!
In a few days Thanksgiving, an American National Holiday, is coming. Do you know what the meaning of Thanksgiving is? Do you know what American people typically do on Thanksgiving?
Today`s the Day! At midnight, the first Beaujoulais Noveau of 2007 is let loose! You can bet your bottom that I`ll be sipping a little when the clock strikes 12 tonite! Recently, I am hooked on wine...
Speaking of companies and businesses, many workers whine, or complain about their jobs or their bosses. Why are so many bosses so stubborn and selfish and clueless?! Luckily, I know a few very generous and considerate and successful bosses like Mr. F and Mr. O. Ms. Y. If all of my students could work for those three people, maybe there would be no whining!!
Btw, all the pics are from Ms. e. She took them during her trip to Lake Biwa. The sky looks really blue...Thanks a lot!
It`s already November...Time really does fly by. Only two more months left in 2007, then a new year. Many Japanese people go to a temple or shrine around New Year`s and pray for a happy and healthy year or something like that. At lost temples and shrines you can buy some good luck charms, or pay the priest/monk some money and they will do an extra special prayer for you for that day, or a week, or a month, or 6 months...Of course, the longer you want the prayer recited for you, the more money you gonna pay. But hey, if it works and makes ya feel better, safe, relieved, I say, why not? Whatever floats your boat.
Have you ever written one a wish or a prayer on one of these wooden plates? I haven`t, but maybe one day I will. People write all kinds of wishes on these, like "I want to pass the High School//University test", "I want to be with my HIM/HER for ever", "I want to make a happy family", "I want to find a special HIM/HER." These are the regular normal types. 
Alert: This is dangerous and should not be taken by children without the supervision of a parent! Beware! It is NOT drugs!! It is candy!!! Really! I swear! It is candy that is made and sold and popular (yes this is true) in Finland! Ms. C gave it to me as a souvenir from here trip to Finland. I gave it to 8 people. All 8 people made the same facial expression, similar to drinking tequilla and the biting into a lemon slice and licking salt...a painful-looking sour nasty facial expression. Then 7 outof the 8 people proceeded to spit it out immediately. One gentleman, the last of the eight people, actually finished it. Some of the comments about the candy were: "It tastes like rubber, gummy bears, sour and salty, and like chinese herbal medicine." Maybe it is a coincidence, but the one gentleman who actually managed to finish the candy is Chinese. :) Everyone agreed, the candy was nasty, terrinle, awful, disgusting, horrendous, vile!! 
Speaking of candy and sweets it reminds me of something I hear often..."I am going to go on a diet FROM TOMORROW." Haha. Whenever I hear that I can only laugh, especially because I hear it so often.
Last week there were two big news stories, Kameda and Nova. As many of you in Japan know, Kameda is a story about boxing. The Kameda family consists of a father and three sons. The father is also the boys` boxing trainer. They are from deep south Osaka, and their image is like a "Big Mouth", dirty, bad-ass type. They are real flashy, wear flashy clothes, have crazy haircuts, say crazy things....pretty normal for boxing. The media also has hyped them up A LOT. Last week the 2nd brother had a world titile fight, got whooped(=lost=beaten badly) and in the process committed 3 fouls, one of them a pro-wresling suplex, and thus lost the fight. After the fight, the media and many commentators went ballistic(=got very angry) on the family, especially the father, demanding the father should apologize for some stuff, the main thing being he was recorded on tv at the end of the 11th round as saying "You know you lost, it`s over, hit him in the balls!" Now, "hit him in the balls" is not the nicest thing in the world to say. BUT, this is boxing, not chess! Professional Boxing is probably the dirtiest sport in the world, all about the money. And what people say is not always the literal meaning, sometimes there is a figurative meaning, like "hit him in the balls"="go all out, let it all hang out, give it all you got, give it your best shot, just do your best and don`t regret anything..." Personally I don`t like or dislike Kameda, honestly I just think they are funny. 
I think I need to go back to Ireland, go to the oldest distillery(whiskey making factory in the world) and have a drink...
This year the weather has been pretty unusual in Japan. It was a crazy hot and longggg summer, and probably we will have a very short fall. In America now, there is a big natural disaster: wildfires or forest fires, in the San Diego area of California. I told some people this and some people said "It`s not a big deal...there are those fires every year in America." Actually, I thought the same thing when I first heard the news. But according to the news in America, this time is a little different, bigger, more serious. Already some people have died and thousands of people have evacuated the area...
Recently I listen to an Irish music CD my friend gave to me. It is really soothing and peaceful music. It goes great with the fall season coming, and also goes well when looking at the Oregon photos. I wonder if the leaves have changed color in Oregon yet...In Osaka, not yet, but I am sure that in Kyoto and Osaka, the whole western japan=Kansai are, the foilage will be full of red and orange and yellow colors soon. Summer is my favorite season, my fall is OK too I guess...
The above photo is really unbelievable! Is it the shadows of two GIANTS (NOT the Tokyo Giants who will lose the Classic series to the Chunichi Dragons in a day or so) or is it the shadows of a small Japanese couple? Guess!
This farm picture is also pretty cool. But sorry, I don`t know what the farmers are growing on that farm..wheat? corn? something else...I wish I knew. I am really interested in farming. In the future, or my next life, I want to be a farmer I think. It seems like very hard work, physical labor, outside in the hot or cold or rain every day of the year, but it also seems like a rewarding and fulfilling life. I could wear jeans every day, a tee-shirt every day (basically the same as now ;) )and a cowboy hat maybe too ;) 
Mr. H, a travel agent, recently went to Oregon with his wife. He has been all over the world on business as well as pleasure. Every year he tried to take a trip with his wife abraod. This year he almost gave up because recently he spent a lot of money on the inspection of his car, but luckily he decided to go. In general, Mr. H and his wife enjoy nature, just like me. Last year they went to Boston and drove around the New England area. I like and admire his way of traveling. In general, he seems to go to remote, less-traveled places. I think it is exciting because you really never really know what to expect or what you will see when you travel to the country. That photo above of the flower is pretty good I think. It takes a good camera man and a good camera to take one of those photos!
Oregon...I don`t know too much about Oregon, but I have two images of the state. The first is the Oregon Ducks, the names of the team of the University of Oregon. The next is NATURE. Only, and All, nature. My cousin lives near that area and he told me that he has gone on a few trips in the Oregon area. He always says it is really beautiful and peaceful and calm and quiet. Because I really like nature, it is one place in America which I would like to visit one day.
Mr. H showed me a bunch of photos in his nicely-organized album. But I think my favorite is the one photo above. I don`t know why, but this photo portrays my total image of Oregon. Quiet, secluded, a lake with a small dock surroudned by forrests. Nice, real nice...
