Billy!!!

Have you seen this guy? He is the hottest thing in Japan since that Korean Movie Star! His name is Billy!!! I forget his last name...He came to Japan las tweek to promote his DVD series, "Billy`s Boot Camp." He has been on tv almost every day and also has done many appearances and shows here and there. He came to Japan with his daughter, who is also in the DVD. This DVD is being sold on a TV shopping network. I know many people who have bought it, and also some people who made a copy (it s a secret!!!) Some people say it is a really good exercise, some say it is too hard, some quit after trying it once or twice. Have you tried it? Are you interested in Billy and his exercise DVD? Let me know what you think!

BADMINTON SHOES

Look at these cool shoes! They are badminton shoes! They are brand new! Squeaky clean!! I used to play badminton in Gym class in high school. It was my favorite class in high school! Because I played tennis when I was younger too, I thought that badminton would be a cinch! But boy was I wrong. Badminton and tennis are completely different. They birdie is very lights, and weighs about the same as a feather, but you really need a lot of POWER and Umph to hit that little birdie. I also used to play squash as a hobby when I was in University. How about you? Have you ever played any of these sports?

Yesterday was rain, rain, and then some more rain...I planned to have a barbecue, but I had to cancel it....

Bagels and...

I went to Doutour coffee shop for lunch today. Usually I eat soba or udon for lunch, but today I was in the mood for a bagel sandwich. Sometimes a little variety is good I think. When I was a child I used to eat bagels all the time. Usually on Sundays, for brunch. Now, I only eat bagels once in a while. I think that American bagels and Japanese bagels are a little different. It`s difficult to explain the difference, but the ones in America are bigger, softer, and better!! Also, there are more flavors and types of bagels in America. My favorite bagel is a sesame bagel. Do you like bagels?
Tomorrow or next week, I will write about the new fad in Japan: Billy`s Boot Camp! Get Ready!!

Shiga and Nagano Prefecture

Help me!!!! I am falling!!!

Have you ever been rock climbing? I haven`t, but I want to try some day. It looks really exciting. I like hiking very much, but I am afraid of heights, so I am a little worred about rock climbing...

Mr. O went to Shiga to have a picnic last Sunday. It was also his birthday on Monday, so I think he celebrated with his family by going to Shiga Prefecture. I have been to Shiga before, but I have never gone hiking there. The above picture is of a snake eating a frog! Can you see it? This is a really maginificent photograph! Ms. K and A went to Nagano Prefecture together. They went to some hot springs and spent a few days in the mountains. I can`t beleive that there is still snow on the mountains, it is almost July!! I have been to these mountains in Nagano before. I went hiking up the mountain. It was really fun and beautiful! I recommend going there for a relaxing time!
Today is strange weather again...sunny, then suddenly cloudy, rainy. Maybe it will ran a little every day this week. Don`t forget our umbrella, be careful on the slippery roads, and have a good rest of the week!

Cucumber Pepsi!!

Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? I prefer Coke. But I don`t drink Coke so often...maybe 4 times a year or so. When I was a child, I drank a lot of soda. I liked it. Now, I mostly drink, water, tea, coffee, sometimes juice, milk, and beer ;). The image of Americans is that they drink a lot of soda...I think this image is generally correct. But some other images that Japanese people have of Americans is NOT true!! What are your images of Americans?

Pepsi just relased a new product! Cucumber Pepsi! Unbelievable!!! I can`t believe it!! Mr. K tried it and sent me this photo. He also wrote about it on his blog. He said it was interesting. If you have time Mr. K, please write a comment about this product on this blog!!! What do you think about cucumber Pepsi? Do you want to try it?

It`s officially the rainy season now...rain, rain, and more rain. Have a good one!

Cheese burgers...

Good morning! Yesterday was really strange weather! It reminded me of Thailand or Indonesia...The morning was very sunny and hot, then suddenly in the afternoon, like a squall, it poured...then sunny again. then a little grey and a little rain again. The weather forecast for today is a high of 29 I heard. That`s hot!

Do you like cheeseburgers? The above burger pic is from a famous burger shop in Osaka. I have never been there, but I heard it is pretty good. But I think it is a little expensive, about 1000 yen for a burger. There is also another burger shop which just opened around the corner from here. It seems pretty popular and people say good things about it. I want to check it out sometime soon for lunch.

What is your favorite burger shop? McDonalds? Mos Burger? I like McDees!!! I like the double cheeseburger. Did you know that there is "a quarter pounder" burger in America, but that is not on the menu in Japan!? I think that the menu of McDonald`s is a little different in different countries!

But the BEST burger is the burger that I make on the grill! I like to have a barbecue, and I like to make burgers, and hot dogs and chicken sandwiches on the grill! If you don`t believe that my burger is the best, then maybe I will make you one some day! Have a good week!

Watermelon!!

Do you like watermelon? I do! Do you eat the seeds of a watermelon? I do!! Really!! It`s annoying to spit out each seed, so I just swallow them. But what is the deal with the price of watermelon, and some other fruit, in Japan!? Somebody please explain it to me! The price of some watermelon, for example the kind sold in a department store or some fruit shops, is CRAZY EXPENSIVE!!! WHY??? I don`t understand! Also, melon, peaches, grapes...it is endless! I used to eat a lot of fruit when I was a child. I ate fruit every day. Now I don`t eat so much, sometimes an apple, or banana...I wish the price of fruit was cheaper in Japan! Then I could enjoy fresh fruit every day like when I was younger ;)

Loco moco

This food is famous in Hawaii! It`s called Loco Moco! The ingredients are the following: beef or pork or hamburger meat with fried egg over rice topped with some gravy or barbecue or teriyaki sauce. It not spicey! It is mild. Ms. T went to Hawaii last month with her co-worker! She said this dish was delicious! The reddish colored drink also looks refreshing and great for the summer!

I read in the newspaper that the rainy season will begin soon, but that it might not last that long. The article said that the rainy season will be shorter this year.

Many people like Hawaii for the beach, and surfing, and culture. I think I will have to go back to Hawaii again sometime soon! :) I can`t wait! The next time I go, I definitely want to try this dish!!

Amanohashidate

It`s already June! I can`t believe that alomist half of the year is almost gone...

M. O went to a famous sightseeing spot with his parents the other day. The spot is called "Amanohashidate"! I heard that it is really beautiful!! Mr. O`s parents are in the picture above!! What are they doing??? They are looking between their legs and the site. When you visit this site, you have to lookbewtten your legs at the ocean and land strip. Supposively, it looks very beautiful that way!!

I wonder...

But I want to go there and try one day!

In June it is the rainy season in japan. But today is really a beautiful day, maybe not a cloud in the sky.

Have a good week!