December and International Exchange...

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!



p.s. Ms. H came back to Japan a more cultured, confident woman. It was amazing to see. And it is not needed to be said, but her English also improved a ton. Good Job Ms H!! You should be proud OF YOURSELF!!!

Swimming in Yellow leaves

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.

Speaking of swimming, I hope to get back into the swinn, my daily swimming routine, tomorrow or sometime next week. After the marathon, my legs were really shot. But the past few days, my legs seem to be getting their strength back. Hopefully within the next few days I will be able to put on my RED speedo, then bright GREEN swimming cap, the BLACK goggles, and flop right into the pool. I can`t wait! ;)

about 4 hours and 41 minutes

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!!

Winter`s here! Break out the heavy blankets, scarfs, hats, and gloves! Burrrrrrrrr......

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.

From tomorrow is a 3-day weekend, for most people. On Friday and Sunday I am off. On Friday, I will head up to the mountains, Fukuchiyama, and participate in the Fukuchiyama marathon. I ran and finished this marathon about 11 years ago. My time was an impressive 3 hours and 35 minutes...I ran as hard as I could...when I crossed the finish line I cried like a baby, and I didn`t even know why. Sometimes running a marathon can be very emotional. 11 years ago I was in very good shape, i didn`t drink alcohol, didn`t smoke(presently I don`t smoke either though) , was a vegetarian and didn`t eat meat or eggs or any dairy products, ran every day for about 45 minutes, rode my bicycle 90 minutes to and from work 5 days a week, did Aikido about 4 times a week, and weighed about 65-67 kilograms. I was a machine!

Now, I drink (only sometimes ;), eat meat, eggs, dairy products, and any food that is put in front of me, for that matter. Some people call me "The Vacuum", or people say "If you can`t finish it, just give it to Glenn...he`ll finish it". I have trained for this marathon since about 6 months ago, jogging 3 or 4 times a week for about 35-45 minutes...But on October 8th, when I did a long run of about 17 kilometers, I injured my Achilles tendon and heal. I thought it would get better in a week or so, but I was wrong. It still hurts, aches, is tender a little. But after the 8th, I began swimming at the gym I go to, DO SPORTS, about 3 or 4 times a week. Now I really like swimming...I am like a dolphin gliding through the water!! Haha, actually, I am like a flailing fish, flapping wildly...My goal is to just run with a smile tomorrow, and when my leg begins to hurt, stop with a smile too. Maybe I can run about 22 kilometers I think, but if my leg hurts after only 10 kilometers, then I will just stop. No worries! It should be fun...and I am looking forward to seeing the beautiful red and orange and yellow fall leaves as I run...

Hope you have a good weekend!

The best castle I have ever seen, by far!

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?

Wine, Wine and Dine, Whine, and...

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...

Do you know the expression "wine and dine"? I want someone to wine and dine me! This expression means to take someone out, treat them to drinks and dinner, and show them a great time. Especially in Japan, many business men wine and dine their customers or clients on their company`s expense account. This means the company pays for everything, the dinner, drinks, karaoke, lounge...everything! That means for the company`s employee and and the client, EVERYTHING is FREE!! I like FREE! ;) and my business`s expense account is VERY small, so I hope someone wines and dines me very soon!! Any volunteers?
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!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: Spacca Alberta


This restaurant is located in Kita-Shinchi. It is one of my favorite restaurants. It is casual, laid back, and there is really a wide variety of food on the menu, something for everyone. It is a mix of Italien and Spanish. I especially like that you can order a pasta any way you like, this means that if you tell them you want a "cream sauce, musroom, broccoli spaghetti dish", they will make it for you. There is also a nice selection of foreign beers, but I think the Malts draft beer is the best personally. Also, the wine selection is good and reasonably priced. The manager, Mr. Hayashi, is a hard-working good guy. A little good-looking. The dessert I recommend is the "purin", like pudding. I don`t usually like pudding, but this is to die for!! In the restroom, there are also two interesting posters. I first went there about 6 months ago, and have gone there many times since with friends and even family. I went there with my folks when they came to Japan this summer. We had a great time together there!!! And they liked it too!! Anyway, it`s a great place for a date, for two friends, for a group...Anyway, hope to see you there some time. Check it out.

http://www.alberta-dining.co.jp/

Make a wish...

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.

Some other ones which I like are "I want the stocks to go up!!!", "I want Horse Number 4 to win the Big Race this week" "I want to win the monthly golf tournament this week!!", "I want to win the weekly ma-jan game this Friday!!", and the list goes on and on. My friend Yuki who is about 12 years old, would say "You are stupid. I wouldn`t waste my luck on those things!!"

How about you? What you wanna wish for? Be honest!

Without a doubt, the worst candy in the world!

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.

About sports, the baseball season is officially over. Last night the Dragons won the Japan series. I like the manager, Ochiai, and last night he made another tough decision. After 8 innings, his pitcher was pitching a perfect game. He gave up NO hits, No walks, No hit batters, NO errors, NOTHING. And for the 9th inning, up 1-0, Ochiai changed pitchers, and put in the stopper. He changed pitchers!! Unbelievable! The closer got three outs, 1-2-3. First Championship in 50 something years!! End of story! End of season! End of this week`s blog.

I am outta here. Have a good weekend!