The Phillies are The World Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read all about it...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8721314/A-long-time-coming:-Phillies-win-the-World-Series

Scuba-man

As I said yesterday, scuba was really fun! It is kinda cool to put on all the gear and equipment and stuff. The tank is really heavy!! But in the water it is alomist weightless!! Do you know why? ;)

The boat is also really fast and it is fun to feel warm sun and wind and ocean spray! But sometimes the waves are too rough...
And, it is also fun to steer the boat like the Captain! In my next life, I want to be a Captain of a big cruising boat or a big fishing boat!

A lot of (insignificant) sports news happened recently.

1. Hara, the present manager of the Giants, was appointed the manager of the Japanese National team for the World Baseball Classic next March. "Hara Japan".
2. Nomura, the present manager of the Eagles, released a CD of all the stupid and intelligent quotes he said during the "after the game interviews" this year. (Actually, I look forward to watching his comments every night...)
3. Takahashi Naoko, whose nickname is "Q-chan," announced her retirement from professional marathon running. Below is and article about her retirement press conference. She inspired many Japanese people when she won the Gold medal in the Sydney Olympics. And she has a great smile. I think she is a Japanese hero...

"Q-chan retires"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/sp20081029t1.html

Okinawa (Part 1 of many...)

I got back from Okinawa yesterday. Over the next couple of weeks I will put up some pictures from the trip and write all about them. Today, just briefly, I want to tell you about my dive experience. I haven`t been scuba diving since I lived in Australia about 15 years ago (when I was in my junior year in University and did an internship in Sydney for 6 months. ) At that time I did about 15 dives over a few days in the Great Barrier Reef and got my "advanced open water" scuba license. It was an eye-opening experience for me. Anyway, I decided to try it again off the shores of Ishigaki. The ocean and coast was absolutely magnificent!! I did two dives, and one snorkel. Because it had been 15 years since my last dive, of course I was a little rusty. But after a few minutes, I got the hang of it again and remembered bascially what to do.

I saw tons of beautiful fish and other sea creatures and the coral reef was also really interesting. The cruising on the boat was also a lot of fun! But the water was a little rough at some times, and I almost got sea sick...But luckily, very luckily, I managed to somehow NOT get sea sick. That was a plus!! Anyway, because of "K-Tours" my trip was perfect! On a 10 point scale, it was an 11!! Below, are two pictures which another diver took and emailed me. The manta ray!! Wow! This fella is quite a monster!! Much bigger than I expected!! I will continue more about Okinawa later, and for the next few weeks. Hope you look forward to the stories!

Fly away...

Recently there is a big diet in Japan. "The Banana diet." There was some tv show or something on tv or in the newspaper, and after that everyone raced to the market to buy bananas. It was just like what happened with Natto (feremented soy beans) earlier this year. It is so absurd and I can't believe it. I don't understand how people didn't know that bananas are healthy in the first place. I thought that everyone knew that bananas were healthy...but I guess I was wrong. Sometimes I can't understand why some people are so gullible and quickly believe something just because it is on TV or in the newspaper or on the Net. I have known that bananas were healthy since I was about 5 years old!!!

I think it would be interesting to fly away in a hot air ballon one day...and not decide the destination. Just fly...let the wind blow the balloon wherever, in whatever direction, the wind wants to blow it. And then wherever the balloon lands, get off.

What do you think?
Have you ever ridden in a Hot Air Balloon?

I will be out of town for a few days, so talk to ya again sometime early next week. Enjoy the weekend!

"Lovely"

I think that many British people and European people often use the expression "lovely." Americans almost never use this expression.

I am not British so I don`t know for sure, but my image is that they say things like:
"What a lovely day."
"Ah~ isn`t it lovely tea."
"Oh~~ that would be lovely."

Sometimes different English accents and expressions make me laugh. But all of the different English accents and expressions in the world is interesting I think.

Recently Ms. K went to England to check out the sites. She said that she really enjoyed herself, but unfortunately, she got a cold on the back end of the trip, so that was a bummer(=downer, depressing thing) for her. All in all though, she said she had a swell time.

Her on-line photo album wet my appetite for England..."Cricket anyone!?" ;)

The end...

of the Toger's season and Okada's reign as manager of the team. Last night my friend invited me to the elimination game with the Dragons, but I couldn' go. So when I got back to my place, I immediately turned on the TV and waited for the highlights....Then, BAM!! BOOM!! BANG!! One swing, a two run home-run in the top of the ninth inning, from Woods (the Dragons clean-up batter) and the season was over. It was a shame, but in a show of respect for their manager Okada, who resigned after last night's game, the players through Okada up in the air a few times...just like all Japanese teams do when they win the Championship...All of the players and Okada were crying...it was an emotion scene, nice, but also ironic...

"Jellyfish in limelight after Nobel win"

Last week some Japanese received the Nobel Prize for Physics/Science. One of the recepients did research on jelly fish.

Do you know what a jelly fish is? Have you ever seen a jelly fish in the ocean or at the aquarium? Have you ever been to a jelly fish bar?

I have been stung by a jelly fish. It is true! It was a light bite. But I couldn't see the jelly fish because it was at night and dark. Then I ran out of the water immediately!!

And a few years ago I went to a jelly fish bar too. It is very dark in the bar, and there is a tank, and in the tank many jelly fish are swimming. They glow in the dark (maybe there is a "black light") and it is very cool and "healing."

Below is a nice article about jelly fish becoming "popular" after this news.

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200810130052.html

The day after...

Good morning, it's Friday...the day after the Phillies officially became National League Champions and got their ticket to the World Series. Unless Matsuzaka and the Red Sox pull off a miracle, the American League representatives will be the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays. But, because of PC (political correctness) these days, you can NOT say "devil" because it is a BAD word.
By the way to you know what a devil ray is? It is like a fish, like a manta ray.
PC is sometimes strange I think.

I am in the mood for some sushi this weekend. Actually, I am always in the mood for some good sushi.
Can you name the sushi below...From top to bottom, it goes: octopus, salmon roe, and scallops. Do you like those sushi? Is there any sushi which you can`t eat? don`t like? How about your favorite sushi?
Me, thanks for asking! :)
I like yellowtail the best. Basically I can eat all sushi, but I don`t know what all the fuss is about herring roe, and to be honest, if I have a choice, I would pass on "crab brain" every time.

The article below is also quite interesting, so if you have the time and energy, please try to read it.
Have a good day and enjoy the weekend.

"Sustainable sushi"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20081016f2.html

Nara again.

What a coincidence! After I wrote the blog yesterday about Nara, Ms. e sent me an email out of the blue saying that she was actually in Nara for the day because she took a day off to see a Kabuki show in front of "The Big Buddha Temple" Todaiji. I really dig that temple! It`s really cool! It was also funny, because I just saw Ms. e the day before, but she didn`t mention anything about going to Nara or taking a day off...so her email caught me off-guard (=I was not expecting to get her email and this was extra-surprised).

Today my team the Phillies will play...If they win, they can get a ticket to THE BIG DANCE...(=the World Series). Go Phils!!

"Nara deer get sheared"

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200810130054.html

This article reminds me when I lived in Nara...it is very nostalgic!! I lived in Nishinokyo for about 2 years when I lived in Nara. There is one famous shrine and one famous temple in that town. And it is very close to the center of Nara city and Nara park, so it was a very convenient place to live. Also, it`s really quiet and there are no high office buildings or apartment buidling. Because of the culture and history of the town, there is a lwa which prohibits big buildings or highrises from being built. When I lived there, I used to go to many festivals in Nara. It was alot of fun!! But recently I don`t go to so many festivals...It`s a shame.

One win away!!!

The Phillies are one win away from the World Series!! They haven`t been to the Wolrd Series since 1983...

How was your 3-day weekend?

I enjoyed my 3-day weekend very much. I saw a very good movie, had some good food, went to Kobe for the first time in a while, and also ran into an old friend. The Movie I saw was "Okuribito" a Japanese movie which was nominated for an Academy Award for Foreign Films in America and also won some award at the Montreal Film festival. It was a really good movie, and I recommend it to all. Kobe was fun and refreshing because I haven`t been there in maybe about a year or so...There was also some thrilling news over the weekend, like the suicide of Mr. Miura, the Tokyo Giants winning the Central League Championship, the resignation of the Hanshin Tigers Manager Mr. Okada, MY TEAM the Philadelphia Phillies winning some more playoff games, and ...

Click here for the best mascot in Professional sports, the Phillie Phantic!!
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=rk4CmI5dFCE

Today is rainy, but the stock market is UP for the first time in 8 days...


Hope everyone has a good week!

p.s. The below photos are from Awajishima. Thanks Ms. N!

Punctuality

In Japan, punctuality is very important. The trains, buses, planes, all forms of public transportation are always on time. Meeting always begin on time (but I HEARD they tend to run late, thus many employees have to do overtime which they are not too happy about!!!)

Also, in America, we say it is cool to be "fashionably late" to a party. So, if the party begins at 8pm, it is cool to arrive at about 9:30 or 10:00pm. If you did the same thing in Japan, it would be considered very impolite.

How about you? Are you always puntual when you meet your friends for a date or dinner or something? In general are you a punctual person, or are you often late?

The below is a cool and unique and interesting article about two American guys who set a Guiness world record by using the trains in Japan. You should read it!

"Japanese punctuality lets duo go the Guiness 24-hour train distance"

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20081009a4.html

p.s. sorry, today no photo. you will have to do without a photo today. i think you can all live without it..

Newsweek-English version

Afetr class yesterday, Mr. M bought the English version of (Asia)Newsweek. He said it was his first time to buy it. And he said that he thought it was much easier to understand than he expected. Do you read articles in the newspaper, internet, or magazines to study English? If not, I highly recommend that you do so!! You should just try!! You have nothing to lose!!! And, to be honest, it is a great way to improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills! If those skills improve, of course your speaking and listening skills will also improve at the same time!! Just try it!!

The Philadelphia Phillies are the best!!

Go Phillies! and you better watch out Kuroda and Saito and the Dodgers...because we are coming!!! Bring it on!!
Japanese version: http://dailynews.yahoo.co.jp/photograph/pickup/
Philadelphia version: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports&id=6433124

Buckle up!

Do you wear a seat belt when you are in a car? If you drive a car do you always wear a seat belt? How about if you are in the passenger`s seat? How about if you sit in the back seat? I think it is very important to wear a seat belt, no matter where you are sitting in the car. Now in Japan, I think it is a law that you must wear a seat belt always in the car, no matter where you are sitting? If you are pulled over by a police officer, and are found to be not wearing a seat belt, you must pay a fine. What do you think about seat belts? Do you think they are comfortable? Helpful? Annoying? Let me know you thoughts.

Here is an article about buckling up: http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200810060043.html

Below is another update from Mr. I in Indonesia. His family visited him for a week or so in September and he showed them around the town. In the family portrait below, they look like Royalty!

Hope everyone has a good week!

Ireland, Kappa, and Kiyohara

About one year ago today, I came back from a 10 day trip to Ireland. I remember many things about the trip, but what I remember most is probably the beer, especially Guiness!! In remembrance of the good times on that trip, this weekend I am definitely going to head to an Irish pub and chug some Guiness! Guiness is so smooth and rich!! In Ireland, there is a special way to make Guiness and it takes the bartender about 5 minutes or more to prepare a draft of Guiness! In Osaka, after you place your order, you receive the beer in about a minute. In Ireland, the Guiness also tastes a little different, more rich, more deep, the foam is softer...It is strange, but good! Actually it is the same for my hometown Philadelphia. Philly is famous for cheese steak sandwiches! In Osaka, one shop also sells "philly cheese steaks." I tired it once. It was ok, BUT it was NOT a philly cheese steak, not even close!!! It was like "meat and potatos in a roll of bread."

The other day Ms. Y went to an Irish curry shop in Osaka. She said the curry was OK and the Guiness was good. She likes Guiness very much. But she said the Guiness was a little expensive, about 1000 yen (11$). The usual price in Osaka is about 800yen or 900yen. When she told me about the shop, I told her, "Really? I wanna try it out...But I went Ireland, and when I was in Ireland, I NEVER saw any Irish curry!!! I saw plenty of Irish stews, but NEVER Irish curry!!!" Strange...
The below creature is called a "Kappa." Do you know what a Kappa is? It is a creature that lives near or in rivers. Some people believe it exists and in some sensational newspapers in Osaka, sometimes there are articles about "Kappa" sightings...For example, "I saw a Kappa in Nara," or "There was a Kappa`s foot print on my mailbox." Do you believe in Kappas? If yes, have you ever seen one? :)

Last, yesterday a Japanese legend Kiyohara played his last game. He retired. I saw the highlights of his retirement game...It was the most outrageous and funny and impressive retirement game I have ever seen!! In the end, a rock star came onto the field and played Kiyohara`s favorite song, the song which is played every time he has an at-bat, live. It was cool!

This is an article about Kiyohara`s last game:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sb20081002j1.html

Enjoy the weekend!

Hello Panasonic!!! And Good-bye Matsushita and National...

It is still raining today. I think it has rained about 4 days in a row...Every day is lousy weather. I really hope tomorrow is sunny...And today is the first day of October. I wonder what this month will bring...

From today, two world-wide names-Matsushita and National, will disappear forever. There are a few reasons for this change. One is the brand name "National" had some difficulty being used in some foreign countries. Another reason is to unite 3 names into ONE BIG name, Panasonic. If ONE BIG name, the brand value can increase worldwide.