Tulips

Hey, how was your day off yesterday? Mine was fabuluos!!

A few weeks ago Utsubo Park, which is a nice park about 5 minutes walk from here, was full of beautiful cherry blossoms, and then full of colorful tulips. I took many photos of the orange, red and yellow tulips, and tried to get a "perfect" photo, but my cell phone doesn't have such a good photo function, plus my photo-taking skills aren't so good, so it was difficult. But I tried.

I love the park! But the other day one of my friends told me that he doesn't like it. I was surprised and I asked him why. He said, "Because I have allergies, hay fever." Ah~~~, then I understood.

Many people I know have terrible allergies and hay fever. Some people take medicine, some use special "glasses/goggles" to protect their eyes, and some use white masks. Actually, A LOT of Japanese people use these masks to protect themselves from allergies and germs and viruses, as well as to protect other people from getting their bad germs.
This article is about those masks, check it out!
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/for-allergy-season-japan-turns-to-surgical-masks

Yellowstone and Vacations

Last week I read an article in the newspaper about the average number of paid days off, paid vacation days, people get and also take. The article compared different countries all over the world. Japan ranked last on the list. According to the article, it said that on average, Japanese people get 15 paid days off a year, but only use 8. In America, one avergae people get 13 paid days off, and use 10. However, in many European countries, the numbers are much higher. For example, when you read these numbers you will be jealous!! In "Let=s drink wine and eat cheese and crackers all day"France, they get 38 paid days off a year, and use 36!!! And in "I like to take a nap every day" Spain, they get 30 days and take 27!!! What do you think about that?!?

One my day off, I like to just relax and hang out in my place or in my neighborhood. Sometimes go for a walk, or go to a spa, have a bbq... What about you? What do you like to do on your day off?

And, to change the subject, Yellowstone National Park. That is one of the places I really want to visit some time in my life...

Night Cherry Blossoms

Last week Ms. K went to a concert at a famous shrine in Kyoto, Heian-Jingu Shrine. She said the concert was good but it was unbelievably crowded, so she was a little annoyed/disappointed. But she could see this beautiful lit-up cherry blossom tree, so she said it was definitely worth it and recomended me to go if I have the chance in the future. I like Kyoto, especially all of the culture; arts, shrines, temples, so I plan to go if I can. Thanks Ms. K.

And when I read the title to the small article(link) below, "World Sand Sculpture Festival Opens in Tottori," I remembered the good times I spent in the summers in Tottori a couple of years ago. The beaches in Tottori are really beautiful, and the "little desert" is also pretty cool. Recently, the weather is really nice, but I can't wait for "real" summer to arrive.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090419a4.html

Cherry Blossoms~more and more ;)

Cherry Blossoms are a big part of Japanese culture. To be honest, there is so much culture in Japan that I don't know where to start...

But we have to start somewhere, so how about with Geisha. When you go to Kyoto, you can see some Geisha or Maiko-san girls (Geishas in training) walking around sometimes. It is pretty cool to get a photo wit them too, but recently the residents of the Gion made some rules about the manners to protect these women, and one of those rules is "No Pictures with Maiko-san/Geisha." This rule applies both to Foreigners as well as to Japanese.

And speaking of Geisha, this article is a really interesting story of the life of an Aussie Geisha in Kyoto.
Check it out: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090415f2.html

Atlantic City and the Jackpot

Atlantic City is about 1 hour by car from Philadelphia. There is a great beach, and also many casinos there. When I was a child I used to go to the shore (=the New Jersey area beaches.) It was great fun playing in the ocea and walking on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is an elevated wooden walkway that is on the coast. Many people walk and ride bicycles on it. And there are many shops, restaurants, souvenir shops, miniature golf, amusement parks, etc...
If you ever go to New York bewteen May and September, I really recommend that you visit this area for a day.

About the casinos in Atlantic City, it is basically like a little Las Vegas.
Speaking of Vegas, recently one lucky local gal won the Jackpot!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090413/ap_on_re_us/jackpot_winner

Shiga

Good morning. How was your weekend? I did the usual, went out to dinner one night, and on Sunday night just took it easy. Golden Week is coming soon, so I am excited about that.

But before Golden Week I have to do some shopping and buy some jeans, because recently two pairs of my jeans ripped. What do you think about those cheap jeans that are being sold now, and I heard are pretty popular. You know, the ones for 990 yen. I saw this article, so now I am considering buy a pair for myself:http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090415f1.html

Here are some beautiful photos from Ms. e's trip to Shiga the other day. Thanks e.

Winter

Last Thursday and Friday, especially Friday morning, were really cold. Like winter...I don't like winter, but that weather came as a surprise to me because recently it has been so warm and sunny. While I was shivering outside in the cold, I remembered a ski trip I took a while back. Skiing on a gorgeous day, with a clear blue sky, no clouds within miles, the sunlight shining down on you, is a great feeling!!

Philly in Black and White, and Philly's voice of Baseball

An friend of a friend is presently working at the University of Pennsylvania. She has been there for about two years and I was happy to hear that she is really enjoying her time in "The City of Brotherly Love." And I enjoyed reading about her time in Philly on her blog. Below are some photos which she took. Black and white shots. Very artistic.

And, another topic related to Philly. The other day, the "Voice of the Philadelphia Phillies", a man named Harry Kalas, passed away. He actually died in the broadcasting booth, of all places. For a big baseball fan like me, this is big news. His voice is connected to all of the great Philadelphia Phillies moments of the past decades. He contributed a lot to the city, and his passing is a great loss to the City. Here are some Phillies' writers thoughts on the man: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/42947877.html

Daisuke and Himeji

Another one bites the dust.(...first it was Murata, then Ichiro, now Daisuke, and already some others whose name I don't remember, and my prediction, soon Darvish...)This is why Americans don't get all crazy about the WBC and why they don't even want to play in it; Matsuzaka on DL, out until the beginning of May
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/04/15/redsox-matsuzaka.ap/index.html

On to another topic, recently I know about 5 people who visited Himeji Castle to see the cherry blossoms. I neevr know that HImeji was such a popular cherry blossom spot.

Blood types

In Japan, many people are crazy about blood types. When I first came to Japan everyone always asks me "What is your blood type?" But, to be honest, I had no idea. Maybe I heard what blood type I was once or twice in my life before coming to Japan, but I didn't remember. So one day I wrote home and asked my parents what my blood type was. And they told me.
If you don't know what blood type I am, and are interested to know, feel free to ask me anytime.
Below is an interesting article abotu blood types in Japan:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/ek20090311a1.html

And below are some pics from a few months ago from the "Doll Festival "which I forgot to put up on the blog.

"Imperial Couple Happy on 50th Wedding Anniversary!"

This is a nice article with some nice quotes from the Imperial Couple themsleves! 50 years is a long time. Great job!!
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090410f5.html

Last week the weather was really unbelievable, out of this world. The last few days actually felt like summer!!
And, just in case you didn't have time to check them out live, some more cherry blossoms photos.

New Balance, running, and robot teachers

This week I went out to dinner more than I usually do. A few times by myself, and a few times with some friends. Sushi, yakitori, a regular izakaya, a bar...In general it was a good change of pace for me. Going out by myself is good for thinking, and going out with others is just good old fun!
Also, to change the subject, recently I began to do some minor weight lifting. Don't worry, I am not going to turn into Hulk Hogan any time soon!! And I am not training for the Olympics in Vancouver either! :) I just want to get in a little better shape. In order to do that, I have also been walking a lot. But unfortunately, because I injured my back over the New Year vacation, I can't run quite yet. Maybe this June or July I might try a little jogging, but if not, hopefully next fall.
So, I am really jealous of Mr. M because he is in great shape and presently training for a marathon! I really want to get back into running...Below are Mr. M's shoes. New Balance. I also wear only new balance. It is a wide sneaker and fits my big feet very well. Also, I like the New Balance colors and designs.

And, I saw some article about robot teachers in Japan.
Check it out and have a good weekend!
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/human-looking-robot-smiles-in-japan-classroom

Stickers

The above little girl loves stickers. Look at that big smile!! But I heard that sometimes she is a bad girl, and puts the stickers on her little brother's face and forehead when her parents aren't looking...Her parents better watch out, because this type of behavior is indicative of her futre behavior...=there is a high probability that she could become a menace to society, a reall trouble maker...BUT, I think she will be alright!!

On to another topic, ...Farming.
Recently, on many tv shows and in the news, I see that farming is popular among younger people recently. Not farming as a hobby, but farming as a profession.
Check it out: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090403f1.html

Night Cherry Blossoms

This is how Japanese people do night cherry blossoms. Truly jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, beautiful!! There are no words to describe the beauty...

When I went to America last month, one thing I noticed was that many people are very plugged-in. What I mean is that they are attached to their I-phones, always connected to the net, email, who knows what else. I found it amusing and also interesting. Personnally, when I am "doing email" or "surfing the net," I like to to just that, 100% focused and concetrating. But when I am not do such activities, I like to be "unattached" from it all.

Here is an article about Japanese people and gadgets
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/japan-warming-to-cheap-foreign-gadgets-amid-slump

Ichiro

is Out! He was placed on the 15 day disabled list. Reportedly, he is suffering from a bleeding ulcer. In my opinion, Ichiro is one of the best 5 baseball players in the game now, maybe ever. (His personality is another topic though...)
Read more here for the story and also many reader's comments about the star:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9413176/Suzuki-has-bleeding-ulcer,-goes-on-15-day-DL

The Cherry Blossoms in Utsubo Park...

are in bloom!! I went there for lunch and a break yesterday. I had a delicious hand-made lunch box with fried chicken, some fried egg things, some hot birdock root, a few small baked potatos, and maybe some sesame spinach stuff, but I can't remember. Also, some nice hot green tea which was essential because it was a little chilly outside. I spent about an hour in the park and ate and talked slowly. It was a really relaxing time for me. THANK YOU!!!

There were many people in the park. From the looks of everyone's clothes, most people were business men or women, a a few groups of "new young green" workers who just began working at their respective companies on Wednesday April first. There were some groups of local people who live in the area, and also a few groups of housewives and their children. All in all, it was a really nice atmosphere and everyone looked happy.

After lunch I went to the bank and was surprised because I ran into Mr. F. at the ATM machine. He didn't notice me standing next to him because he was very focused on his money I think. And, he also looked very happy, but I don't think it was for the same reason as me. He was holding about 6 bank books, can you believe it, SIX!!! That's a lot of bank books!! So I think he was very happy because he was bust counting ALL of his money, which must be A LOT if he has 6 bank books!!!:)

Hope everyone has a good weekend, and if ya have the chance, check out the pink beautiful cherry blossoms at Utsubo park if ya can. They are really something!

I won a million yen!!!!!!!!!

Haha...what a dream. April Fools!!!!

I don't have time to write tonight so please just look at my folk's pictures from their trip to Barcelona. It looks like a cool place. Thanks for the pics folks!