Okinawa, the Duck, and fast food

I am back...
I got back last Monday and since then I have been busy doing many things...
In Okinawa, I had a blast! I went to Iriomote Island for 4 nights. I was really looking forward to the trip, and except for the weather, everything was perfect!! Unfortunately, the weather was bad...but I didn't let it spoil the trip! In fact, because of the bad weather, I actually got to expereience a few new things. So, I have no regrets! But next time I go to Iriomote, I hope it is sunny and there are blue skies every day!! :)

Over the next few blogs, I will write about my trip. Please look forward to it. I have a few interesting stories to tell...

The below interview is interesting. Check it out if you want.
"What's your favorite place to go for some fast food?"

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20091006vf.html

My answer: McDonalds. Without a doubt, Mcdees!! The Golden Arches!! But contrary to popluar opinion (many people think that all Americans eat fast food, especially hamburgers, all the time...) I do not eat fats food so much. Maybe once a year. Maybe...But actually this year, I do not think I have eaten fast food yet...And there are only 2 more months left in 2009, so maybe I will be without my favorite Mcdee's double cheese-burger for a little longer.

And below is Ms. K with the famous cute duck in Nakanoshima. Did you see this popular attraction?

Beautiful

Do you want to know how to stay beautiful. Well if you do, you should read the below article.
It is an account of a foreign woman who noticed that many Japanese woman have beautiful skin, and then she decided to find out why. She makes a list of 10 foods which she says keeps the skin beautiful and the face and body beautiful.
I eat 5 out of the 10 on a regular basis...so I guess that makes me "semi-beautiful."

"How to stay beautiful in Japan through your diet"
http://www.japantoday.com/category/commentary/view/how-to-stay-beautiful-in-japan-through-your-diet

From now, I will be heading to Okinawa to have a meeting with the fish. Talk to yall when I get back.

p.s. Below are some scenic shots from the campus of the University I graduated from, Cornell University.

Paris and baseball...

A few weeks ago, Ms. R went to Paris. She went with her friend and her friend's mother. She said has been to Paris about 3 or 4 times, so she acted as a tour guide for everybody. And she set a world record!! She sent me 4 postcards, one for every day of her trip. 4 postcards from one trip!!! That has never happened before, and it will probably never happen again. I was very happy. Thanks a lot Ms. R and thanks also for the great photos (look below)!

And today some other random...First about sports. My team, The Phillies, won the first game of the National League Chanpionship today. I was pysched!! They play the Dodgers, and in Game 3, Kuroda is scheduled to pitch. I like Kuroda, but I hope the Phillies whip 'em like children!!! Repeat!! (=because the Phillies won the World Series last year too). And, speaking of baseball playoffs, they begin in Japan tonight. I am rooting for the Rakuten Eagles!!! I hope they win it all. And some sad sports news, is two of the best managers in Japan won't be managing next year. Bobby Valentine, of Lotte, and Nomura, of the Eagles. Bobby's salary was too high, and the top management hated him, so I can understand a little, but he still won...And Nomura, is in the playoffs this year with the Eagles, an expansion team. Without Nomura next year, the Eagles will turn in crows...and be nothing!! Japanese baseball sometimes amazes me...how can you fire, not re-hire two of the best in the game? No wonder so many players want to go to the Majors...

Next about Peace...The Nobel Peace Prize. I was stunned when I heard that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. Stunned...speechless...He only said, "I want to get rid of all atomic weapons..." He hasn't actualle done anything yet...Unbelievable...

The day after that, before the newspaper and tv reported about it, Mr. I told me "I think Hiroshima is a great choice for the 2020 Olympics!!!" and boom!!! The next day on the news, and in the newspaper, here was the headlines :"Hiroshima hopes to bid for the 2020 Olympics!" Again, I was stunned...speechless. Now I think that Mr. I is one of the top 5 most imtelligent guys I know...

Anyway, that's all for now folks...
Enjoy the weekend!!

Typhoons and waterfalls...

Good morning.
How was your three-day weekend? What did ya do?
On Sunday night, I met some friends for the first time in a while. They moved in August, so I visited their house, gave them a small house gift, and then we all went out to dinner at a restaurant near their house. We talked about this and that, and the time passed by quickly. It was a good time and I hope to do it again sometime soon. On Monday, I just did my usual (some jogging, strecthing, the sauna, books, a little tv...) and chilled. It was nice.

Last week on Wednesday night, the night before the Typhoon, Ms. H sent me the below email and photos(not the most beautiful photos i have ever seen, a little blurry...but I love waterfalls, so it is OK ;)

"A tyhoon is approaching and it has brought powerful winds and rain. I'm sceard.
By the way, you are going to put my photo on your BLOG. Really?
I'm OK! So I'm favor of you.
That waterfall is KEGON NO TAKI(華厳の滝）. It's very famous in JAPAN. It's one of the best3 waterfall.
One is KEGON　in TOCHGI. Another is NACHI in WAKAYAMA(那智の滝). I do'nt know the one of the lasts.
Could someone teach it for me?
Be careful in the typhoon tommorow !!! "

If you know the answer to her question, please lemme know.
Thanks and hope everyone has a good week!

Oktoberfest

"The good times flow at Oktoberfest"
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/the-good-times-flow-at-oktoberfest

Do you know what Oktoberfest is? If not, well basically, it is a huge beer festival in Germany. And this festival is always held in October. For more info on this festival in addition to the festivities in Japan, check out the above article.

After all the rain this week, it looks like it will clear up a little this weekend...That's good! Hope everyone has a good 3-day weekend!!

Uganda

Earlier today I saw Ms. T for the first time in about a month and a half. During that interval, she went to Uganda. I have never been to Africa, but it is one place, continent, I would really like to visit once in my life. My image is just that Africa is so different from anything I have ever seen...So, I want to see it. Next year, the World Cup will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, but I am afraid that I can't mae that.

Anyway, it is just a little, but please read some of her comments about her trip. Also, there are some interesting pics below the comments.

"I came back to Japan from Uganda before 10 days. Staying in Uganda was so excited and very important opportunity to understand developing country.Please see some pictures of Uganda. I learn from this internship a lot.First of all, I could understand objective of my research and filed more than ever before.In Uganda, there are some issues about education. For example the unemployment rate of students who passed secondary schools is higher than other groups. And some vocational schools do not have enough textbooks and facility.So I would like to contribute on improving these situations through my research some days. For achieving my goal, I need to learn and study more and more.Secondly, Uganda people are very kind and helpful for internship students. They always cooperated with my research, they introduced some schools which I could go to and advice me about my research. I am really glad to see them.Totally, it was very special opportunity for me. "

Billy's in Osaka

That's right, he's here!! In Osaka. For real. And not temporarily, not on a tour or something, he is here for good. To live. In additon, he opened a gym(for "boot camp," social dancing, yoga, self-defense, etc...) in Shinsaibashi, actually right across the street from the gym which I go to.
Anyway, rather than writing all about Billy's history, I prefer you to read the below article. If you read the article, you can learn a lot about him, his past, where he is from and how he grew up, his beginnings in stardom, his reasons for coming to Japan, and his thoughts about what he wants to do here. He is a well-spoken guy, and it is interesting. You can pick up a magazine in the classroom anytime.

And, speaking of self-defense and the need for it, did you hear about the business man who was stabbed this morning after accidentally hitting umbrellas while walking to work in Nakanoshima (about a 15-minute walk from here)? Well, read all about it:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/man-seriously-injured-after-being-stabbed-onosaka-sidewalk

It's dangerous out there...and the weather is also crappy...dreary...rainy all day. And a typhoon is coming soon too...Everyone, be careful!!

Chicago, Rio, and Vienna...

Last week the 2016 host city for the Olympics were decided. I was sure, 100% sure, that Chicago wouldbe selected. There was no doubt in my mind...But boy was I wrong. Chicago was knocked out, eliminated, in the first round. Horrible. And pathetic. And disappointing. And after that, Tokyo bounced. This was not surprising to me, as I had not expected Tokyo to be selected anyway. And then it came down to Rio and Madrid....and the winner is...Rio! The Olympics will be great for that city, and boy is it gonna be a party!!! Congrats to Rio!

Read here for Tokyo Governor Ishihara's opinion of why Tokyo lost.
"Ishihara Blams Tokyo 2016 faliure on behind-the-scenes deals":
http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/ishihara-blames-tokyo-2016-failure-on-behind-the-scenes-deals

Below is more pics from Vienna. Thanks Shiro!!

Bon Voyage and Have a safe flight, and Good luck in Vancouver!

Yesterday was the first day of October. My birthday is in October, so basically I like this month. And, if anyone wants to get me a little b-day present, and if you don't know my birthday, please just ask me and I will be happy to tell you when it is. ;) Just joking!!

In October, it begins to get a little cooler so I can't wear shorts and tee-shirts anymore and I have to wear jeans/pants every day, the baseball playoffs begin in both America and Japan, a bunch of typhoons often hit Japan...what other things happen in October? Think about it and lemme know your thoughts.

And, Today, October 2nd, is Mr. O's departure date. He will depart Kansai Airport and fly to Vancouver via Soeul. or maybe it was some Chinese city. I can't remember if he is flying Korean Air or Chinese Air, but I know that he has a long flight, with a long layover...I don't like long layovers (=stopovers, connections.) I like my flights and layovers to be short and sweet because travelling makes me tired and I am scared of flying. But when all is said and done, Mr. O will arrive in Vancouver and head directly to his homestay family. And then the true adventure will begin...

Below is a photo of us in the classroom and I will also post his email to me.

"Hello, Glenn.
I read the article of Danjiri festival in your blog today.
I love this festival as I have grown hearing Danjiri's drum sound every year since I was a baby.
I am very glad that you enjoyed Danjiri festival.
All of my family say that they had a very good time with you.
We will welcome you if you come to Kishiwada next year’s festival.

The date of my departure for Vancouver is coming up.
I worry whether I can have some good friends in Vancouver.
At the same time, I believe everything will work out.

See you again when I come back.
I look forward to treating me to Ichiba sushi! Go, Giants!

P.S. We all had a photo taken at Kishiwada Castle but did not show up in the photo unluckily.
So I do not have a photo which we all show up.
I send you a picture which we took at last class."

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!