Cherry Blossoms...

I really hope that I don't miss them. From tomorrow I will take a little vacation and go back to America. According to the weather reports, the cherry blossoms are blooming about 5 to 10 days earlier this year than usual. Luckily for me, today it rained, and tomorrow it is supposed to rain and also stay cold. So maybe, I will be able to see the cherry blossoms when they are in full bloom when I get back. I hope...

Some random notes:
Did you see the "yellow sand" the other weekend? The sky was really yellow in Honmachi. I can't believe that comes all the way from China.

And, Ice Sledge Hockey is really a great sport! I really got into watching it last weekend. The Japanese lost to America in the finals, but that doesn't matter. Both teams played great!

And, if Baruto is going to become an Ozeki, then Sumo is in really bad shape!!!

I gotta go home and pack...

Adios.

St. Patrick's Day!!

Today, March 17th, is St Patrick's Day. It is the biggest Irish holiday of the year! Usually I go out and drink and celebrate, but this year I can't because I don't have time. It is a shame, but it is not a big deal. I will live. And I will save my celebration for another day! So for all of you crazy Irish folks celebrating today, please have a beer for me! Cheers!!!

For more on St. Patrick's Day, read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick's_Day

Mexico

Good morning.

In a few minutes I will meet Ms. N. I am excited because I can hear all about her honeymoon to Mexico. She went to Cancun. I have never been to Cancun, but I know it is a popular vacation spot for Americans. I went to Cabos, Mexico a few years ago. It was my first time to Mexico and I really had a good time. The only thing that I didn't like about Mexico was the food. I don't like Mexican food so much. Once in a while Mexican food is OK, but every day for lunch and dinner...Pass!!

Have you ever been to Mexico?
If yes, how was it?
If not, do you wanna go someday?

Anyway, hearing about Mexico should be a great start to the week. Hope everyone has a good Monday too!

Okinawa

Ms. C went to Okinawa for the first time in her life. It had always been a dream of hers to go to Okinawa. When she told me she was going, I was very excited!! I have been to Okinawa twice, and I just knew that she would fall inlove with the Islands. But, on the day that she departed, there was an earthquake in Okinawa. And after that, the tsunami came to Japan as a result of the huge earthquake in Haiti. So I thought that her trip was ruined. I felt terrible for her. But god was smiling on her and her friend that weekend because fortunately for them, the sun was shining and the skies were blue and the ferries weren't cancelled because of the tsunami. According to Ms. C, the Okinawans said "Don't worry! relax!! A one or two meter wave is Normal!! Read below about her trip and look at the beautiful photos!

"Hi !!
It has been raining for several days…
So I organized my trip’s photos and I was remembering wonderful trip.
I attached several photos of my trip to Ishigaki.(difficult to select)

●first photo…≪Kabira gulf≫
The color of sea is famous for changing seven colors.
So it was very beautiful color!!

●second photo…≪Kabira gulf≫
I rode the ship that I could see in the sea.(the bottom of the boat is made of clear glass)
I could see many kinds of beautiful fish, shell, starfish and coral.


●third photo…≪Okinawa’s traditional style houses in Taketomi island≫
The contrast of blue sky, red roof, green leaf, tropical color flower was very beautiful!!
I can see the black smoke of ship accident!!!!!

●fourth photo…≪Nishinohama beach in Kuroshima island≫
When I entered this beach I was impressed very much.
The color of sea was very beautiful and clear.
Additionally, there was no people without us, so it was our private beach!!
We ate box lunch there while we were watching beautiful sea.
It was very luxurious time for us.

Oscar Fashion

The Oscars are always fun for fashion. If you are interested in fashion, then you should check out the winners and losers of the fashion at this year's Oscars.
Click below:
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1970406,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

Below are some photos from New Year's at Mr. I's house. He live in Nara, which used to be the capital of Japan. Nara has a lot of history, and actually I lived there for 3 years.
I forgot to put these photos up on the blog, but better late than never. So, here they are. Thanks Mr. I!

Dolphins

"The Cove" won the best Documentary Oscar.
I am sure all of you have heard about this movie. It features the killing of dolphins in the small town of Taiji. This town has a long history, over 300 years, of whale and dolphin hunting. A lot of the culture and industry in Taiji are related to the dolphins and whales.
Some people think "What's the big deal?! Cows, pigs, chicken, rabbits, duck, dolphins, whales...It all the same. People eat animals. Plain and simple." But others care about how the animals are slaughtered and think it is absolutely horrible and unforgivable to murder dolphins like that. It is a controversial, as well as international, topic. What do you think? And, will you see the movie when it comes to Japan?
If you are interested in my opinion, please ask me in class. I will be happy to share my thoughts.

While on the topic of whale, which are an endangered species, have you ever eaten whale? I have. I have tried raw whale a few times at a sushi restaurant which I frequent often. I liked it, it was OK. I thought it tasted like roast beef. But if I have a choice, I prefer to eat yellow tail or tuna or sea bream or basically anything else instead of whale. In other words, it was good to experience once or twice, but I don't need any more of it.
Btw, did you know that whale used to be served in the school lunches at schools all around Japan? Below is an interesting article about this topic. Check it out.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_japan_oscars_dolphin_hunting

After all of this serious talk so early in the morning, I think I need to go out and have a few drinks, eat some good bar food, and just chill out tonight.

8:30pm

That's what time I went to sleep last night. On Sundays, I am usually in dream land by 10pm, but 8:30pm is a first! I think it is a world record for the earliest time to go to sleep on a Sunday for a 35 year old guy. It is not so exciting, but thanks to that, I feel chipper this morning!

On Saturday night, I went to a great restaurant. Ms. T recommended it to me. It was perfect!! I owe her!
If you are interested, check it out. It is in Kyomachi-bori, a small place, good food, nice atmosphere, and nice staff. The name if the place is "Bistro Grits"
http://www.grits.jp/bistro/

Below is a photo I got from my brother. He drove to Toronto the other day in the snow.
Do you understand the sign "Yield to Pedestrians"?

I hope this week is sunny...

Tsunamis, Vancouver, and Egypt

First of all, can anyone tell me, what was that last Sunday?! When I woke up and turned on the tv, there was nothing but news about the Tsunami(a tidal wave)...coming to Japan...coming to almost all of the coasts of Japan from Okinawa to Hokkaido (I think the coasts connected to The Japan Sea and the Inland Sea were safe.) According to the news, this Tsunami was a result of the huge earthquake in Chili. So, there were constant warnings scrolling on the top of my tv screen, and also there was a big map of Japan on the bottom right corner of the screen. It was really annoying. Now, don't get me wrong, I understand that a Tsunami is very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage as well as even causalities, but come on...That news was overblown! Exaggerated! Haven't you ever heard of the famous tale, "The boy who cried wolf"?! I hope that the government and broadcasting companies use more common sense the next time! It's not good to induce panic!

Also, the Vancouver Olympics wound up on Sunday too.
The following are some interesting quotes about The Games.
"What will you remember about the Vancouver Olympics?"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20100302vf.html

I have a lot of memories.
First and foremost, I loved watching Takahashi. His skating and demeanor was impressive!
Next, I will remember the women's mogul's. Aiko was great!!! But the American Gold medalist winner was the best!!!
And I will also remember watching a Korean speed skater get disqualified for basically doing nothing. A similar thing also happened to another Korean speed skater in the Olympics before, when Ohno (an American) over-reacted and complained to the judges. I think the Koreans got robbed!!
I could go on and on, but I have to wrap it up and get ready for class.

Below are Mr. I's nice photos from his recent trip to Egypt. Check them out!

Taxes...and Kyushu and Plum Blossoms

Good morning. Welcome to March.
I liek March, and in March there are cherry blossoms and it gets warmer and spring comes. But there is one thing I don't like about March. It is Taxes!
Recently I have been busy preparing for my income taxes. I am almost finished. Just a few small minor corrections to make...Taxes are annoying, but like everyone else, it is my duty, so I have no choice. The deadline for filing taxes is March 15th, but I have already prepared everything, and I don't want to procrastinate and wait til the last minute, so I will go to the tax office and file my taxes and pay sometime this week. I am looking forward to putting this behind me, and moving on.

Last week I received a "happy email" from Ms. e about her trip to Kyushu. I was happy to hear she had a good time and I was also impressed with her photos this time. They were very clear and beautiful. I especially like the one of plum blossoms. Recently, at Osaka park there are many plum blossoms in bloom. Compared to cherry blossoms, not so many people go to see them, so the parks are not so crowded. And plums blossoms are lower than cherry blossoms, so you can smell them. Have you ever tried? If not, you should. They have a pleasant smell.

The following is Ms. e's "happy email" about her trip:
I went to Fukuoka and Kumamoto from last Friday.My main purpose was to see Kabuki at "Hakata-za"theater.On Friday,I flew to Fukuoka from Itami early morning.First,I visited to Dazai-fu Tenmangu Shrine.It was really famous shrine as A God of learning and plum trees.So many students visit there and pray their success of passing examination
or progress of study.
I was really surprised because most of the visitors were Korean!!There were no American and European tourists.I was back to the center of Hakata ciy and I ate Ramen for lunch.It was nice.I enjoyed Kabuki and after that I met my ex-division manager and ex-coworker.They took me to a nice sea food restaurant.The food was really nice especially row fish.And we went to two bars so I drunk too much.On Saturday,I watched Kabuki and I went to Kumamoto by JR express.Recently,I don't have a chance to take JR train in local area.The express train was stylish.On Sunday,I visited to The Kumamoto castle.I like to seeing castles so I was really excited.The castle is one of the best 3 excellent castle in Japan.It was amazing.I really liked it.I enjoyed hanging around the castle and watching inside buildings.
And I visited some places in Kumamoto city.Kumamoto city was a historical city ,so there were many famous places.At the Kumamoto airport,I ate Ramen for dinner! (and beer)Usual I don't eat Ramen but I ate twice during my trip!I have been to Kyushu many years ago,but I didn't go to Hakata and the castle.
so this trip was wonderful for me.