Earthquake

There was a terrible earthquake in New Zealand yesterday. Many people were injured, and some people even died. Building were destroyed. There are also still many people, including some Japanese University students, missing...
It is terrible. I pray for their, and everyone's, safety...

Actually, there was a small earthquake on Monday in the Kansai area also.
While I was teaching Ms. Y, suddenly the building shook. It was very short, very sudden. Only about 2 or 3 seconds at most. We weren't sure if it was an earthquake or not. And then we both looked at each other and said, "Was that just an earthquake?"
Later that day, I heard on the radio that at the same time there was an earthquake around intensity level 4 on the Japanese scale in Wakayama.
Natural disasters are very scary...

For the latest article, click here:
"Japanese feared trapped in rubble" (from The Japan Times Online)
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110222x2.html

"Walking on ice" (This blog is courtesy of Luis)

For someone like me who likes cold and snow, Hokkaido was like being a small kid again playing with the snow. Everywhere was covered with snow, which makes things look more pretty and dangerous! After a few days this snow becomes ice, and all the sidewalks and streets become an ice skating adventure.We went to Sapporo to see the snow and ice sculptures festival, to Otaru where we got hit with a snow storm and saw the handmade snow light-up, and I will never forget Hakodate's fabulous view from the mountain.
Here is our Diary...

Day 1: The early birds are leaving home and suddenly Osaka was all "dressed" in white. The highway was closed because of so much snow. We arrived to Sapporo in time for typical Sapporo soup (soba). We spent the afternoon and evening walking around the Snow Festival. It was impressive. Due to the snow fall over the week, many sculptures didn't look so good any more. So, if you go there next time make sure you go in the first days. For dinner we tried many different types of raw fish (sashimi), but I don't even know many of the names of the fish.

Day 2: We went skiing on the second day. I've been really looking forward to doing this for a long time. I'm still a beginner but I love skiing. While I was making some progress with my ski technique, my wife was enjoying the gorgeous view and hot drinks at the cafeteria. At the end of the 7-hour skiing day I was exhausted, and after a long day on the slopes, there is nothing better than all-you-can-eat-crab, sushi and tempura!!! That meal refilled my energy level.

Day 3: A day trip to Otaru. And what a day it was... I enjoyed a magnificent train ride. There was a mountain on one side, and the sea on the other. It was exquisite!! Several times during the day we were hit with some snow storms but this did not prevent us from having a great time. TV news were saying it snowed around 80cm of fresh snow just that day. It is a very small town with many small shops and cute streets, and you could see different snowmen and snow light-ups everywhere.

Day 4: We went to Hakodate in the early morning, had raw squid in the fish market and strolled downtown. We finished the day on top of a mountain looking at the splendid view of downtown Hakodate.

Day 5: One our last day, we went up the tower next to the Goryo-kaku for our last pics and one more seafood lunch. Then it was time to return to Osaka.

We didn't have time this trip, but next time we will certainly try some hot springs.Seafood was really good everywhere.Of the three places we visited, I liked Otaru the best. Because it was the best train ride I have ever experienced, and I will never forget the small cute streets filled with snowmen and snow light-ups. I had no expectations about this place and maybe that's why I liked it so much.Hokkaido, we'll be back!

Snow

On Monday, it snowed practically all day. I was really surprised. I think it was the longest I have ever seen it snow in Japan. In Osaka, the snow didn't stick on the ground, but near my house in Nishinomiya City, the snow stuck. And when I walked home, the street was full of slush and a little icy. The road was slippery and dangerous, so I was very careful and walked with caution.

Then, on Tuesday I got an email from Mr. M. He went on a ski trip to Nozawa Hot Spring over the 3 day weekend. Do you know where Nozawa is? It is in Nagano Prefecture. Have you ever been there? If yes, what was it like?

So, since I am on the topic of snow, I will write some "snow vocabulary." Look at the below 5 sentences:

1. My brother lives in Michigan, and it snows A LOT there. Just last week the temperature was only 1 degree Fahrenheit!!! That is FREEZING!!! Can you convert that into Celsius? Anyway, since it snows so much there he bought a snow blower last year. A snow blower is a necessity in Michigan.

2. It also snows quite a bit in Philadelphia, my home town. Actually, this year they(=Philly people) were hit with a bunch of blizzards. Every time there was a blizzard when I was a child, I had to shovel the driveway. Because the driveway is big, I had to use a big snow shovel. It took hours. And after I finished, my body was sore all over. Maybe that is one reason that I have a bad back now...

3. In University, when final exam time came around, I was always snowed under with tests.

4. There are two types of snow; man-made snow and powder snow. When you go skiing and fall on man-made snow, it hurts a lot. But if you fall on powder snow, it doesn't hurt so much, because the snow is soft and fluffy.

5. When I was younger I used to go skiing often. And after a long, hard, fun day of skiing, there was nothing better than going to the ski lodge to check out the snow bunnies!! :)

I am sick about talking about Sumo, but for your English study, you should check out this article.
Osaka: What are your thoughts on the decision to cancel the Osaka sumo tournament due to the match-fixing scandal?

(from Views from the Street, The Japan Times Online) http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fl20110215vf.html

Thanks for the beautiful photos Mr. M! And very nice snow man!!

This week's news

All of the below two headlines are from the Japan Times E-mail News Service

"Sumo world reacts to canceled tourney- Sumo wrestlers and fans express shock and disappointment at the first scandal-canceled 'basho' in sumo history."

What do you think about Sumo and the fixed matches. As I said before, Sumo is a disgrace. I gave up on Sumo a long time ago...

"Boy, 14, breaks age record by passing bilingual tour guide test"

A boy from Kumamoto passed the test. The previous record-holder was 15 years old. This kid lived in America for three and a half years because he parents worked there. So he is fluent in English I think. But he said he had to study Japanese geography really hard for the test. Are you good at geography?

And, I also saw on the net that Christina Aguilera (the women whose name I forgot who co-stars in the movie "Burlesque" which I recommended a few weeks ago) messed up singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, the biggest sports event of the year for Americans, on Sunday. She botched the lyrics of the anthem and some patriotic Americans were pissed off about it. I don't think it is such a big deal though. Mistakes happen. As the saying goes, "Forgive and forget."
Btw, can you sing the Japanese national anthem? Do you know all the words by heart?

Fyi, I get goose bumps every time I hear the American national anthem. Do you get goose bumps when you hear the Japanese one?

Tomorrow is a national holiday, so have a good 3-day weekend!

Below are some pretty cool photos from Arashiyama

What's your sign?

"See what the Year of the Rabbit has in store for your sign" (from Yahoo.com)
http://shine.yahoo.com/page/2011-chinese-horoscope

What is your sign? In other words, what is your Chinese horoscope? Mine is the Tiger! I was born in 1974. The above links gives the outlook of the year for each of the 12 signs; Rat, Horse, Ox, Goat, Tiger, Monkey, Rabbit, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Snake, and Pig. If you click on your Chinese astrological sign, you can see the outlook for the year concerning career, relationships, health, and wealth. Even if you don't believe in horoscopes and signs and stuff like that, I recommend you read it just for fun. It is interesting.
Speaking of Chinese, Mr. W, who is a Chinese man who has lived in Japan for about 15 years and presently runs an Import-Export Company, gave me some advice the other day. The advice was on exercise and staying healthy.

First, he recommended that people stretch their joints as much as possible. For example, your wrist, ankle, elbow, fingers, places like that. He said it improves the blood circulation.

Second, he recommended that people rotate their shoulders forwards and backwards at least 50 times a day each way.

And last, he recommended that bald people like me, walk around on all fours, like a dog, because he said this improves hair growth! Really?!

I can't believe it, but since he told me the advice one week ago, I tried all three pieces of advice every day. I stretch my joints and rotate my shoulders from the morning til the evening whenever I have free time. And in the evening, immediately after I get home, I crawl around on the floor like a dog for about 10 or 15 minutes every night. If you saw me, you might think I am crazy, but actually I am perfectly sane. (Actually, that may be debatable.) Anyway, since I began following Mr. W's advice, my mind and body feel great!! But, I haven't noticed any change concerning my hair...I still don't have much ;(

And, do you know the proverb "A clever falcon hides his claws?" Ms. T, who works for a different Chinese Import Company, said this to me the other day after I told her "You are smarter than you look."

That's all for today folks...

The below photo of the construction was taken near "Kita-Yard" in Umeda.

Movies, Volcanoes, and much more...

Today I want to talk about a variety of topics. I found the following headlines and when I was reading The Japan Times net newspaper. I make it a point to read a paper newspaper as well as a net paper every day so I can keep up with the current news. Usually I read the paper newspaper in the morning while I commute to work. I read the net paper during my break time. Do you read a paper newspaper, or net newspaper everyday?

"Toho Cinemas to lower ticket prices"

I am excited about this news!! The current price of a movie in Japan, 1800yen, is too expensive! That is one of the reasons why I rarely go to the movies. 1500yen is not cheap, but it is better than 1800! And there is a Toho Cinema near my house, about a 15-minute walk, so if 1500yen I think I will go to the movies more. Speaking of movies, I saw "Burlesque" the other day. I really enjoyed the movie. It is an up-beat and fun and entertaining movie. And, the soundtrack and dancing is fantastic! And one of my favorites singers, Cher, co-stars in the movie with another very famous young singer, but I forget her name.

"Volcano evacuation zone widens"

My mother emailed me last Monday or Tuesday and said "I just saw there was a big earthquake in Kyushu. Is everything OK? Are your wife's mother and family OK?"
I checked Yahoo News, but I couldn't find any news about an earthquake. When I got home, I asked my wife, "Everything alright...my mother said a volcano erupted?" She said "Yeah everyone is fine. That volcano is in Miyazaki. My family lives in Kumamoto."

But the situation in Miyazaki seems to be very serious. Let's pray that the people, and their homes, there are safe.

"Stranded Fukui travelers sleep in cars, trains"

In Philadelphia, there have been many snow storms this year. Just last weekend, another 19cm fell. Snow and ice make the roads treacherous. And, icy roads are very dangerous and force the closing of schools and prevent people from going to work, thus causing some companies to close!
Also all over Japan this year, there has been a lot of snow. Can you imagine being stuck in a train for two nights because of snow. Miserable, especially if you are impatient and like fresh air like I do.

"Asia Cup match viewed by a third"

Did you watch the match of the century?! Well, that is a little bit of an exaggeration. It wasn't exactly the "match of the century," but it was a big match. The Championship game of the Asia Cup with Japan playing Australia. Many Japanese people always complain, "Why is Australia in the Asian Group. They are not Asian!! It is unfair!!" These complaints make me laugh. I watched the first 10 minutes of the game. Then I fell asleep under my kotatsu. When I woke up, it was the beginning of extra time. I thought, "Extra time...Again!?" I tried to stay awake, but I couldn't help myself from falling asleep again. I woke up again around 4 AM, but the game was over so I got up to go sleep in my futon. In the morning, I turned on the tv and saw the following news:
"Japan is Asia Cup Champions!"
"Japan beats Australia 1-0 in extra time!!"
"Lee scores the winning goal on spectacular volley!!"

Anyway, that is the new update for now. This is Glenn Gross signing off...Have a good day everyone.

Below are photos from Ms. S who is in a Chorus Group and recently had a big performance in this amazing hall. She told me; "When I performed in this Hall, I thought 'I am really happy that I joined the Chorus Club.' '"