Real English Thirty One: Sounds like a plan

Obon Vacation is just around the corner.  

I have asked many people the following question:

"Do you have any plans over (the) Obon Vacation?"

Here are a bunch of the answers I got.

1.  Not really. I am just gonna take it easy, go to the spa, clean up the house, and maybe catch a movie or baseball game or something.

2.  Actually nothing at all because I have to work!! I am bummed out!  Can you believe my company is open every day during Obon?  What is my boss thinking?!

3.  I am going to go to Phuket with my family.  We go on a "family trip" overseas every other year.  I am really looking forward to it, but I am afraid that, for various reasons, this may be the last year that we will all be able to do it.

4.  I am not going anywhere, so I want to use this opportunity to catch up on things which I usually don't have time to do, like reading.

5.  I am going to Okinawa with my friends.  I have never been there before, and I know you have been there many times, so what do you recommend to do? to eat? to see?

6.  I am going back to my parent's house and we are going to do a "traditional Obon" and visit my ancestor's grave and stuff.  

7.  We are having a family "get together" at my brother-in-law's second house in Shizuoka Prefecture.  Everybody included, I think there are going to be about 20 relatives there.  The more the merrier!

8.  I am from Tokyo, and in Tokyo people do Obon in the end of July, not in August like the rest of Japan.  Really! I am serious!  Did you know that?

9. (My answer) I am going to go for some long distance jogs because I decided to run the Nishinomiya Half Marathon on November 4th.  I have to get ready for it!

10.  (Your answer!)

And my reply to all of the above answers is, "Sound like a plan!"

After I finish practicing for the marathon, I am going to drink "Hanshin Tigers Wine", one bottle of red and one bottle of white, while watching the Tigers on TV.  I can't wait!

Real English Thirty: hit the fan

It is still hot and humid, at times unbearable.  If I am home and I can't stand it anymore, I have three options:

The first option is to turn on the electric fan.

The second option is to turn on the brand new air conditioner.

And the third option is to take a cold shower, and then do one of the above.

And I just remembered that I have a "cold bed mat"..I totally forgot all about it! It is somewhere deep in the closet, collecting dust I think... Things have been quite hectic this summer so both kyoko and I completely forgot about it.  There is about one more month of summer left, so I will take it out of the closet and use it from tonight. As they say, "Better late than never!"

Yesterday when I read The Japan Times Online, I was interested in the following news stories .  

1.  Study: 8.1% of Japan secondary school students may be 'Internet addicts'

2.  Heavy rains soak Hokuriku

3.  Fuji climbers up 35% by late July

In addition, the Nikkei 225 (Tokyo Stock Market) went up 460 points yesterday.  However, earlier in the week, it dropped about that much.  Ahhh---and as another proverb goes, "What goes up must come down."  

When everything hits the fan, I hope I am ready...

Did you know that sunflowers are my favorite flower?  Well, if you didn't, now you know!

What is your favorite flower?

Real English Twenty Nine:  Take care

It has been two weeks since I last wrote a blog.  Sorry to keep you waiting!

Thanks to my mom, Kyoko and I could go on a nice date a few Saturdays ago.

Glenn:  Ma, can you do me a favor?

Mom:  Sure what is it?

Glenn:  I want to take Kyoko out for a nice dinner tonight because we haven't been out in a while.  Could you take care of Taiga?

Mom:  Anytime!  I'd love to babysit my adorable grandson!

Glenn:  Thanks a lot.  I am relieved to hear that.  Just so you know, if he becomes hysterical or there is a problem or something, call me on my cell!

Mom:  Don't worry so much!

Glenn:  I can't help it. It is in my genes. I got it from you!

Mom: Haha... Anyway, take care and have fun!

Glenn:  OK!  Take care of you, and Taiga, too!

Below are photos from that night.  We went to Lawry's Prime Rib in Umeda. Google it if you are interested.  It is a little pricey but I highly recommend it for a special occasion or a business dinner.  The food, atmosphere, service, really everything was top-notch!