Tottori now...

It`s looking a little nippy! These pics were taken by my friend last weekend. The first pic is of a house, the second of the street, and the third of a famous japanese ryokan. It`s the complete oppsoite of what Tottori looked like when I went there this summer. Like night and day!

My friends and I made a beautiful bondfire while on the beach. The fire grew to be about 2 meters high at one point I think. It was really cool!! In the pic, I am sweating a lot and my shirt is dirty from carrying all of the wood from the forest. That fire was also really hot! Actually I burned my foot on a hot log! That heat is the complete opposite of the COLD now...

The wind up, the pitch...HOME RUN!!!

Playing baseball on the beach at sunset...truly beautiful

A DREAM...

This pic is from last summer in Tottori. It seems like so long ago but it is a nice reminder during the cold and grey winter that soon spring and summer and warm weather will come again. ;) In the pic I am walking up a big sand dune after swimming in the ocean. I remember that the water was very warm. I went with 4 friends but I was the only one to go down the steep sand slope. They were all wimps!! I really want to go back to Tottori again one day!

Roger....

One of my students loves Roger. Do you know who he is? Please read the COMMENTS for my student`s report on Roger!

Olympics...

Pretty soon the Olympics start. Does anyone know exactly when? I am only a little interested in the Olympics now. But I am sure after the opening ceremony, I will watch the highlights and get excited every night. I want to watch the Olympics live but I think there is maybe an 8 or 9 hour time difference between Italy and Japan. Maybe even more...So if I want to watch it live, I have to watch it in the middle of the night! That`s probably not going to happen.

Useful English: 9. SIDETRACK

*to distract someone. To make someone stop what they are doing by making them interested in something else.

I was sidetracked by my co-workers funny email.
Don`t let yourself get sidetracked! Stay focused and concentrate!

Useful English: 8. DISTRACT

*To make someone who is working or studying, etc., unable to continue because of a noise or disturbance.
*To make someone not notice something/someone.

My teacher told me off when I was in Junior High School for distracting other students.
One thief distracted the convenient store clerk while the other thief shoplifted 3 bottles of whiskey.

BUNDLE UP! IT`S GOING TO BE A CHILLY WEEKEND!

I am off to the airport soon, and at the airport it is even colder...burr burr ;(...I can`t imagine life without my winter hat, gloves and long underwear!! haha...;)Hope everyone has a good weekend!

7. Useful English: DISTURB

*to interrupt or bother someone so that they can not continue what they were doing. For example, by asking a question, making a noise, etc.
I`m sorry to disturb/interupt you.
That construction noise is such a disturbance. I can`t stand it!

Happy February!!

I was going to write this yesterday, but yesterday was a grey and rainy and dreary and gloomy day...so I wasn`t in the mood. On the other hand, today is a sunny and beautiful day, and I am in the mood ;) !!! In February many people in my family were born. Sometimes funny when I think of it. What is everyone doing 9 months before february? Is there some Holiday or something???!!! Anyway, one of those people is my brother, Keith. He will turn 30 on February 17th. For some people, turning 30 is a big deal!! Many people say that "Many things change when you turn 30"...I don`t know, maybe, maybe not. For me, some things did change when I became 30. For my bro, I don`t think he is too worried about turning 30 though. It`s just his wonderful personality! ;)

Helicopter ruckus solved!!

This morning the City of Osaka stormed into Utsubo park and removed all of the BLUE TENTS. Apparantly the City used all resources available, including police helicopters. BLUE TENTS are the "houses" of homeless people. Japan used to be known as the "country with no homeless." If that was ever true or not, I don`t know, but in 2006, now, that is for sure NOT TRUE! I see homeless people all over Osaka city and sometimes even in the suburbs. The City decided to remove all BLUE TENTS from Utsubo and Osaka park about a month ago and I guess time ran out for the homeless who did not voluntarily leave until today. This is a very difficult problem. Many women who live near the park say at night that they are scared. A legitimate complaint. Other people feel that the BLUE TENTS look terrible and ruin the atmosphere. On the other hand, many of these homeless are harmless. They have no where to live so where will they go next? The debate can go on and on, but one thing is for sure. When you have a lot of homeless in your country, this is a very serious problem and a reflection of the society(Japan) itself...and it is not a good reflection.........

Just thinking out loud...

Did you notice that the fashion of the 11 women living with the guy in Tokyo is really old, out-of-style, out-of-fashion?!!? Their clothes are very out-of-fashion, like from the 80`s. Their clothes look like the fashion I sometimes see on t.v. about North Korea. It`s strange...

"Good Moooooooorrrrrrrrrrrning Vietnam!"

For the past hour there have been helicopters hovering over Honmachi! Why? I don`t know but maybe there was a car accident or something. I hope it is nothing serious, but to be honest it was pretty loud and annoying during class.

6. Useful English: SLACK OFF

*to be lazy. Recently I slacked off and didn`t update "Useful English.".// Don`t slack off!.// He is a slacker!=He`s lazy and doesn`t work hard!

LUCKY GUY? and BOBBY!

A 50 something year old guy was arrested yesterday for living in a "harlem" with 10 women. (He lived with 10 women!!! Lucky guy!?(JOKE!) For most men living with one woman is not easy, but 10, at the same time!!! Unbeleivable! ) One of the woman is 53, and the rest are in their 20`s. He married and divorced all of them. He has a child with one of them. The incident is in the early stages of the investigation but it appears most of the woman testified that they "wanted" to live together. If it wasn`t for Livedoor and Bobby, this story would be the top news!

Now, BOBBY Orogon, the t.v. personality and K-1 fighter, had a little problem yesterday. He allegedly went into his manager`s office and threw some things and people around. He says his manager owes him about 20 million yen. I heard that the American t.v. personality SEIN?, the guy from Sanma`s "Karakuri`s funny English" show, also had money trouble with that manager and eventually left that manager. Maybe Bobby is telling the truth? Or maybe, this entire incident is just a stint (by the office ) to promote Bobby and the other K-1 fighter who he fought with in the office yesterday!? Remember, this is show business and anything is possible!!!

Mom-Dad & Aunt-Uncle in America !

From the left is my mother Janis, father Ed, aunt Leslie, and Uncle Larry. My mother is an elementary school teacher, my father works in a company, my aunt is a travel agent, and my uncle is a doctor. They spent the weekend in Ocean City, New Jersey. My aunt and unlce have a beach house there. It is very beautiful and luxurious!! My mother and aunt look alike because they are sisters. In the pic they went for a walk on the beach on New Year`s morning. As you can see, they are also drinking some large coffees and eating some coffee cake or skones or something ;)

BOATS....

This is a small dock and some boats I could see from the ferris wheel. I got sea sick once really bad when I went dep sea fishing when I was a child. But when I worked in a Yacht club in Sydney, Australia I got over my fear of sea sickness. (well, maybe not 100% over, but about 80%). Either way, one day I want to own a boat in the future like my student, Mr. F! ;)

FERRIS WHEELS AND THE TOWER

Do you like ferris wheels? I don`t!!! I am scared of heights but when I went to Fukuoka I went on one! It wasn`t as scary as I expected, but I don`t plan to ride any ferris wheels again in the near future! ;)
As you can see the view from the ferris wheel was beautiful!!! I really love the ocean and mountains!
This is the famous? ;) Fukuoka Tower and I also think maybe? you can see the Fukuoka dome somewhere in the background, but I am not sure...

RAMEN...

This is one of the ramen shops I visited in Fukuoka. It is called Ichiran. It is very famous and there was a long line outside the restaurant. I had to wait about 1 hour to get in. The ramen was excellent!!! And the style of the restaurant was unique because everyone eats in a booth. Also in Kyushu you can order an extra-serving of noodles to add to your soup after you finish the first serving of noodles. I highly recommend to try this ramen if you go to Fukuoaka. Recently I go to Kamakura ramen shop in Nanba sometimes. I like that because the soup is hot but to be honest I don`t really think that is "ramen." My favorite ramen shop is near Honamchi and is called RAMEN-MAN. Please try it!

Snow flurries

Last night it snowed in Osaka. Also right now it is flurrying. It looks like cold winter is back!!! When I was a child in Philadelphia, my home town, I liked to play snow football in the snow! Also I liked to go skiing! I skied in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado many times! It was unbelievable!! There was always a lot of powder and the snow was very soft! I have never been skiing in Japan, but I heard that in Nagano there are many big mountains.

5. Useful English: TOUCHY

*easily becoming offended or annoyed. "How come he is so touchy these days?"/"I heard his is under a lot of pressure from his boss."

That`s a touchy subject! I wouldn`t talk about that!

Useful English 4: Thin-skinned

*too easily offended or upset by criticism. You have to be careful with your choice of words around him. He`s a thin-skinned guy!

Useful English 3: FRAGILE

*not strong and therefore easily broken or damaged. FRAGILE! Handle with care!! The antiques are very fragile so be careful!

*a fragile person looks thin and delicate and is often weak or likely to get sick. Keiko took her high school entrance exam yesterday today she is sick in bed-she`s super-fragile.

Me in Fukuoka!

HORSE MEAT!!!!!!!!

I tried raw horse meat for the first time when I went to Kumamoto. Horse meat is famous in Kumamoto. Many people say that the meat smells bad, but I didn`t think so. I liked it. It was the first time I had ever eaten raw horse as sashimi. But before I ate horse meat as sushi a few times in Osaka. Speaking of horses, today is Sunday. Sunday is a big horse race day!! haha ;) Just a joke!

"Year of the DOG!"

Woaf! Woaf!! ;) On the Chinese horoscope, this is the year of the DOG! I love dogs, especially medium and big-size dogs like shibas, akita-kens, kishu dogs, german shephards...But, I was born in 1974, so I am a TIGER! My brother was born in 1976, so he is a DRAGON!

This dogs is protecting the shrine! He looks a little scary! This shrine is for good luck in business, safety in the home, and good luck on passing entrance examinations. For some reason I really like shrines. I went to about 7 or 8 shrines over New Year`s vacation... I prayed a lot!!!

Fukuoka Outside food stalls!!

In this pic, you can see all the stalls lined up along the river in Nakasu. Some of the stalls have plastic sheets as walls and some are made from portable wooden screen doors. With all the neon lights in the background, and with the river, it`s a pretty cool atmosphere.

The shop I went to was packed! And a little tight for a big kid like me ;) ! But it is very clean and the food was pretty good! Also, it wasn`t so expensive, but also it wasn`t cheap!

The staff was also nice. 2 women and 2 men worked there. I was surprised that 4 people worked in such a small shop! This shop had all kinds of food!!! A lot of the other shops had ramen! Many people waited in line outside to eat the ramen! I couldn`t believe it because it was pretty cold outside.

Dinner at a friend`s house

Last Sunday I was invited to my friend Mr. M`s , house for dinner. He lives in Nara and he was kind enough to come and pick me up and take me to his house. It was my first time there and he introduced me to his son (above) and wife. His wife prepared a great crab and meat/fish nabe and we all ate and talked for a few hours. His son just got engaged! CONGRATS! Mr. M used to be in the Self Defense Force. After he retired, he joined an interesting company and now works under the President. Now his son is in the SDF in the medic division...I met Mr. M one day passing out flyers about a year and a half ago. We met totally by chance, but since then we kept in touch by email and met once at my classroom. It was really nice of him to invite me to his house. I was thankful! On the way home I took the train. I used to live in Nara but I haven`t been to Nara in a long time. When I got on the train I laughed...It was about 9pm, but I was the only one in the train car...it was funny.

2.Useful English!! : delicate

*needing to be dealt with carefully or sensitively in order to avoid problems or failure. a delicate issue. a delicate situation. Be careful with what you say, she is a delicate woman!

*someone who is delicate is hurt easily or easily becomes sick. I take great care in preparing meals because my child is quite delicate and has allergies.

1. Useful English!! "SENSITIVE"

sensitive:

*able to understand other people`s feeling and problems. Parents must be sensitive to their children`s needs.

*easily hurt or offended by things that people say. He`s a very sensitive person.

Useful English!!

This year I have added a new addition to the blog. It`s called "Useful English!!" (Almost) Everyday I will post a new word/expression on the Blog. This section of the Blog will always be in the color WHITE! I will include some example sentences with each word/expression. If you need further explanation please look up the word in the dictionary posted on the blog on the right-hand side (BEST DICTIONARY) or please ask me directly. I hope this is a good study tool for you!

2006

I`m back...I know that you all missed me! ;) Well, it`s 2006. I started work again yesterday. I went on a little trip which I will periodically write about later with some cool pics!!! It was a good day, but also a little difficult because half of my mind and body was still in "vacation mode". Today is 100% ok, maybe.. :o) From now I will go to the airport where I teach every Friday. I take the Nankai line Rapit train, which is really nice! Oh, I almost forgot... Many people make New Year`s resolutions when a new year begins. Also, many people break their New Year`s resolutions about 2 weeks after they make them. Did you make any? Will you break them too? One of my many New Year`s resolutions is to lose weight...I want to lose about 7 kilograms by the end of March...We shall see...

HAPPY NEW YEAR and Thanks!!!

I just wanted to thank everyone who studies with me and also everyone who looks at this blog! 2005 is coming to an end, but a new year, 2006 will begin soon...2005 was filled with new beginnings and also endings...I can only wonder what 2006 will bring...I enjoyed teaching and studying with many of you this year and also I learned A LOT from you all. For 2005 this is my last blog entry...Thank you all for reading. I wish you all a healthy and Happy New Year!!! g

DESSERT!!!

The other day I went out to lunch with a friend of mine. We went to some French restaurant in Honmachi. It was nice and pleasant for me cause I rarey have the time to go out for lunch, let enough to go out for french food. My friend, Ms. Yu, loves dessert!!! The pic is her dessert! It was good and I think it had some beer in i so I liked it too ;) ! Most people seem to love at least one dessert. My mother likes cheese cake, my father tiramissu? (don`t know about the spelling of that ;), my brother likes ALL desserts, and my aunt isn`t so picky about desserts either I think. On the other hand, my cousin doesn`t eat dessert. Usually I don`t either, but actually I do like dessert. How about you? What`s your favorite dessert?

DEEP IMPACT - $$$

Yesterday was a big horse race, the "Arima Kinen". The greatest horse I have even seen, Deep Impact, ran in that race. Deep won the Triple crown (On October 23rd, my birthday) and has become like an idol in Japan. He is my favorite horse ever, and the reason is not because he won the Triple Crown. It`s because he came in second yesterday. Everyone thought he would win yesterday`s race. But yesterday, Deep ran out of gas...A similar thing happened to a very popular horse in America a few years, ago. That horse`s name was Smarty Jones and he was from Pennsylvania. Yesterday was also Christmas. December 25th is also my grandfather`s birthday. He would have been 91 years old yesterday, but he passed away last year. One of the things he really liked was going to the casinos and gambling. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not, yesterday I bet the winning number, 10-6. WINNNERRR! ;)

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at my toes..."

The first snow! Today, for me, it was the first snow of this winter! When I woke up this morning, I thought "Wow X#%&%#, it`s freezing!" And then some time later, the snow began to fall. When I looked out my window and saw the snow, at first I was surprised. I didn`t expect it...but it was beautiful and for some reason, I just smiled :) . Now maybe 2 hours has passed, and it is still snowing. I wonder how long it will snow for today?!? Maybe the snow will even stick (and if it does some companies will get out early and some employees will be very happy to begin an early 3-day weekend..;) Before, the snow flakes were pretty big...they looked fluffy like cotton candy! It might even be a white Christmas in Osaka...

End of the Year Party!!! -2
Last night, again ;), I went to another party.

This time I went with my frends and students, Mr. O and Ms. Y. They also work together. Mr. O is a travel consultant and sometimes gives speeches related to the travel business. He works very hard! He is also a writer and has written some books! Ms. Y drank many fruity and colorful drinks last night. She is his assistant. One day I want him to write a book in English!! Last night I was lucky and they treated me to a great dinner at an Okinawan restaurant. It was only my second time to eat Okinawan food. The food was very good and the atmosphere of the restaurant was really awesome! Besides us, there were many other customers there, maybe also having parties...We talked about going to many different countries and we agreed to go to Ireland together next year...but maybe it is only our dream!

Pretty Lights!

My student, Ms. N, sent me these pics from Kobe. She went to the "Festival of Winter Lights". I have never been there but it is famous and I want to go once. I heard it is really beautiful. On the other hand, I heard it is very crowded and cold... There is also a cool Christmas tree and lights in front of the City office in Yodoyabashi. If Kobe is too far for you, I recommend the Yodoyabashi lights. It`s much smaller and really not big, but it has a nice atmosphere and a good "feeling". It`s definitely the Christmas season and pretty soon Santa is gonna be coming to town. I wonder if I will run into him somewhere.......

End of the Year Party!!! -1

I went out with my student Mr. K to his 2 favorite restaurants. They are both in Kyobashi and one is called UZURA and one is called HAKUTOEN. The first is a yaki-tori shop and the latter is a yaki-niku shop. The price was reasonable and the food was excellent. The staff in both places were also really nice.

Mr. K only goes to very good restaurants because he is learning how to be a cook and restaurant manager in Kita-Shinchi. The restaurant where he works is called KAHALA, and the owner is famous in the restaurant industry in Osaka. The food style is Japanese "fusion" and for dinner for 2 people, it costs 60,000 without drinks!!! That`s a little steep for my blood but if I ever win the lottery I want to go. That restaurant has even been written up in the New York Times Newspaper.

Anyway, last night we really had a good time and I am looking forward to hopefully some more End of the Year parties with my students and friends!!!

Slice

There's a slice of pizza, a slice of cake, a slice of cheese, a slice of lemon, a slice of many things...Yesterday I went to the driving range with Mr. F. He picked me up after work and we practiced for about 2 hours. He is a good golfer and regularly scores under 100. He gave me some good pointers, and I was grateful. But, I was the SLICE King!! I hit about 180 balls maybe. 170 balls were slices! BIG slices!!! But I didn`t get angry (maybe) and honestly I had a really good time and it was good exercise! I want to go again soon if I can...

CONGRATULATIONS to MRS. M, who just got married last Saturday. I hope the wedding ceremony and party went well and I want to wish you and your husband my best!!!

These girls are "Maiko-sans", like a "Geisha-in-training" ;)

This photo is from Kiyomizu Temple, one of my favorite temples. One of these girls is my students...I really think that traditional japanese dress, kimonos, and make-up, is really beautiful, elegant, and a little exotic. All these girls look great and cool!!!

Autumn Garden Picture!!

Boy, the fall seems like a long time ago!!! ;(

Today is Friday though and that means T.G.I.F.! (Thank God It`s Friday) Usually this means that Friday is the last day of work for the week and the beginning of the weekend. So everyone is happy! I will work on Saturday and Sunday but I will also relax a little. On Sunday night, I might even go to the driving range with my student Mr. F. Hopefully he can teach me a little because right now, I am a terrible golfer. If we go, it will only be my second time to a driving range since I came to Japan.

Madonna in JAPAN,

a place that has had a significant influence on her life and her work

Dressed in a body-hugging maroon top with red sequins on the sleeves and matching pants, Madonna said she was glad to be back in Japan, a place that has had a significant influence on her life and her work, particularly in this current album.

"Sorry," one of the songs on the new album, includes the words "gomen nasai" -- Japanese for "I'm sorry" -- which Madonna said she learned from her Japanese cook, who travels with her.

"I've always been very interested in Japanese culture," she said.

"Some of my videos, some of my performances on stage have been inspired by Japanese cinema, martial arts, Japanese music, Japanese fashion, Japanese food," she added.

Asked how she kept in shape -- a form showed off to good advantage in the video for the hit single "Hung Up," which features strenuous dancing -- Madonna indicated that Japanese food played a large part in her healthy lifestyle.

"I love Japanese food. I have a Japanese cook in London that travels everywhere with me," she said, laughing. "I probably eat more Japanese food than you do."

[original article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051207/en_nm/leisure_japan_madonna_dc]

Have you heard about 'Memoirs of a Geisha'? the book? the movie? It was a very popluar book in America a few years ago and soon it will be showing in the movie theaters!!!

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Winter Wonderland!!!

Ms. M gave me these greats photos! They are from Ashiya last Sunday. When I first looked at these pics, I thought that they were taken in Hokkaido!!! I can`t believe that Ashiya is only about 30 minutes from Osaka...It looks like a different world! I want to go skiing, or snowboarding, or even make a snow man!!

Without snow......................................................

With snow........................................................................

HAIL!!! ;(

It just hailed outside! I don`t remember the last time I saw hail..maybe 1 or 2 years ago. It is freezing and rainy and dark too...The winter has began...;(

NEW BORN BABY!

One of my students, Ms. Y, just became a grandmother! Congratulations!!! It`s her first grandchild!! A boy or a girl? I think that she will be a great grandmother...And I learned something from another student yesterday...That student is Chinese, and she told me that "In China, when a baby is born, the baby is 1 years old." In America, when a baby is born, the baby is 0 years old...So that student and I were birth born in the same year, 1974, and her birthday is in April, and mine is in October. But she said she was 32, and I said I was 31, but really we are the same age...interesting....funny...strange...

DECEMBER 1st

That`s right, it`s December already...The last month of the year...2005. Personally I don`t like the winter. I really hate the cold!!! In Decemeber, many people have "End of the Year" Parties, eat a lot, drink a lot, get hangovers...Also many people get there bonuses!! And there is Christmas, presents, cake, good food, dates? snow?... In December, many times I have gone to Philadelphia, my home town, but this year I will stay in Japan. What do you think about December? Oh yeah, I just remembered, today is the 1st of the month...so it`s movie day! All movies are 1000 yen. For a guy, this is lucky, because there isn`t any "men`s day" at the movies!!! There is only 1000 yen "Lady`s Day" at the movie theater, I am jealous of all of you ladies!!

MAPLE LEAVES....

These pictures were taken by my student Ms. I!!! She`s like a professional photographer!!!

These Maple Leaf trees are from Kyoto! They are really beautiful! I have been to many places in the past to see Maple leaves, for example, Arashiyama, and also Akame in Mie Prefecture. In Akame there is a place called "48 Waterfalls." It`s a pretty cool place but a long hike, maybe about 4 hours!! In New England in America, and also even around my parent`s house in Philadelphia, the foilage is really out of this world! Do you recommend any good places to see the beautiful foilage?

KIMBERLEY the cat

My student, Ms. A, sent me this picture of her baby cat. She found it in a park 2 weeks ago. It was alone and very small and thin and she looked weak. Maybe the kitten was about 2 months old she thought. And she took it home and named it Kimberley. Now, when Ms. A takes a nap on the sofa, Kimberley comes over and sleeps in her hair. What would you do if you found a cat or dog?

DO YOU LIKE CATS OR DOGS?

Happy Thanksgiving from America!

LAUGHTER...AND Q-CHAN

The other day I went to YOSHIMOTO and saw some manzai comedy groups and also a comedy play. It was great. At Yoshimoto, they say, "Laughter can change Japan" and "Laughter is healthy"...I think they are right! Because laughing can change you, and you can change things around you! Do you have any funny stories to tell?

Also, Takahashi (Q-chan) was really great in the Tokyo marathon. Honestly, I didn`t think that she could do it. She failed at the Tokyo marathon 2 years ago, she changed coaches, she was injured, and she`s not young for a runner, but she just kept running...and she won! I ran the Fukuchiyama Marathon about 9 years ago and finished in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Believe me, a full marathon is not an easy accomplishment! Q-chan did a great job, and she did it with a smile, and she also made a lot of people smile!!! She is really something else!!! :)

MY VISIT TO THE APPLE STORE!

The other day I went to the APPLE store in Shinsaibashi for the first time. My brother recommended me to go...It is a really spacious store and very high tech! Since I don`t know anything about computers, I was lost...But i was glad that I went and I listened to some good songs on the I-pod. :)

TWO FRIENDS

These are two of my friends in Japan. One guy, is a great cook and the other guy is an "ok" cook! ;) Last week the two of them left Japan to go to America to work. The guy on the right has a Christmas tree business that he does every winter. If he sends me some pics, I`ll post them up for everyone to see. One guy will come back sometime in January. But the other guy will not. He will go to China I think...Why China? I don`t know though...But it was great to meet the guy and spend some time with him. We shared a lot of laughs and I just wanted to say to him, "Good luck and take care of yourself!"

CONGRATULATIONS TO~~~

I would like to congratulate two of my students!

First to Ms. H: Congrats on passing the "Teacher`s" Test! and becoming a Home Room teacher (all in the same week!) I know that you really studied hard and were very nervous and I am happy that you could make your dream your reality! From now, GOOD LUCK with those kids! :)

Next, I would like to congratulate Mr. T for doing an unbelievable job on the TOEIC test!!! He got over 900..that`s right, over 900!!! You deserved this score because you really study hard and make a solid effort all the time, every class! Well done!!

HAIRCUT...

Today I got my haircut. I go to a place called CUT SURGE in Honmachi. It`s only 1000 yen. Men and women can both go there, and I know what you are thinking, "1000 yen?! it`s gotta be a small, dirty place, and the haircutters can`t be good..." But on the contrary, actually it is very new and clean, and the staff is very friendly and are very professional! I used to shave my head by myself but now I go there about twice a month because it`s convenient, they do a good job, and I like to talk to the owner and staff. For any of you looking for a new or good hair cut place, lemme know and I will tell you where it is. I recommend it!


ABC RADIO

Every day I listen to ABC radio in my office when I am not teaching. It`s mostly an Osakan talk radio station...sometimes it`s pretty funny. I prefer listening to people talk rather than listening to music all day. I don`t know why, but I can relax more and it`s more interesting listening to talk radio. Anyway, sometimes they actually do play a few songs, and a few minutes ago they played a new song "ALWAYS" by the band B-51. I can`t explain it, but sometimes one song can just change your mood or change your day. Also the timing of when you listen to it. Well, this song kinda changed my mood and made me smile...Thank you (always) ABC RADIO and also B-51 for the cool song.

SCORES!

It has been about a week since I wrote last. I wanted to write a few times last week but I just got caught up in stuff and couldn`t...Anyway, i was thinking about SCORES recently. One of my students, Mr. a, went bowling the other day. He got a 70! That`s right, that`s not a typo...a 70!!! I am not so good at bowling either, I usually get somewhere between 100 and 150, my best score is a 190, maybe ;), once in my life! But Mr. a said "I couldn`t be upset, so I just laughed." "a bowling SCORE IS NOT IMPORTANT!! but HAVING FUN in bowling IS IMPORTANT", I told him. My favorite Japanese poet is Aida Mitsuo. In one of his poems he said something like "People are not scores..."

On another note, I also like American football. My football team is the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year they had a very strong team, but this year is another story. They are playing a game against the Washington Redskins in America as I write this now...it`s halftime, and The SCORE is 10-7. The Birds are losing...

"Morning" breakfast

I just finished having "Morning" breakfast with my friend Mr. O. Usually I don`t eat breakfast but every once in a while I like to get a typical "morning" set at some small coffee shop...just good coffee, some toast, and a hard-boiled egg. Simple, but good. And satisfying! If I go by myself, I enjoy reading the neswpaper while I eat. But if I go with a friend, then I enjoy the conversation. Today, as usual, I didn`t talk about anything special with Mr. O...baseball, golf, his sick friend, his karaoke friends, some small life changes, baseball again ;) Basic stuff, just basic stuff... it was a good way to begin the morning.

MY FAVORITE IZAKAYA and YOSHIMOTO

Last night I went to my favorite Izakaya, ECHIGOYA. It`s in shinsabashi near the famous ramen shop "ippudo." I began going there about 4 years ago because I became friends with the Master in a sauna. (We both used to go to Shimizuyu, a bath house near OPA, a lot...i love bath houses, hot springs, and saunas...) The food is really good there and I also enjoy talking to the Master and Mama. I went there to meet a friend who works for Yoshimoto, Mr. A. He is a really interesting guy and he speaks VERY fast in his unique osaka-dialect. He`s funny and makes me laugh. I also enjoy Yoshimoto shows and comedians a lot. I have been to the head office a few times too. The "GOOD MORNING" greetings that people do there are impressive! Today it looks like it`s gonna rain all day...

Glenn's students throw a surprise B-Day party!

THE TIGERS........................

I have tickets to go to Game 5 of the Japan Series...but it is looking very bleak! I love the Tigers and I really wanted to just be able to go and see a Japan Series game. I asked a friend of mine to get tickets, and he said "No problem!" He came through for me, and even gave me a choice. "Do you want tickets to Game 3, 4, or 5?" I said, "5". I was greedy I guess. I thought maybe there would be a chance to see Okada being thrown in the air...I didn`t foresee this though...three games, 10-0, 10-1, 10-1...unbelievable. I haven`t been to the shrine near my office lately, but I think that I am going to go today. one last prayer...

FAVORITE OR COOL WORDS,
EXPRESSIONS, SAYINGS, THOUGHTS,
etc.!!!

"Please Smile...Again!"

BALI BOMBING!

(THIS IS AN EMAIL FROM ONE OF MY STUDENTS)

I really surprised about terrorist strike by suicide bomb in Bali.
I know the restaurant in Kuta and I eat lunch there 3 times.
It was very nice restaurant and staffs were very friendly.
I feel awfully sorry about the innocent victims.
Recently, I’m afraid about terror-attack in Japan…I have to do anytime what I want.
If I will be die by terror, I won’t be regret in my life…