Part three: My mother having a drink on the boat as everyone gets ready for snorkling and scuba diving. She was a pass...
Back to the Cataraman: My father and I snorkling outside the boat.
My brother swimming like a shark...
My father taking a rest before he goes in again. He doesn`t have a lot of stamina these days so he needs to pace himself...
My brother swimming like a ???
The boat again...
Today is July 4th, Independence Day, in America. I was born and raised in Philadelhia, which used to be the capital of the United States before Washington D.C. Did you know that? There are many historical places in Philadelphia, for example, The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and much more... Every year in Philadelphia there are huge fireworks on the 4th. I like fireworks and I am looking forward to the summer fireworks in Japan soon. Where do you recommend to see the fireworks in Japan? If you know any good places, please tell me!
My brother contemplating and watching the sunset from the balcony. We watched the sunset from the balcony almost every night...
A wonderful mixture of clouds, sky, sun, water, air, and color...
One day we went on a boat ride. We road a catamaran. This is one of the views from the catamaran. It was gorgeous!
The catamaran. On the tour, we snorkled, ate some lunch, drank, relaxed and watched the sites which included cliffs, mountains, waterfalls, caves and on and on, saw a dolphin, saw the sunset (at least some of us did...me, i wasnt feeling so well at that time ;( I get sea sick easily...)
Another sunset pic...I like the clouds in this one...
The Gross family on the boat...
I got back from Hawaii last night. This is a pic I took from the balcony of the condo I stayed at. We had a beautiful view of the ocean and the sunset was very beautiful every night.
Check this site out to see the condo. http://www.kauaikevin.com/
Over the next few days I will try to put some pics from Hawaii on the blog and write a little about the ups and downs of the trip.
Hope everyone was well while I was gone! See you soon!
"Sho" is my student. The other day she got her second neice. Isn`t she cute? Luckily she doesn`t look like "Sho" ;) "Sho" studied English in New Zealand for a year or so and now works in a hotel where Foreigners come often. She speaks very well but now is studying with me for the TOEIC test. She wants to get 800. I think she can do it!
My student Ms. A went to her friend`s wedding the other day. The bride is a nurse and the groom is a police officer. She made these stuffed animals to give to them as a gift! They are really cute stuffed animals and I think Ms. A put a lot of thought and effort into making them. Many Japanese people have favorite stuffed animals, like Snoopy or Winnie-the-Pooh. How about you? 
Do you like cooking? This is a pic oif the Winner of the Pillsbury Bake-Off Competition in America last month. Check out here for the recipe of the Chicken and Spinach dish. http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/showRecipe.aspx?rID=41135
It looks delicious! The event was held in Orlando, Florida. And she won One MILLION DOLLARS! Now that`s some chicken!!! Do you have any recipes you want to share with everyone?
This picture was taken about 2 or 3 weeks ago in Indonesia. The volcano erupted and you can see the lava spilling out. It is realy something... Last year there were terrible hurricanes in America, and the year before a Tsunami (Giant tidal wave) in Thailand, and many other big natural disasters all over the world recently. In Osaka, everyone remembers the Hanshin Earthquake a little over 10 years ago. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing at that time. Everyone!! The Earth is very beautiful at times, and also at the same time, very powerful and scary...
Pedicure
Extensions
Manicure
This is a Siberian Tiger and newborns(baby cubs) in a China zoo. I have been to the zoo a few times in my life. I like to watch the Tigers and Lions the most. One day, I want to go to Africa and go on a safari. How about you? Do you like the zoo? Do you like animals?
This is a great photo don`t you think?! It`s from a flower and garden show in London. I have never been to London, or for that matter, anywhere in Europe. But recently I became interested in Europe because many of my students and friends tell me great things about their trips to Europe. Have you ever been to Europe? If so, where?
Speaking of Europe, the World Cup will begin in about 10 days. I was shocked to hear the other day that there is a "DANGAN" Tour. This means, BULLET TOUR in English I think. On this tour, you can go to Germany to watch a game, but you dont stay in Germany even for a night. You take the plane to Germay, arrive and go directly to the stadium, watch the game, and then return to the airport and take the plane back to Japan!!! Unbelievable!
There is a famous Jazz Festival in New Orleans every year. This is a pic from this years event. I think it took place last month. I like Jazz, the Blues, a lot. It`s my favorite type of music. I have always wanted to go to this festival and also Mardis Gras, another famous event in New Orleans. Hopefully, one day, I will be able to go. New Orleans had a rough year last year with all the flooding and stuff. It`s good to see that some positive energy is back in the town...What kind of music do you like?
This is my old student. She studied with me for about 2 years. She is in a band called Tiddy! Her name is Yuki (daughter of a famous Enka singer in Osaka!!), and above is a pic of her in her student days. 
Calligraphy
Matsui got injured the other day. He broke his wrist while trying to make a diving catch. He had surgery and will probably be out for about 3 months. Also, his consecutive game streak also ended. I like Matsui. I think he is a true professional and excellent ball-player. It`s s shame that this happened, but I think he`ll come back and be even better than before(=He will hit more Home-Runs)! However, I understand that this is big news in Japan, but the TOP NEWS, LEAD STORY, OF NHK???!!!! I think that much attention is a little much! I can`t believe that this was the MOST IMPORTANT NEWS STORY. Yes, it should be the top SPORTS news story, but "THE" top story of all the news...Unbelievable!
One of my students, Ms. C, loves Japans soccer team! She even took a day off from work and went to Nagai Stadium to watch a game!! I feel terrible for her...Japan lost ;( Even if just for her, I wish Japan had won!! Many of the starters didn`t play in this game for Japan. But with the Worl Cup right around the corner, it`s important to set a tone, a winning tone, in the team. Unfortunately, Japane couldn`t do that..It`s a little early, but I`ll make my prediction. Even though I REALLY HOPE Japan wins, I do not think they will advance to the second round.
First, this guy has a lot of free time. Second, what`s the point? But I will not judge him!! (But he`s crazy! ;)) This guy is a stuntman from New York (a lot of New Yorker`s are crazy!) and stayed in the aquarium for a week! FOR A WEEK!!! UNDERWATER!!! Then he tried to break the world record for holding one`s breath underwater. I think it`s about 9 minutes. But he failed. The whole event was broadcasted on ABC Televison in America. Check out an artilce about it if you want: http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/international/news/20060509p2g00m0in019000c.html
This Sunday, May 14th, is Mother`s Day. Did you get your mother a gift? I just sent my mother a card yesterday. I hope she gets it in time. Nowadays, many people use the internet to buy and send a gift. You can buy anything over the internet, it`s amazing! (saying this, let me tell you, I have NEVER bought anything over the internet because 1. i dont know how. and 2. it`s a little scary.) I think I have to get with the times!!
What`s your favorite summer fruit? ..Strawberries?
My friend Ms. N went strawberry picking in Nara with her family. She sent me some pics! Many people I know have gardens or keep flowers or flower pots on the balcomies. It seems like a fun and interesting hobby, gardening. I have never done it, but recently I want to try. Do you have any "beginner" gardening tips?
