I`m back...

I went to America and Mexico for about 2 weeks. The weather was perfect everywhere, so I was lucky I think! First I went to Las vegas, then Mexico, then back to Vegas, and then Philadelphia, my home town. It was my first time there in about 2 years. A few things changed there, but basically everything was the same. In Mexico and Vegas I just relaxed and took it easy! I also ate a lot of good food (but the portions are really big so I also got bigger maybe ;) I will put up many pics from my trip over the next few weeks! Please look forward to them.

What happened in Osaka while I was gone? Tell me what`s up and everything that happened!!

I want to thank Ms. Y and Ms. N for sending me the below cherry blossom photos! They are great and I heard the the cherry blossoms are in full bloom now so I hope to go cherry blossom viewing and have a cherry blossom party or two soon.

The above are from Ms. N. I think she took these photos near her house.
The below two photos are from Ms. Y. She took these in Nara! She loves Nara (so do I)!!

What a great b-day cake!!!

In Japan, "Hina-matsuri" is a festival for girls. It is in March I think, but I forget the exact date...do you know it? It is traditional in Japan to decorate the house with this doll stand as seen below. Traditionally, the decoration is set up about one month before the holiday. Then on the Holiday day, it is considered bad luck for the girl to NOT clean up the decorations, so on this day (maybe march 3rd...) the family members rush to clean up. I think the decorations are rally cool!

Chopsticks...

The other day was Ms. A`s Birthday! Her sister made her a nice cake and also she had dinner with her family. She can`t use chopsticks well, so her sister got her a "correct usage" chopstick tool. I can`t believe people actually use this thing! I couldn`t use chopsticks before I came to Japan. It took me about a year to get used to using chopsticks. I learned from trial and error, and also from observing people. Now I like to use chopsticks a lot, and it is easy! Of course, I can also use a fork and knife. When I eat salad and sushi, I prefer to use only my hands though, no chopsticks or fork or knife! Do you eat any food with only your hands? How about chopsticks...can you use chopsticks well? When you eat spaghetti, do you use chopsticks or a fork and knife or spoon?

Hovercraft in Oita I have never ridden on a hovercraft and I get sea sick easliy so I think I should pass. My friend Maro went to Oita Prefecture on a business trip and went on a hovercraft! He said it was OK but he thought that it was a little bumpy and not such a great ride. Have you ever ridden on one? Hoe about Oita, what do you know about Oita?

Hollywood!!

Another photo from Dr. M. Hollywood. The place of movie stars and fame and stardom and excitement! I have never been to Hollywood but I have always wanted to go. I think it must be exciting and luxurious! And I have never seen a movie star or famous person up-close, so if I was lucky, maybe in Hollywood I could see someone! What do you think of Hollywood? Do you want to go there too?

Los Angeles and Montreal Photos

Dr. M went on another business trip to Los Angeles and Montreal. He attended a medical conference in Montreal and visited some hospitals in Los. In his free time he did some sightseeing. The sunlight in the pic above looks very warm! It`s a great view too!
The complete opposite! Freezing cold and snow and ice in Montreal. He said it was minus degrees!! Pass!
I think this is a famous building in Montreal, but I am not sure...
From the airplane! I guess Dr. M had a window seat! Looks amazing! I will go on a vacation in about 2 weeks. I am getting excited about it!
This is UCLA, a famous University in California. I have never been there but I heard that it has a really nice campus. American University campuses and Japanese University campuses are very different I think...MY UNiversity had a huge campus! There was a lot of green and nature, a small town, it was great!

It`s raining today! Don`t forget your umbrella and be careful not to slip!

Santa Monica Pier

Dr. M went to America again for a medical conference. This time he went to the Santa Monica Pier! He was very busy but he found some time to do some sightseeing. He was lucky! This place looks really fun and the weather also looks beautiful! I want to go there one day! How about you? Have you ever been to the west coast in America? I have been to San Francisco and Los Angeles. I spent one week in San Fran, but only was in Los for a 6 hour layover.
Next, I want to go to Seattle. I love the beach and ocean...
I don`t like amusement parks! I don`t like roller coasters!!! How about you?

New Car!!!

My friend Maro just bought a new car! I am really happy for him cause he is really excited. Check it out! Black! Slick! It looks really cool! When was in high school, I used to drive a lot. I drove to school every day when I was a senior in high school. Also, at night or on the weekends I would drive to my friend`s houses or sometimes take a drive to the beach. Driving is ok, but I am not a good river so I prefer to be chaffeured! In the future, my dream is to have a personal driver ! ;) February is almost over! Maro, be careful and I hope ou really enjoy your new car! Congrats!
Do you like cars? If yes, what kind of cars do you like? How about color? And, doo you have a car? If yes, what kind? If no, do you want one? And I always wonder, how much is it to get your car inspected in Japan?

Tokyo Architecture

Good morning. Miss E. sent me some pics from Tokyo last week. She often goes to Tokyo to see Kabuki shows! She is a huge fan of Kabuki! Do you like Kabuki? Have you ever been to a Kabuki show? Do you have a favorite Kabuki actor?

I have been to Kabuki once, many years ago. It was interesting, but very long...The costumes and dress that the actors wear are really colorful! I liked them.
Can you see Miss E? There she is! She looks so small because the building is so big. In Tokyo, like ew York City, there are many huge buildings!

The architecture of these buildings are pretty cool. Thanks Miss. E! Hope everyone has a good week!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! and Taiwan Trip

Good morning! Miss. A went to Taiwan a few weeks ago. She put these pics on her blog and let me use them. Thanks! From what she told me and from the looks of the pictures, it seems that the theme of this trip was FOOD! She said the food was delicious! The boiled dumplings above really make my mouth water!!! Many people like fried dumplings the best, but I prefer boiled dumplings! How about you, have you been to Taiwan before? Do you like Taiwaneese food?
While on this topics, I wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR! Last Sunday was the Chinese New Year! MY only image of the Chinese New Year is of many people in the street, like a festival, and a big dragon...But Ms. S and Mr. O, two of my chinese friends, told me all about the Chinese New Year and what people do. It was really interesting. Do you know about the Chinese New Year?
Thanks for the pics Miss. A!

Black Cheese Cake

This cake is absolutely delicious! Do you like cheese cake? When I was a child my favorite cake was New York Style cheese cake!! Of course now I like it too! Cheese cake in America is heavier and sweeter than cheese cake in Japan! Have you ever tried American style cheese cake? If yes, which do you prefer?

It is almost the end of February...what do you think about this year`s winter...

Valentine`s Day

My friend SAKURA made these beautiful flowers in her flower arrangement class for Valentine`s Day! In America, red roses, a dozen red roses, are a very common gift for Valentine`s Day. In Japan, CHOCOLATE!!! Read the "comments" for more about the difference between Valentine`s day in Japan and America! Have a good Valentine`s day!

Yokohama!

Hi, how was your 3-day weekend? My friend went to Yokohama and sent me this photo! It`s spectacular!!! I have never been to Yokohama but I have heard a lot of good things about it so I want to go one day. Have you ever been there? What is a "must-see" or "must-do" in Yokohama?

Tomorrow is Valentine`s day! Do you know the difference between Valentine`s day in America and Japan?

"Purikura"

This is a "Purikura", which means a picture club photo. My student Ms. O(on the left) collects these with her neice. Many young girls and guys in Japan collect these little photos. You can get them in any game/arcade center in Japan. And you can self-design them, write anything you want on them, if you want. I used to get some of these pics with my friends but I haven`t gotten any recently. I like to look at my friend`s and student`s "purikuras", cause sometimes people make funny faces and poses in the shots. Anyway, if you have time this weekend,why don`t you get a purikura and show me!

Starting early!

This is my friend Ms. H`s grandchild! They are starting this kid early! The drinking age in Japan is 20 years old!! To grandmother and parents: It`s not good to promote underage drinking!!! The drinking age in America is 21 years old, so I had to wait 21 years to have my first beer. I guess this family is an "Asahi" supporter. Personally, I prefer Kirin! Kirin Lager is my favorite beer! Do you like beer? What`s your favorite beer? What food do you think goes well with beer?

Tokyo Tower

This is the view from a hotel in Tokyo. It`s the Tokyo Tower!! I have been to Tokyo a few times in my life. It is bustling with people and energy, fast pace, and really crowded. I always am lost in Tokyo, so I don`t like it so much. But I want to go to Tokyo again and find the good things about Tokyo. Do you like Tokyo? I really want to go to the famous fish market too, Tsukiji? fish market. I forget the name...Did you ever read the book "Tokyo Tower"? This book was popular last year or the year before. I read it...I recommend it.

ipod

My friend Ken just got an ipod. I really want to get one too but I am still behind the times...Many people I know have an ipod or something like an ipod. They listen to music and many of my students also download english listening training and study while commuting to work on the train. And some people record the class on a voice recorder in order to listen to the recording after their lesson. That is impressive! Many of the students (maybe ;) are very eager and enthusiastic to study as much as they can! Do you have an iopd or a voice recorder or something? Check out the "comments" for Ken`s comments on his ipod. Enjoy the last day in January!

I am a WINNNERRRRR!!!!!

That`s what Mr. F told me after he finally won his golf club`s tournament! He was elated! He had wanted to win this tournament for a long time...He kept trying and trying and trying...always coming up a little short...But finally he did it! (However it was a weekday tournament so only about half of the regular member participated! ;) I will be really impressed when he wins the tournament on a Saturday or Sunday with full participation! ;) But truly Congrats!! It`s a good start to 2007 for Mr. F i think!

This is the trophy he received for the big victory! He told me he keeps it next to his tv and admires it every night after coming home.. His handicap is about 20 I heard. And I think he shot a 94 that day. So he won with a 74. Have you ever won a trophy or a tournament?

New Year`s Food: "O-sechi and Ozoni"

The above is a photo of traditional New Year`s food, "Osechi". The below is a photo of the traditional soup served during the New Year, "Ozoni." Each region in Japan serves a different type of soup. Some areas use a soy sauce base soup, some use miso, etc. If you know about the different types of soup in different areas please tell me! Also, "Osechi" has a lot of meanings. Do you know the meanings of each food? If you do, please tell me! Originally "O-sechi" was meant to give housewives a break from cooking all year. Also the food can last a long time, =it doesn`t go bad, spoil, easily, so it was convenient because many years ago supermarkets were closed during the New Year`s holiday, til about the 3rd. So families would eat this food every day. My student Ms. N made Osechi this year for her family (her husband and parents-in-law.) Even though she had a terricle cold, she still cooked this beautiful platter. Do you like Osechi?

Crab!

Good morning! Do you like crab? I do! When I was a child I used to eat crab a few times evey summer. I remember my father bringing home live crabs and putting them into a pot of boiling water. The were moving and dangerous before putting them into the pot...After in the pot though, they didn`t move so much.......My dad also made soft-shell crabs when I was a child. Have you ever eaten soft-shell crabs? You can eat the whole crab, even the shell. Usually they are served with a red hot pepper-like spice, so they are spicey!

Ms. e ate crab the other day and sent me this pic. It`s a little blurry, out of focus, but it`s cool I think! ;) Thanks e!

In the Yomiuri Newspaper there are some "award winning" photos. Some of them are interesting and unique! If you have some time and money, buy the Newspaper and check out the photos. If not, I`ll have the newspaper in the classroom next week if you want to look. Just ask me!

Have a good weekend!

12 years ago...I was in University and I knew practially nothing about Japan, let enough Osaka. In 1995, January 17th, 12 years ago today, there was a terrible earthquake in Kobe. Over my years in Japan, I have heard many people talk about this earthquake and their experience this day and how it affected them...MAny people died and suffered terrible losses on that day. That earthquake changed many people`s lives...Today in the newspaper there are many articles related to this event, and on t.v. today I am sure that there will be many specials on it. Do you remember your experience on this day 12 years ago...?

Going back to the New Year`s topic, one of my students, Ms. M, dfressed up her dog in a kimono and took him/her? to shrine with her family for the "first prayer" of the year!! This picture really makes me smile!

Christmas Cake!

I was a little late to post this photo. Ms. O made a Christmas cake for her English teacher and sent me the photo. She baked the cake and also decorated the top. It looks so cute!! And of course it was delicious!! The strawberries and kiwi were also juicy!

Speaking of cake, a cake company, Fujiya, is in the news lately. The company used old milk, one day past the expiration date, as one of the ingredients in the cake. (Do you drink milk if it is past the expiration date?) Some managers were aware of this and approved it, but they realized this could become a big problem, the "Second Yukijirushi", and tried to hide this information. But somebody leaked it to the media. Today the president of the company resigned to take responsibilty for the incident....

I prefer home-made cakes to cakes made by big companies!!!

Good morning! How was everyone`s weekend? My friend Ms. Hitomi sent me these photos. They are from her trip with her husband to Ise last month. Below is a japanese sweet, rice cake(omochi) with sweet red bean paste. And tea. This sweet is one of my favorites! It looks delicious!

This is also a Japanese sweet. Do you know what it is?
Last month in Ise, the leaves were still red and orange. The sunlight filtering through the leaves looks warm...
Hitomi and her husband stayed in a ryokan, a Japanese traditional hotel. Look at this dinner! There are so many dishes, so many side dishes. I wonder what the main dish is...I have been to a ryokan or hot spring before and eaten dinner/breakfast like this. It is really delicious...I want to go again soon...

Maybe this is the ryokan...or a restaurant, or a souvenir shop...I don`t know... What do you think?

What a beautiful view! This view reminds me of Hawaii, and also many other mountain views I have seen in my life.
The river looks so peacefula and calm. And the view of the foilage is gorgeous! Hope everyone has a good week!

Ikuta shrine and "Ebessan"

Ms. N went to Ikuta shrine with her family for the first praying of the New Year. Ikuta shrine is a famous shrine in Kobe. It just became even more famous because a famous couple, Norika a very(?) famous actress and Jinai, a semi-famous osaka t.v. personality, decided to get married there in February. They are both from Kobe I heard, so they wanted to have the ceremony in their hometown. I heard it will cost about 350,000 yen for the ceremony and clothes rental, but I `m not sure if that is the correct number. If it is, I think that`s pretty cheap for a wedding ceremony. Do you know if this is the correct price or not? Ms. N said the shrine was packed! She also said she bought a good luck charm and picked a fortune. I hope she got "BIG" good luck!

From yesterday til the 11th, is "Ebessan", a famous festival/event. The purpose of Ebessan is to give and offering to the "Business/money" gods and also to pray for financial prosperity for the year. It takes place in shrines. I have gone to "Ebessan" for about 8 years maybe...I forget..I always go to the same shrine, which is pretty famous and near Namba. I really like "Ebessan." It`s very unique I think. It is always unbelievably crowded too, you can`t move. Sometimes I go at night and sometimes I go during the day. At night is more crowded and really cold...but all of the food stalls and everything is cool! I plan to go today or tomorrow if I have time. If I don`t have time, then I have to make time. I will return my good luck ornament from last year and also get a new one. Do you know the historical meaning of "Ebessan"?

Cats, cats, and more cats!!!

In Japan, these cats, doll-like things, are very common. They are believed to be good luck charms for businesses and shops and can be seen in many storefronts! The cat usually holds up one of its paws. Often the cats are red and white, but also other colors are okay too. I think these cats are cute and cool, I like them. I also think they are a good souvenir for a foreigner, because people can use the cats as ornaments or a decoration for their houses.

Yesterday was Adult Day in Japan. There are many ceremonies all over Japan for people who are 20 years old. When you become 20 in Japan, you become an "Adult"! Good luck to all the new adults, I hope you enjoy "Adult world"!!

Happy New Year!

Hi everybody. It`s now 2007. How did you spend your New Year`s vacation. I relaxed a lot and also exercised a lot! (Are you surprised?!) Maybe I slimmed down a little! I love waterfalls...The sound, the mist spray of the water, everything... Ms. O sent me these waterfall photos (thank you!) and I thought that they were a good way to begin the new year. Hope everyone has a great and healthy year!