Kasuga Shrine in Nara

Miss. U went to Nara the other weekend. Actually, she lives in Nara, and she often visits Nara city. She likes the sightseeing in Nara and she also likes feeding the deer. I used to live in Nara so I enjoy hearing about her stories. Walking around Nara park and Nara city is really fun. There is a lot of history and not so many people as in Osaka or Kyoto. Also, there is a lot of green. Have you ever been to Nara? What do you think about it?

From tomorrow is Golden Week vacation. Many people go on trips overseas, or domestically...the traffic is really terrible on the highways too. And the airports and trains are packed. What are your plans for this Golden Week vacation? Hope everyone has a safe and fun time!

Pretzels

Pretzels!!! Do you like pretzels? I love pretzels! I used to eat them when I was a child, in high school, university, even now! There are many types of pretzels, ard and soft, big and small...Sometimes I eat them with mustard too!! If you have never tried a pretzel, I recommend that you try one ASAP!! ;) Hope everyone has a good weekend!

p.s. Thank you Ms. N for this CUTE photo!

Midosuji Street Art

Last night I went to the Hanshin Tigers and Tokyo Giants game at Koshien Stadium. It was the first time I have been to koshien in a while. It was a rainy night, drizzling off and on for practically the whole game. But it wasn`t cold, so it was OK. The game was a blow out! The Giants won 10-3 I think. Many people began leaving in the 7th inning, so at that time I got a seat in the first row on the third base side. It was great and interesting to watch the game from so close, the same level as the field. As always, the koshien atmosphere and Tiger fans were awesome too!


What do you think about this art? It is on Midosuji street. Mr. YU took theses photos and made some comments about them too. Check out the "comments" for his thoughts on these sculptures!

Steak Dinner!

During my vacation in America, I had a couple of steak dinners, in my parent`s house and also in some restaurants. All of them were great, but of course the home-cooked one is my favorite! Ms. C made a steak dinner for her boyfriend`s birthday lst month. She sent me this picture of all the goodies! She made everything from scratch, by herself! It all looks really delicious!

To chnage the subject, yesterday there was a lot of depressing news in Japan and America, with the random shooting in Virginia and the Mayor in Nagasaki being shot and killed. This news is really terrible and shocking...I hope today is a safe day for everybody!

Naoshima Part 2

These are Mr. Y`s photos! He told me all about the island the other day. He said the diameter of the island is about 16km and there are 2 big museums and also about 14 artistic objects/structures scattered all over the island. Also, he said he saw many foreigners, especially French people. I like walking and I am interested in art so I think I want to go there some day.
Today it is raining...a rainy start to the week. yesterday while I was teaching, there was an earthquake. My student, a junior high school kid, Mr. J, and I were really surprised. In Osaka even the magnitude was about 2 or 3, we could feel it. It lasted about 15 seconds I think...Some of my friends in Osaka also said that they felt it, but some people said they didn`t feel it. I hope everyone has a safe week!

Art Island: Naoshima (Part 1)

Two of my friends, Ms. E and Mr. Y went to Naoshima the other day. They didn`t go together, but it was a coincidence that both of them send me some photos around the same day. These are Ms. E`s photos! I first heard about this island on t.v. a few months ago. Also, after that, I read about it in the newspaper! Many foreigners supposively go there. The island is designed to be like one big art museum. Ms. E and Mr. Y both said that they had a good time and enjoyed it. I hope to go there one day.

I Like the above photo a lot!

This one is really cool too! It looks like a lady-bug pumpkin! But it`s on the beach!?!

Today was round one of Ichiro-Matsuzaka!! Did you watch it on t.v. this morning? Matzuzaka won that battle, but lost the game! And the other (forgotten) Japanese player in the game, Jojima, hit two doubles off of Matzuzaka...he almost hit a home-run too, but it was just foul...I can`t wait til the next match-up!

Waterfalls...

I really like waterfalls! These photos are from a while ago. I went for a light-hike for about 2 hours. All long the hiking path, there were waterfalls and a little river. It was in the winter so there wasn`t so much water, but I am sure that in the summer there is a lot of water and also I bet the GREEN of the trees and grass is beautiful! Do you like waterfalls? Are there any waterfalls which you are your favorite?
Me taking a break on the rocks...
Tranquility...I like the sound of waterfalls. The sound from waterfalls is sometimes very loud, but sometimes I feel it is also silent.

In las Vegas, which I just visited 2 weeks ago, I went to a great restaurant at The Wynn Hotel. I forget the name of the restaurant, but there was a huge man-made waterfall with a light and music show. I think the show was every 15 minutes. It was fantastic! I recommend to go there for dinner if you ever go to Las Vegas!

Jet Lag and Cherry Blossoms!

I got back to Japan late on Tuesday night. I slept about 4 hours that night, which is pretty good considering the long trip. But yesterday jet lag hit me...i didn`t take a nap and made it through the day, but at around 10pm I was konked out...Last night I slept about 6 or 7 hours...I woke up about every hour but quickly fell asleep each time. Today I feel good and it is a chilly but sunny day so I plan to go outside to breath some fresh air and be bathed in the warm sunlight. With the help of nature, hopefully jet lag will not bother me today!

I want to thank Ms. S and Ms. E for the beautiful Cherry blossom pictures!

Have a good day!

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?