Who is cuter? The otter,

the puppy
or me? ;)

Ninja Town and International Exchange

Ms. H hosted over 50 foreign exchange students last year in her house in Nara. Over 50!! That is only the number of foreigners that stayed in her house. If you count the ones who just visited, the count is over 100!! And even more unbelievable is that so far this year (it is only apirl) she has already hosted over 30!! I heard that originally it was her husband`s idea to host so many people...He usualy cooks Tempura for the students, so he also helps out, but I think she sometimes feels a little tired from all the food, dishes, futons, conversation and different culture. I think she is really powerful! But I also want her to take it easy on the weekends too! Hang in there, be careful, Good Luck! and enjoy those homestay weekends Ms. H!

Have you ever been to Ninja town?

April Fool`s or Not April Fool`s?

1. I haven`t drank beer since last Monday.

Some other True or False questions:

2. I am 177 cm tall.

3. I weigh 79 kilograms as of today.

4. I have a beer belly.

5. I have never eaten japanese curry and rice and will never eat it.

to be continued...

Honmachi at night...

It`s pretty quiet at night in Honmachi. It is in the center of Osaka, a business district. In the day time the town is bustling with people, energy, noise, but at nite, there is not much action. There are no people walking on the street, and also no cars.

Speaking of cars, the price of gasoline dropped about 25 yen from 150yen to 125 yen from yesterday or today. For drivers, this is a big help on the wallet. When I went to America last week, the gasoline/fuel charge for the airplane was pretty expensive, about 28,000yen. I wonder of this charge will also decrease now...That would be a big help too...

Today is April Fool`s day, so as Ms. e just told me in email, "Be careful of people lies today!"

Go outside and check the cherry blossoms if you can, they are really beautiful and pink and refreshing!

Tokyo..

Good morning everyone. I just got back from my trip to America. I had a great time, don`t have any jet lag and feel good. The weather in Osaka is nicer than when I left, the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom, so all is good.

Walking to work this morning I was thinking...Ah, this is what Osaka is like in the early morning, many cars and trucks driving, but a little quiet. Even though I just got back from a trip, I want to go on another one soon :) Perhaps Tokyo. I haven`t been there in a while and I think it would do me some good to see the Tokyo night lights.

I didn`t check email or the news about Japan, so tell me, what happened in Japan while I was gone?

Morning! It`s been a few days since I last wrote...sorry! I have been busy packing for my trip to America. I was running all around Osaka buying souvenirs for my family all week, that I just couldn`t find any time to write. Please forgive me! From today, for about 11 days, I will not be able to write on the blog, so if you REALLY want to study the blog please check ALL OF THE BLOGS which I wrote from about 2006! Have fun!

Recently, a friend of mine got a new and expensive and high-tech cell phone. He can watch t.v. on it and all! I am jealous! I could use my cell when I went to Ireland last September, but I don`t think I can use my cell in America. There is no service for softbank in America...I think. So for about 11 days, I am out-of contact!

Another one of my friends recently went to a zoo. And another one will go to Adventure World today! I think I will visit the famous Philadelphia Zoo while I am back in the states!
Another friend of mine went to a hot spring to eat crab recently! I really like crab, especially fresh crab served near the ocean, preferably while feeling the sea breeze! I don`t know if I am gonna eat crab while in America, but for sure I am gonna eat pizza, buffalo wings, a cheese steak, a hoagie, bagel with white fish and lox and cheese, and a BIG steak! ;)
And I willprobably gain another 10 kgs...

And another friend went to Shanghai with her husband. Family trips are really nice I think!

And that`s what I am going to do from now. Take care os Osaka while I am gone, and don`t miss me too much!

Adios! g

Words of encouragement...

That`s a nice looking gentleman!

He is a University student, and has just began his "job search." From now until when he graduates he will go to many information sessions and interviews. A few weeks ago, he looked grungy and had long hair and a beard! But the hair was cut, and the beard was shaved, and he looks great now! He looks READY to find a good job!

I remember when I was in my last year in University and looking for a job. It was not easy...In the end of my interview to work in Japan, the interviewer, some old Japanese guy, said to me, "Do you know any Japanese, any Japanese words?" I said..."Ah, no." He said, "Well, you should remember one, SAYONARA!" That was how the interview ended...

It`s not easy to find a good job these days or any days for that matter, but I am sure he will find one that suits him. I am really rooting for you YU! Best of luck to you! g

Only in Japan...and Spain

Only in Japan...Sometimes if I have work early the next day, I ride my bicycle to the train station and leave it there overnight. Two days ago, when I got to my place, I realized that my bike key wasn`t in my pocket...Ah---Oh NO!!! I thought...Did I really leave the key in the bicycle, did I really forget to take my key out of the lock...(=anyone can take/ride the bicycle because it is not locked...) Finally, after checking the floor to make sure it didn`t fall out of my pocket, which sometimes happens, I came to the conclusion. Yes, I am an idiot. Yes, I left the key in the bicycle. Usually I would`ve been angry, but I quickly regrouped and just simply gave up...the bicycle will be stolen, will be gone, and this is just a message from the big man upstairs :"Glenn you should walk more, lose some weight and get into shape, so walk to the station!! " And after that I went about my business and had a good evening. The next day, when I got to the station early in the morning, I caught a break! The bike was still there! That is really unbelievable! In America, 20,000% (No I am not Governor Hashimoto!) the bike would be stolen. Be Japan, what a safe country! I was really lucky! But to be honest, I didn`t want to use my luck on the bike...

The photos below are of Spain...some really nice and intriguing shots. Many more to come too! Thanks YU.

What does your desk look like?

Looking at one`s desk is actually quite interesting, and says a lot about the person. It also says a lot about a person`s personality? Is it messy, a mess, cluttered, disorganized...or is it clean, neat, in order...? Do you have any family photos, or other photos, on or around the desk? How about Any ornaments or decorations?My desk is quite simple.

I have black Dell computer, with a white monitor(not Dell, some cheap company, and what a terrible decision...I shoulda splurged the extra 100$ when I bought the new black Dell and also gotten a nice new Dell monitor, but no, not me, no Mr. Cheap...I regret this decision every day...) and a pink mouse pad, a plastic container for folders, and some tape. Behind the computer on the wall are some pictures, from Ireland, Kiniosaki hot spring, Philadelphia...And next to my desk is a calendar and book case. And next to that is a radio, which I like to listen to every day! (I like to listen to AM, not FM...to be exact I like ABC radio).
In my house I don`t have a desk (or computer), but I do have a bar! ;)
What does your desk look like?

Thanks for the pic of your desk N, and thanks for reminding me that it is "Girl`s Day" today.

The Oscars

Did you check out the Oscar Award Ceremony on TV the other day?

In order to stay on top of the latest Entertainment and Movie news around the world, I make it a rule to watch this show every year! I heard that this year`s ceremony was almost canceled because of the script-writer`s strike in Hollywood, but thank mighty they worked everything out just in time for the show to go on!! All of the actors and actresses looked marvelous, gorgeous, simply amazing baby!!!

And that red carpet...it really is very red.

The movie which I was rooting for, hoping to win The Best Movie of the year award, American Gangster, got the BIG zilcho----ZERO! It was a shame, but hey, what can ya do...

I haven`t seen most of the nominated movies yet so I am looking forward to going to the theater or getting the DVD soon. See ya in the Theater or at Tsutaya! Ciao

"Kompa"

"Konpa" is a japanese expression for a party to meet people of the opposite sex. For example guys and girls who are looking for a girlfriend or boyfriend often go to a "Konpa" party in Japan. Usually 6 people, 3 guys and 3 girls, or 8 people, 4 and 4, meet at a restaurant or something and eat and drink and talk for a few hours. I have never been to a "Konpa" party (because no one has ever invited me ;( ) so I don`t for sure, but these types of parties are common and popular among young people in Japan. I read recently that over 25% of young married couples met at a "Konpa" party.
The reason I am writing about this today is, last night in class, one student mistakenly said "Konpa" comes from the English word "Compare"... He said "A woman goes to a Konpa party to compare men..." For example, "Compared with GUY A, GUY B is more hansome." or "Compared to WOMAN A, WOMAN B is more laid back." Really?! I think he was pulling my leg! But maybe he is right...however, I think that "Konpa" comes from the English word, "Companion." As in, "I want to go to a Konpa party to meet a companion(=partner)."
Sometimes Japanese katakana words are interesting and funny....
What do you think?

p.s. Thank you e for the nice photos! They are refreshingly warm in these cold february days!!

Dog English Expressions



1. Who`s the big dog?



2. If you want a quick answer, you should go to the top dog!



3. I hate the dog days of summer...



4. Stop being such a hot dog(a flashy/showy player/performer, someone who shows off)



5. Leave that issue alone! It`s a sleeping dog!



6. The young team member dogged it in practice (didn`t try his hardest), so when game time came, he wasn`t prepared and stunk up the joint!



I could go on and on about dogs and dog expressions, but I am running out of time! Don`t be a dog this weekend, and have a good one!

Nice couple!!! :)

Below is a picture of a student, Mr. M, and his girlfriend. They are in a long-distance relationship, he lives in Nara, and she goes to school in Tokyo. Mr. M told me, but I forgot, what she majors in.

I used to live in Nara, and actually I used to live about 5 minutes from where Mr. M lives now in Nishinokyo. I liked it there a lot! The environement is quiet and there are famous shrines/temples like Yakushiji Shrine and Toshodaiji Shirne, or is it Temple, I forget...

As everyone knows, it snowed last weekend. Mr. M and his girlfriend made a snowman! It`s not the greatest snowman I have ever seen :) but they did a good job I think!

The photo os Yakushiji Shrine covered with snow, is just exquisite! Great Photo!

Sports news...

Last weekend was the Tokyo Marathon. I read that 300,000 people ran in it! One man, 81 years old, finished the marathon in 4 hours and 45 minutes!!! That`s the same as my time in last years`s Fukuchiyama Marathon! ;) Now that is a real achievement (for him)!!! (For me, well...i tried my best, but I am a little embarassed that an 81 year old man can run fater than me...)

Also, yesterday an 18 year old Japanese kid won a National tennis tournament! He was ranked 244th in the world. He beat the 12th ranked player in the Finals to win the tournament! His first name is Kei!! remember that name, because one day he will win a grand slam tournament!!

And I am now an official golf fan! Momoko, the new Japanese ladies golf phenomenon, they call her "The Japanese Lady Tiger" is great and will win a BIG tournament sometime soon in America! I am rooting for her! And you should all check out her blog, it is really good!!!

The pink demon!!!

Now, don`t go crazy! Keep yourself together relax! This pink demon is actually a very nice gentleman underneath that crazy outfit!

He dressed up as a pink demon for his nephews and neices on February 3rd, a festival day in Japan. It is difficult to explain the meaning of this festival, but basically the tradition is:

1. You should eat dried soy beans. The number of soy beans which you eat should equal your age plus one.

2. You must throw the remaining beans outside of your house while yelling "Go out BAD LUCK." (At this time, if you hit the pink demon in the head with beans, it is OK!)

3. After that, you must throw some beans inside the house while yelling "Come in GOOD LUCK!"

4. After that someone has to clean up and pick all of the beans off the floor.

5. You should eat a long hand-rolled sushi.

6. While eating the sushi you are forbidden to speak. You much not speak!! You must be silent.

7. Also while eating the sushi, you must face the "Lucky Direction" of the year. This year was "South-South-East"

If you don`t understand any of the explanation above, please ask me in person and I will explain it.

Usually I do these activities and celebrate this festival. But this year I forgot...terrible!!! My memory is getting worse and worse every day...Do you know any good ways to keep your mind/memory sharp?

Spain and Valentine`s Day

Today is Valentine`s Day...In America and in Japan, the way to celebrate or spend Valentine`s Day is very different. If you want to read more about the differences, please check my blog "2007 February" and "2005 February." I wrote a lot about this day and the things people do in America and in Japan in thos blogs. Valentine`s Day has a romantic image...Many people say the city of ramance is Paris, France...near France is Spain, so that reminds me of my friend`s recent family trip. He went to Spain for a 10-day vacation with his family the other day. I don`t know much about spain but I have heard about it from a few of my other friends. I heard that in Spain everything is slow, a slower pace than in Osaka or New York. I also heard everyone eats dinner and goes out very late at night. And, many people take a nap, a siesta, in the afternoon. (Sounds nice!!) And that many people take a 2-month vacation in the summer, and close individual shops and boutiques and restaurants. These kinds of customs are foreign to the way in Osaka, Japan. Do you know anything about Spain...If you do, I`d really like to hear about it, so let me know any time you can. Thanks, and to all you popular guys out there in Japan, don`t eat too much chocolate tonight. And to all you NOT popular guys in Japan, please ask the popular guys to give you some of their chocolate. Have a good night!

Osaka was under snow!

How was your 3 day weekend?

Mine was fabulous!!!

It snowed on Saturday and for the first time in 11 years, snow stuck in Osaka. It looked really beauiful and refreshing.

But the roads were slippery and dangerous, so driving was treacherous! And walking was also dangerous if you did not have the appropriate foot-wear.

I am a very careful person, and I can`t afford to fall and hurt myself, so I wore my good ski boots to work on Saturday.



The skiing picture to the left looks really fun! That is so lucky to go skiing and to get a major snow storm. The snow must have felt like powder.

Enjoy the week!

Live from Paris...It`s Glenn
Just joking! I didn`t go to Paris. But it is on my top tem list! Ms. M sent me an email after her business trip to Paris. It is an annual trip for her. She goes every year, and has some meetings, and then goes out and gets wined and dined by smooth-talking, nasal-voiced, frendch guys. She loves it, and I don`t blame her!

The architecture in these pics is really maginificent!

In the news today...Big Tuesday is over, and the results are in. In the Democratic Race, Obama and Hillary are nose to nose, and it`s gonna be a tight race til the finish. In the Republican Race, well, no ones is really interested. And I am truly amazed each time I see many guys and gals packed in a sports bar watching the "highlights" of the Election Race, hooting and hollering for thei candidate of choice. Having that much free time must be real treat!

In Japan, the toxic?, poisoned?, chinese dumpling story is still in the news...Still. nobody knows exaclty what happened to the dumplings and how everyone got so sick, such bad food poisoning. Concerning Sumo, a famous former stable master was arrested this afternoon for his involvement in the beating to death of one of his pupils...A little too serious for this column, so pass.

Anyway, it`s raining and cold and dreary on this Osaka Thursday nite. Everyone, Take care!

New Words

While I was on the train this morning (it was still dark outside), I was reading the newspaper like I do every day. I saw an article about "new alphabet Japanese words". For example, before we talked about KY(=a person who can not read the situation.) Do you remember that blog about KY? I doubt it ;( ...but I hope :)

So here we go, I will give you a few more new Japanese alphabet words. Do you know their meaning in Japanese? How about the English translations? Do you understand?

CB=It is VERY borderline!
FK=She`s got some HEAVY make-up foundation on those cheeks!
GMM=I just ran into my ex-boyfriend downtown...
HD=I was free(bored?) so I called ya.
IT= I wanna eat some ice cream!!
3M=Really, I`ve had enough.
MM=Now I`m pissed.

snow

Neon Lights

Thank you YU for the really unique photos!

Now that`s the cutest darn bird I`ve ever seen!

Short and sweet today! Next week I am going to write about handball, the new smoking "card" needed to get cigarettes from a vending machine, dangerous dumplings and pre-made frozen food, and much much more!!! :)

Have a good weekend folks!

Jumper-parker-sweat suit

You can call it whatever you want (Jumper, parker, sweat suit), but I really do love a nice sweat suit!! I have four as of now. Two are black, one is white, and one is orange. On my day off I like to hang out in my house and walk around town in them. They are really comfortable! When I was younger, in high school, I thought that these things were so un-cool!! You would never have caught me wearing such an outfit! But now, they are my favorite!!! It`s amazing how time changes things and people. If you`ve never worn one, I recommend you go out and splurge and get yourself one! Just try it! trust me, once you put it on, you`ll never want to take it off.

Enjoy the cold and dreary and rainy days...

Do you believe? "Hands of God"

A few people have sent me this photo over the past few months. It was supposedly taken in Okinawa Japan. If you want to read the translated message which is attached to the photo, please check the "Comments."

Do you think this is a real photo, or a fake one? I think that IF you believe this photo is real, authentic, then you are an optimist (=positive thinker). But if you don`t believe this photo is real (like me), and think it is fake, a phony, then you are a pessimist(=negative thinker).

How about it? Which are you? And just some foood for thought for the weekend, when you see a glass with some water in it, do you think "The glass is half full (with water)" or "The glass is half empty"?

Take it easy this weekend!

Free Hugs

The other day when I got home and saw the opened the newspaper, the headlines said "Free Hugs getting Big! (becoming popular)." I thought, "Free Hugs?! What the hell does that mean?" I have never heard of such a thing, but after reading the article I understood a little more. In "American Town" in Osaka, and also some other places around Japan, young Japanese men and women, mainly students, are going around doing the "Free Hug" campaign. My understanding of the meaning of this is the following: in a world now connected my text messages, emails, physical contact, physical friendship, is lacking. So people want to promote hugging. In America and in Japan, the custom of hugging is completely different. Americans hug everyone and anyone, it is a type of greeting, like a handshake. Nobody really thinks anything of it. Also in America it is common for parents and children, brothers and sisters, to all hug. In Japan, nobody hugs! People barely shake hands. Physical contact is avoided. Bowing is the norm. It amazing!! I don`t know how couples get close enough to make a baby, because I never see anyone hugging!! Oh yeah, I have a little funny story to tell, but I`ll save it for next time. It`s only a little funny/stupid, so don`t get too excited for it! It`s raining now, but I feel stressed, so I think I am going to go out and get myself a FREE HUG! :)

Below is my buddy Shige, and his two twin kids in the mountains! I`ve never met the kids because they live in Tokyo, but Shige and I drink together about once a year. He is a weak drinker but he likes to talk. Actually he talks just like Ichiro, and reminds me a little of Ichiro too. I wonder when he is coming to Osaka again. I hope he treats me to sushi!

BLUE

Look at this blue water! Truly beautiful! And look at that fish...is it a fish? I think it is a manta ray? I have never been to the aquarium in Osaka, or for that matter, also Suma(Kobe.) I like fish, the ocean, and stuff like that so I want to go to one one of them soon. But I heard Osaka`s aquarium is really crowded on the weekends, so I am leaning towards Suma`s aquarium at the moment.

BLUE...Below is some "Blue" English. Check it out!

He has beautiful baby-blue eyes.

I go to a museum once in a blue moon. (once is a very long while, NOT very often)

My childhood friend called me from out of the blue. (with no warning, for the first time in a lonnnng time)

I have been feeling blue(sad, down, depressed) since I heard the depressing news.

After getting tackled so many times in the rugby game, the boy was black and blue.

"Coming of Age Day"

In Japan, last Monday, the 14th, was the national holiday "Coming of Age Day." This holiday is basically a celebration of becoming 20 years old. In Japan, 20 means that you are an adult!! No more video games, comic books, bickering...Actually all of these things also continue after 20, into adulthood, also.

I saw many girls and guys all dressed up in kimonos last Monday. They looked pretty cool! Also, when I went to a shrine last Monday, I also saw a girl dressed in a kimono with her family praying there. I like kimonos, and I think they are very beautiful. Actually, I have worn a kimono once. It was a good experience, but you can`t move in a kimono and going to the bathroom without taking off the entire kimono, which takes about 30 minutes to put on, is impossible!! So the whole time I was wearing the kimono sipping tea, I was thinking..."When is this going to end...I hope it ends soon. I don`t know how much longer I can hold it in...I HAVE TO GO TO THE RESTROOM NOW!!!"

In America, basically people are recognized as adults once they become 18 years old. The voting age, and age to enter the military, and legal smoking age(I am not sure about this one) is 18. In Pennsylvania, the legal driving age is 16, so I guess a child can drive a car. Also the legal drinking age is 21 in America, so at 18 even if you can vote for the President in the Election, or even if you can go fight in the military, you are not allwed to drink a beer. Funny...

What do you think about the "Coming of the Age Day?" Do you have any good memories about your celebration on this day? If so, tell me!

The aboce are some pictures of Ms. R`s beautiful kimono collection.

Really Amazing!! Thanks

Wall Clocks, Digital Clocks, and Ceramics

During the winter vacation, an old buddy of mine called me out of the blue, our of nowhere. I was really surprised to hear from him because I hadn`t heard from him in over a year. We talked for about an hour and really caught up on a lot of things...telling each other all about our lives now and what we are both up to. It was nice.

And you`ll never believe it, but he told me the funniest story. He went on a vacation with his wife for Christmas, and he stayed at his parents-in-law`s house. There were two clock in the room...a digital alarm clock, and a wall clock. The wall clock goes TICK, TICK, TICK every second!!! So he said that that sound, TICK, TICK, TICK, really got on his nerves and he couldn`t sleep...So he asked his wife to "You gotta do something about the clock. Get it out of this room NOW! " She is a very kind and considerate wife, so she said "Of course darling, no problem." Then she got up and obediantly took the clock out of the room. What a nice wife!!! So sweet! BUT, one problem...she took out the DIGITAL CLOCK from the room. A digital clock doesn`t make any noise!!! Unbelievable.

Well, on to the next topic. Recently a friend of mine Ms. N is really into ceramics. Look below! She gave me a Christmas gift, a cup, the end of last year. I use it every day. It is great!! It really is! But, sometimes it wobbles! haha

Hope you laughed twice!

Two Thousand and Eight begins...

How was your New year vacation. Mine was totally R & R. (=rest and relaxation) First I went to a beauiful hot springs in Beppu Kyushu. It was my first time to Beppu...the town was different than I expected...it wasn`t like and "old-fashioned hot spring town." It was more spread out. The hotel I stayed in was FABULOUS, right in front of the ocean!

After that, I ate and drank and slept and ate and drank and slept again and again and again. No exercise! Absolutely nothiing! So I gained 10 kilograms and now weight a towering 80 kilograms! One of my new year`s resolutions is to lose 5 kilograms ASAP! Yesterday I went for my frist run of 2008, just 4 kilometers though, so I am off to a good start. Another resolution I have is to eat more fish and less meat this year. One more is a BIG one, but it is a secret! ;)

The best food I ate over the vacation was "mentaiko nabe." The best tv show I wathed was Downtown`s special "You get hit if you laugh" on New Year`s eve. It was hilarious! The worst show I watched was K-1 Dynamite on New Year`s eve...it was dreadfully boring...And I have on efunny story to tell about the vacation, but I will save it for next time. Oh yeah, one more resolution of mine is to spend more time in 2008 in the place below....Utsubo Park, right around the corner.