Minami

I know I have said this before, but I will say it again. I really love the Minami (South) area of Osaka. All of the neon lights and array of noise just blow my mind. Now, that being said, since about 3 years ago, I have also grown quite fond of the Kita (North) area, and actually I go out eating/drinking in the Kita area much more than the Minami area these days...But, I think that Minami will always hold a special place in my heart. How about you? Which do you prefer, the Minami or Kita area?

Ayer's Rock and Ms. A's blog and Bowling

First, did you hear that thunder early in the morning on Monday! Boy, was it raining cats and dogs, really pouring! That was the first time this year I have thought "Wow, this is the rainy season." Fortunately, when I walked to work the rain lightened up a little bit, so I didn(t get drenched. Just a little wet. A little wet is OK.



Now, on Sunday I went bowling for the first time in a while. I went with two students, a brother and sister who are in high school. Sometimes we do little excursions, for example go to the park, go shopping, have lunch, go to karaoke, go to the book shop, etc. instead of the regular class. Because they are still kids and their attention span isn't so good, sometimes a little variety is good! I was a little worried because I have a bad back, but it was no problem. We played three games, and the boy beat me in each game. I was a little disappointed. My scores were 101, 119, and 134. In the last game I bowled a turkey!!!! That's right, a turkey!!! Do you know what that is? It means I bowled three strikes in a row!! Superb!!!



Below are some photos of Ayer's Rock. I climbed Ayer's Rock when I lived in Australia a long time ago, and it is a really nice memory for me. But I got these pictures from Ms. A's blog. She is presently in Australia and has been there for about a year now studying and working. I really like her blog and sometimes it is really interesting!

Hope everyone enjoys the grey and rainy week!

Koshien and Speeding Bullet

Today I am gonna write a little about Japanese baseball. First, I wanna talk about the Hanshin Tigers. I am a big fan of the Tigers, but it is time to be honest...This season is OVER! Finished!! They have no chance, no pitching, and the team is getting older. Also, the Manager, Mr. Mayumi (Mr???), must go! It is only a matter of time before he resigns or is fired. The next Manager, I don't know...probably an in-house guy, but my vote is for Bobby Valentine!!
And about the Pacific League, before the season I predicted that the Rakuten Eagles would win...They started off the season on fire, and stayed in first place for a while...But recently, I don't know what happened, but they have slipped to 4th place...I am sweating a little, worried, but I hope that they turn things around and win one for the greatest baseball manager in Japan, Nomura.

Below are some pics from Koshien Stadium...speaking of, I haven(t been there yet this season...

On a different topic, recently a new state-of-the-art model of the Bullet Train (the Shinakansen) was unveiled. It is as fast as a speeding bullet (And Superman ; )!!!
Here's an article about it.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/speeding-bullet

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

Atlantic City glitter and a Tokyo Pianist

Hey everyone, how was your weekend? I was glad to see/hear some good news the other day, about the 20 year old Japanese guy who won the big Piano contest. I am not so into classical music, but when I listened to his performance, I was impressed...actually speechless. The sound he can create from the piano is truly beautiful. Did you see him on tv or read about him in the newspaper?
Just in case ya didn't, here is an article about him:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090609a4.html

I also watched him on You-tube, but I want to get a CD of his if I can too..

Have a good week!

Below is the lights of Atlantic City, about 1 hour by car from Philadelphia, my hometown

I like to ride my bicycle...

and when I was riding my bicycle the other day around the neighborhood, I saw two lost foreigners, one guy and one woman. They looked European and had tow big backpacks. How did I know they were lost? Because they were frantically looking at a map. Both of them! So I decided to do my good deed for the day, and stopped my bicycle and asked them "Where are you looking for?" He said "Spain." I said, "No no, I didn't ask where are you from (because i am not interested) i just asked where are you going." He and I both smiled and laughed. Then he showed me the map and the place he was looking for, and after some thought (I have a very bad sense of direction), I gave them directions and they were on the way. Their destination was actually just around the corner, but sometimes when in foreign country, with a different language and all, it is not so easy to get around. The next time you see somebody with a map who looks lost, why don't you stop and help them out and give them directions too?!


And on a totally different topic, Softbank is set to debut their new i-phone...I am thinking about getting it...
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nb20090610n3.html

The BBQ Food!!!

To all who were not there...Eat your hearts out!!!
It just doesn't get any more delicious than this!!!


I know it is a little early to be talking about the Wolrd Cup, but what the heck, it is Japan! :)

The Japan Soccer team qualified for the world cup. Here is one writer who says you should giev the manager, Okada, some credit:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/sp20090608am.html

Scallops sauteed in butter sauce with garlic salt

g's famous cheeseburgers



g's crispy fried chicken

Ceramics

Ms. N took up ceramics a few years ago. And now, she can make beautiful dishes and plates just like below. I think it is magnificent that she studies so many cultural thins, like ceramics as well as calligraphy and flower arrangement. I admire her desire to learn!!

Besides the ones above, I know many people with many desires to learn. For example, golf, language, kick-boxing, cooking...The list goes on and on...

What do you desire to learn?! Please think about this question. It is a very interesting question I think.

Below is Ms. N's wonderful work!!!

BBQ~Good times with good people!

Who do you think is the nest looking guy of the three below...I think it is a tough competition,but if I have to choose, I will choose the guy in the middle! ;)

The other day some friends came over for a BBQ. At first I thought we were gonna have to give up and cancel the bbq, because the weather forecast was for rain. At first we went outside to the bbq spot around 2pm, it was cloudy but I was hoping...but then the big dark black clouds came rolling in, and then the thunder, loud thunder, and Y0-chan's girlfriend, yuri, said in a very loud and screach voice... "Ah~~~ I am scared!!!" So the three of us went back to my place and waited for the storm to pass. Luckily it did, and about 2 hours later, after drinking a lot of tea and chit-chatting about current news, we headed back outside. I cooked and cooked and cooked, and everyone else ate and ate and ate. The first dish, home-made potato salad which I woke up at 5am to make, was delicious. The second dish, scallops in butter sauce was OK, but not as good as I expected. The some bean sprouts and green peppers, they were good. And the next, chicken, was superb, but some people complained that the chicken wasn't cooked enough...They were a tough crowd to please!! Then hot dogs...that was my mistake. Burnt to the crisp. They were as black as the rain clouds...sorry!! And last was my famous cheeseburgers. Ken, the second best good-lloking guy below, told me "g's cheeseburger is the best on this Earth!!" And Yo-chan, the least good-looking guy of the three below, or in other words, the worst looking guy of the three below, said "It was the best cheeseburger in the world." Those words made me happy. Anyway, I should be the one thanking all of the participants, because I had a great time...
So, thanks a lot guys, and let's do it again some time!!

New World Record!!

That's right! Maybe you heard it hear first!
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090517b2.html

A new flight record for a paper air plane was set!!! A man got a paper airplane to fly for 27.9 seconds the other day, and this was recognized by the Guiness Book of World Records! That is quite and accomplishment!! (And it amazes me how much free time people have..................)
I used to make paper airplanes when I was younger, in junior high school. After I made them, I used to chuck them at the teacher!

(Below are some shots from out West, on a ski trip)

p.s. Welcome to June and the rainy season. Summer is officially here!!

80% of Americans trust Japan...

According to this article!!! That says a lot about how far the relationship between Japan and America has come. Unbelievable! From war to friendship...Amazing!!! I need to ponder this thought for a while, so for now, that is all I am gonna write. Til next time, have a good one

(Below is a picture of some truly Japanese scenery-Carp Kites. I love it!)

Softbank and the Environment

My cell phone is Softbank. Basically I am satisfied with it, but of course I have some complaints. And soon I must get a new phone because mine is old. Now I am thinking about which one to get...I-phone, or one with a good tv, or just a simple one. And then, as I was thinking about which cell to get, I saw this article. It says that Softbank will release a phone powered by solar energy, thus environmentally friendly! I think that is pretty cool. And also they unvelied a high-end cell phone designed by Giorgio Armani in case I win the lottery any time soon.

Here's the article in case you are interested.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nb20090520a3.html

And while on the topic of the environment, here are some more beautiful photos from Yellostone National Park! Mystical!!!

Good news...

for all those visiting Japan from the States. According to this article, by the end of next week all of those onboard health inspections will be stopped because of the bigger risk of flu on the homefront, in Japan. That means all of those tired, and jet-lagged passengers from the US won't have to wait any longer than needed on the plane before heading directly to the immigration and customs offices at the airport. What a break!

"Japan to phase out onboard quarantine inspections as new flu cases total 178"
"http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/new-flu-cases-total-173-quarantine-inspections-aboard-airplanes-to-end

Speaking of The States, there are more great black-and-white shots of Philly below. Check them out!

The Flu...and Strawberry, soft cream, or dango?

The news in Osaka and Western Japan is pretty simple. Everybody is talking about the flu! And I'd say more than 80% of the people are wearing masks. Is is like a "masked nation!!" Schools, both public as well as many private, are closed. Some JR (Japan Railways) station shops were also closed after a female shop clerk who works at one was infected with the flu. It is unbelievable, like a mask nation.
For the latest news and all the details, read this article:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/aso-calls-for-calm-response-as-new-flu-infections-reach-129-in-japan

Yesterday, to get some fresh and flu-free air, I went to the park. There are many roses, many beautiful roses at the park near here now. And, for the first time in many years, I bought a McDonald's vanilla milk shake...It was pretty good and hit the spot! But I got that urge out of my system I think, and probably won't get another one for a while.

Be careful of the flu and take care this week!

p.s. Which of the below desserts do you like the best?

Are you a sweets lover?

If yes, then you gotta read this article. It is about a study which found that working women who reach for sweets as a pick-me-up actually increase their fatigue levels! A LOT of women I know eat sweets, or snacks, or candy during work or during the day as an energy booster. Me on the other hand, almost never eat such things in the middle of the day. Which is better, I don't know, but according to this study, some of you women should be more careful about all the sweets you eat! It doens't give you as much energy as you think! Actually, it makes you more tired!!!

Enjoy the weekend! :)

Read it: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20090509f3.html

Atlantic City again and a Cambridge English Study

Footprints on the beach. Very cool! Do you think they are dog footprints, or cat footprints? I love the beach ad I couldn't wait for summer to arrive, and now the past few days have been so gorgeous so I think summer is here! I am psyched! Really psyched to saok up some sun and feel the cool May breeze...

To change the subject, I read a really interesting study from Cambridge University. It concerns English and please click on the "comments" link below to see what I mean!!

"Food Olympics"

Did anyone go to the "Osaka Food Exhibition," otherwise known as the "Food Olympics" over Golden Week Vacation?

I didn't have the opportunity to go, some of my friends who went told me mixed reviews:
"It was my first time to go to the event, and I had a good time. I could try over 30 different countries' food."
"It was fun...."The food was great, but it was a little crowded."
"I couldn't stand waiting in the long lines...and it was hot!"

It is only held once every four years, that is why it is called the "Food Olympics."
Before Golden week I found this article about the swine (pig) flu and the Exhibition.
"Osaka food Olympics undaunted by flu fear"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nb20090501a1.html

Kirin Beer Village and Mr. Kuroda

If you like beer, then this place should be heaven!
http://www.japantoday.com/category/travel/view/kirin-beer-village

The next topic isn't really related to beer, well in a way it is, but please listen. Do you know the comedian named Kuroda? He is in a manzai group and also appears on some comedy type shows frequently. Anyway, he is on one of my favorite tv shows. And, the other day I met him at shimizu-yu bath house. Of all the places! I was about to scrub my body, and when I looked up, i thought "Ah-, that's Kuroda." It was in the afternoon, but he didn't look so great. He had bags under his eyes and his eyes were blood-shot. He looked like he had a slight hangover. Then after I scrubbed and washed my body, I got in the bath and by chance he was next to me, so I said "I always watch your show, ya know, that one on Tuesday night...Gokibura." Maybe I made a mistake or my pronunciation was wrong, or he didn't hear me, but he thought I said "Gokiburi" which means COCKROACH, so he said "Nah, not GokibuRI, it's GokibuRA--GokibuRA!!" He was laughing but he didn't look so happy, maybe a little annoyed. But it was no problem and after that we spoke for a minute or two, and then he went to the sauna and I went in the COLD water. I waved and he gave a "thumbs up" and we said "Take care" to each other. He was with his buddies, 4 guys. And he looked like he was a member of that bath house, because he had a special member's tag for a locker. All in all, my impression of him was that he wasn't such a big guy=he was smaller in person than he looks on TV., and basically he was a nice guy. And since he is probably a member, I will probabyl run into him again. He is the 3rd Yoshimoto Company guy I have run into there...

Have a good Saturday Night and Sunday!

Welcome back...

from GW vacation!
How was your vacation? Mine was fabulous!

It is May, spring, and the sun will be out this month! Next month, June, is the rainy season, so I want to take advantage of the great weather in May as much as I can.

As many of you know, I really love nature. Over the GW vacation, I spent a lot of time outside, in nature, just some basic R & R (rest and relaxation)! I went for long walks, played tennis, had a BBQ, read books under a tree, sat in the sun a little...time went by slowly, and that was nice.

Besides that, I saw a movie, and went to a few nice restaurants, and just hung out in the neighborhood.

While on the topic of nature, below is an article I found about clean air and no smoking:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/ed20090412a1.html

It is a short week this week...hope everyone has a good one!

100 days in the The White House, music and culture, and GW

It has been about 100 days since President Obama became the leader of the United States of America. What do you think?

Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If yes, have you ever been on a tour of the White House. I have visited D.C. a few times in my life. It is an interesting town with many historical sites. When I was a child I remember going on a tour of the white house too. If you have the opportunity to visit the East Coast of America, and are interested in cities, I recommend that you visit New York, Philadelphia, and Washinton D.C. Now I know a few people who live there, or near there, so I am sure I will visit there sometime again. I am looking forward to it.

When I was surfing the net the other day, I found an interesting article about music and Japanese and Korean people. It was a nice good-feeling cultural artcle, and I recommend you read it if you have time.
I have some Korean friends in Osaka, I know many Japanese people who study Korean or a Korean art/instrument/culture, so I found the article interesting.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment-arts/view/music-helping-to-bridge-gap-between-japanese-and-koreans-in-osaka

Hope everyone has a good Golden Week Vacation and talk to you all again after the break!