Mexico

Last March I went to Mexico with my cousin. We went there to celebrate his 40th Birthday. it was my first time to Mexico, so I didn`t know what to expect. We stayed in Cabo, a resort town which is very popular with Americans, especially West Coast people, and also a BIG Spring Break place!
Do you know what Spring Break is? Basically it is "Spring Vacation" for University students. Many college students from all over America go to Mexico (Cabo, Cancun, etc.), Florida, Jamaica...I went to Jamaica and Florida for Spring Break when I was in Universtity. Both places were exciting and the weather was great and really fun.
The beach in Mexico was really gorgeous! Some people sunbathed, and other peoplesat under a canopy or in a cabanna in the shade. I don`t like to get sunburnt so I sat in the shade under and umbrella by the pool. When I was a child though, I laid out in the sun a lot. I liked to get color! But I got terribly sunburnt many times and I learned my lesson! So now I never lay out in the sun. But many Americans like to lay out in the sun and get tan, golden tan!! Japanese people are very careful of the sun though, and most Japanese always protect their skin from the sun. Some people wear black visors, long shirts and pants, long gloves, hats, sunscreen, and some women also use parasols! In America I have never seen a parasol!
I want to go on a boat trip all around the world...

Hoagie

This is what we call a Hoagie in Philadelphia! In the rest of America, people say "a sub" (=a submarine sandwich, becuase it is long and shaped like a submarine.) There are many different types, but the main basically there is various deli meat, ham, salami, bologne, turkey, sometimes roast beef, etc., with lettuce, onions, tomatos, hot peppers(these are key!!) and salt,pepper, oil and vinegar sauce. If you get all the toppings, when we order we say "a hoagie with the works(=everything) " This is one of my favorite foods from Philly. I really miss it!
When you go to a foreign country, food culture is always interesting...sometimes fun, sometimes difficult. In Indonesia and Thailand I got a little stomach ache from the food. Getting sick from some food, water is common in a foreign country unless you really have a strong stomach.

When I first came to Japan I didn`t know anything about Japanese food! Everything was new, strange, a whole new experince. Even using chopsticks...I had no idea! I remember trying a lot fo food, and at first Okonomiyaki and fried soba was easiest to eat for me. Sushi was a little difficult in the beginning, but I tried a little by little.

My parents will come to Japan to visit from tomorrow. It is not their first time to Japan, so they have tried many different types of food before. They like certain things, and don`t like other things, but in general they try just about everything. What food do you think is easy for them to eat? How about difficult?

If you see two lost Americans walking around the street, please ask..."Hi, are you Glenn`s parents?"

Have a good week!

GION, and Summer festivals, and more...

How was the 3-day weekend? I was really lucky because I got a special tour around GION Festival in Kyoto. My friend was born and grew up in Kyoto, a native! One of her classmates from school is part of one of the big lit-up carriages, like seen above, so I could go inside one and climb to the top. On the top, there are children and adults dressed in yukatas. The children played the drums, and the adults that I saw played the flute. Also, there were some people singing. It was a very unique experience, and I really appreciated my friend`s hospitality.

This was not my first time to Gion festival, but it seemed like it was my first time. I really like the lanterns and music and colorful kimonos and yukatas of all the people. In my hometown Philadelphia, we have a big summer parade, and some big fireworks festivals, but nothing like this. It is really quite an event!

Yesterday the Earth was angry I think. There were many earthquakes and tremors all over Northern Japan. Some people died and many were injured or left without a home...It is such a tragedy. The weather around here was rainy with some thunderstorms...Even in Osaka, some people felt the earthquake. One person just told me that a clock feel off the wall and broke in her office. As I watched the news, many people said "there is no water, no water..." I think that I should stock up on water just in case...

Did you watch the news last week? Everyday Prime Minister Abe was on t.v. The election is coming soon...July 19th. Are you gonna vote? Which party do you support?

Have a good one!

Mother Nature

Last night I watched a DVD. It was Al Gore`s movie, about the environment. One of my friends Ms. M recommended the movie to me a while back. Do you know about this movie? Al Gore used to be the "next president"...(This is a joke!) Actually he was the Vice-President when Clinton, "Mr. I love Cigars", was President. Gore went on a tour all over the world promoting his views on the environment. About the movie, it is an interesting, serious, and educational movie, so I recommend it. Gore talks all throughout the movie. He is a good speaker and at times humorous. Especially for people who study English, I think it is good, because his English is easy to follow, clear, and slow.



Now, after seeing it, did I change what I do to help the environment so much...no. But, I think that I will think about the environment more from now on. Of course, I recycle cans and bottles, and divide burnable goods and non-burnable goods. I also try not to use so many plastic bags and stuff. About wooden chopsticks, some people are really fussy about them, saying they should not be used because many trees are destroyed, etc. So some people carry around their own personal chopsticks. I used to do this about 10 years ago, but now I don`t. I use the same chopsticks every night, but when I go out for lunch or to a soba or udon shop, I use the wooden disposable ones. What do you do to help or hurt the environment?

"Living English"

Good morning! It`s another hot and muggy and rainy day... Today, I want to talk about something that I saw the other day. Last Saturday night after work, I went to Uniqlo (Clothing store) to buy some new pants. It was about 8:30pm, and the shop was pretty crowded. I wanted to go to the men`s section, so I was going down the escalator when suddenly...on the escalator next to me, which was going up, there was a 30 something year old couple, kissing!!! Passionately kissing, making out! If it was a young couple, maybe I could understand, but...I was in a good mood so I said in a loud voice "O~~~~! What are you two love birds doing?!" ...but no reaction, they just kept going at it. Then again, I relentlessly said, "Yo~ fellas, get a room!" But again, I was ignored ;(

Many Japanese people think that Americans always kiss in public. Compared to Japanese people, yes, Americans may show more public affection, kissing. BUT, not so many americans are passionately deep kissing in the streets, or parks, or in Department Stores! Little pecks, short and quick kisses, are more common. Italians like to kiss a lot, sometimes kissing one, two or three times, every time they greet a friend or family member. And, Japanese people may not kiss in public so much, but there are Love Hotels everywhere! I have never seen a Love Hotel in America.

"Living English" part one is finished. To be continued...

It just got sunny...Strange weather..

Green Forrest and Cute Japanese kids...

Today is really muggy and humid. The above picture looks very cool and comfortable! It doesn`t look humid and muggy at all! One of the reasons that I like mountains and the forrest is because it is very cool. The grass in the picture above looks like an ocean of green. I have been hiking many places in Japan...Mt. Fuji, Mt. Rokko, some mountains in Nagano prefecture, a mountain in Kyushu, Yakushima...Do you like hiking?
These kids are so cute! They are coming back from some town festival. There are many festivals in the summer in Japan. I am looking forward to going to a few! I like when the kids and adults get dressed up and wear traditional clothing. I can`t wait to go to many festivals this year again!

Have a good week!

Billy!!!

Have you seen this guy? He is the hottest thing in Japan since that Korean Movie Star! His name is Billy!!! I forget his last name...He came to Japan las tweek to promote his DVD series, "Billy`s Boot Camp." He has been on tv almost every day and also has done many appearances and shows here and there. He came to Japan with his daughter, who is also in the DVD. This DVD is being sold on a TV shopping network. I know many people who have bought it, and also some people who made a copy (it s a secret!!!) Some people say it is a really good exercise, some say it is too hard, some quit after trying it once or twice. Have you tried it? Are you interested in Billy and his exercise DVD? Let me know what you think!

BADMINTON SHOES

Look at these cool shoes! They are badminton shoes! They are brand new! Squeaky clean!! I used to play badminton in Gym class in high school. It was my favorite class in high school! Because I played tennis when I was younger too, I thought that badminton would be a cinch! But boy was I wrong. Badminton and tennis are completely different. They birdie is very lights, and weighs about the same as a feather, but you really need a lot of POWER and Umph to hit that little birdie. I also used to play squash as a hobby when I was in University. How about you? Have you ever played any of these sports?

Yesterday was rain, rain, and then some more rain...I planned to have a barbecue, but I had to cancel it....

Bagels and...

I went to Doutour coffee shop for lunch today. Usually I eat soba or udon for lunch, but today I was in the mood for a bagel sandwich. Sometimes a little variety is good I think. When I was a child I used to eat bagels all the time. Usually on Sundays, for brunch. Now, I only eat bagels once in a while. I think that American bagels and Japanese bagels are a little different. It`s difficult to explain the difference, but the ones in America are bigger, softer, and better!! Also, there are more flavors and types of bagels in America. My favorite bagel is a sesame bagel. Do you like bagels?
Tomorrow or next week, I will write about the new fad in Japan: Billy`s Boot Camp! Get Ready!!

Shiga and Nagano Prefecture

Help me!!!! I am falling!!!

Have you ever been rock climbing? I haven`t, but I want to try some day. It looks really exciting. I like hiking very much, but I am afraid of heights, so I am a little worred about rock climbing...

Mr. O went to Shiga to have a picnic last Sunday. It was also his birthday on Monday, so I think he celebrated with his family by going to Shiga Prefecture. I have been to Shiga before, but I have never gone hiking there. The above picture is of a snake eating a frog! Can you see it? This is a really maginificent photograph! Ms. K and A went to Nagano Prefecture together. They went to some hot springs and spent a few days in the mountains. I can`t beleive that there is still snow on the mountains, it is almost July!! I have been to these mountains in Nagano before. I went hiking up the mountain. It was really fun and beautiful! I recommend going there for a relaxing time!
Today is strange weather again...sunny, then suddenly cloudy, rainy. Maybe it will ran a little every day this week. Don`t forget our umbrella, be careful on the slippery roads, and have a good rest of the week!

Cucumber Pepsi!!

Which do you prefer, Coke or Pepsi? I prefer Coke. But I don`t drink Coke so often...maybe 4 times a year or so. When I was a child, I drank a lot of soda. I liked it. Now, I mostly drink, water, tea, coffee, sometimes juice, milk, and beer ;). The image of Americans is that they drink a lot of soda...I think this image is generally correct. But some other images that Japanese people have of Americans is NOT true!! What are your images of Americans?

Pepsi just relased a new product! Cucumber Pepsi! Unbelievable!!! I can`t believe it!! Mr. K tried it and sent me this photo. He also wrote about it on his blog. He said it was interesting. If you have time Mr. K, please write a comment about this product on this blog!!! What do you think about cucumber Pepsi? Do you want to try it?

It`s officially the rainy season now...rain, rain, and more rain. Have a good one!

Cheese burgers...

Good morning! Yesterday was really strange weather! It reminded me of Thailand or Indonesia...The morning was very sunny and hot, then suddenly in the afternoon, like a squall, it poured...then sunny again. then a little grey and a little rain again. The weather forecast for today is a high of 29 I heard. That`s hot!

Do you like cheeseburgers? The above burger pic is from a famous burger shop in Osaka. I have never been there, but I heard it is pretty good. But I think it is a little expensive, about 1000 yen for a burger. There is also another burger shop which just opened around the corner from here. It seems pretty popular and people say good things about it. I want to check it out sometime soon for lunch.

What is your favorite burger shop? McDonalds? Mos Burger? I like McDees!!! I like the double cheeseburger. Did you know that there is "a quarter pounder" burger in America, but that is not on the menu in Japan!? I think that the menu of McDonald`s is a little different in different countries!

But the BEST burger is the burger that I make on the grill! I like to have a barbecue, and I like to make burgers, and hot dogs and chicken sandwiches on the grill! If you don`t believe that my burger is the best, then maybe I will make you one some day! Have a good week!

Watermelon!!

Do you like watermelon? I do! Do you eat the seeds of a watermelon? I do!! Really!! It`s annoying to spit out each seed, so I just swallow them. But what is the deal with the price of watermelon, and some other fruit, in Japan!? Somebody please explain it to me! The price of some watermelon, for example the kind sold in a department store or some fruit shops, is CRAZY EXPENSIVE!!! WHY??? I don`t understand! Also, melon, peaches, grapes...it is endless! I used to eat a lot of fruit when I was a child. I ate fruit every day. Now I don`t eat so much, sometimes an apple, or banana...I wish the price of fruit was cheaper in Japan! Then I could enjoy fresh fruit every day like when I was younger ;)

Loco moco

This food is famous in Hawaii! It`s called Loco Moco! The ingredients are the following: beef or pork or hamburger meat with fried egg over rice topped with some gravy or barbecue or teriyaki sauce. It not spicey! It is mild. Ms. T went to Hawaii last month with her co-worker! She said this dish was delicious! The reddish colored drink also looks refreshing and great for the summer!

I read in the newspaper that the rainy season will begin soon, but that it might not last that long. The article said that the rainy season will be shorter this year.

Many people like Hawaii for the beach, and surfing, and culture. I think I will have to go back to Hawaii again sometime soon! :) I can`t wait! The next time I go, I definitely want to try this dish!!

Amanohashidate

It`s already June! I can`t believe that alomist half of the year is almost gone...

M. O went to a famous sightseeing spot with his parents the other day. The spot is called "Amanohashidate"! I heard that it is really beautiful!! Mr. O`s parents are in the picture above!! What are they doing??? They are looking between their legs and the site. When you visit this site, you have to lookbewtten your legs at the ocean and land strip. Supposively, it looks very beautiful that way!!

I wonder...

But I want to go there and try one day!

In June it is the rainy season in japan. But today is really a beautiful day, maybe not a cloud in the sky.

Have a good week!

Aquarium, glow-in the dark fish, jelly fish, and boats...

Look at the beautiful coral! Ms. N went to an aquarium. There is a big aquarium in Osaka and also in Kobe. Have you ever been there? I have never been to aquarium in Japan, but when I was a child I went to a big aquarium in Baltimore, in America. Also, I saw many beautiful fish and coral in the Great Barrier Reef when I went scuba diving!
I wonder what these fish are called? I wonder what the name of this fish is...
This is so cool! It is a jelly fish!!! Have you ever seen a jelly fish? How about, have you ever been to a jelly fish bar? Looking at jelly fish is supposively very healing, and healthy. The jelly fish move very slowly and smoothly, and look blur or purple in a tank with special lights...I have been to a jelly fish bar before. It was fun.
Boats! I like boats, but I get sea sick...I want to buy a boat in the future (like Mr. F=he has a boat). But if I buy a boat, and then get sea sick every time I ride the boat, it is a waste I think...

Geisha

This picture is on its side. Sorry!

Ms. Y went to a special tea ceremony the other day. Many Geisha attended the ceremony also. It was held in Kyoto. Geisha are a part of Japanese culture and history. I don`t know so much about Geisha, but I think the Geisha culture is interesting. Sometimes when I go to Kyoto, I can see some Geisha walking down the street. A special aura surrounds them...

Do you know the difference between a Geisha and a Maiko? I heard that their hairstyle is different. Also Maiko are younger than Geisha I think. But I don`t know the other differences. Do you know the differences between a Geisha and Maiko? If yes, please lemme know.
Another picture on its side. But, what a nice orange kimono!! I wore a kimono once. For a "Moon Viewing." I liked wearing a kimono, but it was very difficult to walk and move in it. Have you ever worn a kimono? If yes, for what kind of occassion?
This is a Japanese sweet, called a "manju." It is very colorful and artistic. I like Japanese sweets very very much! Inside the dough is a sweet red or white bean paste. Just looking at it is making me hungry...

It`s official: Summer is here!

Good morning! It`s really sunny and hot today! It`s going to be a hot and humid summer! What will you do to stay cool?

These photos are actaully replicas of a real sculptures from China. They are located in Mie or Wakayama in Japan. (I forget which place.) There is a park with many different replicas of famous places and structures all over the world. A few students have been there and they told me that it is really interesting. If there is good air conditioning there, maybe I will visit there this summer!

England

Good morning! Today is a little cold, but a very sunny and ncie day! May weather is very pleasant. In June, the rainy season begins in Japan. It will become hot and humid and muggy. So it`s nice to have the cool and comfortable weather now!

Ms. N is presently in England studying English and also studying in her company`s branch office. She will be in Englad for about 3 months. She sent me an email and told me she was having a great time. She is doing a homestay and she said that her host family`s mother was really sweet and introduced her to many people.

I have never been to England, or for that matter, Europe. I would like to go one day! The above picture really looks beautiful, full of nature, farms, green.

Have you been to Europe? If yes, where do you recommend to go in Europe?

Dr. F`s daughter

This is Dr. F`s daughter! She is a cuttie! I have never met her but maybe I will meet her in the end of June. Dr F said he would introduce me to his family then. I am looking forward to it! Dr. F said his daughter is very calm and quiet and a little shy. So when I meet her for the first time, I think I will give her some candy or cake! Then maybe she will like me!

This morning it rained...then by 10am, it was SUNNY! Strange weather today!
Last Sunday and Monday, I was feeling a little under the weather. But now, I am feeling better.

Recently, there are many public spaces which are becoming "No Smoking" areas. Smoking is now prohibited in all taxis in Nagoya. Also, from October, I HEARD that smoking outside on the street in Osaka will become banned also. A lot of Japanese people, especially men, smoke. But some people don`t like smoking. It may be inconvenient for some smokers, but for non-smokers, and everyone`s health, I think that it is a good thing.