tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90097930774025141352024-03-13T09:42:40.763+09:00the art of living in Japanthe art of reading books and eating cakes in Japan...I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-6610077130970632862013-02-10T15:53:00.000+09:002013-02-10T15:58:10.481+09:00Iroha -chi- <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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iroha</div>
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is </div>
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back</div>
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if you would like to see the other iroha-'s on my blog</div>
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please click the above photo</div>
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We've finished the first line...</div>
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now on the second...</div>
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starting from "chi"</div>
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"Chi" is not to be confused with the Chinese "chi"(energy) which is "ki" 「気」in Japanese.</div>
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"Ki" is the symbol/character I will talk about....30 characters from now...</div>
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So, back to "chi".</div>
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Coincidentally, I found two makeup related brands that start with chi.</div>
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The first is Chikuhodo, a makeup brush brand based in Hiroshima (try saying that sentence 3 times in a row!) which is well known for their brushes.You can find the English information about the company here: <a href="http://www.chikuhodo.com/en/index.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Chikkuhodo</span></a></div>
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The below travel size makeup brushes are from a set that I received using my frequent flyer points (JAL).</div>
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I couldn't find the exact same set on their website but their brushes are anywhere from US$50 and....up...</div>
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The next makeup brand is a LOT more affordable.</div>
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Chifure</div>
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They are a relatively eco friendly company, very clear on the ingredients of their products and don't rely on lots of advertising. They are super affordable...you can find out about the company in English here: <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.chifure.co.jp/en/index.html" target="_blank">Chifure</a></span></div>
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Their face cleansers and creams are anywhere from 5 to 8 US$. The lipsticks are 300yen, less than US$3!!!</div>
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You buy the lipsticks in the little tube with the white cap you see above. You purchase separate lipstick cases which are reusable...the plastic ones are 100 yen (less than $1 and the metallic ones are about $3!)</div>
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I put the Revlon (matte lipstick in Heavenly Mauve no. 01) just to show you the shade similarities.</div>
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(The Chifure lipsticks are more similar to the Revlon Lip Butter textures than the matte ones...just in case you are interested in that sort of thing.)</div>
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Other words that start with "chi" are....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chikyu (Earth)<br />
chikyu-gi (globe)<br />
the "gi" is pronounced like the "gui" in guitar</td></tr>
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My mom bought me the above globe about 10 years ago for my birthday... it was a "feng-shui" thing.<br />
Supposedly if you put a globe in the eastern side of your office, your work will go global....or something to that effect.<br />
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It is actually kind of ...funny...?... because now I do get to travel a lot in Japan with at least one chance a year to travel abroad. <br />
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Globe power...<br />
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Chiheisen (chi-hay-sen) is horizon. Specifically land horizon. There is another word for the horizon you see when you are at sea..."suiheisen"..."sui" meaning "water".<br />
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There aren't very many places where you can see a "land horizon" in Japan especially if you live in the city. This photo I took from the airplane will have to do for now...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere above the Kyushu island in south western Japan (2012)</td></tr>
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An adjective that starts with chi...chiisai (chee-sigh):</div>
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small</div>
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the small tree</td></tr>
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I will talk more about the book someday, perhaps when I get to ki= tree.</div>
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Chi means:</div>
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blood, earth/land, knowledge </div>
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all have different kanji (Japanese characters) but sound the same</div>
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a pretty important sound, "chi" is</div>
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I hope you have a great day/night wherever you are on this Chikyu!</div>
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<br />I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-50180870175626405262013-01-14T17:19:00.001+09:002013-01-29T00:23:47.344+09:00Filing Stuff and Favorite Stationery from 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;">Top 3 stationery favorites starting from<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Number 3: Files</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnbOpaGFWWU/UPOtKjYs2EI/AAAAAAAABbo/MLyxZ35RfJw/s1600/home+folder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnbOpaGFWWU/UPOtKjYs2EI/AAAAAAAABbo/MLyxZ35RfJw/s320/home+folder.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Power Productivity Program folder (find out more about the program here <a href="http://www.alejandra.tv/">http://www.alejandra.tv</a>)<br />
that also contains magazine articles etc that inspire me to stay organized!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have always been and always will be a "FILER".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I don't have papers in a file it stresses me out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite folder that I can find in Japan at the moment is the Muji one above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like it because the rings are not attached to the spine, which makes opening and moving the papers around much easier....if that makes sense...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have also started filing my "point cards"(Japanese "alphabet" order) in a business card holder. This one holds up to 60 cards. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sviula5x2pc/UPOtKnYLLuI/AAAAAAAABbw/Alr96tSYH-o/s1600/card+holder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sviula5x2pc/UPOtKnYLLuI/AAAAAAAABbw/Alr96tSYH-o/s320/card+holder.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got this idea from:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/h7eKQN_aVmQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7eKQN_aVmQ&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h7eKQN_aVmQ&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Number 2: sticky notes and tabs</span></div> <br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klQotLfGM30/UPOtLwxEM6I/AAAAAAAABb8/UJ_WveEh2U4/s1600/post+its.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klQotLfGM30/UPOtLwxEM6I/AAAAAAAABb8/UJ_WveEh2U4/s320/post+its.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky notes for to-do-lists and tabs for notebooks and files!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before we get to Number 1...here's an honorable mention:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last year I started using the Franklin Planner Organizer 2012.4~</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't find a cover that I liked from the same company so I am using one from Ashford.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It has pockets in the front and back that store extra business cards (that I store in a mini ziplock bag so they don't get cruddy), a mini notebook (Moleskine) my favorite tabs from Avery and other sticky notes like the Green Marker (they look like grass blades)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_kGw-OREQw/UPOtM-AOkJI/AAAAAAAABcU/y8w5VXB5OzY/s1600/work+diary.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_kGw-OREQw/UPOtM-AOkJI/AAAAAAAABcU/y8w5VXB5OzY/s320/work+diary.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I like how the days are divided into two columns with a "to-do list" on the left and the timeline on the right...with extra space for notes on the bottom of each day. The only thing I don't like about the daily planner is the fact that it is thick! I don't carry it around on my day offs, this is only for work.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Number 1: Bags of all sorts! (Mostly Ziplock type bags)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5rfn7PYJJM/UPOtKj_KWrI/AAAAAAAABbs/M0CuO7_wtAo/s1600/%3f%3f-36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G5rfn7PYJJM/UPOtKj_KWrI/AAAAAAAABbs/M0CuO7_wtAo/s320/%3f%3f-36.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the above bag holds the following office supplies that I carry with me mostly when I am working</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQmo1Wt_UwY/UPOtMeR8KsI/AAAAAAAABcE/GoZJD7eq_Vg/s1600/walking+office+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQmo1Wt_UwY/UPOtMeR8KsI/AAAAAAAABcE/GoZJD7eq_Vg/s320/walking+office+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stamps, tabs, pens, Muji case that holds paper clips and staples (underneath that is y Muji portable stapler)<br />
a red ink pad, my date stamp, my name stamp, a ruler I received from a friend, mini cards and post cards, glue tape<br />
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</div></td></tr></tbody></table> I use ziplock bags to store many things now... clothes when I'm on the go, receipts, snacks....<br />
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Now, for what I am looking forward to using this year!<br />
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Last year I went through so many different kinds of notebooks that it got soooo confusing.<br />
(for work and studying I still like the Cornell style notebooks but I am mixing things up a bit now.)<br />
I am going to use the Moleskine Star Wars edition for my private journal and a regular Moleskine for my private notes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tFFN-6UXCw/UPOtLRBE6HI/AAAAAAAABb0/3fyYFtMvo3k/s1600/journals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tFFN-6UXCw/UPOtLRBE6HI/AAAAAAAABb0/3fyYFtMvo3k/s320/journals.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the back pocket of my Moleskine notebook I have some sticky note tabs. I made a cover with a small greeting card for extra protection...I'm a bit obsessive in that way!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQkCS9suwGA/UPOtMEk_KqI/AAAAAAAABcM/G_2J5RWAmYk/s1600/star+wars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQkCS9suwGA/UPOtMEk_KqI/AAAAAAAABcM/G_2J5RWAmYk/s320/star+wars.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">above: my brand new R2D2 earphones!<br />
below: stickers that i got from the stationery store for free and </td></tr></tbody></table><br />
It doesn't matter where you live and what brand you use...but it is a nice thing, I think, to stay organized and feel less stressed. I hope the year 2013 is filled with fun projects and joyful journal entries for all of us! May the force be with you!!!<br />
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What is your favorite stationery item?<br />
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I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-80378432617118559242013-01-06T18:51:00.002+09:002013-01-06T18:51:36.006+09:00Bye Bye Dragon, Hello Year of the Snake<br />Happy New Year!<div>
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I hope you had a lovely holiday season.</div>
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I took a rather long (two weeks) vacation this year. I wanted to step away from my desk/home office and do.....NOTHING.</div>
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I am now very confident in my ability to do NOTHING. </div>
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Last year we moved to the South Western part of Japan, closer to my mother and mother-in-law.</div>
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The move was time consuming but good since we did a lot of un-cluttering...or shedding...</div>
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Speaking of shedding, 2013 is the year of the Snake.</div>
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Here's a look at 2 different types of Snake decorations!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper left: MIL's entranceway decorations (the snake is that green thing in the lower left hand corner<br />Lower left: My new Snake decoration<br />Right: Osechi*</td></tr>
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(* for a better look at Osechi, and what it is please see my post from last year here:<br />
<a href="http://theartoflivinginjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/wow.html">http://theartoflivinginjapan.blogspot.jp/2012/01/wow.html</a>)<br />
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2013 we will continue to "shed"... living simply-surrounded only by things we like is our goal. <br />
Stocking up on necessities is one thing but hoarding things you do not need duplicates of is another.<br />
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My vanity has been cleaned out. Old/expired things tossed. Memories on display.</div>
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Hooks are awesome, by the way!</div>
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Origami boxes come in handy for storing small objects like hair pins.</div>
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I think I've got this part of my home under control. </div>
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No buying makeup that is just going to gather dust and expire!</div>
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This year, I am going to lighten my load of books and keep my home office organized. </div>
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I've also made a non-work related schedule to manage my goals... no "resolutions" for 2013, </div>
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just dreams and goals!</div>
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I wish you all the best in the year 2013! May your wishes and dreams come true!</div>
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Do or do not, there is no try. -Yoda</div>
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I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-53807330956383711752012-09-20T23:42:00.002+09:002013-01-29T00:23:21.057+09:00Traveling, Business Woman, Packing Tips and other keywords I'm addicted
to...Soooo...<br />
it has been 4 months and 3 weeks since we moved to our new apartment. My husband's work area still needs to be organized as I have been focused on my own home office and closets...he rolls his eyes every time I get close to his stuff so it ain't lookin' good...<br />
<br />
Japan has been really hot again this summer. Humidity in the 60s in our apartment was kind of normal and the temperature was on average 30 degrees....IN our apartment...<br />
Yesterday, we caught a cool breeze down here in south western Japan and today, miraculously it has not "rebounded" back to summer...looks like autumn is finally gonna start. (Knock on wood for me will you?)<br />
<br />
So, why this post title?<br />
The past 3 years on my current job I've been traveling quite often and already this year since I've moved I've been on some sort of business trip at least twice a month.<br />
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and<br />
<br />
I've been organizing what's left in the aftermath of my decluttering...and a lot of things that have been helping me are the awesome videos on youtube and the blogs of some really dedicated organizers. Some are professional organizers and some are not but I've been pretty successful with finding "help".<br />
My favorite organizer at the moment is Alejandra. You can find her website here:<br />
http://www.color-coded.net/<br />
<br />
<br />
so<br />
<br />
<br />
I thought maybe I could find some cool websites and people who travel a lot on <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">business</span> and will have great organizing tips.<br />
<br />
I don't know if my kind of traveling is not normal or whatever...but I can't seem to find the <u>right</u> kind of website. They are either more <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">vacation</span> oriented packing <span style="font-size: large;">OR</span> a little drab or basic that I get bored or don't learn anything new <span style="font-size: x-large;">OR </span>they are packing tips from guys...who, no offense guys....pack their shoes WITHOUT putting them in bags...and I'm sorry <span style="font-size: large;">but that just <i><b>freaks</b></i> me out...</span><br />
<br />
ehem<br />
<br />
Soooo...<br />
<br />
that's why I have the weird blog title this time and this is my (lame, I know) version of trying to reach out to people who have similar <i style="font-weight: bold;">needs</i>....<br />
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Here is my version of packing for a 4 day business trip with one free day in the middle.<br />
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Point 1. Bags for everything!<br />
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Garment bags (or "packing cubes" depending on the brand you are using) are essential especially if you are traveling by plane. In the event you have to open your suitcase at customs you DON'T want to have all your clothes POP out (or worse your undies!). This is not only embarrassing but inconvenient as well because you know it ain't gonna fit back in!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HwTQiMNYw9E/UFsWKMTDOfI/AAAAAAAABWk/n4KexI1_g88/s1600/packing+cubes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HwTQiMNYw9E/UFsWKMTDOfI/AAAAAAAABWk/n4KexI1_g88/s320/packing+cubes.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
In Japan, I haven't seen the Eagle Creek packing cubes (they might be available but I am too lazy to look) but here we do have MUJI and they have lots of great things for packing.<br />
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If you don't travel that much and don't want to invest in a garment bag then get big plastic Ziploc bags or even a pillowcase will do!<br />
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Point 2. No wrinkles with crinkles!<br />
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That doesn't make any sense but I wanted it to rhyme so, by "crinkles" I mean Tissue Paper for your clothes that you don't want to get wrinkled. (Mine are crinkly now because I've been reusing them.)<br />
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When you fold a blouse or shirt (please do not roll) place a sheet of tissue (the kind you get when you buy a shirt) like so:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnF6poTgHWg/UFsbY88pMhI/AAAAAAAABXY/y-5RY3G3J6c/s1600/folding+clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wnF6poTgHWg/UFsbY88pMhI/AAAAAAAABXY/y-5RY3G3J6c/s320/folding+clothes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This will keep your shirt from getting too wrinkly. I went on my last business trip via train. My clothes stayed packed for only about 6 hours and they came out with hardly any wrinkles this way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">*I usually don't worry about my t-shirts and will roll them without tissues..the same goes for my PJs/yoga clothes which brings me to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Point 3: If you need to take PJs with you have something that is compact!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Depending on the time of the year I will take a t-shirt and shorts or a pair of super thin pants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently I found a super pair at MUJI (no i do not work for MUJI, I am just a little obsessed):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">they are 75 percent nylon and 25 percent polyurethane (?!) and they are perfect for sleeping in and doing a bit of stretching/yoga.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z42_FhCRUkA/UFscmOLBXRI/AAAAAAAABXg/lLvJQxTbLng/s1600/stretchy+pants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z42_FhCRUkA/UFscmOLBXRI/AAAAAAAABXg/lLvJQxTbLng/s320/stretchy+pants.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I checked the global MUJI site but couldn't find anything that looked this pair...but any pair of yoga pants or that type of pants will suffice...the key is that they are comfortable and that you can roll them up reaaaaaally small...to save space. You don't want your PJs to take up space on a business trip, that's just silly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Point 3: Use those nooks and crannies wisely!<br />
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My regular suitcase is 46cm tall 17cm "deep" and 32cm wide. It is small enough to go in overhead compartments on the trains here in Japan AND of course small enough to be a carry-on on any flight.<br />
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The handlebars are built into the suitcase so the outside is smooth but the inside is not flat where the handlebars are:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLaBEypekRw/UFshOUBg6SI/AAAAAAAABYU/nglA7U7HRTo/s1600/spaces+in+suitcases.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLaBEypekRw/UFshOUBg6SI/AAAAAAAABYU/nglA7U7HRTo/s320/spaces+in+suitcases.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So use those spaces by fitting in things that can be rolled, like towels, handkerchiefs, socks or PJs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the upper left hand corner I have a MUJI bag that has all of my on the go office supplies (tape, glue, paperclips, extra biz cards etc.)</div><br />
going clockwise....the white and black plastic bag has a towel and 4 handkerchiefs.<br />
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the clear plastic bag has my t-shirt and MUJI PJ pants AND a scarf.<br />
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the colorful bag has all my cords and chargers for my iPhone, iPad and Blackberry<br />
as well as my WI-FI and its charger.<br />
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the last baggy on the lower left hand corner is:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxn7yQ0Xkrk/UFsi2SH2mNI/AAAAAAAABYc/k0qCKmgrzE4/s1600/roll+your+shoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxn7yQ0Xkrk/UFsi2SH2mNI/AAAAAAAABYc/k0qCKmgrzE4/s320/roll+your+shoes.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
an extra pair of shoes...again....from MUJI but there should be other brands that do something like this IF NOT, then flats with their soles together IN A PLASTIC BAG will be fine.<br />
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I am not a major shoe person...I don't have a gazillion shoes although I understand why many people do...I generally go on business trips with my black or brown business pumps (well they are more like flats as I can't walk in high heels). This pair was for a day I had to wear casual clothes to an event and my black shoes would not have gone well with the beige pants I was wearing.<br />
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Once you've filled in the spaces between the handlebars (if that's the kind of suitcase you have) then you can finally start filling up with things that you want to keep leveled, like papers and delicate clothes etc.<br />
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I forgot to take a picture of the "finished product" but I had another business trip in between my draft so here is what the second layer looks like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39KmI7wmPM8/UFsk1EbQlVI/AAAAAAAABYs/IIPzKgSSQpE/s1600/second+layer.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-39KmI7wmPM8/UFsk1EbQlVI/AAAAAAAABYs/IIPzKgSSQpE/s1600/second+layer.PNG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was on my way home when I wasn't going to need my scheduler and some papers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cath Kidston bag contains all my toiletries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then in goes the garment bag with all of my delicates and slacks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5TyYjQlCyM/UFskTWOBXVI/AAAAAAAABYk/5DxoqI8iNSw/s1600/now+all+packed.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5TyYjQlCyM/UFskTWOBXVI/AAAAAAAABYk/5DxoqI8iNSw/s320/now+all+packed.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and on top are my papers and ANOTHER pair of the same pants from MUJI (because I just like them so much now) that I bought at the last minute... see how small it rolls up?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Believe it or not it all fit, yes I was able to zip up my suitcase with no problem! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only other bag I carried was my business tote bag with my PC, a scarf, makeup bag, first aid kit, wallet and notebook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OK...that was long and I apologize...I might think about becoming a "Youtuber" the next time to hopefully explain my packing system a bit easier but have no idea if there are other business travelers or vacationers out there that would be interested in that sort of thing...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now for a quick look at my small closet and how I organize at home which actually makes packing easier for me too:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pb3XHqLejPM/UFsm2EYcfhI/AAAAAAAABY0/ZZ4s3Ga3-lw/s1600/closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pb3XHqLejPM/UFsm2EYcfhI/AAAAAAAABY0/ZZ4s3Ga3-lw/s320/closet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The stripes are from the curtain I put in place of the accordion doors that were just annoying...<br />
I fold and place sticky notes so that I know from where goes what...(thinking about changing to pretty index cards).<br />
The yellow and blue stripes on the right are my scarves. They are on a rod that I also placed in my closet so that I could use every bit of space I have in there. <br />
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Scarves and pashminas are must haves when you are on a train or airplane because it can get chilly no matter what time of the year!<br />
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Maybe not a general topic about living in Japan but thank you for reading and<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">happy travels whether you are a road warrior or a commuter!</span></i>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-64709862548989802052012-08-07T13:21:00.000+09:002012-08-07T13:21:50.353+09:00My first trip to ChinaI've finished moving to my new (which s actually my old) home town in Japan. We've opened all our boxes and now our apartment is just messy because that's the way things are sometimes...<br />
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:)<br />
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I've been busy with business traveling every month, racking up (raking in?) those frequent flier miles...<br />
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This month I just returned from my first overseas trip of the year. This was my first time in China.<br />
I didn't go to the mainland so "technically" it might not count but I still learned quite a bit about the drinking habits, food, climate and architecture.<br />
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I was only 3 minutes away from a lovely beach but I did not swim nor sunbathe...<span style="text-align: center;">Remember, this was for business and I didn't want to take my bathing suit...I am weird in that way...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd_l1CA75Ng/UCCLgz8mosI/AAAAAAAABSA/xaPpcNzjzPM/s1600/P7260385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rd_l1CA75Ng/UCCLgz8mosI/AAAAAAAABSA/xaPpcNzjzPM/s400/P7260385.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
The trip was a doozy from the beginning. The day of departure "coordinated" with typhoon number 10 (Vicente). We still managed to land in Hong Kong and I felt like hugging the Cathay Pacific pilot for such a smooth landing.<br />
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I had no idea that the typhoon would be so devastating (my thoughts are with the people of Hong Kong). I am very glad that my colleagues and I were able to get to China eventually and most importantly, safely. <br />
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I spent a night in Hong Kong and the next day headed for the airport (in heavy rains) to catch the flight to Sanya, Hainan Island. Our 3pm flight was moved to 6:30pm then 9:30 until it eventually left at around11:30pm. We got to our hotel at 3AM. :-/<br />
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But the next day this was awaiting:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFkP-rq9cOs/UCCLjT1SfWI/AAAAAAAABSI/dQ37-dDw4KA/s1600/P7260395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GFkP-rq9cOs/UCCLjT1SfWI/AAAAAAAABSI/dQ37-dDw4KA/s640/P7260395.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The pools were like lagoons! (There was a regular pool too.)</div>
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The nights.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3j3UW8fbxgE/UCCLlxrUHXI/AAAAAAAABSQ/q0GPhMvp1DI/s1600/P7260397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3j3UW8fbxgE/UCCLlxrUHXI/AAAAAAAABSQ/q0GPhMvp1DI/s400/P7260397.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
It's hard to see in the picture but there is a hotel staff member patrolling the beach. The tides were high because of the typhoons so no one was allowed to swim in the sea.<br />
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After the conference, I went back to Hong Kong to stay a night...the flights were still delayed because of ANOTHER typhoon, so it was a good thing that I stayed.<br />
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Look at those lights!<br />
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I didn't have my tripod with me so I held my breath while taking this picture </div>
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(so that the camera could soak in all the lights)...</div>
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Just for comparing, here is a similar shot I took with my iPhone:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qraUZ5CY8iU/UCCQ1KnynhI/AAAAAAAABTo/pEov7mHmjUU/s1600/%253F%253F-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qraUZ5CY8iU/UCCQ1KnynhI/AAAAAAAABTo/pEov7mHmjUU/s400/%253F%253F-27.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hong Kong in the daytime:<br />
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I didn't get to go shopping (no time) but the atmosphere was soooo different from any other Asian city I've been in that I am really hoping to visit again.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AloRBh7znDs/UCCQ2YgHOCI/AAAAAAAABT4/Q61-Ur4vx_o/s1600/%253F%253F-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AloRBh7znDs/UCCQ2YgHOCI/AAAAAAAABT4/Q61-Ur4vx_o/s400/%253F%253F-29.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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More posts to come on my new start in the south western part of Japan.</div>
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I hope you have a lovely summer!</div>
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<br />I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-19863573783986767982012-04-07T21:35:00.000+09:002012-04-07T21:37:37.092+09:00Moving again!This is just a quick note to let you know that I am still here and have not abandoned my blog!<br />
<br />
I am in the process of moving and things have been hectic from the start of the year! It seemed like everything was going smoothly...
and then...
I will still be doing what I am doing now, but I will be mainly working from home.<br />
<br />
My husband needed to change jobs so we are headed to a part of the this archipelago called Kyushu.
It will be a challenge working from home since it is the first time for me! I think it is good training for my future dreams though...(you know, writing...a book....being my own boss and all...)<br />
<br />
So, that is why things have been real quite around here.
It also puts a whole new perspective to my de-cluttering!<br />
<br />
Boy, am I on a roll now!
<br />
<br />
I'll have to move things in my current office to my new home office as well. Looking through home improvement magazines for the perfect style of my own home office...any suggestions?<br />
<br />
I have decided that I want a dark blue look but how far to take that is another question...again, any suggestions?<br />
<br />
Oh, and amid all this, I have joined the KCRW Bookworm Facebook book club. If anyone is interested in reading Barth's "Chimera", do give it a think and look for it on FB!<br />
<br />
I'll be back as soon as I can, to post pictures of my new "no-more-clutter" and very "organized" new apartment!<br />
<br />
It is April, and the cherry blossoms are blooming here in Japan!<br />
But here are some plum blossoms that were blooming in March!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0fqYVod_dQ/T4A0UTZ1vwI/AAAAAAAABRw/9WKSlm9EVDU/s1600/%253F%253F-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J0fqYVod_dQ/T4A0UTZ1vwI/AAAAAAAABRw/9WKSlm9EVDU/s320/%253F%253F-26.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-31134619873782271672012-01-18T22:36:00.000+09:002012-01-18T22:37:48.145+09:00plain and simple: let's protect the internet<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31100268?byline=0&portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/31100268">PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/fightforthefuture">Fight for the Future</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-25983110257588987492012-01-15T21:28:00.000+09:002012-01-15T23:26:09.110+09:00Coming out of my closet...literally.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My New Year Resolutions is:</div>
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Keep it simple.</div>
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There are many reasons why I have chosen to keep things simple.</div>
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Here is one of them:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4VE2_jgw1c/TxK9nrEpgFI/AAAAAAAABRU/WNjXWDXN_tE/s1600/declutter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4VE2_jgw1c/TxK9nrEpgFI/AAAAAAAABRU/WNjXWDXN_tE/s320/declutter.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.<br />
<br />
You have probably run away from the computer<br />
and are trying to turn off your browser with a ten foot pole right now.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But wait....</span><br />
<br />
Now, for the really scary part....that is actually an AFTER picture NOT a BEFORE! <br />
We couldn't see the CD shelves AT ALL (nor the floor) the same time last year because there were so many boxes piled up!<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
A lot of people have been commenting in blogland about how we tend to show the pretty, perfect and peachy sides of our lives.<br />
<br />
I am<br />
one<br />
of<br />
them.<br />
<br />
Or now I can say...<u>was</u> one of them.<br />
<br />
That room above is not supposed to be a closet, but it is, and we are changing that.<br />
Finally...been sort of "working on it" for ages.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks to numerous videos on youtube and websites like <a href="http://flylady.net/">flylady</a>, <a href="http://zenhabits.net/start/" target="_blank">zen habits</a> (and his books) and for inspiration, <a href="http://zenhabits.net/start/" target="_blank">better homes and garden</a>s I have been able to stay focused.<br />
<br />
One of the most helpful were books by Dominique Loreau. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find anything by her in English (only in Japanese and French) but I did find this lovely blog by someone who has posted about reading her and decluttering: <a href="http://l0ve0utl0ud.wordpress.com/tag/dominique-loreau/">http://l0ve0utl0ud.wordpress.com/tag/dominique-loreau/</a><br />
I hope the blogger doesn't mind my posting a link....<br />
<br />
so here are three steps I have taken so far:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">step 1.</span><br />
<br />
I went through my summer wardrobe and threw away everything I hadn't worn! <br />
<br />
IT WAS LIBERATING!<br />
<br />
Then I went through my winter wardrobe and threw away everything I knew I wouldn't wear this season.<br />
<br />
Now, I am only going to buy clothes when something gets old and even then it will have to be in one of these colors:<br />
blue, gray, green or pink.<br />
<br />
Why? Because I use to keep buying shirts in outrageous colors that I could never match with my business suits etc. (They looked pretty in the shops...) If everything can be coordinated it makes it easier to pack for business trips etc.<br />
<br />
Once I cleaned out my wardrobe I could feel the weight of my belongings lift up, rise...and...<br />
....<br />
fly away<br />
...<br />
Less clutter in your home means less vibes you are constantly getting from your "stuff".<br />
(check zen habits again here: <a href="http://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/">http://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/</a>)<br />
<br />
<br />
Miraculously throwing things away started to get easier and easier.<br />
I started to throw away a garbage bag a week just by opening up two or three boxes at a time.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">step 2.</span><br />
They key was to not overdo myself. But since it was fun, I would clean out a corner of my apartment or 3 or 4 boxes every other week. (I had LOTS of business trips over the weekend last year, so under those conditions I think I did pretty well! It actually takes only an hour or two once you get in the habit of<br />
LETTING GO. (You just have to give up playing computer games...or shopping...or couch potato-ing.)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">step 3. </span><br />
<br />
When you notice something... just don't walk by...stop, consider (if you don't need it, if it is redundant or you had even forgot you owned it) and toss!<br />
<br />
If you don't have the heart to throw something away, but you know you don't really need it:<br />
<br />
have a clean garbage bag or a cardboard box or even a suitcase you no longer need open, toss stuff in.<br />
The next time you have a garage sale, attend a flea market or charity bazar, you are ready to go!<br />
<br />
.....<br />
<br />
As you may have noticed from the picture, we have lots of CDs.<br />
So this is what we have been doing:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ShVYv9dpmM/TxK_fpYuYkI/AAAAAAAABRc/WmF2zqknWQk/s1600/repackagingcds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ShVYv9dpmM/TxK_fpYuYkI/AAAAAAAABRc/WmF2zqknWQk/s320/repackagingcds.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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repackaging CDs. </div>
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Taking them out of the hard plastic cases and putting them in slim cases.</div>
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It saves a lot of space!</div>
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The CD shelves start to look like this:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC3eyZg7ES4/TxK_04fsNmI/AAAAAAAABRk/wMsJaq7ET0s/s1600/CDshelves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pC3eyZg7ES4/TxK_04fsNmI/AAAAAAAABRk/wMsJaq7ET0s/s320/CDshelves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are putting them in alphabetical order.</div>
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Where there is a little bit if space, I have placed some of the stuff that came out of the boxes...</div>
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I know, I know...more stuff...but I am taking things one step at a time.</div>
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AND enjoying it!</div>
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Although we had to buy lots of plastic CD jackets, don't forget, I have found that the trick is not to buy more stuff to organize your stuff. </div>
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Get rid of what you don't need first, then and only then, find the perfect place for what you have.</div>
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If you are like me, and like to collect boxes and bags, you already have lots of storage!</div>
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Thank you for reading this not so pretty blog but...</div>
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I am still on the path to clarity (mind and material). </div>
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The art of living in Japan (and anywhere else) for me, is to:</div>
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Keep it simple.</div>
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<span id="goog_245743824"></span><span id="goog_245743825"></span>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-71643509583661524292012-01-09T16:46:00.000+09:002012-01-09T16:46:00.412+09:00<br />
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Wow. Three months went by fast...again.</div>
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I hope you have been doing well. I hope you had an awesome holiday season and an exciting but not tiring New Year!</div>
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Too much has happened in the last three month so today I will focus in on Christmas and my New Year's holiday....</div>
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I use to love watching a Charlie Brown Christmas or How the Grinch Stole Christmas on TV when I was a kid in the USA but this year in Japan guess what was on TV!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_91XKq1597s/TwqQppL-dqI/AAAAAAAABQM/BNtWjnjMJVw/s1600/xmas+cake+w%253Atom+cruise.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_91XKq1597s/TwqQppL-dqI/AAAAAAAABQM/BNtWjnjMJVw/s320/xmas+cake+w%253Atom+cruise.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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Although only about 1% of Japanese claim to be Christians, Christmas is none the less one of the most popular foreign holidaysin Japan with cakes and teeny tiny Christmas trees. </div>
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(Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan.) </div>
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Winter vacation usually starts from the 29th and goes on till about the 4th. (It is a bit longer for students though.)</div>
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I took a pretty long holiday.</div>
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The 23rd to today!</div>
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:-)</div>
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Here's what else I ate during the New Year holiday:</div>
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in Nagasaki</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQxfavk0-Fo/TwqS4nDftnI/AAAAAAAABQU/6wVEagimOoo/s1600/nagasaki+zoni+and+osechi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GQxfavk0-Fo/TwqS4nDftnI/AAAAAAAABQU/6wVEagimOoo/s320/nagasaki+zoni+and+osechi.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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"Osechi" is a boxed meal that is filled with dishes that are made to last for a few days so that housewives don't have to be constantly cooking...we are supposed to let the kitchen rest... but you know how things are....it really doesn't end up that way!</div>
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The white bowls with the white round rice cakes on top are called "ozoni". This is a soup that you put the rice cakes in. Each region in Japan has their own flavors. Osaka is miso based. The city where my mother is from (Fukuoka) has a clear fish/seaweed broth and in Nagasaki (where my husband is from) it is made with a seaweed and chicken broth and has lots of vegetables in it...which is actually quite unique in Japan.</div>
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I still have not mastered the Nagasaki style...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAIIV1dl6ac/TwqVdvYmiMI/AAAAAAAABQc/27rZfqGWKPA/s1600/shogatsuflowers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IAIIV1dl6ac/TwqVdvYmiMI/AAAAAAAABQc/27rZfqGWKPA/s320/shogatsuflowers.png" width="263" /></a></div>
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Rice cakes also show up as decorations with little mikan (like tangerines) on top.</div>
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The above are the decorations my mom had.</div>
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The flowers must include"sho-chiku-bai":</div>
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Pine-Bamboo-Plum blossoms (or Japanese apricot)</div>
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It is hard to see all three but they are there!</div>
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Speaking of New Year decorations, 2012 is the year of the dragon and this is my dragon at home!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9VcliWvDCE/TwqXawG3AwI/AAAAAAAABQk/N036gFzPA9M/s1600/dragon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9VcliWvDCE/TwqXawG3AwI/AAAAAAAABQk/N036gFzPA9M/s320/dragon.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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This year I have made a motto:</div>
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Keep it simple.</div>
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and my NewYear's resolution is:</div>
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Do!</div>
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Combining the two means lots more de-cluttering this year!</div>
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I can't believe no matter how much 2stuff" I throw away there's still tons more.</div>
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Today I threw away old yellowed cards and envelopes and organized the ones that I have like so:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsFaZMkxXXQ/TwqZlRYPnvI/AAAAAAAABQs/UmXoIjCC5qw/s1600/postcards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsFaZMkxXXQ/TwqZlRYPnvI/AAAAAAAABQs/UmXoIjCC5qw/s320/postcards.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I had so many categories that I couldn't find the right cards when I needed them the most....I'd just keep buying and buying....</div>
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(the postcard with the girl in the kimono is something I bought in Kyoto but I do not know who painted it....)</div>
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If anybody out there would like to trade postcards please let me know!</div>
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Also, if you have any questions about my de-cluttering experience please leave a comment. I will be posting more about my motto "keep it simple"soon!</div>
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Until then, I hope you have a wonderful January and a happy New Year!</div>
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<br /></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-23859068292319431722011-09-17T15:07:00.002+09:002011-09-17T15:36:58.828+09:00My trip to the UK and books, books, books!Hello.<br />
...<br />
Yes, I know...I have been a VERY bad blogger. SO here are my excuses and everything in between!<br />
<br />
1. Work became really busy. I mean REALLY busy...<br />
2. I went to the UK!!!! in July.<br />
Here are the pictures:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKmc7ia_Fbs/TnQpWIbcHzI/AAAAAAAABO4/xtmnbImyCls/s1600/british+museum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bKmc7ia_Fbs/TnQpWIbcHzI/AAAAAAAABO4/xtmnbImyCls/s320/british+museum.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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the British Museum</div>
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Spent the whole day here and still didn't get to see everything...</div>
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The weather was fantastic during my whole stay in London!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9O5Iu1sxfk/TnQp_QgsKtI/AAAAAAAABO8/dZzrHapH0Gc/s1600/BM+inside+asia+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9O5Iu1sxfk/TnQp_QgsKtI/AAAAAAAABO8/dZzrHapH0Gc/s320/BM+inside+asia+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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the feet of a buddha</div>
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After the British Museum, I went to a lovely antiquarian bookseller...</div>
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<a href="http://www.jarndyce.co.uk/">Jarndyce</a></div>
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and bought:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNZpAzOvtLg/TnQs6g5YS7I/AAAAAAAABPU/8K6jV6VoUk8/s1600/%253F%253F-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNZpAzOvtLg/TnQs6g5YS7I/AAAAAAAABPU/8K6jV6VoUk8/s320/%253F%253F-9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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a 1871 edition of the Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens</div>
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and a 1911 edition of Intentions by Oscar Wilde</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNiv4rYKU9M/TnQs-YZBJsI/AAAAAAAABPY/PZaCm1cNAxA/s1600/%253F%253F-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qNiv4rYKU9M/TnQs-YZBJsI/AAAAAAAABPY/PZaCm1cNAxA/s320/%253F%253F-8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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the red book on the left is a recent buy.</div>
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It is a reproduction (facsimile) of the 1911 first edition of </div>
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The Concise Oxford Dictionary</div>
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published to commemorate the 100th anniversary. </div>
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It looks fabulous with the old books that I have.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC3QILOfGiw/TnQqLVFydsI/AAAAAAAABPE/BhGJXF_GJAc/s1600/inside+tate+modern+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CC3QILOfGiw/TnQqLVFydsI/AAAAAAAABPE/BhGJXF_GJAc/s320/inside+tate+modern+5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The inside of the Tate Modern Museum</div>
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I spent at least 5 hours here!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xxPV0xVbDQ/TnQqjQOfyBI/AAAAAAAABPI/ol_Jo_q38Ps/s1600/new+and+old+London.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8xxPV0xVbDQ/TnQqjQOfyBI/AAAAAAAABPI/ol_Jo_q38Ps/s320/new+and+old+London.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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London old and new.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WkeaTs0pNg/TnQrDDcroUI/AAAAAAAABPM/0BI7cSIA-V4/s1600/kebledining.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9WkeaTs0pNg/TnQrDDcroUI/AAAAAAAABPM/0BI7cSIA-V4/s320/kebledining.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Keble College in Oxford. The dining hall.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dm-SQtlSrlo/TnQrS5tTDwI/AAAAAAAABPQ/k3R5dQidwFo/s1600/keblewindows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dm-SQtlSrlo/TnQrS5tTDwI/AAAAAAAABPQ/k3R5dQidwFo/s320/keblewindows.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The dorm room I stayed in at Keble College.</div>
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I wonder who is staying there now. </div>
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I left a copy of Haruki Murakami's "Kafka on the Shore" on the bookshelf.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q75lWTfgT20/TnQuZdTFOGI/AAAAAAAABPc/WcAj6FlLTAg/s1600/Keble+Dorm+room+inside+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q75lWTfgT20/TnQuZdTFOGI/AAAAAAAABPc/WcAj6FlLTAg/s320/Keble+Dorm+room+inside+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I had so much fun in the UK. </div>
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It was only a few weeks later that the riots in London started and that made me very sad...</div>
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3. In August I went to Okinawa:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHegIoibucI/TnQwYhpPO3I/AAAAAAAABPg/DLcF_m7dxd0/s1600/%253F%253F-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHegIoibucI/TnQwYhpPO3I/AAAAAAAABPg/DLcF_m7dxd0/s320/%253F%253F-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and saw people dancing in the streets.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tws57oirQNM/TnQwquQ5ToI/AAAAAAAABPk/Fo9-t3es-0s/s1600/%253F%253F-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tws57oirQNM/TnQwquQ5ToI/AAAAAAAABPk/Fo9-t3es-0s/s320/%253F%253F-11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Visited Shuri Castle on my day off and found </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfHqgZw82bg/TnQw2XNCMlI/AAAAAAAABPo/gDJuNcKdnY8/s1600/%253F%253F-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GfHqgZw82bg/TnQw2XNCMlI/AAAAAAAABPo/gDJuNcKdnY8/s320/%253F%253F-10.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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an interesting looking spigot!</div>
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4. At the end of August I had a few days of vacation and visited Nagasaki. Found a very interesting structure:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3XzV3olK8c/TnQxTP4Om7I/AAAAAAAABPs/9xfk-HY27QU/s1600/%253F%253F-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w3XzV3olK8c/TnQxTP4Om7I/AAAAAAAABPs/9xfk-HY27QU/s320/%253F%253F-13.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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that turned out to be a very long slide!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LDn6bTIZIEw/TnQxqjb5hgI/AAAAAAAABPw/jFDaHulgKFM/s1600/%253F%253F-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LDn6bTIZIEw/TnQxqjb5hgI/AAAAAAAABPw/jFDaHulgKFM/s320/%253F%253F-14.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...</div>
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5. I also went to two other Prefectures in Japan (sorry no pictures) and of course Tokyo again...all for work...</div>
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<br /></div>
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But a few things arrived in the mail that reminded me of the blogging world...</div>
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first it was :</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bexGiez_o2c/TnQyZHs-ldI/AAAAAAAABP0/r8tOsL_p5kQ/s1600/%253F%253F-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bexGiez_o2c/TnQyZHs-ldI/AAAAAAAABP0/r8tOsL_p5kQ/s320/%253F%253F-16.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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the author Lisa's bloodspot blog is here:</div>
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<a href="http://papertigertail.blogspot.com/">http://papertigertail.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Finally going to start reading this now!</div>
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Which reminded me I have to write a blog on this wonderful series</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM2KfIv0TBc/TnQ0F8rAeTI/AAAAAAAABP4/FyBKKZ3qk-o/s1600/%253F%253F-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM2KfIv0TBc/TnQ0F8rAeTI/AAAAAAAABP4/FyBKKZ3qk-o/s320/%253F%253F-15.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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but I might just wait till her new book arrives!</div>
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In the meantime check out the author's blog here:</div>
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<a href="http://cristyburne.wordpress.com/">http://cristyburne.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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And then IT came...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeCMlaZYvBc/TnQ0KcdNIvI/AAAAAAAABP8/CFd-E3j2ubU/s1600/%253F%253F-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeCMlaZYvBc/TnQ0KcdNIvI/AAAAAAAABP8/CFd-E3j2ubU/s320/%253F%253F-17.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you are a longtime blogger fan then she needs no introduction...</div>
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Tess the author of the<a href="http://willowmanor.blogspot.com/"> Life at Willow Manor blog</a> has published her first booklet of poems.</div>
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I said I would buy it if she published it and I have. It arrived safely here in Japan just a few weeks ago. I used to love poems but drifted away not being able to find anything new that resonated...but Patina (as is the Willow Manor blog) is filled with poems that are lovely to read out loud and lovely to read silently just like a short story.</div>
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I looked up Patina in my brand new First Edition Concise Oxford Dictionary and it says,</div>
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"Patina: Incrustation, usu. green, on surface of old bronze, esteemed as ornament. "</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOS-GFV-K_I/TnQ43LY_LmI/AAAAAAAABQA/uoK5SqJXbB4/s1600/BM+statue+of+tara+and+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HOS-GFV-K_I/TnQ43LY_LmI/AAAAAAAABQA/uoK5SqJXbB4/s320/BM+statue+of+tara+and+me.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hello again. I think I am back at blogging!</div>
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<br />I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-6056767597199479662011-04-10T23:18:00.000+09:002011-04-10T23:18:20.960+09:00Magic.<div><div><div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15gexRbiDio/TaEcLmUDWsI/AAAAAAAABN8/3W-GbmFJmNU/s1600/hiroshimaokonomiyaki.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15gexRbiDio/TaEcLmUDWsI/AAAAAAAABN8/3W-GbmFJmNU/s320/hiroshimaokonomiyaki.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki</td></tr>
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't believe I have never posted about Okonomiyaki. Some call it the Japanese style pizza but I think it is more like a layered crepe. A crepe with diced cabbage and any other vegetable you like with meat, prawn or squid in between. I like mine with cheese. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The finishing touches are sauce and mayonnaise with bonita flakes and "aonori" green seaweed flakes are sprinkled on top. The one in the above picture is a "negi yaki" so there are tons of sliced green onions on them!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.justhungry.com/okonomiyaki-osaka-style">http://www.justhungry.com/okonomiyaki-osaka-style</a> shows how to make it "Osaka" style and there is even a dot com website for okonomiyaki! here: <a href="http://okonomiyakiworld.com/">http://okonomiyakiworld.com/</a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I actually prefer the Hiroshima style okonomiyaki because you place the cabbage ON the batter (first layer of crepe) instead of mixing it WITH the batter which I think makes the cabbage less tasty.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I digress...since I am not trying to write about the recipes which you can find at the above links...I actually want to talk about MAGIC.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The magical wonders of the...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFBosOi74yU/TZm2ysYa17I/AAAAAAAABN0/RnmMSiLNNHw/s1600/magic5dispenser.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFBosOi74yU/TZm2ysYa17I/AAAAAAAABN0/RnmMSiLNNHw/s1600/magic5dispenser.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">watch it in action:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2MJm6qzrOC_6-9ANnLE1esmMn6DTHq77yVncs4wD8xQgAQoPDIv6bb42DI8KDcJ81sH8bgeU2vMqrd1dsZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It can squirt out five lines of mayonnaise or ketchup or whatever you like because...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnemEnCofQ4/TZm20YU4PUI/AAAAAAAABN4/qJDqrWRgZfc/s1600/5holes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnemEnCofQ4/TZm20YU4PUI/AAAAAAAABN4/qJDqrWRgZfc/s1600/5holes.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">there are holes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So simple magic is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, for another kind of magic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just got back from a friend's fantastic <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/channel/north-east-japan-aid-0410">charity concert</a>. There were 9 different bands that came together to raise money for the people effected by the earthquakes and tsunamis in north eastern Japan. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Magic is for those who "do". That is what my friend K has taught me. I think what she did was magic because she brought people together for a purpose. Out of nothing she created a night of giving!</div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is another band that is creating magic!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/rEOMGVsi6r4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.monkeymajik.com/">Monkey Magik</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are volunteering and raising spirits and will have a charity concert in the summer here in Osaka.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you so much for all of your prayers and kind thoughts...to me all of this is magic too and I am so very grateful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-36790862249306823292011-03-27T23:34:00.000+09:002011-03-27T23:34:40.004+09:00strawberry sweets and my latest picks from the news...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The latest news in Japan, as of my writing of this blog (<a href="http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/81325.html">Kyodo English</a>) is focused on the radioactive water found inside the buildings adjacent to the nuclear reactors in Fukushima.<br />
<br />
!?<br />
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This is serious. The level is much higher than it should be and it is not getting any lower. Which means something is leaking... However, we are being asked to stay calm since this is still indoors and is not an immediate threat to those outside of the building...PLUS there are multiple reports coming out as I type about the level and how high it is or isn't... There is still so much confusion and TEPCO is not making things better with the way they provide the information.<br />
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?!<br />
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As optimistic as I <i>can</i> be, this disturbs me not just because of the seriousness and chaotic information flow. The real threat is invisible. Although Japan has a history that shows us the devastating effects of radioactivity, it did not deter some of the people living in the power plant area from rushing back to their homes.<br />
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For people who had to evacuate quickly and empty handed, it has been a stressful 2 weeks. Some 50 or so residents from the evacuated areas went back to their homes to gather a few of their belongings and to feed their cattle (I can't imagine how bewildered the animals must be). <br />
The residents have all been re-evacuated by the Japanese self defense force.<br />
<br />
...<br />
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In the meantime, there have been demonstrations outside of the Tokyo Power Company calling for all the nuclear power plants in Japan to close. This isn't being featured on the news but I have seen the tweets and a bit on the *NHK world news website. <br />
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*For the NHK (the Japan Broadcasting Company) world news website in English with the latest updates and radio on demand (<a href="http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/">click here</a>).<br />
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Also please check out:<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.mariemockett.blogspot.com/">Marie Mutsuki Mocket</a>t has written another beautiful piece which can be read on the New Yorker blog, about her family in Japan. You can read it <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2011/03/japan-ohigan-marie-mutsuki-mockett.html">here</a>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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Sooooooo...<br />
<br />
What am I doing between the news updates (that I try as much as possible to stay away from)?<br />
Well, Monday through Friday was work at the office. Since things are rather normal in <a href="http://theartoflivinginjapan.blogspot.com/2011/03/im-here-now-and-my-use-of-mouse.html">our part</a> of the country it all seems unreal when we can't deliver goods as fast as we usually can, due to the power shortages in Tokyo. Most people are understanding.<br />
<br />
And now for the relaxing part...<br />
On Saturday, I had waffles...with whipped cream, custard...and yes, strawberries.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_ETNfTq1w8/TY8spL-6cCI/AAAAAAAABNU/whtchmU8IdU/s1600/strawberry+waffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_ETNfTq1w8/TY8spL-6cCI/AAAAAAAABNU/whtchmU8IdU/s320/strawberry+waffles.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As if that were not enough...today I had...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqFBnRQK7b8/TY8s_C0rzUI/AAAAAAAABNY/mXJV7lu6TjY/s1600/strawberry+rollcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqFBnRQK7b8/TY8s_C0rzUI/AAAAAAAABNY/mXJV7lu6TjY/s320/strawberry+rollcake.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cream roll cake with strawberries<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">and I bought books...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N38vIP5CVB8/TY8t1w78bzI/AAAAAAAABNg/Pl4jsy41jAc/s1600/booksboughtinmay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N38vIP5CVB8/TY8t1w78bzI/AAAAAAAABNg/Pl4jsy41jAc/s320/booksboughtinmay.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ape House by Sara Gruen and Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The CDs were bought a month ago but I finally got them into my i-pod...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I think I forgot to post this picture I took at my mom's house earlier this year...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look for my fingers at the bottom of the picture for comparisons (my fingers are not gigantic)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9sKh1aQZMw/TY8thxjhotI/AAAAAAAABNc/PEbUai6Hyms/s1600/hugest+strawberry+ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i9sKh1aQZMw/TY8thxjhotI/AAAAAAAABNc/PEbUai6Hyms/s320/hugest+strawberry+ever.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a strawberry.<br />
:-)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-63911850021197956402011-03-21T15:44:00.002+09:002011-03-25T19:51:11.816+09:00Hope. Music. More hope.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0AllGsOtis/TYbYVzsVIDI/AAAAAAAABNI/R14547ZRmnc/s1600/leafy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0AllGsOtis/TYbYVzsVIDI/AAAAAAAABNI/R14547ZRmnc/s320/leafy.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">herb garden 2009</td></tr></tbody></table><br />There are reports that Spinach and other leafy vegetables from farms100km away from the power plants have been detected with radiation that exceeds the government regulated limits. This is rather distressing but more details should be released today. Right now some of the latest reports can be found here at the Kyodo English news site:<br /><br /><a href="http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/79856.html">http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/79856.html</a><br /><br />I am not one to panic but this does raise my (already raised) interest in nuclear science and the effects of radiation... Some interesting sites I have found so far are:<br /><br /><a href="http://mitnse.com/">http://mitnse.com/</a><br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">MIT students of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering have a blog with information about the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/">http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and then there was this information that I did not know about regarding the reactors in Japan which <i>kinda</i> frightens me as an American as well:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/idINIndia-55640020110316">http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/idINIndia-55640020110316</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">...and so, like in my last post...I must <i>think</i>. I am not going to panic or start a demonstration (just yet) but I do hope that this will be a good chance for the human race to admit that Mother Earth is much more stronger than we predict it to be.<br /><br />Amidst all this radiation "hype" there is still some good news about people being saved from the rubble.<br />We have reason to stay...hopeful.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>news flash</i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">oooh...just heard on the news that the electricity that was cut off has been reinstalled to some of the reactors. They will have to run some more tests to make sure that there are no other damaged parts before they actually start sending electricity.<br /><br />Hope.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">One thing <b>is</b> for sure: we have some mighty heroic people (who did not build the reactors...); firefighters. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I have a renewed respect for these people who put their lives on the line to spray water on the Nuclear Power Plants in an effort to cool down the reactors. Their news conference was 100 times better than the TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) conferences because they were speaking in terms that are understandable and they didn't make any excuses or vague comments. They were prepared...not only for the news conference but for the actual event that they might have to help... which it seems, they did!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The spraying of water has resumed again today:<a href="http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/79865.html">http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/03/79865.html</a>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />...<br /><br />Hope.<br /><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some people trying to spread hope...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.monkeymajik.com/top.php">Monkey Majik</a> members are out volunteering: <a href="http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/03/monkey-majiks-blaise-plant-blogs-about-volunteer-experience-celebrates-birthday/">Tokyo Hive</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Daniel Kahl, originally from California, is a "talent" here in Japan famous for his fluency in the Yamagata Prefecture dialect.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">His website <a href="http://daniel.domos.jp/">http://daniel.domos.jp/</a> has a full page of links with all sorts of valuable information.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">He has also posted this video on youtube as an appeal to media outside of Japan. This is the first time I have heard him speak in English since he is always using his fluent Japanese (Yamagata dialect) on TV!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/tH7JYAphuTE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tH7JYAphuTE&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tH7JYAphuTE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><br /><br />I have been staying away from TV much of this time for various reasons...I use to work in radio so that might be one reason.<br /><br />I find solace in, just sound.<br /><br />In music.<br /><br />Music.<br /><br />Starship's <i>We Built This City On Rock N' Roll </i>was on the radio yesterday, and I couldn't believe how uplifting it was. So to bring things back to a bit of normality on this blog, here is an update on what's new in the music scene here:<br /><br /><i>Wonder Woman</i> by Amuro Namie featuring Ai and Anna Tsuchiya. All three girls are of "mixed culture"!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/0p1DI7MYNeU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0p1DI7MYNeU&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0p1DI7MYNeU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>The video is flipped (everything is a mirror image) I don't know how that is technically possible, but this might mean that the video will be pulled off youtube sooner or later.<br /><br />Ai is also featured in a new song by the Bawdies, a group that sounds like...somebody...but I can't quite place my finger on who...<br />You can hear a snippet of the song at i-tunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/love-you-need-you-feat-ai/id422556021">here</a> but there is nothing on youtube etc. as it was just released.<br /><br />Here is a song by The Bawdies that I did find on youtube:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/sJ7d5Wa87_c/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJ7d5Wa87_c&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sJ7d5Wa87_c&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;">That's it!!! Tom Waits on too much caffeine!?! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:xx-small;">Maybe...</span></div><br />Another multi-cultured artist:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/wn2eLMUKOro/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wn2eLMUKOro&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wn2eLMUKOro&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Maia Hirasawa is a Japanese/Swedish artist. Her official website is here:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.maiahirasawa.com/swe/">http://www.maiahirasawa.com/swe/</a></div><br /><br />Another song on the charts here is by Rake. There is a short snippet of a video on the first page of his website: <a href="http://www.rake.jp/">http://www.rake.jp/</a><br /><br />Music.<br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Also, if you are in the New York area, just FYI...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.sitesakamoto.com/whatsnew/">Sakamoto Ryuichi</a> has a concert scheduled in NYC for April 9th. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;"><a href="http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=10a81178&sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4d86e30deb4e3f87%2C0">Japan Society, New York - CONCERT FOR JAPAN</a></span><br /><br />Hope.<br /><br />A piece (you many have already seen) about hope by author Ryu Murakami in the Op-page of<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/opinion/17Murakami.html">The New York Times.</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And for me one of the most hopeful sounds in the universe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/RP4abiHdQpc/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RP4abiHdQpc&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RP4abiHdQpc&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;">Music to my ears!</div><div style="text-align: center;">ROFLMAO :-)'</div></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-50976056932268070652011-03-19T23:11:00.000+09:002011-03-19T23:11:50.397+09:00One reason why I think social medias are cool and one reason why I think they sometimes are not…<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Hello!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Here in Japan we have started a three day weekend. Monday is the spring equinox. </span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I like my job but I am very happy that I do not have to go to the office on Monday. I am sure my friends up north are feeling the same way, but more intensely because of the power cuts and aftershocks they are still experiencing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Me? I’m just laaaaazyyy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">AND I got a few bottles of strawberry liquor to taste.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oAJRjBGmcLg/TYSvWnM7v_I/AAAAAAAABM8/3WJ_gI_ykmc/s1600/strawberry+wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oAJRjBGmcLg/TYSvWnM7v_I/AAAAAAAABM8/3WJ_gI_ykmc/s320/strawberry+wine.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">strawberry sake, strawberry liquor, strawberry wine all made from strawberries from the Kyushu island</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Yes, I know, strawberries <a href="http://theartoflivinginjapan.blogspot.com/2009/05/strawberry-season-turns-into-loquat.html">AGAIN</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">(FYI, there are strawberry blogs out there!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.strawberry-recipes.com/strawberry-recipes-blog.html">http://www.strawberry-recipes.com/strawberry-recipes-blog.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://growing-strawberries.blogspot.com/">http://growing-strawberries.blogspot.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">and this blog I found thanks to the Tattered Cover:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/?s=strawberries&submit">http://thepioneerwoman.com/?s=strawberries&submit</a>=<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">had the greatest recipes for strawberries and other “stuff” too.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">So this is why I think blogs are cool….you find great people to “talk” with, great things to read, information you are looking for </span>and with things like facebook, sometimes you even find long lost relatives!</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Blogs, Facebook and twitter (and in Japan, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixi">Mixi</a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">) have become a place for many people here to connect with friends and family... especially during these devastating times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">The internet has helped to bring people together. We have been able to change lives, <b>be</b> changed and learn about things we would otherwise be </span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">oblivious</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"> about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I think this has given journalists a hard time these days… It’s harder for them because, unlike before, we might actually “know” someone from the area they are reporting from.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Now…we can see…<i>right through them</i>…sometimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">For example, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">20 or 30 years ago, if you saw on the news that hundreds of Tokyoites were wearing masks because they were afraid of radiation, you might have believed them. Gee, I might have believed them too!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Now, thanks to tons of great blogs (see my blog roll on the left) and well in this case…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fogLMEXQUjw/TYS1lfB6owI/AAAAAAAABNA/KzXezQgi1Gs/s1600/keikonenga_nigaoe.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fogLMEXQUjw/TYS1lfB6owI/AAAAAAAABNA/KzXezQgi1Gs/s200/keikonenga_nigaoe.png" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">we know a bit more about Japan(or at least we can find out if some things are <i>leaning towards</i> suspicious). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Therefore, you would know that Tokyoites are wearing their masks, like many other people around Japan this time of year, because they have HAY FEVER. (Here is a post from a Japanese blogger in Tokyo about hay fever in Japan:</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.hellotokyo.jp/2011/02/20/hay-fever-in-japan/">http://www.hellotokyo.jp/2011/02/20/hay-fever-in-japan/</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">As I do not want to reinvent the wheel, here is a wiki that someone has made to collect some of the most blatant mistakes in the news covering the Quake and Tsunami in Japan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://jpquake.wikispaces.com/Journalist+Wall+of+Shame">http://jpquake.wikispaces.com/Journalist+Wall+of+Shame</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Apart from this I would also like to add that although there are many people at the airport trying to flee Japan, please keep in mind that it is SPRING VACATION and since schools are out till April, lots of people have been scheduling holidays overseas ANYWAY. So that is probably why many people are having a hard time getting tickets out of here too… ( <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/anxious-foreigners-flee-japan/2011/03/15/ABrlvnW_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/anxious-foreigners-flee-japan/2011/03/15/ABrlvnW_story.html</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">A friend of mine is going back to the UK this weekend to see his family…he had this planned BEFORE the earthquake…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Although I respect peoples' decisions to leave Japan right now (especially if you are not fluent in the language, have small children or if you are ill etc.) there are some people who are choosing to stay:</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-im-not-fleeing-japan/2011/03/16/ABQsdhk_story.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-im-not-fleeing-japan/2011/03/16/ABQsdhk_story.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">(Thank you K for the link!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Like any type of information we get, I think it is important to learn how to process the information. I mean, really think about what you are reading or hearing… I mean REALLY. Just stop to think…sometimes…it helps. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I know, I am preaching to the choir now……but now for the one reason why I <b>don’t</b> like the internet:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">(eeek! I am about to tread on very thin ice…)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I found wacky comments about how Japan is not a religious country thus this tragedy was brought upon them (?!). There are tons of stuff out there that wouldn’t have been “published” for everyone to see, hear or read if it weren’t so darn easy to use the internet…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I know</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know</span> I know <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I know</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I know</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I know</span> ...</o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">We are entitled to our own opinions and beliefs and in some parts of the world we actually <b>have</b> freedom of “speech”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I just hope <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">empathy</span> will prevail. And you know what? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">I think it will. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;">Look what I found...</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jxUjK5sUcGA/TYS3-BvO-PI/AAAAAAAABNE/FTqWMgNo-Xo/s1600/%253F%253F-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jxUjK5sUcGA/TYS3-BvO-PI/AAAAAAAABNE/FTqWMgNo-Xo/s200/%253F%253F-3.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMILE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: left; text-autospace: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-80951371774360602552011-03-15T23:30:00.000+09:002011-03-15T23:30:07.758+09:00I'm here now and my use of a mouse...I don't have a proper mouse with me and even if I did, I doubt I could do this map justice...but just to give you an idea of how far away I am from the devastation etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--LxdaNvJzfU/TX9pB-bKPGI/AAAAAAAABMc/iKv5tzxPnHo/s1600/my+japan+map.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--LxdaNvJzfU/TX9pB-bKPGI/AAAAAAAABMc/iKv5tzxPnHo/s320/my+japan+map.GIF" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The blue circle is where I am now...sort of...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The yellow circle shows where I usually am...and the red circle inaccurately shows where the earthquakes, largest tsunamis and the fragile nuclear reactors are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was in the yellow circle when the earthquake hit - a tremor with the intensity of 3 on the seismic scale. We were that far away from the red circle area (that had a magnitude of 9.0) and to think we still felt it is mind boggling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now (as I type this) I am seeing on the news that Shizuoka (the prefecture in the middle of the red and yellow circles) just had a tremor with the intensity of 6 on the seismic scale. At least no fear of a tsunami...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is not certain if all of these quakes are related...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am trying to count my blessings and focus on my duties as a daughter, wife and consultant. I haven't been meditating again so I think it is time for me to sit down straighten my back, lift my head and take a deep breath....or two...or three.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jdBx0Z3FUlY/TX92eVKBjfI/AAAAAAAABMg/_9JtxdNNv8M/s1600/flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jdBx0Z3FUlY/TX92eVKBjfI/AAAAAAAABMg/_9JtxdNNv8M/s320/flower.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach Blossom that my mom has in<span style="background-color: white;"> a vase...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I pray that wherever you are, that you are safe. Let's not forget to smile and let's continue to hope for the best. <br />
<br />
For English updates on Japan the Kyodo news service is pretty reliable:<br />
<a href="http://english.kyodonews.jp/">http://english.kyodonews.jp/</a><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Zealand is still trying to recover from an earthquake and there is Haiti that still needs help...Indonesia, Iran, China...Papua New Guinea...this is all just so hard to wrap my head around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am thinking the Red Cross or/and <a href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/overview.cfm">Doctors Without Borders</a>.</div><div align="left"></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-9742973399824796602011-03-11T21:48:00.000+09:002011-03-11T21:48:56.410+09:00I'm OKOne of the largest earthquakes in recent Japanese history has shaken the country in the north eastern regions. I live in the center of Japan and am currently staying at my mom's place in the south western part of Japan.<br />
<br />
I have heard from a few of my colleagues in Tokyo but not the whole team so I am still worried. However, I just thought I would post to let my friends and family know that I am ok.<br />
<br />
Tsunami warnings have been issued in almost all parts of the archipelago and other parts of Asia.<br />
<br />
Will try to post something again later as soon as I find out more about what should be posted here...<br />
<br />
all the best,<br />
TulsaI_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-55581360509560206202011-03-01T23:04:00.003+09:002011-03-01T23:10:55.504+09:00time<div style="text-align: left;">Gosh...I don't know where to start...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ynUhq7qa9XA/TWz5V9tNkKI/AAAAAAAABMQ/JtsA8ae2C-4/s1600/2023.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ynUhq7qa9XA/TWz5V9tNkKI/AAAAAAAABMQ/JtsA8ae2C-4/s320/2023.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got this receipt from a taxi I took on the first of February that says it is the year 2023...!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary a few weeks ago. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Time flies...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tN1q_31yNUI/TWz0OhklHOI/AAAAAAAABMA/3WBz3lIKtHY/s1600/blimp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tN1q_31yNUI/TWz0OhklHOI/AAAAAAAABMA/3WBz3lIKtHY/s320/blimp.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(do you see the blimp?)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the end of March I will have been at work on my new job for a year and a half...and that feels like 10 years on some days and 10 months on others...go figure...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This July I will have been in Japan for 26 years. In April I will turn 40.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-juA-ajusiQA/TWz0t_BJiCI/AAAAAAAABME/UM-7QvOy6NQ/s1600/goldtea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-juA-ajusiQA/TWz0t_BJiCI/AAAAAAAABME/UM-7QvOy6NQ/s1600/goldtea.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I deserve to have gold in my tea!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, if that doesn't make you want to come visit Japan, I don't know what will!</div><div style="text-align: center;">:-)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tonight my husband is out watching the Eagles in concert and I just went to see a "chick flick".</div><div style="text-align: left;">Which after I watched (as much as I love chick flicks) THIS ONE became much more than that to me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Morning Glory not only had some of my most favorite actors (Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum), it reminded me a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:xx-small;">tiny</span> bit of..</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wpOINovE_2o/TWzwh0w2jzI/AAAAAAAABL4/gr8hKlpm51k/s1600/mini+me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wpOINovE_2o/TWzwh0w2jzI/AAAAAAAABL4/gr8hKlpm51k/s1600/mini+me.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Change TV to radio and make the leading lady (Rachel Adams) shorter (and give her a uni-brow and overbite) and you have an enthusiastic me in my twenties trying to make a morning radio show with cooking tips and global news and music. We had our adventures on the show and there was never a dull moment be it a good one or bad.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By the way Harrison Ford was amazing...I really wanted to punch the guy...heehee.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">SO, 3 things are running through my head right now.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Why didn't I write a romantic comedy that would become a Hollywood movie?</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. What story can I write now?</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. WHAT ON EARTH am I doing with my life?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">gosh that is pathetic... scratch 3 and replace it with:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Am I having a pre-midlife crisis or is this a full blown midlife crisis?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">NOT that I want to work at a (Japanese) TV station...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXDqVlEGps4/TWzxKdD2T2I/AAAAAAAABL8/z_bJvgJfoWA/s1600/tv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xXDqVlEGps4/TWzxKdD2T2I/AAAAAAAABL8/z_bJvgJfoWA/s1600/tv.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">TV here is .... weird... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Yes, that is a picture of a TV show with adults wearing costumes as they are talking about food...)</div><div style="text-align: center;">And there already is an American who is dominating TV here and packaging it off to the States (or so I think) so "my idea" of bridging the two countries with entertainment is already taken (<a href="http://www.spector.co.jp/">Dave Spector</a> is "the guy" by the way. He is more knowledgable about Japan than most Japanese are, and there are rumors that he is actually Japanese but has just dyed his hair. He is actually from Illinois. Oooh, I have just found his twitter account... (in Japanese though) <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/dave_spector">http://twitter.com/#!/dave_spector</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow, totally went in a different direction there...</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>I just think I MAY have lost my way a bit. Am I loosing control of my life as I get swarmed with "stuff" to do on weekends and late at night ?<br /><br />That can't be the real problem because I used to do that when I worked in radio and it did not bug me ONE bit.<br /><br />Not even a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:xx-small;">tiny </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">little </span>bit.<br /><br />Now it does. But what bugs me even <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">more</span> is that it bugs me. I hate not feeling GREAT about WORKING 24-7.<br /><br />I am very good at tuning in with the "universe" and having things brought to me. But for the last two years I have stopped asking. Just did not have time to ask or even ponder what it is I want.<br /><br />I have friends who have helped me soooo much to get back on track but SOMETHING just isn't "clicking".<br /><br />I feel like this cat, waiting in front of a store that sells lots of porcelain cats...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-304Gz8HGSIA/TWz4H9tJanI/AAAAAAAABMI/LutZ4mvRgdQ/s1600/cats.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-304Gz8HGSIA/TWz4H9tJanI/AAAAAAAABMI/LutZ4mvRgdQ/s1600/cats.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">waiting...for something...waiting...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting and "going with the flow" has really done me good these past 40 years but me thinks me is ready for a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>change</i></span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iICs0f8k1As/TWz4xKXEYOI/AAAAAAAABMM/hSAAIMryiOA/s1600/yellowbrickroad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iICs0f8k1As/TWz4xKXEYOI/AAAAAAAABMM/hSAAIMryiOA/s1600/yellowbrickroad.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time to start walkin' down that Yellow Brick Road!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Exploring more of this fascinating country and bringing it to life inside me so that I can weave the next chick flick or whatever it is that will make me: h a p p y.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you are happy. If you think you are not then join me on my journey! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A smile will take you a mile!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think the receipt the taxi driver gave me with the year 2023 comes from the traditional Japanese calendar.<br /><br />It is currently the 23rd year of the Heisei era. Thus 23.<br /><br />But it still is a mistake...<br /><br />...or is it?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-76720611089465617882011-02-01T20:03:00.000+09:002011-02-01T20:03:08.063+09:00if it's tested in Japan would that make you feel better?A colleague of mine recently sent me a link to a show<br />
called "Ben and Teller". The rest of the title is not appropriate for my blog...(let's just say, it is "cow poo").<br />
<br />
The theme of the particular episode is about recycling and how we have been duped into believing that our behavior of recycling will help the environment.<br />
<br />
The reason why I am posting this isn't because I have any sort of opinion about recycling (not that I don't), it is because at around 7 minutes and 19 seconds they say that whenever they wanted to close the deal they always mentioned the Japanese because it would help close the deal!<br />
<br />
That just cracked me up.<br />
<br />
Please note that the content of this video includes the f-word and s-word rather frequently. If you don't mind, then watch away! but if you do, you may want to keep the volume low and have a bar of soap handy to wash out your ears later or, just not watch it all. :-)<br />
<br />
<embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-1444391672891013193&hl=ja&fs=true" style="height: 326px; width: 400px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-76787512267387268242011-01-10T11:53:00.003+09:002011-01-10T11:53:00.399+09:00the best stationery itemsI used in 2010<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There are several things in this world that help me release stress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">One of them is buying stationery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Stationery can be divided into various types…today I would like to focus on paperclips and notebooks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For work and for my “research” I think I have settled on the Cornell Method Note that can be bought in Japan through Gakken.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">(<a href="http://www.gakkensf.co.jp/lineup/cornell/index.html">http://www.gakkensf.co.jp/lineup/cornell/index.html</a>). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Kokuyo, the largest stationery/office equipment company </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">(<a href="http://www.kokuyo.co.jp/">http://www.kokuyo.co.jp/</a>), has many notebooks that I have been using for my book diaries for the past 10 years or so. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/campus/">http://www.kokuyo-st.co.jp/stationery/campus/</a>). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">(By the way, if you understand Japanese, the Kokuyo website currently has videos of Ryuichi Sakamoto talking about Ecology and Creativity. From the second video, Everett Kennedy Brown appears to talk about his experience in Japan etc. and what people can learn from Nature. His website is here:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.brownsfield-jp.com/about">http://www.brownsfield-jp.com/about</a>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This year, my schedule book is from Muji (<a href="http://www.muji.com/">http://www.muji.com/</a>) and I just found out that they have apps for the iPad and iPhone too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The scheduler comes with a canvas type cover that I am thinking about dressing up with iron-ons later.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSFW6ncMI/AAAAAAAABLU/_d8wpwvYcRA/s1600/muji1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSFW6ncMI/AAAAAAAABLU/_d8wpwvYcRA/s320/muji1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added a trim with decorative masking tape as well as ribbon bookmarks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The checkbook-like notebook on the right is for the months and the notebook on the left is for the weeks.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSPHHQeBI/AAAAAAAABLY/gIaKTKP5uG0/s1600/muji2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSPHHQeBI/AAAAAAAABLY/gIaKTKP5uG0/s320/muji2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I think this will be very easy for me to use this year and I am looking forward to filling it up with fun events!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">More notebooks that I really liked last year and kept buying for various reasons were:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSQcBy9NI/AAAAAAAABLc/TYldVSBAeeU/s1600/noteboooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSQcBy9NI/AAAAAAAABLc/TYldVSBAeeU/s320/noteboooks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The one on the left is from Midori (http://www.midori-japan.co.jp/md/).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The pink one in the middle is one that I found in a store in Kyoto called karankoron (<a href="http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/karancolon/index.htm">http://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/karancolon/index.htm</a>l). My favorite from last year is on the right.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is from Tsubame Note and this series comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes (<a href="http://thinkbeforesearch.com/">http://thinkbeforesearch.com</a>/) and the pages are perforated but sturdy so they don't fall apart.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now, for paper clips...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSWXZ9bOI/AAAAAAAABLg/DWFTMxi3P7E/s1600/paperclips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSWXZ9bOI/AAAAAAAABLg/DWFTMxi3P7E/s320/paperclips.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">My favorite elephant shaped ones and fruit shaped ones are not here but this is to give you an idea of what is out there and what I actually use. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I use these kinds of paperclips as often as I can because I read somewhere that the most circulative stationery is the paperclip. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This means that more than any other stationery, the paper clip is the least likely to stay in one place. It is reused and passed on to people so you never know where your paperclip is going to end up! I figure if that is the case, why not send around a bit of happiness and excitement too?!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSZvypRVI/AAAAAAAABLk/tqkRR2FBh80/s1600/bookdarts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfSZvypRVI/AAAAAAAABLk/tqkRR2FBh80/s320/bookdarts.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">And last but not least one of my most favorite items carries my paperclips and post-its...</div><div class="MsoNormal">(<a href="http://www.samiraboon.com/wawcs0116335/furoshiki_shiki.htm">http://www.samiraboon.com/wawcs0116335/furoshiki_shiki.htm</a>l)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is an amazing piece of vinyl that I bought at the Nagasaki Museum a while ago and it is awesome. I bought a larger one for my receipts too.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Have a nice day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfcDClXsBI/AAAAAAAABLw/N8hJBp1boVE/s1600/%253F%253F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TSfcDClXsBI/AAAAAAAABLw/N8hJBp1boVE/s320/%253F%253F.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cementdesign.com/index3.html">http://cementdesign.com/index2.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-70859533274226519112011-01-07T15:50:00.001+09:002011-01-07T15:51:11.133+09:00Japanese songs that topped the charts in 2010The song that made many people cry last year was "Toile no Kamisama" (The Toilet Goddess).<br /><br />There are many different gods in Japan and apparently there is one for the restroom! My mother use to tell me that if I cleaned the toilet my children would grow up to be beautiful. This made me think she was lying... o_O<br /><br />The singer/songwriter of The Toilet Goddess, Kana Uemura was told by her grandmother that SHE would grow up to be beautiful if she made sure that the toilet was clean. So it seems there are different versions of the Toilet Goddess story!<br /><br />The song is a true story written by Kana who use to live with her grandmother. They were like best friends until Kana started to grow up and grow apart from her family. After she leaves her home to go to Tokyo and become a singer, she gets called back one day because her grandmother is in the hospital. She rushes back to see her grandmother...The songs is a long song (about 8minutes) but it got lots of attention on the radio here in Japan.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/Z2VoEN1iooE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2VoEN1iooE&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z2VoEN1iooE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/sjSHxDyon40/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjSHxDyon40&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjSHxDyon40&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Another song that got a lot of attention is "I Wish For You"by the group EXILE. They are a singing and dancing troupe that have doing in very well with CD sales and national tours. They also have their own TV show.<br /><br />And, the third song that I would like to introduce today is by a trio called IKIMONO GAKARI (those in charge of the animals).<br /><br />It is a song that doesn't not need any translation, at least the title doesn't (I think)...it is called "Arigato".<br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="288" id="viddler" width="437"><param name="movie" value="http://www.viddler.com/player/1362307c/"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="fake=1"><embed src="http://www.viddler.com/player/1362307c/" width="437" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="fake=1" name="viddler"></embed></object><br />(They also have an "interesting" song called "Joyful"...<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QWlQ02IfBK8?fs=1&hl=ja_JP&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QWlQ02IfBK8?fs=1&hl=ja_JP&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As for who I look forward to doing well in 2011...?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will be rooting for Monkey Majik...they have a new song out called "Sunshine" but for first time listeners, I think the following video will give you a better idea as to "what" they are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/ZVWChbPeHYA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZVWChbPeHYA&fs=1&source=uds"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZVWChbPeHYA&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the way, their Japanese is REALLY good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their official is website is <a href="http://www.monkeymajik.com/top.php">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you finds lots of great music this year!</div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-55299333297739312932011-01-03T12:00:00.007+09:002011-01-04T19:13:37.457+09:00meditating and multi tasking<div>Last year I learned a lot about myself. It was not my intention but it turned out that way.</div><div><br />
</div>I was trying (and still am) to learn more about meditation, and this is what I found out.<div><br />
</div><div>Meditation is a way to listen to yourself. Many people try to focus on clearing their minds but we know that the more we try to "not think" the more we end up doing just that. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So, you sit with yourself. If you don't listen to yourself then why should others listen?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sit in a quiet place. If you start to think about something in particular, notice the way you breath and the different places in your body that is tense. Why do you feel the way you do? </div><div><br />
</div><div>Why are you hunched forward? Why is your head cocked to the right? Are you gritting your teeth?</div><div>Why does it feel like you haven't been reaching for the last 15 seconds?</div><div>Don't try to answer the question, just notice how you react to certain sounds, thoughts and smells. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When you feel how you breath in a relaxed mood then you know what you can try to "imitate" when you are having a stressed day. </div><div><br />
</div><div>These moments of stress free meditation have helped me focus on what my real needs and desires are.</div><div>I am not good at meditating for a long time yet, but being able to sit with myself for 5, then 10 and now 20 minutes has been a very interesting journey.</div><div><br />
</div><div>As for multi-tasking, please be careful of the types of tasks you put together. TV can be destructive because of the signals that it sends. If you are watching a program that makes you tense or angry, be aware that whatever you are doing while watching TV can be affected by the tension.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I think religious rituals are interesting because they make you focus on one thing at a time. Being able to focus on one thing will be more productive and you will probably have better quality.</div><div>It becomes a form of meditation as well. Aaaah, a good form of multi-tasking!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR3O2_MSqwI/AAAAAAAABLQ/CI8p2PbqW5g/s1600/pebblegarden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR3O2_MSqwI/AAAAAAAABLQ/CI8p2PbqW5g/s320/pebblegarden.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>Karesansui...dry landscapes or "Japanese rock gardens".... They are often called "zen gardens" in English because the making of the garden is part of the meditating process for zen monks.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Sometimes the different designs made in the gravel (with rakes) represent ponds and flowing water.</div><div>The above picture was taken at <a href="http://www.tofukuji.jp/english.html">Tofukuj</a>i in Kyoto and it looked like a giant chess board.</div><div>How the monks make these designs without leaving a single footprint anywhere is beyond me, but I am pretty sure they were not texting and raking at the same time!</div><div><br />
</div><div>I hope this year is filled with fabulous journeys for you!</div><div><br />
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</div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-60265485027924528342011-01-01T00:00:00.001+09:002011-01-01T00:11:31.483+09:00Good-bye Tiger, hello Rabbit! 2011 resolutions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year!!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://theartoflivinginjapan.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-103rd-post.html">2010 was the year of the tiger.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">After the Tiger comes the Rabbit!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR1brO3rlRI/AAAAAAAABKU/JLBJccU7lyo/s1600/rabbit+eto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR1brO3rlRI/AAAAAAAABKU/JLBJccU7lyo/s320/rabbit+eto.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My brand new Rabbit (Usagi) ornament that will be displayed in our front hallway throughout the year 2011.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(In some countries it is the year of the Cat...but in Japan there is no year of the Cat because as the story goes...god was going to give away a year to each animal that came to him on a certain day. The Mouse told the Cat when that day would be but he lied. The Cat showed up on the next day after all of the years had been assigned to each animal...thus in Japan, there is no year of the Cat. Oooh, but the Mouse became number 1 because he hopped onto the back of the Cow (number 2) and got off at the right moment so that he could be at the very front of the line!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Rabbit came in 4th place. Since they like to hop around it is said to be a "hoppin' year" whatever that means...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What kind of year did you have? I hope it was a good one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My 2010 was a year of self exploration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that I know more about who I am and what I want from life, I think 2011 will be filled with exciting experiences. Why? Because I have a clearer focus on what I want to learn from the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the many things I have started to study is religion and faith especially Japanese Buddhism and Shinto (I was brought up in a Protestant family). I am finding many similarities with western culture and paganism. It is all fascinating and (funnily) Dan Brown-ish... :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I have found someone of similar mind but of amazing talent. Cristy Burne.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I have not read her book yet but it is the first book I will order in the New Year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Cristy is the author of a story (series) that seems to have a whole lot to do with Japanese ghost stories and mythology. For more information please check out her website here:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://cristyburne.wordpress.com/">http://cristyburne.wordpress.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This whole year the universe has been practically throwing people at me. People that I should learn from. It is amazing. I got what I asked for this year but it has been so overwhelming that I am not caught up. I have met a spiritual teacher, a westerner on a Buddhist journey and amazing teachers and colleagues from around the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that has happened to me this year brings a whole new meaning to "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, for me 2011 will be the year of connecting dots...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and like a good friend recently advised me...in 2011 I am going to "just do it".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. Write my book (by the end of December 2011).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Visit the UK (this is happening in July, it has been scheduled!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. Listen, read and learn as if the world is my grad school.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">bit of a rant:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Number 3 comes from what I have seen this past year. So many students pay so much money to universities but they don't do their homework, they sometimes cheat and they often complain. I have been wanting to go back to school but instead of spending the money that goes straight into new buildings and technology that ends up not getting used, I think I will BUY books and LISTEN to people instead. I am sure there are similarities all over the world among college students but in Japan it is tragic... Students study SO HARD to pass their entrance exams only so that they can enter university to start having all night binges and sleep during classes (if attending at all) for 4 years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ahem...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. Write, write, write and write some more...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anywhooo...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope that whatever you decide to do in 2011, that you will go out there and do it too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">May your new year be filled with happiness and abundance of the best kind!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-13684485595721606652010-12-31T15:39:00.001+09:002010-12-31T15:40:18.753+09:00what did I see this autumn?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12OKWprZI/AAAAAAAABK0/hSmIvPpfIuQ/s1600/PB060010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12OKWprZI/AAAAAAAABK0/hSmIvPpfIuQ/s1600/PB060010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12OKWprZI/AAAAAAAABK0/hSmIvPpfIuQ/s320/PB060010.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nagasaki was beautiful in the autumn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12OKWprZI/AAAAAAAABK0/hSmIvPpfIuQ/s1600/PB060010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12PvsEt5I/AAAAAAAABK4/yIPlqPBaOrw/s1600/PB060015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12PvsEt5I/AAAAAAAABK4/yIPlqPBaOrw/s320/PB060015.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bay of Nagasaki was peaceful this day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12PvsEt5I/AAAAAAAABK4/yIPlqPBaOrw/s1600/PB060015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10dfo7hTI/AAAAAAAABKc/rKQTk2nMOv8/s1600/christmastreein+Kyoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10dfo7hTI/AAAAAAAABKc/rKQTk2nMOv8/s320/christmastreein+Kyoto.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> One of the most unlikely places to see a gigantic Christmas tree might be Kyoto. But it was pretty.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10hTcSuUI/AAAAAAAABKg/kjspA1taOaw/s1600/inari+jinja+iriguchi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10hTcSuUI/AAAAAAAABKg/kjspA1taOaw/s320/inari+jinja+iriguchi.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I went to Inari Shrine (Kyoto, Fushimi) with some friends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10ovJpAhI/AAAAAAAABKo/rX4B_yAB388/s1600/lamp+and+torii.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10ovJpAhI/AAAAAAAABKo/rX4B_yAB388/s320/lamp+and+torii.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10sbJcIwI/AAAAAAAABKs/SZw0rmkHBRk/s1600/inari+funny+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10sbJcIwI/AAAAAAAABKs/SZw0rmkHBRk/s320/inari+funny+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We also visited Tofukuji in Kyoto. I enjoyed Momijigari...looking at the beautiful autumn leaves.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12SWAxKHI/AAAAAAAABLA/PvgzH0RJU8c/s1600/PB130047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12SWAxKHI/AAAAAAAABLA/PvgzH0RJU8c/s320/PB130047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12a2gRIRI/AAAAAAAABLE/9rMMHyGTZb8/s1600/PB130044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR12a2gRIRI/AAAAAAAABLE/9rMMHyGTZb8/s320/PB130044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> It has been a long time since I have taken pictures of flowers...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10v7sjL8I/AAAAAAAABKw/JdusifVa9RI/s1600/flowers+in+Inari.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TR10v7sjL8I/AAAAAAAABKw/JdusifVa9RI/s320/flowers+in+Inari.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Another post about my New Years resolutions will be posted in a few hours! I hope you are having a wonderful OMISOKA (last day of the year) today!I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-72706139009645637142010-10-17T12:16:00.001+09:002010-10-17T13:08:30.897+09:00Where have I been?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hi! Long time no see!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where have I been?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last month I was in Langkawi, Malaysia!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnjfs5IyI/AAAAAAAABJc/GjgnZSw56tI/s1600/P1010172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnjfs5IyI/AAAAAAAABJc/GjgnZSw56tI/s320/P1010172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were monkeys...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnktKxqaI/AAAAAAAABJg/KmkieTeRU_o/s1600/P1010180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnktKxqaI/AAAAAAAABJg/KmkieTeRU_o/s320/P1010180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and of course a beautiful beach...which I did not get to swim in...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnlhDwNLI/AAAAAAAABJk/rhoT_f-VW7U/s1600/P1010183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnlhDwNLI/AAAAAAAABJk/rhoT_f-VW7U/s320/P1010183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">but I did get to stay in a very nice hotel in the middle of a rain forest...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnn-_dDCI/AAAAAAAABJo/fsLJbe1XYNg/s1600/P1010195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnn-_dDCI/AAAAAAAABJo/fsLJbe1XYNg/s320/P1010195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and I did get to enjoy a night on the town with colleagues...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnpGX4xcI/AAAAAAAABJs/3ZXlKZI8qtg/s1600/P1010203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnpGX4xcI/AAAAAAAABJs/3ZXlKZI8qtg/s320/P1010203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">where there was food from around the world...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnqdveTUI/AAAAAAAABJw/ygGpQb0x1U8/s1600/P1010240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnqdveTUI/AAAAAAAABJw/ygGpQb0x1U8/s320/P1010240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and after Malaysia I came back to Japan and visited the zoo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Something I have not done in a long time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnroThm_I/AAAAAAAABJ0/UA5ljufW_rw/s1600/P1010267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnroThm_I/AAAAAAAABJ0/UA5ljufW_rw/s320/P1010267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy reminds me of someone...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnsj_R-AI/AAAAAAAABJ4/6OQe7wQibSo/s1600/P1010281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnsj_R-AI/AAAAAAAABJ4/6OQe7wQibSo/s320/P1010281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">compare the facial expressions with the monkey at the top of this blog post...is it just me or does this dude look bored?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnt9Rn5DI/AAAAAAAABJ8/yyQmo2NB0ts/s1600/P1010294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TLpnt9Rn5DI/AAAAAAAABJ8/yyQmo2NB0ts/s320/P1010294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These two were kinda sweet...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The busiest time of the year for people in my industry has arrived... I was really worn out last week but am feeling much better now. Autumn in Japan is my favorite time of the year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The scent of fragrant olive blossoms, the cool and light breeze, autumn leaves...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9009793077402514135.post-8630338529291702562010-08-11T23:43:00.002+09:002010-12-27T14:35:44.594+09:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TGK2_ydYkzI/AAAAAAAABJE/l95K1od9PjU/s1600/IMG_1437-791185.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TGK2_ydYkzI/AAAAAAAABJE/l95K1od9PjU/s320/IMG_1437-791185.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504162901593199410" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TGK3ALIHKwI/AAAAAAAABJM/Fn9y524QrKo/s1600/IMG_4561-792709.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dymmb1d26Es/TGK3ALIHKwI/AAAAAAAABJM/Fn9y524QrKo/s320/IMG_4561-792709.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504162908214864642" /></a></p>I'm sorry for not checking in sooner...I keep falling off the band wagon...<p>I need to join a "can't stay consistent/procrastinating bloggers anonymous" club </p><p>if there is one out there.</p><p>It is hot and humid and there are typhoons forming and evaporating along the coasts of Japan.</p><p>In other words, a rather normal Japanese summer. However it feels hotter than it used to, not because of global warming, but because I have gained 5 kilos in the past year!</p><p>Right now the obon vacation is underway, which means the souls of our ancestors will be visiting us...I'll post more about this and the memorial services for WW2 etc that have taken place recently here in Japan. </p><p>Please take fluids and try to stay cool if you are having summer, and if you are enjoying winter now I hope you can stay warm!</p><p>Thank you to e everyone who commented and sent me messages about the pics in my last post! Here are two of them that I took with my phone and can repost now!</p>I_am_Tulsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07086202179186118183noreply@blogger.com2