What If That Happens?

Hello, everyone~~~! How are you~~~~? I am sick~~~~! I hope you are doing well~~~~! 

Okay, first of all, look at this article! I think that it is interesting.

I don't know if you read it or not. Especially for those who don't speak Japanese language. 

Anyway, I will explain what this article says. 

In short, there is one idea that Kyoto and Shiga would become one prefecture! 

The mayor of Kyoto, Mr. Yamada, says that although this idea would cause merits and demerits, it is maybe kind of realistic action for governing, and there are many commuters from Shiga to Kyoto. 

The mayor of Shiga, Mrs. Kada, says that she disagrees with this idea because we might lose our own identity: Kyoto people and Shiga people.

In my opinion, that will never happen! Why do I think so? The reason is similar to Mrs. Kada's opinion. This is because Kyoto has its own tradition and culture, and Shiga also has its own tradition and culture. Moreover, the area of each of them is large. How do they watch all citizens? Being together is not the best way for governing. 

Also, we would not get any connection even if they became together. Many cities have been together. For example, my hometown is Otsu city in Shiga. Otsu and Kohoku became together years ago. And so, the area of Otsu is very large, ranging from south to north of west Shiga. However, I don't know of the north of Shiga well! There is no connection. It is meaningless for me. 

Therefore, I don't think that this idea will never happen. What if that happens? I don't know? I would see Shiga is Shiga, and Kyoto is Kyoto. 

Haha anyway, that is all for this entry. See ya~

Not as I Expected, But OK!

Hello, everyone! How are you? I am feeling bad today actually... my stomach is something wrong. grrrrrrrr

Okay, today! I bought a Weekly Jump!! I was looking forward to reading the episode of One Piece this week! This is because last week, there was not One Pice due to Oda's leave. 

Honestly, it was not excited as I expected. Why? Because there isn't any progress of the story. Aokiji appeared and stop Doflamingo from killing Smoker. I thought that Aokiji would kill him! haha

I hope the story will be more excited! 

By the way, this week's front cover is very good, I think! 

What do you think?

"世界を制する王の覇気！！" Yeah, it is very cool! haha 

Moreover, I found something interesting about Naruto, too!

What is Sengoku Naruto? haha I am very curious! haha

Anyway, every week, I am very looking forward to read Jumps! 

See ya~

What is your favorite ingredient of sushi?

Hi, everyone! It's been cold... Please be careful not to get a cold! 

Well... I don't know what to write... haha 

Okay, now, I am asking what your favorite ingredient of sushi is. This is because I went to a Kaiten zushi tonight. That is why I wondered that. 

My favorite is definitely salmon!!!!! Whenever I eat sushi, I choose salmon! haha For me, "no salmon, no sushi!" haha 

I like salmon's egg, eel, tuna, etc., too! 

By the way, the following video is where I went tonight! 

I am sorry that I didn't take a good video because of my phone. 

Anyway, please tell me your favorite ingredient! 

See ya~

Osaka Expo Park

Hello, again, everyone! This is the second entry today! haha 

So, today, I went to the Osaka Expo park for the first time! I had never been there since I was born! LOL My mother did go there about 40 years ago. haha 

Okay, in order to go there, I used the Keiji Bypass and the Meishi Highway. This is because I can get there sooner! But it costs 1100 yen... :( 

The video above shows some scenes on my way to the park. 

I parked the West First Parking lot. I didn't know that it took a long minute to get to 太陽の塔, which means The Tower of The Sun. 

It was known as the symbol of Expo '70 and currently is preserved and located in the Expo Commemoration Park in Suita, Osaka, Japan. The tower has three faces on its front and back.


According to Wikipedia...

The tower's height is 70 metres, the diameter of the basement is 20 metres, and length of arms is 25 metres.[2] The tower has currently three faces, two faces on the front, and a face in the back. The face located at the top, whose diameter is 11 metres, represents the future. An antenna attached to it works as a conductor.[2] In the eyes of the face, Xenon arc lamps were used during the expo, however they became decrepit and broken down after the expo. On September 25, 2004, new lights were installed next to the old ones and lit to advertise the Expo 2005.[5] A face between two arms represents the present, and a black face on the rear of the tower is the sun of the past. Originally another face, "Sun of the Underworld" was located on the basement floor, yet currently it has been moved to an unknown location. The jagged red paintings on the front of the tower represent thunder.

Inside of the tower, an artwork called the "Tree of Life" was exhibited, and many miniatures and objects created by theTsuburaya Productions were suspended from the tree. It was 45 metres high and represents the strength of the life heading to the future.[6] In the tower, there were moving staircases surrounding the tree and a lift which enabled visitors to go to the upper floor. One of the lifts inside was connected to a part of the Big Roof through the opened wall, which was closed after the expo. Originally, "The Tower of Mother" and "The Tower of Youth" were also placed on the east and west area in the expo, both were created by Taro Okamoto, and later they were removed.

A miniature version of the Tower of the Sun is located in the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art. The tower has also been listed as one of the Best 100 Media Arts in Japan by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.[3]



To be honest, this tower is... okay... haha

Moreover, in this time, we can see the flowers of 梅, Japanese apricot.

                  

Whenever I see the flowers, I think that spring is coming soon! Of course, 桜, cherry blossom makes me think that spring is now, though. I want to see 桜!

Next time, I want to go there in real spring anyway! It will be very comfortable! ;)

Alright, see ya!

My Favorite Gummy From Germany!

Hello, everyone! How are you? Actually, I was supposed to post this entry yesterday. However, I was tired last night, so I posted now.

So, today's topic is "Gummy," or "Gumi (グミ)."

There are a plenty of types of gummies in Japan. Some examples are "Sours!" which is maybe popular among a lot of young Japanese people.

Okay, take a look at the left one on the picture. Can you see "SOURS?" That is it! Actually, its flavor is the newest, I think. It's Blueberry Yogurt Flavor! haha Surprisingly it is very good! I recommend you buy it!

By the way, the following video is the commercial of SOURS!

What is your impression about this video? haha

Also, you see "Twinbow?" I didn't know there was this gummy. It looked good, so I bought that gummy! It was very sour, but good! There are 2 flavors: apricot and grape!

Maybe I will buy them again! haha

So, I told you about Japanese gummies. However, my favorite gummy is really this one! Haribo!!

I met Hariobo when I was an elementary student. My cousin worked in Germany, so she gave me Hariobo. Since then, I have been a big fan of Haribo! haha 10 years ago, it was hard to buy Haribo in Japan. However, recently it's been easy to buy Hariobo in Japan. It is a little bit more expensive than others, though.

I wish I could buy tons of this Haribo gummy in Japan! haha

What is your favorite gummy? Please tell me! :)

Nothing Happened

Hello, everyone! How are or were you today? It is still cold in Japan. Where is spring? I hope it will come very soon! How is the weather, friends who are in China, America, Canada, etc? Is it cold or warm there?

So, today! Nothing special happened. I just went for a jog in this morning as usual. And at lunch time, I had soba noodle. It was okay.

Well.... I was wondering what I should do. Eventually, no matter how cold it was today, I decided to ride my motorcycle. I tried to Mino City in Osaka. However, I lost my way on the way to the city. And so, I could not make it! :( I maybe should have use a highway...

Also, I hate roads of Osaka! I am from a rural area, so I don't like such complicated and congested roads! I can ride there, but I am confused which way I should head to. haha

The following video shows you what I mean.

Anyway, nothing special happened today. You might be wondering why I wrote a new post today even though I don't have any story. Hmmm... maybe in order to practice writing English sentences! lol But I don't write difficult English. haha Just self-satisfaction! :)

See ya!

Missing Happy...

Hello, everybody! How are you? I am starting to get a cold because my brother and mother got a cold. So, they might give it to me... haha 

Today's weather was very bad. It was raining all day and cold! I went for a jog, but I went home soon because rain became so hard. I hope I can run well tomorrow even if I have a cold. 

So, today's topic is "Happy." Happy had been a member of my family until December, 2011. Yes, she died. Actually, I could not see her off because I was in America... I could not see her last face.... 

I accidentally found pictures that were taken when I was little. In some of the pictures, there is Happy. While I was looking at the pictures, I felt so sad and missed her... 

She came to us when I was a first grade student or right before I entered my elementary school. She was so small and cute! Of course, my brother ans I were also little. haha 

Maybe at first, I didn't know how to interact with her. However, we were getting along! Although she liked meat,  her favorite food was actually Japanese persimmon (柿). And she liked to walk and play with a ball! 

She also got a spay surgery. It could not be helped. Anyway, we enjoyed spending time together. There are so many things we did that I cannot tell you all. I am sorry. 

However, she got older faster than we do... :( Honestly I was worried if she would die while I was in the US. But I had to leave her. So, I tried to spend as more time as I can together before I went to America. After I got my driver's license, I took her some places she had never been. 

Yet, as I was worried, she died in December, 2011 while I was in Ohio. I was so sad when my family told me that she died because I could not see her off as I said above. So, today, I saw her pictures, and I felt sadder and more missed her. 

Hmmm... that is all for this time post... >o<。。。

Highways Not for Free and Service Areas!

Hello, everyone! How are you? Today, it was rainy all day! 

So, today, I went to Mie prefectural Hall and Tsu City Hall. Tsu City is the capital of Mie, by the way. Why I went to those places? You could guess the reason.

Anyway, today's topic is "Japanese highway." As you may know, I used the Meishin Highway yesterday to go to Ryuo Outlet Park. Today, I used the 2nd Meishin Highway and the Ise Car Road. I entered the 2nd Meishin from Seta Higashi and got out of Tsu. The following video is a part of the way to Tsu and Tsu city sceneries.

Yeah, I really love driving or riding on a highway (although it was rainy today). This is because I can drive faster! haha Of course, I drive safely. ;) 

However, why do all Japanese highways cost us money??? I understand that people who work for highways must take care of the roads... but... hmmm I wish if we could use highways for free anyway! 

By the way, Japanese people, of course, know about サービス・エリア(Service Area), right? But, just in case, for foreigners who don't know what it is, Service Area is like a gas station with many food and souvenir shops. Japanese people use these shops rather than refilling gas. This is because each Service Area has its own speciality. 

For example, today, on my way to home, I visited Ano Service Area. I had Ise Curry Udon noodle there! 

安濃(Ano) Service Area

Ise Curry Udon Noodle

Gochisousama deshita! :) It was tasty! 

Also, you can buy other things in each area! Such as: 

Ise Shrimp Food

Ise Green Tea Sweets

Moreover, I visited Tuchiyama Service Area after Ano one! haha 

Food shops! 

土山Service Area in Shiga

I looked at some souvenirs! 

These are made in Shigaraki

You can take picture of you becoming tanuki or ninja! 

Yeah, I am sure that we can enjoy all service areas in Japan! I want to visit all service areas in Japan someday! 

That is all for today's post! Thank you!

P.S. I got a letter about the award from Kansai Gaidai University! 

Yeey! xD

Small Japan

Hi, everyone... how are you today? It was Sunday... I hate Sundays, and tomorrow is  Monday. I also hate Mondays... 

Okay, as usual, I went for a jog in this morning. I have started to think that I should run more. This is because after I run, I don't feel as tired as before. Maybe, I gained  muscles. 

After that, I decided to go to Mitsui Outlet Park Ryuo in Shiga to see if there were good shoes. I visited some footwear shops like Nike, Hawking  etc.  However, I could not find shoes that fit my feet... If I pay more money, I can buy shoes that fit my feet. Yet, I didn't have enough money today. 

Anyway, that is why the title of today's post is "Small Japan." I mean that I am bigger than normal Japanese men are. So, I understand how difficult to find something that fit me. But, there should be market that bigger Japanese people will like. I know that there are some shops that sell big sized things like Shimamura I told you last time. But other shops cost us more money. I hate it. I miss America! 

By the way, in order to get to the mall, I used the Meishin Highway. I often go there on normal roads. And then, it takes more than one hour! However, today, on the highway, it took less than 30 minutes! But there is a toll: 350 yen... :( 

The parking lots in Ryuo Outlet Park

Eventually, I didn't buy anything... haha I just looked around there. So, it was a unsuccessful shopping today. 

After I came home, I took a small nap. And I had dinner: Udon noodle with vegetable, shrimp, and chicken in a hot pot! It was tasty! 

Well, today was not a good Sunday. I hope that tomorrow and the days after tomorrow will be better! See ya~! 

Fashion Center Shimamura!

Hello, everyone! How are you? I hope that you are well! :)

Okay, today was kind of a shopping day! But it started afternoon. So, first, I will tell you what I did in this morning!

Do you think that I went for a jog in this morning? Actually, no, I did not. This is because I had to go errands with my mother. She just needed my help, I did not have a choice that I refused her asking. What I did is that I drove to a bento shop to pick about 30~40 bento boxes. (By the way, bento is a packed lunch in a small box.) Fortunately, I got one of the bentoes. :) It was good! However, there was lots of rice... not good for me who is on diet...lol I ate all, though. haha

This is called Sake/Shake Ben, which means grilled salmon bento!

After I had the lunch, I went shopping to buy some pieces of clothes! However, as you know, I am big... (that is why I am diet, though...haha). And so, it is hard to buy clothes that fit me.... I miss cloth shops because all clothes fit me! haha I wish I lived in America and lived there!

Anyway, I was wondering where to go shopping. I thought that "Fashion Center Shimamura" would be good! This is because I heard that they sell cheap clothes. However, I was not sure if there were what I can wear because I had never been there! By the way, for me, the cheap is the most important! So, please don't think it is funny for me to go to Shimamura! lol

As soon as I arrive at the shop, I headed to men's fashion place. LUCKILY, I found large-sized clothes corner! haha I guess, I was there for about one hour and half to see what shirts would fit me... I eventually bought four shirts and soxes! Each of them were surprisingly cheap!!!!! each was for about ¥1,000~1,500 or $10~15!

After that, I honestly went to another Shimamura! haha It is located very near! However, I got a traffic jam... If there was not a jam, I could have arrived there for 15 minutes. But it took about more than 30 minutes... it was okay. I expected that there would be a jam. That often happend on the road. The following video shows you the road. I took the video the other day when I rode my motorcycle. The road is my favorite, though.

I finally arrived at another Shimamura. It is smaller than the one I was first. But some pieces of shirts were cheaper! Damn, I should have bought them here... haha It was alright. I bought one wine red color jacket ( I don't know if I can call this jacket).

I really like something red! That is why my motorbike is red! haha Anyway, I like this jacket! :) haha 

Okay, after I finished shopping at another Shimamura, I went home! 

... Are you asking me if I went for a jog today because I did not in this morning? 

I DID WENT FOR A JOG after I came home! It was at around 5:30 PM, though... It was getting dark. To be honest, I was scared when it got really dark! haha I didn't have any light... And it was cold! The temperature was 0 C or 32 F!!!! 

On finishing jogging, I made salada and mapo tofu! 

Lettuce, cucumber, fake crab and boiled egg! 

Mapo tofu

These dish are not for diet, you think? No, I believe healthy! haha I didn't eat all of the mapo tofu. I was so full after I ate salada actually because I also had miso soup, too. 

Yeah, that is all for today's blog! It was not a bad day! :) See ya~!

The First Happy Thing in 2013!?

What is up, everyone! How are you? 

Okay, today, this morning, when I woke up and saw outside, it was snowing!!!! That is why it was very cold while I was sleeping. Actually,  snow flakes were kind of melting while they were falling. So, it was a mix of rain and snow. Due to that weather, I could not go for a jog in this morning. However, afternoon, it was just cloudy, so I could run eventually! Yey! 

Also, I planned that I would go to another city's board of education today. But I didn't. This is because I need to drive on a highway, but I thought that it would be dangerous to drive on a highway while snowing. In fact, when I checked the website of the highway, there was a warning about snow and speed regulation. 

By the way, should  I be happy or upset(nervous)? You can see why I ask this question.

Happy?

or

Upset(Nervous)

Happy? St. Valentine's Day!

Hello, guys! Happy St. Valentine's Day in Japan and America! How did you spend today? As you may know, the Japanese St. Valentine's Day is very different from the American one. I prefer the American one! A man should give a women romance and love! haha Never mind! LOL

What I did today is that I first went for a jog as usual. I have been wondering about one thing: since last week, there have been pink high heels by roadside... What are the heels? I am kind of scared... Did anyone leave it by roadside? It is strage. 

After I had udon noodle as lunch, I rode my motorcycle. Actually I went around my school, Kansai Gaidai University. Well... I don't like the road around Nakamiya Campus. There are a lot of traffic: many cars, many scooters, and many pedestrians. :( It is very stressful to ride there. haha

The video above is my riding around Hirakata!

By the way, when I came home, in the post box, there were several envelops. One of them was from Kansai Gaidai. That was my transcript! Yes! I can graduate and get teacher's license officially! I just need to wait until 9th, March to receive my certification. Also I heard that students who have gotten more than average 90% of their grades of all classes will call each of their names on our graduation ceremony. Is that for real??? I think that my grades are more than 90% on average, so I hope my name will be called on that day! 

Also, I got 100% on the class of English and American Literature History! Yeeey! (But I don't know why I made it?)

Still Security There?

Hi, everybody! How is it going? Is it cold? Yes, it is here! How about in your place? (I am getting to wonder with what words I should start on this blog. haha)

Today! Of course, I went for a jog! It was a little bit snowing, but it was okay. I wore a few layers, so while I was running, I was rather sweaty.

By the way, before I went for a jog, I called the Board of Education in my city to ask if I could visit them to turn in an application form of teacher. Mr. F told me that I could, so I made an appointment at 2:30 PM.

After I had vegetable soup I made as lunch, I took a small rest. (The vegetable soup was so so, but a little bit salty. :(  )

After that, I wore my suit and left for the city hall by car. I could go there by train, but, as you know, I like driving. So I chose by car.

... However, that happened to me again! That is, I lost my way to the city hall. Whenever I go there and get close, I lose my way! I hate that area near the hall. It is very complicated!

Fortunately, I arrived there safely, and I headed to the office of the board of education.

As soon as I entered a parking area, I found out that there were a lot of cars (you can see how many cars there were), so I was wondering if there was a place that I could park. Luckily, one car left, so I could park my car very soon.

By the way, some cars in Japan have a yellow plate that means 軽自動車(Kei Jidousha), literally "small car." That kind of car has less than 660cc engine.

Aokiji/Kuzan appears!?

Hello, everyone! How are you? I am fine! Thank you!

So what did I do today? Last night, I could not sleep well again... When I closed my eyes, I thought about many things that made me not fall asleep. Although I didn't sleep well, I went for a jog as usual. Surprisingly, I could run better than I expected.

After that, I took a look at the websites of several cities' board of education. And I thought that I needed to call them about teaching jobs. By the way, I had been thinking if a teacher is a good job for me. But no matter what others say, I believe that  it is for me. I like children and want to help them to develop themselves "physically" "mentally" "academically", etc. And so, I printed out some application forms of the cities that I haven't submitted yet.  And I got some pictures of me wearing my suit. And then, I filled out the forms. I don't know what will be happening to me, but I will do my best for myself, students I will see, and "...."

By the way, are you wondering why the title is "Aokiji/Kuzan appears!?" and what "Aokiji" is. Maybe some of you who like One Piece know what it is, actually who he is.

Just in case for those who don't know about him, here is the description about him.


Kuzan (クザン Kuzan), better known by his former alias Aokiji (青雉 Aokiji), is a former Marine admiral and the first one to be revealed. He was nominated by Sengoku for the position of fleet admiral. However, after losing the position to Sakazuki, he resigned from the Marines. Along with the other Marines he is one of the main antagonists of the Marineford Arc.

Kuzan is an incredibly tall man and is roughly the same size of the other two admirals Sakazuki and Borsalino, the last one clearly taller than Brook. In contrast to Borsalino and Sakazuki, Kuzan is younger than his colleagues.

His standard outfit consists of a white button-up vest over a long-sleeved navy blue shirt and matching white trousers and shoes. He also wears a yellow tie divided geometrically by black lines and a sleep mask on his forehead. During his preparations for the war against Whitebeard, Kuzan has a white Marine coat draped over him like a cape, as did the other admirals. He also is seen wearing a green and purple sleep mask at all times two years ago from the present timeline.

After the timeskip he wears attire similar to the outfit he wore during the bombardment of Ohara. This consists of a blue bandana and a dark blue trench-coat along with black pants and a white deep v neck shirt. He also now wears black cowboy boots and travels with a knapsack carrying his belongings along with his old pair of green round sunglasses. He, like his rival Sakazuki, has also grown facial hair, namely, a thin mustache and a beard.

After his duel on Punk Hazard, Kuzan has a scar that covers his right shoulder, goes up his neck and down to his hip. His entire right hand is also scarred almost up to his elbow. He has also lost his left leg to just above his knee and uses his Devil Fruit ability to create an artificial prosthetic limb made of ice.
(Retrieved from http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Kuzan) 

Aokiji after quitting the Marine Admiral)

Left: Borsalino, Middle: Sakazuki, Right: Kuzan

Now that you know who Aokiji is, I hope! 

And so what about him? He appears finally in the episode of this week's Shonen Jump! I think that he had not appeared since the War between White Beard Pirate and The Marine Army. (He appears in the movie, "One Piece Film Z" but that is special.) See the following picture!  When Smoker is in dager by Donquixote Doflamingo, Aokiji appears, saying:

"あらら・・・ちょっとごめんな兄ちゃん。そこどいてくれるか。友達なんだよ。" If I translate what he says, it may mean that: "Well... Sorry, young man. Can you get out of my way? He is my friend."

Sightseeing in Nara!

Okay, this time, it is in English!

So, what did I do today? (By the way, today is a Japanese holiday, so called 建国記念日, which means "National Foundation Day." )

In the morning, I went for a jog for about one hour as usual. It is very tiring, but I need to be in a good shape!

After I came back from the jog, I saw a message from Tim who is a good assistant language teacher of the Interac. As we chatted, we decided to go to Nara! So, I went to Nara this afternoon! I hadn't really done sightseeing there since I was AN ELEMENTARY STUDENT, maybe I was a 4th grader. 10 years ago!

I went to Ishiyama Station to pick him up by car! I like driving a car! I was willing to drive to Nara!

It took about one hour for us to get Nara. As soon as we arrived in Nara, we found out that it was so cold there! Maybe it was colder than yesterday. But fortunately, it didn't rain or snow. :)

Todai-ji

We first headed to Todai-ji.

Yeah I re-found that the temple is SUPER HUGE! When I first visited here, I thought that it was just big. However, yeah it is super huge.

And inside of Todai-ji, we can see the biggest Buddhism statue which is often called, Nara no Daibutsu sama.

Nara no Daibutsu sama

Actually, this has a name:「摩訶毘盧遮那仏」（大毘盧遮那仏、Mahāvairocana（マハー・ヴァイローチャナ）.

Yeah you might think what? haha

Me too!


After I saw the statue, I visited some souvenir shops. Here are some cute souvenirs.

However, how about this one? It depends on each of you, how you feel about this?

After visiting Todai-ji, We walked around and met Nara deers!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru4KbIM_eEg

You can see what we did with deers if you go to the link above!

They are generally polite, but sometimes they are rude! haha

Deers kind of made us tired, so we went to a cafe to get hot coffee.

Actually that cafe was really good! I'd like to be there again.