Ann

Yesterday, I thought that I would go to PP for church. I don't think that this is where I will be attending but at least it is a place where I know a few people, even though they may all be my elders. Susan told be I should go to Church at the Crossing in Indy and I think I will end up going there, but on my first Sunday back I felt like I needed something safe so to say. And what a blessing when Ann Smith was the speaker. Simple honest and straight forward.

She started off by talking about the New Year in Japan and the practice of gift giving. So as she prepared she thought about giving gifts. She said that if she could give a gift to everyone, it would be: "The gift of awareness that you are not alone." She then read a number of scriptures that she had picked out from her bible, scriptures that had been underlined by her and Nathan over the years. No explanations just straight truths.

3 points that caught my attention were:

• We all need people that we can be transparent with.
• We were not created to be self sufficient.
• To be heard is so close to being loved that to the average person they are inseparable.
  

One Week Down

So I have been back in the states for Just over one week now. I'm in Anderson now have got a car and am in my apt. They only had the bigger apt. available so I'm in a 2 story 3 bedroom apt. The downstairs alone is probably bigger than my apt. in Japan. And I've got free cable. When it's been on it has been on HGTV pretty much the whole time. While I was at home I also got hooked on "Flip This House" a show where people buy houses maybe old or run down at a cheap cost and then totally redo the house and stage it for resale in a short amount of time hoping to make a big profit. I would totally like to do this. It only I had the time.

Merry Christmas

Well I am back home and already I'm eating like a pig. Actually at Detroit airport m flight was delayed an hour so I stopped in at Fuddruckers and picked up a hamburger and fries that was out of this world. It's in C wing so the next time I go through Detroit I know a good pace to eat other than Taco Bell.

Went out to the mall and Kohls today, but it was really depressing not much selection and long lines of people waiting to buy think I will but off shopping till I have some time to do it when things are not so sressful. And I thinkI need some better shopping than Mansfield offers.

Finally I video that Susan sent on my facebook super wall.

10 days left!

I saw this wreath last week and thought it would be great for Tamasei. The school has been transformed into it's usual holiday lighting spectacular, and I am on the committee that oversees this. Hopefully while I am back in the states in 10 days I will be able to pick up some nice things for next years decorations. More than anything I am really looking forward to being back.

Yakuza

Last night I went to the sento and this was one of the sights that I saw. Recently I started going back to the local sento and I have run across these tattooed guys quite regularly. Last night there were 3 one man obviously the leader was fully tattooed like this guy. The other 2 were in different stages of of incompletion. The guy with the most incomplete tattoo was going out of his way to take care of the leader. When they entered the sauna he opened the door for him. Which isn't too unusual but you have to have a special key and the leader didn't have his. When they sat down the underling drapped a towel over the leaders lap. When they left he also got the leaders clothes out and opened his locker for him. He also took the leaders clothes out of a bag and handed them to him. He pulled out a pair of black underwear, and the leader said, "Those aren't mine." He was just pulling things out of a bag that was not his, how was he supposed to know that the underwear didn't belong to his boss? He handed his pajamas to him next and he went as far as undoing the buttons for him. What a weird life they must live.

Now the wierd thing is that most people are afraid of this people, and probably rightly so, but I have never felt that way, in fact I was a little tempted to ask him about his tattoo. But I didn't maybe there was a little fear after all.

Good Samaritan

Ran across this article about NYC's police Subway Sting. The police are leaving wallets with money and credit cards in them to try to catch people that are likely to steal them. How do you decide if the person that picked it up is actually trying to steal it though? Sounds like the police are trying to trap people. You know that it will make people think twice before they do a good deed and try to return property that they assume is stolen.

It makes me think of when I lost my drivers lisence in Japan. Some one picked it up and turned it into the police station. I went to ask about it and sue enough they had it for me and they told me I needed to call the person that found it and thank them. It was a very unique experience. Japanese people are usually very honest about things like this. I don't know how many times I've asked students if they found money what would they do and the imediate response is that they would take it to the police station. Even if it was as trivial as ￥1,000 (about $10). Wouldn't it be nice to get back to those kind of morals in the states.

Amazing

This brought tears to my eyes and I don't even like opera. Glad to know that he has found his place.

American Idol, Move Over!

I was in Ginza yesterday and heard this guys CD being played at a music store. If someone like this would walk onto American Idol it might be worth watching.

Mutifunction Toilet?

So just what is a "Multifunction Toilet", a toilet that can do anything. I'm not sure if it was the English of the Japanese that caught my eye, or maybe it was both. In Japanese it is the だれでも(daredemo) toilet. Literally the anyone toilet. So who comes up with these titles and don't they have them checked by anybody? I went over to have a look and as it turns out it was a unisex handicap toilet. Go figure.

出会い

This is a word that is used at school all the time and today I had an interesting meeting.
I decided to go to the sento tonight and I was relaxing in the bath when this man looked my way and then because we were in seperate tubs leaned my way and started up a conversation with me. Well I was just polite and then moved on to the outdoor pool. Him and his friend Keio Univerrsity graduates, soon were in the outside pool with me and Tetsuo continued with the conversation. He is a Christian and I even found out his favorite scripture is John 10:10. Which was the number on his license plate and the last 4 digits of his phone number. He is also an acupuncturist who has studied in China, and he said if I ever have any health problems just give him a call. Maybe I should refer Cheryl to him first and see if he can take care of her back problems.

Culinary Delights

After a big thanksgiving feast yesterday I thought I would share this passed on to me from Susan. I actually had seen it before but just goes to show you those Chinese will eat anything.

Tired Monday

Today seemed to be a long day, I think mainly because I am exhausted from the weekend. My senior classes have all been preparing for their final test so there was not much to do in class, and during 4th and 5th period it was even hard to stay awake. I wonder how the rest of Nagihana is feeling after the fun of the party, and the long performance. Sometimes I wonder where they get all their energy.

Atami

It was a very windy day and the sand was flying everywhere. Also as you can see they had to tie down the big drum to the stage, and even that wasn't enough, twice during Tobi's solos two peopl had to hold the ropes to stable it. It was actually a little scary. They thought fu sure that it might blow away. And actually after it was packed up and waiting to be loaded on the truck the wind blew it down the flight of stairs leading to the beach. Luckily it looked like it didn't sustain any major damage.

This is the Kawasaki group and their piece.

Tanaka sensei actually didn't play as much on this day, I think he only played two solos.
A very happy Nii chan.

Drumming in Atami

Had a good overnight trip to Atami with my drum group. Of course we all had a good time and it was full of interesting games and entertainment.

Cheers!

For all of the pictures, go to my MAC page.

A Whole New World

This was sent to me by my cousin and I thought it was good enough to share.

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

• First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
• We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
• As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
• We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
• We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
• We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.
• We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
• We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms....... WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
• We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
• We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
• We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
• We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them! Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
• The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
• These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL! If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS! You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The Wild Wild West

For whatever reason the theme song to this TV show just popped into my head this morning and kept playing over and over. You know how that is sometimes. It was a really fun show. For those of you that remeber here is a trip down memory lane.

God's Love We Deliver

I stumbled across this orgainzation and it looks great! It is more or less meals on wheels for people with life threating illnesses. It was started to help Aids patients, but has expanded to help people suffering from cancer and other debilitating illnesses. Delivering love and healthy meals to people who are unable to do so for their selves. They are in NYC, but I think it is an organization that any major city should have. People get 10 meals a week from them and everything is prepared by hand, emphasising a home cooked, down to earth meal, made with love. What a great project, and what a great way to put feet on our faith.

Long Weekend

And I don't mean this in a good way. I was at a tennis tournament all day on Sat. basically I just stood and watched for about 4 hours as we lost just barely to a team that wasn't even that good. My back was so sore that I needed a massage and stumbled into a pretty nice place in Jiyugaoka I will have to try it more often it was pretty nice. Then Sunday was a marathon 3 hour board meeting after church then back to Jiyugaoka for a Tokyo staff get together. Then home to whip up a short message for chapel this morning. I really could some down time.

Rip Away 1000

This is too funny, bully proof underware. Leaves the bully holding a handful of I'm assuming waistband. Actually I can see how they came up with the idea. When I was in Jr. High I remember a friend of my getting a wedgee and the bully actually did come up with a handfull of underware. The guys underware was in such bad shape that it just shredded apart. Now I don't know what my friend did, or what the wearer of these would do. I mean if they are going to rip away I quess your going to have briefs that fall apart in your pants and your going to have toend up going commando.

Giuseppe Castiglione

Giuseppe Castiglione, an Italian missionary to China who served as a court artist to 3 emperiors. Well I bring his name up because the picture that I found on line, Ayusi on Horseback, came this weekend. That was when I realised it was painted by this famous artist. And then I realised that the last time I was at the Nat'l Palace Museum in Taipei I had bought another replica piece by him.

This is the work that I bought.

I have been fascinated by the work of the Jesuits in China. It seems they sent the cream of the crop out as missionaries and in China they targeted the intelectual elite, and actually like this man made it into the graces of the Imperial family. The same approach was tried in Japan but was not as successful.

Concert Pics

I just finished uploading concert pics to my Mac page, please take a look.

Nagihana

Last week I finally got the DVD and CD of pictures from the drum concert that we had last Feb. I need to go through and find the best ones and up load them. It may take me some time though.

You may know him as Big Foot

Ran across these comercials and they are too funny. Sure to make you laugh.
Check out "Water Bowl" too.

Shirtless @ Abercombie and Fitch

Word of the Day

Tchotchke, ran across this funky new word. It refers to: trinkets, small toys, knickknacks, baubles, or kitsch. The term has a connotation of worthlessness or disposability, as well as tackiness. What a funky word, but how do you say it? Find out at Websters. I just need to find the right place to throw it into conversation. So lets see, Connie, do you have any tchotchke?

Check out my FunPix!

I thought I would have some fun with Alina's picture and reminder of the word we taught the clerks at the Crocks store.

Alina's Pics

Alina had quite a few good pics, it took her a little while to get them up but here are a few.

Pics from Alina

Line Riders

This little came is pretty amazing. I don't know how they can make such cool maneuvers, I can barely get it to stay on a flat line.

Marching Soldiers

We just happened upon these soldiers practicing for Double 10 day.

Taipei Pics

For the rest of my pictures of Taipei click here.

Ayusi on Horseback

This is the painting that I saw at the Nat'l Museum, they wanted NT $33300 for it. But I just found a smaller version for about $100. Yeah it's mine.

Nat'l Museum

This is the Nat'l Museum of Taiwan. It really is a magnifcant building and facility.

• The museum holds the world's largest collection of Chinese artifacts, around 700,000 items in all. Since the museum only has space to display around 15,000 pieces at any given time, the majority of the treasures are kept well protected in air-conditioned vaults buried deep in the mountainside. The displays are rotated once every three months, which means 60,000 pieces can be viewed in a year and it would take nearly 12 years to see them all. Furthermore, the collection continues to grow through donations and purchases.

This is definately a must see if you are ever in Taiwan. Now the reason that they have so many great artifacts is because when Chang Kai Shek fled with the KNT to Taiwan when the communists took power, they took all the treasures with them. Now I have only been to one major museum in China and it didn't hold a candle to the magnifcance of this great museum.

Weekend in Taipei

On Friday our first full day in Taipei we went to the Nat'l Museum. It was undergone a renovation, but for whatever reason it seemed to not flow as well as before. And there were som ceramic pieces that I had seen before but were not out, so I wasn't that impressed this trip. The museum gift shop was a lot nicer, but the one peice that I saw that I liked was priced somewhere close to $1,000. Obviously I went away empty handed.

On Saturday we went to the Jade market, and it was as fun as always. The unusual thing was that I got away without buying anything for myself. Can't say so much for Alina, she got a very nice "old jade" braclet. You'll have to hear her story about the former owner Ping.

Soldiers

The marching band was behind these two formations of soldiers and it was actually a very nice performance, even if it was only practice. As we left I found a button from one of their uniforms and it soon became Alina's souvenir. Too bad we didn't see the guy that lost the whole soe of his shoe, it would have made a great prize, if they would have let us get away with it.

Military Flags

Friday morning we went to the Chang Kai Shek Memorial. We were dissappointed that the Nat'l Theater, and concert hall were both being worked on. The memorial was being worked on too, I think they were cleaning it in preparation for double ten day. But a pleasant surprise was we were able to watch the military band rifle corps practicing for the big day. We could just walk anywhere we wanted and I thought a couple of people were going to get marched over. It did make for some interesting pictures.

Loose trousers

Don't know which to be afraid of more the loose clothing or clear trousers.

Just one of the many funny signs we encountered in Taipei.

Taipei

Taipei, here I come. This will be my second trip to Taipei this year. I vowed that on this trip I would take the time to see the Lwo's and go to my old neighborhood and see if I can find the watchman, and the tailor. Should be fun, Alina is coming with me which should be enough to keep things interesting. Back in 3 days.

Owning a Home

Someday I would like to own a home and if I could choose one I think this would be it. I actually lived here in the 3rd floor apt. for a few years a long time ago. And thought if this would ever go on the market I would love to have it. This would be my great B&B. Problem is it is in my home town and there is nothing to attract customers. I can dream though. And the thing is it is not too bad a price given that there are 3 large apartments with it. Two are in the former carriage house in the back of the property. A house with a great history and I know that it has been taken care of. I can see the parqued floors now.

Getting to Know Me

Susan sent me this and I sent it out to a few people, I wonder who will follow up on it.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No, but I wish I had been, and if I could choose it would be after my cousin David.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Not real sure but it was probably while watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
Yeah
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Ham
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
No, but I was asked about my kids this morning on the way to church. At first I wondered had I heard the question right, and when I said I had no kids the lady profusely apologized.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Of course!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Duh!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Nope, lost them so long ago I don't remember.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Been there done that, but never again. The worst part is standing on the edge before you jump.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Don't know what the name is actually but it is a German brand granola that we can get in Japan.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No, and living in Japan I can put them back on in the same condition I left them in my entrance way.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Coffee, or just plain home made vanilla/
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Probably a general overall appearance. And what they are wearing.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red, but I'm not afraid of pink. Just don't combine them like the often do here in Japan.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I'm not a get things done, type of person.
17.WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My friends in the states.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Yes.
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Hey it is still early haven't gotten to that part of my day yet.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Toast, yogurt with fruit, and coffee. The first cup I somehow managed to spill all over my tatami floor.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The cawing of the crows the morning traffic, and the clicking of the keyboard.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Probably orange, although I did an internet quiz that said I would be blue.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Coffee, McDonalds french fries.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Bernie
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Sure do!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Tennis, Rugby
27. HAIR COLOR?
How do I answer that?
28. EYE COLOR?
Hazel
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Hard question. Fried chicken, Sushi (salmon skin roll with ikura)
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Rush Hour 3
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
White
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I think I agree with Susan, lets go for Fall!
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Cherry Pie, or maybe rhubarb.
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Susan
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Hmm???
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Not, but most recent was Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse pad.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T. V. LAST NIGHT?
Actually on my PC. Grey's Anatomy. Did a marathon of season 2. I decided this was better than the TV movie "xXx" that was on. No it wasn't porn.
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
m&m's being poured into a bowl.
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Kashkurgan, China
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIA L TALENT?
Singing
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Belefontaine, Ohio
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Everyone's

Grammar Test

You Scored an A

You got 10/10 questions correct. It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors. If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs. As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human. And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

The It's Its There Their They're Quiz

Nakagawa Onsen

So today even though it was hot, I decided to drive to Nakagawa Onsen and enjoy a nice soak. Actually it was too hot in the outside bath to stay too long and most of my time was spent in the indoor bath that also had a small outdoor tub. The best thing was I was there early enough so I could take some pictures.

This is the small outdoor tub. Wasn't as hot but still pretty much in the sun.

They also had a really nice garden with giant koi.

Kenya

Well it looks like I will be able to go to Kenya in Feb. What a good time. It is sort of making me anxious to go back to the states. I know that I will have a lot of things to accomplish in the states and not so much time but I think that this will be a good opportunity for me, and luckily for me I can even identify Kenya on a world map. Can you?

Back to the Grind

Well it is our first day back at school, and I'm so glad I don't have any classes today. The seniors have achievment tests so I just have to monitor today. I am not readay to be here and actually my mind is starting to focus on being in the states. It is still a little more than 3 months away, but I think the time will fly by. I just hope that my time in the states doesn't just fly by though.

Speaking of which I talked to Susan on Friday and she told me there was a CBH trip to Kenya in Feb. when I will be back. She has worked it out to go with out too much money out of her own pocket. And of course she said hey your going to be back and when can you go to Africa with so many fun people, so I am looking into going. I think basically as long as there is room and they will take me I am going. How fun will that be. Should be fun. One more reason for me to be chomping at the bits to get back home.

Laughter

Spent the evening with Alina, as we were browsing at computers in Big Camera when she took this picture on one of the mac's photo booth. We left it on the screen then spent the next 10 minutes or so laughing uncontrollably. It actually look even spookier on the computer.

Nanasawa

So today I had some time on my hands and I headed off. Actually when I left I wasn't sure where I would end up but I found myself at Nanasawa Onsen. I have been there once before. It is just far enough away to get a little out of the city but it still doesn't take a whole lot of time to get there. Just a little over an hour to get back today, and that was on the terrible Rt. 246. I really don't like to drive on that rode especially on weekends, it is always packed with lots of trucks which makes maneuvering in and out of traffic a bit tricky.

Anyway the weather has cooled down just enough that going to a hot spring was just what the Dr. ordered. I think that I am going to try and make a habit of this during the upcoming fall season. Shige is game to join me so hopefully we will get to some interesting places.

Mexican Toast

Don't they say that necessity is the mother of creation, well so be it that was the inspiration behind my lunch. My need to eat and the lack of food in my house, and the need to get rid of re-fried beans in the fridge, I thought why not make like pizza toast with it. So I spread on some re-fried beans topped it with salsa and cheese then toasted it. Out of the toaster oven I put some guacamole dip on top, hence the green. It was actually pretty good. It could have used some fresh jalapenos though. I save that for next time.

Dr. Fish

You may remeber that I posted about these little guys awhile back and at that time it was a random picture I took off the internet. This time it is all me and they were getting busy on my feet. It was sort of gross and tingle but other that that it wasn't so bad.



There were 2 ladies doing it at the same time and when I took a picture they wanted to do the same thing.
The fish really went to work around my toes and when the 10min. were up they came out sort of red. I actually think to to a better job I would need to be in for a lot longer, but I don't think I will be doing it again any time soon. It is one of those things you want to try once but after that...

Cicada

This morning I was taking in my wash and started to fold when i felt a flapping against my arm and that all to fimilar sound of the "semi". I was totally disgusted threw the shirt down but was a little freaked because it meant that I was loose in the house. Luckily I picked up the shirt and it was still on it and I was able to shake it out. I was only to happy to get rid of it. Below is an example of what I encountered.

Soba Meishi

So to make up for my disappointing lunch I remembered this restaurant that I had seen in one of the new malls that opend up near here. So off I went in search of soba meishi, kind of a combination between yaki soba and fried rice. It is a chain out of Kobe and I had eaten at one of their other branches and loved it. Believe it or not it has my least favorite ingredient in it, konyaku or "cement jello", as I like to call it, but it all gets blended in. It was quite the treat.

Quick Lunch, Not!

I thought that I would make a quick run to McDonald's for lunch. Forget the quick part I think I stood in line for twenty minutes. Now that wouldn't have been so awful if it hadn't been but 5 people in front of me in line. Then when I got my food and sat down there were the loudest kids sitting behind me, I wanted so bad to just turn around and stare down the mother and maybe she would get the message that her kids were out of control. But instead I sat and did my best to ignore them and get out of there as fast as I could. Lesson learned, summer vacation and McD's don't mix.

Caption this

This picture keeps poping up on my screen saver rotation of slides and it always cracks me up. I think she is a little "pac-man". There has to be a funny caption for it.

Money, Money, Money...

It's a rich man's world.
So the song goes, and I don't feel like a rich man, but I have been doing some banking and it is sort of scary what you can do now-a-days. I guess I could go back to Florida and going to the bank and cashing 2 checks for $6,000. Of course they gave me cash and I walked with a big envelope of green. the scarry part was flying with it to Anderson, but once I got there I got to had it over to people at the board and they are making a money transfer for me.

Now the yen rate has dropped so I thought it was time to change some money, let's just say that transfer had 3 zeros too. Well that took a big bite out of my CITI Bank acct. so this morning I walked to the bank and transferred lets just say more than I was allowed to at one time. I had to get a special permission, but it wasn't that difficult, except that I forgot to tell them I had made a transfer of my rent so they had to change the amt. Now the weird thing is the transfer was made at the ATM, but I had to get permission from a bank clerk. It seems they could have done it for me if they were worried about some kind of fraud or something.

Now I have money more money in CITI Bank, I probably should be doing more transfers. I prefer having money sitting in my bank acct. in the states rather than here, because the interest really is terrible, I think the last interest that I got was about 7 yen on $10,000. Terrible huh.

Mom

Thought I should put this up for you mom, that is if you are reading this. You'll be glad to know that everyone was very surprised at how young you were. So do I look old or do you look young.

Hot

It has been terrible hot the last few days, with reports of several deaths due to the heat. Had it been up to me I think I would have canceled tennis practice for the day. But to help the situation I ended up buying popcycles for the girls. Hopefully it cooled them off a little bit and they got to rest just a bit longer. The last 2 days I have been at school for tennis and it has been so hot in the afternoon that once I get home there is no way that I want to go out again. But it looks like I will get out this evening I'm going to meet Rach, Abby, and Ryan for dinner. Should be nice as long as I don't melt.

Bikers

Here we are with our bikes, we were on a lonely road between Hananoyu onsen and Tokusa onsen.

Tokusa Onsen

One of the places we visited on our trip was Tokusa Onsen. I didn't know it but Tokusa means bull rush in English. I won't post the pictures that Shige and I took they are bordeline NSFW. Just a lot of skin. This was the public open air bath along the river, it was a little hot and there were a lot of horseflies buzzing around. I have at least 6 bites. The other public bath called Hirose was not so hot and indoors the waters were very different and we should have gone back to Hirose instead of this one later on in the afternoon.