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.