Lastly, Robbie together with my boss. Showing the V or PEACE sign pose japanese style!

Our three engineers enjoying the food and showing the famous pose that was popularize by an actor in the Philippines.

お疲れ様 ロービさん

A simple farewell party for Robbie ( one of our engineers ) who is going back to the Philippines. Wishing you the Best and Congratulations with your new career and status.
Pictures taken in a Shabu shabu resto in Okubo. From left ( Robbie, Winzar, Jeda & Me ).

adventures of a BIANCHISTI...

Starting today would feature in my blog the places that I go or drop by using my BIANCHI. As what our motto says " Whatever track you choose, wherever you head to, you know that, after all, the road won't change you. You will always have more tales to tell; and deep inside unforgettable memories and unrivalled models to treasure. A drop of sweat will be there on your skin. Wherever you arrive , it will be time for great rejoicing. " THE CLUB BIANCHISTI
First stop of the adventure-- sidewalk YAKITORI Japanese style!

SUBARU R2 aka the " PHANTOM "

The PHANTOM has arrived....

That's what I named the car " PHANTOM ". Actually, it's a SUBARU R2 and you can only find it here in Japan. Just got it from the dealer this morning. Bought it so that Miki can use it for her side business. Very practical car; it's small and compact, not to mention cute! It's also econimical in gas, just think of it 24km/liter. Of course during my free time would also use the car.

Pika-pika Okinawan Style

Here is one of our finger food. If you look closely; on top of the tofu are salted fish or ginamos in our dialect. The sochu or rice wine is also from Okinawa.

making funny faces in front of the camera? or should I say my mobile phone!

I give up ! bring in more beers !

That's what Konosuke san seems to be saying. He is the guy who is holding the bottle of beer. Actually he is a close friend of my boss and a judo sensei. He is a well known figure in judo that he was featured in a manga ( japanese comics ) series wherein he portraited as the villain.

Series of dinner meetings

Last thursday ( Aug 25 ) had a dinner meeting with the general managers of Pidro Com and World Com. It was held at one of the Italian resto in Shinbashi. The next day ( Aug 26 )had another dinner meeting with a japanese working in Toyo Engineering Corporation under the IT Management and Control Unit with my bosses, and it was also held in an Italian resto in Isetan Shinjuku. Afterwards we went to an Izakaya( japanese version of a pub ) still in Shinjuku. The Izakaya serves Okinawan dishes and it was my first time to eat okinawan delicacies. It has a similarity with our filipino dish. My next series of pictures are taken at the Izakaya...

proverb for the month

Proverb in nihongo is kotowaza ( ことわざ ).
”始めが肝心” ( hajime ga kanjin )
" A good beginning makes a good ending. "

Reunion....

Last night after work my former colleagues( who are also my friends ) from my previous work had a gathering. Supposedly the reservation was for a bbq dinner by the poolside at the Hotel. But because of the rain we changed venue. We went to a shabu-shabu resto in Narita. Shabu-shabu is actually a japanese dish wherein thin slices of beef, pork and vegetables parboiled in hot soup. Then you dip the meats and vegetables in a sauce ( ta-re in japanese ). You have 2 choices of ta-re, one is made from sesame seeds and the other from a mixture of soy sauce,vinegar and lemon juice ( ponzu in japanese ).
If you look at the picture, among the 5 members only 2 are still connected with the hotel. One is with reservation and the other as front office staff. Another member is working with American Airlines, the other as a Wedding Planner and the last member is working as an accountant for a Dental Office.

Just another Manic Monday

Yup! was supposedly planning to go back home early and have dinner at the condo but I guess it won't happen. Sometimes you just don't know what would prop up. Oh well, it's part my job.
I need to meet one of our engineers in Shinjuku at 7pm. Have some discussion regarding work. Afterwards need to talk to one of our supervisors in one of our working sites. I guess this makes my job interesting since everyday is not the routine work which you find in other ordinary job.
Aside from that I love my job since I get to help my fellow Filipinos. Though there are times that I would say to myself that handling people is really tough. Not to mention the intrigues and just to think of it different characters and attitudes.
Sometimes on my way home riding the densha ( train ) would listen to my trusted CD player ( YUP! YUP! prehistoric technology! I know living in a country where high tech gadgets are a must! but for me I would stick to my CD player as long as it would still play and serve it's purpose! ) and relax. Forget the pressure, forget the stress just listen and drift for awhile until....."mamonako tsudanuma ni mairimasu". Oooppss! this is where I get-off. Then I'm back in the real world....just another manic monday.

Study room

This is my study room. This is where I work and study when I'm home. And sometimes when I'm really tired I would sleep here.

By the River Piedra I sat down and wept

By the river Piedra I sat down and wept. There is a legend that everything that falls into the waters of this river- leaves, insects, the feathers of the birds- is transformed into the rocks that make the riverbed. If only I could tear out my heart and hurl it into the current, then my pain and longing would be over, and I could finally forget.

By the River Piedra I sat down and wept. The winter air chills the tears on my cheeks, and my tears fall inot the cold waters that course past me. Somewhere, this river joins another, then another, until-- far from my heart and sight-- all of them merge with the sea.

May my tears run just as far, that my love might never know that one day I cried for him. May my tears run just as far, that I might forget the River Piedra, the monastery, the church in the Pyreness, the mists, and the paths we walked together.

I shall forget the roads, the mountains, and the fields of my dreams-- the dreams that will never come true.

I remember my "magic moment" --that instant when a "yes" or a "no" can change one's life forever. It seems so long ago now. It is hard to believe that it was only last week that I had found my love once again, and then lost him.

I am writing this story on the bank of the River Piedra. My hands are freezing, my legs are numb, and every minute I want to stop.
"Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old," he said.

Perhaps love makes us old before our time -- or young, if youth has passed. But how can I not recall those moments? That is why I write-- to try to turn sadness into longing, solitude into remembrance. So that when I finish telling myself the story, I can toss it into the Piedra. That's what the woman who has given me shelter told me to do so. Only then-- in the words of one of the saints-- will the water extinguish what the flames have written.

All love stories are the same.


Pilar

From the novel of Paulo Coelho
"By the River Piedra I sat down and wept"

Map of Kyoto

花火？

children playing with fireworks.

川岸

Along the riverside in Kyoto ... sights of Summer Nights.

Walking the streets of Sanjo Teramachi.

Sign Board in the JR Kyoto Train Station .... mamonako densha mairimasu ...

Business trip to Kyoto.....sumimahen?!

It was just last tuesday( August 16 ) the day when I would go to Kyoto together with Joel ( SMS ace programmer ) and Emman ( SMS engineer who just arrived from the Philippines ), when during Emman's orientation that we had experience a strong earthquake again. It was also one of the longest since I think it lasted for around 3 minutes the most.
After the earthquake we proceed with our orientation as if nothing happened. Then had lunch and at around 2:30 in the afternoon we went to Tokyo Station to take the Shinkansen bound for Kyoto. When we reached the station the ticket office was crowded of passengers. Because of the earthquake some schedules where delayed and some where cancelled. To make it short we got our tickets and rode the shinkansen. It took us about 3 hours to reach Kyoto. Reaching Kyoto station we transfered to a local train and proceed to Joel's Place. Took a short break then went out in search for the working shoes of Emman. At first we followed the map of a store that was given to us by Ishimastu san; and only to found out that it was far from the station and we have to walk around 30 minutes if we would like to go to the store. We decided not to proceed and change our plan. We went to Sanjo. A place known for small shops and restos. A mixture of the old and new Kyoto. We bought Emman's shoes and had dinner at bikoridonkey (literally it means " surprised donkey " ).
After dinner we did some strolling around the area. Along the river side you can see some young japanese dressed in yukata ( Summer Kimono ) playing with firecrackers and lovers enjoying each other's company. Just watching them gave me a sense of jealousy wherein I too wanted to do what they are doing. Oh well, I'm in a business trip so must not think about things that makes me moshy.
After our short walk we went back to the apartment and oyasuminasai....zzzzzzz

Back to Tokyo...

After eating some momo and grapes we went back to Tokyo. Of course we bought some grapes and momo.Hazukashii kawanai to...
Since the road in Tokyo was conjested we decided to have dinner in Takashimaya. The Department Store has a good chinese ( taiwan ) resto. After dinner went back to the condo...Miu miu ( our cat ) was waiting at the entrance. Tadaima...

even the entrance of the shop is filled with grapes.

The City of Grapes and Momo

On our way back to Tokyo we passed by Yamanashi City. Place known for grapes and momo ( japanese peach ). Just look at the grapes...they are huge and sweet. Not to mention that it's seedless.

After eating our catch. We went to the open amusement park. Rode go-cart and played games that you can see in the carnival.
Then had barbeque for dinner in the resto. Had lots of beer again...was drunk.
Next day went to play mini golf. Had buffet for breakfast and went to shops to look at souvenirs. The place reminds me of Bagiuo in the Philippines. With lots of Pine trees and great scenery; you can even smell the sweetness of the air. It also reminds me my last trip to Bagiuo...that was the flower festival 2004...really had a great time.

Catch of the day part 2!

That's the Kosaka Family ( Yu-kun, Sensei, Yuko ). Enjoying their catch or rather should I say prize?

Catch of the day !

What you catch or get is what you can eat. This is the place where you grill your catch. Looks yummy....but I can only eat 1 fish...

Fishing...

After breakfast we went fishing...Had to pay JPY 1,000 for the rent of the fishing rod and another JPY 200 for the bait. That's me looking bored. Was just able to get one fish. Yu-kun the son of Yuko was able to get 2 fishes.

The next day.....

Had breakfast at the japanese resto of the resort. Decided to try breakfast japanese style.
By the way, this picture is the view from the outside of our room. It looks like a house.

Our 1st night...

After unpacking our things we went to the ofuro ( hot bath ). The men and ladies are seperated. Here you take a bath in hot spring nude. Yup! If you're not use to taking a bath in front of other people in nude then this place is not for you.
After taking a bath in the ofuro and sauna we went straight to the resto. For our 1st night we decided to eat in the chinese resto of the resort.
Then had a few drinks with Sensei (literally teacher in japanese ) the husband of Yuko.

After a tiring day....

Miki, Yu-kun and Yuko unpacking our things...

huge mirror in the living room...

a fireplace...in the living room

Tatami room or japanese room....

the bathroom... with jacuzzi and t.v.

The room....

The room that was reserve for us is....what can I say...let the pictures speak for itself ! The bedroom...

The View.....

This is the view from the terrace of the lobby. While waiting for our room we had coffee at the terrace.

The Lobby...

The Lobby is magnificent. Just look at the pictures.

Still the entrance of the resort. This shot was taken from the parking area.

The entrance of the resort

The Resort....

After some window shopping in Matsumoto ( just looking at antique saucers and plates )we thought it was time to check in the resort and have a short rest before
dinner.
The name of the resort is XIV Tateshina private resort. The resort is located in Tateshina, 30 mins by car from Matsumoto. Tateshina is one of Japan's tourist spot and is popular during summer since the weather is cool.

Lunch...in Matsumoto

In Matsumoto there is a resto known for it's soba ( Japanese noodles ). Decide to have lunch in that resto ( forgot the name ). Had zaro soba ( cold noodles ). Was starving that I forgot to take a picture of the food.

Along the road...

A few meters from the bus stop is an old water pump. It reminds me of my grandmother's house which had one. I remember during my childhood days,me and my cousins would play and take a bath and fill up the buckets with water using the pump.

1st day of my summer vacation....

Woke up at 3 in the morning and left the condo at 4:30am. The travel to Nagano was approximately around 3 hours and 30 minutes. Had coffee in Pronto Coffee Shop near the train station. From there went to Matsumoto; the town next to Nagano. As you ca see in the picture the place is a combination of the old and new Japan. The house is old but in front of it is the bus stop sign...

My Summer Vacation....

At last it's my summer vacation! Was able to get 4 days off! I guess need a break to refresh. In my next postings gonna include shots or pictures. Have to sleep early coz departure is at 3 in the morning.Ja Oyasuminasai ( Good Night )!

Still at the bar....

Again another picture that needs lighting. And I still don't remember this picture ... not sure if I know the ladies .... though they seem to be " KAWAII "

After dinner.....

Went to a bar....actually I vaguely remember this picture...was drunk.

A Classic BMW...

The famous Subaru 360

March 3, 1958 it was introduced to the market.The ladybird of Japan.

stll my garage?

Welcome to my garage....?!

my dream garage.....as a saying goes...." only in your dreams "

afternoon tea...or may I say coffee?

Kaloy and Lisa taking a break. Having some coffee and cake. Kaloy seems to enjoy his cup of coffee while Lisa...mmmm what can I say...ohh I thought this was gonna be candid. I was wrong....

....VENUS FORT

Nope...taken at Venus Fort. A mall here in Tokyo famous for it's european ambiance and artificial sky....not to mention...the ladies....

In ROME ?!

Is this the famous wishing fountain of Rome?I wonder...

Models of TOYOTA....

May I present to you the 2005 Toyota Prado with Toyota's TOP MODELS.....

still the dream car....

this time Lisa at the driver's seat. I'm sorry Lisa you can't drive it back home...

Dream Car ?!

this seems to be the dream car of Lisa. She told me that she had to have her picture taken with this mini van. She hopes to bring it back in the Philippines.