Japanese Tongue Twisters (早口ことば)

なまむぎ　なまごめ　なまたまご　( Uncooked wheat, uncooked rice, raw eggs )
uncooked wheat: uncooked rice: raw egg

すももも　ももも　もものうち　( Both plums and peaches are a kind of peach )
plum too: peaches too: a kind of peach

にわには　にわ　にわとりが　いる　( There are two chickens in a yard )
yard: two: chicken

とうきょう　とっきょ　きょかきょう　( Tokyo Patent Office )
Tokyo: patent: permission, license

亀 かめ ( Turtles )

In Japan there is the proverb, "Cranes live 1,000 years, turtles 10,000." Together with cranes (tsuru), kame are thought to be animals symbolizing long life. In ancient China and Korea, tsuru and kame were considered to be symbols of long life and prosperity, and that was conveyed to Japan; that belief has taken deep root in the lives of the Japanese people.

After a tiring day....

After a tiring but satisfying day of enjoying the passion of feeling the road with Bianchi.

Hey! It's YuU!

That's the name of the artist. YuU san has the same singing style of NINA. This picture taken last sept. 23 in lalaport.

Have a safe trip

Aileen( one of our engineers )went back to the Philippines to attend the burial of her father. Our deepest condolence. I am thankful that even with her present sitation she still managed to smile in front of my keitai. Aileen and Winni( a filipina we met in the airport )before entering the immigration.

Excerpts from " THE ALCHEMIST "

"I'M THE KING OF SALEM," THE OLD MAN HAD SAID.
" Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?" the boy
asked, awed and embarrassed.
" For several reasons. But let's say that the most important
is that you have succeeded in discovering your Personal Legend." The boy didn't know what a person's "Personal Legend"
was.
"It's what you have always wanted to accomplish.
Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal
Legend is.
"At that point in their lives, everything is clear and every-
thing is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn
for everything they would like to see happen to them in their
lives. But, as time passes, a mysterous force begins to convince
them that it will be impossible for them to realize their Personal
Legend." None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the boy.
But he wanted to know what the "mysterous force" was; the merchant's
daughter would be impressed when he told her about that!
"It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you
how to realize your Personal Legend. It prepares your spirit and your
will, because there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are,
or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it's
because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your
mission on earth." "Even when all you want to do is travel? Or marry the daughter of a textile
merchant?"
"Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is nourished by
people's happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To realize
one's Personal Legend is a person's only real obligation. All things are one.
"And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you
to achieve it."


" THE ALCHEMIST "
A Fable About Following Your Dream

PAULO COELHO

A second look at the " PHANTOM "

The "PHANTOM" actually it's a subaru R2.

ひな祭り ( Doll Festival )

Families with daughters celebrate March 3 by displaying hina dolls on a stepped shelf to express the wish for their daughters' good health and growth. The dolls are dressed in gorgeous kimono modeled after those worn by women in the ancient Heian court.

女の子のいる家庭では３月３日にその子の健康と成長を願い、ひな人形をひな段に飾って祝う。ひな人形は平安時代の女性が着ていた豪華なきものを着てる。

はし ( CHOPSTICKS )

In Japan, chopsticks were originally sacred objects used to offer food to deities. That idea is still observed in some ways when using chopsticks. For example, each family member has his or her own pair. Disposable chopsticks are used for guests.

元来日本で使われるはしは、神に食べ物を捧げる神聖なものであった。現在にいたっても家庭で個人用のはしをそれぞれ決めたり、来客用には使い捨ての割りばしを出したり、そのなごりが随所に見られる。

A chinese resto in Akasaka-mitsuke

Had dinner meeting in a chinese resto in akasaka-mitsuke . Actually it's more of a discussion, exchanging ideas, the current situation in Japan and relationship with China. The food was really delicious but, I find this dish peculiar. First time to have tasted it and looking at the picture you can imagine with the red spices covering the meat and slices of pepper ... totemo totemo spicy hot! But honto ni oishi desu yo! By the way, it goes well with Chinese rice wine.

Cup of tea or beer ?!

My boss enjoying his cup of tea or is it beer ?! hehehe! Just look at Nakayama san ( the lady in the poster )and you will understand what I am trying to say. Actually, the purpose of this shot was because of the poster. Nowadays seldom do you find posters like this in restos in Japan.

Lunch in a typical old japanese resto

The menus are written in a paper and pasted on the walls. Here together again with Dante and Jeda. Enjoying our meal of ramen,garlic pork and chicken katsu.

Say... PEACE!

Oh well, since been caught already might as well give in. Where's my mobile phone? Oh there you are; ok I'm ready..3 2 1 say PEACE!

Hey!...A Paparazzo inside the office...

Was caught by surprise...Hey stop it,I'm busy checking my blog! hehehe!

Xing Tiao ( I hope I got it right! )

My boss with Jeda and Dante enjoying vietnamese tea and coffee in Trung Nguyen cafe after a hectic day full of meetings and presentations.

September 14....in TRUNG NGUYEN cafe

Ssshhhh! It seems this guy is in deep thought. What is he thinking or is he really thinking ? Looks like " Malayo ang tingin...baka meron siyang tinitingnan?" Whatever is in his mind all I can say is at the time this shot was taken I was told that this day will always be a SPECIAL DAY for him. This picture was taken last september 14, 2005 in Trung Nguyen cafe in Roppongi.

MIU MIU

Meet Miu miu our cat. Actually I'm not a cat lover though I love animals especially dogs.But Miu miu is different he is special. It was autumn when a box was in the lobby of the condominium. Inside the box was a cat; at first didn't pay attention to it but after 3 days and still it was there I felt pity for the cat. Decided to take him to my place. Brought him to the veterinarian had all the needed medical check ups and vaccines and afterwards had him groomed and trimmed. HOLA! look at him now. Isn't he cute? Named him after one of my favorite brand in fashion- Prada. That is how Miu miu came to our lives.

2nd adventure of the BIANCHISTI...

My 2nd stop is in Lalaport Bay Mall. Considered as one of the biggest mall here in Tokyo. There are lots of shop and restos. I decided to take a cup of coffee and fresh from the oven bread in St. Marc Cafe. This chain of resto is known for their fresh bread. From croissants to garlic breads even macha bread...just mentioning the names of the bread makes me hungry.
It was just after I finished my last piece of walnut bread, it rained. Had no choice but went back soaked from the rain. What a day!

日の丸 hinomaru ( The Rising Sun Flag )

The rising flag was first used by merchant ships to identify themselves as being of Japanese nationality during the Edo period( 1600-1868 ). The flag then evolved into the national symbol of Japan as " The Land of the Rising Sun. "

きつね ( Foxes )

In Japan, the image of the fox is one of the cunning creatures who deceive people, and they often play the villain in folktales and legends. In addition, they are also evil spirits that possess human beings and make them go crazy. On the other hand, the stone idol of a seated fox, which one can see in the precincts of the Inari Shrine, represents the fox as messenger of the gods.

A resto in Shiodome.

Shiodome

Last Friday after my KUMON class went to the office of PIDRO COM. JAPAN. The office is located in Shiodome which is one of my favorite places. Shiodome is like a new town because of it's new buildings and aside from that the theme of that area is "little ITALY". Most of the restaurants in the area are italian restos.Though the area is still new just a few shops are open but I think in a few years this place would be crowded.

義理 Giri ( Moral Obligation )

It is quit difficult to precisely translate concepts of Japanese emotions and morals. Giri, too, does not have an equivalent concept in English. The concept of giri, which was formed in feudal society, is the most valued standard in human relationships: Master - subordinate, parent - child, husband - wife, brothers and sisters, friends, and sometimes even enemies and business connections. If pressed to define it, one might say that girl involves caring for others from whom one has received a debt of gratitude and a determination to realize their happiness, sometimes even by self-sacrificing. Examples of giri expressed in concrete social customs are letters ( such as New Year's cards ) and gifts ( such as year - end presents and midyear presents );however, in acting voluntary, it means to support a person, to whom one feels giri, without paying attention to one's disadvantage when that person is in a difficult situation.

Last farewell with Michael

Waiting for the plane before take off.

With Michael

Sayonara.....

Sayonara Michael and Oliver. Wishing both of you the best in your new endeavors.
Learn from your experiences and keep on improving. Pictures taken in Narita Terminal 1. With Oliver

proverb for the month

"雨降って地固まる" ( ame futte ji katamaru )
" After a storm comes calmness ".

月見 Tsukimi ( Moon- Viewing )

A festival held at full moon in September to enjoy viewing the full moon and to celebrate the harvest. The seven flowers of autumn, and eulalia, tsukimi dango and vegetables are displayed.

９月の十五夜に満月を鑑賞しながら収穫を喜ぶ祭り。秋の七草、すすき、月見団子、野菜などを飾る。