Itadakimasu !

Of course you don't eat it raw...

A closer look....

A closer look at the meat...it's the portion of meat near the stomach and the lower meat is actually part of the tongue of the beef.

Main dish...

And the main dish....just look at the color of the meat....doesn't it look delicious ? Makes you hungry ?

The salad....

The salad with sashimi ( slices of raw fish,fried tofu and squid with a hint of wasabi ). The dressing was vinegarette, salt and pepper with olive oil.

Sunday dinner...

Went to a resto in funabashi; and since was starving after a day of touring with my Bianchi ; ordered a lot. As side dish different kinds of Kimchi.

Another day with Bianchi

A typical japanese cafe. You can only find them in small towns outside the metropolis. Tried there coffee...not bad at all,as the japanese would say maa ma...

mmmm.....it taste good! Just be careful when eating tacoyaki coz the inside is really hot your tongue might burn! Afterwards we went to Ginza check the shops and Shiodome showed them the skycrapers and TV station. End our day in Shinjuku, had dinner in Kayu Men Sabou a hong kong resto; specialty are noodles and congee. And guess what they only serve San Miguel Beer !

Tacoyaki da!

Decided to buy tacoyaki and ramone ( japanese lemonade ).

Jeda and Josh are checking the Tacoyaki Booth. Hey! it's still early for dinner....

Hibiya Park

Afterwards we went to Hibiya Park; it was a coincidence that there was a fair in the park.

Hey? Do you see what I see ?

Making funny faces...since we couldn't go inside the palace decided to have fun to attract the attention of the guard. Though I think it didn't help...just made a fool of ourselves!

Next stop Imperial Palace

After lunch we decided to go and visit the Emperor...since we didn't have an appointment we just stayed outside hahaha!

mmm....the beer taste good but it seems I'm alone where's Josh and Jeda? Ah ok...Jeda is busy with her call ( maybe her boyfriend was checking on her.hehehe! ) and Josh...took this picture.

Saturday Tour with Josh and Jeda

Since we met at around noon time we decided to have lunch. First stop Iidabashii " Canal Cafe ".
This place is located beside a river, could be romantic during night time. The resto was closed to the public because there was a wedding party. We decided just to have light lunch. We shared the margarita pizza while I had ceasar salad and dark beer, Josh and Jeda had seafood salad and cola, juice.

After Work....

Enjoying the food and beer after a hard day of work....

Still in Narita Airport 2

This picture with Kumiko san. We used to worked together in a hotel, and now she is connected with JAL ( Japan Airlines ). Met her in the airport and told her to join us. Just had salmon sandwich, soup and coffee for lunch.

Narita Airport 2 again....

In narita airport with Eloise one of our engineers who is going back to the Philippines for a vacation. She is so happy that after a year of work she would have some time with her family. She always keeps on telling me that she couldn't believe that she could go back within this year and she couldn't express her gratitude to the company. I wished her safe trip and enjoy the time with her family.
Right side is Eloise and the opposite side is Kumiko san.

Sakura( Cherry blossoms ) in Autumn ?!

This picture was taken around the end of March '05. And yes, during spring; this was the time for "hanami" when people would go out and have picnic under the sakura trees. Together with friends working in the office.

sunset.....

Just wanted to take this picture for no reason at all. This was taken from my balcony at around 5pm today. Might be surprised why the title of this picture is sunset...well...it was taken just before nightfall so I guess I can call it sunset di ba?!

Yesterday Night

Yesterday night was really foggy. It was just 7pm but because of the fog you can hardly see a thing.

鯛 たい ( Sea bream )

Because the word tai rhymes with "medetai" ( meaning " happy " or " auspicious " ), the fish are served on the occasion of celebrations like weddings and festivals, and are regarded as good luck fish. In addition, from the beauty of their shape and color, they are termed the king of ocean fish. To eat tai in their natural shape is said to bless one with good fortune, so, when preparing them to serve, "the whole fish" ( okashira-tsuki ) is preferred. A method of catching the fish in Japan's coastal waters was developed, and in the Edo Period ( 1603-1867 ) a technique was devised to transport them while still alive.

Are you serious?

Pretending to be serious....? This book is really worth reading; made me reflect how we should look at life in a different perspective.

Royal Host Restaurant

This picture was taken at the Royal Host Restaurant at Narita Airport 1 while waiting for Ayi's boarding time. Discussing about the future of BMFI Japan.

Together with Ayi

This picture was taken when Ayi extended his stay for a day here in Japan. Together with some engineers and SMS staffs.

Sunday Dinner

Just arrived, after attending our short discussion and video session. Since it's late and tired, decided to buy " bento " ( Japanese lunchbox ). And this is what they call 秋弁当　( Autumn Bento ). It has " matsutake "mushrooms, scallops,seaweeds,radish,pickled cucumber,ground meat,konyaku,bamboo roots, etc.. usually these are what you find or get during autumn here in Japan.

ほうとう houtou ( japanese country style noodles )

When we reached Yamanashi City we tasted one of their delicacy which is houtou a kind of noodles wherein the soup is made from miso mix with local veggies.

the map of places we went....the top right is the location of the temple; at the left side is Mt. Fuji.
Shichi Men Zan ( the mountain ) is approximately around 1,900m from ground level.

saying goodbye...

on our way out; said a little prayer---a prayer of happiness.

suite room of the temple

The room where we stayed. And to think that this is considered a suit room.

the place of worship

the temple where we prayed together with the buddhist monks.

it's 5:30 in the morning

and this is only 5:30 am....

japanese wine

the kind of wine or "japanese shouchu" that the buddhist monks drinks'.

Dinner is serve...

our dinner...aside from the veggies; I'm holding a bucket of "miso soup".

At last.....

.....we reached the temple!

Mt. Fuji

Yup! That's Mt. Fuji at the other side.

half way to the top and this is what you can see....just like a scene from a movie?

the path less taken.....

....or the path to heaven?

一丁目 ( ii chou me )

first stop ....the god for unborn children or I would rather say the guardian for unborn babies.

A weekend to remember....

After a hectic week of discussions, meetings and nights at the bars drinking tons of beer and wine ( actually it's during these times when deals are made, contracts closed and great conversations flows ). I needed a break. Though I thought of a place wherein you can reflect and leave the worldly things behind for awhile. That is when I decided to go mountain climbing in the famous and holy mountain "shichi men zan" ( 七面山 ). Went with some friends; enjoyed the scenery and was able to reflect. It took us 4 hours to reach the top of the mountain. We stayed in the temple and ate the food what the buddhist eats( no meat only veggies ); prayed together with them. After having few drinks of beer and japanese sake given by the buddhist monks as a gift, slept early. Next day woke up at around 5am to see the sunrise rise above Mt. Fuji just to be met by white fog and mist caused by the rain. I was a bit dissappointed but it made me reflect that it wasn't my time to enjoy it yet. Maybe circumstances wants me to come back again until I could see for my own eyes the beauty of it. Anyway, at 6am prayed again together with the monks then had our breakfast. After breakfast we went back home...
The pictures you would see are taken during our climb to the top, the temple, the room we stayed and our way back down to civilization.

鯉 (こい） Carp

Koi are believed to be fish capable of climbing up stream againts rapid currents and overcoming all manner of obstacles, and they are thus taken as a symbol of strength, courage, and patience to accomplish major goals. From this comes the custom in Japan for boys to pray that they will take after koi and live their lives strongly and of hanging out carp streamers, shaped like koi , on May 5, Children's Day.

鯉は、激流をさかのぼりあらゆる障害を克服できる魚と信じられており、大きな目的を成し遂げる強さと勇気、忍耐力を備え持つものとしての象徴とされています。このことから、日本ではこの鯉にあやかって男の子が強く生きていけるようにと願い、５月５日の子供の日には、鯉の形をした「こいのぼり」を立てる習慣があります。

人情（にんじょう） Ninjo - Human Feelings

Ninjo corresponds to various human feelings such as love, sympathy, compassion, and friendship, between parent and child, lovers, friends, and so on; yet, it has a somewhat more special meaning in Japanese society. Ninjo is often compared to moral obligation in that, while moral obligation is a principle of human relations that advocates returning debts of gratitude received from others, ninjo is a spontaneous expression of feeling toward others. The phrase, "being warm in ninjo" points out someone kind and thoughtful, but, at the same time, keeping up with moral obligation is necessary to be considered a member of society. In short, moral obligation and ninjo were the two key elements, traditionally applied to human relations among the common people in Japan. Both are certainly inherited by contemporary society as well.

.....

......one of the best beers "

And another beer.....much more stronger taste.

from Moinette - this beer is also delicious with 10% more alcohol content

next please...

From Saison Dupont- this beer has a bit stronger taste.

Hoegaarden

This white beer from Hoegaarden is one of my favorite.I could say that even for non beer drinkers would find this beer easy and fruity to drink.

Beer Tasting in....

"BINIMARU" serves only belgian beers. My first time to drink belgian beer and I would say it really taste good!

Together with some of our Engineers

This picture was taken in our office.

One of our favorites ....

Guinness! Fresh beer in the IRISH PUB " Wishing Well ". Have to stop by this pub since Kaloy really wanted us to try fresh beer not from the cans or bottles.

Meet the staffs

The staffs that makes "the Heartland" worth visiting...not to mention the drinks and great price as well!

Heartland

The standing bar in Roppongi Hills. With scenes from the movie SIN CITY at the background. Modern Art meets Futuristic Design Bar !

A basin?!

Yup! After you p!# wash your hands in the glass bowl PLEASE!

Roar!!!

A piece of art! Can find it only in Roppongi Hills...