At the service area...

It again took me around 8hours to go back to Tokyo. From time to time had to stop at the service area to rest and get some hot drinks to keep me warm. This picture was taken beside one of the service area in Niigata prefecture.

On my way back to Tokyo

Was alone on my way back to Tokyo since Wataru san had to go to Kyoto for another meeting.

more pictures of snow...

Just look at the side of the road ... turned into a wall made of snow ...

Pictures on my way to Snow Country....Toyama

Had to go to Toyama City and it just so happened that according to weather report heavy snow within the area. The High Way was closed for safety reasons so we had to use the longer route. It took us about 8hours to reach our destination.

....

.....flower? fruit?

Footprint in the snow...

...whose footprint?

my neighborhood..

...from the top of the condo. Same scenery only this time with snow.

Took some pictures...

This one is near our parking area...

The 2nd snow of the season in Tokyo

When I woke up the next day. This was what I saw outside the house of Nao chan.

The night before it snowed part 3...

After dinner Nao chan seems to be sleepy ( maybe the effect of drinking too much wine? ) and here is Gonda kun who wants to drink more. If Nao chan won't drink it don't worry I'm here to take her place. hahaha!

The night before it snowed part 2...

Hey! don't start eating without me! We have to "KAMPAI" first ! Ok. here it goes 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... "CHEERS!

The night before it snowed...

...after work had a "NABE " ( hotpot ) party with friends. Gonda kun seems to be eager to take the first bite of the meat. Mmmmm...just looking at the food makes me hungry. Go ahead Gonda kun you can eat it, I'm looking forward to drinking the wine anyway.

Few days later....

....it snowed last January 14 and I took again a picture of the same plant.

Again for no reason....

....just took a picture of a plant near our condo. Was passing by when I thought of taking a picture.

And the ...

...will she be included in our team of teachers who would be teaching in our training center in the Philippines? Let's wait and see...つづきる...abangan ang susunod na kabanata...

and the MEN from J-PORT

the THINKERS of J-PORT...very productive especially during times like these?! Oooopppss! Just Kidding! But seriously, times like these are needed to unwind and let fresh and creative ideas flow...

The MEN of Alpha Idea...

The MEN behind the company that makes programs to increase productivity. Not only do they work diligently and seriously ( meaning working long hours ?! ) BUT they know how to enjoy with GUSTO!

For sashimi lovers....

....here is a mouth watering treat for you. The best part of the tuna ( maguro in nihongo )
ootoro ( stomach area where the fat is concentrated )

First snow of the season in Tokyo....

It snowed last January 10 in Tokyo. Though it wasn't that much compared to other parts of Japan especially the northern area where heavy snow was or is still being experience. This was taken around 6am at the bus stop near my place.

Bite Size....

It is interesting to know that here in Japan everything is small , from apartments , roads , cars , etc ... and now this. One piece is bite size and would you believe it cost around JPY 250 for a piece! Well, anyway, I'm lucky didn't have to spend that much since it was given for taste test.

Different view of the Shrine

Just like the olden times....

....find this picture interesting.

Kame-ishi ( the turtle shaped stone )

According to an old document, the " Kame-ishi "is one of four famous stone in Kamakura and is also known as the " Zourokuishi ". In 1806, a man who worshipped the Goddess Ben Zai, made a copy of the sutra " Konkoumyosaikyo " and dedicated it to this shrine. When he was looking for a stone to put on top of the copy, he happened to find the turle shaped stone and then dedicated it to Enoshima. This story was written in the chronological table called " Bukonenpyo ".

Before entering the Jinja...

...You have to wash your hands ... eventhough the water is freezingly cold!

Enoshima Jinja

Enoshima Jinja - one of the three bentens in Japan; the guardian goddess of this area and the goddess of love, art and fortune.

Lastly....

The fried rice and dessert...

Gyoza and Ramen....

the 3rd and 4th dish......

On New Year's Day....

...Went out for dinner to celebrate the new year in a chinese restaurant in Hilton Urayasu near Tokyo Disney Resort. And here are the pictures of the food. Firstly the appetizer or cold cuts, from jelly fish, roast pig, drunken crab,etc ... Second is the soup.

New Year's Eve....

....and had some cake, pudding and coffee to celebrate the new year ! No noise, no fireworks just the solemn of the night and voices greeting happy new year and few chats...

From Isesaki...

With Yehlen ( Isesaki ) engineer.

Picture ! Picture !

With some of our Toyama, Isesaki and Chiba Engineers.

with....

With Emman ( Kyoto ), Ehly ( Toyama ) and Wataru. Say Cheeze!

And the winner is....

I was one of the judge together with Wataru and Reiko for the caroling contest. In these pictures we were discussing the categories and points of the contest. The Toyama team won with a slight margin.

Year-end party...

Had our year-end party last december 31, 2005. Wasn't able to eat that much since I had to assist one of our engineers who left his bag in the train. Though it was fun. My first picture with Sicily one of our engineers in Toyama.