Ohayou! ( Good Morning! )

A typical sunday morning ... after the usual walk around the area - breakfast.
My Sunday Breakfast !
- minestrones, bagel with camembert gorgonzola cheese and not to forget freshly brewed coffee!
if you notice the white place mat - is with coffee stains ( meaning forgot to wash them ) ow well as long as the food is great it doesn't matter. hahaha!

Flower in season

While doing my usual walk in the morning I came along some flowers near my condo. I came to realize the beauty and uniqueness of everything in this earth.

" Everybody is unique. Compare not yourself with anybody else lest you spoil God's curriculum. " - Baal Shem Tov

Okinawa Resto

Last friday went to an Okinawan Resto. The dishes of Okinawa and Philippines are similar. Both uses pork with fat and usually serves oily food but tasty!

Black Ramen ?

When I reached my station went straight to a ramen resto within the area. My first time to eat Black Ramen. All I can say is ... it was delicious.

Inside the train...

With the effect of beer affecting my brain and together with the beauty of the sun setting ... watching inside the train made me reflect.

" I hear beyond the range of sound. I see beyond the range of sight, New earths and skies and seas around, And in my noon the sun doth pale his light. " - Henry David Thoreau, Inspiration

JR Sobu Line ( Local )

My ride back home. This is the train that I rode to and from my station.

Pictures after the bout

Took some pictures after the bouts.

The match

Some pictures of the match. The right wrestler is a foreigner and one of the popular sumo wrestler. Though he isn't a contender for the top prize for the season.

The Makuuchi wrestlers ceremonial entrance

They are the wrestlers from the senior division step into the ring in their vividly decorated ceremonial aprons ( kesho-mawashi ), facing the crowd and form a circle. These aprons, beautifully made of silk, richly embroidered with different designs and hemmed with gold fringe cost anywhere from JPY 400,000 to 500,000.

The DOHYO

At the background is the " dohyo " or the sumo ring. The dohyo takes it's name from the straw rice bag which mark out it's different parts. The greater portion of each bale is firmly buried in the earth. It is 18 feet square and 2 feet high and is constructed of a special kind of clay. The hard surface is covered with a thin layer of sand. The bout is confined to an inner circle a little over 15 feet feet in diameter. Over the dohyo suspended from the ceiling by cables is a roof resembling a Shinto shrine with four giant tassels hanging from each corner to signify the seasons of the year.

Picnic time?

I didn't realize that watching a sumo bout would be this fun .... Just look in Jeda san's eyes and the eagerness of my boss to pour the beer in my glass.

And not to forget the yakitori ( chicken bbq ) and Mame ( boiled green beans ) !

Enter the Arena

After the last drop of beer was drank we went to the Arena. Since we had a reserved ticket we went straight to the Sumo service entrance. Located here are the 20 tea-house establishment marked by red lanterns, traditionally involved in arranging for seats, souvenirs, refreshments and other fan services.

We went to the designated tea-house where our guide was waiting for us. He then ushered us to our respective box or area.

Before entering the arena...

...Had few glass of beer and some fried potatoes with my Boss and Jeda san at a nearby resto.

May 20, 2006 The day I watched SUMO

It was a sunny afternoon, had a quick shower and went to Ryogoku. This is where the Kokugikan ( arena for sumo matches ) is located. 1st thing that you would notice when you arrive in the station is the place is adorned with sumo memorabilias, souvenirs and foreigners having their picture taken with some sumo wrestlers.

Took this picture of a statue of two sumo wrestlers just located at the entrance of the train station.

Special Day !

Yesterday was my birthday but I had to worked. I thought I could leave early but need to go out meet some investors for our company. Though I'm thankful that my boss bought champagne to celebrate the day.

Anyway, went back to my place around 10pm and celebrated the day with this piece of cake. It might be small but nevertheless I consider it special.

My birthday cake.

Lunch Break

Had Tempura and Cold Soba noodles during one of our lunchbreak. Often my colleagues and I would go out for lunch.
At the upper left saucer is wasabi (green) the real thing.

Ebisu Garden

It was a hectic and busy day for me coz after Harajuku went to Ebisu Garden to meet my cousin. Had a dinner meeting with him in Lion's restaurant located at the basement. I also like the area for it's serenity and ambience.

Tasted one of the original crepe cafe in Harajuku

Angel's Heart Cafe Crepe is one of the original or pioneering crepe cafe in Harajuku. With it's wide variety selection of flavours and cheap price - no wonder it is popular among the students and young japanese.

Harajuku pictures 2

More pictures in Harajuku.

A Coca Cola Shop selling the famous colas memorabilias, etc.

Harajuku pictures 1

After drinking the refreshing coffee went to Harajuku. This place is famous and popular among young japanese. And when I say young- meaning high school and some college students.

One of the picture shows a shoe shop selling the bulky boots or clog shoes popular among the young.

Coffee Break in....

It was a warm day and walking almost all day long makes your feet tired and thirsty. Along Omotesando Road is one of my favorite caffe....Lavazza Caffe.

The Logo or symbol of Omotesando Hills

Inside the mall is actually almost the same with the others. There are some high end brands and also brands for the younger generation. What facinated me is the logo or symbol of the mall.

Here took 2 versions posted in some areas of the mall.

Omotesando Hills

Went to the newly opened Omotesando Hills. The difference of this mall compare to the others is that instead of a high rise building; it goes underground, meaning basement mall from B1 - B4.

My Dinner ....

My dinner cooked by me. Ehem! I think I just chocked when I said that! Hahaha!
Anyway whether you believe me or not the dish is gingered pork with fried potato and beans.

Tokyo Tower

On our way with a colleague to the airport we would pass by the Famous Tokyo Tower! Though there are rumours that there are plans to build a new bigger and taller tower somewhere in Chiba Prefecture.

Here took 2 pictures from different angles. This was taken inside the car along the highway.

Promoting the Philippines

Found this advertisement in one of the leading fashion magazine in Japan. It's promoting the Philippines as one of the best place to enjoy and relax with world class beaches.

Was walking one night...

Was walking along Yurakucho area and passed by the museum hall. I find the ticket booth interesting so I took a picture.

Where I update my blog

This is my work and study room. It is here where I check my mails, internet and update my blog. ( I think have posted the picture of the room in this blog; but at that time I was still using my old notebook [ left side ] though I use it sometimes to surf the net; recently especially for work I use the new notebook [ right side ] )

Went to a Spanish Resto with friends ( MIXI )

Went to a spanish resto last week with friends I met thru MIXI. Can you guess this food? Actually it's Paella in squid ink. It has some fish, scallops, squid ( of course ) and some spices. It might not look inviting in the picture but it was really delicious. Considered as the most popular paella of the resto.

The other picture are my friends from MIXI.
Not only thus the restaurant serves good spanish food but also excellent spanish wine.

電車 ( densha - train )

This is a picture of the inside of the train I routinely use to commute from Tsudanuma Station near my place until Bakurocho Station where I have to transfer to another train going to the office and vice versa.