My holiday plan

First, I thought I gotta dive my head in my thesis after getting the comments from my sensei. Uh huh, it turned out to be very interesting for this winter holiday. So, it is not all about this dull writing of mine. Well, gonna enjoy the most and work the hardest... as planned.

- 26: (right after this post... ehe) work on the first part of the comments, while waiting for those on the most messy sections of my thesis which is promised to return by my sensei by 28.
- 27: visit a senior on her maternal hospitalization and receive a friend and her friends from Kobe...
- 28: go out with Kobe guys (maybe to Toyota-shi)
- 29: spend time with Kobe guys and then set off to Tokyo
- 30: meet up with my cousin and her friends from Beijing
- 31: get back to CSAN's year-end party in Nagoya OR countdown with my brother and his family in Tokyo
- 2: receive 2 friends from Tokyo on their way back from Kobe

Yeah, tentatively it should be so. Let's see whether or not I could survive my draft for an English-check on January 4.

Well, better off and get back to work......

Christmas Fireworks Display

Unlike last year, I was not all alone in the cold wild to enjoy the night. Out in the crowd, the stunning fireworks kept the viewers wow-ing at every shot. To me, capturing the shots has been more appealing than just viewing. Yet, it was too bad to be able to capture any best shot like those I took last year. Ehe... I had to admit that my skill in point-and-press didn't work well this year. Well, here is the proof of some scraps I captured @ the display on the Christmas' Eve @ Nagoya Port.







Lastly, may you have a.....
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
All the best......

Virgin snow

Early in the morning, just outside my apartment there came a flurry...

Yet, it didn't last long and...

...that's all you can see.

Well, back to sleep afterward...

Early snow predicted

Can't believe that it's gonna snow, or maybe sleet, this Saturday. Kinda early this year... Is it a sign of climate change, the hottest topic? Hum... let's wish for the best of our beloved earth!!!

Source: http://weather.yahoo.co.jp/

Typhoon No. 18 (update)

The Japan Times - Typhoon slams Japan, leaving 2 dead and 44 injured... more

Typhoon No. 18

The Japan Times - Typhoon makes landfall in Aichi Pref., 1 dead, several injured... more

Hakkeijima Sea Paradise

This was the last stop before getting back to Nagoya's home, concentrating for my messy thesis.

Well, I'd say I AM ON LEAVE from my blog for a while...

Nagoya Kouchin

"Nagoya Kouchin" is the pride of Nagoya people when talking about chickens. It is licensed and limited in number. Guess what, this small plate of grilled "Nagoya Kouchin" with green onion costs around 1,000 yen. I'm wondering if it is enough for 3 people as they said or not. My professor called it "legendary chicken" because it is too expensive. But for one reason we temptingly justified, we ordered this "legendary" dish - once in a life time, my professor said. He also said that the chicken tastes more tender than the normal one, yet he couldn't tell the difference unless he is told that this is "Nagoya Kouchin" lolz... Surely, me either even if I am told so.

Get your plan fixed

Visit to links below to have an idea on how to spend a typical summer in Japan, more precisely Nagoya.
1. Summer events
2. Firework display

No plan for BEACH

I remember how I spent my summer last year - climbing Mnt. Fuji in Shizuoka and going to a beach, named Utsumi, in Chita. Among the 2, I love the latter much more.
This year, I'm not sure if I could make it again to any beach in Japan. According to the map taken from NIC's Nagoya Carlendar, you could find some nice beaches nearby Nagoya. In the July Issue, Himakajima looks really appealing to me. If time and weather allows (mid-September, maybe impossible???), I think I'd go there. If not, I think Shinmaiko Marine Park is also fine.
Let's see!!!

Kit Kat

Having passed a bar of Kit Kat to my ex-student-tutor just now, I learned an interesting story about this chocolate chunky. Kit Kat has been very popular among high school students in Japan, esp. those in their final year. For one thing as you may know, chocolate help boost your brain to power your performance at hand. Another thing is that Nestle is promoting this brand by using Japanese equivalent terms. "Kit" can be read "きっと", meaning "surely", while "Kat" is similar to "勝つ", meaning "to win." As a result, most senior high school students, who are preparing for their state exam and university-entrance exam, are super fond of this confectionery.

This is an example of how a brand name could be a plus in marketing.

Japan confirms 292 H1N1 cases

The Japan Times revealed this morning the 1st case of H1N1 flu in Kyoto and the 3rd in Tokyo, making a record of 292 cases confirmed. Go to the news article...

Hmmm... maybe it's on its way to Nagoya!

A late update - Saona in JP

Guess what, Saona's visit has opened up a new chapter of my life in Japan. As an unprofessional guide with poor Japanese proficiency, I felt kinda sorry, though. Anyway, this one-week reunion was unforgettably joyous. We rocked Tokyo together, updated each other our recent stories, recalled the time we first met, talked about some secrets @ IFL, some of this and that, endlessly... The laughter (mostly started by her and unstoppable once broken out) and humor we shared colored the pages. Followed are the visual aids...

Arrival and Yokohama - March 28

A brief touring around Yokohama on our way back from the airport
Don't be misled by her smile; she was tired and sleepy after 10.5-hour flight (3 movies in a row without any sleep). My face was more honest [wink] - about 7 hours at Narita with a short nap.

Harajuku & Roppongi - March 29

Right at the entrance to the crowded famous Shinto Shrine, Meiji Jingu

NHK Building near Yoyogi Park
At first, we thought 200 yen was worth the touring NHK Studio Park there. But, it was suck because not a word was in English.

A park @ Roppongi Hills
This was the sweetest post we took there; others included jumping and single ones.

Tokyo city view from the 52th floor of Roppongi Hills' Observation Deck
Thanks, Mr. Self-timer!!!

Another part of Roppongi area
It was quite late at night and very few people around. After some photos, we headed back home... Then, done with another spot!!! Lolz...

Tokyo DisneySea - March 30

[Yeah] - our favorite gesture!!!
Too crowded and cold to fully enjoy!!! However, we made it to 3 shows (Over the Wave, Mermaid Lagoon and the Magic Lamp) and 3 rides (Storm Rider, the Journey to the Center of the Earth and Under the Sea). [double winks]

Ueno - March 31

@ the so-called Asian Market where you could find almost everything not typical in Japan's normal markets. That day, we bought coconuts, ngeav (a kinda sea shell), sdao (veggie)...

@ Ueno Park, famous for its 1,000 Sakura trees - a good site for hanami
FYI: Bang Nette also joined us; she is a skilled guide.

Nagoya - April 1

In front of Nagoy Castle
From left: Ricky, me, Saona, Bang Veara and his wife Bang Mom, LPP and Kanha

Immature castle models??? Lolz...

One more random post each... Ehe...

@ Osu Kannon, known for its Shinto Shrine and street market

Kyoto - April 2

@ Kinkaku Ji (Golden Temple)
New members: Chakrya (a tourist from Cambodia) & Rattana (a Kyoto resident).
Bang Thida was waiting outside. Big thanks to her, a Kyoto expert.

@ Kiyomizu Tera, famous for its spot to view sakura in spring and red leaves in fall.
Disappointingly, sakura has not yet in its full bloom there.

Nagoya - April 3

A small ad for NU by a Washington University's student

*A mouthful of natto topping sushi - hard to swallow, she commented.
**A bit wasabi sandwiched sushi - no comment. Good for your nose, though!!!

Last by not least, a group photo (taken by Bang Veara who was risking his life by positioning at the very edge of the sidewalk) in front of the sushi restaurant

Welcome those newcomers to Nagoya...

Shibuya - April 4

>>> no photos <<<

Departure - April 5

>>> no photos <<<
Bang Nette and I just saw you off @ Yokohama

...... END......

Note: Gotta say sorry to those who mind their pictures posted here without permission.

An update

This is one of the many shots of Sakura I've so far taken. I decided to post this one just because it is grown in Nagoya, more precisely NU's gym (next to IR).

Sakura blooming calendar 2009

Read more @ JNTO.

Tokyo DisneySea

I was somehow not in the mood of taking photos although I carried 2 cameras with me. Initially inspired by the kinda professional quality photos, I also brought my brother's Canon 50D today although I knew it was inconvenient. After many blind trials, I realized that I am far away from the start of being such a camera holder.

Well, this post is about DisneySea after all. It was crowded as it was supposed to be, for it was the last day of the discount campaign for students (maybe during spring vacation). Good weather, I'd say, was what made the day more enjoyable. Guess what, I got on the rides which I wanted to try during my 1st visit last 2 years. For this, I felt lucky to have so many thrill-loving friends this time, as well as patiently-wating-on-the-ground friends... Ehe...

Exhausted... [THE END]

My 2nd ski trip in Gifu

Ehe... Skiing again. I've just noticed I somehow love skiing although I'm not good at it. The trip last year was somehow... er... click HERE to see it by yourself, and this one was much more enjoyable. For one thing, I made it with very few falls by not trying new styles because I didn't wanna risk breaking my legs, more precisely my knees. Too coward me!!! For another thing, there were 10 other Cambodian friends joining, whlie last year only 6.

It was the first fall on the first day, March 1, when I attempted to walk up the hill with my skis on, instead of shouldering them as instructed. Super energy-consuming!!!

Cambodian immature skiers were so active. Initially, we were in 3 different groups with other foreign students. But after negotiation, we made it 2 thanks to Bang KS. This was the 1st time on the 2nd day that all of us met along this course, but where was Bang PR???

Me in ski wear @ Rabbit (or Turtle???) Station

Parking... lolz...

Trying to catch snowflakes. Too bad I couldn't capture their shape with my DC. They are too beautiful to be real. Will bring a microscope with me next time... Ehe!!!

Never missed a chance to take picture together\(-_-)/

So beautiful!!!

National Norikura Youth Freindship Center
FYI, the temperature was -2°C on March 3

The whole group
One broke her left leg, and another her neck, I heard.

Getting back

Note: This ski trip is organized by SOLV members of the Graduate School of Law, Nagoya University. This year is the 10th anniversary!!! My BIG THANKS go to all the organizers!!! Some photos above are from R's DC. Now waiting for more photos from the rest of the ski group.

Gloomy Nagoya

It was taken from the 15th floor of Nagoya Marriot Associa Hotel after coming back from the Immigration Bureau, yet I don't know the name of the building. It was somehow foggy with day-long light rain. Yeah, spring is approaching... Or maybe it's already been around!

After lunch, I inattentively found a book store on the 11th floor and bought 2 novels: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern.

Lil snow ladies

They came once yesterday. Yet, too few and too quick. They again visited this morning before I could open my eyes. There were many of them this time. So excited!!! ...But, they didn't stay long, not long enough to whiten things. Hmmm... wondering when the mass of them are gonna come...

Videoed by author (@ Charme Nishihata)

Somewhere out there

Note: Photos from STC.