appreciation..

These days, Tokyo is getting cooler, but seems like the summer in NZ is also. I couldn't believe it when I was told by my mother that there was a fresh snowfall on the mountain and it was colder over there than here! Seems like global warming is really starting to affect the weather over there. So much for going back and experiencing a hot summer! At this rate I will be lucky to shed my polar fleece jacket!

I visited Kamakura on Saturday and went to the more non-visited temples, although, they were quite crowded. Seems at this time of the year, the autumn leaves bring out the crowds. Best to avoid these beautiful hilly towns, unless you want to be waded down by the crowds. It was great to be out of Tokyo though and enjoy a fairly happy atmosphere, as everyone appreciated the beautiful weather and scenary, despite being crowded.

Met up with Z last night and we enjoyed some very good sushi with some very special black (large) bean natto. You really have to taste it to enjoy it. It is one of my favourite delicacies in Japan (black bean natto), and if you are fan of natto, you will know what I am talking about. Check out Kamakurayama for their natto and beans.

A mediation worshop was held on the Sunday which I participated in. Kind of interesting and that the key to mediation (to start off with), is to focus on something, like the rising and falling of the breath, fire and water symbology, just something that the mind can focus on. There is also a technique that we can use call the "samurai", in which when a thought comes into the mind, we just chop it off! Learnt a lot more about meditation, but it doesn't make it any easier to meditate with so much going through my mind. Which is more the reason why I need to meditate! It's a catch-22!

When I leave work, it is great to bike back and smell the different smells and the mixtures of nature. There are quite a few spots that have trees between the office and my home, and I always appreciate the natural scent that the trees invidicate the air with. I feel so lucky to have the choice to use the train, bike, taxi, foot and/or bus to get to the office, and appreciate being where I am in the world at this point of time.
Even if you are really in a tough spot and think you are depressed, take a good look at yourself and really wonder if you are? Do you truely need to be sad and depressed about things, or is it just something in your mind and that you just don't want to face. Are you fully appreciating what is around you and what life has to offer you, or are you just going from day to day without awareness. Eventhough everyday life may seem mundane, in fact, it isn't. It is just you overlooking things and really not wanting to make anything of something that could be out there. But we never really know when we are fully satisifed or appreciating life since we just take it for granted at times and what we are presented with. We are what we make out of life and what we put in, we get back out. So take a moment and think to yourself. how much you appreciate what is around you, the people that you are connected with and yourself.
I just want to thank you and appreciate your acknowledgement to me.

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.
William James

breast cancer info..

Thought you might be interested in reading about this..

High-dose chemotherapy offers no benefit against breast cancer.

The results are in: high-dose chemotherapy has been proven no better than low-dose chemotherapy in treating breast cancer tumors. Published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, this study shows that poisoning the patient's immune system with extremely toxic chemicals is not an effective way to save their lives. Go figure...
Of course, this revelation doesn't mean high-dose chemotherapy won't continue to be pushed onto cancer patients by their oncologists. High-dose chemotherapy sells more drugs, making it far more profitable to the pharmaceutical companies than low-dose treatments. And pharmaceutical companies don't seem to mind turning the human body into a chemical dumping ground as long as they can pocket a few extra dollars in the process.
As I've often stated here, it's time to really question chemotherapy. The treatment has absolutely no scientific merit, saves no lives, and in fact destroys the patient's ability to cure their own cancer (which is what healthy bodies do all the time). It's pushed by the cancer industry because it generates profits, not because it helps patients. Read Questioning Chemotherapy by Ralph W. Moss to learn more.
In the mean time, if you or someone you know has breast cancer, take comfort in the fact that this disease is rather easily beaten through natural treatments. Graviola destroys cancer tumors far more powerfully than chemotherapy, with zero side effects. Licorice root tincture has also been proven to attack breast cancer tumors. Combine this with 10g of spirulina each day -- a superfood that contains a powerful cancer-busting pigment phytochemical -- and your odds of beating breast cancer are multiplied yet again. Add in chlorella, whole food vitamins, immune-boosting Reishi mushrooms, coral calcium, broccoli sprouts, cabbage juice, daily exercise, garlic, onions, ginger and 100% avoidance of all processed foods, and you have an unbeatable holistic approach to actually curing cancer. Of course, most people refuse to do all those things: they want to be cured of cancer and eat their ice cream, too. Sorry, but you can't have both. Cancer patients have to make a choice between healthy lifestyle choices and whatever lifestyle they used to follow that gave them cancer in the first place. It's a choice, folks, not chance. And if you choose chemotherapy, your ability to be healthy and cancer-free for the rest of your life is greatly diminished.
Breast cancer isn't very difficult to overcome, by the way, and it's actually simple to prevent in the first place. If we could educate the public and help people make better choices about health, nutrition and physical exercise, chemotherapy wouldn't be needed at all.

reality

Thought I would just log and write a bit since it's been a while. Quite a bit has been happening, just trying to find the right time to write here. Perhaps I haven't been motivated to write here.. well, yes that is partially true too.

The photo is of a shop that I visited in Venice. I liked the masks and always wonder who really is behind them. It must be so much fun to be at one of those masked balls. Perhaps, we are in masks everyday. Do we really know someone that well and if we do, are they really the same person with the face that we think they are? I guess a lot of guys can say, they are completely fooled by some women with their make up. Isn't there a saying about coyote ugly and where the situation is really bad, the coyote will chew off its' leg in order to escape the situation of having to face what they are lying next too.. Hence the phrase "coyote ugly". And here I was thinking coyote's are cute!

Work, well, at the moment searching on immunology and how the immunity is depleted when someone gets cancer. I have to search for proven "scientific" methods, not real health methods that actually help people. A bit hard for a health-techie like me.. But at least I am trying to help those people that do believe in drugs and what modern technology can offer. I say good luck, but first take a look at your diet, lifestyle, stress levels, environment, viruses you may have picked up through water in third-world countries (or your own country?) first and then you may really be able to get better than having to put yourself and family and friends through the agonising pain of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I would like to see the success rates of people that have only received that and did no other alternative treatment. I bet there is not a doctor out there that would rely completley on these two treatments. They would seek alternative therapies if they have researched well-enough. There sure is enough information out there that can tell you what is right and wrong and how many people have died from a result of trying to help people by natural means. (We will leave out the fraud's for the time being..). However, all in all, it is what you believe in, and there is nothing more powerful than the power of thought and positive thinking. That's my two cents worth.

Thought I would end this with a cute funny...

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination.

John Lennon

timing of life..

taken on a venetian bridge

Sometimes when you think of someone they can scare you and intimidate you and you wonder why you have agreed to meet them. Then when you do meet up with them, you find that it was just in your head and they aren't as intimidating as you thought (or scary for that matters), and are actually willing to help you out. One of my friends is like this, and although I find them a bit intimidating, at the same time they are very helpful and only wish the best for me. I sometimes have to clear out the negative self-made thoughts in my head and really start thinking out of the box more. It is sometimes quite hard to do this when you are boxed in, but it is only your thoughts that make you feel this way and really you are what you think. So think the best and take advantage of what the world has to offer you. There is plenty out there for everyone and it is only the pettiness that you may think that there isn't, which brings about, depression, sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy and all those other insecurities. The more you think about what you want in your life and being happy for others, the more joy it will bring to your life.

Well, that is my two cents for today. Other things on my mind.. Well, I had a very unexpected visit from Z last night. Totally took me off guard. Really nice to see Z and had the pleasure of consuming some very good Aussie Shiraz combined with some Brie and Blue cheese. A very nice evening indeed. Lucky with the timing though, I must say. The funny thing was, I was thinking of Z and that it would be great if they just turned up on my doormat! The next thing I knew, my doorbell rang! Coincidence or is it the power of the thought?

This week has gone fairly fast I guess and will be Thursday before I know it. The time at work usually goes quite slowly, but there are perks with the job that I won't leave until those perks don't seem so perky. Until then, will keep my ears and eyes out for anything that may crop up. A lot of seems to be with the contacts that you make and who you know not what you know with these kinds of positions. Also, timing. But isn't everything in life to do with timing these days? The people you meet, the luck that comes your way, work, friends, almost anything can be gauged on timing. Some people believe in it, others think it's just logical, not magical. How can coincidences be explained though? There must be something out there that bring things (or people) together for a reason and not just because of the events that just happen to collide.

like two wild toadstalls beside each other, it is all in the timing..

Life begets life. Energy becomes energy.

It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.

Sarah Bernhardt

dairy industry - propaganda

Another excerpt on health.. Hope that it makes you more aware at what they are trying to brainwash into you.. (besides, the cow's milk is made for their calves, not for humans. Humans are the only mammals that drink after infancy. The rest of the mammals stop just after infancy..

Perhaps that is why we suffer from all those diseases and bone density diseases...

NewsTarget) http://www.newstarget.com/021054.html

The dairy industry recently formed a Global Dairy Forum to help coordinate dairy research and promote the image of milk products in light of a growing anti-dairy movement that has targeted the industry for its products' negative health effects.
At the recent International Dairy Federation summit, the Global Dairy Forum was charged with boosting the image of milk since sales have slowed following anti-dairy campaigns that linked the drink to diseases and disorders.
The Forum includes dairy firms such as Arla Foods, Campina, Fonterra and Dairy Farmers of America, and is headed by Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain. Tesco has agreed to get behind a campaign to help educate British consumers about the healthy benefits of drinking milk.
The Global Dairy Forum will launch campaigns to increase the presence of milk and dairy products in schools, as well as encourage women drink more milk to boost their consumption of calcium.
According to Tesco senior dairy buyer Alain Guilpain, more than 90 percent of consumers are unaware of the fat content of milk, and half of those surveyed in a recent study by the Milk Development Council overestimated the fat content by more than six times.
"By getting the right information out there, we can dispel these misconceptions and alert a new generation of drinkers to milk's unique health properties," Guilpain said.
However, milk opponents claim the dairy industry's new forum will push misleading milk information on the public, possibly exacerbating health problems for many consumers.
According to consumer advocate Mike Adams, milk consumption is linked with constipation, sinusitis, digestive disorders and heart disease.
"The dairy industry is working hard to convince humans that a beverage that is nutritionally formulated for baby cows should be routinely consumed by adult human beings," Adams said. "This requires a lot of marketing dollars and a continued campaign of propaganda."
The dairy industry says milk is a key dietary source of calcium, which can help prevent brittle bones. A survey last year revealed that 70 to 80 percent of British children 11 to 18 years old consumed less than their RDA of calcium.
###

weekend in tokyo

The Takao shrine where monks stand underneath the waterfall to meditate.

It seems I came across an article about trees in Tokyo and how they are going to cut down 1.8 million cedar trees (that's sugi in Japanese), in order to cut down the hay fever that hits Tokyo residents each year. (This has been approved by Gov. Ishihara). They are, thank goodness, going to replace the trees with pine trees, so at least we will have some trees to clean the air that is so polluted in Tokyo. However, by the time the Pine trees have grown to a reasonable age, they will find that there is another problem with pine's and have to cut them back in order to stop Tokyoites suffering from Pine hay fever..! Well, either that or they need to make more desks and use the timber for government official's housing.. Check out the link and see for yourself. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20061114a3.html

These days have been beautiful, but they have also brought the cooler temperatures to Tokyo. At least it is giving us a chance to wear our Autumn coats and get ready for the on-coming cold season. Always good wrapping up warm in the apartment, with either a good book or DVD and hot cups of green tea, or sometimes cocoa..

My exam on Sunday went fairly ok, as far as not studying for it. (I was so worn out from the last exam I had on Tuesday), so pretty much just went in there with no idea what the exam will be about! A code for disaster huh. The campus itself was set out in the country (Takao) and was surrounded with beautiful trees (at least they are keeping these ones). It reminded me of a campus that would be set in the States or somewhere overseas. I was quite impressed and the buildings themselves were nice. The exam was over and done with by 1pm, and so I thought I would climb up Mt Takao, since I was in the vicinity and enjoy some fresh air. I am so glad I did, as I felt wonderful after the walk (about 2.5hours) and felt that it was just what I needed to regain myself. The view of Mt Fuji was quite empowering, although it was mainly covered by the clouds. It was still quite impressive and would have waited around for the clouds to leave Fuji san, but I was already cooling down and didn't want to make my cold any worse than it was.



Since it was in the height of "momiji" (autumn leaves viewing), there were quite a number of people (that I managed to cut out of the photo), on the top of Mt Takao. It really was a spectacular day and one that you really wanted to be out in the outdoors to appreciate. It wasn't quite half of Tokyo up there, but it sure wasn't peaceful and quiet though.
I finished up in a lovely Japanese cafe devouring some much needed energy - an aduzki bean dessert known as Oshiruko. (see photo below)

So all in all, having the exam way out in Takao, proved to be a blessing in disguise. I first thought how annoying it would be, as it would mean having to get up at 5am to make it there by 8.30.. however, I ended up checking out a hotel in Hachioji (amazing value and great service - Hachioji Plaza Hotel), and was there relaxed and refreshed. Nothing like staying away from home for a night. Also, managed to do some shopping at the local department store and had my favourite dish (tonkatsu). Obviously, as you can see now, I didn't have a chance to study at all with all this going on..

Leave those that believe in their ideas,
for it is those beliefs that they need to learn from.
(me)

root canals - important information for your life

Important information for your teeth and your life!
This is just a section of what it states about root canals. Check out this link for more..
http://www.tuberose.com/Root_Canals.html

Root Canals

AETNA Loses Major Dental Case Boyd Haley on Root Canals Amalgam Fillings Mercury Fluoride Mercury Vapor Video Cavitations Holistic Dental Health Truth Decay Book
Root canals are a part of dentistry called endodontics, which is concerned with the pathology of dental pulp and the area surrounding the root. A root canal is a procedure to allow a tooth that is painful or no longer viable because of nerve damage or death to remain in the mouth. Most dentists consider root canals an advance in dentistry--superior alternative to removal of a seriously compromised tooth. However a growing number of physicians, including dentists, believe that root canals can be the cause of, or at least contribute to, a long list of illnesses and degenerative diseases.
_
A "root canal" allows a patient to keep a dead tooth in his or her mouth. The fallacy with this concept is that the body doesn't like dead things in it and will try, sometimes desperately, to get rid of the dead thing. Notwithstanding, the fact that it may be "handy" to save a tooth for "dental convenience", it does not change the fact that root canal treatments can devastate the human immune system. Twenty million root canals are performed in the U.S. annually, and this number is estimated to double within the next few years.
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There are many presumptions about root canal therapy which are based in myth rather than science. The philosophy underlying the teaching of dentistry limits its practice to mechanics, pain control and aesthetics. The systemic effects of dental treatment are rarely considered.
_
Conventional root canals have been controversial since the turn of the century, when formaldehyde was used to treat the nerve which inevitably killed it, and the bone around the tooth, as well. This treatment is still used by 20% of American dentists and is called the Sargenti method, but it is denounced by the ADA because it contains formaldehyde compounds and lead. The current formulas are said to have removed the lead, but tens of millions of root-canal treatments using the old formulas are still in people's mouths. While the normal dental profession has been striving to improve the technique, much research has shown that even modern root canals pose health hazards to the body. This is due to the delitirious effects of residual infections; from the seepage of toxic substances still used in the process; and from the interference of the flow of bioelectrical energy through acupuncture meridians associated with all the organs of the body.

business cards..(just the same as brands)

Ryoanji temple, Kyoto

Why is it that if you don't have a famous name on your business card, people just glance at it for about five seconds (if you are lucky) and then put it away in their pocket. That's it. Nothing more really said. I realise just how some people may not be into brands of goods, but brands of companies with the way their attitude is. One of my good friends, N, once told me that they realised if someone was a good business contact (or friend) by the way they looked and their perception of the business card. I think there is definitely truth within that. Like people that care just about their looks, brands - materialism, the same goes with business cards, and if you aren't working for a large company, then you are simply overlooked. Well, I figure it is their loss and not mine, as they aren't worth your two cents. If they are so great, then they should be making you feel great too. Obviously not.

Exam finished, was a three hour one, but got it done in less than 2 and a half hours.. hmm.. perhaps I should have written more, however, I filled up all the necessary spaces and added more, so I don't think that was the problem.. Maybe just a fast writer? Wasn't as bad as I thought, and I am looking forward to the results. Had a nice afternoon and caught up with N in the afternoon (different N as I mentioned above), and Z who treated me to dinner and champagne! Ooh, wasn't I lucky!

Sunday, another exam for the Japanese universities, so will see how I go for that. Have done absolutely no study, so may find it harder that I think. Still, will give it a go and will be interesting to see what my score is, university level or still high school (if not primary school?..)

Believe in yourself and the rest will happen.

(me)

new challenges and believing

Just thought that this is a cool photo of an iceberg somewhere by Argentina.

Makes you want to go there and see for yourself..

Well, I believe that if you don't challenge yourself then you can't believe in what is out there and what may come to you. I guess at the end of the day, if you really believe and have faith in something, then it will pull through and it will present itself to you. The world presents it in mysterious ways and just when you think there is nothing that can be shown or anything further that can be done, something will happen and will confirm your belief that you just have to keep believing in yourself and what is out there. Welcome what you want and create a space for it inside yourself.

I am not sure if you have noticed and have been checking my blog daily, however, I have managed to put a very cool analogue clock on my blog. I was quite pleased with it, as I looked up the source code and then found my source code and the right area and added in the html code. And viola! There you have it on the right hand side of my blog. Some small achievement for a very non-programmer like me. Will probably do a bit more dabbling with programming from now on, if I can adjust my brain around the logics of it all.

Today is Thursday and tomorrow is a public holiday! I did have a day off last week (Friday), and another short week is great! Keep them coming. Of course the bank balance could be in better shape, but it is coming along slowly. Just have to keep welcoming the money flow and creating the abundance.

Tonight am meeting up with Z, as Z had an unexpected business trip cancel and so decided that they would hang out with me instead, which is really nice. Other than that, the long weekend entitles me to a lot more study and revising the highlighting notes that I have done over the last 650 pages, meeting up with a friend for coffee (in my part of the neighbourhood), followed by more study, a couple of episodes of Desperate Housewives, a Japanese lesson and a Tibetan Bells vibration workshop. Oh and perhaps if I have time on Saturday, I might even go and swim a few laps at the pool to let the study sink in.

On a slightly different note, I did make some very good minestrone/veggie soup last night. Lentils, garlic, potato, pumpkin, onion, Chinese radish (Daikon), Mushrooms, herbs and some Dahl sprinkled on top. Must say I was quite happy with how it turned out, although I think I put in a bit too much garlic.

Sometimes it's so hard to take a decent photo to show how great it tasted and looked. However, my philosophy (after being told from an ex-French patissier) that the desserts that look the most plain, are actually the best ones, since they don't have anything fancy to sell themselves by. (i.e. a plain pannacotta can be a lot more satisfying than a fruit tart..)

So give the food that doesn't look so fancy, the better of the doubt.

Anyway, was very warming and nice to come home too with some great bread I managed to get from the local bakery. It is back open again. Bread is good, but the atmosphere is different and really miss the girls that worked there. It felt really personal before and part of a community, where the bakery now is just a bakery and not really much more. I guess at the end of the day, at least the bread is good and they use natural yeast and organic products.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act,

but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Anatole France