through foreign girls eyes

some thoughts on what is going on these days

2011-02-17T11:14:00.000+09:00

What one person thinks is a waste of time for someone, can actually be productive time for someone else.
What is good for someone else can be something bad for yourself.

Brings me to the next question, is there really a bad and good view of things/items/relations..? Or is it just a mind thing and up to you or your morals/upbringing to decipher which you want to place it in - the good box or the bad box...

What do you think?

what will become of The Hobbit...

2011-01-27T17:52:00.000+09:00

After reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings 1, 2 and 3 within two months, I have become a real fan and couldn't get enough of it. I loved the stories and can't wait for The Hobbit to come out!

However, after reading about Sir Peter Jackson's latest news, I couldn't believe it... It is said that JRR Tolkien suffered from a perforated ulcer before dying in 1973... Let's hope that Sir Peter recovers and doesn't die!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/4589305/Peter-Jackson-stomach-ulcer-scare

I really hope his stomach and his health recovers! For his family as well as for his fans that are so much looking forward to watching the movie!

Feb 14th is the official day that they will start shooting in NZ! The long and short of it, is yet to come....

thoughts for the time being in Tokyo

2011-01-20T16:59:00.000+09:00

Tokyo Tower and the mysterious NOA building in Kamiyacho

These days, there is so much social networking going on - which is kind of ironic when you think its not really that "social". In fact, I would refer to it as being anti-social as it really doesn't contain any spoken language, just thoughts going through your fingers to the keyboard. Perhaps that is the way how things will eventually go, we will internally send our thoughts out without speaking.. like animals, plants and other beings..

Social networking (mainly, Facebook, twitter, mixi), seem to be where its at these days and if you aren't a part of it (especially when one lives in a city), then you can be made to feel like you are being left behind. Of course if you are not interested in any of the trends in technology and keeping up with fads, then you may be closing the door on more than just social networking, but how the future will be determined. They say that the young will determine our future, and if the young are so based on what is going on now, then it would seem obvious that things will continue to increase being more technologically based than before.

I love technology and what it can bring, however, I do appreciate life without it. Never really miss my cellphone or email if I don't get a chance to view it when I go on holiday. I find that the world still goes on without me having to look into the technological gadget or device... It's like the world has gone back to the 80's again...

Well, that's about my thoughts for this evening... Another chilly night in Tokyo at 2 degrees.. bring on Spring! Official day in Japan is Feb 4!

2011 - start of a new year - INSPIRATION

2011-01-13T16:25:00.000+09:00

Thought I would start this year's blog post on something a little bit inspirational that was sent to me recently.. Felt like it just hit the spot on this particular day...
I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Happy new 2011! Let's make the most of a brand new year!

Our brain has evolved over time to recognize patterns and to try and
predict what’s going to happen next from those patterns. We are
hard-wired to search for predictability and security. You are so
attuned to recognizing patterns that you your entire life is suffused
with your destiny. Your lived purpose leaves footprints everywhere
across the landscape of your experiences. You just need to focus, to
open up your perception and let the pattern uncover itself.

Put aside your expectations and replace them with a neutral
anticipation and childlike curiosity
Put aside your judgments of good and bad and dwell in gratitude with
what is real
Put aside beliefs and imprints from others and claim the beliefs that
are authentic to your heart, soul, and experience
Put aside your doubts and see your talents and gifts—emotionally,
physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially.
Put aside the constant whir of your life for the stillness and
intuitive sensitivity of your consciousness
In this way, the pattern of your destiny and the direction of your
purpose will stand in this present moment and through every moment of
your life just as the pull of the current shapes the form of a river.
As you sense that pull of destiny, capture it in words that will stir
your passion for life and inspire others as well

hot days in the city

2010-08-06T12:32:00.000+09:00

Thought I would write in here and update my blog. Been a while but will try and discipline myself and write..

However, for now, just wanted to let you know that I will be updating the site soon! Stay tuned!!

made by kiwis and for the world :-)

2010-04-05T16:48:00.001+09:00

a cool budget software. it's really great and easy to use!
check it out here.. https://my.pocketsmith.com/r/cheersmate

lucina - awesome vegan chocolate in daikanyama

2010-02-19T16:24:00.002+09:00

Gotta check this chocolate out! It is out of this world, and good for you!!

http://www.lucina-livefruitfully.blogspot.com/

delicisssss!!

additives list - handy

2010-01-13T16:49:00.002+09:00

Happy new year! A brand new year and we start from zero, so can only go up and up :-)

I hope this finds you well and look forward to trying to update my blog a bit more.

Found this interesting and easy list of additives and preservatives. Most scary about MSG

and how it can also be known as "yeast extract"! What the heck.. how are we supposed

to know the difference between yeast extract and MSG now... Things are getting even more

and more vague...

If you're reading this, you are probably an astute label reader already. Even so some of the numbers and names on ingredient lists are near impossible to decipher. Thanks to the Safe Food Campaign of New Zealand, here is an excellent easy to follow list of food additives to avoid.

The following additives may cause health problems such as allergies, asthma, hyperactivity, birth defects and cancer.

Keep in mind:

Ill effects are linked to many of these additives in human trials and animal tests.
Additives are not required to be tested in real-life cocktails in which we eat them.
Doses allowed do not take into account a child’s greater intake for their body weight.
Research on addictive aspartame and MSG associates them with potential brain damage and effects ranging from mild and transitory to debilitating or life-threatening.

Colours

102 tartrazine 104 quinoline yellow 110 sunset yellow 122 azorubine, carmoisine 123 amaranth 124 ponceau, brilliant scarlet 127 erythrosine 129 allura red 132 indigotine, indigo carmine 133 brilliant blue 142 green S, food green, acid brilliant green 151 brilliant black 155 brown, chocolate brown 160b annatto, bixin, norbixin 173 aluminium

Antioxidants

310-312 all gallates 319 TBHQ 320 butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) 321 butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Flavours

Approx 3000 permitted, untested and unregulated. Artificial and natural are both suspect. Some may contain MSG (621) or free glutamate. ‘…flavouring’ implies artificial, ‘flavoured with …’ implies natural.

Flavour enhancers

620-625 glutamic acid and all glutamates, incl. 621 monosodium glutamate (MSG) which may be disguised as hydrolysed protein, yeast extract, sodium or calcium caseinate. See www.truthinlabeling.com 627 disodium guanylate 631 disodium inosinate 635 ribonucleotides

Preservatives

200-203 sorbic acid, potassium & calcium sorbates 210-213 benzoic acid, sodium, potassium & calcium benzoates 220-228 sulphur dioxide, all sulphites, bisulphites, metabisulphites 249-252 all nitrates & nitrites 280-283 propionic acid, sodium, potassium & calcium propionates

Artificial sweeteners

950 acesulphame potassium 951 aspartame 952 sodium or calcium cyclamate 954 saccharin 955 sucralose 961 neotame Safe Food Campaign Inc PO Box 9206 Wellington 6141 Ph (04) 476 8607 www.safefood.org.nz

designer fashion shows...

2009-11-02T09:47:00.000+09:00

Ahh, went to a couple last week.. the photographers, the glamour... love it all! will write more with a more detailed update... hang on while I get back into my blogger mode ;-))

just 10 minutes is all it takes

2009-08-05T14:15:00.004+09:00

Thought I would update my blog with a quote.. Yes, 10 mins - all it takes to get something

going and change.. 10 minutes can be a over just like that, or you can change something just like that.. According to what you want to do and be and want to achieve. Use those 10 minutes wisely, and you will be rewarded sufficiently.. more than you think...

Today's Inspirational Quote:

"You can do so much in 10 minutes' time. Ten minutes, once gone,

are gone for good.

Divide your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity."

Ingvar Kamprad, Founder of IKEA

lonnng time no see...

2009-07-09T11:17:00.000+09:00

just testing.. will write someething again soon.. but you can find me on mixi... genki chan

another week passes by...

2008-11-14T17:24:00.002+09:00

Another week over at the office.. This weekend what do I have plan... or more to the point, what do I want to attend.. A few options - have the Picasso exhibition that is currently on in Tokyo at the moment, Ukiyoe prints - which have always interested me... Have a live concert to go to on Saturday afternoon as well. Also, have a yoga lesson on Sunday afternoon as well.. So will just see how the mood takes me. Want to catch up with my good friend as well as try and fit in a squiz through the shops in Jiyugaoka if I can find the time.. (maybe Saturday afternoon??)

Next week is another busy week too...! Have a book event to go to, supporting a good friend. 空亡の占い. Check it out if you are interested. It's pretty accurate!

Also, have a couple of assignments to catch up on too... Time?! Where is the time..!

Mid November, the town is starting to feel somewhat colder... snow?.. well, yes, in the Northern part. Some ski fields have already opened up! Cool or what?! Am decked out with my new skis and ski jacket! Flash this time round! Just hope my skiing keeps up with my looks now...! hahahah...

Love life.. ah well, still pretty quiet. I guess there isn't much to write home about that! Of course, will keep you posted if you are interested in it.

Enjoy the weekend and will write again soon!!

think - what you want to be - act - how you want to be - do - what you need to achieve
me

days go by..

2008-11-04T17:06:00.002+09:00

Thought I would check in again and give a bit of an update..

Things have been quite hectic up until now.. funny how one day you don't have enough hours in the day to complete work, then the next, things are happily pretty quiet... I think overall, I prefer being busy.. although, it is nice to have time to catch up with things that need to be caught up with, and not be stressed out...!

What have I been up to apart from work.. well, where do I start.. Some yoga classes now and then, listening to music, revamping my apartment (as much as one can do without putting holes in the wall....) eating well and enjoying the Autumnal weather that is in Tokyo at the moment. I'm enjoying the seasonal foods, especially persimmons which taste great.....

Any goss.. hmm.. no boyfriend to be in sight.. probably best that way since I can keep my concentration fully on the job and my "self-development" as well as just having a good time by myself.. however, it would be good to find someone that meets my expectations of a "boyfriend", yet it seems to be really hard to even meet people that fall into the category.. Will I ever come across someone that is compatible and interesting as well as funny and cute....oh and should I mention - single! Until I do, I guess I will keep improving myself and keep enjoying what there is to enjoy in life - heaps of great things and no guy to tie my down!

Will try and keep my posts regular, although it does depend on how busy I get... At the moment, it looks like I could write in this every second day...

Enjoy life and what it has in store for you
me

new beginings...

2008-08-23T12:16:00.004+09:00

Well, it's been a while and things have been going great. I had a couple of months off from the office and found a great job doing something that I love doing.. marketing, consulting, sales as well as coordination at a non-Japanese company. The people are great and easy to work with and have a lot of respect for the CEO who also happens to be right into health and fittness. Seems to care about employees health as well as a happy work balance/environment. Nice to have that kind of atmosphere instead of one that is always thinking about budget cuts and restrictions not to mention all the paperwork that needs to be covered each day....

What else has been happening over the summer in Tokyo... Well, did spend a couple of days camping at an amazing place in Izu. The beach was as clear as any beaches back at home and the water - crystal clear! I can't wait to go back there and swim through the waters again.. if only it would become hot again.. Seems Tokyo has hit Autumn and we are experiencing temperatures in the mid 20's and not in the mid 30's... ho hum.... maybe next year....?

Some thoughts in general, well, at the moment, have really been concentrating on the new job and what it entitles, however, have been making the most of the time and seems my time management is getting better, the busier I am the easier I can make better use of my time...

September (only another week away), will bring us a new season, Autumn. I'm looking forward to indulging on the Autumnal fruit and wearing warmer clothes, not to mention seeing the changing colours of the leaves that will soon happen. The trees that I look out to from my balcony will start metamorphising into fantastic reds, oranges and tawny browns....

Before that happens though, it's time to enjoy what the rest of the summer offers us, cooler evenings with still a touch of the heat of the sun to smile at us..

it's up to what you want to enjoy,

there are no rules.

(me)

security & interviews

2008-06-19T09:16:00.004+09:00

just a very quick splurge as i wanted to say hi to all those that sometimes check my blog, and wonder when the next entry will be in here.. there have been a number of changes, my work at the large japanese organisation has come to an end... the next step? which way to go? study? work? study and work? back to fulltime in the japanese office with no flexibility? freelance with a limited salary? there are a number of options on the horizon, but which way to go... guess i will just follow my instinct and let my heart guide me to making a decision.
since i have stopped working (about 3 weeks ago now), the days have been going fast.. interviews, preparing for them and also my two other part time jobs that i have been continuing to keep my afloat with my rent.. :-) They are also are a lot of fun too, so makes it hard to give up if I do find a fulltime job... hmm..

an interesting thought that occurred to me while going to all these interviews, is that it has been quite an interesting experience, and the more interviews I have, the more relaxed i feel and the more of a feeling i get about the interviewer. each interview i have had has been totally different. some lasting for 40 mins, other's being over two hours! have been meeting some interesting people and there are certainly are opportunities out there if you are prepared to go out and find them and put yourself out there. i guess having bilingual skills is a definitely advantage, but it also comes down to convincing people that you are capable about the job and even if you have no sales experience, you are doing sales - "selling yourself" as a product, since you are wanting them to invest in you as an employee..

the offices that i have been too, have been increasingly getting tighter on security. the most impressive office has to be the mori building in roppongi, with amazing views and marble floors... the less impressive one, a small office underground that had no windows, and where the security was even tighter than that of mori building, interestingly enough..

will try and write again soon with my random thoughts :-)

enjoy and let your heart lead the way..

article on japan's equality of salaries.. (not)

2008-03-24T11:06:00.002+09:00

just read this... still japan lacks behind in the world.. guess that is why we have to make guys treat us for dinners, etc.. (you can just make the excuse, "well, you do get paid 3 times as much as I should be getting..." hee hee...)

btw, i did do quite well for white day... quite a lot of chocolates and cookies.. remind me to give out more chocolates and things next year...! hee hee..

Japan Times 23rd March

Japan's salary gap

White Day was celebrated March 14, but along with giving cookies and chocolates, men might have done better to give women the one-third of their salaries they are missing. According to new data, Japanese women are paid 33 percent less than men. A recent report on average salary gaps from the International Trade Union Confederation revealed that gender differences in salary persist, with Japan's gap one of the largest.
The study showed that among world economies, Japan's male-female pay disparity edges out even Asian neighbors, South Korea and China, and is double the world average. Japan often compares itself to the West in many regards, but the average pay gap of 14 percent in Europe and 22 percent in the U.S. betters Japan's by double digits. The continued wage difference in Japan would buy a lot of Valentine's Day chocolate.
Economic inequality continues for many reasons. Educational levels have become higher for women, with 33 percent of women advancing to university. However, compared to 47 percent of men who go to college, higher education has not yet become an entirely equalizing proposition. Once working, seniority systems at most companies, especially large-scale ones, ensure that men are promoted more often and receive extra allowances for dependents and housing. These fringe benefits, including higher bonuses, are often significantly less for women. Even more importantly, women make up over two-thirds of all part-time workers, where benefits are minimal or simply nonexistent.

Japan's economy has gone through many changes over the last decade, but gender-equal pay scales is not yet one of them. Women resigning their jobs for reasons of marriage, childbirth or childcare is a worn-out excuse for what is clearly continued discrimination against women in the workplace.
In 2000, the Cabinet adopted the "Basic Plan for Gender Equality" while a bureaucratic restructuring established the Gender Equality Bureau within the Cabinet Office. However, eight years later, even with women making up 40 percent of all paid employees, genuine improvements are shamefully minimal. A gender-equal society should be a source of pride and self-respect for any nation, but in Japan, it remains a goal not yet accomplished.

and while i'm on a role..

2008-03-17T14:20:00.001+09:00

thought i'd update you with another photo from my collection...

one of my favourite photos that i took in Izu. just got my nikon d40x and wanted to try the film speeds out... what do you think??...

these days....

2008-03-17T14:03:00.002+09:00

Well, been a while since I last touched base here in this blog.. Facebook seems to take up a lot of time as well as daily life.... still studying naturopathy, which will still see another 2.5 years of that.... Yoga, sports club, skiing (well almost over in a couple of weeks....) and the usual bodrum of going back and forths to work. Life sure is keeping me busy though, and never really a spare moment to just sit back and watch the world pass by.. I guess I like being busy, learning new things as well as being active, and if I do have a spare moment to just lay back and contemplate on how life is, then I definitely try and do that too...

Now working in Shinagawa area, which is kind of interesting... or maybe not... Quite a historical place, surprisingly though, with it being so close to Tokyo Bay. One of the good things, is that my company is right next to a sports club, so usually try and duck in there for 20mins workout and then end it with a sauna and spa... Can't seem to get enough time at lunch though..

Off to a hot and cold stone facial tonight. Looking forward to that and relaxing :-) Definitely have to spoil myself a bit more.

Oh yes, will be back home again at the end of April. A catch up course to do as well as enjoying the Spring break. Will be good to see everyone again. Will be catching up with relatives that I haven't seen for about 3.5 years..!!

Drop me a line if you happen to be reading my blog. Would love to hear from you and if you do keep track of this site...:-))

Smile, smile, smile :-))

welcome 2008

2008-01-18T03:32:00.000+09:00

Thought I'd try and do a bit more blogging from time to time..

Off skiing tomorrow! Yahoo!!

Will write more soon!

Enjoy the weekend.

"be yourself, for that is all you can be"

studying

2007-10-14T00:25:00.000+09:00

these days have been studying, so haven't had much time to update the blog...
facebook might be the best place to check out what I have been up to.......

still here in tokyo

2007-09-19T07:55:00.000+09:00

Just a quick word to say hi and that I'm still here. Actually, have been using facebook a lot, so perhaps send me message to that, it may be easier to contact me there.. :-)

The summer was hot, but survived it with no air con! Just the fan.

A quick trip back home and back here again..

Love life,
It's worth living!
(me)

through new eyes..

2007-07-13T09:53:00.000+09:00

I finally got my hands on the latest Nikon D40x camera! Rather excited about it and can't wait to take decent photos again! Will try and update photos on my blog, although, something is stopping it and can't upload any photos at this point of time. tohoho..

Long weekend this weekend (day off on Monday - Marine day). No plans for Monday, but probably catch up with some friends, yoga and sorting things out in my house... doesn't sound very exciting does it? Was planning to go away out of town to Izu, but there is a typhoon (the strongest so far this year!) coming, so no good for hanging out at the beach. May go to an onsen on Sunday.. will see...

Other things, well, I guess some things you just can never expect, and can make you feel sad and happy at the same time for no reason. Some people are like that. A breath of fresh air and yet can make you feel lonely and isolated just like that. That is why, if you aren't happy within yourself and in control of your feelings and acceptance of things, will give you a stronger foundation for life.
Easier said than done, but step by step, it can be done. Just like all challenges that seem impossible to face, but eventually, they become possible.. through a change of mindset...

peace to everyone and the world

no photos...

2007-07-03T07:21:00.000+09:00

Back for a quick comment about how things are going.
Days have been going fast and now in July! Where did June go?
Work has been fairly steady but still get out of the office by 6. Don't know how people
can stay in that office for anything longer than 8 hours. If the office environment was more
people friendly, (plants, open windows, more space), then perhaps I would want to stay
longer, however that's not an option at the moment. Perhaps in the future....

Anyway, just wanted to touch base and let you know that I'm well and enjoying life.
A few things planned for the future. More yoga, more study and more enjoying the present with gratitude.

Love to all
All for love
Me

Lucky 100th!

2007-06-11T09:43:00.000+09:00

Just listening to the GAIA Symphony CD. I think it is a Japanese produced CD, but has dolphin and whale sounds as well as classical piano music. Quite interesting and soothing. Just good for relaxing to on a Monday night. Realised that this is my 100th entry in my blog. Must keep it up. Will inform you again when I get to 150! Seems a long way off yet.....!

Now into my 8th day of the detox and feeling pretty good actually. Went to yoga twice in the weekend and starting to feel like things are getting together again and getting a routine organised. Yoga sure is a great way to feel good about yourself and the world that we are in. Even getting a couple of people interestedd in it at work (including a guy!) so that's nice. Seems that there would be more guys interested in going to yoga and these sorts of things after work, but it's just that they have to stay at work (obviously working!) till late, so they never have any time to actually do anything in particular after work. My heart really feels for them.

Planning to get my fan in my apartment revamped (well replaced), and the landlord is giving me some grief about it. How can a clean fan stop the smells coming through into my room without a vent?! Have had numerous phone calls trying to sort this out with her, but seems that she can't work out. Long story, anyway, wish me luck in trying to convince her to replace the twenty or so year old fan...

Kenta is better, Bella may have passed away or is with another family?.... My heart goes to all those out there that have lost a loved one (or pet) and has never been able to find the corpse. Let's just hope that they didn't suffer too much...

Prayer to the world and it's suffering
me

warmer days

2007-06-02T00:00:00.000+09:00

Just realised this is my 99th entry into my blog. Should be trying to add more entries in it, however, time these days hasn't allowed it...or more to the point, my blog has become a lower priority due increased work responsibilities and enjoying life not behind the PC. It's amazing how much one spends time behind the PC and how much we rely on it now compared to ten or fifiteen years ago. I remember the days where I would go and check my mail once a week, and that was it. The only mail I had on my phone was a text based style which would allow up to 25 letters/characters. Ahh, they were the days, where phones were still used as phones and people weren't using their phones as books or PC's. I saw on the news this morning that the teenagers are now using their phones as reading material (i.e. reading a novel), since they don't want to carry around a book, but always carry their phones around. This is great for increasing their reading, however, what will it do for their eyes.... looks like the market for glasses and contact lenses will be increasing....

Work has been interesting and feeling my value with helping out in a major crisis. Even stayed at work till 9.30! (I'm usually out of the office by 5.30 most days!) Prefer to not spend more than 8 hours in the office, mainly due to the atmoshphere of fluroscent lights, bad air conditioning and air, and just generally need to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy life. Too many people are staying in the office till 9 most nights! I sometimes wonder if this is what I really want to do. I think I have a plan in my head that will more or less get sorted out soon, but just wondering which path to take and what to study. The IT world is interesting, but can see that I am not that passionate about it, or if I am, things hold me back (i.e not being a fully fledged employee etc...) The company's culture seems to hold a lot of people back and the way people manage others. I am always surprised at how some of the technology is advanced, yet, when it comes down to basic management skills, they are often lacking and disencouraging.
I guess once the rose-coloured glasses have come off, one gets to see the real world and the cracks that shine through them. That is how I feel about work at the moment. I am thankful and appreciate my job and new responsibilites, but there are some things that have taken me by surprise.

What else have I been up to these days... Swimming, some yoga, sorting through books (about 150 of them!) A good friend left Japan and asked if I wanted any books... Well, I guess I went a bit overboard. Now have to find some good homes for them, not to mention a decent sized bookshelf to home them in my home!

Consider the moment and accept.
Me

mid may

2007-05-20T10:01:00.000+09:00

the view from the bungalow

Quite a few things have been going on these days... Spending more time with the people that matter most to me, learning more about what is important in my life and becoming more aware of myself and what I am surrounded by. Not just by nature but by people and how they are reflecting themselves to the world and how I perceive them.

It feels that I have learnt a lot over the past few weeks, especially the trip to Thailand and reflecting on my own thoughts and words and acceptance.

It is what you think that makes you what you are...
me

dedicated to kenta and bella

2007-05-12T10:35:00.000+09:00

This was taken at Jim Thompson's garden in Bangkok. well worth the visit for some R&R

Back again after a period of abscence. A number of things have happened. Changed jobs, well, same company different department. Really quite enjoying it and feel quite challenged as well as capable. Co-workers are great and really enjoy the interaction of them and having conversations about anything and everything, well compared to my last department which was pretty quiet. I guess it was due to the department and environment more than the people.

Just wanted to touch base with those that are still following my blog and I do hope to keep writing in excerpts from time to time.

Here is a recent photo of my trip to Thailand. A great time at a wonderful peaceful place called The Sanctuary. Situated off Koh Phangnang (off Koh Samui). If you are interested in an alternative place to do a cleanse, I reccomend mend The Sanctuary. Not a luxurious retreat, but one that is fairly laid back and into the "the good life" and natural side of things.

Some sad news...

Got a call from home, saying that my cat, Kenta is very sick and probably has kidney failure... there is not much a cat can do when they have kidney failure... Kenta playing around with the newspapers..

The family dog has disappeared too. Maybe she went to find my mother, who was away on holiday, to tell her that Kenta is sick... Bella in the kitchen

She has been away for 5 nights, so the outcome doesn't seem very pleasant. I know just want to know where she is and where she has laid down to rest. It really tears me apart to be over here in Japan and not being able to do anything, but to send prayers to my animals. I just hope that Bella wasn't in too much pain when she passed away and that Kenta can get healthy and strong again. LIke his name Kenta, which in Japanese means healthy animal.

Prayers to Kenta and Bella and to all animals in the world...

brighter days

2007-03-20T10:54:00.000+09:00

Lake Tekapo with Mt Cook in the background

Days are getting brighter, however winter still feels like it is with us here in Tokyo. I liked this photo as I feel brightness from it and feel that is where my life is at this moment. Wide open with lots of potential for things to come into my life and to try out anything I desire. The beautiful torqoise of Lake Tekapo always makes me feel slightly homesick for those high country lakes and wildness that surrounds it. I know that they are always there though, like they have been around for thousands of years. Humans, however, are only alive by how one thinks and how we approach life. Some people judge this by their age, others by experience and moments. Me, well, I think the age can be a type of gauge, that can motivate us, but also can restrain us since we feel that we shouldn't act like that or think like that due to "our age".

Life is what you make it and no matter how much you think about it and have it in your head, and you think you have figured it out, you will really not know what the other person is thinking and how the situation will really turn out. Therefore, seek the moment that lies beyond and challenge something that you have always wanted to do or desire. Your life is your own, no matter what they say, or how you may feel that it isn't, at the end of the day, only you can control your own life.

Do what you want

and the rest will follow...

(me - or did someone else say this?....)

time

2007-03-15T01:26:00.000+09:00

I sometimes contemplate about many things looking at this view from the office

These days it seems that the weather has become quite chilly again and that the season is reminding us that there is still some winter left in March. So once again, the winter woollies are pulled out to be put on and to have our heaters still on to keep us cozy and warm.

The view is very special for me, as it signifies the last part of the day and I go through my thoughts and ideas that have been occupying my mind. Some days the sunset is more beautiful than other days, and other days, the sunset is quite spectacular and you wonder if someone you know is also watching it at the same time as you are....

Time goes and you can never get it back again. One must make the most of time and the time we have now. The saddest thing is when there is an opportunity and it is not taken up.

My friend took this photo of the recent cherry blossoms blooming right now in Shinjuku..

Carpe Diem! Seize the day!

dreams and time..

2007-03-11T10:27:00.000+09:00

Everest at sunrise

Days go by so quickly, yet some times the time feels so slow.

So much has been happening and find it sometimes I don't have time to reflect on what has been going on, yet, as time goes by, things sink in and wonder that things that have happened are meant to be and that the universe doesn't give anything to you that you can't handle. So in that sense, I find the strength to face reality and know that things that are meant to be, will find a way of sorting themselves out. A solution is there for every problem, it's just a matter of finding your way through it to the solution that presents itself.

Like the photo of Everest (taken by friend Blair), we must keep facing the sun and reaching for our dreams. There as many dreams out there and it is up to you to keep making them and reaching them. The height of Mt Everest is the height that you should always be striving for -
reaching for the stars on top of the world.

Per Ardua Ad Astra
Through Adversity To The Stars

temp workers in japan article

2007-02-05T04:01:00.000+09:00

Quite a good article on Temp workers in Japan. Eventhough there is no real security, there is freedom.

Super temp worker who saves day is a nonconformist heroine
By PHILIP BRASOR

Prior to the start of the current Diet session, Prime Minister ShinzoAbe said that the ruling coalition would not submit previouslyannounced bills to revise the Labor Standards Law. The move was seenas being cautionary, since there will be an Upper House election inJuly and the bills would have contained the so-called white-collarexemption, which says companies no longer have to pay overtime to acertain class of office worker. It is thought the exemption wouldanger salarymen voters.This assumption presupposes the obvious, that salarymen resent workingovertime for free, and opponents of the exemption refer to it with anumber of sardonic nicknames: the "pin-hane (rake-off)" or "fubarai(non-payment)" bills, the "work-more measure" and the"death-from-overwork-promotion" rule. The ruling coalition ignoredthese snipes by concentrating on what it saw as the exemption's socialbenefits: company employees can spend more time at home with theirfamilies rather than at the office.Though the business world supports the white-collar exemption, it justas strongly opposes the other revisions being considered for the bill,
increase in the minimum wage and a ban on age limits in hiring.These revisions would mainly benefit workers who aren\'t full time andwhose increasing numbers in the corporate workplace have stifledsalaries across the board, according to a report released last week bythe labor ministry. In a debate on NHK last Sunday morning, a SocialDemocratic Party politician asked the Liberal Democratic Party\'sSecretary General Hidenao Nakagawa about this trend. Nakagawa againtried to emphasize the social benefits. "Many people nowadays preferto work in their own way," he said, specifically referring to contractemployees. The temp boom is merely a reflection of society\'s desirefor greater freedom of choice.This thinking feeds into the idea that temp workers are happy-go-luckyfree spirits who work only when they want to and enjoy their livesmore than full-timers do. It\'s a myth that\'s convenient forcorporations, who don\'t have to pay benefits or social insurance fortemps and who got the government to liberalize the labor laws in 1999to allow virtually any type of job to be contracted out.The myth is addressed in Nihon TV\'s drama series "Haken no Hinkaku"(Wednesdays, 10 p.m.). Haken, which means "dispatch," is the wordgenerally used to describe temporary contract workers, and hinkakumeans "dignity." The protagonist, Haruko Ohmae (Ryoko Shinohara), isdescribed as a "super haken," a temp whose office skills are sosharply developed that client companies ask for her by name.Haruko is a super haken in more ways than one. While she can whip up aspreadsheet faster than you can say "Excel" and knows how to brew amean cup of ocha, she also knows her rights. She\'s out of the officeexactly at six o\'clock. "Overtime is not in my dictionary," she says", including stricter penalties for labor-regulation violations, anincrease in the minimum wage and a ban on age limits in hiring.

These revisions would mainly benefit workers who aren't full time andwhose increasing numbers in the corporate workplace have stifledsalaries across the board, according to a report released last week bythe labor ministry. In a debate on NHK last Sunday morning, a SocialDemocratic Party politician asked the Liberal Democratic Party'sSecretary General Hidenao Nakagawa about this trend. Nakagawa againtried to emphasize the social benefits. "Many people nowadays preferto work in their own way," he said, specifically referring to contractemployees. The temp boom is merely a reflection of society's desirefor greater freedom of choice.This thinking feeds into the idea that temp workers are happy-go-luckyfree spirits who work only when they want to and enjoy their livesmore than full-timers do. It's a myth that's convenient forcorporations, who don't have to pay benefits or social insurance fortemps and who got the government to liberalize the labor laws in 1999 to allow virtually any type of job to be contracted out.The myth is addressed in Nihon TV's drama series "Haken no Hinkaku"(Wednesdays, 10 p.m.). Haken, which means "dispatch," is the wordgenerally used to describe temporary contract workers, and hinkakumeans "dignity." The protagonist, Haruko Ohmae (Ryoko Shinohara), isdescribed as a "super haken," a temp whose office skills are sosharply developed that client companies ask for her by name.Haruko is a super haken in more ways than one. While she can whip up aspreadsheet faster than you can say "Excel" and knows how to brew amean cup of ocha, she also knows her rights. She's out of the officeexactly at six o'clock. "Overtime is not in my dictionary," she says leave, even if they have nothing to do.

The full-timers resent it when Haruko marches home after eight hoursbecause it indicates she is not beholden to the company. It\'s impliedshe has better things to do. At night she is a flamenco dancer at aSpanish theme bar, and between three-month work assignments shetravels to Spain to polish her art and language skills.But beneath Haruko's extreme no-nonsense exterior is a broken heart.She was laid off from a full-time position when the company she workedfor was downsized, and it\'s implied that her talents compensate forher loss of identity as a member of a corporate family. Every week,she reveals in superhero fashion another impossible skill -- operatingheavy machinery, speaking Russian, preparing fancy seafood -- that shehas picked up during her years as a temp.This contrasts humorously with the relative lack of skills displayedby the full-timers at the food-service company where Haruko iscurrently contracted to work. They look down on the haken workers asan inferior species, but in every episode Haruko saves the day. At onepoint, the middle-aged department manager who hired her reprimands hisyoung staff for the way they treat the temps. "In order to reducecosts we need haken with skills," he says. The contract worker issomething the full-time worker must accept, not only as an economicnecessity, but as an equal partner.This is where the "dignity" comes in, and while the show emphasizespride in accomplishment over financial reward it also makes the casethat you can\'t have the former without the latter. Haruko commands alarger wage than other haken because she brings a professionalattitude to her work. She does her job and expects to be compensatedfairly for it. She wants no part of the corporate office culture and",coldly.

Full-timers are expected to hang around until their superiorsleave, even if they have nothing to do.The full-timers resent it when Haruko marches home after eight hoursbecause it indicates she is not beholden to the company. It's impliedshe has better things to do. At night she is a flamenco dancer at aSpanish theme bar, and between three-month work assignments shetravels to Spain to polish her art and language skills.But beneath Haruko's extreme no-nonsense exterior is a broken heart.She was laid off from a full-time position when the company she workedfor was downsized, and it's implied that her talents compensate forher loss of identity as a member of a corporate family. Every week,she reveals in superhero fashion another impossible skill -- operatingheavy machinery, speaking Russian, preparing fancy seafood -- that shehas picked up during her years as a temp.This contrasts humorously with the relative lack of skills displayedby the full-timers at the food-service company where Haruko iscurrently contracted to work. They look down on the haken workers asan inferior species, but in every episode Haruko saves the day. At onepoint, the middle-aged department manager who hired her reprimands hisyoung staff for the way they treat the temps. "In order to reducecosts we need haken with skills," he says. The contract worker issomething the full-time worker must accept, not only as an economicnecessity, but as an equal partner.This is where the "dignity" comes in, and while the show emphasizespride in accomplishment over financial reward it also makes the casethat you can't have the former without the latter. Haruko commands alarger wage than other haken because she brings a professionalattitude to her work. She does her job and expects to be compensatedfairly for it. She wants no part of the corporate office culture and
her heart will likely melt by episode 12, but for the time being sheis an island of stoical purpose in a sea of unproductive workers. Whenthe manager offers Haruko a full-time position, she curtly refuses.The company employees are so shocked, they fall over.Haruko is a caricature of the haken ideal. The reality for tempworkers is more complicated than the situation portrayed in "Haken noHinkaku," but there\'s something refreshing, even radical, aboutHaruko\'s refusal to adhere to the mores of the corporate workplace,where working overtime is seen as a sign of conformity even when it\'swork that could have been done during normal hours. As the primeminister implied when he decided to shelve the white-collar exemptionfor the time being, even the most loyal salaryman expects to get paidfor hanging around.", its politics of human networking. According to the laws of TV dramas,her heart will likely melt by episode 12, but for the time being sheis an island of stoical purpose in a sea of unproductive workers. Whenthe manager offers Haruko a full-time position, she curtly refuses.The company employees are so shocked, they fall over.Haruko is a caricature of the haken ideal. The reality for tempworkers is more complicated than the situation portrayed in "Haken noHinkaku," but there's something refreshing, even radical, aboutHaruko's refusal to adhere to the mores of the corporate workplace,where working overtime is seen as a sign of conformity even when it'swork that could have been done during normal hours. As the primeminister implied when he decided to shelve the white-collar exemptionfor the time being, even the most loyal salaryman expects to get paidfor hanging around.

lucky lady

2007-02-05T03:38:00.000+09:00

I had the pleasure of going to visit the temple near Daimon today and pulled out a lucky fortune. I got the otafuku, which is the lucky lady. I checked on the net and this is what is said about her. I thought it was really interesting and felt that it was really appropriate for me, as her luck and ambience is what I need in my life :-)

The 3rd of Feb was Setsubun and I also did the bean throwing in my apartment. I found some beans and donned on the Oni (monster) mask and threw around the beans, wishing the oni to go out and good luck to come in. It coincides with the Otafuku too since she represents Spring and usually appears after Setsubun! So that is another small coincidence. I did eat some beans but forgot to eat the number of my age, although I think I may have consumed enough for my age - give or take a few less years off my real age..! hee hee..

The Shinto goddess of mirth and sensuality, ever-smiling Otafuku is believed to have restored light to the world-by doing a humorous dance. It was comedienne who saved the world! Otafuku is also known as Okame and Uzume, in more recent times she has become an entertainer who performs during the lunar New Year celebration.In Japanese theater she represents an abundantly happy woman who brings good fortune to any man she marries. Because she represents luck, laughter and happiness (fuku in Japanese)

Otafuku is a much-beloved deity here in Japan. She's represented as a plump, cheerful woman who's not quite put together (her hair is mussed or the combs are falling out or her kimono isn't quite so), but she's always depicted as smiling (possibly laughing) and is so charming you can't help but smile back. It's as though you know you can always get a hug or a kind word or tea from her. You may have known certain women in your life who were like that-a great-aunt who had seemingly bottomless cookie jar and would let you help yourself, the godmother who was plump and gave the best hugs, the crazy college friend who could always make you laugh, even at the worst times--people who offered kindness and comfort and made you feel happy and lucky and loved.

The optimism of the deity is indicated in a temple explanation leaflet. "Otafuku assures that failure always becomes success, that misfortune becomes good fortune, that one's heart's desire will be accomplished. That is why she is called Otafuku -- "Much Felicity."According the Japanese, spring officially starts the day after Setsubun.

Look towards the future with brightness,

and the light will show you the way.

headaches and sore shoulders

2007-02-02T03:15:00.000+09:00

Friendly beach, Tasmania

Oh dear, I hope I am not succumbing to being a typical Japanese worker - have been getting really sore shoulders and headaches lately.. perhaps too much work at the desk?.. hmm.. wouldn't think so since I do take regular breaks and make sure my tea is filled up in my mug all the time. Guess I just need to do more exercise and try and not go to my massage therapist as much. However, did end up makgin a booking for a massage tonight which may be followed by a restorative yoga session after that. Depending if I am up for that or not. Probably will try and find an excuse not to go, but for this Friday night, I have no other plans - or hot dates (hahaha!) so will just have a very relaxing evening and look after my mind and body.

Tomorrow, will go to the pool and will try and swim a few lengths and some long stretching. Will have Japanese lesson on Sunday (really not my ideal thing for a Sunday at a Japanese language school), but my tickets are expiring in ten days, so really it is either waste them or use them. I choose to use them. Have to make the most of that. Guess I won't be going back there unless I lose my great Japanese language teacher that I have now. She is awesome and has become a great friend indeed. Will catch up with very good friend N after the lessons. May be a trip to Ginza is on the cards too since I have run out of my favourite green tea (Uogashi). Great small intimate cafe. Thanks to good friend M for introducing that to me. It is one of my favourite places to go and experience good tea in Tokyo! Along with Mariage close by.

Must decide on a topic theme for my thesis. I have chosen to focus on the linguistic side of things, however, it is proving harder than I thought to come up with a topic. Young Japanese people's language.. ho hum.. Not that excited about writing 30,000 words on that, but maybe that is the best option? I would like to write about the intricities of the speech markers etc but it seems that it may be hard to stretch it out to 30,000 words. Any advice or comments anyone on that?..

Next week, Theory Family sale which I am looking forward to going to. (Family just means all the brands that are connected to the main brand). Will update my winter wardrobe for next year. Do need some good suits and would like another long beautiful wool/cashmere caramel coloured long coat.. But will see what is on offer. Do have a bit of a budget to watch...

Weekend almost upon us. Keep checking in on my blog, as I am always so happy to see that people do check it. Definitely makes a difference.

Keep positive thoughts in your mind
Keep negative thoughs out of your mind
and the rest will follow...
me

warm weather

2007-02-01T02:16:00.000+09:00

One of my favourite places, near Wineglass Bay, Tasmania

There has been quite a distinctive change in the weather here in Tokyo and friend D told me that it hasn't been this warm (for January) for 50 years.. The temperature climbing over 10 degrees.. at this rate in another 50 years, will there ever be a winter again??! For me, I say yeah, since I don't like the cold, however, I do love cozying up at home and enjoying hot cocoa's and firelit nights...

Good night last night and was laughing constantly for 2 hours by friend B. How on earth he comes up with witty comments is beyond me, but had all of us in tears from his amphorisms (is that the right word I wonder..)

Has been a busy week, yoga, massage, and have a therapy session (balance therapy) to go tonight. Destressing the brain. So am looking forward to that. Mainly to do with stretching, except you don't do anything, it is the therapist that stretches you!

Tomorrow night, maybe some more yoga and a relaxing night watching some DVDs perhaps. Not completely sure at this stage though, so will just see how things work out. Have been feeling I have a lot more energy these days (something to do with my pH level diet and doing a slight cleanse on my liver)?... Anyway feeling great and really motivated, although not so motivated with the work I am doing at the moment involving cancer markers.. ho hum.

Will tune in again tomorrow if I can.

You can always find the good in people,
if you want to.
me

up and running again

2007-01-30T09:54:00.000+09:00

This was the photo of the week. Taken in Wellington! Comet McNaught.

Wish I was there to see it. Must have been quite impressive!

I tried to write in my blog the other day, but it seemed there was a firewall and I couldn't get through... however, just tried before and here I am! I always feel more inspired (ironic as it sounds), at work so I am really happy to let you know what has been going on.

Last week was quite busy, started off the week with a 2 hour massage (great deal!), Japanese lesson on Tuesday, Wednesday met up with a good friend and decided to go on the Thunder Dolphin at Korakuen (check out the site!). I was so scared that I couldn't even scream! We were right at the front too! Thursday I did some yoga and Friday met up with a friend. Saturday I did the usual thing of housework and then treated myself to an amazing Headspa and went out with good friend I. So have been spoiling myself with massages and treatments. Oh yes, also went and had a geranium bath for detoxing. That was awesome and sweated a lot! (just by having your feet and hands in the bath.) If you haven't tried it, I recommend that you do. Especially if you feel the cold and want to sweat!

These days, have been really interested in health and really enjoying learning more about what it is to keep your body free from diesease. It seems that a lot of it is to do with the alkaline balance and the pH levels that your body keeps. Too much acidity in your body can spark all sorts of dieseases off and not only cancer. If you have some part of you that is affected like ececema, psirosis, cancer, diabetes, it seems that it stems from your body by producing too much yeast and fungi in your cells. Control the amount and you can control the disease and get rid of it. Check out Robert O Young's book, Sick and Tired; Reclaim your health for further info. The book is amazing and really outlines everything, with lots of scientific facts. Definitely has made me think differently about food and my approach to the way of eating certain foods.

think happy, live happy, be happy!
me

article on love (also from the yoga journal)

2007-01-17T05:53:00.000+09:00

What Is Love?As much as we might like to, we can't force love to happen. But we canunderstand its many levels and connect more easily to its source.By Sally Kempton
www.sallykempton.com. http://www.yogajournal.com/views/1194_1.cfm

"I know love is there," my old friend Elliot said. "My question is,Why is it that so many times, I can't feel it?"We were in the middle of a workshop I teach called "Exploring theHeart." Elliot had recently lost his father, and so I asked him, "Areyou talking about something specific?""Of course," he said. As he told me the story of his father's death, Ifelt a deep sense of recognition. The questions his experience raisedare essential ones, questions we all deal with as we probe that mostfundamental and yet elusive of all human feelings: love.Elliot and his father had been polite strangers for nearly 20 years.Yet when the father became seriously ill, the only person he wantedaround him was his son. "I knew we'd been given our big chance to openup to each other," Elliot said. "I kept thinking, 'Now he'll finallyget who I really am! We'll bond, and I'll be able to feel love for himat last!'"The problem was that Elliot couldn't dig out a single nugget of lovefor his father. He wanted to love him. He knew he should love him. Buttheir history together had formed such a habit of disconnection thathe felt nothing at all.How Love FeelsSo Elliot did the only thing he could think of to close the gap. Heasked himself, "How would I act if I did feel love for my father?"Then he acted on the intuition that arose for him.Elliot realized that when we really love someone, we're attentive toeven the smallest minutiae of that person's existence. So he practicedpaying close attention to his father.

"I wondered where that love came from," he told me. "Was it a rewardfor taking care of my father? If so, why wasn't it there when I neededit, so to speak?"I realized that behind Elliot's questions was an even deeper set ofquestions, ones that plague us all. They go something like this: Iflove is real, why doesn't it feel the way I've always heard it wassupposed to feel? Why can't I feel it all the time? And why does loveso often feel lacking, or painful, or both?

Love Is a Many-Leveled ThingMost of us have been confused about love all of our lives. In fact, weoften begin the inner life as a search—conscious or unconscious—for asource of love that can't be taken away. We may have grown up feelingunloved or believing we had to perform heroic feats to deserve love.Our parents, the movies we see, our cultural and religious milieu giveus ideas about love that go on influencing us long after we haveforgotten their source. When we read spiritual books and encounterteachers, our understanding about love can get even more complicated,because depending on what we read or whom we study with, we getslightly different takes on what love means in spiritual life.

Some teachers tell us that our essence is love; others say love is apassion, an emotion that leads to addiction and clinging.

Is love somethingwe have to feel, or is it enough to offer kindness and direct positivethoughts toward ourselves and others? And how is it that some teacherstell us that love is both the path and the goal, while others seem toignore the subject altogether?In spiritual life alone, the word love is used in at least three ways,and our experience and understanding of love will differ according towhich aspect of it we are thinking about.

It is only when love gets filtered through theprism of the human psyche that it begins to look specific and limited.It becomes veiled by our thoughts and feelings, and we start to thinkthat love comes and goes, that we can feel it only for certain people,or that there's not enough love to go around. We can't help doingthis.Our senses, mind, and ego, hardwired to give us the experience ofseparateness and distinction, set us up to think that love is outsideus, that some people and places and things are lovable and others arenot, and furthermore that love has different flavors: mother love,romantic love, love of movies, love of nature, compassionate love,sexual love, love of the cozy feeling of being under the covers at the end of a long day.In short, if the

Great Love is naturally unifying, our individual,human experience of love is subject to change and loss, moods andtides, attachments and aversions. It doesn't matter who or what welove; at some point, the object of our love will disappear from ourlife or disappoint us or stop being lovable, simply because change isthe nature of existence. So individual love is always touched withsuffering, even when the love we feel is "spiritual."I once heard someone ask a great spiritual teacher, "Will loving youcause me to suffer the way I've suffered from loving other people?"The teacher replied, "If you love me in the way you've loved otherpeople, you'll suffer." He was saying that as long as we think thatlove comes from something outside ourselves—even from God or aspiritual master—we are going to experience pain.

To say that our individual experience of love can be unsatisfying orchangeable or incomplete is not to say it is less real than the GreatLove. It is the Great Love, which has simply been subject tofiltration. The practice of yoga is about removing the filter, closingthe gap between our limited experience and the experience of greatnesswe all hold inside. That's the whole point of contemplativepractice—especially the practice of loving.Love as SadhanaThe third kind of love—love as a practice—is the medicine for theterrible discrepancy we sometimes feel between our sense of what lovecan be and the actuality of our ordinary experience of it.

Thepractice of love—actions and attitudes that create an atmosphere ofkindness, acceptance, and unity in ourselves and in those around us—isnot only the basis of spiritual life, it is also the basis ofcivilization. We can't always feel gratitude, but we can remember tosay thank you. We can't always like other people, but we can try topay attention when they talk to us and help them out when they're introuble. We may not feel good about ourselves all the time, but we canpractice treating ourselves gently, slowing down and breathing when wewant to rush, or talking back to our inner voices of self-criticismand judgment. When it comes to daily life, feeling love may actuallybe less important than acting loving.

How would I act if I were feeling love?—you willeventually discover the practice that helps melt your frozen heart, sothe love that always hides behind our emotional barricades can showits face. One of my students, caught in an argument with her stepson,asked herself, "How would I be if I really felt love right now?" Theanswer that came up was "relaxed." So she practiced relaxing with thebreath and was able to talk with her son without the clutch of fearand judgment that had been polarizing the two of them.Connecting to the Source of LoveOver the years, two practices have helped me reconnect to the sourceof love. Both cultivate the feeling of unity. And both are based onthe insight that the best way to bypass the ego, which cuts us offfrom love, is to learn how to undermine our feeling of separation.The first is the practice of recognizing that the awareness in anotherperson is the same awareness that is in me. Years ago, I had to workwith a demanding, critical, narrow-minded boss. One day, when she wasbeing particularly prickly, and I was especially aware of mydiscomfort in her presence, I gazed into her eyes, focused on thelight reflected in her pupils, and reminded myself that the awareness,the life force, the presence that was looking out through her eyes wasexactly the same as the awareness that was looking out through mine.Whatever differences there were in our personalities, our mental andemotional states, she and I were the same on the level of pureawareness. Not different but one.It amazed me to see how quickly the feeling of alienation andirritation disappeared. The practice of recognition became thestrategy that allowed me to work comfortably with this woman, and Ifall back on it now whenever I feel the absence of love.

Not feeling loved ourselves, we pass on our sense of lackto others, so that even when we try to give love, what comes throughinstead is anxiety or clinging. Yet, as Rumi says in another of hisgreat poems, love is always there, always available, always ready topour itself out to us. Whether you actuallyfeel this love or not, keep imagining that it is flowing toward youand into you.Another way to receive love is to imagine that just outside the windowof your room sits a compassionate and loving being, someone wise andincredibly forgiving. This person is watching you through the window;her glance protects you and surrounds you with sweetness.Allow yourself to receive the love that is flowing toward you fromthis being. If thoughts come up to block it—like "I don't deservethis" or "This is just an exercise; it's not real"—notice them and letthem go as you might in meditation, saying, "Thinking," and thenbreathing the thought out. Your only task is to receive.When you open your eyes, look around you with the thought that thelove you have been contemplating is still flowing toward you fromwhatever you see and from the air itself.In truth, it is. The Great Love, the love that is the kernel ofeverything, is present in everything, peeking out during every momentin which we feel a spark of tenderness, appreciation, or affection.Any glimmer of love is a spark from that fire and leads us back to it.

spiritual job and life advice (yoga journal)

2007-01-17T05:49:00.000+09:00

Take This Job and Love It

Stephan Bodian is a Zen teacher, licensedpsychotherapist, and spiritual consultant. He's the author of severalbooks, including Meditation for Dummies and Buddhism for Dummies www.stephanbodian.org http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/1163_1.cfm

Find a more spiritual approach to your work and you'll uncover newmeaning in your life.
By Stephan Bodian

As the new year begins and many of us take stock of our lives,chances are that questions about work and career are front and centerin our thoughts. After all, most of us spend more than half of ourwaking hours at work, and our jobs deeply influence every other aspectof our lives: the time we spend with family and friends, the materialsecurity and comforts we enjoy, the education we can provide for ourchildren, the places we travel to, the people we know.

Can This Job Be Saved?Jennifer was a 32-year-old sales manager and soon-to-be vice presidentat a pharmaceutical company when she confronted many of the issuesthat lie at the heart of right livelihood. Jennifer had deferredfinding a life partner and having children until she had achieved thematerial success she'd been taught she deserved. Now that she ownedher own home in the suburbs and was earning a six-figure income, shesought my help in counseling because she found herself asking sometough and unsettling questions. (Her name and some details have beenchanged to honor her privacy.)

Jennifer definitely enjoyed her work—the contact with clients, therelationships with her boss and coworkers, the frequent travel. But as she pursued her passion for yoga and began to explore a healthy,spiritual lifestyle, she found cause to wonder whether her company wasdoing more harm than good. Her involvement with alternative healinghad led her to question whether the benefits of the drugs she was paidto enthusiastically endorse truly outweighed their risks. And repeatednews revelations of corporate malfeasance in the pharmaceuticalindustry prompted her to challenge the ethics of her own company'spolicies, including aggressive marketing that attempted to sell drugsto people who might not even need them.Jennifer was in a quandary. After nearly a decade spent building hercareer, she had begun to doubt the fundamental principles andpractices of the industry in which she worked. And as she took stockof her life, she realized that being a sales manager gave her scantopportunity to express her more creative and spiritual sides. "What should I do now?" she kept asking. "Do I need to leave my job andpursue an entirely different line of work? Or should I stay where Iam, do the inner work necessary to bring a different attitude to thework I already do, and express my creativity somewhere else?"If you find Jennifer's dilemma familiar, you're not alone.

Of course,the answers you'll find depend on your life circumstances—and on theapproach to right livelihood that resonates most with you. In recentyears, three main views of what constitutes meaningful, sacred workhave gained widespread popularity. First, teachers of Buddhism enjoinus to do no harm and, if possible, do good for others. Second,best-selling authors of personal growth books, who can trace theirintellectual lineage to the Christian tradition of "finding yourcalling," encourage us to "do what we love" and trust that theuniverse will support us in our efforts. And third, there are manyreligious traditions that teach that we can transform any activityinto sacred work by the power of our presence, devotion, andintention.As it turns out, Jennifer resolved her dilemma by drawing from each ofthese different but compatible approaches. After acknowledging thatshe couldn't continue to work for a drug company yet was unwilling togive up her material comforts, she transitioned to a new career as amortgage broker in an upscale suburb.

In this quest, examining the three main approaches toright livelihood can help us clarify a personal path toward a worklife that better reflects our deepest values and sense of purpose.As taught by the Buddha and his followers, the basic concept of rightlivelihood is simple: Do no harm.

If humans are going to survive on this planet beyondthe next few generations, the teaching indicates, we must livesustainably—that is, in such a way that we replenish what we use andgive back as much as we take. As the Native American tradition putsit, we must be aware of the effect of our actions on the next sevengenerations.What Would the Buddha Do?But right livelihood informed by such a refined sensibility oftenturns out to be easier to imagine than to implement, as Patrick Clarkand Linsi Deyo discovered. Longtime Buddhists, the couple thoughtthey'd found a perfect solution to right livelihood when theyestablished Carolina Morning Designs, a firm that manufactures andsells meditation cushions. But the couple's spiritual idealism andtheir aversion to the competitiveness of the marketplace initiallyprevented them from engaging in the business practices necessary toproduce and promote their zafus successfully. "We were naive andidealistic at first," Clark admits. "Our survival depended on gainingnew customers, but we didn't want to compete against other companieswho were also trying to do good."

At the same time, they faced difficult choices that challenged theircommitment to environmental sustainability. "Cotton is one of the most harmful crops in terms of depleting the environment and using the mostherbicides and pesticides," Clark says. "But most people, evenmeditators, are unwilling to pay the extra cost for an organic zafu.We had to shift our attitude and learn to live with the economicrealities. It's idiot compassion to believe that you can completelyavoid doing any harm. And even Buddhists need to meet their basicneeds."As Clark and Deyo quickly learned, practicing right livelihood in thepurest Buddhist sense can be difficult, perhaps impossible, given theextraordinary complexity of our political economy. At the time theBuddha was developing his teachings, many of his disciples were monksand nuns who depended on alms. And since many lay followers raisedtheir own food and made their own clothes, they could mostly avoiddoing harm, because they were able to observe the consequences oftheir actions directly.

Today, however, every act has countless hiddenramifications. "The problem," Whitmyer says, "is that every occupationrequires us to sometimes do things that compromise our spiritualvalues—for example, using nonrenewable natural resources or nottelling the whole truth. We can only do our best given thecircumstances at hand."Buddhist teacher and social activist Joanna Macy, coauthor of World AsLover, World As Self (Parallax, 1991), agrees. "Right livelihood isfar more complex now than it was in the time of the Buddha, because wefind ourselves in economic and ecological relationships that aresimply unsustainable in the long term," she explains. "To the degree that we participate in these relationships, we inevitably cause harmin some way through our work." That doesn't mean we need to relinquishour efforts, but it often means we may need to adjust our idealism andour own expectations. "In such an imperfect world," Macy says, "theclosest we can come to right livelihood may be to hold the rightintention and do our best. In this sense, right livelihood may simplymean keeping your eyes and ears open to the sources you use and theeffects of what you do, and responding to what you learn as much asyou can." In other words, perhaps the best we can manage is "goodenough" livelihood.

Finding Your Calling Although buzzwords like interdependence and sustainability appeal toour sense of social and ethical responsibility, they aren't theprimary motivation for everyone who yearns for right livelihood. Manyof us are more concerned with finding work that lights our hearts,ignites our passions, and keeps our juices flowing day after day. Fedup with a deadening 9-to-5 (or 8-to-7) grind, we're searching for acareer that gives expression to our deepest interests, talents, anddreams—creative "soul work" that lends our life meaning and purpose.While bowing respectfully to the Buddhist injunction not to causeharm, we may be more attuned to mantras like Joseph Campbell's "Follow your bliss," Carlos Castaneda's "Choose a path that has heart foryou," and Marsha Sinetar's "Do what you love, the money will follow.""Everyone is a unique being on this earth with unique gifts to share,"says Michael Toms, coauthor with his wife, Justine Wills Toms, of TrueWork (Bell Tower, 1998).

"To the extent that we contribute our gifts,the universe supports us. Finding our true work involves following ourinner voice, heeding the spiritual call, and living our passions."Toms knows something about this—he is the founding president of NewDimensions Broadcasting Network, a nonprofit foundation that producesa weekly radio program about personal and social transformation. "It'simportant to give our passions priority," he says. "If we can't do itin our work, we can begin outside the workplace, and it will graduallygrow. Sometimes a passion leads to income-producing activity,sometimes not. Often it may be necessary to subsidize your passion, aswe did for years with New Dimensions.""Meaningful work involves bringing your own unique talents and giftsto the task of serving the world," agrees career counselor SueFrederick, who teaches at Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "Thequickest way to get people in touch with such work is to encouragethem to share their dreams—the secret dreams inside their hearts.People just light up when they talk about the work that is or would bemeaningful for them."Beneath the sanguine approach to right livelihood that the Toms andFrederick espouse lies a confidence that our deeper passions,interests, and urges naturally guide us to make a unique contributionthat sets our own hearts singing and benefits others as well. Or inother words, deeply aligning with our individual creative impulsesbrings us into alignment with the needs of the whole.But the "follow your bliss" approach raises some thorny questions.Isn't a real estate developer who destroys environmentally sensitivehabitats to build new golf courses and expensive condo complexes following her passions?
Doesn't Osama bin Laden heed the call of hisinner voice when he organizes and launches terrorist attacks? How canwe know, in other words, whether our deepest calling will trulybenefit others? Don't we need other guidelines, such as the yamas(restraints) and niyamas (prescribed observances) of yoga, the ethicalprecepts of Buddhism, or the injunctions of the Ten Commandments?"The 'do what you love and the money will follow' approach can bebased on ignorance," Macy says. "The work that we love and the moneywe earn may have some pretty nefarious sources and consequences. Youcan be an awakened, conscious person in service of an unconscioussystem. Unless you are attuned to the consequences of what you do, youare not practicing right livelihood, no matter how much you love thework."Whitmyer concurs that the "follow your bliss" model of rightlivelihood requires careful calibration. "Do what you love and themoney will follow—if you're doing the right thing," he says. "But youneed to explore 'love' and 'right' in great depth to fully understandthis saying. The exploration begins in the center of your being, witha conscious effort to improve your mental, emotional, and physicalhealth.

You need to cultivate a level of awareness that allows you tonotice your emotions and become less reactive, and you need to hangout with people who are similarly conscious and aware."The challenge in the 'do what you love' approach is to access adeeper level of being, beyond the ego," he continues. "When we dropinto the center of our being and let the ego rest, what we really wantis identical with what's wanted. But unless we do that, the ego's incharge."Want What You HaveThe third primary tributary in contemporary ideas about rightlivelihood is one that flows against our mainstream culture ofmaterialism and individualism. In our country's growth-obsessed socialclimate, we tend to promote a view perhaps unique to the UnitedStates: that each of us has not only the capacity and the opportunitybut also the obligation to do and become whatever we set our heartson. We forget that we may have limited control over our careertrajectories due to the constraints of money, resources, energy,health, familial support, and social status. Instead, we are taught tobelieve that we should be the masters of our fates, and we'reencouraged to feel guilty, restless, inadequate, and dissatisfied ifwe don't succeed in living up to our most ambitious expectations.In contrast, the Indian culture that gave rise to the wisdom teachingsof Buddhism and yoga generally embraced the idea that each person isdestined to fulfill a particular role, or dharma, in life. From thisperspective, our job is not to maximize our potential or shop aroundfor work that's personally fulfilling, but to create right livelihoodout of the work we've already been given—by dedicating ourselves toit, mindfully and wholeheartedly, for the sake of God and the greatergood.

As the Buddha taught, the secret to happiness is to want what wealready have instead of wanting what we don't have. In keeping withthat teaching, any truly dharmic approach to right livelihood willhelp us find both peace and fulfillment in whatever job situation wecurrently face. Indeed, the Buddhist literature is replete withstories of people who used the power of their intentions to makesacred their work as butchers, street sweepers, prostitutes, tavernkeepers, and other seemingly undesirable, and even unsavory, occupations.Perhaps the most exalted expression of this traditional approach toright livelihood comes to us from the Bhagavad Gita, one of theseminal scriptures of Hinduism and a bible for the practice of bothkarma yoga (selfless service) and bhakti yoga (devotional yoga). Inthe Gita, Lord Krishna, an avatar of the god Vishnu, expounds the viewthat only action performed as worship of the Divine, without anyattachment to the results, brings lasting fulfillment.Responding to Arjuna, a warrior who agonizes over whether to fulfillhis duty even though it means he will end up killing his ownrelatives, Krishna teaches that "those who perform their duty with noconcern for the results are the true yogis—not those who refrain fromaction. Right action requires that you renounce your own selfish willand act without attachment to objects or actions."Of course, most of us in this day and age have a great deal moresocial mobility and choice than the men and women of ancient Indiadid—and thus we have more freedom to consider our ethical concerns andpersonal passions as we seek right livelihood. But all of us canbenefit from an approach to work that incorporates Krishna's advice.The path of selfless action that Krishna recommends can transform any activity into spiritual practice; it serves as a blueprint for a trulyyogic approach to right livelihood. When we view our work as anopportunity to stop clinging to a personal sense of what we need,want, or deserve—surrendering our limited ideas of what needs to bedone to the mystery of the Divine as it unfolds...

not just my way of thinking (royal family in Japan)

2007-01-17T05:47:00.000+09:00

This is what I had been thinking about the birth of the new prince.. (Found this in an article on a website the other day..)

The Little Prince At LastAfter over forty years of spitting out only X chromosomes, the Royal family and thousands of ultra-conservative Japanese nationalists havereceived a bundle of joy a few weeks ago when Princess Kiko, wife ofthe Emperor's second son Prince Akishino, delivered a baby boy.The first announcement of the Princess' pregnancy came, suspiciously,the day Prime Minister Koizumi was bringing to the Diet a proposal tochange the succession rules and allow females to once again sit on theChrysanthemum Throne. This has led scores of people (i.e. your humbleeditor) to suspect a major conspiracy. To wit: Princess Kiko was keptout of the public eye during most of her pregnancy and when she didventure into public she didn't seem especially pregnant. A monthbefore her due date she was diagnosed with placental previa andconveniently hidden away in the hospital and the baby was eventuallydelivered via caesarian section. Even the news reports were muddled:"The baby was delivered minutes after a successful C-section." Yourhumble editor doesn't consider that news . "The baby was deliveredHOURS after the successful C-section." THAT would be news. Also, yourhumble thought a successful C-section WAS the delivery.Barely a week later, the princess walked out of the hospital lookingas thin as she had before her pregnancy, showed about one third of thebaby's face to the cameras and ran for her car. Your humble editorsuspects 1) the royal family bought a baby boy or 2) they swapped thebaby girl Kiko actually had for a boy or 3) we should all be on thelook out for a grave with a dead jackal in it.Either way, the issue of changing succession rules seems to be on thebackburner for at least another 40 years. Especially as almost 80% ofJapanese have said they would support a female monarch.

sleepy mornings

2007-01-17T05:16:00.000+09:00

These days I feel just liked doing what this cat is doing. This cat is rather special to me as he used to always come over to my apartment. How did I know he came over, I would here a very faint little meow by my door. He was also a very special cat as he only had one eye, so I called him appropriately "one eye". A lovely ginger fluffy boy, who would sometimes take over my futon and make himself quite comfortable. Many an afternoon which I would just play around with him in the sun that would team into my living room. (That was way back when I had my apartment in Musashikosugi..)

It has been quite cold, although not as cold as it should be for mid winter. I'm not complaining and quite enjoying the mild winter. Still cold enough to wear my long coats (including my cashmere one! hee hee..) Have been trying to get myself a bit more motivated this year and did visit the company's sports centre! (Well, a few treadmills, weights which is about it really..) But good to make a start and hopefully will try and carry on with a routine there. It really should be made the most of as it is just a few floors down from my office! That and combining it with swimming and yoga of course.

Met up with Z for lunch today at my favourite sandwich place and then also for a coffee, which was great. Definitely helps to break up the day that is for sure. Always really nice to meet up with good friends and makes you feel not so homesick for the holidays and home. Has been a different kind of week, sometimes so happy to be back, and other times really wondering what I am doing here and where my life is going. Just have to take one day at a time, but there are decisions that need to be made and life to be lived.

Oh yes, have put up some very cool cream curtains in my apartment that very good friend A gave me. They have made quite a difference and my room looks more cozy AND is more cozy! So really happy about that. So my apartment is looking quite good. Need to really clean it up - all those small crooks and crannies that you don't do when you normally clean. (The Japanese have a thing over here for cleaning and that the BIG CLEAN should be done over the new year's break). Mine will be a bit delayed but will get round to it within this month!

Also, I had my birthday too for those that remembered. Thanks for all the special birthday wishes. Really means a lot. Must remember to keep a better track on birthday's and special events. This year I ended up going on the boat (sea) and caught my first fish! Was a great thrill. Then went for a swim in a very secluded, tranquil beach (will post photo later of the place I swam), and then was taken out to a beautiful dinner and had Striped Trumpter (fish name) for dinner! Was very spoilt. Saw some great spots in Tassie and really recommend it as a place to visit. Not crowded, very few people and just amazing beaches. Most impressed. Thanks J for all your tourguiding and spoiling me!

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.
George Sands

another new year upon us

2007-01-12T02:39:00.000+09:00

This is my first entry for 2007. Looking forward to an interesting and exciting year. Haven't made any resolutions, as I don't know really know any. I think I just make self-resolutions and try to not "name" them new resolutions. I do want to do a few things and I do want to continue to do yoga, and be organised with my time. I was reading that if one says they are too busy to fit things in, it is just because they are lazy with their use of time. So if I can help it, I want to try and not say I am too busy to do things and send parcels and letters on time, pay bills on time, meet my friends on time, small things like that for starters I think. Also try and embrace Japan life a bit more creatively and get into what I enjoyed when I first came here, looking out at flea markets, antique markets and the like. Apart from that, I just want to live in the moment and enjoy what the day brings and accept what it brings. Try to be flexible with different opinions and comments and try not to be too hard on myself or others too for that matter. Stick up for myself where I should, and believe in myself. Don't take things too seriously if they aren't worth it and try not to dwell on matters that aren't worth it (people too for that matter). Most of all, just enjoy what embraces you every day, every moment and remember to smile to even the cleaner. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have a clean office, clean halls or even sidewalks to appreicate. Appreciate all that there is in life and live to the fullest.

The thing always happens that you really believe in;
and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
Frank Lloyd Wright

christmas in tokyo

2006-12-25T02:38:00.000+09:00

Christmas is interesting here as the Japanese really go all out for things commercially, however, when you go to a restaurant (unless it is a foreign one or one that is specifically doing expensive "Xmas dinners"), then you won't find a single Christmas decoration! But if you walk around Ginza, Shibuya, or any other area, you are pounded with Christmas decorations, Christmas cakes, Christmas sales, anything Christmassy. It seems that it is just a commercialization of Christmas and really is only very superficial. It is kind of a shame as if they go this far out then at least they could add a bit of glitter to restaurants or to "globalised" traditional Japanese companies at least..

Has been a busy week though. Only time I have been home this week in the evenings was Wednesday. Thursday was out for dinner (as written previously), Friday met up with a good old friend to a very cool restaurant in Nishi Azabu. The concept is like a showroom with very causal interaction with the chefs. Kasahara is the name of the restaurant. Very cool and hip kind of joint. Saturday evening went out to La Baron in Aoyama, opening party which was pretty cool. Apparently Paris Hilton was meant to stroll on in, but left due to it being a bit mundane.. did a bit of dancing though! Then after that it was to the Vagina Denetete Nite at Aoiyuzu in Ebisu, which was rather funky. Some interesting people there, and some interesting costumes! However most of the people there were dressed pretty normal and the ones that were dressed up were obviously hired to set the theme. (about 4 girls with very revealing costumes). Did meet a very interesting guy who sold half a million yen vibrxxxxrs! Showed me photos of them too. Designed with the mother of pearl!

Sunday night (Xmas eve) was a home party at a very cool apartment in Aoyama. Enjoyed meeting a lot of down-to-earth people, well, a few exceptions... Was a great Xmas Eve party and good to be amongst a lot of people that were all pretty happy and friendly.

Today, I did have a good lunch though at Atago Hills with very good friend D. Eventhough it was a sushi restaurant, D enjoyed some great soba and I enjoyed a type of sushi bowl meal (see photo). Good to go somewhere a bit different and splash out a bit. The food was excellent and the view from the 42nd floor was great, overlooking the palace grounds from afar..

I wish everyone that reads my blog a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays, and to all the people in the world, much love, peace and happiness.

As for my own Christmas present this year, I haven't bought anything really for myself, I guess I will in the sales in NZ and Australia. Hearing from people also are like presents, especially from good friends that are so far away but so deep in your heart.

Merry Christmas and peace and joy to the world!

Let your smile show from the inside out.
Me

Osorezan - mountain of dread..

2006-12-22T10:46:00.000+09:00

This isn't taken by me since I haven't been to Osorezan,

I thought it was a good representation of the area. Would be an interesting place to go to.

Not really relevant if you don't live in Japan, but is kind of interesting. I have heard about it and has intrigued me somewhat. If you have been here, let me know :-)

OSOREZAN Mountain of dread
By CHRIS BAMFORTH

The Hakkakudo (Octagonal Hall) is one of the most distinctive of Bodaiji temple's structures.

The stench of sulfur hits you long before you get off the bus. And when you do step off, it hits you all the stronger. Before you stretch the sickly, yellow-green waters of a caldera lake, whose acidity has expunged all fish life except for one hardy species (ugei or big-scaled redfin). Signs everywhere warn of the danger of poisonous mamushi pit vipers. Even at the height of the Japanese summer, the air is curiously silent, with none of the clamorous abundance of the insect life ubiquitous to Japan. The only sound is that of the raucous, ill-tempered crows that obviously have an affinity for the spot. Death seems to be built into the very fabric of things at Osorezan.
Some places have a peculiar, uneasy air about them. They provoke the sensation that things are not quite right. And that's certainly true of this place. Visitors wanting a taste of a Japan far removed from the genteel, familiar temples and festivals will not be disappointed by Osorezan and its unsettling lunar landscape.

Located at the end of hatchet-shaped Shimokita Peninsula, stretching north toward Hokkaido at the northern tip of Aomori Prefecture, Osorezan is a place that since ancient times has been venerated because of its mystical power. The lake -- Usoriyama -- still bears the Usori name by which the area was known to the Ainu. This was later phonetically altered to provide the Japanese pronunciation and etymology -- Osorezan, the mountain of dread. After Buddhism was introduced to Japan, the religion worked its way north, and when it came to Osorezan, the Buddhist cosmology was projected onto this desolate volcanic landscape of sulfur-stained rock.

Here, among the features marked on the map of Osorezan's temple, called Bodaiji, over an area of several hectares are such doleful-sounding spots as the Lake of Blood, half a dozen different hells, the Mountain of Swords and the Dry Bed of the River of Souls (Sai no Kawara) -- the desiccated river that divides the worlds of the living and dead. Slightly more cheery is the Beach of Pa-radise (Gokurakuhama) on the shores of Lake Usoriyama.

Souls of children
Statues of the protective bodhisattva Jizo are seen everywhere at Osorezan.
The names may sound like lurid attractions at some awful theme park, but there's no getting away from the dispiriting atmosphere that hangs over Osorezan. It is Sai no Kawara that gets perhaps the most visitor attention. With its boundary function, Sai no Kawara is often referred to as a Buddhist River Styx, but it also has the aspects of limbo. It is to this grim realm that children who predecease their parents -- and are thus unable to repay those parents for having giving birth to them -- are condemned. As penance, they are obliged to build up stone cairns, only to have foul demons with an attitude problem come along and smash them apart -- and, for good measure, tormenting the little souls with fond memories of the happiness they knew as living children. Sole protector of the children is the bodhisattva Jizo -- he of the red bib and cap and whose stone figures are seen everywhere around Japan -- driving the demons away.

Jizo images are a common sight at Osorezan, as are cairns built by visitors. Upon the cairns are often placed offerings of coins, which become blackened by the sulfurous vapors expelled by numerous volcanic vents. Many of the visitors who add to the cairns are the unfortunate ones who have lost their own young children. However one may feel about Buddhism and the afterlife, it is hard not to be moved by the presents left here -- the chocolates, plastic pinwheels, candy and small toys representing life's small pleasures, which these children will never know again. Many offerings are also made at Gokurakuhama. As well as the small cairns, along the lakeshore can be seen such items as flowers, pinwheels stuck into the soft sand and straw sandals, the latter being given to Jizo to protect his feet as he walks across the sharp rocks of Sai no Kawara. At Gokurakuhama, visitors come and perform their own small ceremonies, often done matter-of-factly. A typical one will have the visitors approach, burn incense, set flowers upon the sand, open the can of beer and onigiri they have brought along and set them by the lakeshore. They clasp their hands in prayer, call out to the departed across the lake and, the incense still burning, make their way back. What the dead can't manage of the onigiri, the crows gladly come and finish off.

Cairns built by visitors on the dry bed of the River of Souls
A couple of times a year during Osorezan festivals, the living who seek direct contact with the departed can do so through the blind mediums known as itako. Though often referred to as shamans, itako are not shamans in that they do not have any supernatural calling and do not experience any shamanistic possession. Instead, itako were traditionally born into the job through their visual impairment. Clutching and rubbing long black rosaries of soapberries, to which are often festooned such objects as old coins and the teeth, claws and bones of wild animals, the itako chant and deliver their messages from the spirit world to their paying customers. If you listen long enough, you do notice that the itako seem to work within a certain repertoire: The spirits of a grandfather or a child tend to say similar sorts of things to different people. But that is clearly no problem for the customers, many of whom queue for hours for the itako and afterward are quite visibly affected after their communications with the dead.

On the approach to Bodaiji stands one structure that, apparently, all of us will encounter sooner or later -- a small, arched, vermilion bridge that the newly deceased have to cross. For the person who has led a virtuous life, finding and crossing the bridge will be comparatively easy. But those who fail to observe Google's wise dictum of doing no evil will hardly be able to discern the bridge: It will appear to them as nothing but the slightest hint of mist.

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?
William Shakespeare

sunsets and special times..

2006-12-22T04:26:00.000+09:00

Why do sunsets always look better than the photos?... I guess it is the moment that counts..

These days I have been taking time out between twilight and night, and the sun sure has been beautiful. It really becomes quite a deep red colour as it sets. I didn't know that Tokyo sunsets could be so beautiful. It's not only the sunsets on desert islands that look beautiful, but if you look out the window of a high rise building (at least with a view of the sky towards Mt. Fuji), then you may be pleasantly surprised. Really is quite pretty and never ceases to amaze me at how beautiful the light and the city can look. However, with sunsets, you can appreciate it them by yourself, but they are always so much more special when you share them with someone. Knowing that someone may be looking at it symoltaneously is even more special. It really can add to the moment and nice to think you are synchronised with the sun and the energy from it. This sometimes happens to me, although it really is rare...

Tonight, have an opening to go to a restaurant which should be interesting. An old friend of mine has invited me to their friend's restaurant and it seems that it is a really good fish restaurant, I can't seem to get enough fish at the moment, so am really happy to be dining out.

Last night I had a very nice night with Z and treated me to a very memorial Christmas dinner. Was really nice and we had the best service. Started off with Louis P champagne which set the night. Plenty of freshly cooked bread, a great Ceasar salad, wonderful mushroom soup, scampi risotto and Buri roasted with Yuzu fish. Luckily the portions were Japanese size so we could fit all the food in. The atmosphere was quite fit for Christmas as they had a real fire going in the background! Who said you couldn't have open fires in Tokyo?! Anyway, recommend Stellato in Shirogane if you want a special evening out. Thank you Z again for a wonderful night. It was quite unexpected as the restaurant that we were going to dine at was closed for a private function. Funny how things sometimes work out for the best?

Isn't this just the perfect moment for this cat?

complete bliss..

When you begin to touch your heart or let your heart be touched,

you begin to discover that it's bottomless, that it doesn't have any resolution,

that this heart is huge, vast, and limitless.

You begin to discover how much warmth and gentleness is there,

as well as how much space.
Pema Chodron

watering plants

2006-12-21T03:47:00.000+09:00

The secret is watering plants every three days. When you water them make sure you pour enough water that it goes right through to the bottom (i.e. water coming out of the pot). Then leave them for three days and re-water them then. The flower shop guy told me this as this is what they do to their plants. So have been doing that and my weak-looking rosemary plant has come alive again and living to it's fullest. So thought I would share this small tip with you.. All my other plants have really grown as well. So I recommend this system for healthy and genki plants!

Not much longer to go till I leave. Before that though, so much to do, packing, xmas presents, sorting out what I am taking on holiday (summer back at home!) and xmas eve drinks and xmas dinner with friends. It's going to be a great end of year. Sharing with many of my closest friends, although very close friend Z won't be able to join. Will have a drink for you though sweetie!

Feels like today is Friday, and swore that it was this morning when I saw my friend in the elevator saying, yeah, it's Friday today.. she looked at me oddly and thought really? I thought it was Thursday..? Whoops, a day ahead of myself!

If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to,

no one with which to share the beauty of the stars,

to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life?

It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning.

This is harmony.

We must discover the joy of each other,

the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.

Mitsugi Saotomo

chilly days

2006-12-20T02:30:00.000+09:00

Today my ears froze while I cycled to work. This is the first time it has happened, so it definitely has a winter feel in the air now. Almost time to bring out the cashmere coat?.....

Went to a great sushi restaurant which was very reasonably priced and tasty! Sushi is best when it is cold but sometimes you want to have hot food and sushi doesn't seem to be on the list for lunch. However it was really good and will go back there again! Good friend M was kind enough to show me the place. Lucky me!

Stayed at work till 7.15 last night. Latest I have been at work since I can remember! (at least over a year anyway). I had a few things to catch up on and it was nice and quiet in the office. Noone to disturb my concentration. The guy that sits to me has a rather loud voice, and hard to block out when you are working. Not to mention the decibel limit. Luckily he doesn't talk to me or that much, so it's ok. He keeps to himself which is great. Oh and one other thing, he doesn't smoke, which is a relief as some people can smell like ashtrays! (You can guess I'm not into smoking at all.) It's a shame that cigarettes in Japan are so cheap and you can buy them at any vending machine located pretty much anywhere over here. Drink vending machines are obviously a lot more common though.

The Norov virus seems to be doing quite well in Japan and more people have been becoming infected. I guess people's immunity is a lot weaken at this time of year and so it is very easy for them to pick it up, especially if the food contains shellfish and served at hotels where the food can be easily contaminated. Luckily I am not one for raw oysters. (Love them crumbed though!)

You must do the things you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

pizza..

2006-12-19T01:45:00.000+09:00

Thought I would include a scene of NZ for you to feast your eyes upon. I will be around this area again soon. I just hope that the mountains aren't covered in snow! I would like it to be slightly hot over there. Well at least where I am heading. With global warming it seems that seasons are changing. Even here in Japan, the weather really could be a lot colder (since it is winter), however, there are still girls wearing sandals to work. Me, well, the sandals were all stored away as soon as the temperature hit 15 degrees here! Couldn't wait to wear my long black boots and get out my jackets and coats. I just want it to get a bit more colder so I can wear my long cashmere Theory coat!

Had an unexpected visit from Z last night and we shared a great Italian dinner from Salvatore.
Chef Makoto Onishi, made our pizza too! Was really good!! I can see how he is the best in Italy for making pizza! http://www.salvatore.jp/restaurant/index.html Definitely worth checking out if you haven't already experienced the taste sensation. The Caprese is awesome! Just the right amount of what you would make yourself if you could. Simple and quality. The ironic thing is, this is better than the pizza I had in Napoli (and I susposedly went to one of the best restaurants in Napoli for the pizza!)

Oh and a goodbye to wonderful and happy friend A. She left today back to start a new life in Europe. I will miss her, but if good friends stay in touch, then you will always stay in touch.
I wish A all the best!

Believe in yourself
and you can accomplish anything.
Me

soon to be christmas..

2006-12-18T11:53:00.000+09:00

Good sunny weather makes you feel so much better. What would we do without the sunshine. I know I would probably become quite depressed and lethargic. Nothing better than waking up early to a morning of sunshine and a relaxing breakfast. Most days I have muesli with yoghurt (teamed with hemp oil, black seasame & soybean powder) and green kale powder. If not, then I can be found having some very good French bread with a dab or two of butter.. mmm :p

Was a bit disappointed in a very well-known Spanish restaurant in the weekend (Espeso), which is known for it's great Spanish food and has won numerous awards. I either ordered the wrong food or it just wasn't up to par. Even the usual polite waiters at Japanese restaurants had an air of arrogance on them (Spanish influenced??) and the food was hardly even worth taking a photo of to be remembered. I suggest go with no expectation and don't expect cheap quality food from there, not to mention great service. Very ho hum.

Did go to a pretty good Egyptian restaurant last night to say farewell to a very good friend A. Will be really sad to think she is leaving the country, but if good friends remain good friends, then one stays in touch forever, and now there is email, so even easier! Not to mention Skype.

Was treated to some homemade Italian bread by my good friend I. Very talented. Was good to catch up with her and check out her apartment. Very cosy and for the small space it occupied, it felt quite large. Well renovated. I love looking at apartments and how people have arranged their lifestyle and interior in them to suit themselves. Japanese apartments, while being small, are really great and it always inspires me to study interior design (or architecture in this case..)

There are so many things I want to do, it's just a matter of setting up a timetable. Still haven't got round to learning the piano yet. Next year perhaps? Will have to start thinking of my thesis topic too.

Christmas is almost upon us. Not that excited about it yet, but will be good to have some very good friends together to celebrate the day. Will be working on the day since I will be off back to NZ on Boxing day! Getting a bit more excited about it and just realised I really need to pack and sort out what I am going to take over. Not to mention, buying a suitcase very soon! Mama Mia!!

No sign of the bird flu this year, but there is a new virus called Noroi (no idea what it means) out. Seems they invent all sorts of things to boost the sales of drugs. Guess everyone is into buying presents and not drugs at the end of the year (therefore, invent scare tacits to increase sales). Don't be scared, and just be aware. Wash your hands thoroughly and keep your mouth closed. (oh and smile and laugh too! good for the immunity!)

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.

Mark Twain

NZ soil quality and cancer

2006-12-18T10:38:00.000+09:00

An article regarding NZ and Cancer and the soil quality...

Cancer - The New Frontier: Cancer defence comes in red, green and purple
Monday December 18, 2006

Professor Lynn Ferguson has devoted her career to studying the effect of diet on cancer. Photo / Richard Robinson
Mum was right - eating your greens is good for you. But so are your yellows, reds, browns and blues.
In the fight against cancer, fruits and vegetables are the first line of defence.
Lynn Ferguson, head of the Auckland University Centre for Mutagen Testing (mutagens are anti-cancer-causing properties), has devoted her career to studying the protective effects of diet against cancer.
The centre, part of the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, was set up in 1988, but Professor Ferguson has been working with the Auckland Cancer Society since 1979.
She was invited to join by the former director the late Dr Bruce Cain.
"I was given a completely different brief. Everyone else was developing cancer drugs, I was taken in to look at [the] causes of cancer - to look at why New Zealand's got one of the highest rates of cancer in the world.
"We recognise that, okay, you can develop anti-cancer drugs, and that's great, but if you can stop people from getting cancer, that's the best of all. To do that, you've got to understand what's causing it."

And a good deal is already known about its causes. Tobacco smoke, excessive sun exposure and being obese all have strong links to cancer. But diet remains a major factor, accounting for up to a third of all cancers.
Professor Ferguson said people are simply not being as good with fruits and vegetables as they should be. While the recommendation is for five servings a day, the average New Zealander gets two to three.
And the statistics reflect that. Besides having one of the highest bowel cancer rates in the developed world, New Zealand also ranks in the top three countries for breast and prostate cancer prevalence. All three are linked to diet.
"What it means is that the New Zealand diet that we like to think of as healthy is possibly not as healthy as we would like to have it be."
Much of Professor Ferguson's research has focused on the cancer-protecting natural compounds of foods.
Kiwifruit, broccoli, green leafy vegetables and kumara, particularly the purple variety, are all foods she cites as being quite beneficial. Oily fish such as salmon and sardines are also useful.
But certain nutrients are simply lacking in the average New Zealand diet.
"You can have an incredibly healthy diet otherwise and still not get enough selenium."
Preliminary evidence from a major study being conducted by Professor Ferguson suggests that half the Auckland population is "somewhat" deficient in the mineral.
"Not enough to cause a chronic deficiency, but sufficient to increase the risk."
New Zealand soils are deficient in the mineral, so its crops reflect that. But just four brazil nuts a day is enough to meet most people's needs, said Professor Ferguson. Australian wheat is also a good source.
But there remains no cancer-preventing miracle food.
"People want a magic bullet, and I say something like 'broccoli is beneficial', but that doesn't mean you should eat a bucketload. It does mean two or three meals a week which include broccoli is probably a good idea."

a bit of history

2006-12-15T04:22:00.000+09:00

Took this today at 4pm.

The other day, something rather unusual happened to my bike. Only parked it for about an hour outside Freshness Burger around 6pm, and what do you know, I have a whiskey bottle (mostly empty) in my basket. I guess they must have been celebrating Friday night perhaps? A student? A salaryman? The mind ponders.

I caught up with Z yesterday and had a relaxing day just mucking about. Good to have mental days off work, sure helps with life in general that is for sure.

Not long till Xmas. Haven't even started my Xmas shopping yet, but I know what I am getting people.. so that is a good start. Have even bought the New Year Greeting cards, so now just have to sit down and write them out in my best Japanese writing! This will be first time to send them out, so am looking forward to the reactions from my friends. I am sure they will be surprised to receive a traditional card from me.

Have been munching on a great souviner senbei from Kumomoto, my dear friend M gave me. Just the right amount of sweetness and a slight kick of paprika in it. Sounds like a weird combination, but I tell you what, it is good! I learnt from Z, that on the box, there is an ancient map and it tells us of the different areas that the prefectures of Japan were shifted to in Kumomoto. Tokugawa Ieyasu, made the most important (or influential) people in each prefecture move to Kumomoto, in order to sustain any rivary and to make communication difficult between their home towns. So when you look at the old map of Kumomoto, one can see that there is a section of Sado Island, Hiroshima, Nara, etc situated in different areas and they are calculated on the amount of rice produced (since that was the most important unit at the time of the era).

More info can be found on him by this link. http://www.samurai-archives.com/famousgenerals.html

Having said that, Hokkaido (land of the Ainu) wasn't even acknowldeged since it didn't produce any rice, and it wasn't until Meiji era that they became interested in Hokkaido, and developed a strain of rice that could grow up there and handle the coarse climate.

Another bit of history that Z also told me about (thanks Z for telling me about all this), was that before the world war, the land was governed by rich families and lords, and it was only after the world war that it was split up evenly among everyone. So the ones with the large farms couldn't do much at all, since it was the law. Guess that is what Democracy is about. This could have happened to England, however, it hasn't and the lords are still lords governing the land that they held from common people.

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.

Thich Nhat Hanh

love..

2006-12-13T09:29:00.000+09:00

This sometimes how I feel when I am trying to find the perfect job or love.

Climbing up a cliff vertically, at least with harnesses on! (A photo of a friend)

Sure could do with some inspiration today... Why is it that some days you feel so much energy for living, and other days, you feel sad and really there is no reason for you to feel down. I look inside myself and I do kind of know the reason, but part of me can't seem to fix it. Try to and yet it feels worse in a way. Just feeling down and no explanation, well, that is a different story, but if you really look into yourself, I think you will find the answer, whether it lies in work, friends, family or in a majority of cases, love. Ahh, love, what would we do without it? Love makes the world go around and if there wasn't any love, then heck, we would live in a pretty dismal world.

They say we should give love and not expect any of it back. Perhaps that is what I am not doing; giving love freely.. hmm.. am I charging for it then? Hmm.. how can one charge for true love. If we could buy it, sure, but I think true love is priceless. It is one of those special things in life that we cannot buy (like our health), and love comes to you when you least expect it. Then is love like luck?

I guess, we should never give up on love and always believe in love, as the power of love is so strong that it will come to you no matter how far or distant you may be. How and when it comes to you, is a different story, but the universe knows when and how and you just have to be recipient to it.

That's my three and a half cents for the day. Feel free to write any comments about love to enlighten me with. Always happy to hear stories of love and how it found you.

Free love? As if love is anything but free! Man has bought brains, but all the millions in the world have failed to buy love.

Man has subdued bodies, but all the power on earth has been unable to subdue love.

Man has conquered whole nations, but all his armies could not conquer love.

Man has chained and fettered the spirit, but he has been utterly helpless before love.

High on a throne, with all the splendor and pomp his gold can command, man is yet poor and desolate, if love passes him by.

And if it stays, the poorest hovel is radiant with warmth, with life and color.

Thus love has the magic power to make of a beggar a king. Yes, love is free; it can dwell in no other atmosphere.

Emma Goldman

and I just wanted to add another quote, since I found this one quite good too, and on the topic of love..

Infantile love follows the principle: "I love because I am loved.

"Mature love follows the principle: "I am loved because I love.

"Immature love says: "I love you because I need you.

"Mature love says: "I need you because I love you."

Erich Fromm

inspiration

2006-12-12T05:22:00.000+09:00

Just took this photo from work. Thought the sky looked quite dramatic and powerful and wanted to share it with you. Sorry it can't be clearer, as the windows are quite dirty and only have my camera on my phone.. I am thinking of buying a decent digital camera, but there is so many to choose from I have no idea. I better get one soon though as I am going away on holiday to Australia and need to capture the moments and scenery over there! Any suggestions on which camera to buy? I am thinking of the Canon IXY (I have had before), but am open to suggestions..

Just a quick entry today, off to a free wine tasting of the best wines they have had a wine bar over 2006, then off to a family sale for underwear (family sale means a variety of brands sold from 30-80% off the retail price). Only the ones that have been invited can attend.. Then to Fujimama's for a catch up with some friends and enjoying live music. Don't normally go out on a Tuesday night, especially with the cold and wet upon me, however, have decided to try and make more of an effort and see my friends and support local events. A change in me? Perhaps. But do need to upgrade my skills and definitely learn how to use Photoshop properly as well as webdesign. Not to mention, decide on my thesis for next year! Good news though, I got an A for my paper & exam! I am sooooo happy about that. Talk about a great Xmas present (well an early one). Feels that my study and hard work has paid off. Not to mention it has given me motivation to hang in there and do my thesis next year. Just what on though and need to have enough to write 30,000 words.. (120 pages..?)

Thanks for tuning in and keep tuning in, until Xmas, after that will be out of the blogging world for a while..

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Anatole France

time and knowledge

2006-12-08T05:10:00.000+09:00

Oh dear, seems that the cat got stuck in the fridge again..!

(One of my funnies that I got sent to me a while ago..)

Have been having a bit of an interesting week. Decided to take a couple of mornings off from work and heck, it makes a difference. Don't get paid for not being at the office (even if I do work at home!), but it definitely puts the bounce back into your step when you have a bit more time up your sleeve and can enjoy a bit more leisurely time in the apartment or with your friends.) I recommend doing this if you are just feeling a bit fed up with work. Of course, not being paid is not the greatest thing, and the cheque can seem a bit less than normal, but for the well-being of your life and health, then I suggest to you, just take a morning off, or take an afternoon off. Sure puts a smile on your face and the day goes by so much more pleasant.

Still working on immunotherapy and cancer and it is getting a bit more interesting to what it first appeared to me. Obviously, I am not a rocket scientist and don't really have much more knowledge about cancer than college student, however, the more you read into something, you can become immersed into it. Even if you aren't that interested in it at first, I think you can find something in there that can act as a leverage, and as you know, knowledge is never wasted. Although, I have yet to find the use of algebra since leaving high school. Everything else has come up, including scattergrams and histograms from Biology. Who would have thought when I was studying at high school that I would find myself using the knowledge I learnt regarding genetics and the recombinant of DNA?! Certainly not me. So, I always contemplate that, eventhough I may not like what I am researching or learning, there will always be a time in the future that will help me in what I need to know. And if you are stuck to try and find something new to learn, I suggest talking to someone (you do or don't know), and find something that you can learn from them, or just observe what is around you..

And if you are wondering, my kidney is better. Must have just stretched a side of it or Something. Kind of weird..

Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportioned to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I recall that piece of knowledge and use it better.
The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Mark Van Doren

sore kidney and happiness

2006-12-05T09:16:00.000+09:00

Quite a funny cartoon today.. I like Mike Adams work..

Yes, last night and this morning my kidney is quite sore (right hand side one), and not really sure why.. Too many teas? (I did drink quite a bit of chinese teas yesterday). Really not sure and hope that the pain goes away.

Last night was rather quiet and contemplated on life and how I am happy in the present. Didn't really get up to a lot of stuff, but did some sorting through a drawer that has been building up with stuff that needs to be sorted through. Always good to get rid of things and was quite pleased to take more unnecessary stuff down to the rubbish room.

So what did I contemplate on?... Where am I at the moment and am I happy in Tokyo, Japan? If I am not happy here, then would I be happier elsewhere in the world? Where in the world? Running away from being unhappy, doesn't necessarily mean that you will be happier on the other side of the fence. So have been sorting through my head to see if I am content being here. There are a couple of issues I have to get through, and I think once I am through them, I think I can clearly make a few choices. Definitely changing my life from the choices made. Just have to see which choice I choose. Is happiness really a state of mind or is it a state of being? I guess it is a mixture of both. A balance of what you have in your life and what comes into your life. How you handle it is important. Is happiness just the state of being and handling things calmly and peacefully. If it is so, then why are some of the happiest-seeming people sometimes not so happy. Therefore, the state of happiness must be in the mind and not just looking at what is presented to you as the being. I think if the mind reflects happiness, then this will reflect in the body naturally. I don't think it works the other way around, as people are never happy with the bodies and always want to change some part of themselves to make themselves feel happy. But if it comes from the inside, then it will naturally make you feel happy on the outside too. (Happy on the inside out.) However, there is nothing wrong in smiling, eventhough you may not feel that happy. Sometimes just smiling can make you feel happier and better. So just go ahead and smile. And hey, you might get a smile back from someone and it will make you feel better instantly!

Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.

Helen Keller

collodial silver (maybe banned...!!)

2006-12-05T05:25:00.000+09:00

I found this most disturbing. Collodial silver really is the best thing out! Obviously, the pharmaceutical companies don't think so, especially when it means they are losing profits by this harmless substance..

EPA uses nanotech regulation ploy to target colloidal silver while ignoring all other nanotech particlesMonday, December 04, 2006 by: Ben Kage

http://www.newstarget.com/021231.html

Nanomaterials -- products and materials changed or created at the atomic and molecular level -- are quickly gaining popularity for their multitude of uses, and while the Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to regulate popular nanosilver antibacterial products, ostensibly to protect consumers, critics say the move is a thinly veiled attempt to solely regulate nanosilver as a health supplement.
Nanosilver is used to kill harmful bacteria in food storage containers, shoe liners, washing machines and even bandages. Particles of nanosilver and other nanomaterials can be as small as one-millionth the size of a pinhead. However, the EPA, citing pressure from silver industry workers and environmental groups such as Natural Resources Defense Council, is investigating whether silver ions could pose an environmental threat by killing beneficial bacteria in the environment, or even harming humans. The agency also received a letter from Chuck Weir, chairman of a California wastewater treatment plant advisory group known as Tri-TAC, which claimed "silver is highly toxic to aquatic life at low concentrations and also bioaccumulates in some aquatic organisms, such as clams."
Silver was brought under close EPA scrutiny when washing machine manufacturers began making models that were lined with silver ions or sprayed them onto the clothes as an antibacterial agent. Last year, the EPA decided that the machines should not be regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, since they were considered devices rather than pesticides. Recently, however, the agency re-examined its decision and reversed it.
"We took a second look at the release of silver ions, and it was very clear that this is a pesticide and not a device," Jim Jones, director of the EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs, told the Washington Post. "Our original determination proved not to be a correct one."
Under the regulations, any silver product that claims it has antibacterial properties must prove the product is safe to be released into the environment. Mike Adams, a consumer health advocate and proponent of colloidal silver, suggested the regulations might work better were they aimed at antibiotics and pharmaceuticals.
"Isn't it interesting that the EPA chooses to completely ignore the environmental safety of all the millions of tons of pharmaceuticals flushed down toilets every year while selectively targeting silver products?" he said. "Why isn't the EPA concerned about the environmental toxicity of pharmaceuticals?"
A major point of contention for silver proponents is the fact that only products making antibacterial claims are subject to regulation. Jones' commented that, "Unless you're making a claim to kill a pest, you're not a pesticide." This decision has caused a severe backlash since it was announced Nov. 22, but not from washing machine manufacturers. Advocates of the use of silver in health have expressed outrage that the EPA has become involved and made this a safety issue, as their decision directly affects sellers whose silver products claim any antibacterial benefits.
"People have used silver flatware, and in the past silver coins, for thousands of years, releasing silver into the environment with no question of harm," said New Jersey lawyer Ralph Fucetola, who runs the Committee for the Responsible Use of Silver in Health (CRUSH) and the www.SilverFacts.com website. "The EPA will require proof of the safety of silver in the environment only if the companies make germ-killing claims," said Fucetola. "They are only concerned about safety if the public is being given information about benefits."
Fucetola, who is known as the Vitamin Lawyer for his work in the realm of dietary supplements, said CRUSH was developed to prevent irresponsible use of silver in health -- with special focus on ingested silver -- from both sides of the equation; both entities that would off-handedly disparage silver's benefits and those who would exaggerate them for profit.
"This is not a regulation designed to protect the environment from nanotechnology, it's a stealth ploy that selectively attempts to remove colloidal silver from the marketplace," Adams said. "Silver was gaining momentum in the marketplace as a safe, effective and natural antibacterial element. It cannot be patented and directly competes with antibiotics, antibacterial cleaners and other products from powerful corporations. That's why Big Business had to knock colloidal silver off track and regulate it out of the marketplace."
Fucetola noted there is a conflict between the EPA's decision and its own safety data on silver.
"EPA public records show that for ingested silver there is a safe level of use, known as the Reference Dose (RfD), determined by science as the safe daily amount for consumers," he said. "The guidelines make it clear that the only concern for the RfD is for the potential for the skin discoloration known as argyria. You would have to consume so much silver that it would discolor your skin before there would be any safety concerns."
Agyria, the most common health concern associated with silver, is a permanent yet medically benign conditioned marked by discoloration of the skin, usually brought on prolonged exposure to large amounts of the substance.
The EPA considers silver a water contaminant, but its Office of Drinking Water decided in the early 1990s that the effects of silver exposure in drinking water were cosmetic, and therefore downgraded the substance from a primary contaminant level to a secondary contaminant level. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease control reports that spills of silver less than 1,000 pounds are not required to be reported to the EPA.
"If the EPA were to take the position that all nanosilver products had to qualify as 'safe and effective,' it would be acting contrary to its own long history of determining scientifically valid RfDs," Fucetola said. "Silver is spread throughout the environment already. Taking silver from the environment, using it and having some of it return to the environment is no different than the use of any other metal from the environment, whether iron, copper, or whatever."
Another factor that is drawing anger from silver proponents is the seeming focus of regulations on nanosilver to the exclusion of other nanomaterials. Indeed, the majority of nanomaterials will not be subject to EPA scrutiny, as they do not make any antibacterial claims.
"Consider this," said Adams. "Out of all the countless nanotechnology particles used in sun lotion, clothing and cookware, the EPA has decided to regulate only one -- colloidal silver, which is a naturally-occurring mineral. In doing so, the EPA ignores all the synthetic nanoparticles introduced into the environment through consumer products made by Big Business."
"'Nanosilver’ is the sexy new term for ionic silver," said Jay Newman, CRUSH member and president of supplement maker Invision International, in a press release. "Yet the imperative for an efficient delivery mechanism for human use is still the bottom line."
Newman said in a NewsTarget interview that free silver ions are needed to have an antimicrobial effect, but the ions will automatically bond with chlorine if they find their way into common drinking water, thereby rendering the ions inert.
"Our patented Silver100 is a perfect case in point, where it took many years of development and achieved patent protection because it has a specific molecular structure to control the release of silver ions in microbial forms," he said. "Once that occurs, the silver ions do not hang around. That's just the way the chemistry works.
"All appearances are that the EPA has been succumbing to corporate pressure of vested interests that do not want to see the word get out that silver has these benefits," Newman said. "I remain optimistic that the EPA will have the ethics and responsibility to let science prevail and that this will go away as quickly as it emerged."
###

power of the thought...

2006-12-04T10:53:00.000+09:00

You are in charge of your thoughts and it is the magnetism that can draw what you want or what you don't want into your life. I received this from a newsletter this morning and thought I would paste it on my blog for you. It makes you aware at just how powerful your thoughts can be and can manifest what you want in your life. Believe in your thoughts and try to concentrate on what you want in your life by your thoughts.

1. The magnetic pull of your judgments

"A human being is part of a whole, called by us the Universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
--Albert Einstein

Have you ever sat and wondered why some of your most important relationships can be so contentious? If so, you might want to consider how being judgmental can easily lead to serious breakdowns with others.

When engaged in challenging relationships, the more you're able to refrain from finding fault with and distancing yourself from others, the more likely you are to live an emotionally fulfilling life. Not always an easy task, but one that's well worth pursuing. Once you realize your own model of the world is flawed and riddled with numerous contradictions, you'll be much better able to forgive the shortcomings of others.

If you encounter certain kinds of problematic relationships over and over again, you'll do well to consider how you attract certain people to you, like a magnet attracts metal filings. You can begin to appreciate the strength of your magnet, by simply noticing who you attract and who you repel. The power of your judgments (even when not spoken out loud) can really be awesome!

When you're able to dissolve the judgment or opposition you have towards others, you'll usually find you spontaneously heighten your ability to engage in mutually fulfilling relationships. When you accept that to some extent you and your counterpart are BOTH right and wrong, you free yourself to learn and adapt, rather than dissipating your energy "fighting against". When you free yourself from finding fault and fighting, you're much better able to defend yourself and get what you rightfully deserve. This is a basic principle of Aikido.

When you place your focus on maintaining a cooperative relationship rather than attempting to determine who is "the most correct", you wind up becoming more solution oriented, and the challenging relationships in your life take on new meaning. When the meaning you attach to what transpires between you and others changes, so will your emotional state. When you're at peace with the world you slow down the pace and rhythm of your speech and actions, and breathe more freely and easily. When you do this you'll find the world is more at peace with you, and the people you interact with will feel accepted and respected, and respond in kind.

Life is not out to attack, punish, or take advantage of you. Life is out to supportively teach you what you need to learn, in order to fulfill your purpose for living. The same I believe is true with the vast majority of people you meet.

At times, some part of your self will call out imploring you to slow down and be more receptive to how you're attracting the people and experiences you don't want. This is much the same as a baby crying out because it's hungry. Rather than finding fault with the crying voice, please find a way to nourish yourself with loving compassion.

In the end, each person wants to feel loved, accepted and protected. Find a way to give others the gift you yourself so dearly desire, and you'll transform your relationships, and gain the sense of being truly appreciated by others.

appreciation..

2006-11-30T04:19:00.000+09:00

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..

2006-11-30T04:18:00.000+09:00

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

2006-11-28T04:50:00.000+09:00

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..

2006-11-15T04:15:00.000+09:00

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

2006-11-14T09:51:00.000+09:00

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

2006-11-14T05:15:00.000+09:00

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

2006-11-10T04:39:00.000+09:00

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.
_
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)

2006-11-10T03:51:00.000+09:00

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

2006-11-02T10:37:00.000+09:00

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

autumn days

2006-10-31T05:18:00.000+09:00

This photo was taken from my floor where I work.

The sun looked most amazing, shining her rays through the clouds on to Tokyo..

These days have been so nice, it is hard to be at work, especially after lunch and enjoying the fresh autumn air..

Today I had lunch with Z, since Z was around and managed to get a great seat in the park all to ourselves. Hard to imagine that there was noone else around at this time of the day in the middle of Tokyo. Just greeted with the sun rays through the leaves and the smell of trees. We picked up a couple of onigiri's (riceballs), made from brown rice and filled with the condiments of either fresh salmon, umeboshi plum, shiso herb and jako (small fish). All really good ingredients used too, so even better! Oh, and not to forget the miso soup which was the icing on the cake. A very nice, relaxing lunch hour, but time went too quickly and ended up being 15 mins late back to work! I don't know if anyone noticed or not.. let's hope they didn't and that all is well.

Last Friday, I ended up taking the day off (due to the weather being too nice), and Z and I decided we would both just hang out for a change and make the most of the weather. We visited my favourite cafe in Jiyugaoka and had scones and apple pie (I still think the best in Tokyo!), and then decided to go and have a Head Spa (consisting of your head being massaged for 30mins with deepsea Thallso mineral gel). Even got our shoulders massaged. If you haven't had a Head Spa before, I thoroughly reccommend it. The most awesome feeling afterwards and your head will feel so light you wonder if it's still on your head! Well, it definitely takes the stress off you and being pampered is great! A few guys there as well. Having our heads all sparkly and clean and stepped right out of the salon, we decided to head out to the standing bar. A very cool swanky place that is hard to get in, unless you just time it right - like we did! A couple of sangria's, tataki tuna and fresh smoked bacon, we were on a high! Nothing like a great day off like that to really appreciate life. Tokyo, I must say is great and I always feel spoilt when I go to my favourite places and able to share them with special friends, especially with Z.

The rest of the week, there is study, study and more study. Final exam for my paper is on Tuesday next week. I am a bit anxious and aprehensive about it, although, I did get some very good news regarding my assignment that I handed in the other day and received 80% for it! Was I a happy chappy yesterday! Almost shouted out in the main street by work when I read my mail on my phone!

Must keep believing in the best and expecting the best. And so should you. The world is full of abundance and you deserve it. Believe in yourself and you will attain what you are looking for and want. Money, love, happiness, acknowledgement, satisfaction, the list is endless, just like your dreams and goals. Believe in all of them and that you can accomplish them all! It is only your mind that limits you, and if you have an unlimited mind, then your potential is unlimited!
Just go for it and enjoy what life is offering you.

Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.
Arthur Schopenhauer

services that you can buy in Japan...

2006-10-30T09:57:00.000+09:00

An article I came across in the newspaper this morning. Thought you might like to know what kind of things you can do over here.. Seems like you can make money from anything these days..

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 "We can do everything" By MARK SCHREIBER
Spa! (Oct. 31)

With a nationwide crackdown in force on drunken driving this autumn, the word daiko, meaning a substitute, is suddenly back in vogue. Unten daiko are the companies you can call to keep you from crawling behind the wheel if you've had so much sake you can barely stand up. For charges starting from 1,500 yen for the first 2 km (with a 20 percent surcharge after 2 a.m.), they'll dispatch a sober individual to drive you home.
These, Spa! reports, are just one of a number of similar substitute enterprises. You can hire a daiko to stand in a long queue to purchase your admission ticket to a major event (charge: 3,000 yen and up); to walk your dog (1,500 yen for the first 30 minutes); and place bids at Web auctions that frequently run into the wee hours (the fee based on a percentage of your purchase).
There are even substitute shoppers who can find you the best bargains at the Akihabara electronics district.
Considering the potential pitfalls in getting into, or out of, an emotional relationship, it's not surprising then that substitute services have sprung up of late to serve would-be lovers. A nanpa daiko service will, for 3,000 yen an hour, try to pick up a girl for you; skilled scribes, available via the Internet, will compose messages so elegant as to cause your lady love to swoon with passion (2,625 yen per 400-character page); and date planners (1,500 yen and up) will advise you on a course that meets her tastes and your budget.
Considerably more expensive, at 50,000 yen to 100,000 yen per job, is the "confessor substitute" service (kokuhaku daiko). Similar to a private investigation agency, this outfit will approach the person you specify by assuming the role of a concerned listener.
"About 70 percent of our clients are men in their 30s," says Satoko Yoshii, operator of an outfit called Ginko Consulting. "These fellows might have had their eye on a girl for as long as six years, and then decided it's time to break the ice and approach them."
Is she living with someone? Does she, God forbid, prefer women over men? To extract this information, Ms. Yoshii's operatives will try to get them to volunteer what you want to know.
If the female target works as a waitress in a coffee shop, for example, the operative will become a customer and try to win her trust.
"All of a sudden she might say, 'By the way, I'm a friend of Mr. So-and-so (the client). Can I ask you about him?' " Yoshii explains. "Then since it's just two girls swapping notes about a guy, the woman won't suspect anything.
"This is a much more reliable way of finding out what the man wants to know than confronting her and asking about her past," she asserts.
Ginko Consulting says it draws the line at some requests.
"Once a client requested one of our operatives to approach his lady friend in a threatening manner so he could 'rescue' her," Yoshii tells Spa! "That's a crime, so naturally we refused."
"In this day and age, you can't conduct a romance without assistance," Yoshii smiles. "The business is there, and just keeps growing and growing."

awareness

2006-10-24T09:37:00.000+09:00

Just wanted to post this on my blog. I tried to find a way to post it on my page for a permanent sign, but having trouble and thought I would just post it for the time being in this entry. Definitely, one needs to think more carefully about the "associations" out there. Are they really trying to prevent you pain, or are they just thinking of how much the industry would gain from your "contribution" or in this case, illness.

Read more about this at this website. It may just save your life.
http://www.newstarget.com/020841.html

Take care and will be back into post later on.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Marcus Aurelius

just one of those days...

2006-10-18T04:07:00.000+09:00

I quite liked the above words and thought I would put them on my website. It is from the book

Yoga: Discipline of Freedom: The Yoga Sutra Attributed to Patanjali Barbara Stoler Miller regarding Yoga, however, I thought it applies to life in general and perhaps you would be interested in reading it.

Today, a slightly low energy day for me, after yesterday. I enjoyed catching up with a very close friend that I hadn't seen for some time. Managed to surprise me (yet again) and told me that they were stopping by for lunch and if I had time.. well, already had a lunch date planned, however, I ended up cancelling it, as it was a special occassion. Thing is, I haven't heard back from my friend regarding not meeting up with her, and am afraid I really am in the bad books. I thought good friends would understand these sorts of situations, I guess not. Perhaps, not a good friend as I thought... Anyway, has me a bit stumped and a bit sad to think that this could destroy a longterm friendship. I have apologised and even sent her a small "sorry" gift.

What more can I do. (Sorry, but some Japanese girls are very complicated to understand, I empathsize with guys here...) Apart from that, it sure was good to catch up with good friend A. Time went too quickly and A had to dash off their meeting and I had to get back to the desk. Ho hum. For longer lunch hour breaks..

On to a brighter note, have been cutting down on expenses and have been pretty much making my own dinner everynight. Dishes have been pretty quick and simple, but I have made sure they are well-balanced and do not contain anything instant.

the good things in life...

2006-10-17T09:13:00.000+09:00

The best bakery in my opinion(organic and natural), closed down last month (Pain di Ami).

Since there is no other decent bakery (well, there is Maison Keyser which is considered to be excellent, but it doesn't have that tender loving care like Pan Ami had.) Pan Ami also used natural yeast and organic wheat, I haven't had any bread for at least a couple of weeks. On the good side of things, I am able to fit back into my skinny jeans again! Bad news is, I really miss the bread and the wonderful, talented baker N there. We became quite good friends and it was always nice to call in there and say hi to her after work.. The bread was definitely a bonus.

Crossiants were like heaven!

She definitely rates as one of best patisser that I know of in Tokyo.. especially for her age and her vitality! I hope she manages to find another bakery that she can manage again. A very skilled lady in the way of creating all sorts of wonderful delights. It was worth not fitting in the skinny jeans! hee hee.. (this site is in Japanese, but it tells us where the bakeries this person has visited. What a list!) http://www.geocities.jp/sanzenri_panyatour/tokyopannya.htm It even has one of my favourite places listed near where I work. This person really is a bread-gourmet!

These days, I have been addicted to watching Prisonbreak. Got this great photo of the two heartthrobs that tickle me at the moment....

Great series and have watched all the episodes at the local DVD store (Tsutaya). I am only up to Episode 7, (there aren't any more episodes at Tsutaya), which means I am completely stuck and can't watch any more even if I want. SO have resorted to Amazon and bought the complete series 1! I know, it sounds really TV-junkie, but I can't wait till December to get it, besides, I would only end up paying around the same amount of cash if I ordered it from there anyway (got a good deal on a NEW/USED DVD set). So all is good. At least it won't arrive in the post till well after my big exam for Uni. So no distraction till after then. Will be a good after-exam present for myself (^_^)/ Will be busy though, as I have Desperate Housewives II also coming soon as well. And one more...

These are just a couple of the guys that push the buttons on in the right places. Of course, these ones are just based on the characters. You would have to know me well, for who really does push my buttons....

I had a great catch up with close friend Z last night. Talking about life, generally just a chit chat and the next thing we knew it was midnight before we hung up! Always like that when close friends get on the phone or catch up at a cafe. We didn't have to rush off any where and we ended up chatting for over 2 hours, and the best thing was - for FREE! (Usually, I am not the type that likes to chat for a long time on the phone! However, with Z it's different...) Anyway, Skype is amazing and if you aren't on it already, I highly reccommend you to go on it, especially if you are on a budget. Even if you aren't on a budget it is great and the quality is crystal clear! Like listening to a conference in a huge hall. Should wire my PC up to the speakers and have the voice booming out. That would be a laugh.

Weekend had some interesting aspects to it. Went to my favourite yoga class and felt wonderfully alive after it, then I guess I just mucked about (watched Prisonbreak) and went to bed around 11 (nothing that exciting, but that is what I wanted to do). Sunday, I had my Japanese lesson in the morning with now good friend Y and went to one of my favourite Italian restaurants for lunch). We were enjoying our pasta (named funnily enough, Shofu Special - prostitutes special?!! Or in Italian it is known as Spagetti alla Puttanesca - the photo below) and a very tasty pizza....

As one does, I sprinkled over some hot chilli extra virgin olive oil and was looking idly at my pizza slice when I noticed there was a soaked cockroach in it! Had to be careful not to throw up..! It is funny to think about it now, how I almost ate a cockie, however, at the time, my appetite just shrunk and had to contain myself. The only reason I didn't make more of a fuss about it, was that it is one of my favourite places to go and I really enjoy the food and service there. Luckily, we were spoiled to an extra special dessert and it was on the house! So there goes the saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch!" So just bring a cockie along and put it on your pizza next time and see what happens.

Sunday night, went for a good 1km or so swim, even managed to pull a few lengths of butterfly. Quite good considering it's been about a couple of weeks since I got myself into chlorine-induced waters.. Had a quiet night after that and ended up going to sleep after some very good Shochu (Murasaki). So life for me is pretty quiet, but that is how I am liking it at the moment. Need time to just unwind and reflect on things as well as taking my mind off the daily pressures of life (not that there is that much stress in my life). Just a bit of sorting out of which direction to take, but doesn't everyone go through that at times?....

Life can be found only in the present moment. The past is gone, the future is not yet here, and if we do not go back to ourselves in the present moment, we cannot be in touch with life.
Thich Nhat Hanh

distuburing reality on psychiatric experimentation

2006-10-13T12:16:00.000+09:00

I just read this website regarding an article on psychiatry. If you have the time and want to be shocked about the truth behind experimentation, please check it out.

Human medical experimentation in the United States: The shocking true history of modern medicine and psychiatry (1833-1965)Monday, March 06, 2006 by: Dani Veracity
http://www.newstarget.com/019189.html

Here is what the introduction says.

The true history of psychiatry and the chemical treatment of so-called mental disorders goes straight back to Nazi Germany, where scientists from IG Farben (which spawned Bayer and other drug firms) were using war prisoners as guinea pigs in Nazi-controlled medical experiments. This isn't some wild conspiracy theory, either: It's part of the historical record. Read Human medical experimentation in the United States: The shocking true history of modern medicine and psychiatry (1833-1965) to catch a glimpse (if you dare).
Want to learn more shocking facts about modern psychiatry? Visit the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. It's a grassroots organization that fights against the evils of psychiatry and Big Pharma. It was originally set up by the Church of Scientology. I'm not a member of the church, but on this issue I agree with them completely: Psychiatry has gone mad, and it must be stopped.

e.g.
1963)
Chester M. Southam, who injected Ohio State Prison inmates with live cancer cells in 1952, performs the same procedure on 22 senile, African-American female patients at the Brooklyn Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital in order to watch their immunological response. Southam tells the patients that they are receiving "some cells," but leaves out the fact that they are cancer cells. He claims he doesn't obtain informed consent from the patients because he does not want to frighten them by telling them what he is doing, but he nevertheless temporarily loses his medical license because of it. Ironically, he eventually becomes president of the American Cancer Society (Greger, Merritte, et al.).

http://www.newstarget.com/019189.html

friday - again

2006-10-13T01:43:00.000+09:00

Have updated my blog to the new version and this is my first time to use it. Not sure on the differences just yet, but seems that it is easier to use..

Yesterday went for a walk in the park close to the office and took this photo. Was quite happy with it considering it was taken on my phone and it wasn't a lot of light where I took it. If you can guess where this is, you have to write and tell me!

Today is slightly cooler and definitely has a feel of Autumn in the air. Looks like we are in for good weekend weather too. Yahoo! I am all for sunny dry Autumn weather that is for sure.

Tonight am meeting up with friends in Ebisu (close to home) which is quite convenient. Not really feeling very social at all and was thinking how much I would rather just be at home watching Prisonbreak or Desperate Housewives! Is this normal for a 30 year old to be wanting to relax at home and watch numerous episodes of American TV dramas?! Perhaps it is just a phase that I am going through at the moment? Well, for one thing, once I have finished this TV series, I don't think I will start watching another one till well after my exam! (Start of Nov.)

Have sent in my assignment for Uni and am now awaiting results. I hoping for the same or a better score as before. Fingers crossed. The exam will be hard, however, we are allowed to take a dictionary which is great. Not electronic though, so will be using the old push of the fingers to get the pages turned! Been a while since I have done that!

As for the previous post regarding psychiatric experiments, I really had to try and compose myself afterwards. I felt so sick, sad, upset, angry and disturbed to think that these experiments took place. I wonder how many people really know what goes on behind closed doors. What is scary is, in another 50-100years time, the same thing will be happening, and it will be listed from 2005-2105. The crazy things people ate and fed each other, or the drugs and medicine they took in thinking they were getting better. This and North Korea, Israel, Palestine, earthquakes, murders etc, makes you wonder what exactly is the kind of world that we are living in. At least there are two things that can help the world and that is peace and happiness, but how many people around you seem at peace and happy?....

The days seem quite long, but the weeks go by so quickly. It's hard to believe it's Friday again! Since I haven't been too busy at work this week, I have been doing some websurfing (as one does) and I just stumbled across this blog. Kind of cool. The writer seems to be in the same sort of place as me at the moment kind-of-feeling. Also mentioned how bored at work she is and is blogging at work. And I thought it was only me doing this?! http://www.myspace.com/italianhunney

Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us.
HH The Dalai Lama

fine autumn days

2006-10-12T10:57:00.000+09:00

Been a while since I last wrote in here. Guess I have been preoccupied with other things going on in my life... So where do I start to fill you in on what I have been up to? Hmm... Well recently, I attended a workshop on abundance. Was an amazing workshop and felt really positive and vibrant afterwards. Almost like I couldn't wait to see the future. My teacher who held it is an amazing person and you can just feel the energy off her as soon as you think of her.
A whole day to spend in a workshop, sounds such a long time, however, surprisingly it went really fast. A lot of meditations, writing exercises about what you want in your life and the obstacles that are blocking from what you want. I learnt a lot about what it is what I really want and how to magnetize what you want into reality. Hard to describe into words briefly, but believe in the power of positive thought and thinking. It can make all the difference on how you view yourself, others and the world. Expect the best out of life and trust your inner guidance.
Spent a lovely evening with very good friend N and we hung out in a very cool cafe near Meguro enjoying a macha espresso (yes, macha espresso with no coffee) and latte. Time with people you love always goes so quickly and you never want the time to end. I guess that is in the mind too, as really it doesn't end, it only ends when you think it ends. N and I are in similar positions at the moment, so there is always a lot to talk about in such great details.

Last night, I decided to call in on a good friend M, who lives in the same apartment building as me! Very cool chic and a very rare one that says, just drop in when you have time. Don't worry about calling, just ring the bell! Usually it is the opposite here in Japan and we have to call or at least mail beforehand, however, here is someone that doesn't mind and encourages me to just drop in. Ended up staying for over two hours chatting about life and all the other things girls like to chat about ;-)

Have recently got on Skype which is really cool! An amazing system and still cannot get over how clear it is! Skype to Skype calls are free. I think the inventor of Skype should get a Nobel prize, for the quality and putting so many people in contact with each other. I was using it last night and noticed that there were over 7 million other users using it at the same time! Mind boggling isn't it.

Watched the first 3 DVDs of Prisonbreak last night. Heck, that is as addictive as Desperate Housewives! Not to mention that the two main guys are very cute! Was going to have an early night, however, stayed up till 1am watching it! It is so hard to not watch the next episode. These days, I seem to be doing that a lot and that is just coming home, having dinner, relaxing and then watching 2-3 episodes in a row. For me, that is where I want to be at the moment and really enjoying just hanging out in my apartment. Must look at getting a sofa at some time though. My floor chairs and beanbag only is good for a while.. Looking forward to watching the next few episodes.. can see where my weekend is going to be heading.. in front of the TV watching Prisonbreak.

Another good friend, M, was over here for a week from the States and enlightened me about my work and career life, amongst other things. Since I work in a Japanese company with very minimal foreigners (I'm the only one on my floor), I don't get to mix with many and forget how the interaction is with foreigners. The chitchat, the compliments, the idle conversation over an espresso... The grass is always greener on the other side, however, have been contemplating on going to the other side recently. Perhaps that is where I need to go for my next step with work. Work here is not stressful and I do enjoy it sometimes, but feel that my skills and talents (?!) aren't being put to use, and if the complaints outnumber the positive aspects, then really one should consider other options. Will be a huge change if I do go through with looking at moving on from here. Today is a good day and enjoying not being challenged at work, so it's not so bad at all, however, the bad days are rather tedious and wonder what exactly I am doing here. (Today is a good day!)

Whosoever wishes to know about the world must learn about it in its particular details.
Knowledge is not intelligence.
In searching for the truth be ready for the unexpected.
Change alone is unchanging.
The same road goes both up and down.
The beginning of a circle is also its end.
Not I, but the world says it: all is one.
And yet everything comes in season.
Heraklietos of Ephesos

breast cancer awarenewss (research scams)

2006-10-06T09:59:00.000+09:00

What I think about Breast Cancer Research carried out by "cancer associations" etc.
Mike Adams of NewsTarget sums it up well in this article..
Take the time to read it if you are interested..

NewsTarget Insider Alert (www.NewsTarget.com)
HEALTH WARNINGS / CRITICISM----------------------------------------------
(Please forward to others who may benefit)
Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, you'll start seeing"pink" products everywhere and you might be urged to donate money, buypink products or run for the cure. Even though we're told that everypenny helps, where do those pennies go? If we are donating all thismoney for a cure, then why are women not being told the truth aboutpreventing breast cancer with vitamin D, green tea, foods, herbs andalternative therapies?Why are the treatment options explained to women limited tohigh-profit drugs, radiation, surgical procedures and more mammography-- a procedure that actually causes breast cancer by irradiatingbreast tissue?Cures for breast cancer exist right now, but the cancer industrycensors and discredits them, then pretends that a chemical cure willbe found if people would just donate enough money. (It's always aboutmore money, isn't it?) Shame on the public for believing such nonsense.Breast Cancer Awareness is a modern variation of the oldestconfidence scam in the book. It's actually a recruiting ploy tovictimize women by exploiting their bodies to generate profits forsome of the wealthiest corporations in the world: Drug companies.Most drug companies are headed by men, by the way, who earnridiculously large salaries in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Soit's the same old story: Rich, powerful white men telling women whatto do with their bodies, all while raking in obscene profits on everydose of toxic chemotherapy injected into a woman's body.

It's no exaggeration to say the cancer industry thrives on diseaseand suffering while marketing its services by terrorizing womenthrough the use of proven fear tactics like telling women they onlyhave six months to live unless they submit to chemotherapy. And guesswho funds the cancer non-profits the most? Pharmaceutical companies,of course.The cancer industry is all about corporate profits, not women\'shealth. And yes, I\'m willing to tell the truth about it, because Iactually care about the health of women, and I\'m outraged at how manyhave been victimized by the cancer industry.

It's no exaggeration to say the cancer industry thrives on diseaseand suffering while marketing its services by terrorizing womenthrough the use of proven fear tactics like telling women they onlyhave six months to live unless they submit to chemotherapy. And guesswho funds the cancer non-profits the most? Pharmaceutical companies,of course.The cancer industry is all about corporate profits, not women'shealth. And yes, I'm willing to tell the truth about it, because Iactually care about the health of women, and I'm outraged at how manyhave been victimized by the cancer industry. Read today's feature tolearn more:http://www.newstarget.com/020648.

Jury declares Wyeth's HRT drug caused woman's breast cancer, awards$1.5 million in damages:http://www.newstarget.com/020652.html
Consumer alert: "Pink" products are marketing gimmicks that donothing to prevent or cure breast cancer:http://www.newstarget.com/020654.html

do we need challenge at work..?

2006-10-02T14:22:00.000+09:00

Why are Monday's so hard to adjust to at work. It's not as though I dislike my work, however, I never have that feeling of "I can't wait to get to work!", mode on a Monday morning (mind you, neither on a Tuesday or Wednesday either..) Perhaps it just boils down to be not inspired by your work and although it is comfortable, it's not exactly stimuating, yet it isn't that hard. Pays fairly well, good boss, hours are good and not stressful. Sounds like what more could I possibly want. I did leave out fulfilling and challenging and happiness... So perhaps that is where my problem lies. Is it me that is unhappy or is it my job that is uninspiring that is making me unhappy.. hmmm.. no idea, but it does leave me to wonder about things..

Sometimes I feel like this picture.. arranging myself and my thoughts to fit in with others and camoflauge and metamorse myself without any distractions to anyone..

I leave you with two quotes to read, since I am not in the mood to write about my weekend.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.
Helen Keller

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new.
But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.
There is more security in the adventurous and exciting,
for in movement there is life,
and in change there is power.
Alan Cohen

nothing in particular...

2006-09-29T10:31:00.000+09:00

Feel I should write something, but a bit stuck about what to write. This wouldn't be the first though.. So have just decided to write whatever comes into my mind.. hmmm....
....
...
..

Still nothing in particular. Looks like this will be one of the shortest posts I have written without saying anything at all in particular. There must be something I could write about.
Na, nothing happening. Will clock in a bit later with something interesting to write about...hopefully!!

So leaving this photo of some people in Granada that just happened to be quite aesthetically pleasing to my eye. The old man and the cat look so happy..

inspiration

2006-09-28T09:49:00.000+09:00

Finally, went to my yoga class last night. Decided it I am really determined to go, that I should just leave from work instead of going home first. Once you are at home, it really is hard to leave. I think everyone is like that after a hard day at the office, and all you really want to do is to relax in your own surroundings and enjoy dinner. For me it was the best thing that I could have done and feel so much better for it too. Amazing how an hour and a half can do to you and clear out the cobwebs! My teacher is an inspiration to me and always learn something more about life and what really is important in this world.

One thing that I really enjoy about yoga, and perhaps it is the same as any sport or activity that you are interested in, is that your mind is totally focused on what you are doing, and when the mind wanders off about some thought about something or someone, then you are distracted and lose your concentration and perhaps make a mistake or injure yourself. Well, that is my thought for the moment and that is to concentrate on what you are doing fully and be aware of what you are doing in the moment of time. That way you are focused on what you are doing and making peace with your thoughts. I think I was quite peaceful when I took the photo above. It was taken back home in NZ over looking the mountains where I used to live.

I liked this quote from Albert Einstein. It seems quite appropriate for the past couple of posts in this blog.

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space.
He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest,
a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.
This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires
and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein

thoughts on thought

2006-09-27T09:49:00.000+09:00

Why is it when you think you have worked in your mind a situation that has been settled, only to find that you can never guess what can happen. Just goes to show that no point in worrying or thinking too much into things. Everything is in your mind, and it is your thoughts that create you in worrying or expecting something that hasn't even happened. Best not to even think about it until the situation arises or happens. We create what we think in our minds which leads to complicated situations when in fact there may not have even been a situation at all created, just some thoughts that shouldn't really have been thought about and a misunderstanding is created between people. I guess that is why, communication is so important and if you don't have the communication between people, then one person is thinking their thoughts, and the other person is thinking their own thoughts, which can lead too all sorts of complications if the thoughts aren't talked about and are just assumed that the other person is thinking or doing what are in your thoughts.. (Does that make sense?)
Basically, just do what you want to do and if it is a thought that is holding you back, then you should really analyse that thought and wonder if that thought is really worth it. Reason why I am writing this, is because no matter how much you think about a situation or person, you never really know what is going to happen and predict what will happen (unless you do have psychic powers). Like worrying, there is no point. Face what you are thinking and if the thoughts aren't good thoughts then they should be put at the back of the mind. Either acknowledge them and then move on from the negative thought. It is always easier said than done, but if you can do this, you will be in more control of yourself and happier since you will be the one telling what to think about situations and people. Acceptance and willing to be flexible. Like a tree.. The more flexible the tree is to swaying in the wind, the more it will be able to live in an environment that is tough. It is when the tree is not flexible and tries to go against the wind that it breaks. Just like me or you..

The photo is of my cat Kenta in NZ. He looks so peaceful. Is he thinking?

Your own mind is a sacred enclosure into which nothing harmful can enter
except by your permission.
Arnold Bennett (1867-1932)

cancer and curcumin (ukon)

2006-09-26T16:52:00.000+09:00

This is an article about cancer and curcumin..

Curcumin halts colorectal cancer, breast cancer by inducing death of cancer
September 25, 2006 by Jessica FraserKey
http://www.newstarget.com/020527.html

(NewsTarget) A new study published in the current issue of the journal Clinical Cancer Research reveals that curcumin -- the yellow pigment in turmeric, a major spice in curry -- can stop the growth and spread of colorectal and breast cancers.

Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) found that curcumin inhibits the production of an inflammatory protein that promotes cancer cell growth by dampening the signals of the hormone neurotensin, which spur production of the protein. "We found that in colon cancer cells, neurotensin increases not just the rate of growth but also other critical things, including cell migration and metastasis," says the study\'s lead author, professor B. Mark Evers, director of the Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology at UTMB. Researchers believe that because the incidence of cancer is so low in India -- where curry is widely used as a cooking spice and a traditional medicine -- \ncurcumin can be used as a potent anti-cancer medication. Previous lab studies have found the pigment to be effective against skin and breast cancers, in addition to \ncolorectal cancer. \nA study published in the Oct. 15, 2005 issue of Clinical Cancer Research found that curcumin prevents the progression of breast cancer cells, and also reverses the negative effects of Taxol, a breast cancer drug that can cause breast cancer cells to spread. \nA peer-reviewed study by University of Texas researchers appearing in the Aug. 15, 2005 issue of the journal Cancer -- the journal of the American Cancer Society -- reveals that curcumin treatments can induce cancer cell death in lines of melanoma.

Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) found that curcumin inhibits the production of an inflammatory protein that promotes cancer cell growth by dampening the signals of the hormone neurotensin, which spur production of the protein.
"We found that in colon cancer cells, neurotensin increases not just the rate of growth but also other critical things, including cell migration and metastasis," says the study's lead author, professor B. Mark Evers, director of the Sealy Center for Cancer Cell Biology at UTMB.
Researchers believe that because the incidence of cancer is so low in India -- where curry is widely used as a cooking spice and a traditional medicine -- curcumin can be used as a potent anti-cancer medication. Previous lab studies have found the pigment to be effective against skin and breast cancers, in addition to colorectal cancer.
A study published in the Oct. 15, 2005 issue of Clinical Cancer Research found that curcumin prevents the progression of breast cancer cells, and also reverses the negative effects of Taxol, a breast cancer drug that can cause breast cancer cells to spread.
A peer-reviewed study by University of Texas researchers appearing in the Aug. 15, 2005 issue of the journal Cancer -- the journal of the American Cancer Society -- reveals that curcumin treatments can induce cancer cell death in lines of melanoma.

service in Japan..

2006-09-26T16:25:00.000+09:00

The rain is with us and it feels like Autumn is definitely in the air.. We have had some very warm days here, one day reaching 29 degrees!

Met up with Z the other day and explored the inner gardens of the Palace. I cannot believe I haven't been there before and it's a haven waiting to be explored. Mind you, you have to get in early as the gates close before 4pm and it is shut on Monday's and Friday's. However, if you do get the chance, do explore the garden. The area has been very well preserved and it is great to have a green oasis in the middle of downtown Tokyo. Was a great day and the weather was just perfect for strolling around gardens and mucking around on the grass. Definitely, just one of those happy, relaxing days that puts you in a good mood for the rest of the week.

Lunch was interesting, as we visited the restaurant at an Art gallery and couldn't work out why there were so many older women (over the age of 60) there. The atmosphere is rather swanky, and not really what I would have thought that would be popular with the over 60's, however, the place was packed with them, dining on Western cuisine. The service, despite being in Japan, wasn't even up to par. Perhaps the waiters and waitresses were overworked, but we didn't even get an apology for a fork being dropped on the table.. usually, they would be apologising profusedly. Is there a change in Japanese service at swanky restuarants now? Z and I contemplated about this, however, we just came to the conclusion that it was just that kind of place and they were probably fed up with the demands of older ladies..

Have been researching into some cancer articles lately and it seems that Curcumin is the best thing out for you regarding the prevention of cancer. Indians don't have much cancer in their diet, and it may be due to all the herbs and spices that are found in their curries and traditional medicine. There is something in the yellow colour of Tumeric that is said to help destroy the cancer cells. I find that taking tumeric or curcumin is the best thing after a few drinks, as the next day I feel great without any hangover! (Of course at the time of taking the yellow powder, I am almost choking on tumeric and almost gagging in the mouth from it), however, I know the benefits do work.. (At least a couple of teaspoons, and if you can manage after a LOT of drinking, then a good sized dessert spoon is recommended). Let me know if you have experienced this miracle too. I swear by it!

This week it looks like I may be off to the races at Funabashi. Will be the first time I have gone to a race track in Japan. I have an image of old, dodgy men at races in Japan, so not that excited about it. The reason why I am going is a good friend has invited me to support one of her friends that owns a race horse! (same sort of age as us!) We have seats to the VIP box, so will be worth checking out. May even take some photos and post them up! Not holding my breath, but am up for new experiences and this is one that I have yet to try out. (Still haven't been to a Sumo match, baseball game, Japanese rock concert yet..) Other things that will have to be ticked off eventually.

Seems another good friend J, may be leaving within 6 months. This is one of those things that happen in Japan, bond with someone and then they decide to leave. Another one of my friends had a great farewell party at a traditional Japanese garden and invited all their friends along. Was a great afternoon. I thought I had been here for a while, but most of the people there had been in Japan for about 15-28 years! At 7 years, I seemed just a novice! Some very accomplished people, but with a very down-to-earth attitude about life and were open and friendly. For me, these events scare the daylight out of me, going into a room of knowing absolutely no one. However, I accepted the challenge and met some great people. I guess I never overlook an opportunity if I can.

"They can because they think they can."
- Vergil (BC)

husband ranks..

2006-09-21T11:00:00.000+09:00

This is an actual article in today's Japan Times.
I wonder where NZ guys rank themselves on this?...

Update to follow soon...

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006
How do you or your husband rank?
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20060920f2.html

Here is a list of rankings for husbands set by Zenkoku Teishu Kanpaku Kyokai:

1st dan: Is still in love with his wife after three years of marriage.
2nd dan: Does a good job helping with housework.
3rd dan: Has never cheated on his wife -- or his wife has never caught him cheating.
4th dan: Can practice a "ladies first" policy.
5th dan: Can take a walk with his wife while holding hands.
6th dan: Can listen to his wife seriously.
7th dan: Can solve problems between his wife and his mother in one night.
8th dan: Can say "thank you" without hesitation.
9th dan: Can say "sorry" without fear.
10th dan: Can say "I love you" without embarrassment.

toilets in Japan

2006-09-19T11:25:00.000+09:00

This is a good one regarding toilets in Japan..

Happy reading..

Commode confession of Sound Princess
By AMY CHAVEZ
All the talk of royalty these days has got me to thinking -- has anyone else ever wondered why so many royal words are associated with toilets? Think about it. You sit on the throne. If you're a woman in a public bathroom in Japan, you probably use the Oto Hime (Sound Princess) to cover up the sounds of tinkling. If you step onto a yacht, you are likely to use a toilet made by Crown. It begs the question: Is there really a connection between royalty and toilets? The answer requires me to plunge further into the toilet psyche.
Old Shed? No, an 18th century throne room that was used until recently. Such outhouses are larger than those in other countries, as they are used for bathing as well.
On one hand, maybe manufacturers have come up with these names so that we will believe that their products are somehow endorsed by the royal family. If so, I'd like to know if they are receiving royalties. Or perhaps toilet companies want us to feel like a pampered royal when we use their products. If so, then why should we be encouraged to feel royal, of all places, while on the toilet? We might be forgiven for having a whimsical royal moment while driving around town in our Toyota Crown, or when tasting the luxurious flavor of Crown Royal whiskey, but while on the toilet? You'd think that even on the most luxurious of yachts, the mere thought of sitting on the crown would be an insult to the royal families of the world.
Butt, you say, perhaps toilet companies are merely suggesting their products are at the standard that a royal would use -- good enough to be the head of state.
While this may be true for Japan nowadays, just a decade ago, Japan had such a reputation for filthy toilets, there was an entire page on the Internet dedicated to the location of the dirtiest toilets in Japan. Then toilet manufacturing giants such as Toto started flaunting their toilet technology in public areas. I remember walking into a public toilet five years ago and being so in awe of the cleanliness and gadgetry, I thought: "Whoa! Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore!" No, urine Japan, and ready to meet a different kind of Wiz.
Most public toilets nowadays offer deluxe Western-style toilets that feature bottom washers, bottom dryers and heated seats. Some public bathrooms even have odor-decomposing walls.
While wee in the United States would never imagine outfitting even our home bathrooms with such luxurious thrones, half the households in Japan pay the princely sum of $ 3,000 for one. Those privy to the wonders of modern toilet technology can then empress their friends with remote-control toilet seats that play music and open and close on command. For the first time, at weekly bridge parties, everyone will have an equal chance at a royal flush. Some toilet seats even measure your body fat ratio with electrodes, and others glow in the dark. In short, Japanese toilet companies are out to make sure that no man will yearn the urinal. For the new, modern whiz kid.
Japan, proud of its toilet technology, has even started a toilet college and has sent experts to Singapore to teach bathroom attendants how to properly clean toilets in public restrooms.
I suppose it would not be fair for me to criticize, from my humble commode, one of Japan's original pit-style toilets, which makes sounds so atrocious that no Oto Hime could ever cover them up. Over the years, this toilet has provided many a child with stories of the toilet monster and many an adult with night soil to fertilize gardens with. There's no need to worry you may smell up the bathroom or forget to flush. And the toilet seat doesn't sing, so you have to do the singing yourself.
As I sit on my throne right now, singing, I can finally feel the royal connection. I have become my own Sound Princess.
Learn Japanese toilet jargon at Audio Japan Lite: dollarbooks.tripod.com/podcasts.html

modern day cinderella's..

2006-09-17T16:53:00.000+09:00

Just a quick note in the blog today, while eating thin crispy seaweed. Need a snack before dinner as I think I have had quite enough of sweet bean snacks. Next thing I will be putting on weight! (just kidding, but you will know it is from azuki beans and not junk food).

A typhoon is approaching Japan and so it has brought the rain. Not so good, but good for studying. Which I should be doing as I write this... Have been a bit discouraged as I had quite a rough commentary on my 10,000 word report (which incidentally, I received back yesterday). Not so good and need a day of mucking about before I get stuck in the study me thinks!

Last night went into Daikanyama (for those that don't know, it is where the trendy designers of fashion hang out. I.e. there are no supermarkets to make it easy for daily living in the area).

Went with good friend N and met up with some very good other friends too. Last night's event was one for the trendy people in Tokyo (don't know how I managed to get there..) Anyway, it was quite hip, with very some very suave dressed up guys and gals. Most imperssive. Had a few fun dances with my friends (A is almost teacher-level of hip-hop dancing, my other friend Y, is the equivalent at that at salsa). One of the interesting things about this particular event was that they had booths at the party (manicures, hand massages, eyelash extensions..) Great for the girlies, and I do hope I get invited to more events like this. Entry fee of 500yen, included a drink of your choice and I got my nails done. Feeling rather girly now though.. hee hee.. It was almost midnight and we all decided we had had enough of the trendy ambience, so we all bolted off to be safe and sound in our apartments. Modern day Cinderella's perhaps?..

Was meant to be going off to Mito today to check out one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, but ended up doing spring (?!) cleaning. All those little bits that only get cleaned every 6 months! Now house is feeling rather sparkly! Light shades, edges on the walls, dust behind the wardrobe, you name it, I think I cleaned it. Including the windows. Unfortunately, it is raining now, but kind of nice since I'm quite comfortable sitting at my desk looking out of the window writing this and thinking of my next paper to write.

Friday night was great and met up with very close friend Z for quite an unexpected evening. Got into the park for free (very close to closing time and did the "short-term visiting foreigner" thing). Z did well at managing to convince the stern looking guard. Hohoho.. It worked out well, and got to see some Autumn leaves and the very old tea house. Nice to see nature in the middle of the city some times. We both decided to have soba at a great soba restaurant (sorry, cannot reveal name due to popularity). Anago (type of deep sea eel/fish) tempura that was so succulent, vingared seaweed, tamagoyaki (layered egg omelete kind of thing), with very nice sake and topped off with 100% soba noodles. Was a wonderful dinner and must remember to go there more often. The trouble is, it is usually packed at the most convenient times.. Was a great night, great food and company and good to feel relaxed after quite a long and busy week.

Tomorrow off to see some poodles and to have the amazing hot and cold stone therapy facial/massage. Looking very forward to that. She is an amazing therapist and my skin is amazing after it. (If you want to know more details, drop me a line and I will let you know how you contact her.)

Happiness is the way.
So, treasure every moment that you have.
And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special,
special enough to spend your time and remember that time waits for no one. ...
John Doggett
http://www.sweetnet.com/happy.htm

natural could really be unnatural...l

2006-09-15T09:38:00.000+09:00

Another item to be aware of on the shelves. Soon there will be no "real" natural ingredients within the food, and we will have to resort back to making everything ourselves... like the good olden days. Don't mind cooking and baking, it's just that kitchens are so cramped in Japan (well, unless you are married and can afford a large apartment with a very cool kitchen), and it takes a lot of effort to produce something when the benches are so low too! Another grumble about Japanese apartments.. Apart from that, they are very compact and amazing how they make the use of the limited amount of space.

Here is today's article I found about natural yeast, which isn't really that natural... be aware of the labelling..

http://www.newstarget.com/020426.html
Many "natural" foods contain questionable taste additives like yeast extractPosted Thursday, September 14, 2006 by Mike Adams
The food industry is always trying to come up with a new way to add chemical taste enhancers to their foods without alerting the consumers. They used to rely heavily on MSG (monosodium glutamate), but when the public began to learn about the dangers of MSG and how it causes extreme headaches, reproductive disorders, endocrine system imbalances, appetite control problems, and nervous system disorders, the industry began moving away from MSG and toward other ingredients.

The link to obesity is very strong with these ingredients; if you eat a lot of foods containing MSG or similar substances, you will find it very difficult to stop eating. That's because MSG harms the normal function of your endocrine system and it disrupts your appetite control system. So even though you may be physically full from eating, your brain tells you you're still hungry and you overeat. If you've ever felt like you are eating unhealthy foods but couldn't stop eating them, it could be because you've been poisoning yourself with MSG. If you stop consuming foods with MSG, you may be able to rebalance this natural system and return to healthy, normal appetite control.

Yeast extract was one of the first replacements for MSG -- it has the same effect on taste, and it contains a concentration of free glutamic acid, just like MSG. The difference is that it doesn't look as bad on the label, and food manufacturers can actually claim that it's all-natural. You'll see yeast extract in many products, even so-called natural products like veggie burgers. But now that the word is getting out about yeast extract, food companies are switching to yet another hidden form of a chemical taste enhancer.

This latest one is called "torula yeast" and instead of being a yeast extract, this is just a specific type of yeast. Again, it has the same purpose in food -- to make otherwise boring foods taste sensational. Torula yeast is now found in many snack products, even many so-called natural snacks. I've seen it in chips and a number of fried snack foods. It seems like this ingredient is going to be increasingly popular in the years ahead because it looks so non-threatening to the consumer. It doesn't look like MSG, and it technically isn't yeast extract, but in my opinion, this ingredient is quite harmful.

I gave torula yeast my own test, because I'm quite sensitive to MSG and similar products; I can almost immediately feel the effects if I consume MSG. I ate some foods containing torula yeast and they created the same effect as MSG and yeast extract.

Food manufacturers "clean up their labels" by lying to consumersDistributors in the natural foods industry heavily promote torula yeast. I read a food industry publication where is one company was promoting both yeast extract and torula yeast as ingredients that can help the food manufacturer "clean up your label." In other words, these ingredients are being touted as ingredients that can help food manufacturers claim their foods are all-natural. In truth, these are all just food industry lies.

If you're looking for hidden forms of MSG chemicals on food labels, look for yeast extract and torula yeast, and anything that is hydrolyzed or autolyzed. Autolyzed or hydrolyzed vegetable proteins are also hidden sources of MSG, according to Dr. Russell Blaylock, author of "Excitotoxins," and perhaps the world's top expert on neurotoxic substances found in the food supply. I believe that food companies who continue to manufacture foods containing these ingredients are misleading consumers, and you should not purchase any products from these companies, which include many of the top veggie burger and "healthy" snack food producers.

For example, the Garden of Eatin' "Salsa Reds" product contains organic red corn, expeller pressed oleic safflower oil and/or sunflower oil, rice flour, dehydrated tomato, salt, cultured skim milk, dehydrated onion and garlic, dehydrated green and red bell peppers, spices, contains 2% or less of asparagus powder, barley malt syrup, yeast extract, cocoa powder, natural flavor, extractives of paprika.

There it is, listed right there in the ingredients list. But guess what? The promotional text for the product doesn't mention yeast extract. Strange coincidence, huh? From their own website, you'll find this promo text:

Salsa Reds - Take those Red Corn Tortilla Chips developed especially for Garden of Eatin'® from the red corn of the Mexican Highlands. And then add salsa ingredients: tomato, onion, garlic, green & red bell peppers and spices. And voilá! You've got Reds with zip. Salsa Reds!
See? No mention of yeast extract. Sounds like the company isn't exactly proud of that ingredient. You have to read the fine print to discover it.

The Garden of Eatin', by the way, was bought up by the Hain Celestial Group, a giant "natural" foods conglomerate that owns brands like Soy Dream, Rice Dream, Yves Veggie Cuisine and a long list of others. And guess what? Many of these products also use yeast extract or torula yeast.
Here's the ingredients list for Yves "Savory Veggie" veggie burgers:
Water, oats, brown rice, onions, cheddar cheese (milk, bacterial culture, salt, calcium chloride, enzymes), mushrooms, flax meal, canola oil, red peppers, flaxseeds, dextrose, salt, textured soy protein (with caramel color), modified vegetable gum, natural cheese flavor, corn starch, torula yeast, hydrolyzed wheat protein, autolyzed yeast extract, spices, carrageenan, garlic powder, tomato powder.

The small companies still offer genuinely natural foods without all the additives, preservatives and taste enhancers, but once they become large and successful or get purchased by a larger food company, it seems like all the formulas suddenly change and it's just another "natural" brand of junk food.

I doubt there is anything that food companies wouldn't put in their foods as long as it's legal. I believe that food companies, especially the food giants, would put any chemical in their foods no matter how harmful, as long as it helps sell their products. The food industry has used hydrogenated oils for decades, and continues to use them in many foods, despite the fact that the scientific evidence has, for decades, demonstrated hydrogenated oils to be extremely harmful to human health.

In reality, food is the single most important factor in determining your state of health. Whether or not you acquire degenerative diseases, suffer from cognitive decline, suffer from chronic pain, or live life addicted to prescription drugs is almost entirely determined by what you eat or drink on a daily basis. Still, the food industry continues to claim that such a relationship does not exist and, astoundingly, many physicians actually agree. Avoid foods - even natural or vegetarian foods -- made with yeast extract or torula yeast.

rainy days in tokyo

2006-09-14T14:35:00.000+09:00

Not a lot to report from the Tokyo front, except that it has been raining since Tuesday.. I guess it would be normal if I was in London. Apparently, according to the news yesterday morning, it is said that September is the month of rain. So we have another rainy month to contend with in Japan. Here was I thinking it was June! Ho hum..

Other things that have been going on. A brighter note, I was quite pleased with my assignment (the one that I had no real idea what I was getting myself in for and considered even pulling out!!), I ended up with 75%! Was I wrapped! So looking forward to finishing the second assignment. Due 6th Oct! Not that far away and still have yet to finish the draft. Not stressing yet, and not planning too either. Have the official exam for it on the 7th Nov. Novemeber looks like it's going to be turning out to be a test month that is for sure. Two other tests to be done within that month too. All good though, and they are all to do with Japanese so can't complain. Just have to make sure I study from now on - hard!

Met up with a recent newly-made friend, M, the other day. Lives in the same apartment building in the exact same amount of space that my apartment has. It's amazing how different one's apartment can be, just by the interior and the little difference in interior. Her place looks really cool, kind of a Frenchy-English taste to it, whereas mine is slightly on the Oriental/Japanese side. We both really like each other's interior's so it is always fun to go over and hang out. Always amazes me at how the interior of a room can be so different by just a few different touches. Most impressive. Always have been interested in interior design, and have always considered to go down that path. Guess I am waiting for the opportunity. All to do with the timing I guess.

Have been drinking a lot of green tea (about 3 cups a day, I think for the past 4 or so years). Not a day goes by without having a cup of green tea. Speaking of which, it was listed up on the 3 best things to take. That and salmon and blueberries!

(This is one of my favourite photos. I took this at an ocha-kai (tea ceremony drinking event) at Seikeien in Kanagawa prefecture. We drank from the same beautiful (most likely very expensive ma-cha bowl). I wonder what the perhaps conservative ladies in the kimono's thought about having a foreigner wearing jeans (!!) (I didn't know it was a really formal affair) there. Must have been quite perculiar. I guess it sure comes down to not what you know, but who you know with this event..

This weekend, is a long one. Monday is a public holiay. A celeb party to go to on Saturday night, Sunday perhaps a day in the country and a hot spring and on Monday a hot & cold stone therapy facial planned, followed by a look at some poodles perhaps.. As well as writing my assignment, which may be planned to do on the Sunday if I don't decide to take off to the country.

Tomorrow, am a bit nervous, as the owner of the apartment is coming over to check the flooring that squeaks. Not that keen about her coming over, but some how I agreed to her to come over and check it out. Oh dear, I wonder how much she will actually inspect it and if she will complain how I have the apartment??! Don't feel like any problems dealing with the apartment.
Will give you an update on how it goes.

> Green tea is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes. It has been proven to reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light, which in turn reduces the risk of skin cancer. Green tea is also high in polyphenols -- compounds that eliminate cancer-causing \nfree radicals. Recent research by scientists at the Medical College of Georgia shows that the polyphenol most abundant in green tea.
Salmon -- along with other fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed -- Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s\n help keep cell membranes healthy by keeping out harmful substances as well as allowing nutrients to enter cells and exit with waste products. Omega-3s also reduce the body\'s production of inflammatory agents that can damage the skin. \nIncreasing consumption of omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods such as salmon\n will help keep the skin supple and youthful.
Blueberries are considered by many experts to be the highest food source of antioxidants, which target free radicals that can wreak havoc on skin cells. The antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant sources of nutrition) in \nblueberries neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals, reducing cell damage. When skin cells are protected from damage and disintegration, the skin looks younger for longer. Blueberries are also an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, healthy skin. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3s help keep cell membranes healthy by keeping out harmful substances as well as allowing nutrients to enter cells and exit with waste products. Omega-3s also reduce the body's production of inflammatory agents that can damage the skin. http://www.newstarget.com/antioxidants.html

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.
Henry David Thoreau

milk - some facts..

2006-09-12T09:07:00.000+09:00

I like this article.. It makes sense, humans only produce milk for the young and so do animals, however, why do we keep drinking it when we are fully grown adults? Just another thing that is bad for us.. although if you have to drink it, try and drink the organic raw variety.. Or just use soy milk instead. :-)

http://www.newstarget.com/020374.html

Counterthink Cartoons are NewsTarget parodies or satirical commentary on various matters we believe to be of public concern and are offered as Free Speech within the protection of the First Amendment to the US Constitution.

It always amazes me to discover just how many consumers have been brainwashed by dairy industry advertising into thinking that milk from cows is some sort of essential food for humans. In reality, cow's milk is perfect nutrition for baby cows, but nutritionally incompatible with humans, most of whom are actually allergic to the substance.

Humans are the only species that will drink the mammary gland extract of another species. And we didn't even choose a species close to us like monkeys or gorillas. No, we've chosen to drink milk from furry, four-legged creatures mostly because they're the easiest ones to control and dope up with synthetic hormones that turn them into milk-generating machines for profit-motivated dairy operations.
All commercial milk from cows contains pus and blood, by the way. The USDA actually sets allowable limits of pus as a federal standard. (Check MilkSucks.com to see how much pus is found in milk in your State!) And that's not to mention the toxic chemicals, PCBs, pesticides, perchlorate and other substances frequently found in milk products. Even if they were somehow free of these chemicals, nearly all commercially-produced milk is pasteurized and homogenized -- a process that turns milk fats into artery-clogging substances that promote heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Yet western populations chug milk by the gallon, and then the people wonder why they suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, obesity, heart disease, sinusitis, acne, constipation and even diabetes. The answer is cow's milk, folks. You'd be better off drinking human milk, but even that's only for babies.
Truly, drinking milk from cows is about as silly as pushing a baby calf away from its mother and sucking on the teat yourself. Which is, of course, the very concept this comic is attempting to portray.
###

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Thich Nhat Hanh

royal thoughts

2006-09-11T10:33:00.000+09:00

I didn't think I would personally make a comment since this article sums up exactly my thoughts of the current situation.

JAPAN LITE
The Japanese Chrysanthemum Thrown
By AMY CHAVEZ

Congratulations to Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino on the birth of their baby! While the fact that it is a boy is even greater news for the royal family, it's a shame for Japan. Looking for excuses not to face modern realities, Japan may now wallow in its past of allowing only male heirs of male lineage to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, rather than become a model of a progressive First World country.
I was in the train station when I heard the news, broadcast by hot-off-the-press special four-page editions of the Yomiuri newspaper in both Japanese and English. The last time I received one of these editions was when Crown Princess Masako had a baby girl. The current edition shouted headlines that the baby was "the first male born to the throne in 41 years," as if this was something highly unusual. It isn't, however, considering that previous emperors such as Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) used concubines in order to obtain a male heir. When Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989) made the decision to end the tradition of using concubines, one wonders if he didn't foresee the possibility of a woman ascending the throne.
Indeed, the timing of the 37-year-old princess' baby seems impeccable, as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a male himself, had just last year submitted a bill proposing that the Imperial Household Law be revised to allow females to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. Like me, he seems to prefer a woman's touch when it comes to flowers.
If the Imperial household is based on hereditary blood lines, so be it, but why is it based on the male's line? Because it is superior? Cow patties! I have yet to see a comparison of the blood of male royals and those of female royals, or even commoners, showing that blood type "R" is better than A, B, AB or O.
The next in line to the throne should, quite simply, be the firstborn child, whether male or female. To tell the firstborn she cannot reign because she is not a boy is telling her she is, well, you know -- shhhhhh -- not good enough. It's bad enough that Princess Mako (14 years older) will have to yield to her younger brother, but Princess Aiko, the first born on the male line, is really getting stiffed. Not only will the emperor be inferior in age to her, he is also a mere cousin. Aiko can probably give up the hope of ever being called "sempai" by him.
If Princess Aiko, as the firstborn, were allowed to ascend the throne, she would be the ninth female monarch and the first since the 18th century. So what if the previous empresses were of the male line?
Yet everywhere you go in Japan, you see signs telling us, "Stop discrimination!" Japanese teachers are told to treat girls and boys equally in the classroom. The Ministry of Education seems to understand that favoring one gender leads to discrimination. We commoners also understand this. So why not the Diet?
Our current benevolent emperor (whose wife was the first commoner to become crown princess after the war) describes the job of the imperials family as "one in which the emperor and members of the Imperial family endeavor to share hardships and joys together with the people, and carry out their duties while wishing for the happiness of the people." Who is to say that Princess Aiko could not or would not do this?
So what's the big deal about having a reigning woman anyway? Exactly. There is no big deal. And everyone knows this. Apparently, however, some rightwing conservatives want to preserve the male lineage of Imperial succession. Why? They want to keep tradition. Cow patties! That doesn't explain why it should be continued. After all, many other traditions have changed over the centuries. For example, that car you're driving? We used to have a tradition of using horses.
Well then, perhaps it is because it's the Imperial Household Law, so it shouldn't change. Cow patties! New laws are made every day. The law of males in the male line to take the throne didn't even come into being until 1889 under the Meiji Constitution. Before then, women could and did ascend to the throne. Laws, clearly, can be changed.
The only answer as to why a woman cannot ascend the throne is, quite simply, male chauvinism.
But in these enlightened, modern times, must we be reduced to such ignorance that one sex, one race, or one religion is better than the next? I don't know anyone who considers themselves sexist, racist, or even a terrorist. People feel these labels do not apply to them because, they believe, their situation is different. It's because of tradition, history or God, and therefore is justified.
But the Japanese people will not be cowed. They know that, despite the Imperial Household Laws, the only way to stop discrimination is to treat everyone equally -- no exceptions. Ditto for the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Japan's Chrysanthemum Thrown. One small step for a man, one giant leap backward for mankind.
Amy Chavez is author of "Guidebook to Japan: What the other guidebooks won't tell you"

People love as self-recognition what they hate as an accusation.
Elias Canetti

shochu - the new sake...?

2006-09-07T14:03:00.000+09:00

Recently, I have been exploring some new bars and new drinks and one of them is Shochu. It is different to sake, primarily due to the way it is made. Simply put, Sake is brewed and Shochu is distilled. A good Shochu is crisp, dry and leaves you wanting to drink more of the drink served on the rocks. Another good thing about Shochu (and Sake for that matter) is that it doesn't leave you with a sore head the next day. I have yet to explore the finer details about that, but, I have never had a hangover yet (touch wood) from drinking too much Shochu. Perhaps you say, I haven't drunk enough of it, however, ask any Japanese salaryman, and they will explain to you that Shochu doesn't make you feel hungover the next day. Maybe you can go out and try it yourself :-) Feel free to drop me a line if you can recommend me any good shochu's. I particularly like Torikai at the moment. A rice shochu, but has a sharper and smoother kick than it's Sake buddy. The alcohol content is also fairly important and there is a huge difference between 24 and 25 degrees. The 25 being a bit more complex and mature than the 24... (sounds like people in the twenties!)

(Maybe he had one too many sake's... or Shokusho (Chinese sake). This photo was taken in Shanghai last year when I was there.

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.
Anne Frank

meat - article

2006-09-07T10:27:00.000+09:00

I liked this article and thought I would post it up on my blog. Also, I know the owner of Maru Gallery.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fa20060907md.html

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006
TATSUZO HYAKUDA
Meat as modern art
By MONTY DiPIETRO

I've pretty much stopped watching nature documentaries on TV because when an animal, say, a rabbit, is presented, and I see it born and then frolic and so on, I can't help developing feelings for it. Then -- and it usually doesn't take very long for this to happen -- a predator comes along and tears the animal limb from limb before utterly devouring it. Which may be the way of nature, but is also a bummer.
Plus, I don't appreciate the heaping serving of hypocrisy that comes with the TV's portrayal of meat consumption. Other animals are shown gnawing at still-twitching carcasses but when it comes to humans, we instead get an entertaining chef finessing a stainless steel knife atop a marble countertop and well-dressed diners sitting at candlelit tables. We never see the terror in the cow's eyes, we never see the slaughterhouse worker hauling off his vat of offal.
That is because the process that puts veal on a china plate or a cheeseburger on our little plastic tray between the french fries and the diet coke is a disgusting one, and to accurately portray it would make us seem savage. And who wants to be a savage? Denial is easier to swallow.
I like Tatsuzo Hyakuda's new work at the Maru Gallery because he paints meat the way it is: Yucky. Which is not to say "realistically," as Hyakuda is one of those painterly painters disinclined to representation. So his meat doesn't look like the meat in a supermarket or the meat in steak house or even the paintings of meat by Chiam Soutine. It looks, well, brutalized -- as if it went with a struggle. It looks oily, smelly and it feels real.

Hyakuda, 40, is a big friendly guy, and also kind of weird. His previous work was of awkwardly-posed children with dark, disturbing eyes. Those netted him a number of prizes, including the 2000 Turner Acryl Award and a Jury Selection in the 2002 Philip Morris Art Awards.
Now he's moved onto meat. He says he once drew a little steak in a friend's high-school yearbook, and the memory came back to him recently while watching a television commercial advertising meat -- "because there are a lot of things going around in my head, and I just picked meat".
He decided to take raw meat as a subject because of the popular perception of it as attractive and delicious. The way Hyakuda paints it, it is neither -- bits of fat and blood coagulate on surfaces in broad gestural brush strokes, with splotches, streaks and drips. But the paintings are good.
The canvases are large but not gigantic, most about 120 cm square. There is a clump of brainlike minced meat and closeups of lean cuts. The acrylic on canvas work "Suet Cube" (2006) is an exception in the series as it is dominated not by pinks and blood reds but by the white of hard fat. It is no less powerful, though, in capturing meat's ultimate vulgarity.

"I'm not striving to communicate any message," says the artist, "When I create, it's no more than a child playing in the mud. Some have read melancholy and malaise into my paintings, others are comforted by their ambiguity."
Yes, such work can be difficult to characterize. Although it takes everyday objects as subject matter, it has little of the bouncy accessibility of neo-Pop. The rawness of it places it well apart from much of the new and cutesy art coming out of Japan. But this unwillingness to pander is a big part of Hyakuda's appeal. Here is a smart, energetic and talented fellow doing his own thing, and that's good enough for me.
The Maru has eight works in his new meat series and selections from Hyakuda's earlier series, including his pictures of children.

Tatsuzo Hyakuda's "Meat" is showing till Sept. 30 at Maru Gallery, 3-7-18-902 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo; open noon-6 p.m. (closed Sun. and Mon.). For more information call (03) 5443-2284 or visit www.marugallery.com

Tofu, ah, beautiful tofu

2006-08-30T16:27:00.000+09:00

One of my favourite things on earth - TOFU (well, regarding food that is..)

Came across this great article in The Japan Times and thought I would share it with you..
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/fs20060829a3.html
Tofu, magic for both body and taste buds
By YUKARI PRATT

When the summer heat sets in, my Japanese mother religiously serves hiyayakko (chilled tofu) sprinkled with katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and soy sauce. Just looking at this simple dish, I feel myself starting to cool down, knowing that tofu actually helps lower your body temperature. Soy products have many reputed health benefits and conveniently comes in an astonishingly wide variety of forms, including noodle-like somen tofu (left) and "Charisma" tofu with whole soy beans. Natural refrigerant, anticancer agent, cholesterol combatant -- the list of tofu's reputed health benefits is long.
It is difficult to overrate just how good tofu (made from soybeans) can be for your health.
"I think soy has the potential to be a magical ingredient," said Jacqueline B. Marcus, RD, a food and nutrition consultant from Northfield, Ill. "Research in several areas of health has shown soy may play a role in lowering risk for diseases such as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer."
"Soybeans contain five classes of compounds that have been identified as anticarcinogens," Marcus said. "Further, research indicates soy protein may help lower blood cholesterol."
"As little as 40 grams of soy protein consumed daily for six months can increase bone mineral content and bone density," Marcus said. (Forty grams of soy protein is the equivalent of one cup of soy milk, 4 ounces of tofu, or 4 ounces of edamame.)

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that comes in a wide variety of forms ranging from savory to sweet. Of course, it often gets a bad rap for being plain, and that is no surprise.

One of my summer favorites is tofu somen, which comes as delicate, thin strands of tofu that could easily be mistaken for somen (wheat) noodles. Another unique tofu is edamame-studded and curiously named "Charisma" tofu.
The production of tofu is surprisingly simple. Soy milk is coagulated with nigari (magnesium chloride, which can be extracted from sea water), explains Yukiko Hayashi, author of the cookbook "Tofu Zanmai (Tofu Obsession)."

Running through the four main types of tofu, Hayashi explains that Momen dofu is firm and good in stir-fries or rolled in almonds or sesame seeds and sauteed for tofu steak. Kinugoshi dofu (silken tofu) is her recommendation for miso soup. One (adapted) dish from her cookbook that packs a lot of punch is garlic, peanuts, chirimen jako (baby sardines) and sakura ebi (dried shrimp) sauteed in oil and poured over kinugoshi dofu and seasoned with Thai nam pla fish sauce. For a Korean twist, try a dressing of chopped raw tuna, kimchi, soy sauce, sesame oil and salad oil.
Zarudofu and yosedofu have a high water content and therefore are very soft on the palate. Zarudofu is served in a zaru, or woven basket, hence the name. Both have an inherent amami, or sweetness, to them, and Hayashi suggests serving zarudofu with top-quality olive oil and sea salt, or alternatively grated ginger or nerigarashi (Japanese mustard) with soy sauce.
Liquid form

Make your own
Homemade tofu may be the easiest Japanese dish you will ever make, bar none. You may find yourself, as I did, shaking your head at the pot thinking, "it's that easy, and this delicious?"
Kyoto business Yubahan has been making yuba since 1716.
* Check the tofu corner of your supermarket, not the dairy section where you find regular soy milk, for a bottle of soy milk with a small packet of nigari (magnesium chloride) attached to it.
Warm the soy milk over medium heat until bubbles start to form. Take it off the heat, add the little pack of nigari, stir a bit and, as it starts to curdle, stop and let it rest. Spoon it into serving bowls and top with a citrusy-soy ponzu.

*Yuba - The first step is to get good quality tonyu soy milk from your neighborhood tofu shop. In a large Teflon pan, add the soy milk -- a large pan gives you a larger surface to make the yuba from and the Teflon coating helps prevent the the soy milk from burning. Apply strong heat and, just before it begins to boil, drop the heat to low simmer. Be patient as the skin slowly forms on the soy milk. With a pair of long chopsticks, gently pick up your piece of yuba and set aside in a serving dish.

Photo below is of Rikugien. Just taken today. Very beautiful place and hope you get a chance to check it out and wander in the delicate gardens. Definitely a worthwhile trip if you are around Bunkyo-ku.

Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient

Aristotle

Autumn is coming

2006-08-30T13:58:00.000+09:00

Autumn is in the air, the wind has changed direction and has brought the rain with it. These are the days you don't mind being in the office and I am actually looking forward to the cooler winter days.. I can also get to wear my winter clothes.. Looking forward to them, especially, my new acquired long black cashmere coat from Theory... As much as I dislike the cold, I do like dressing for the warmth.

As for other things, my mother has left Japan and was quite upsetting for a while. Even the locals (flowershop, bakery girls) were in tears! Seems she connected so well with the Japanese and found it hard to say goodbye. No doubt she will be back again soon and I will be complaining about my lack of privacy once again..!

Now getting back into my routine and socialising a bit more with my friends. Looking forward to what Autumn is going to bring.

Yesterday, my good friend N and I ended up walking from Rikugien (really neat Japanese garden based in Komegome, Bunkyo-ku, to Yotsuya. We had so much to talk about that we just decided to keep walking to the next station. I haven't worked out the distance yet, but over the day, we worked out that we walked for 5 hours. Not bad huh...! Just have to find a way that I can earn cash from these expeditions! hee hee.. Rikigien is really beautiful and hard to imagine that there is all this nature in the middle of Tokyo! It is close to Tokyo University and it was a garden of the owner and founder of Mitsubishi. If you like to sit back and contemplate the meaning of life with a very good quality cup of macha, I highly recommend this garden. It's a bit of the beaten track, so not a lot of people there either. (Since it was a week day?) Anyway, check out the link www.pbase.com/mpascoe/rikugien has some good photos of it (not only of Japan either..)

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix

been a while

2006-08-20T22:35:00.000+09:00

Wow, can't believe it is almost the end of August. The days have been going by quickly, and the first way of telling that is how quickly the light is changing in the late afternoon. By 5.30 the sun has almost gone down now, a sign that Autumn is not that far away. Gone will be those days of finishing work when the daylight is still there.

A number of things have changed, and one of them is that my mother will be returning back home after four months here. Has been wonderful having her here as we have been hanging out and exploring new places. People have been great to her and she always tells me these deep and interesting conversations she has with the locals. I ask her if they spoke English, and she said they didn't. It's amazing how much can be communicated without the need of being billingual. Ahh, those days.. Sometimes, it would be nice to be back in the non-billingual world and see the difference of how people treat you. I guess I can always go back into that box, since I am recognised as always being a foreigner, until you say a word in Japanese. Maybe I will just do that for now on, and be a non-bilingual girl in Tokyo.

My paper is being marked as you read this. I hope for a good mark. Another paper is started, with the dead line being at the end of this week! Perhaps, you won't here from me again for a while... Will try and write in here a bit more and keep you dated about what has been going on. So much to fill you in on and tell you what we have been doing. But for now, this will have to do and it is nearing 11pm, which by all means is almost past my bed time!.. Need my beauty sleep that is for sure.

Rest well and will be back again soon! Stay tuned!

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
Demosthenes

paper finished

2006-07-10T15:38:00.000+09:00

Thanks for checking in again. Been a while, I know... meaning to have written in here, but have been busy with the postgrad paper. Ahh, is nice not to have to worry about any more proofreading or editing or study! Have finally finished my paper that was due a month ago, however, my lovely professor gave me a very generous extension and now it is waiting to be marked.. I just hope I get the result that I have been dreaming for. Fingers crossed. Of course, I won't know till a few weeks time.. so will just forget about it and enjoy my study-free days! Of course these days won't last, as I have another paper starting when I get back from my trip to Italy! Not excited about yet, but I guess I will be, once I reach foreign air and get the feeling of "Italy" in my vibes!

Apart from that, Tokyo has continued to become hotter and more humid. Still, as I feel the cold, I don't mind the heat at all. Actually, love the summer here since it is so hot. Only wish I could be by a pool or the clear blue sea like that in Izu... Hopefully get down there this year and show you some photos of the sandy yellow beaches and clear blue water. (The photo you see is a shot I took about 6 in the morning in Izu (Shimoda). Very beautiful and peaceful without any crowds at that time of the day. Italian beaches aren't really like this, and mainly consist of rocks that you jump off into the sea. Can be a bit intimidating. On the other hand, the sea is such a beautiful colour, warm and clean that you forget about your worries.

Got 1km of swimming laps in on Sunday which was good. Too crowded though. About 4-5 people to the lane, and most of them were pretty well-built guys. Not much fun at all, until you get on your natural high (forgot the professional term of it) from swimming. Took mother down there and she even swam a few lengths too! Good for her. Haven't seen her before in a swimming cap so it was pretty funny! Life begins at 50 that is for sure!

The photo below is of Amalfi. The view from the restaurant that we were looking from in Praiano...

Not the most interesting blog comment today, but hopefully it should be a bit more interesting towards the end of the week..

Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.
Benjamin Disraeli

warabi mochi

2006-06-07T17:51:00.000+09:00

Back again and thought I would just touch base for those that are following my blog.
Has been a busy few weeks that is for sure. Good though, and am enjoying life. The weather is getting warmer, the days are fruitful and learning new things. The past couple of days have been working on image acquistion for cancer. Kind of exciting when I am responsible for some leading work regarding cancer and have to make the images for it which will appear in some medical journal in the near future! Proofreading, translating and editing as well. Sure makes the day go by quickly. Not to mention, trying to work on my paper in the meantime. Phew!
Found an interesting site that may be worth checking out. Has some good links and an interesting one regarding the New Yorker on happiness. Check it out here http://peechramji.blogspot.com/

Other things, well, just been spending time with Mom and checking out restaurants and cafes around Tokyo. Went to a very cool cafe yesterday with good friend Z and had the best warabi mochi. I think it is on par with the warabi mochi that I had in Kyoto! Was unbelievably soft and melted in your mouth with the pure black sugar from Okinawa... ahh.. For those that are unfamiliar with the dessert, you will have to look it up. Definitely one of my favourites that is for sure! Unfortunately cannot reveal the place, but if you drop me a line, perhaps I might tell you.. But you have to be a REAL warabi mochi fan for me to give it to you.. They also have ma-cha!

Haven't really been contemplating life that much, been too busy to notice the simple things that go by, which is not good.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony.
William Henry Channing

busy days

2006-05-29T15:33:00.000+09:00

Well, as you may have noticed, it's been a while since I last wrote in my blog. It's not that I don't feel like it, but more towards the fact of being too busy to even think about writing a couple of lines in it.

The past week was chaotic! My good friend M's father passed away on the 20th May. A wonderful and special man that I did not know, however, got an idea of how special he really was by the number of people that visited his funeral. It was a very impressive funeral with over 1300 people attending it over the two days. Held in a very beauitful Catholic church in Tokyo. He will be sadly missed indeed.

After attending the funeral this week, I had to also attend a wedding for my very good friend D. It is amazing how quickly a year goes by that is for sure. I remember D planning it in the very first stages, way back a year ago. Was a very lovely wedding and the food was really good! A lot of the wedding banquets are usually not that great, but this time, the food was quite exceptional.

In between the funeral and wedding, I also have a report to finish off (which still isn't finished!) and work has been extra busy. It sure pours when it rains. Speaking of which, it seems that Japan is heading into the rainy season. At least when the rainy season has passed, we will be able to enjoy the summer heat! I am looking forward to that.

Not a lot else has been going on, just enjoying the time with my mother over here and trying out different places to eat and shop at. She is most inquisitive of some of the smaller details, so it is always a learning experience when we go out, as I don't know all the answers and asking the locals always leads to learning something new.

Will clock in again very soon. Keep tuned!

To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them?

William Shakespeare

Golden week holidays

2006-05-07T15:12:00.000+09:00

Been a while since I last blogged on. Been a lot happening over here. Firstly, Japan has what is known as Golden Week holidays (three days off in a row at the start of May). This worked out to be 9 days off work this year (including weekends and the extra days the company was closed!) Were rather lucky as the weather was fantastic and warm and managed to get out most days in Tokyo and explore the shops (mainly Diesel), and other funky places. One of my close friends, M, was able to also hang out with us and we went to some amazing restaurants and cafes.

Incidentally, the girl that I am quite friendly with N, the girl that manages the wonderful bakery (healthy and natural), kindly invited us to her tradtional Japanese wedding ceremony, which was held in a temple in a very funky area of Tokyo. It was quite small and initimate, but very relaxed and not too stiff. So many Japanese weddings are very formalised and can't wait to leave them. I always feel very impressed with the level of tradition and the amazing clothes they wear. I wonder if I ever get married (to a Japanese?) if I would go through the traditional ceremony or just have a western wedding? Or if I am to escape to a tropical island and tie the knot there?... I guess you will just have to keep on reading if I am ever to get married or not.
At this stage, I can't see it happening for quite some time, but hey, things can happen?!
on...

The week has gone by quickly and the most exciting news is that Mom and I are off to Kyoto on Friday for 2 nights and 3 whole days! This will be an amazing trip with our accommodation being the Hyatt. (Just opened in March!) I think it will be Mom's first time to stay at a 5 star hotel. Have booked for a tour at the Kyoto Palace (these tickets go quickly, so we are quite lucky to get in and the tour is in English!). Will also visit Kinkaku-ji (golden temple), Ryoan-ji (zen gardens), Kiyomizu amongst the others. There is also a very impressive moss garden/temple that sounds amazing. Just hope the weather doesn't rain too much. It is forecasted for 50% rain, so just hoping that the other 50% will be what we will get.. sunny weather! Fingers crossed!

Here are some photos that I took...

Ryoanji Zen Garden

Kiyomizu Temple

Ginkakuji Zen Sand Garden

Happiness is as a butterfly which,
when pursued, is always beyond our grasp,
but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

Raed in the Middle

2006-04-19T17:06:00.000+09:00

Raed in the Middle
Quite an interesting blog I stumbled across..

The Corner of Happiness

2006-04-19T16:51:00.000+09:00

The Corner of Happiness

language

2006-04-19T15:58:00.000+09:00

Soya or the Japanese term "tonyu". Seems I can't win. I go into Starbucks and ask for a "tonyu, ekusutora hotto latte" and get "soya, ekusutora hotto latte" called out in the back. Tonyu is the word for soya in Japanese, so why don't they use it? Seems that it is much more trendier to say Soya than Tonyu in Starbucks. Whether it depends on the staff that is on, but it still confuses me. Especially when I ask for a soy extra hot latte and then I get returned with a tonyu as a reply. Anyway, that was today's quirk that I came across today.

I have also figured out that the company purposely turns the air conditioners down (making them colder) just after lunch till around 3 and then they put the temperature back up again around 5. I am wondering if this is a ploy to stop making us workers feel sleepy after lunch and then making us feel very comfortable and warm, not willing us easily to leave work. One good thing about the summer is that the workers have a good excuse to leave the office after 7 as the company turns off the air conditioners, making the air very stifling and hot and unbearable. I remember staying in the company till around 8.30 in the middle of summer and was surprised that my brain cells were still able to function! It was that hot and could hardly concentrate on my work. I wonder how the other workers productivity are? Some still stay till late at night - seems that the air conditioners have no effect on them. (Or they are doing the "suffering" thing that they love to endure).

I met up with T for lunch today, one of my older friends in Tokyo. Quite a funny story really, as M and I were lost one day in Shibuya (having wanted to NOT catch the train for a couple of stations), and ended up getting very lost. We bumped into T who was billingual in English! He happened to be walking the same way as we were! Have stayed in touch ever since. Bow been around 5 years!

Mother is over here till June, the best month of the year is May, so it's great that she is over here to experience this wonderful time of the year. Already eating all the food that she has missed since last year. Natto, umeboshi, Seaweed, Daifuku (rice cakes with sweet bean filling), green tea (macha as well), udon, soba noodles, beautiful French pastries, Italian... the list goes on. Tokyo really has the best of all the world bounded into one city! The food selection is amazing! Will be going to check out a traditional tea ceremony at some posh hotel (once I find one). Will let you know how that goes..so stay tuned!

A thing of beauty is joy forever.
John Keats

What a World

2006-04-14T17:09:00.000+09:00

What a World

security

2006-04-14T15:50:00.000+09:00

Security at the company where I work is rather weird. I have been employed for 6 years and on my second contract (3 years), however, to enter my floor where I have my desk, it is manatory that I check in at the reception desk each time and acquire a card that entitles me to enter the building. (One of the nice things are, the receptionist now knows the number to my department and has called up before I even reach the receptionist desk! How is that for VIP treatment. Even get a very nice greeting from the security guy too.) What it doesn't do is let me in on my actual working floor. Therefore, I have to get someone from my department to meet me at the elevator each time I want to enter my floor. I can't even go down and buy a latte from the decent coffee shop downstairs within the building. However, I am allowed to sneak in behind someone if they are to enter my floor or the coffee shop. Kind of ironic when they try and make the security so strict in the first place. Can't complain though as I do have freedom within the strange set of security rules. As long as you can find that, then every other illogical rule can be passed by.

This week was a week full of NZer's in Tokyo. It must have something to do with the weather (West coast weather I think?!). Had a friend up from Te Anau and then another Kiwi friend from Vietnam and then my mother arrives on Sunday night! Talk about when it rains it pours, just like the West Coast!

Now enjoying a special treat since it's Friday, after all.. My usual (or unusual) favourite latte from one of the chain cafes. (I wonder which??!)

When we feel love and kindness toward others,
it not only makes others feel loved and cared for,
but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.

HH the Dalai Lama