moving on or staying put

got the colds again - must be the changing season...
got some good news - it's a boy for janie and jared!
got accepted in a cheaper dorm - but have to share the toilet and bath....
spent lots of time touring relatives - now even new yorkers know about my roaming around kobe-shi
declared myself exhausted and suddenly my bed and dorm are the most amazing thing and place on earth...
still can't decide - money or luxury? new beginnings or old habits?  moving on or staying put?

sapporo in my mind

Ever since I came to Japan, I have been very vocal about going to Sapporo.  I plotted and schemed just to go there for free.  All those efforts were rewarded.  I got to see Japan's northern region and tasted the best tempura ever from Hanamaru restaurant.  Forgot to take pictures of the famed miso ramen but really for all the noodles that they sell - I can brave their seemingly endless winter and live there.  Well, probably for 2 months. 

stars in my hand

went to okinawa for a school trip the second time around 
got to tour around several islands - ishigaki, irimiote, taketomi

learned how proud and protective the japanese are of their wetlands 
met hayami but forgot to photodocument our tryst 

lastly, for several minutes held clusters of stars from hoshihama in my hand....

i love kobe

Somebody asked me during our zemi class if I love Kobe.  I think word has gotten around that I roam the city during my free time (believe me, I have a lot).  I answered grudgingly, "I guess so..."  Looking at this picture with the Akashi Pearl Bridge (longest suspension bridge in the world), if somebody asked me the same question again, I just have to point them to the title of this post.  Try going to the observation deck and walk through the log bridge with the ocean waves below you! 

The Queen

Helen Mirren winning all these best actress awards from hollywood made me click the button and watch the on-line streaming version of this movie.  The version was probably uploaded from a bootleg copy but somehow I was able to sit through the whole thing and got fascinated.  Credit has to go to the main actress, Helen Mirren.  The way she paid tribute to the actual Queen, Elizabeth II, in her acceptance speeches just shows where credit for the movie should actually be given.  


But acknowledging the actress performance is just one part of this fascinating movie - it is the interplay of her character with those around her (the royal family, those in Downing street and the British people) and the circumstances (death of a media-enshrined Princess) or changes (duty and tradition alone cannot assure the perpetuation of the monarchy to the next century) that she has to grapple with. 

Stephen Frears directs from the script of Peter Morgan. 

imouto

 



the kobe oji zoo:  been here like countless of times but going around the zoo with a veterinarian is something else - it's like watching animal planet with my very own program anchor.  ah, the vet is my sister, the pandas are the mascots and watashi, the photographer and entrance sponsor....
 
  we were having our first breakfast together at the kitchen of my dorm and the two nationalities from laos asked us if we are sisters.  turned out they were betting among themselves - they said we look alike - yeah, she's wearing my coat here....

luminariexkame

life is about choices.

tonight the choice is between having my picture taken with the kobe luminarie as background or watching the last episode of tatta hitotsu no koi, starring kame.

of course kobe luminarie won, hands down!  i chose the luminarie with its dazzling showcase of lights and sounds, foodstalls that sell hotdog sticks and soba and just the idea of lining up with nearly the whole residents of kobe.

but i kept remembering kame's ntt docomo poster in sannomiya.  i should have stayed at home with kame....