tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18395010738740904092024-03-13T08:17:15.739+09:00Mickey's BlogMickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-10772763774870873002015-11-28T21:49:00.001+09:002015-11-28T21:49:12.446+09:00run 10 km a day<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">I have been running 10 Km a day for one month. I'm getting used to it. But It's still a bit tough for me, especially hot days.I have run not less than 200 km. It must burn 1.3 Kg fat in the calculation. but I lost weight only 0.5 Kg. It's no problem. I run for fun, not diet.</span></p>
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<p><img title="12299163_10208067513385520_4741099921350662122_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yKzowwih72A/VlmivdO4GtI/AAAAAAAATy4/owXqNjqIl0I/12299163_10208067513385520_4741099921350662122_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12299163 10208067513385520 4741099921350662122 n" width="599" height="349" border="0" /></p>
<p><img title="12308690_10208067514065537_3695607882718758600_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9mDPzjNfHQI/VlmixNX-ibI/AAAAAAAATzA/Au-z_KqiJFE/12308690_10208067514065537_3695607882718758600_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12308690 10208067514065537 3695607882718758600 n" width="508" height="296" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-74203405199581294682015-11-04T04:44:00.001+09:002015-11-04T04:44:44.081+09:00new running shoes<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">My running shoes were worn out. I went to Tzaneen, 100 Km to the west from my home, to buy new shoes. I like running, but I don't know running shoes very well. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">I just wanted to have lighter than the right, old shoes. The left are my new shoes. I ran with them. I had a feeling I could run a bit quicker than usual.</span></p>
<p><img title="12109234_10207905287969986_4618465419670040473_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AfvU9VZ05Fw/VjkOp7OJR7I/AAAAAAAATwM/nnSHVH4CTtM/12109234_10207905287969986_4618465419670040473_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12109234 10207905287969986 4618465419670040473 n" width="526" height="394" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-77510917538995847262015-11-03T22:02:00.001+09:002015-11-03T22:02:36.179+09:00NC(V) ,National Certificate Vocational<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">NC(V) exam, National Certificate Vocational, has started today. It's a spectacular over 1000 students are getting an exam at the same time. However, the pass rate is less than 10%. It's really tough for the students.</span></p>
<p><img title="12189573_10207916958421740_3536794326695121909_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PmeQ_zjVxN4/VjiwZwiAR8I/AAAAAAAATv8/PpV0q5fTpZY/12189573_10207916958421740_3536794326695121909_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12189573 10207916958421740 3536794326695121909 n" width="450" height="600" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-38790933547808095362015-11-03T21:56:00.001+09:002015-11-03T21:56:52.342+09:00I had diarrhea <div id="js_w" class="_5pbx userContent" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; widows: 1;" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">
<p style="margin: 0px; display: inline;">I had diarrhea yesterday. I don't know why exactly. I didn't eat something bad, but I drank a glass of whiskey on the rocks. I usually drink cold boiled water. But that ice cubes made of raw water. I'm becoming better. But I didn't go jogging yesterday.</p>
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<div><img title="12049725_10207904336946211_4215559193669343324_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kwMvIacxcrg/Vjiu0rTZN_I/AAAAAAAATvw/J7EPkH2L5VQ/12049725_10207904336946211_4215559193669343324_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12049725 10207904336946211 4215559193669343324 n" width="296" height="394" border="0" /></div>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-45027824095208886282015-10-30T19:15:00.001+09:002015-10-30T19:15:12.584+09:00South Africa isn't an English country<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">South Africa isn't an English country. Almost all people can speak English. But native English speaker is less than 9 percent. They usually speak their native languages, whites speak Africans, blacks speak Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and so on. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">They also really love chatting. They are talking very quickly their language. I cannot understand at all what they are talking. Of course, when I ask something in English, they answer English, but they back to their language soon.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">A colleague asked me why I didn't join their chatting. I couldn't find a word to answer.</span></p>
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<p><img title="12187760_10207893423513382_525594761400997269_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ssJesuRS7uI/VjNDLFvffuI/AAAAAAAATvU/td4YLwddun0/12187760_10207893423513382_525594761400997269_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12187760 10207893423513382 525594761400997269 n" width="488" height="240" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-60104538971777806992015-10-30T19:14:00.001+09:002015-10-30T19:14:12.972+09:00Is raining good weather?<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">It had been raining from early morning and stopped a little while ago. When it rains, people in the area say, "It is a good weather today". I feel a bit strange but understand it very much.</span></p>
<p><img title="12189794_10207878618183258_5800029244056218159_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t6LPFA87QE0/VjNC7wTK0bI/AAAAAAAATvM/npdLjzQ-7A8/12189794_10207878618183258_5800029244056218159_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12189794 10207878618183258 5800029244056218159 n" width="526" height="394" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-51563542518097434742015-10-30T19:12:00.001+09:002015-10-30T19:17:43.528+09:00Shintoism and traditional religions<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">A couple days ago, I explained a black friend about Shintoism. I said Shintoism was a polytheism and a nature worship. Then he said that it was very ancient. I was offended a bit. Shintoism is an important cultural backbone for us Japanese. But he simply said it was ancient. I knew he meant no harm. There was a traditional religion in South Africa, and it was a polytheism and nature worship like Shintoism. I guessed he was taught that was ancient by a missionary. I changed the mood. He invited me to go to church with him. But I said no politely.</span></p>
<p><img title="di_20090228-005310-meiji-jingu-torii.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dy8n1VHpVx0/VjNDwfAESQI/AAAAAAAATvc/9EVJ1nwIRFs/di_20090228-005310-meiji-jingu-torii.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="Di 20090228 005310 meiji jingu torii" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-25855077212550227442015-10-12T04:24:00.001+09:002015-10-12T04:24:39.763+09:00Today's dinner was handmade udon and toppings<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">today's dinner was</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">handmade udon noodles top with shrimp tempuras and sliced boiled egg without beer </span><em class="_4-k1 img sp_fM-mz8spZ1b sx_5371b4" style="vertical-align: -3px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; width: 16px; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1; background-image: url('https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yx/r/pimRBh7B6ER.png'); background-size: auto; background-position: 0px -340px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;"><span style="left: -999999px; position: absolute; text-decoration: underline;">smile emoticon</span></em><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">I can't say it was very delicious but okay.</span></p>
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<p><img title="12122530_10207794796287763_2558410208292399394_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-56u4jTBVNHU/Vhq3XhrXglI/AAAAAAAATr4/BNJFWMMxg-I/12122530_10207794796287763_2558410208292399394_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12122530 10207794796287763 2558410208292399394 n" width="526" height="394" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-15024280229376965562015-10-11T20:00:00.001+09:002015-10-11T20:00:29.778+09:00Today's lunch.<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">It's too hot, but I drink beer too much.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">It's difficult for me to eat pizza without beer.</span></p>
<p><img title="Clipboard.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mok0ym6l5rA/VhpBR0ZZaqI/AAAAAAAATrg/ahppIMm3k5M/Clipboard.png?imgmax=800" alt="Clipboard" width="600" height="450" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-40315757140936196182015-10-11T17:39:00.001+09:002015-10-11T17:39:43.365+09:00The way bad cops to make extra money<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">I got stopped for speeding on my way home from Sabie. The cop said I had to pay R500 for 20Km over the limit.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">The cop asked some questions as looking at my driver's license.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">He also said to me that if I could pay it by cash now, he could discount to R300. </span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">I understood the way bad cops to make extra money. There were 3 cops. I guessed It's R100 each. But there was no choice. I paid R300 by cash and left. I should have asked for a discount a bit more.</span></p>
<p><img title="12088377_10207768076779792_2534921733327211688_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w6uZzEEINrg/VhogS3y5v2I/AAAAAAAATrI/Brtt8tFHhrc/12088377_10207768076779792_2534921733327211688_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12088377 10207768076779792 2534921733327211688 n" width="525" height="350" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-73295821443146927792015-10-11T17:38:00.001+09:002015-10-11T17:38:06.007+09:00guest house in Pretoria<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">I usually stay in a hotel in a quiet exclusive residential area in Pretoria.</span><br style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;" /><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; widows: 1;">There are Belgian embassy and Austrian embassy near and sees young women jogs. I believe it is sure to be a safety area. But, It is prohibited to travel by foot in the whole area in Pretoria by JICA because of the security concerns. I must call a taxi to go anywhere in Pretoria. It is considerably troublesome.</span></p>
<p><img title="12036403_10207713640338915_2414791693326709100_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJmWrHB4aOQ/Vhof6drnr5I/AAAAAAAATrA/RmIRwP_cSuk/12036403_10207713640338915_2414791693326709100_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12036403 10207713640338915 2414791693326709100 n" width="450" height="600" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-29414024326253431492015-10-11T17:36:00.001+09:002015-10-11T17:36:16.707+09:00I made udon noodles<p><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; widows: 1;">I made udon noodles from flour. Today's dinner is udon noodles with beef and shichimi spice.</span></p>
<p><img title="12027784_10207713244689024_1732037967436945098_n.jpg" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-avK8aTbQvKo/VhofYUOV8dI/AAAAAAAATq4/LTDUZfYH60E/12027784_10207713244689024_1732037967436945098_n.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="12027784 10207713244689024 1732037967436945098 n" width="296" height="394" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-4237878945211070022014-10-23T16:57:00.001+09:002014-10-23T16:57:52.965+09:00My little two questions<p> </p>
<p>Why Americans are so surprised as they know I don't like peanut butter?</p>
<p>Why Australians are so surprised as they know I like Vegemite?</p>
<p><img title="NewImage.png" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m0nMyzzyryA/VEi080O1X5I/AAAAAAAAOMA/1w0QLPhGKhM/NewImage.png?imgmax=800" alt="NewImage" width="275" height="275" border="0" /><img title="NewImage.png" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u3oXu_KB2Ac/VEi0-RZiPiI/AAAAAAAAOMI/RfP5a3I0Gok/NewImage.png?imgmax=800" alt="NewImage" width="272" height="272" border="0" /></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-49547663677483900392014-10-05T11:01:00.001+09:002014-10-22T16:02:48.192+09:00Jobs<p>Most people in modern society spend more than eight hours a day working. Some are successful in their jobs, but most of them are under stress. Workers are classified into two groups; self-employed and employees. An interesting fact is that the self-employed envy the employees, and vice versa. The reason? People tend to exaggerate the others' benefits they don't have.</p>
<p>Businessmen seem to have greater satisfaction from their jobs than ordinary workers do. They have the power to decide things by themselves. That's why ordinary workers are envious of them. But businessmen must take responsibility for their decisions, and if something goes wrong they could go bankrupt.</p>
<p>Every employee has a certain job responsibility, but if he does what he is expected to, he is usually exempt from bad consequences. He has a stable position. On the other hand, a competent worker may enjoy many promotions and raises, but still be at the mercy of the manipulation’s of corporate executives. Who is happier is not the question. The important thing is that people must decide which category they should belong in by evaluating themselves honestly.</p>
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<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fp844nJyr8E/VDCmfk5UcsI/AAAAAAAANao/R8T6hnkSfcQ/s1600-h/images%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline; border: 0px;" title="images" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lf3JGVpjkO8/VDCmgpaRgbI/AAAAAAAANaw/EJGYBXqxYpk/images_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" alt="images" width="491" height="243" border="0" /></a></p>Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-69284125378014175302014-09-13T14:44:00.001+09:002014-10-05T11:21:52.880+09:00Hobbies<p>One of the main reason people have hobbies is to kill time. Many of the great developments in science and technology have given us all a lot of time beyond that which we fill with necessary activity. But few of us use that extra time creatively, so we get bored. So we need a hobby to make the time pass enjoyably, we collect stamps or learn how to cook or just listen to our CDs. One of the problems, though, is with having expensive hobbies. </p> <p>Usually they are intended to show off our wealth or our being up-to-date with some supposed trend, rather than supporting any genuine interest. Too often, we can't really afford it, but even if we can, we just feed our general discontentment because we are spending a lot of money but not relieving our boredom.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KzZjnNsmLUs/VDCrPMQi9WI/AAAAAAAANa8/blGEQVIVsFU/s1600-h/backpaking%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="backpaking" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="backpaking" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lWJUndkPfRw/VBPZqOn2byI/AAAAAAAANbE/JSYgUXBIIss/backpaking_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="287" /></a></p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-66848651453141753002014-08-12T15:29:00.001+09:002014-08-12T15:29:28.514+09:00Friends<p>How many friends do you have? Which do you think is better, having many friends or just a few very close ones? </p> <p>Do you think your friends would stay with you if you were in trouble? You know people say, "A friend can't be known in prosperity." A lot of those, who say this claim that their conclusion is based on personal experience of losing a supposed friend when they were in a difficult situation. </p> <p>If so, it seems friendship is more a matter of social convenience than character or shared interest. However, others can point to unexpected support during a serious crisis from someone whom they did not expect to be a good friend. </p> <p>So I guess the question of friendship can cut both ways: in some cases it is mere lip service and in others it is genuine commitment.</p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0bI31E5R4KI/U-m0P8dR1PI/AAAAAAAANR4/LIAdwLXG7Nk/s1600-h/images%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="images" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="images" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BtVZ5CCyDiM/U-m0RhL84mI/AAAAAAAANSA/vub-6ViExc0/images_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="225" /></a> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-49569001246668977332014-07-02T14:25:00.001+09:002014-07-02T14:25:34.845+09:00Special Days<p>Which day is the most important to you each year? Is it your birthday? Perhaps the birthday of someone you love? Or an anniversary? Many people have their own special days and want to celebrate them in some distinctive way. The celebration may be a special meal or dining out, or a gift, perhaps a trip. Maybe even a greeting card is enough to mark the occasion. But the point is that the day symbolizes some important event, and that it’s importance is recognized by other significant people as well. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MswKk9k5Gvg/U7OXyPfsmsI/AAAAAAAANBs/xn_a18e8xdc/s1600-h/P6044525%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6044525" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6044525" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fnDYX4EiAvY/U7OXzOVkilI/AAAAAAAANB0/rC8E6nr2Hxo/P6044525_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="355" /></a> </p> <p>Traditional holidays are also important, but they have group significance instead of a personal meaning. Usually some religious or national figure is commemorated. These occasions may be marked by community celebrations, or especially by family get-togethers. As families become more fragmented and scattered, these holidays may be ever-more important, since they provide a chance for people to share their lives with each other again.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-64546260268331422662014-06-02T11:19:00.001+09:002014-06-02T11:19:55.612+09:00Enjoyable and affordable vacation<p>As people make more money, often they think that now is the time to enjoy themselves more. Leisure becomes more important in their lives. As their psychological horizons expand beyond just earning an income, they also want to find out more about the world. So they want to travel. One problem, however, is that they don't really know where they want to go or what they want to do when they get there. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-blw4boWx5dc/U4vfRpzqgsI/AAAAAAAALU4/YG_wzbhyEw8/s1600-h/vacation%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="vacation" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="vacation" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jdW9lWKkPvk/U4vfSYbYRRI/AAAAAAAALVA/DTgmF_auqJg/vacation_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="259" /></a> </p> <p>So they blindly go somewhere, just because they think it is fashionable to do so. Often they take some package tour that offers them "10 countries in 7 days." That way, they collect a lot of stamps in their passports and a lot of predictable photographs, but they don't have much fun or relaxation, and they don't really know very much about where they've been. A much better approach would be to decide where they really want to go, and why, and then plan far enough in advance in order to accomplish those goals. That way, the vacation is both more enjoyable and affordable.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-39297898506396076712014-05-07T17:08:00.001+09:002014-05-07T17:08:33.133+09:00What is good sleep?<p>It is commonly believed that everybody should get at least eight hours of sleep a day. But a lot of people try to get by on less, thinking that sleeping is just a waste of their time. Even some experts claim that it is the quality of sleep that counts rather than the quantity, and that we could live healthy lives with only three or four hours of good sleep. To them, "good sleep" is characterized by REM (Rapid-Eye Movement). It is during this phase of sleep that we dream.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KTsaurfnBxw/U2np-0j_hVI/AAAAAAAAK2M/n_QVmOV-oGI/s1600-h/goodsleep%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="goodsleep" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="goodsleep" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FujKNDGc74A/U2np_2LaFhI/AAAAAAAAK2U/rXxWErDTu7E/goodsleep_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="271" /></a> </p> <p> <br />Dreams and their interpretation are other interesting phenomena associated with sleeping. Throughout history, seers have tried to use them as a guide to the future. Today, psychologists are apt to see them as the acting out of the anxieties and fantasies we cannot express during our waking hours. For Sigmund Freud, they were symbolic expressions of our sexual desires.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-87714459049908338692014-04-23T11:10:00.001+09:002014-04-23T11:10:13.122+09:00regular meals<p>Eating is supposed to be one of the most pleasant things in life. Sometimes we are not sure if we eat to live or live to eat. However, these days,many people are being deprived of regular meals. </p> <p>Some folks claim they are too busy to take the time, or they skip a meal because they are dieting. The meal that is most often missed is breakfast, so the eater or fixer can stay in bed longer,even though health experts usually insist this is the most important meal of all. </p> <p>In some cases, this phenomenon is because wives are working outside the home, in others because husbands do not insist on breakfast. </p> <p>More convenient Western ideas about breakfast are becoming popular: eggs, toast, cereal, coffee. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LzvMdQbfhDQ/U1chAABMykI/AAAAAAAAKqI/4_gONqd6Sa0/s1600-h/images%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="images" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="images" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i7dWqvPrGWQ/U1chA8aMV6I/AAAAAAAAKqQ/rESW7tNjF8I/images_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="311" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Later in the day, lunches are also becoming more problematic, specially for workers. The variety and quality of food seem to be declining, even as the restaurants themselves become more crowded and expensive. </p> <p>After work, it is usually an informal requirement to join co-workers in meal and drinking session, so a family meal at home is out of the question for a lot of male workers.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-87960350859866659622014-04-01T10:30:00.001+09:002014-04-01T10:30:44.585+09:00Traffic &Transportation<p>In modern societies, cars have become indispensable for most people. They are needed for commuting to work, for shopping, and for leisure purposes. </p> <p>However, this widespread use also poses many traffic-related problems. For example, since the roads are congested most of the day, the meaning of "rush hour" is fast disappearing. A lot of drivers complain that the police are more interested in "collecting money" from law-breaking commuters than in facilitating the traffic flow. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xMpS57s6fRU/UzoWvpFxvfI/AAAAAAAAKbk/vQo4U8Wk9mg/s1600-h/Gianttrafficjam4.jpg"><img title="Giant-traffic-jam" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Giant-traffic-jam" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fbeWRukzIyM/UzoWwu-7eSI/AAAAAAAAKbs/O7eMnzoK4h0/Gianttrafficjam_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="301" /></a> </p> <p>In addition, as more and more "demand pressure" is put on gasoline supplies, and as more taxes are added by the government to regulate usage, prices are rising dramatically. </p> <p>Worldwide, the automobile is probably the number-one contributor to air pollution, and policies designed to protect the environment are expensive. So far, mass transportation systems such as subways and buses and electric or other alternatives to internal combustion engines have proved inadequate for solving the needs of conveniently moving large numbers of people from place to place.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-89114632715659545302014-03-27T11:18:00.001+09:002014-03-27T16:28:38.641+09:00Lifestyles<p>People have different attitudes toward living. Some seek self-oriented happiness, without any consideration for others. To them, "happiness" means wielding political or economic power over others. But most of these people turn out to be disappointed in their pursuit of happiness since man's desire is endless, nothing can fully satisfy their needs. </p> <p>Other people believe that the first step to attaining happiness is to restrict personal desire. Priests, monks, and nuns are the most common representatives of this group. By refraining from worldly passion, they think they are happier because they live their lives in accordance with religious commands. But, can anyone without personal autonomy be genuinely happy? </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VvxUmPNFRUA/UzOKdQXvt_I/AAAAAAAAKac/oBcGXLL0pvo/s1600-h/IMG_4923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4923" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4923" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xV8zLghc2zg/UzOKeP7BU-I/AAAAAAAAKak/kCzpKCIqC8g/IMG_4923_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="287" /></a> </p> <p>A third group consists of very ordinary people. They have no great wealth or political authority. While they may have religious beliefs, they do not turn their back on the world. But they treasure their families, they value the little things of everyday life. They are happy if they have three meals a day, a car, a home, a vacation and enough money to educate their children. </p> <p>Which group of people is the happiest? Who knows? If you think you are happy, then you are. Happiness is the result of how you think about the world and your place in it.</p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-87569669663286352792014-03-27T11:14:00.001+09:002014-03-27T16:36:43.803+09:00Kaiseki cuisine for dinner<h5>I went to eat kaiseki  cuisine  for dinner with my wife. kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. </h5> <h5> <br />Sakizuke : an appetizer similar to the French amuse-bouche.</h5> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqBEPZfJsOIu5whxgSleQ3oOd-z74OAtL9F17nKEwdxRmPEBsS35-AxdZkBlj9IH_UNCberlafaQrMmIkRtvjaIEKLWtUeQZBxE5DxOj_l1yzE7zaXivwBLMGAicngH4OQ8SzWS5n/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqBEPZfJsOIu5whxgSleQ3oOd-z74OAtL9F17nKEwdxRmPEBsS35-AxdZkBlj9IH_UNCberlafaQrMmIkRtvjaIEKLWtUeQZBxE5DxOj_l1yzE7zaXivwBLMGAicngH4OQ8SzWS5n/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Mukōzuke : a sliced dish of seasonal sashimi.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcErqQaO-XYu-3yQcgIA7ZnEhMpyyWuOilk6MKVEpNYg7wmWGg0cjg5YR_4zjlLbn57UjisbG37BItpvjEADLhnQjQNoeyMph70FR02c6T9Zhyphenhyphen8nic4hcjbsgiOq10UPQLMCoIMqEP/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcErqQaO-XYu-3yQcgIA7ZnEhMpyyWuOilk6MKVEpNYg7wmWGg0cjg5YR_4zjlLbn57UjisbG37BItpvjEADLhnQjQNoeyMph70FR02c6T9Zhyphenhyphen8nic4hcjbsgiOq10UPQLMCoIMqEP/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Takiawase : vegetables served with meat, fish or tofu; the ingredients are simmered separately.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUMCdz-Tn8F2q62YEAlq_iPuBhSvh2itANgYb_TbFvBiwv8yW-VGnceKbGnmcqc8YYqTEWNrUCrXNS9K4sLc_O3dkJytGdKBVsTG0wW1YJLcg9zNu0z7DPVy23D92vUWO2yEG8RdZ/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUMCdz-Tn8F2q62YEAlq_iPuBhSvh2itANgYb_TbFvBiwv8yW-VGnceKbGnmcqc8YYqTEWNrUCrXNS9K4sLc_O3dkJytGdKBVsTG0wW1YJLcg9zNu0z7DPVy23D92vUWO2yEG8RdZ/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Yakimono : flame-broiled food (esp. fish)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT36Ew6vbXaan5_jxxO6JrwPm1EDrm2bgfU-NiOE7tNvBCquXljb4-m-zwKjR0TKt_CASVoiizlnih34Wyt3KX8SSROmQdzJXuz_v5QrMF5mE-Gn1rp1tCc9BbWXeUZD2hYDpXaHS/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHT36Ew6vbXaan5_jxxO6JrwPm1EDrm2bgfU-NiOE7tNvBCquXljb4-m-zwKjR0TKt_CASVoiizlnih34Wyt3KX8SSROmQdzJXuz_v5QrMF5mE-Gn1rp1tCc9BbWXeUZD2hYDpXaHS/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Gohan : a rice dish made with seasonal ingredients. <br />Tome-wan : a miso-based or vegetable soup served with rice.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagmC1u7MaLW_NM-aE32-tRlro5ykcQgF-iQ-VbqOmOo1vC8MWv7Hm1OotNNqQgVFw0XJnNM2iDTHAIKI8DKmPlek6XmtuYNzEXIciS91nBtuQ6BmNsMofUeHMkh0Nt4vg-FApvBKu/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagmC1u7MaLW_NM-aE32-tRlro5ykcQgF-iQ-VbqOmOo1vC8MWv7Hm1OotNNqQgVFw0XJnNM2iDTHAIKI8DKmPlek6XmtuYNzEXIciS91nBtuQ6BmNsMofUeHMkh0Nt4vg-FApvBKu/s320/IMG_0204.JPG" width="400" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Mizumono : a seasonal dessert; may be fruit, confection, ice cream, or cake.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zO30syfxABo/UzPU_AxXSuI/AAAAAAAAKbI/zZQy005Ot_w/s1600-h/IMG_0205%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0205" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="IMG_0205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0CCucgWUTok/UzPVBdELp4I/AAAAAAAAKbQ/XW8lnu1BVBw/IMG_0205_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="279" /></a></p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-84354395159856744342013-05-07T09:27:00.000+09:002013-05-07T10:08:55.007+09:00Moss Pink FestivalMoss pink, or shibazakura, is a flower that grows close to the ground in brilliant colors of magenta, pink, and white. The season for moss pink, which is from late April to mid-May, comes after the cherry blossom season in Japan. A popular way to enjoy moss pink is to go to a moss pink festival and see the various designs made by arranging the moss pink by color. One of the best places to enjoy the blooming of moss pink is in Fuji-Kawaguchiko town located at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The place is very popular because you can get there in hours from Tokyo. I and my wife went to there May 5, a sunny day of Golden week.<br /> <br />
<img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/e-G8Ua8iPyqTsRLUtMUqvB1sJzFb40cRQi_ATmsLKZA-3-nPQ5XyzOjEzUSGGwuyapdtGSlhBvxF7m9vo8c7ACFBMozi=s650" /> <br />
<br /> About 800,000 moss pink plants bloom creating an elegant carpet of pink were really beautiful and breath-taking as we have imagined. Winding paths lead you across the pink carpet and brilliant green hillside overlooking snow-caped Mt. Fuji.<br /> <br />
<img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/K-t0TOtoHVwlP6EsuAYzFQ-lpj7Jl_kXkSt1X9wywiFODgw_LgAs7S6b4QESL3ALFaUvtar3CdsrlSHRPxn5WQmPet2IzQ=s650" /> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1839501073874090409.post-9948465843907553252012-04-14T11:36:00.001+09:002012-04-14T12:21:55.431+09:00Tokyo Hike, Mt. Takao to Mt. Jimba<p>A short walk from Takao-Sanguchi station leads to a lower tram station that you could take all the way up to Mt. Takao and the trailheads appear. The trail starts out steep with built in steps. </p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34911665@N02/6927141566/"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5443/6927141566_5e1c0e78e9.jpg" /></a></p> <p>Up to Mt. Takao, the trail switches between steep and flat sections. I was at the summit of Mt. Takao, took only 80 min. </p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34911665@N02/6927142000/"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5328/6927142000_8253a82c74.jpg" /></a></p> <p>I left to continue to Mt. Jimba. That was a nice area with fewer people and more solitude. I really enjoyed the lush green. The route seemed relatively flat, but had a lot of ups and downs of a few hundred feet at best. And the parts that actually go up are steep. </p> <p>I got at the top o f Mt.Jimba about four hours after I've left Mt. Takao. Unfortunately the clouds ruined the potentially nice views in all directions from Mt.Jimba, but at least it had this, whatever it is. </p> <p><a title="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34911665@N02/6927142558/"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5231/6927142558_77812a07b6.jpg" /></a></p> <p>I would highly suggest this hike to anyone who has a day to hike while in Tokyo. It’s not the best of Japan, but quite feasible and really nice.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a title="Mt.Takao to Mt.Jimba" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34911665@N02/6929304594/"><img border="0" alt="Mt.Takao to Mt.Jimba" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7100/6929304594_eb5885a0dc.jpg" /></a></p> Mickeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09534208376031384617noreply@blogger.com0