I am waiting to watch Gem of Life Episode 31 and so is my japanese friend in Tokyo - Miko San.  I know that Miko San is staying up late every nite.. so that she can catch the latest episodes. And even though she wouldn’t admit it.. Miko San better get some acne treatments because of staying up late to watch the shows.. and not getting enough rest for the nite.  And yet.. Miko San wants to know when Gem of Life Episode 31 is coming out.. because she wants to see what happens next with Martin and Jessica. *slap forehead* !  Bad Miko-San..!

Gem of Life Episode 30 with english subs is ready for downloads at my friend’s blog.  Just hop over and get the link.  Enjoy..!  in the meantime, Miko-San don’t forget to visit my sponsors at the side bars.. kekekeke!!!  Arigato-gozamas.

It is often rumored that the American male teachers that lands a teaching job in Japan, majority gets involved with his student.  I’ll have to say .. that it is not a rumor at all.  In my short 6 months stay in Japan… i had encountered many such case.

The japanese gals are in awe of their american teacher.. and of course.. the american teach are smitten by these cute japanese gals.. and their seemingly meek characteristic.  A personal friend of mine .. was so into his japanese student turned girlfriend.. that he cannot stop taking millions of pictures of her.. and her friends that he had to have so many spare flash memory cards with him.  I know he also traveled a lot around Japan because of her.

So is it right or wrong..??  you ask me.   Ethically it is wrong.. but who am i or anyone to say right.  Plus they were really happy.. and i can fully understand the reason behind it.  They are far from home.. and the japanese gals.. they want someone really nice.

Gomenasai.. Miko - San..!! i know you are waiting to watch Gem of Life Episode 28 with English Subs.  Please head over to this blog for it for now.  I can’t find the english sub version .. but i will post it up when i do find it.

Sorry .. !! i couldn’t post up any more pictures about this Manga Museum.. Ghilbi because they don’t allow any pictures to be taken.  Bummer eh!  but the Museum was awesome .. and they did have some cool exhibits.  It was kinda magical for my kid.. and she really like the Totor Zoetrope with its 3D effect and the lights and all.

What a cute looking bus for the Ghibli Museum right..?

A museum that is interesting and which relaxes the soul
A museum where much can be discovered
A museum based on a clear and consistent philosophy
A museum where those seeking enjoyment can enjoy, those seeking to ponder can ponder, and those seeking to feel can feel
A museum that makes you feel more enriched when you leave than when you entered!

The sign that lead us to Ghibi Museum.  Their open everyday except Tuesdays and the opening hours are from 10am to 6pm.  Check out their Straw Hat Cafe while you are there.  Hayao Miyazaki is the Executive Director of Ghibli Museum.

Having lived in Japan for 6 months, the folks from home always asked if eating sushi . .makes the japanese girls slim and super cute..??  What a question eh..?? hhahha!!! yup.. but it’s true..  i get asked often enough. .especially during those earlier days .. when i first came home.

I don’t really know if sushi had anything to keep my Japanese friends kawaii.. but i found that living in Japan and eating so much sushi.. didn’t make me put on an ounce.  I guess the bottle of Leptovox that i had brought along just didn’t get used.

So I hear there was some monkey business going around in Japan..?? Last month, a wild monkey was seen in Shibuya Station ..and a week ago.. the monkey had a partner with him..and was seen running around.. and frightening the poor japanese at the Metropolitan area of Tokyo. So where did the monkeys come from..?? escape from the zoo.. and coming for some Christmas shopping..? Kekekeke!! nah.. not that funny .. according to my friend.. Miko-San.

If you think that the Japanese men are meek, well, you don’t know the Japanese guys that I know.  In Japan they do have hunting season too and a lot of Japanese men love to do outdoor stuff.  From hiking to canoeing to rock climbing, Japan has one of the most beautiful mountains and hiking trails.

I remember the summer we climbed the Japan Alps range, Mt Tsurugi also known as the Sword Mountain.  It was definitely one of the toughest mountains I had climbed. One thing that came in handy for all of us were the 5.11 Knives.  If you know anyone who loves the outdoors or loves camping, you might want to consider getting it for them.  And yes, Japanese students are encouraged to go out for camping trips too.

I think Japanese couples are so cute.. and the man seems shy as well as the bride. The traditional costume is still worn at this time and age .. even though during the reception.. the bride and groom changes into something more modern.

I had attended only 1 japanese wedding in my 6 months stay in Japan.. and i was kinda thrilled and excited.. to be invited.  I felt kinda honored if you know what i mean.  Afterall, she was just a co-worker that I  had met.  But i guessed since she invited my boss.. she had to invite me.. ?? hahahhaa!!!  Oh well.. Miko-San turned out to be a good friend.. that I continued keeping in touch after my 6 months stay in Japan for work.

I’ve seen a lot of Japanese girls marry Western man .. but i also know of a Canadian who married a Japanese man as well.  She is awesome.. !! she lives in Japan now.  And the Japanese laws states that all wedding must take place in your local city office.  You have to give notice to this office beforehand.  Even if you wished to perform your wedding in a church or a temple.. you will have to do it after you have had your civil wedding.

Japanese weddings are not cheap at all.. and i hear that the girl needs to come with some kind of dowry.  I don’t know if it is true these days.. but one thing for sure.. is that the Japanese Wedding reception is a very colorful and joyful one.  The temple ceremony was very serious .. and taking the sip of sake in the temple.. and all.. was an eye opener for me.  The two families will be introduced officially and red and white are the traditional wedding colors.  The married women in the wedding wears black.  I really did enjoy the Japanese wedding.

Japan’s Thanksgiving is a very different from the Thanksgiving in United States.. so for the Americans living in Japan.. they found it a wee bit funny.  In Japan, Thanksgiving is known also as Kinro Kansha No Hi, it means.. a labor day thanksgiving for the workers. Labor Thanksgiving Day is actually a national holiday in Japan.

Having said all the above.. the Americans in Japan still get together.. and have a small celebration.  I know the turkeys are not as huge as the ones in find here in the West.. but still.. they it was always a good attempt.   We always overeat.. and the next day .. the girls will be out looking for diet pill.