Ogakijin Blog

On the way to the office... I found so many press people at the front gate.
I wonder, "Who would be coming to this building today?"

My thought was of either famous politician or TV starts.
I was totally wrong when I found an email message from building management.

"We're expecting police to arrive for search in GoodWill corps today and that is why tons of press waiting for them to shoot the photos outside the building."



Oh press waited for those gentlemen like this! Hahaha.

For work, the third phase of the project is complete today! Tomorrow, the forth phase gets kick-off. Hmmm, I believe that following phase is going to be tough one. Really.

One of the workers at client's site planned the dinner for the day. Yeah, 6 of us joined and had a big dinner!
It was "Hinabe" or "Hot Pod." Yeah, hot stuff... spicy and hot.
Beef and lamb along with variety of vegetables.

Man, full of foods in the pod... and drinks... as much as we could drink!

Of course, I couldn't drink much... some others were very eager to keep ordering new drinks!







It was definitely good stuff. Loved it! You should try!
This is very famous Chinese dish. Try to order it in your "usual" Chinese restaurant if it has that in menu.
Oh, the place we went tonight... hot pod is its speciality.

Better think... Better go... Yeah, it's my idea to attend the wedding of friend in Mexico. Yeah, friend Israel Morales is going to marry on August 23rd and I should be there.
Need to be the witness that Mexican playboy is now closing his history after all!

Place for wedding... is Cancun. Yeah, it is Cancun!



Therefore, I'd better get there, right? Am sure that every single one of you agree with me! No doubt about it. Really sure thing.
Thus, I better think many other things... like:

Because of awesome view... I better get good camera for good shooting. Yeah, good photos.
Better get new camera to produce that quality!
Meaning, I better be busy for budgeting... getting rid of current camera, etc.

Yeah, good break-down, huh! That's what I do everyday at work! Hehehe.
Yes, promise you that I will take new camera with myself to Mexico then. It should be Canon 40D.

Budget is the issue... how to solve it? Hmmm. Let me thing...

Let me think...
Let me think......
Let me think.......... Zzzz (BANG!)

No clue yet. Will manage it somehow. Later. Probably.

Hi, folks! It was my PTO - paid time off today. Compensatory one because tons of weekends I did work in the past.
You know what? Turned out to be nothing. Really nothing.

A call from client was expected in the afternoon.
It should be about the presentation material that I prepared over this weekend.

She has a very important meeting and needs to give a presentation next week. Thus, no much time left for such preparation.

In this morning, had to re-do one of slides made back on Saturday.
Once looking at it today, felt like ashamed. That slide wasn't so good. Thus, re-do was smart idea. After doing so, I came to realize that I finally bring it as satisfactory level to the client. Yeah, this is sure thing.

Hope things will go well and smooth.

Too bad that I had to lose a day like this... Though, it was simply necessary. No other way around.

In conclusion...
Another tough week just began...

Sunday, already? That's too bad. How's yours? Mine was quite... quite boring. Hahaha.
Didn't go out much... mostly at home.

Hey, what happened to the Osaka Marathon this afternoon?
When I checked on TV, that "hope" runner was enjoying the lead in the game... she ended up at 19th place? Dramatic slow-down came afterward, huh. That's too bad!

Another Osaka issue.
Governors election today. Mr. Hashimoto - lawyer and TV talent won the election. Another one in Osaka? Osaka is actually renown for the fact that TV talent can win easily. Happened this time again.
Osaka is center of "comedy" in Japan's culture. Thus, lots of "funny" talents come out to Tokyo after being popular in Osaka. Lots of Osaka people believe that those who are famous can do a good job in politics.

In the past, some did well... and some other did nothing.
This time, guy is lawyer... may make a difference. Very young as well. 38? Something like that.
Will see how he can do this job...

Finding bad stuff today... so shocking.
I bought more than several books yesterday... and one of them was same book that I bought a long time ago!
Yeah, bummer!

Reading some chapter... I realized that content is something I had seen before. Yeah, of course!
Now clean books of same title... Hmmm.
It's work-related. I should place one at my desk in the office and keep the other at home. Otherwise, I should give this book to someone else. Maybe as gift? Hmmm.

One last thing. Just telling y'all:
After spending 6 years... now 7th year, the relationship between MoonFlower and I myself is coming to an end. Some people expected us to get married sooner... sorry for disappointment.

Yeah, it's Saturday. Fine day out there. How come no events? No shopping?
Nothing. Nada. Zipped. Hmmm.

As expected, I spent most of time for the day to prepare the presentation slides for client.
Yeah, SERIOUS work!

Somehow, the deliverable isn't something I really liked. Meaning I knew that something wrong in it.
Why? Just a hunch. Really.

Usually, something doesn't go well... I get some heads-up in advance. That's hunch. And this time, yes.
I'd better wait for the input from client. Am sure that some modification should be demanded.

Does this hurt my reputation? Even results not to renew my contract?
To be frank, I don't think this won't be that dangerous. Rather minor. I do what I can do for client... and just "happened" to be insufficient. Of course, I do all my best...

Therefore, I stayed home... pretty much all day long!
Of course, it's my job... don't mind. (Cannot afford to lose the job?)

At night, went out for drinks.
After having a couple of drinks, picked up several books... More than I thought that I would buy...
Spent 50 bucks! Yeah, 5,000 yen or 50 dollars.
Very rare to spend that much money for books at a time. Yeah, really.
All about job... yeah, skill-related, etc.

Now I'd better get busy reading!

Yeah... really... who had a glass of wine over lunch and turned his face so red?!?! Is that okay as working day style? Of course not.
Now wondering who it was.

Coworkers and I went down to an Italian restaurant for lunch. I was there for the first time and didn't know that all lunch menu came along with free glass of wine.
Of course, I could say no.
Should I have said that? Of course, not. Better take advantage of whatever FREE... you know how it should go, right? Hehehe.

Problem is that I would go back in the office, having my face turned so red.
Here is the solution.

Make sure that you drink coffee after meal.
Face the cold breeze outside before going in.

Did they work? They did!
No one ever noticed me... I guess, true until they read this!

What about work? How's the preparation of presentation? Good question.
Did collect all necessary information and still in progress.

Client has to go thru all slides that I create... if necessary, I have to modify them... before NEXT WEEK.
Meaning, I will stay stand-by for any action.
Will stay alert at home. Will see how soon we can conclude this.

Weekend doesn't look too good? No plan so far is actually good sign right now.
Meaning... I may have to work then. Really? Really.

During the PMO meeting this afternoon, my client screamed that she was astonished with the fact that she had to give a presentation next week while in US.
Really? Really.

No one has ever prepared anything for that.
Obviously it is... now my job.

Unlike her periodical presentation to the upper management, this time the style and format are different. Thus, not much freedom... I cannot be much creative for this particular one. Hmmm.

Had other meetings and things to do after that PMO meeting. PMO? Project Management Offfice... I need to update my client of overall status of the project on weekly basis.

How to find out time to prepare the presentation? Hmmm.

Solution that I came up was that I leave the office and work at home.
Really? Really.

Thus, came back home around 6:30pm... Resumed working from 7pm... ended up working until 2am or so. Yeah... really did work until then.

Done? Not quite. Hahaha.

Wow, yeah... snow was here...



I had a hard time walking to the station!!! No injury, though.

Woke up from a dream which was work-related. Obviously, I have too many concerns... didn't sleep soundly for sure.
Oh boy... I have no luck to turn the project around quickly... I still have to seek a "leverage" doing so.
Yeah, I know, need it right now... may take a bit longer.

Interviewed two candidates in the morning. Both were... not best kind for what I want. Different competencies.

My student to whom I give lectures three days a week must have been tired. Lacked the concentration. Even gave her a recap from previous session about business support integration model, she wasn't as sharp as usual. Then, today's topic was credit risk management... I am sure that she didn't get a good grasp of the topic.

Hmmm, I should do it over again...

One of the project members upset me with his poor deliverable. That was really bad... I even called him up to clarify how come I had to be upset with him. Hate to see someone keep excusing himself over and over. Sickened and tired of listening to that fellow because everything is backward... I need to see some (of course, positive) changes from that point on, instead.

Hmmm, will see how he can improve hereon.

Today it wasn't as comfortable as I wanted it to be... I guess, I was out of luck. I have to be patient for a while... situation won't be different from how it is at least for a while. Hmmm.

Ain't my day!

Hi, folks. It's cold night here in Tokyo... some snow is even expected tomorrow. WOW! Am sure that it will snow... but not much. Though, everyone at least can enjoy the severe cold winter? Hmmm, don't think so.

"Did you see Kangaroo?"
"Did you hold Koala bear?

Wait. This was how my client thought I would while in Sydney?
Wrong imagination... or expectation, right?
I went down there because of the conference... yeah, strictly business. Not much free time for that kind of activity.
Trust me. It's true.

Even today I showed up to the office as the first person... remained in the office as last person to leave. Even after coming home, still stuck with laptop to sending email messages, creating some slides in PowerPoint, and organizing some information related to the project.
Now, I think I cut this off... to close a working day!

This business is too tough on me... time to time for sure.

In the conversation with my client this morning,
"You can organize the team as you like..."
"You should reduce your own workload by passing it down to your subordinates... why don't you bring one or two under yourself?"

This conversation was quite flattering to myself.
Full of trust in client's word to me. Fantastic.

Though, this is actually double-edged sword to me.
Currently at my firm, no resource available. Yeah, ZERO right now.
If plenty of people are available for new assignment, I can bring up so many different skill sets required to work for me.
Now, no such luck... or even luxury.

If remains everything same as it is today... I am going to overflow for sure.

Even bringing new people in to the project, it's going to be crazy for a while... since I have to give lectures... knowledges, etc.

Thus, whatever I do for this project... it's like a boomerang. It's going to be on me anyway!!!

Not fair? Not really.

Supposedly, called PTO - Paid Time Off. Yeah, this is compensatory day off for me since I lost two weekends due to travel.
Means that I have no duty all day long.

Right?
What's what it is for, right?

Obviously, not that way for me.

From the afternoon, had to stick with work. Really. Many reports, etc.
Ate light. Yeah, as promised. Huge diet in progress.
In addition, I have to work out a little bit. Really? Yes.

So I did.

Busy PTO, huh? Don't you agree?
Well, I am not going to have that kind of luxury. Thus, I'd better suck it up.

Oh at least I did something for PTO.
Watched movie on Star Channel. "Stick It."
Thus, at least one thing --- PTO-like stuff. Hahaha.

Hi, folks. Finally home. Yeah, finally. Long flight... 10 hours or so from Sydney.
The airport in Sydney was rather small... upset me with poor service quality!!!
Quantas staff and Duty Free sales clerk... no intension for working hard. Hmmm.
I guess, that's so-called Aussie. Hahaha.

Arrived at Narita very early morning. Around 6:30am.
Took me so long to find out my suitcase... Actually it was slow process. Narita hadn't waken up yet then.

Barely made 7:45am bus for Kowai. Otherwise, had to wait until 9:30am. Big difference, huh.
Of course, returned rental cell phone before bus departure.

New toy got here in the afternoon... came with huge disappointment. Yeah, really.
It was purely defect. Soon as AC Adaptor plugs in... big digital noise is out all over around!
Obviously, defect. No other way.

Then called up the seller for claim. easily accepted the claim. No exchange. This model seems discontinued at the manufacturer already... BUMMER!



No more fancy food for me. Have eaten enough while in Sydney, huh! Darn right I have!

Last day of my stay... still rainy. It sucks! Really does! Man, totally out of luck this time!



Didn't want to wet my Canon SLR - had to stick with compact one by FujiFilm. Guess, this picture turned out to be quite well... like this picture!



Near the hotel... I walked through "Rocks Market" on St. George. This market is quite long on the street. Yeah, took me to go through 15 minutes to look around.



Popular in Japan for now. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. This set became my breakfast and lunch! Hahaha. True!
And then, today's biggest destination... this place is called QVB - stands for Queen Victoria Building. Big shopping mall within the building.





Quite fancy inside, huh! Liked it. Though, the variety of stores wasn't that fascinating.
I guess, Aussie fashion is behind? Well, they may think ahead, instead. Hmmm.

This is it! Now my Sydney trip is over. Hit down to the airport. Yeah, to catch the late flight... actually redeye flight for Tokyo! Hmmm. How come I am NOT on the First Class for this 10-hour-long flight?

No luck!!!

Two meetings in the morning were last official events for the trip. Now am FREE!
Too bad that weather does NEVER cooperate with me and rainy weather remains!!!
Today the weather was actually the worst. Hopefully not worsen anymore tomorrow.

Meetings went okay? That's the question, right? One was no problem. The other... tough to draw the line. However, the issues aren't lying over this area at all. Rather, somewhere else for sure.

Anyway, I start worrying about those from coming Monday or so!!! I cannot worry enough right now. You know what I mean?
So let me put these worries down.

Went out to Darling Harbor for lunch. Near the China Town where we went out yesterday.
Yeah, it was good Chinese... even though we ordered more than what we could eat then. Hahaha.
Not my fault.


Then walked about the harbor with umbrella holding... Had coffee along with sweet cake at Lindt Chocolate Cafe.
Man, this is definitely overeating. Yeah, sure. Really.

Went back to hotel once.
Well, had to resume working then. Still lots to do!!!

For supper, walked down on St. George with umbrella again! Better stop raining QUICK! Let me enjoy sunny Sydney or simply summer weather!!!
Final dinner in Sydney with colleagues was prime steak. Yeah, BEEF this time. Ordered 10 oz fillet steak. Wow, I really liked it... many steaks in January... hint, hint!

Wine, along with the steak dish, was fantastic! Colleague chose the Spanish bottle. That was perfect selection. Man, am becoming big fan of wine like that.

Bad feeling was right hunch... Yeah, really came true.
Recalling from yesterday, the situation has been nothing but worsened. Really.

I got a call from boss who showed big concern on this project, too. What shall I do? This is beyond my capability... out of control. I am so inexperience in such industry... How to handle this? What shall I do? Hmmm.

No exit criterion... needed.
Rather, need to have "escape plan."

Today's meetings were rather easy... and simple. Right expectation was set and it was no pain.

For lunch... to the China Town. Good dim sum dishes! Love dim sum so much. I can go anytime!!!
Oh, I miss Hong Kong already? Hahaha... have another plan to get there in March.

For supper, went up north... to the Chestwood. About 20-30 minutes from the Harbor Bridge.
Walked around the shopping area.
Ended up eating Japanese sushi.

Didn't raise my expectation high... I was right then.
It was okay sushi, though.

2-day-conference is now over. Clear finish? Nope. Totally the other way around. What happened? Hmmm.
Cannot disclose everything here... but at least I can tell that some people didn't do good job on something important. In the end, lots of people in the conference were confused.

Turning out to be a big issue that someone have to solve sooner. Oh boy!
I know, it wouldn't be my job... but I have to influence someone to make sure that it'll happen.
Extra job... requires extra worry. See this logic?

After the conference, as planned, moved to new hotel - Park Hyatt Sydney.



Located just under the Sydney Harbor Bridge... and faces renown Opera House.



See you can see it through window!



Assigned King Bed Room. Very gorgeous! Who doesn't like this?!
Finally (?) my Sydney trip brings comfort.

For all 30-some attendees to the conference, big official dinner took place in seafood restaurant located in the Darling Harbor. At place called "Nick's Seafood Restaurant."
Oh boy, didn't take the camera with me. My fault again.
Though, huge dish was served.
For 2 people, big crabs, many fresh and cooked oysters, and huge lobsters!!!
Most of people leave the food because too much to eat them all.

I had to push myself as much... didn't want to leave any good food like that. Really.
Man, really made myself full.

Yes, I do admit that my diet is now planned starting early next week.

2-day-conference started in the hotel. 30-some people were together.
Do I know all of them? Not quite. I know about 10-some people.
At least I want to make friends with another 5-10 people.

Many presentations during the conference.
Due to the time difference, do I fall to a sleep then? Hmmm... didn't happened today.
Too many stuff to sleep in the conference? Hahaha.

For dinner, 6 of us got together and went down to the Rocks area.
Had seafood.
Spent 500 Australian dollars... WOW, quite expensive!

Had fantastic salmon fillet!!!
Of course, ate lobsters and oysters. Crabs, too.

Meaning lots of cholesterol? Hahaha. True. I will worry about it later --- as usual.
Great supper!!!

One more ay to go. Hopefully, no issues from the conference. Hopefully...

Arrived in Sydney! 2nd time in my entire life.
Hotel was okay... I was told that it would be much nicer than this.
A bit of disappointment. Really.

I got a room at top floor. Still somewhat don't like it much. Yeah, frankly.



Spent most of time in the afternoon with client who used to be a business consultant for a long time. Over the conversation, learned a lot... and defined that the industry am in is very interesting place.

Lunch was very easy stuff in nearby cafe. Coffee is very dark here. Called "Long Black."
Wait. What's long? (and what's wrong?)

Hmmm.

Supper was interesting because it turned to be a group dinner. I saw some client staff whom I met back in June... yeah in Beijing last year. Her boss and other people joined me... so it was big dinner. Lot of good pasta, etc.
Yeah, Italian, not Aussie.

Okay... ready for serious business starting tomorrow because of my full stomach.
Wish me luck!

Finally ready... yeah, my suitcase, which is just before me now, is packed and ready to go.
Somehow, I don't have same or at least similar confidence about this trip compared to all others from the past.
Why?

No particular reason.
Probably this is metal readiness issue... for me.

Anyhow, having this hunch... hopefully, this won't be realized next week.
Please wish me luck!

At least I am bringing my Canon camera with me like mentioned... I will have some easy time off after serious businesses get done! Yeah why not?

I would like to go up to Opera House for shooting. Maybe more.

Oh, better buy a travel guide book in the airport!!! Don't let me even forget that. I usually buy one before starting any trip. This time, didn't have chance to do so. See, different from all previous business trips. Hmmm.

Hi folks.
Japan now comes in to the three-day weekend.
Coming Monday is national holiday for the Adult Day celebrating those who turn 20 years old.

Unfortunately, I don't have such luck to enjoy those three days fully.
Remember? I have to attend the meeting next week in Sydney.
Yeah, Sydney... Australia.

Am leaving tomorrow. Flight departs tomorrow night and arrives in Monday morning. Meeting begins from Tuesday and gets done by noon on Wednesday. Some other stuff to take care... so I am coming back on Sunday (leaving Saturday night).

Hmmm... another week outside the country.

Haven't been to Australia for a long time... yeah, this is 2nd time...
It was a long time ago for sure.

I was a delegate from Ogaki to its sister city in Australia. I was then only 18 years old...
Wait. Meaning 17 years ago?

WOW!!!
WOW!!!!
WOW!!!!!

I definitely will take my Canon with me!!!

It's summer over there... oh BOY!

Man... I am pretty much stuck with work... I cannot be productive any further as far as I think at this point. I need some kind of escape plan... rather than solving the situation (BANG!). Well, I don't think I do have that kind of luxury.
Thus... what shall I do for that then?
Any advice?

Tonight after work, I had good time-off from the reality. Yeah, away from work... that's my point.
I had a little small reunion from previous work.
SIX of us got together over dinner table. From eight till time for last train of the day. Hehehe.
Didn't drink too much... kept talking instead. Yeah, good stuff.

That was just what I needed for myself... good relief!!!

All six of us were used to work together for logistic service provider company.
As giving acronym - SFLS and USPSCS... do these make sense? Hehehe.
Yeah, that company.

For now, just one of us still remain with the same company. Others moved forward to advance their careers. Surely, everyone is happy with what they do for now and proud of what they were together in the past.

Surely, it was great time then... when working together. Lots of memories.
No wonder that we kept talking... didn't feel like we spent hours. Instead, it were very short time.
Everyone, upon leaving for home, said each other that we would throw another one soon like next month.
One of us got assigned to be the organizer for next occasion.

Oh for lunch...
Took a taxi to get down to Akasaka area. Again? Took a taxi again like that? I know, I did. People around me insisted to go to "Shabusen" restaurant for lunch.
Yeah, same restaurant chain where we threw team dinner for year-end. Remember?
Different location... still we ate big pork dish.

Yum yum. Great stuff!!!

I will miss such great Japanese food next week because Aussie food is definitely different!

Yeah, got okay from the client that I worked at home today.
Did it work well for me? Became so productive?

To be honest with you, not as productive as I really thought... I even had to attend meetings via remote access... and lots of concerns that I had to face.

Originally, I wanted to concentrate on the production... Yeah, needed to produce some presentation slides.

From 10am till noon, got stuck with 2 meetings.
Took normal lunch hour unlike yesterday (!).
Another meeting followed.

See, don't have any moment alone!!! Need to concentrate working by myself!!!
That is pretty much why I chose to work at home TODAY!

Hmmm.

Didn't work the way I wanted it to be!!! Usually so, huh!

Had muscleache all over my body... Working out at home is now working? Hehehe.

What's up?

Unexpected meeting online delayed my lunch schedule.
This leveraged for totally new experience.

Let me be more precise.

I left work around 12:30pm or a bit later for lunch.
Because of different timing, today's lunch buddies weren't same either...

They and I took a taxi.

Yeah, taxi... for business destination?!

Of course not.

Just for lunch!!!

My God... very unusual. Took a taxi to get the favorite restaurant to eat famous pasta!!!

Totally new experience with 180-degree different concept.

Pasta? Yeah, it was wonderful... I like that place SO MUCH, too.

This may become my habit soon? Let's hope not.

Business is certainly tough... keeps myself so busy all day long.
However, it's under control.

Meaning that the quality of job is maintained at satisfactory level to my client.
Yeah, that is THE most important.

What about the personal?

Yeah, any progress about future plan?

Not quite (oh boy!).

For sure, the personal life isn't that positive...
Thus, I have to think the way to turn things around. Really.

A) Watch TV for Much Less

B) Work-out for some period everyday

C) Maybe I want to learn cooking? (Oh gee... headlines for CNN?)

D) Laundry at night on weekdays (same time from weekend)

E) Everyday morning show... now watch different program.

Yeah, some "changes" are here for sure. What's going on with me? Hmmm.

Wow, first day at work... Wait. Did I really go to work?
Hahaha.

The truth is...

Didn't show up to the work place today. Instead, I went somewhere else. Yeah, called "offsite."
We had team meeting outside the office. For the first working day of the year? Yeah, just like that.

Well.

The meeting wasn't that piece of cake for me, though.
My brain wasn't function as much as I wanted it to. Yeah, still warming up...
It had been rather turned off for 9 days or so... no surprise, then. Though, the meeting was surely tough. (BANG)

Any reward? Yeah, I should deserve!

Well, we had team dinner... as New Year party tonight. Man, ended up in the luxury steak restaurant. Originally, we were supposed to go to Korean BBQ place. Steak restaurant and BBQ place... both managed by single entity. Steak is yet more famous... thus we all agreed with each other that we ought to try the steak place first.

Hahaha.

This decision became so right!!!



escargot --- first time in my entire life to eat!!! Man, this was pretty cool! Loved them!!! (ate two)
Really great match with olive oil.

Great appetizer.



Filet mignon --- 10 oz. steak

Oh my lord... this is VERY tasty...



This was SO great... didn't take me too much time. See!

Bitter start with happy finish... full of stomach. Hahaha.

Call me crazy!
Am still eating a lot.
Yeah, last night's stomachache was NOTHING (BANG!).

After the movie, went out for Ramen noodle... another famous shop.
It's called "Ikkosha." Fukuoka-origin.



Men, this was another great bowl. MoonFlower liked this better.
For me, not good as first bowl.

It's okay... we have a difference!

Of course, bought several sweets as souvenirs to work.

Finally, tomorrow I have to resume everything to normal!!! Whether I like it or not... RIGHT?

Very rare to hit the movie in the morning like this.
From 9:30am... WOW! What happened?

In fact, I was supposed to see this movie last night... had stomachache... and postponed.



Anyway, the story wasn't quite like what I previously thought.
MoonFlower didn't like this much. For me? Somewhat.

I give C for this movie.

According to this week's box office sale, this is record start in December, huh. Very popular? This is only one to see for everyone? What a surprise.

2nd day in Fukuoka- Today's destination is Dazaifu to visit famous shrine for study. Yeah, VERY IMPORTANT to me.
I don't want to fail any other class... Wait. Have I ever failed any class?
Hmmm, don't think so.



This is my New Year prayer. What was my wish? Wait... cannot share that with ya.



Lots of people write their wish on a little wooden board and hang it to have their wish come true.




Withdrew a paper fortune. Wow, "Daikichi" - this is the luckiest. Wow, what to happen this year already?
Really so? Totally opposite? Hmmm, will see.



Famous sweets in Dazaifu - Really good!!!

Finally good food... good supper.




Restaurant called "Shoraku." It has branches in Tokyo as well. Must be really good... and it was!!!
This is "Motsu Nabe." Motsu is "viscera." Yet, this is good stuff!

Better check out branches in Tokyo area...

Hi, folks! Am fortunate to have the first (private) trip for 2008 already.
Destination? Fukuoka - yeah, domestic.



Lucky enough? Got ride on "POKEMON Jet." Yeah, this isn't new... but I have never got a chance like this. Hehehe.
Bid deal? NOT really.



Famous Ramen noodle bowl at "Daruma."

Yeah, Fukuoka is famous for good food... noodles and hot pot.
Lots of expect, huh!

Already time to be back in town... Yeah, it's always good to be "home."

Mother took me to the train station to catch Shinkanse (aka Bullet Train) - we went into coffee shop for breakfast just right before the departure.



This area is well-known for Morning "Service." In almost any coffee place in the area, they serve coffee along with mini-meal like in photo. This is what I got. No extra charge. Just for the price of coffee.

Amainzing, huh. Yeah, definitely good deal.

If you don't serve such in this area, you cannot even participate in the competition.
No such service means no customers to come.

Tough business...

Anyhow, I came home after that. Yeah, my New Year event is just over. Not bad... it was pretty good!

Being with parents over New Year didn't mean too simple this year.

Why?

Well. On the way home, I found the fact that my brother was already back home... along with his family... including new family member.

Precisely...

My niece was there.

She's still 3 months old or so... born on September 19th. Very young baby, still.

I came to hold her. Oh!!! I hadn't held any baby for a long time... 1st time in 10 years? Hmmm.

My parents were so busy around... taking care of their first grand child.
They better know that they cannot expect 2nd one soon... they better enjoy themselves as much as they can for now.

For me, I enjoy my free time otherwise.
Brought magazine and book home... including:

BRIO (fashion magazine)
Harvard Business Review
Book "How to Make Yourself Smarter"

So I had plenty of time for reading. Good deal. I should do something like this more often... while turning TV off.

Tomorrow, I will hit the road back to Tokyo.

A Happy New Year, 2008!!!



Woke up with pain in my neck (ALREADY?) - This year goes down with PAIN? Oh boy, this is bad sign... What shall I do? I hope this pain is to be the worst in this year (probably not).

First meal of the year... bread and coffee... What happened to the new year meal (aka Osechi)???
Too bad... I came to the first morning of the year ALONE. No Mommy around. That's why.

Yeah, it's my fault deciding to spend time home on New Year's eve. Yeah, I could have gone home... but didn't.

Lunch is some easy food with hot tea.
While everyone else is enjoying themselves with full of good foods, I am home alone. So what?
Anyway, I am on my way home... ALMOST.

Tomorrow, I will spend a day fully with Mom who prepared good stuff. I will overeat for sure.

Theme of the Year... is next topic here:

2006 - "Stimulation"
2007 - "Knowledge"

and this new year 2008...

"Modesty"

Yeah, this is the way to go for me... in 2008!!!
Wish me luck!