"Samurai" in the East end

Life in Japan (again!/...)

2009-04-28T16:41:00.007+02:00

It has been sooooooooo long time since I update my weblog last time.... I would like to say sorry, in case there's anybody who visited this weblog and to read my writing..

First of all, I just try to explain why I have decided to change the title of weblog.
The former title "Wandering in somewhere, somehow..." was to express my feeling in Sweden.
I hope anybody, who have stayed abroad with a good memory, can imagine the same feeling to some extent. I was feeling that I was always wandering, being released from my homeland.

BUT, the situation is different now, because I am in my home country again!
Anyway, I have been in Japan again(?) since this March, because, at this moment, I work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at National Institute of Material Science (NIMS) in Tsukuba, Japan.
Thus, I have decided to replace the title to the one which express my feeling better!

Then, why is the title decided as "'Samurai' in the East end" ??
I hope I can express about it later, little by little.

Today's song: "Kumonoue" by Ketsumeishi (Japanese hip-hop band)

Back from holidays in Japan!

2009-01-30T21:58:00.005+01:00

I has been in Japan for a quite while. It was really nice time! There were two guests visiting me, and in other days there were full of meeting (and drinking) with friends, relatives etc. etc, even though I was exhausted and caught colds twice....

Photos from there will be uploaded soon!

How have you spent your holidays??

Photo: Japanese sweets wrapped with nice packages @ the house of granma & aunt (left: Daruma, right: Shishi-mai. Both are Japanese traditional characters)

A Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-10T04:08:00.005+01:00

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! (= A Happy New Year, in English)

Even though it's a bit late, I upload a message here.

This year (2009) is a year of a cow according to Japanese tradition.
It appears that not every body knows about this custom in East Asia, so I will just a describe about a little bit. We have a 12 animals for year (mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster and dog), and it rotate every year.

As I was born in 1982, my 'eto' (year of animal) is dog!

Kôshônin (negotiator) - Mashita Masayoshi (2005)

2008-11-30T22:42:00.004+01:00

I watched a Japanese suspence movie "Kôshônin - Mashita Masayoshi (2005)". Kôshônin means negotiator in Japanese, and Mashita Masayoshi is a name of the negotiator in this movie.
It is the third movie from a Japanese popular series 'odoru daisousasen' in Japan.

I like very much the movie. The process to solving the affair are thrilling and very catchy.
As it is often seen in Japanese story, some details a little bit unrealistic......but it doesn't reduce the overall value.

It is the way of life of the persons in movie that is cool !!
(let's forget about just a small thing)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467462/

Today's movie: "Kôshônin (negotiator) - Mashita Masayoshi (2005)"

The last thing to do is "Biochemistry" !

2008-11-30T22:30:00.004+01:00

This is the last task of my Ph.D study. I am reading this textbook in the day and night.
It is indeed really interesting textbook, (I learned how the our skin, cartilage, feather of birds and scales of fishes and reptiles are made of etc.)

but 1116 pages are long way to go....I hope I can manage within this year....

Today's song: "Desaparecido" by Manu Chao

Ph.D thesis printed out!

2008-10-22T23:03:00.004+02:00

Ph.D thesis printed out!

The last event standing in front is public defense on (Thursday) 30th October!
So now I got to go for preparing...

Today's song: "That smile" by David Lanz

MidSummer in Sweden (Midsommar i Sverige)

2008-07-01T21:46:00.003+02:00

Maybe I wrote this last year as well, but this Celebration of MidSummer is very very big in Sweden.
At the noon of midsummer day, Midsommarstång (a cross with two rings with flowers and plants) are bring it up!
And start sing and dance around. It sounds somehow strange to people who heard first time.

but After experienced the dark and cloudy Swedish winter 3 times.
I can actually well understand how it's nice to be in Summer and drink a beer under the light in Sweden ;)

Today's song: "Små grodorna" (= the little frogs)

Traditional lyrics in Swedish*:

Små grodorna, små grodorna är lustiga att se.

Ej öron, ej öron, ej svansar hava de.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,

kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,

kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

English translation:

The little frogs, the little frogs are funny to observe.

No ears, no ears no tails do they possess.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,

kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

Kou ack ack ack, kou ack ack ack,

kou ack ack ack ack kaa.

*from wikipedia.

Photos from Bergen, Norway

2008-06-07T22:13:00.007+02:00

Here's photos from Bergen, about one month ago. The weather was great all the time there and tour going through fijord is something really one "must go"!!!

Also the City of Bergen has many things to offer, cute town, green mountains just facing to the sea and really tasty seafoods :)!

Today's song: "Release me (The Attic Remix)" by Oh Laura

Eurovision2008 in Belgrade

2008-05-29T22:33:00.008+02:00

But it doesn't mean I went to Belgrade, I just watched this on TV with friends.

This is a music competition, among the delegate of each country in Europe! (Like European Championship football etc!?)

However, the delegate are not really the top artist from each country, and also due to voting system, number of immigrant in that country is very influential etc.
European people doesn't consider it is not really fare and serious competition.
(e.g. it is somehow funny always Germany gives high points to Turkey, because there's very many Turkish immigrant in Germany and they vote to their home country...)

Especially to see, which country give a high points to which country,
gives a lot of insights about relationship between countries and very interesting...

by the way, Why don't we have a ”AsiaVision” in asian countries. Thus it might be fun to have such a kind of things. I think at least area of FarEastAsia and SouthEastAsia, we have a lot of things we can share.

Honestly, I think this is the effect of "European Union" to make people feel, they are European.
Nowadays border and mentality among European countries are getting lower and lower.
Whereas in this aspect of globalization, I feel Japan is far behind from Europe...

Eurovision 2008 CD

Description of Eurovision Song Contest in wikipedia

Today's song: "Baila el Chiki-Chiki" by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre

Present from Japan!! (Books)

2008-05-29T22:11:00.004+02:00

I have received books from Japan! from my sister. Thanks a lot!!
I think we have a similar teste on books so I am very looking forward to reading them!!

Shabake series (fantasy. humans and specters of samurai age of Japan)

Today's song: "Hero" by Charlotte Perrelli

Ekeko from Bolivia!

2008-05-18T22:35:00.004+02:00

I got a present from my friend.

It is "Ekeko", which is Bolivian figure.
It's a doll of person who have a full of prosperities!
(House, food, alcohol and so on)

and He likes drinking so I was told to invite him to a drink as well, so that he will help our prosperities house!

Maybe I should give a book and ask him about my study as well ;)

Ekeko

Today's song: "Supernatural Superserious" by R.E.M.

PittCon2008 in New Orleans

2008-04-19T19:41:00.016+02:00

About one month ago, I have been to PittCon2008 (59th Pittsburg conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy) in New Orleans, USA.

It is one of the most largest expo. and conference in Analytical Science.
The problem was the conference was tooo big and tooo many sessions were going on in paralell.
Therefore, there were not too many audience in my presentation....although, I could talk with some other researcher after the session.
Some sessions are really interesting and there were many very famous people there. That is quite interesting.

However, the most astonishing part was the huge booth of huge number of companies.
The floor was so huge that it is almost impossible to look all the places. Anyway, it was very interesting to see a lot of expensive machines and advertisement of new gadget for experiments.
Also visiting to Louisiana State University was very pleasant. Thanks for all the people who hosted during my staying!

Today's song: "Supernatural Superserious" by REM

Convention Center

The mascot of Louisiana State University (LSU), "tiger"

Louisiana's special dish "Meat of Alligator"

Wien, Austria 2007-2008

2008-03-27T23:04:00.008+01:00

I was pointed out that I haven't written anything about Austria in my blog yet,
(from my friend from Austria, who hosted us in this New year days.)

So even though it's a bit late I decided to upload them here!

In Wien there's a large New Year Festival "Silvester" and dance Waltz after the new year comes!

Today's song: "I Fell In Love With The DJ" by Che'Nelle

Daft Hands - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger !!

2008-03-18T00:27:00.004+01:00

Hummm, good idea and also very very skillful!

If you liked, See also

Brasil 9. Café da manhã -Brazilian Breakfast-

2008-02-23T19:10:00.002+01:00

It has been a while after I haven't written about "Series Brazil", actually I still have something I would like to add!

Breakfast = Café da manhã in Brazilian Porutoguese (literaly, coffee in the morning).

There if someone ask you "Café?" and if you say "Sim"(= yes),
they will not serve you just a coffee,
but with bread and all the breakfast menu! (well, I was surprised several times, since I was usually the sleepy and forgot about this fact each time...)

At hostel in Foz do Iguasu, 2007, August.

Also I would say the breakfast in Brazil is quite unique. As similar to other country which carries western custom, there's a coffee, bread cheese, ham and small amount of fresh vegetables,
but the special thing is there is always some sweet cake and fruits are coming together! e.g. watermelon, papiya.

One quote from a groupin facebook "You know you're Brazilian when..."

"Your breakfast consists of milk and coffee, bread with butter and a piece of cake."

Today's song: "Shadow of the day" by Linkin park

A PhotoNews from Japan! A Dog going to Buddism!

2008-02-15T23:06:00.002+01:00

Please check it our the article from a Japanese Newspaer in Okinawa "Ryukyu shinpou" .
("Ryukyu" is the old name of Okinawa, "Shin" is New and "pou(or hou)" is reprot)

http://ryukyushimpo.jp/news/storyid-30559-storytopic-5.html

This is not a CG, it is a real longcoat Chiwawa in a Japanese temple in Okinawa!

Today's song: "Is it you" by Cassie

An synhponic and nostalgic sound, in a street of Venice

2008-02-03T22:45:00.000+01:00

When I was walking a street of Venice, suddenly I heard a sound that I have never hear before.

The sound had somehow metalic tune, but it was obviously not made by synthsizer nor computer programed instrument because the sound was so synhponic and it reached my ears so naturally.

The performer was a young man with nice looking clear-cut face, and the instrument was semispherical rounded metal. He hit the metal with both hand with gloves.

It resonate very nostalgic sounds and caught me for a while, and it was very beautiful and amazing sound.

PS. After the performance, many people were asking what kind of instrument it is.
And the answer was this is special instrument is a product of Switzerland and it is produced only 100 pieces per year.

The Traveler IQ Challenge!

2008-01-19T16:38:00.000+01:00

The Traveler IQ Challenge by TravelPod

This is a fun game(?), I sometimes try in a free time.
It's a quiz to answer the asked place on map, but this is somehow addicitve ;)
(and also educational to learn world geography, isn't it??)

I know this from facebook application but itseems now also possible to play on Travelpod's website.

But Playing this game on other sites enables you to:

Save your high scores
Compete against your friends
Create your own challenges
Play 1,000's of challenges created by other people

Internet Radio!

2008-01-13T20:24:00.001+01:00

As a New Years Gift(?) for myself, I bought a New "Internet Radio"!

Besides playing FM radio stations, this can connect to Wireless Internet connection and play Internet Radio Stations!

It means, without starting a laptop, I can listen to Radio from all over the world (from Japan, Italy, Brazil, Thai land etc, wherever!)

Sounds from the speaker is cool and I liked it!

Today's song: "My cool" by Adam Tensta

The Four Truths of the Storyteller (in Harvard Business Review)

2008-01-07T00:12:00.000+01:00

Probably it is more ordinary way to start this with pictures of Italy and Austria, during this vacation,

but I have just read a very exciting article. Thus I decided to start this year with the topic about, "the story to enrapture its listeners."

The article is "The Four Truths of the Storyteller" by Peter Guber ( Dec 2007. Harvard Business Review)

The author,
>Peter Guber is in the business of creating compelling stories: He has headed several entertainment companies--including Sony Pictures, PolyGram, and Columbia Pictures--and produced Rain Man, Batman, and The Color Purple, among many other movies.

and
>For a story to enrapture its listeners, says Guber, it must be true to the teller, embodying his or her deepest values and conveying them with candor; true to the audience, delivering on the promise that it will be worth people's time by acknowledging listeners' needs and involving them in the narrative; true to the moment, appropriately matching the context--whether it's an address to 2,000 customers or a chat with a colleague over drinks--yet flexible enough to allow for improvisation; and true to the mission, conveying the teller's passion for the worthy endeavor that the story illustrates and enlisting support for it.

>In this article, Guber's advice--distilled not only from his years in the entertainment industry but also from an intense discussion over dinner one evening with storytelling experts from various walks of life--is illustrated with numerous examples of effective storytelling from business and elsewhere. Perhaps the most startling is a colorful anecdote about how Guber's own impromptu use of storytelling, while standing on the deck of a ship in Havana harbor, won Fidel Castro's grudging support for a film project.

It's worth to have a look if you are the person, who have to deliver a talk frequently, and also please feel free to ask me about the issue of magazine!

*The text quoted with ">" are descriptions published online by Harvard Business Review

Today's song: "Boa Sorte/Good luck" by Vanessa da Mata e Ben Harper

A Happy New Year 2008!!

2008-01-05T00:04:00.000+01:00

This is a year of 2008 and Year of mouse in Japanese custom,

This weblog has nearly last for one year, although sometimes I was too lazy or too busy to update....

I'm writing weblog for a quite personal reason,

So to say, for training my skill of expressing things, but I hope some of topic or article is interesting for you too! So I will try to continue even if the pace get slow....

Anyway, I wish a joyful and delightful 2008 to all the people around me!

PS. the illustration is from Japanese website Paper museum.
(Click for downloading in high resolution, which fits to the postcard size(11cm×7.5cm) at 200dpi, it's a free for a personal use. Also other versions are here)

Novel Prize in Physics 2007: This was the answer to the question "why can we carry 20GB of musics and photos in such a small iPod!?"

2007-12-15T00:10:00.000+01:00

Some time has been passed after I updated weblog last time! It ws unbelievably busy these days...
However, Winter vacation is coming soon! so I don't complain..
This year I will go for skiing to Alps so!!

I still have some topic about Brazil Series, but I will write about something else this time.

The Novel Prizer in 2007 was announced and ceremony was done!
This year, the prize in Physics was awarded to Albert Fert and Peter Grünberg, for their discovery of Giant MagnetoResistance (GMR).

In fact, this was the one of the topic in the course where I attended this Spring.
This phenomena was about the large (Giant) effect of external magnetic field on electric-resistance of certain nanoscaled materials.

This property was applied for reading head heads of harddisk drives. By following the changing of electric-resistance of this materials (which is at manufactured at the top of read heads in the case of hard disk drives), it is possible to read out the magnetically "written" information. Since read heads based on GMR realized more sensitive reading out of magnetic recording at the smaller area (than traditional Electromagnetic induction). Density of information per are of hard disks have been dramatically incresed!

This was the answer to my question why we can carrying a 20GB of musics and photos in your small iPod! (Surely there's many other developments of technology are contributing!)

I can remind that a hard disk of 120MB which I did use at my house 15 years ago was much bigger than iPod!

When I hear this kind of story, I feel science is not only interesting but also cool!

Today's song: "Heater" by Samim.
(comment on the song: the catchy melody of harmonica(?) with tricky rhythm makes you move body without noticing!)

Brasil 9. Café da manhã -Brazilian Breakfast-

2007-11-07T21:59:00.002+01:00

It has been a while after I haven't write about "Series Brazil", actually I still have something I would like to add!

Breakfast = Café da manhã in Brazilian Porutoguese (literaly, coffee in the morning).

There if someone ask you "Café?" and if you say "Sim"(= yes),
they will not serve you just a coffee,
but with bread and all the breakfast menu! (well, I was surprised several times, since I was usually the sleepy and forgot about this fact each time...)

At hostel in Foz do Iguasu, 2007, August.

Brasil 8. "Capoera"

2007-11-07T21:56:00.001+01:00

Brazilian Martial art!!

Dynamic and acrobatic! The "Capoerist's" iron body but flexible muscles are really art!
And it was funny surprise that our tour guide suddenly started to join the Capoera and act there!

Btw there's one thai movie "Tom Yum Goong", where you can enjoy the action between
Capoera vs. Mue Thai(Thai Boxing)

It's funny and action is great, Check it out!!!

Brasil 7. "Coco"

2007-11-07T21:45:00.001+01:00

Something you can't forget in Brazil is "Coco" (coconuts). At the small shops at the every corner, we can buy fresh "coco" with 2 reals (7 SEK, 0.8 euro, 120 en)!? Crash and open up the top of hard shell and drink a juice with straws. After finishing to drink juice, you may ask to chop out all the shell! You might say "Why?" It's because the white layer of inside of coconuts is also very sweet fruit to taste!!

Left, In Rio, I was focusing to take picture of "Quiosque" (= Coco stand(!?), the small food store just on the beach line), then the funky guy in the shop was running out to get in the photo, :D.

I like Brazilian people, hahaha!

Today's song: "Love is wicked" by Brick And Lace.
(comment on the song: the sounds of clapping hand in a rhythmical tempo is very cool!)

Brasil 6. Parque Nacional do Iguaçu / Parque Nacional Iguazú

2007-10-19T00:10:00.001+02:00

One of the most famous waterfalls, Iguacu waterfalls are located at the border of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
The main touristic points are located on Brazilian side and Argentinian side, namely, ParqueNacional do Iguaçu(Brazilian side name in Portuguese) and Parque Nacional Iguazú(Argentine side name in Spanish)

Brazilan side offers the best view of the largest water fall.
After a walk to on the catwalk under continuously falling splay of water,
I could see the magnificient view in the middle of huge amount water flows!
Around the waterfalls, we can see "permanent" rainbow in many places!

In Argentine side offers long hiking path and many other view from different angles!
After a walk to on the catwalk under continuously falling splay of water,
I could see the magnificient view in the middle of huge amount water flows!
Around the waterfalls, we can see "permanent" rainbow in many places!
And view of waterfall from the top is just impressive and I'm just astonished by the power of the waters!! It was so pity that I couldn't stay there too long time, because I and my travel mate arrived there about the closing time of the park....

Brasil 5. ônibus e Kombi

2007-09-26T22:35:00.000+02:00

As you know, Rio de Janeiro is very huge city.
It is not strange even it takes 2 hours to move from one side to the other side of the city. It is really huge city. In the morning and in the evening, there's a rush hour to have a heavy traffic jam. It's quite similar to Tokyo in some way.

However, there's one thing it make two city very very different. that is public transportation "ônibus" and "Kombi".

ônibus

ônibus is a so to say ordinary bus, but there's a so many different lines and it is quite tough for new comers to know which bus goes to which place.
(I heard even local people can't know if it is the place not familiar, therefore it's nessecary to ask the route etc.)

Kombi

Kombi is a small wagon for rather short distance, and there's a incredibly huge different lines!
I felt like a if you know the proper "Kombi route" you can arrive exactly in front of everywhere!
And this in the case of Kombi, they are rather running by private bussinesses, therefore, probably nobody in the Rio knows how many lines do they have! lol!

I was just impressed to see my friend jumps from one bus to another bus and changes the lines from one after another and manage to arrive the exactly the place where she want to go!

The last funny thing(at least for me) was the fee of "ônibus" and "Kombi" was always fixed, regardless to how long you will travel(costs 1.5-4 reals, 0.5-2 euro, 80-300 JPY, usually).
Therefore I travel for 1 hour from center to outside and I paid 2 reals, sometimes I paid 1.5 reals for 5 minutes...

Today's song: "Glamurosa Rainha Do Funk" by Mc Marcinho

Yves Larock

2007-09-17T22:06:00.000+02:00

"Yves Larock"
is My recent highly recommend artist. Music is sort of party music (house?).

As well as swinging and catchy sounds, he produces nice music videos!
Check it out!

Rise up! the scenery and the acrobatic and comical performance are quite cool!

http://www.yveslarock.com/

Today's song: "Rise up" by Yves Larock

Brasil 4. a description by a famous businessperson

2007-09-15T01:04:00.000+02:00

"Brazil has an aspect which strongly attracts young people. This country has been keeping on changing but still it is in a changing"
"Brazil has a huge country, rich nature and resources. In that meaning it has large a potential."
"but when anybody tries to start things, they do recognize that it is very difficult to proceed the things there"
"then they ask "Why it is like?" with disappointing, but in the end they are attracted to the fascination the country"

by Carlos Ghosn, present President of Japanese car industrial company "Nissan".

カルロス・ゴーン経営を語る (日経ビジネス人文庫) (文庫)

The reason why he has words to Brasil is because he was born in Brazil until 6 years old and also he worked in Brazil for a few years.

He is one of the most prized bussinessperson, because of his outstanding achievement in reconstruction of "Nissan" since 1999. (at that time, Nissan stayed mired in the red, 7 times for the previous 8 years...)

PS.
He has a very interesting history in his life, so I just listed a part of it (ref. book above)
He was born in Brazil as a sun of the family
whose grandparents (of Carlos Ghosn) are from Levant.
However, he and his family moved to Levant when he was 6 years old and went to a school where education was carried out by a method from France. After highschool he left Levant and entered the one of the most famous school in Paris, "École polytechnique" and "Ecole des Mines".

After school he started work in the huge tyre company "michelin" in France as an elite candidate,
Assigned a the president of the branch in Brazil of "michelin".
Assigned a the president of the branch in USA of "michelin".

Headhunted by the French car industrial company "Renault"
Due to affiliation of "Renault" and "Nissan", Carlos Ghosn came to Japan! for a reconstruction of management.

Brasil 3. Rio Scenarium - One of the Top 10 bars of the world -

2007-09-09T09:53:00.000+02:00

In one week end, my friend took me and other friend from Russia to the Bar "Rio Scenarium".
It locate in a area called Lapa. "Lapa at night pounds to infectuois Brazilian rhythms, its night clubs and bars teeming with locals and tourist alike (by The rough guide to Brazil)"

The place my friend took me was very cool place, indeed the place. Indeed, Rio Scenarium is listed in between the top 10 bars in the world ;)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2006/nov/28/bars (information by Ayla)
Although we didn't know it was written in many articles etc... when decided to go!

Very nice atmosphere was there with live music and building decorated with antique things.
It's very interesting and funny that even old TVs or bicycles etc are used as a decoration and it is not at all strange!

Today's song: "Weather with You" by Crowded House

Brasil 2. Praia -Beach in Trancoso-

2007-09-07T00:58:00.000+02:00

In fact, August in Brazil is not in Summer. It should be a winter but such a kind of things a nothing to do with NorthEast of Brazil. Water is more than warm enough to swim and weather was great to take a sun! It is always the best place to relax.

Pictue, Beach in Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil

Some more pictures are uploaded in Flickr as well!

Today's song: "Tesouro Do Pirata (Onda Onda)" by Axe Bahia

Brasil 1. River of January - Rio de janeiro -

2007-09-06T00:26:00.000+02:00

The trip to Brazil (Brasil in Portuguese) was just great experience.

but on the top of everything, I really really like the city of Rio de janeiro.
As it is seen any big city, it is very lively atmosphere; noisy and very cloudy traffics, so many numbers of buildings and people, and also possessing certain problems such as crimes etc. The scale of city is just huge.

However, the one of the most biggest things which differs the city of Rio de janeiro from other city is on its unique topography. Rio de janeiro consists of the mosaic patchworks of the modern buildings and beautiful coasts and steep rock shaped mountains. All those amazing things are in the one place!

The high building is standing even in front of the long straight beach, but it doesn't lose the energy emitted from the active city, but that cloudy and rushed city doesn't lose the cheerful and swinging atmosphere of the coast side. I could never imagine such a kind of things can be mixed and melted into one place and each atmosphere can still brilliantly remain there.

It is not only beautiful, not only lively, not only chaotic and not only swinging. I had just impressed that this city make such a impossibly fusion of the everything.
I have also nothing to say the mood and landscape in the coasts in the time of sunset.
It was more than beautiful or picturesome and I even can not find the expression for it.

Pictures. all in Rio de janeiro

Today's song: "Aquarela do Brasil"

2 weeks Vacation in Brazil!

2007-08-16T13:04:00.000+02:00

I'm leaving for vacation in a few minutes.
This time desitination is Brazil!

I will nearly finish all my holiday for this..! but who cares!

See you everybody and have a nice Summer time!

Conference in Torino, 2007

2007-08-11T17:57:00.000+02:00

I have just come back from a conference "IUPAC Chemistry Congress" in Torino, Italy.

There were presentations and discussions about "typical" chemistry.
but also some special themes

"Chemistry Protecting Health, Natural Environment, and Cultural Heritage"
were featured.

It was probably because, the place, Italy is a country which has uncountable historical heritages. It is actually very far away from what I am doing but a few of presentations I saw were interesting (Although I was more listening to the other themes...)

The view of Torino, Italy

Lingotto Conference Centre (August 5-12, 2007)
*Formerly the building was a factory of Italian automobile industry"FIAT"

The main venue "Audiｔorium"

There were several famous scientists and there were many things I can learn from them the way to present or talk the works as well as scientific knowledges. It was interesting to see that one famous professor was even showing a magic during presentations! :)
Overall, it was a eventful time and I enjoyed the congress together with the every day's Italain Pizza and Pastas!

PS. Friends and everybody! hosted me in Rimini and Torino, it was really nice time and I'd like to say thanks here again!! Hope to see you again somewhere!!

Today's song: "Gli Ostacoli del Cuore" by Elisa feat Ligabue

"Sprit of the Wild"

2007-07-30T01:57:00.000+02:00

Today I was talking with my friend and
We recognized that three of us are independently saw the same photograph exhibition!
http://www.stevebloom.com/

The one all of us were amazed were the photo of "swimming elephant"
http://www.stevebloom.com/pages/animals/2.html

A Monkey in a Japanese hot spring is my another favorite.

Today's song: "Longing/love" by George Winston

Biomedical Nutrition

2007-07-12T23:07:00.001+02:00

Today I participate in a experiments in the department of "Biomedical Nutrition".

The topic was tasting of Ketchup!
There was 6 ketchup. I tasted with or without bread and answered about questions.
(e.g. spreadablility, looks, texture and taste etc) It was funny.

I think it will be great with sausage but there wasn't this time.
(but it will be in next month!!)

Also I found very interesting poster about subject there.
According to it, there's three kind of Potato chips in the world,
One is "Acceptable chip", "Chip with spots" and "Unacceptable chip!"

What do you agree with the categorization in picture above??
That's all for today :)

Today's song: "For Boston" by Dropkick Murphys

Colors of the sky at dusk

2007-07-08T19:41:00.001+02:00

It was a very nostalgic? sky on Thursday.
I pick up my new camera and went to the top of a hill near the house.

I've never seen this color of the sky in Japan and I guess it's more typical in high-latitude areas.
It is very impressive, although we have a very strong red sky typical in Summer.

It's a nice scene for practicing of photographing.

Today's song: "America" by Razorlight

Ramen : with Cha-shu- (boiled pork) and vegetable

2007-07-03T01:27:00.000+02:00

We had guests so I cooked a Ramen (a Japanese food : noodle) today.
It was good than I expected so I wanna write here not to for get the recipe.

Recipt: Noodle with cha-shu- and vegetable

1. Cha-Shu-
a. Tighten pork meat (block) 1 kg with strings.
b. Fly the surface of meat on a pan (strong heat 5/6)
c. Put Green part of Green-onion(1 stick), Garlic(half piece) and Ginger(one piece) in a cold
water and warm up until it starts boiling.
d. Put the meat into. c. and boil together for 40 min

e. Prepare sauce by mixing 2 cups of Sake and 2 cups of Soy Sauce and boil until alcohol
will evaporate.
f. Transfer meat from d. to e. and boil for 1 hour with a weak heat.

g. Cool down in a refriege with the sauce.

2. Boil a egg and soak in the same sauce as Meat.

3. Cut the white part of green onion into long-thin slices and brief ly cook it by passing the
boiling water

4. Vegetable
a. Cut cabbage (half of large), Carrot (large, one), Paprika (yellow or Red) into block the size
of one bite and Green onion(white part into small pieces)
b. Fly green onion on a pan with oil
c. Add and fly vegetable in the order of carrot, Paprika andCabbage.
d. Season with Salt and pepper

5. Cook the noodle and put them together and eat!!

Ingredient for 4 portions,

Noodle and Soup
Pork meat (block) 1 kg
Green onion, 1 stick
Gerlic, half piece
Ginger, 1 piece

Cabbage half large, or 1 small piece,
Carrot, 1 stick
Paprike, 1

Today's song: "Believe Me" by Fort Minor.

in an organized way, in an efficient way and to be creative

2007-06-30T14:44:00.000+02:00

This is rather a note for myself.

I think I changed in many ways after I came Sweden. On of the biggest things I start to thin k about "the way to work" (e.g. "how to spend a time", "how to be a creative").
Hardworking is not only the way to dissolve the problems.

Yesterday, I was studying a Statistics and solving calculation exrcise with a pen and a piece of paper. Then I recognize that the writing way on the paper is so unorganized and it took so long time to figure out the mistakes, when the answer is not correct....

Actually this was first time after come to Sweden to do this. So I felt something strange feeling since I never though about this when I was studying in childhood until University in Japan.... Now I clearly know that if I write in organized way, I can save a lot of time and I can do other things (= working efficiently!)

There's two interesting books which recently I read and coincidently it gave many interesting insights on ideas above, although they doesn't say exactly the same thing. I read books in Japanese but the original ones are both in English so please have a look if you are interested in.

Get Better or Get Beaten!: 31 Leadership Secrets from Ge's Jack Welch by Robert Slater

日本語版：　ウェルチ―リーダーシップ・31の秘訣
ロバートスレーター (著), Robert Slater (原著), 仁平和夫 (翻訳)

A Technique for Producing Ideas (Advertising Age Classics Library)　by James Webb Young

日本語版：アイデアのつくり方ジェームス W.ヤング今井茂雄

Video from you tube : guitar

2007-06-27T23:50:00.001+02:00

I heard this from friend!
This is amazing !!

Midsommar i Falsterbo!

2007-06-26T20:04:00.001+02:00

If you live in Sweden, everyone should know that Midsommar (Midsummer) is a very very big day to celebrate. It means drink and get drunk.
It was raining in the morning but afternoon was very nice wather!

We went to beach in Falsterbo (South of Skane!) volleyball, Frisby, BBQ and camping.
Was it funny?? Of course!!

Falsterbo information
http://www.falsterbohorseshow.se/

White Sand beach in Falsterbo

Still bright at midnight....half moon was in the sky

Must Item: superMusicBox!

Today's song: "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice.

Season of Good bye - See you my friends! -

2007-06-19T22:39:00.001+02:00

In Lund, Christmas time, Spring and Summer is a time to say good bye to many many friends every year.

Lund is very international city and you can meet not only Swedish friend but also people from all over the world! but They are typically exchange student, diploma student, guest researcher/student for collaboration project and have to say good bye after being nice friends for a while...

However, that's a actually very real life of a researcher. It's sad to say good bye to friends but that's the life meet and separate.

Keep in touch my friends!! hope to See you again!

Picture. Table of the good-bye party.....

Today's song: "Painted By Numbers" by The Sounds.

New Camera!

2007-06-11T00:20:00.000+02:00

I finally bought Nikon D-40, a single-lens reflex type digital camera, with zoom and standard two lens.
I still don't understand functions so I have to learn a bit. but anyway pictures I tried so far look very cool!

For a while I may take picture everywhere! Pls give me nice place with a beautiful scene,
and give me also ideas for nice/funny/tricked pictures!

NIKON D-4o websites
http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/digitalcamera/slr/d40x/sp/index.htm

Have a nice weekend!!

Today's song: "Don't stop" by ATB.

Recent biggest discovery!

2007-06-03T23:52:00.000+02:00

Recently I found I can buy very very fresh and delicious Tuna fish in Lund!

I cooked Sushi with that it was nice.
And the day after I cooked another dish called

"Maguro no zuke don" = "Seasoned Tuna on Rice"
This was also great taste. It was unexpected happiness!

Picture : Maguro no Zuke (seasoned Tuna) & Smoke sarmon Donburi (on rice)

Recipt:
1. Cut Fresh tuna into thin slices
2. Mix soy sauce(tbs 1+1/2), sake(tbs 1), and mirin(tbs 1/2) in a bowl and soke tuna and keep it friege for a while
3. Cut naganegi (green onion) to long and thin pieces and rince and cold water and drain.
4. Put rice into "Donburi" (deep bowl shaped) Place drained tuna and sprinkle sesame and sliced
naganegi.
5. Eat! By your taste, more soy sauce and wasabi may be added (optionally)!

Ingredient: (2 portion)
1. Tuna 150g
2. Rice
3. Naganegi
4. Sesame
5. Soy sauce
6. Sake
7. Mirin
(8. Wasabi)

Today's song: "Nothing in my way" by Keane.

Pictures of Poland Uploaded!

2007-05-27T12:18:00.002+02:00

After a weekend trip to Poland, I came back to Lund on Monday morning and started work agiain! (of course).
It was great trip to nice cities with nice companies. I did perfectly refresh myself and (perhaps because of that?), my experiments starts to work as well. :)

Tasty food, nice drinks and friendly peoples, I like Poland!

Pictures from the trip were uploaded on my picture storage at Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38613202@N00/

So far I placed 88 photos and 285 views were recoreded. (= Impact factor 3.25??)
I'd like to say thank you to everybody who visited my page!

Today's song: "Nice Weather For Ducks" by Lemon Jerry.

Firefox 2.0!

2007-05-21T23:06:00.000+02:00

Since website of internet banking required me to update, I installed a new version of web browser Firefox (Ver 2.0) !

And what is amazing is Firefox is getting faster and faster by each version up!
This is very impressive,
since "ordinary softwares" are getting heavier and slower by version up....
(unless you can buy new and powerful computer all the time...)

Also with opening and quickly jumping between the several pages with Tab browsing function, you can improve the efficiency of operation!!

If you have only used Internet explore and haven't tried yet, I recommend to try it once!

Today's song: "Destination Calabria" by Alex Gaudino.

English site
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

日本語サイト (Japanese)
http://www.mozilla-japan.org/

PS. I'm glad to hear some commens on following text,

PS. Although Internet Explore started to support tab browsing function from the latest version(7.0) but still firefox is still far superior in speed!
and although there's many other good browsers (Opera, Sleipnir etc), firefox have advantages in variation of plug-in etc.
PS2. perhaps there's even faster one, for example if I'm using a linux..

Going to Trip!

2007-05-16T19:04:00.000+02:00

We are heading to Poland, since this weekend is long weekend again!

I worked busy for while but it saw some nice news as well, great!

I will update everything after come back!!

Today's song: "POPEYE THEME" by Me first and the Gimme Gimmies.

Reformers of big companies "TOYOTA" & "Panasonic" - 1

2007-05-06T23:33:00.000+02:00

I read a two books which I bought in Japan.

One is a book about former company chairman, president of "TOYOTA motor corporation"
”奥田イズムがトヨタを変えた”

The other is a book about former company president (present company chairman) of "Panasonic"
”中村邦夫　「幸之助神話」を壊した男”
Mr.Okuda and Mr.Nakamura, both managers are called as a leader who reformed ”a flagging big company” in this past decade. In fact, TOYOTA and Panasonic, both recorded quite good profitabilities of the companies in 2007 and their management expertise are more and more drawing attention.

At least until recently, famous "heroes" of Japanese bussiness world were always entrepreneur manager, who founded a company and succeeded as a company manager. In contrast, Mr.Okuda and Mr.Nakamura are, so to speak, reformers. It might be one of the reason that those books gave me very new and interesting impressions about "contemporary" company managements.

The situation and methodology of two are common in some part and different in other parts.
For example, management's rationalization, adaptation of "Japanese company" toward globalization, speed up of decision making and implementation etc are noticed in both.

I'd like to write a little bit more about each details in following posts.

Today's song: "Knock 'Em Out" by Lily Allen.

Marine Biotechnology!

2007-04-26T20:49:00.000+02:00

There was very fascinating and interesting presentation in my department today!
One professor from Denmark, presented his project in "Marine Biotechnology".

He joined a project organized by Danish government and there many researchs from a broad range of fields and sailer's had sailed a oceans for total more than 6 months period.
He said "he was diving to collect many samples and study in the small lab in the boat day and night!"

and "the experience there cruise sounds very very great! (both scientifically and also personally)"

And it was actually his dream when he was child to sail away to the ocean to study biology there!
(Since he is actually the expert of protein science, and it was the first time for him to ride a boat and stay for a long time on the sea.)

His message the ending were,
"Biotechnology is not only the things in the lab, but also there's a lot of things outside to be found!"
And also "Never give up your dream"

It sounds very fascinating, doesn't it?

A package from Japan!

2007-04-17T23:32:00.000+02:00

Yesterday a package from Japan has arrived!
It left Japan on 18th of January and have been traveling far way up to Sweden after 4 months !!!

(Well, it's very very and too long time even though it's by sea way to save the cost....)

The reason it was sent by sea was because conponents are heavy. Mainly they books which I couldn't carry with me.... because I have too many things to carry to Sweden back..

1. "World soccer digest", a magazine about world fooball, a full of articles with deep insight!
2-3. "Number", a sports graphic magazine X2, magazine about sports pictures and articles are very cool! (more emphasizing on artistic part than world soccer digest?)

I think those are already out of dated... although they have cool pictures and articles...

4. "Brutus",trend magazine? Topic was "attracting culture of Japan, the new spots we do find on abroad"
5. "Title", art culture magazine? Topic is best selection of DVD 595 titles!

+ 2 textbook for my study.

So problem is I have to find a time to read them..... Let me start memorizing slides of presentation for course...

Today's song: "Take me back to your house" by Basement jaxx.

Egypt! Cairo-Luxor

2007-04-14T11:40:00.000+02:00

Since last Friday and Monday were extra Holiday for Easter (Påsk),
I made a trip to Egypt with my colleague! We visited Cairo, the neighborhood Giza and Luxor.

The pyramids were so huge and just surprising when we stand in front of it.
Temples in Luxor were magnificient as well.
Many old painting in tombs in Kings' velley were another impressive things.

People are very friendly and also kind when we need a help.
However when they are on business they are very very cheeky sometimes.
It's a sort of adventure when you go shopping.
You always have to be tough negotiator because you don't know how many times more expensive money you are paying.

It's very nice adventure to the many new culture, things and atmospheres.
Some other pictures are on picture storage so please have a look too!

Today's song: "How to Save a Life" by The Fray.

Running days!

2007-04-04T00:44:00.000+02:00

Friday : BBQ at friends house
Saturday : Louisiana Museum for Moderne Kunst (art) /Kronborg Slot (Castle) in Denmark
Sunday : Trip to Ven Island
Monday : Booking hotels etc for Egypt travel, and last minutes ecperiments

> The exhibition in Louisiana was marvelous. I was pity it's not allowed to take pictures insides.
Landscape of garden there is beautiful as well!

Louisiana

> In Ven Island, Walking in the fields under Sunshine.
After eating, taking a nap a while.
Playing football "Italia vs All world (Japan, Brazil and France)"
we managed to win the match in 4-3!

Nap on the beach.

>Surpringly we could find a private room in hotel with 40 SEK for one night.
(4 euro, 600円 in Japan)
The cheapest domitory was 9 SEK.
(90 cents, 140円 in Japan)

> It was very power holiday. Tired and bad shape on muscle on Monday....
however, we have to fix the things for a trip and complate some experiments in the same
time....
I was running a experimet so it was until midnight...
but I don't complain since it is before vacation to Egypt!

Trevlig Påsdagen!/Happy Easter!

Today's song: "Certe Notti" by Ligabue.

+ 15 degree C !!

2007-03-25T22:46:00.000+02:00

Time is changed to Summer time on this Sunday.
Above all! it seems to be really Spring has come to Lund now!

The sun is shining and the temperature today is + 15 degree C!
That's the thing we were waiting for!

Today's song: "Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head" by Burt Bacharach.

Picture gallary of presents

2007-03-22T23:08:00.000+01:00

I have got so many presents and message cards for my birthday! and also several cakes and a lot of wines and drinks!
There were all nice presents! Some are fashion! Some others are practical! Some others are funny....!?

As you can see below, what a fantastic creativity is behind of them!
Thanks every body. I'd really like to say this here again!
I'm really happy and really enjoyed :)

Today's Sicilian sentence: "Ti taglio la faccia a parabola"

I forgot to take a picture but first one I got, was Chocolate sweets, "Brigadero"!
It was very tasty!! Thanks!

Shoes dryer! The very big surprise I would say. I even didn't imagine such a kind of machine exist...

Book of "Brazilian Cooking" from my friends who know that I'm gonna finish all the recipes in my old cooking book. I like it! (maybe this is another pressure to cook for them??)

T-shirt from Adidas, nice border line and color!

Beer opener with sculpture disign from China!

Now I drink tea with it. However, socks is of funny design....

A book written by Dan Brown, the author of "Da Vinch Code". I heard about this before but I haven't read yet. Let me read!

This one was another suprise!
T-shirt with Sicilian words, "Ti taglio la faccia a parabola"
What does it mean? It means "I cut you like a parabora".....
Yes, as you see, it's very bad slang....

However I guess it can be a nice joke. If I go to Sicily in the future, I will ware this for sure.
I hope it's not dangerous to do so.

Birthday week!

2007-03-18T19:25:00.000+01:00

13th of March was my birthday, by the way.
now I'm 25 years old.....
and I had a birthday party last night.

Thanks a lot for a lot of celebrating messages and presents.

I was a bit drunk in the end and I missed chance to say thanks last evening.
Here I'd like to say thanks again!

Today's song: "Girlfriends" by Avril lavigne.

My mobile phone lost some parts....

Iceland pictures uploaded!

2007-03-12T00:31:00.000+01:00

I uploaded pictures in Iceland on "Flickr".
(It's funny almost the same spelling flickar means girls in Swedish...)

Which picture is your favourite?
Please have a look, choose one and give a comment!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38613202@N00/

Today's song: "Grace Kelly" by Mika.

Le lion est mort ce soir (The Lion Sleeps Tonight, French version)

2007-03-12T00:30:00.001+01:00

Supplyed information by Steabert!

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

2007-03-07T19:25:00.001+01:00

In Iceland, we were singing (screeming??) a song "Lion Sleeps Tonight by Paul Simon"
However, according to Wikipedia, that song was originally old folk song in South Africa. It has been covered by many singers The covered version by The Tokens in 1961 rose up No.1 in US chart.

I attached two movie from web in previous articles,
One is The song by Tokens with dolls dacning and
Another one is Beatbox it's incredible all the sounds come from him!!

Enjoy!

The Lion Sleeps Tonight 2!!

2007-03-07T19:22:00.003+01:00

Lion Sleeps Tonight!

2007-03-07T19:21:00.001+01:00

Iceland! Iceland! Iceland!

2007-03-01T09:19:00.000+01:00

Last weekend, I went for a travel to Iceland with my friends!
Iceland has very picturous natures and it was amazing trip.
There's too many thing I'd like to write, so for a while I will keep up writing about in Iceland one by one.

For today I just put some pictures.

Songs of the trip:
"Lion sleeps tonight" by Paul Simon
"Boten Anna" by Basshunter
"She'S Madonna" by Robbie Williams Feat. Pet Shop Boys

座頭市 - Zatoichi -

2007-02-19T23:55:00.000+01:00

This weekend was a bit busy weekend but with full of fun!
Going out to Malmö, concert in a boat im Malmö harbor etc.
There're a lot of things I wanted to write but let me start from movie "Zatoichi" by Takeshi Kitano, which got Special Director's Award in 60th Venice Film Festival.

It's a story about blind swordman. As you can imagin from the title, this Sword Action Movie is a bit bloody because swordmen are people who fights each other.

If I describe the movie with a few keywords, "Sword action" with "traditional Japan flavored by dance and music". and "Jokes" appears from time to time is a nice spice of this movie.

Actually Takeshi Kitano is one of the most famous comedian and I met many foreigners who knows his TV show "Takeshi Castle".
People who likes show like a "Jackaas". You should check this as well!!

座頭市　公式サイト (Japanese ver.)
http://www.office-kitano.co.jp/zatoichi/

Zatoichi Official website: English ver.
http://www.office-kitano.co.jp/zatoichi/en/index.html

Today's song: "Summer" by Joe Hisaishi. (a song from movie "Kikujiro" filmed by Takeshi Kitano)

HANDS GRAND PRIX

2007-02-17T11:30:00.000+01:00

"TOKYU HANDS", which I mentioned in previous article, hold a competition of the handcraft every year as well, namely HANDS GRAND PRIX (Hands Taisho in Japanese.)

The concept is "Think by hands, find by hands, create by hands",
and awarded works there is just amazing!

Some are really detailed art and some others are very impressive by its idea. Sometimes they are nice by its sence of humor!

Be creative and realize it by our trained "hands",
Actually exactly the same thing is important to discover and apply new knowledge into practice in Science and Engineering! Isn't it?

Check it out (click on pictures to see in large picture)

20th HANDS GRAND PRIX (in Japanese but it's no problem for all to take a look of picture!)
http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/awd04.htm

Be creative! express yourself in your own way!

---------
Translation from HANS GRAND PRIX website,
Since human being started to stand up by two legs, hands are independent from legs and gained a freedom. First they met with tools, learned how to handle a fire, made a thing, and society. In our present-day, we have a full of usefulnesses.
However, instead of that there's somthings we forget.
It is the way you express your things in your own way
To put in one word, it's your "hands"

HANDS GRAND PRIX started in 1983 (just one year younger than I!) under the slogan of "Think by hands, find by hands, create by hands",
and we are seeking and discovering unlimited possibilities of human "hands" once again by each of us.

TOKYU HANDS!

2007-02-16T08:18:00.000+01:00

Today I'd like to write "Japan" series again,
The building in picture is "TOKYU HANDS" in Ikebukuro (in Tokyo).
It is a department store of DIY tools etc! with a huge variation of things.

From practical things to very stupid things.
It is very nice place to find practical thingfor you office, for example, you can see the number of pens and makers lined up there! and this is just a part of it, in fact.

And Stupic thing, look at the last picture. You will find a SUSHI and Nudles etc, but they are all fake and they actually eraser! (you can'e eat...)
Well, please don't ask "What it is for?" It's a just for a fun. Why don't you have a eraser looking like food and decorate your desk!

American 3 - Persian 1

2007-02-12T23:08:00.000+01:00

I wrote American 3 - Persian 1, but it's not a score of game or critisising about political conflict between those countries...

It's a cat in my house in Japan. It is cross of American short hair 3/4 and Persian cat.
It looks almost like American short hair but the hair is very soft like Persian and the neck looks very thick because of long hair.

Characteristics:
1. a great sensitivity against good fish.
2. bravely attack and try to get a fish on the table (when it is good)
3. good at climbing a tree but bad at come off from there...

Today's song: "Numb" by Jay-Z & Linkin Park.

AKIRA

2007-02-06T08:19:00.000+01:00

I watched a Japanese Anime movie "AKIRA" by Katsuhiro Otomo, which is a sort of SF action story in the near future world.
Since I've been in Lund, I have had a so many chances to be asked "Have you watched AKIRA?", but I've never watched it before.... It seems to be very famous on abroad!

In fact, it is famous and called as one of the best masterpieces in Anime movies in Japan. At least I knew the title. However, it is not such popular in major level (popular among so called and criticism and subcultural level) .

The visual effect etc. is simply amazing cool. That was my impression after I watched "Akira". Particularly the actions with motercycle are "Must check items"!! I could see why this movie was praised by so many.
Furthermore it is surprising it actually is released in 1988!
Although, some part of this movie was also a little hard to understand for me as it is frequently seen in Anime movies... nevertheless, this is not critical for this movie! Because it is cool enough in other points!!

Check it out!

PS. Maybe it's a type of movie which is favored more by boys than girls...

Official webSite (Japanese)
http://www.bandaivisual.co.jp/akira/index2.html

Hydrogen production

2007-01-30T19:34:00.000+01:00

Now I'm warpped with writing a report for a course. The deadline is end of January, it means almost no time left, wow!

So That all for today. I have to go back and start writing!
Writing a 20 pages of report is a little tough and tiring task....
However, it's actually a very interesting topic.

Since last year one of the most famous car companies, BMW, announced their new "hydrogen-based car" and the plan for the mass production of the non-CO2 exhausting car!
Still there's many hardles until they will spread out to the real world, but such a challenging and directing of car industry is giving a good impression for a future world, I think.

Hydrogen energy has a potential to shift the energy sources from fossil fuel, which has limited amount of deposite, to a new sustainable sources.

If anyone is interested in, please check it out!

News in English
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/16/hydrogen.cars/

日本語の記事　: News in Japanese
http://www.drivingfuture.com/auto/bmw/u3eqp3000000jvrk.php

Asakusa and wishes

2007-01-20T11:07:00.000+01:00

In the same day when we visited "Tsukiji", we headed to another touristic spot "Asakusa".

We walked under a famous big lantern of "Kaminari-mon" (Thunder gate) and passed through the lively "Nakamise street".
At the end of the street is the "Sensou-ji"(temple).
Folllowing a Japanese tradition, I threw a coin and prayed a wishes of 2007 to god!

It might sound to straight that we "pay" for wish but anyhow it's custom and that's the way we do. In honest, this's not seriously religous.
However, I still like this way. It's not too bad to pray our wishes in our mind and imagine the wishes come ture, isn't it?

Today's song: "Where'd you go?" by Fort Minor.

Tsukiji - a big fish market

2007-01-11T07:25:00.000+01:00

Tsukiji is a big fish markets in Tokyo.

So as to purchase a such fine fish, a huge amount of people gether and very busy and lively fish trading is held early in the morning. (4-6 o'clock !!)
That's how the fresh fish can be served at restaurants.

After sightseeing of the central market, we went to the public opened area of the market where you can buy or eat fish or dishes (with fresh fish, of course!).

We tasted a bit expemsive but very very delicious "Maguro-don". Which is fresh raw tuna fish served on vinegared rice. Such a great teast is the really speciality of this place where fish can be served earlier than anywhere else!!

Today's song: All 'Bout The Money by Meja

TSUKIJI MARKET ASSOCIATION Homepage: http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/

Nikko

2007-01-10T08:56:00.000+01:00

I visited to Nikko on 2nd-3rd of January with my family.

Nikko has many beautiful place to offer but one of the most important spot must be "Nikko sannai" area, where you can see a temple, Futaarasan-jinnja, and two shrines, Tosho-gu and Rinnou-ji (including the part of Taiyuin-reibyo).
The buildings with red green and golden decorations in Tosho-gu and Taiyuin-reibyo are beautiful and very impressive.
Indeed, Nikko is a very popular touristic place and you could see many visiters from abroad.

Official website of Nikko tourist Asssociation: http://www.nikko-jp.org/index.shtml

A Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T18:46:00.000+01:00

A Happy New Year!
It is a boar year according to Japanese (Chinese as well?) calender. We can see so many figures and painting of boars in Japan now. (Animals in past three years were a Monkey, a Rooster and a Dog)

Btw, my time in Tokyo is running (money as well....). I bought so many things. Mainly, electric appliance and books.
For example, I ordered glasses. The picture below was seen in the glasses shop.
I hope I can show my new face with the brand new glasses soon!

There's too many I'd like to write here, but I will keep it for another day.
Because it's already midnight in Japan and I have to wake up tomorrow for a trip to "Nikko".
So that's all for today!

I wish a great year 2007 for all the friends :)

Tokyo!

2006-12-26T17:39:00.000+01:00

I arrived at Tokyo on 25th in the morning. After almost 1 day trip.
Copenhagen -> London (2h) + London ->Tokyo (10h)
We left London on 24th (Christmas eve), so in-flight meal was Turkey sausage. The taste was...
Anyway, now I'm in Japan and it's time to enjoy Japanese foods as much as possible. Thus I don't complain about food in airplane.

In fact, it's been after 1 after 4 months absence for me to visit Japan. Things in my hometown, Kiyose-City, is slightly changed. There's new shop opened and some are closed.
First Japanese food I ate was Gyu-meshi. It's a sort of a fast food but something I was missing..

Today's food: Gyu-meshi (beef - rice) at Matsuya.

Boiled onion & thin sliced beef served on the top of rice. Good taste and also cheap.

---------------------

25日の朝に東京に着きました。ルントの家を出発したのが朝の４時なので丸１日以上の旅行でしたな。ちなみに、飛行機でないではクリスマスイブということで、ターキーのソーセージみいたなのが出てて、まあ、味は、、、。ということだっただけど、それ以上のクリスマスだからといってなにもサービスとかは無かったです。
ちなみに、地元の街では近所に新しいケーキ屋ができて好評だとか。駅からの途中の道でも３軒くらいテナントが入れ替わっていて、この移り変わりの早さはやっぱ日本だなあと。
ルントなんて、この２年間ほとんど街並は変わっていないもんなあと、思ったりしたわけです。

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-23T22:47:00.000+01:00

Merry Christmas!
I wish you all the best things in this holidays, and 2007.

So I will start packing a bag for leaving to Japan....

Today's song: To Nem Ai by Luka.
--
メリークリスマス！

今も研究室で、論文の整理中、、。
これから日本帰りのための荷造りをはじめます。（明日の朝の出発は朝４時、、、。）
それでは、良いお年を！

Christmas Table

2006-12-20T23:58:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, 19th of December, we had a department "Christmas lunch" at a restaurant in Kivik.
There's many Swedish traditional Christmas dishes on the table and you can eat as much as you want.
If somebody told me as much as you want,
I usually eat as much as possible... At the end I was feeling bad on the way coming back because of too much food in the stomach...
Anyway, it's nice to taste a various kinds of marinade fish and Hams.
I ate enough Christmas dishes until a next Chrismas table in 2007, I think.

By the way, time is running and the day to leave for Japan is coming soon.
Let's rush up and hopefully I can compele the work in this year.

Today's song: Rock with you by Inner Circle.

Hello! Hello!

2006-12-17T18:03:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking of starting a blog for a long time, but I have never managed before.
Well, it's because I didn't have time to do. Ok.. it's just an excuse.

In fact, I have just exhibit some pictures on flicker websites since a few month ago. I'm glad if you can have a look and tell me what you think,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38613202@N00/

Of course, I have many things to study and to work but it's nice to express things around me in my spare time. There's so many interesting things to me since I'm a sort of a watcher from another country. So finally I decied to starting up! I hope I can keep update here on.

Since the end of the last month, Sweden (perhaps most of European countries) have been in the mood of X-mas. This candles were at the Kulturen (Swedish Folk cultural Museum in Lund).

Merry Christmas and a Happy new year!