March 31, 2006
modern and minimal
 I was taught to " save for the rainy days ". Since it is still raining and very cold outside,Im posting this pic I have saved for times exactly like this. I mentioned before that there are new trends of houses being built around here. This is an example. It is modern, minimal and yes, very simple. Me? I prefer country homes with a patio with a small garden. I am a country girl at heart although I grew up in the city. Tell me, what is your dream house?!
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March 30, 2006
off to work..?
 Woke up at the 6:45 a.m , made hot cocoa and began to think what picture Im going to post today. Since Im not going anywhere, why not take a walk in my neighborhood and see what's up. Opened my living room window and...voila...yuki..( snow ) Oh dear, another cold spell. There are even small icicles hanging from my newly renovated roof. Checked the thermo and its only 1 degree outside. I chickened out and so decided to take a photo from my window. This cute car happened to pass by. My roof is fixed ,thanks goodness but they have'nt dismantled the steps yet.
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March 29, 2006
fixin'
 My ears were aching from the banging of the carpenters that were repairing my roof. I went out and this is what I see! Fixin here and fixin there! Many roofs were damaged by the heavy snow from the past winter and since its becoming warmer, the neighborhood seems so busy. Took this a couple of days, today it is raining and cold again!
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March 28, 2006
~ humming road ~
 This is where joggers, walkers (?), and doggies meet. Some bikers too. Called humming road but it was only lately that I learned this road has another name. " Sakura no michi " or cherry blossoms road. If you look closely, the trees have new buds already. A few more weeks and this walk will be so beautiful, full of white and pink sakura flowers.
I almost forgot...., its my 1 month anniversary.
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March 27, 2006
junior high school
 I want to show you many things about Akita, and of course the people that lives here too. It is not easy to take someone's photo, but I try. This are 2 typical junior high girls. I was all wrapped up coz it is still cold but look at them, ahh..youth!! They have different reactions when they saw me, one doesnt look happy about her picture being taken , but the other one actually tried to fix her hair and gave me a smile. Thank you, girls!
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March 26, 2006
post box
 There is nothing special about this post box, it is just like any other scattered all around Japan. This particular one is situated in front of the small post office near my place. What I want to show you is the mark or sign on the box. The letter " T ", yet not so. That is the post's symbol. When you have a chance to visit here and come looking for the nearest post office or post box, just look for that sign. I wonder about the post signs in other countries, I can't recall having one back home.
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March 25, 2006
~ super karaoke ~
Do you like to sing? I do and so sometimes I come here, with my aibou and few friends. We holler and holler until our throat aches. There are many karaoke boxes ( thats how they call it) on Akita City and I think everywhere in Japan. Chose to take a photo of this one coz its a little old and not so modern. I like the turrets! There are rooms for 2, for small and big groups. The hourly rate is reasonable.You have to order food and drinks too. Trust me, singing can make you very hungry and thirsty. Some rooms ,you can even record your voice. There are also some songs in other languages .Took this an hour ago, about 2 pm and there are already costumers.., well its a saturday! Does your city have this kind of establishment too??
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March 24, 2006
where to...?
 An ordinary street. An ordinary older man ( ojisan) on an ordinary bicycle (jitenshya). Well, this is what life is on Akita City on an ordinary sunny morning!
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March 23, 2006
apartment 7
 This is the newest apartment owned by the city. The wood used here is Akita Sugi or Akita Cedar. Quite famous among japanese people. This apartment is not only nice but is also very cheap ! Not all can live here though. Those who earn below average and has some mouths to feed. Application at the city hall and the goverment will evaluate if they are eligible. Since there are thousands of applicants, they write the names of applicants on a paper and put it in a box. Now the boss, maybe the mayor will draw out a paper from it. Just like a raffle contest. If the residents salary increases and exceeds the allowed amount , they have to move out then they will draw another name again. Hope my apartment looks like this!
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March 22, 2006
" hop in "
 I know buses are almost the same everywhere on the planet. Somehow I would still like to show you my ride. Taken mid-day yesterday on my way to the sports club. I really intended to take a photo inside a bus so I sat at the very last seat at the back since I am too fearful to shoot from the front. So, is it any different from the ones in your place? Back home we have a" conductor",
the person who distributes ticket and ask for fares inside the bus.
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March 21, 2006
natural canopy
 This is one of the many ingenuity of japanese people. Using nature and enhancing it to their liking. Look how they trimmed that tree and made it into a canopy. Some shorter branches can hold itself but this particular one has a thin bamboo rod attached so the canopy will not break.
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March 20, 2006
~ mini ~
 Hah, had me panicked by blogger yesterday. Well, it seems ok now.
Although Japan produces thousands of cars annually, they also import many foreign ones. Being a small city, you would'nt see lots of them here aside from this one. Seems to be running around a lot. Mostly green and red ones. Cute cars! I would like to ask europeans ....and pls. dont get offended, that " Why do you make small cars like this, you big and tall people??! " I still remember Mr. Bean squeezed up inside it .
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March 19, 2006
~~ sorry ~~
It just does'nt work. Im giving up for today guys ! Hope tomorrow everything will be alright with my DP and to others that are having some sort of problems too.
Please forgive me if there is no picture for today! ~gomenasai~
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Im having trouble here !
Its almost time to sleep and I still cannot upload a picture!! I dont know what is wrong ! I will keep trying until I feel too sleepy to continue.
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March 18, 2006
~ mein anyone ~
 Was supposed to cook chicken last night but due to unavoidable laziness, ate out instead! My dinner........miso ramen with vegetables and egg. Topped it with lots of fried leeks and garlic...,hmmm yummy! Oishi....! Oh, for those who dont know, it is noodles.
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March 17, 2006
Noren...
 This is a small shokudo, or a restaurant. The place is not that special, just one of the many shokudos around. I want to show you here is that curtain -like fabric on the door. It is called a norehn. It comes in different colors and some shops have the names written on it. This noren looks a little old and faded already, promise to show a more beautiful one next time! When the norehn is not hanging, means the shop is still close. Only shops that serve japanese food hangs this nohren, like sushi bar, yakiniku, izakaya.
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March 16, 2006
where am I ?
 I mentioned in my earliest post that lately there are new houses that are imitating foreign designs. This is one of them ,though not a house but an office . It is nice to see structures with this lively color. I just dont know which type this is, european?, american? Im definitely sure this is not Japanesque.
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March 15, 2006
faster pls.
 Came upon this two girls on my way home the other day. The way they are enjoying the snow made me think that since I will be staying here for a long time, I might as well enjoy the winter season, too. Next winter, Im going to learn how to ski. ( I'd like to start with a sleigh ride first! )
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March 14, 2006
~ white day ~
 Only men receive presents in Japan during valentines day. From co-workers, classmates, friends and of course.., sweethearts. One month after, today March 14.., its their turn to give. Today " white day ", all ladies are gonna be counting their presents until the day is over. Mostly its cookies and cakes like this displayed at a famous local shop called " patiserrie stove ". Of course , they are expecting something special from their real partners. Me? I doubt I will get any but who knows?!
http://patisserie-stove.com/
more pics? click me/
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March 13, 2006
~ the colonel ~
 There are fastfood chains too here in our small city and this place is one I particularly like. The colonel usually stands by the door outside to great us, but due to strong winds today .., he is inside. Now you know what I had for lunch!
I wonder if the KFC stores in other countries have statues of the colonel ,too. I dont recall seeing one back home.
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March 12, 2006
just when I ........
 Just when I thought that spring has finally come...., Akita was covered with white, beautiful snow again today, and according to the weather forecast it will be snowing again next week. I cannot be complaining because I chose to live here. I just have to get used to the dark and cold season. The snow I like, but the darkness may take time because I grew up in a country where its always sunny. The trees along the road are pretty though when covered with snowflakes. Thats one sight I cannot enjoy back at my native country.
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March 11, 2006
Omedeto Gozaimasu !
 Happy Anniversary to Paris daily photo. Here is a treat for you, typical japanese afternoon tea. Times have change and there are many kinds of snacks now , this is the original..., they call this kind of snack "wagashi ". I think the "wa" is for really japanese , "yo " is for things , food that has foreign origin. This cute delicacy has its own name ( forgot to write it down). Made from a special variety of rice and inside it is sweetened mashed beans. No machine is used, each is diligently made by a shokunin ( artisan ). It is sweet so it is best paired with green tea. At first I could'nt get myself to bite wagashi because it's so beautiful. So Eric, douzo tabete kudasai ! (pls. eat ) And more anniversaries to come!!
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March 10, 2006
cars anyone?
 I guess you have noticed my pictures lacked color. That's how Akita looks like in the cold season. Come April or early May, sakura ( cherry blossoms) will flourish and many beautiful and colorful flowers will brighten up this place. For now , we have to satisfy ourselves with splashes of colors like this used-car shop. One thing I've noticed is that Akita people don't use bright colors in their homes and other things. They are more into earth tones.
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March 09, 2006
bicycles...
Took this near a small train station. You can see high school students who just got off the train. They are now collecting their bibycles that they left on the morning , this will now take them home. The picture on the right is a parking space for bicycles only. Each person is responsible for securing one's own bike because are many bike snatchers lurking. Some of my co-teachers who are assigned to visit schools away from the city proper leave their bikes here too, then ride the train . Me?? I'll wait till its warmer.
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March 08, 2006
careful grandpa~~~
 I should've been helping him than taking his picture. I felt a little guilty,you know. Me?, I prefer not to cross here with my bicycle. Going up is difficult, even if my bike is small it still is heavy. Going down is easier but,..more dangerous. What with the bike pulling you down ! Akita is a bicycle friendly city. Aside from pedestrian lanes, they have bicycle lanes. When its warmer I can go cycling and take more pictures.
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March 07, 2006
on a bright day....
 Welcome to my neighborhood. It is a glorious, sunny day today although temperature is only 6 degrees.Its not a charming neighborhood ,huh! You can see the mountains in the horizon,though. Snow is finally melting out there,too. I dream of living in a nice ,homey, quiet neighborhood. Right now I am in the heart of Akita, and living here has many advantages. (aside from car watching) I would like to show you a picture of my apartment (outside) but I decided against it. Maybe next time I move to a much better place.
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March 06, 2006
winter almost over..
The picture on top I took about a month ago. Akita was covered with clean , white beautiful snow. The winter season was too bad this year, we had heavy snow almost everyday and even the roof of my apartment was deformed due to the weight of the snow . Locals said that this kind of winter last occurred 30 something years ago. About 80 or so people died due to snow related accidents. Mostly senior citizens , so we really need a break. This past few days, its been raining and sometimes the sun shows up so the snow is finally melting. It rose to 7 degrees today. I think that spring is just around the corner, although other warmer parts of Japan are saying its spring already.The photo on top is somewhere in downtown Akita. You see, there is still snow on the sidewalks and also on vacant lots. On the far right of the picture is just one lot used to dump snow. Even the parking space at the city hall was used. It was my third winter season and was really difficult for me to go to work. The buses were always late. I hope that before the next winter I already have my own car .
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March 05, 2006
glass box and mobile phones
I always pass this telephone box everytime I go to the bus stop. Its not pretty or special in some way. Just a simple , lonely box made of glass yet it caught my attention one day. Can you guess why?? Well, ever since I moved here and almost everyday that I pass through this place ...,I never saw a single soul use this phone. Why would anyone want to ? Everybody has a mobile phone. And here in Akita, its not even uncommon to see someone with 2 or 3 phones. Even kids have phones ,too. So why dont they just remove this lonely box?? Well, I think that once in a while, someone might just make a call that he /she doesnt want to be traced back to him/her. The top photo ???, Well, just to let you know that in 3 years I purchased 3 phones. There is always a new feature in a the latest model so I always change mine . Hope to change this habit.
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March 04, 2006
banners
Banners like this are found everywhere in Akita. (maybe all over Japan) Some are colorful, others plain and boring but they serve their purpose well, which is advertising their wares. This is a banner of an izakaya. Izakaya is a restaurant that serves just about everything. From sushi to grilled fish, to barbeque and stew, and even sweets. They serve beer, cocktails and sake ,too.( japanese wine ) It opens only about 5 or 6 p.m. Salary men ( that's how they call men who works for a company and doesnt own a bussiness) stop by here with some colleagues for a drink or two and eat slight before going home. By dinner time, couples and friends and groups gather here and in the late hours , bartenders, club owners, exotic dancers and petty hoodlums are the regulars. I haven't been to this particular Izakaya , but since their simple banner attracted me I shall eat here someday.
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March 03, 2006
brightness,..for a moment
The sun showed its face today, but it was just for a few minutes and then.......back to dark , cold Akita winter. Took this picture near the station. It was nice to bathe in the warmth of the sun even for just a while. Even the trees in this picture feels the same , look how they seem to reach out to the sun. ( maybe its just my imagination ) How I wish for spring, then summer,..hah(sigh).
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March 02, 2006
gyudon anyone...?!
Last year Japan stopped importing beef from america due to bse. It caused such an uproar because japanese people love gyudon. Its cheap and very delicious and served in a minute. Gyu is japanese for beef, gyudon is rice topped with beef. Me, I prefer tondon, which is pork bowl. This small restaurant is called " sukiya " and its a short distance from my apartment. So, when Im too busy or just plain lazy to cook dinner, you can find me here. You can also order to go. The bse problem is not yet resolved so its aussie beef served in this place.
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March 01, 2006
a gate
Although most houses are modern in design, some even imitating european homes there are still those who stick to traditional ones. I am not so sure about the house beyond but that gate ( iriguchi ) looks old japanese style to me . There are also beautiful pine trees ( matsu ).
There are professional tree trimmers to hire if you can't do it yourself.
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I was taught to " save for the rainy days ". Since it is still raining and very cold outside,Im posting this pic I have saved for times exactly like this. I mentioned before that there are new trends of houses being built around here. This is an example. It is modern, minimal and yes, very simple. Me? I prefer country homes with a patio with a small garden. I am a country girl at heart although I grew up in the city. Tell me, what is your dream house?!
