Sturdy Hands Needed

A blurry photo of the Hanko, something that cannot be blurred.

When we use these on official documents the stamp has to be clear. If it's blurred, then sometimes you have to make the whole document over again.

Serious business, this hanko!

Rush Hour

Everyone is rushing home today...the Japan vs Paraguay game starts at 11pm!

Who would of thought Japan would make it this far? We were in such a sorry state before the world cup. But this just shows, you never know what will happen!

There was this funny article about many Japanese soccer fans were saying sorry to the head coach on twitter for all the things they said or thought before the tournament. I can tell you, I'm pretty sure none of them were nice.

As for me, they've come this far so I don't care who wins, just as long as they play a good soccer game. And here they come...!

Yum Yum Yum!

This was my parfait I had at the restaurant chain, Bikkuri Donkey.

A very Japanese parfait, filled with white dumplings, sesame seed rice cracker, and green tea bavarian cream. It was delicious!


Bikkuri Donkey (which means "surprised donkey") has a huge menu you can order from. It always takes me forever to figure out what I want. But that's okay because the restaurant is open from 11am to 2am, which gives me plenty of time to ponder over the menu.

Train Transfer

It kind of hard to see (my camera's zoom is still broken) but if you look very closely, you'll see a bridge over the station platforms.

The bridge connects the three platforms at Tokorozawa Station and people use it to transfer to different train lines.

The station is actually being renovated right now and when it's completed in 2012 there is going to be a new station building above the platforms. So I thought I'd take a photo of this bridge before it's torn down.


Click below for more lovely photos of bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges

Roof Tops

Tokorozawa is very much a residential area.

Some new residential areas are very spacious, but many of the older residential areas like this are packed with houses, local shops, and other small scale buildings.

Most of the streets don't have sidewalks so drivers need to be careful when they drive. Japan has so many twists and turns, not to mention how narrow the streets are, that I think we have some of the best drivers in the world!

Beautiful Morning

It's been a while since I was able to take a photo of the sunrise. But I was wide awake today.

Why?

Because Japan vs Denmark (World Cup 2010) was on live at 3am this morning, that's why! Japan played very well and I'm sure all the people who woke up early, or stayed up late, thought that it was worth it!

I'm very proud of Japan for making it to the next round! Yay!


Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Old Sign

Sougetsu-sou (蒼月荘) is the name of the apartment you can see in the back. The apartment is pretty old, built in 1989, but I like the handwritten sign!

There were pretty purple flowers growing around the sign. Brightens the place up a bit, don't you think?

A Crowd

A street artist at Prope Dori, working on his creation. He writes words or drawings for anyone who's interested enough to ask.

I liked this one below. The words written on it read "Aru ga mama ni iki ro," which means something like "Live just as you are."


There was quite a crowd surrounding him. Curious about what he was doing, a wide variety of people, ranging from small kids to grandpas and grandmas, were all trying to get a good look. Popular guy!

Before the Rain

Tuesdays are much much better!

They said that Tsuyu (rainy season) has come. But like always, the minute they say it's here, it stops raining. Not that I'm complaining!

And these hydrangeas will have to do without the rain for a few more days.

Tully's Teddy Tired

"I've got the Monday blues...," said Teddy.

Kaori nods. "Me, too."

From Afar

There is a bridge that leads to the intake tower at Yamaguchi Reservoir, also known as Lake Sayama.

The intake tower was built in 1934, the same year as the completion of the reservoir. It is said to be 35.2 meters tall, although you can only see 1/3 of it above water.

Would have loved to get a close up but only authorized people are allowed on the bridge. Darn.


Click below for more lovely photos of bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges

Code

This is a QR Code. It is on this Somei Yoshino Cherry Tree sign. This code can be read by most cellphones in Japan. When you read this code, it leads to a website about this type of cherry tree!

I've seen these codes around the city a couple of times. It's a great way to learn about things and places around the city through your cellphone.

I Heart Fridays

Do you see it too? Or is it just me?
I think someone up there has a crush on me. haha.


Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Happy and Full

I thought I'd post some photos of the wonderful dishes at yesterday's restaurant, Himalayan Dining.

This is their vegetable curry, which is not very hot at all. But you can ask them to make the curry more or less spicy when you order!


This is the cheese nan. You can eat this by dipping it into the curry or just eat it by itself. I love how munchy this nan is!


I forgot what this is called but my friends said it was really good. I think it's chicken. Spicy chicken!



They also had many local drinks from Nepal and India. Apparently this beer is popular in India. I prefer the Mango Lassi though!


After our unbelievably delicious meal, when we went to pay at the counter, they had a small plate full of sugar coated fennel herb. Have you ever tried this? I really like it. It has this minty taste to it. It can help digestion and also substitute as a breath freshener.


I'm going to be too full to eat anything for a while after this so I'll say Gochiso-sama! (Something we say after we finish eating in Japan, meaning something like "Thank you for the meal")


PS: I'm sorry I haven't been around to comment on everyone's posts lately. I will be stuck in the office for awhile but will definately be dropping by soon! Hope everyone is having a good week :)

Think, Think, Think

Himalayan Dining is one of my favorite restaurants in Tokorozawa!

They serve Nepalese and Indian food like curry (of course!), sukuti, nan, and my ultimate favorite...samosa! There are so many variety of curry that I never get tired of eating here.

I also like their interior design. If you look you'll find a lot of interesting objects decorating the walls. They even have books on India, Nepal, and the Himalaya Mountains sitting around for anyone who's curious enough to look.

And in this photo below...is my dearest friend trying to figure out what she wants to order from the menu. It's always a hard choice to make as everything looks so good!

Zakumi

Anybody a soccer fan?

Soccer is very popular in Japan, especially among younger children who grew up watching the J-League (Japan's Professional Soccer League). From what I hear, our team just barely made it to World Cup 2010 and not very many people are expecting them to make it to the second level. But the news is still all about the World Cup and many fans are rooting for Japan!


And at our local supermarket, I found Zakumi, the world cup 2010 mascot!

"The name ‘Zakumi' is a composition of ‘ZA' standing for South Africa and ‘kumi', which translates into ‘10' in various languages across Africa." (FIFA.com)


Japan's uniform is usually blue because we are an island surrounded by the sea. This towel seems to be really popular. There were only a few left.

Tomorrow is our first game against Cameroon.
Gambare, Nippon! (Good luck, Japan!)

It's Always the Pretty Ones

This is one of my favorite flowers. Especially the blue ones.

But did you know that Hydrangeas are poisonous?

Apparently, when you eat the leaves or buds, symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, labored breathing, lethargy, and coma can occur. I don't think I want to find out if it's true!

Under the Sun

Today was so sunny! Definitely the day to hang your clothes out to dry!


Take a look at different skies all around the world here.

Dorothy

I really love her shoes!

It was a great day to just sit around the park and read a good book. I wonder what she was reading?

Vertigo

It's just stairs that lead to a rental video store but I like looking down from this spot!

Hollywood Video is our local rental video, CD, and comic store...or was. It just so happens that they closed down today. I guess, with so many ways to rent or download movies online now, people don't need to actually go to the store anymore.

Pretty Princess

Isn't this the sweetest dog you've ever seen?

I forgot her name but she was the one who welcomed me into Chocolate Cosmos with an exuberant bark. She's definately the princess of the shop!

On the Lookout

Well, it's Sunday again. And I'm seriously running out of bridge photos.

So until I can find a new bridge in Tokorozawa, once again this is Asahi Bridge, from a slightly different angle!


Click below for more lovely photos of bridges around the world!

Sunday Bridges

Across the Street

This building reflects the other buildings on the other side of the street and the evening sky!

See other reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

Paradox

"The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world."

But then again, what would be considered a startling event, such as the sudden resignation of a prime minister, is no longer a surprise in Japan because it happens so often. Like yesterday. Again.

I think we'd actually be a lot more surprised if they were to stay in office for the full term. We'll see how the next prime minister does...