Eggnog? No thank you. I want Amazake!

In 10+ hours, we’ll be starting a new year! Another new year. Around this time of year, I always think back on what happened during the year. There are always happy, exciting, crazy moments and times, but at the same time there are also sad, hurtful and depressing times. If you have any kind of social life, you always seem to encounter people who live their lives only for the purpose of hating, complaining about things, and basing on others. Not knowing or not willing to understand just how hurtful they can be. But what I’ve learned over the years is to just keep my head up and keep moving on.
And I remember what my grandma used to tell me…

“There is always something nice about every person, and that’s what you need to look for. Be strong, so that you can be nice to others. And if you don’t agree with others, talk and work it out.”

I also learned from her that material things don’t always make you fulfilled and happy. Many Japanese girls and guys buy brands like Gucci, Luis Vuitton, and Prada. I would rather spend the money on a trip to see the other side of the world. Experiencing things and learning things are much more valuable to me than carrying around those bags. I always thank my grandma for allowing me to realize what’s truly important in life. I remember my grandma during this time of the year, and I pull myself together to move on to the New Year.

Tomorrow will be better day.

Today is the day you can make things better for tomorrow.

Have a great New Year everybody!

P.S. “Amazake” is what Japanese people drink during a winter season, so it’s sort of like egg nog here in the U.S. “Amazake” is made from “Sake kasu”, which is sake lees. My grandma used to make it, and oh boy it was good. It warmed me up during the freezing cold winters in Japan. Even though it contains a bit of alcohol, you really don’t get drunk with it. It has a different taste, so it takes some getting used to, but if you ever have chance to try it, you should hold your nose and sip it. Don’t ever try to chug it. You would die… seriously, just don’t do it. Anyways, It’s good stuff.

Hugs, and Kanpai! (Cheers)
Nao

Cleaning Day is Coming.....

Goooooood morning!! How is your day going so far?? Well, my day is.... what?? Why am I looking tired? It's because I was just thinking about the major cleaning day that I have to do this weekend.... My mom called me and she was going on and on about the cleaning thingy... In Japan, we have to clean up the house before new year comes. It is to show appreciation to the house where we have lived and it is a good luck to start new years with clean house. Well.... to tell you the truth, I felt bit lazy about cleaning my house this year, so I was like since I am not in Japan, maybe I don't have to clean much...haha. Some of you must be thinking that I'm too lazy... but if you see how we clean the house in Japan before new years, I bet most of you must feel the same as me and run away from it!!! You have to move around furnitures and sweep all the way, and take out all the dishes from shelf also!! It is unacceptable to see dust in the house after the cleaning!! Sight.... oh well, I have to do what I have to do, right? If you are interested in Japan, maybe you can follow Japanese tradition and have a major cleaning day like me this year!! Or.... you can come help me...hehe

Well, I have to get some cleaning supplies, so I will talk to ya later!!
Oh! In case I didn't get to say a word to you, I wish you for a very happy new years!!!!

Love, hiro

Twilight Zone marathon on New Year’s Eve - Nao

Well, there are only 4 days left till 2008. Are you guys planning anything fun for the New Year’s Eve? Hiro and I will be hanging out with our friends on New Year’s Eve. I think we’ll do some Karaoke too!

Karaoke is so much fun. If you live in L.A. area you should try out some Japanese Karaoke. There are tons of English songs too. The funny thing about a Japanese Karaoke place is that they have a machine that grades you based on how well you sing. Hiro and I usually bet who gets the highest score. The catch for this bet is that the loser has to pay for the Karaoke room. It’s about $5/ hour until 8pm, and after 8pm it’s $20/ hour. The price is different for each Karaoke place, but it could get expensive if you stay long. (Here is one Japanese Karaoke place. Check it out! Karaoke Max) So, you know we get really serious about this bet! Anyways, I think the machine is not really accurate about checking tunes and notes, but I think it does measure how LOUD you sing. And here is how I know about this…

There are so many English songs that I love, but I decided to try “Thriller”. Of course, I did the dance move! Oh I’m not gonna talk about what I think about Michael Jackson here, but let me tell ya, he does have great songs. So anyways, I sang Thriller. Keep in mind, I don’t know the whole song, but I sang LOUD. I also did little Michael shouts, like “Aw!” here and there. Oh geez, Hiro was dying laughing. I think she was crying from laughing so hard.

Guess who won? MEEEEEE! Hiro was pretty upset that her beautiful voice was beat by Michael’s “AWWW!”. Hahaha Well, this is how we know you’ll get good score as long as you sing loud. So, if you ever bet at Japanese Karaoke place, just sing loud:-p

Hope you guys will try a Japanese Karaoke place one day. It’s really fun. To make it even better, they bring food and drinks to you also.

Hiro and I also hope that we will see our songs at a Karaoke place one day:-)

Even if you have plans for New Year’s Eve, I think you ought to make time to watch the Twilight Zone Marathon on the Sci-fi channel! I love them! Yes, they are old, but I think they are all good. My favorite episode is with a guy who wears thick glasses and loves to read. Nobody ever lets him read though. He soon finds that he is alone on Earth after becoming the sole survivor of a nuclear war. As luck would have it, he comes across a library filled with books. More books than he could ever read in his lifetime. The show ends when he breaks his glasses just as he about to read the books at library… so sad.

Come back tomorrow for Hiro’s blog and Japanese lesson update!
I’ll talk to you guys on 31st! Email me if you have any questions!
Don’t judge, don’t hate!
Hug hug, Nao

Good morning to all of you with loves and cheers!!!! – hiro

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!!
My Christmas was very good:) I went to X’mas party with Nao and we had so much fun together!!
Did you get a lot of presents??? I hope you did!!
One of my good friends gave me a “Fuusui-neko”. Have you heard of “Maneki Neko” before?
Usually, people who own store or restaurants have this “Maneki Neko” in the store for a good luck.
“Maneki Neko” is looks like a white cat with red collar… and the cat will invite and welcome people into the store. Anyway, this “Fuusui Neko” which my friend gave me was for my own luck!!! It was blue cat and looks very cute. I had a very busy and tough year last year, so I assumed that my friend wanted me to have lots of luck!!!! How sweet, huh?? Well, I believe pretty much everything if it’s good, so of course I believe this “Fuusui Neko” will be brining lots of luck next year to come!!

Speaking of good luck, I feel that good wind has start blowing… why?
Because, nao and I had this wonderful opportunity to explore people all over the world through this blog!!! We are dying to get to know each one of you and I do hope you will learn who we are and become good friends! So, yes, please feel free to send us emails anytime!!!

Awwww…. I wanted to introduce myself today, but I’m running out a time to do so because I have to take off to work now…. So, let me introduce myself just little this time!
I promise that you will get to know me so much better as time goes on:)
My name is hiro, and nao is my best friend! I know you have known about Nao by now, but she is amazing girl with wonderful spirit!!! I’m more like…..well you will find out soon. Hehe
I used to teach “Shodou” to children before, and “Shodou” is one of my passion, so I am hoping to introduce “Shodou” to you later on this blog!!!! By the way, “Shodou” is traditional calligraphy in Japan, and many people believes that learning “Shodou” will give you a good and calm state of mind and also a good Japanese manner.

Oh shoot….I will be late for work so have to run now… well, talk to you soon everyone!!!

Loves!

hiro

I say Hello, you say Kon ni chi wa -Nao

This is my first blog entry, so I think I should introduce myself. I am from Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is a great place for anybody. If you like to party and be wild you should definitelly go to Tokyo. There are lots of clubs and bars that are open till 5am! Yes, I had so much fun there. BUT the best thing about Tokyo is that you can enjoy the beauty and prettiness of nature as well. Lots of mountains, rivers, trees, and so on. You can also see old temples too. You might think I am just a crazy girl, but I can enjoy these quiet moments of time in temples:-) OK, enough of Tokyo story, let’s talk about ME! hahaha

I love sports, especially basketball. I love surfing! And... I love eating any kinds of food. But I must say my favorite is Sushi and Japanese BBQ! Oh, sushi... it’s the best, don’t you agree? I love dogs. I actually have two miniature weenie dogs. I secretly (?) call them babies. Hehe What else...? I love music. I listen to rock, rap, pop, R&B, reggae, and well I listen to almost anything that fits my mood at the moment. I love singing in the car and in the shower. I know many people who sing in the car and in the shower too! I think it is just human nature:-)

Oh, I love science, math, and mysteries in the world. Speaking of which, I totally thought I saw a UFO last night. There was a bright light in the night sky, moving up and down erratically. I still don’t know what it was, but I am just glad that I didn’t get abducted. Hahaha

There are so many more things that I love doing, but I think I’ll talk about it some other time. I want to just say I am happy to be here, and looking forward to getting to know you guys! Thanks! Hug hug, Nao

PS. My current favorite song is Beatle's "Hello Goodbye"!
PS 2. Check back soon to read Hiro's blog!!!!