Monthly Archives: December 2011

Tokyo Stay – December 31, 2011, the Second Day

We had buffet for breakfast on the 26th floor. Then we came back up to our room on the 29th taking an elevator.  The lounge is in the middle of the 26th floor. From Shinagawa station, we took trains to Shimbashi, then to Odaiba. Odaiba is an artificial island created in Tokyo Bay. The Statue of Liberty in Odaiba was originally situated between April 29, 1998  and May 9, 1999 for the promotion of French culture in Japan. The French government later approved to make a replica, which was fabricated in France and installed at the same location in Odaiba in 2000. Good views are obtained from the shore.    … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Restaurant, Shops, Trip | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Tokyo Stay – December 30, 2011, the First Day

After a walk with Maya-san and breakfast with Katya, I was printing out new year’s cards till 1:30 PM at the office. Then we drove to my parents’ to leave Maya-san there; we are spending our holidays in Tokyo. We took trains from Shimosuwa to Shinagawa, Tokyo. We are staying at “Strings Tokyo“.    The hotel exists between 26th and 32th floors in a building. We stayed on the 29th. The room was not very large, but was neat inside.    The best part was the bath room, from which the night view of Shinagawa was seen. We went out to have dinner at “Mangia Mangia” in Atre  Shinagawa.    The … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Maya-san, Restaurant, Trip | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holidays started

Workdays are over. I was, however,  finishing a small scientific paper till 4 PM at home. I had submitted it online. Katya and I were planning to play tennis today, but found out the courts are closed during the New Year holidays. So we went out for a walk with Maya-san around Ryugaike Lake.    After the walk, we drove to “Fish Land Ishihara“. We bought two flying foxes. Katya dropped me off at a barber shop. I had my hair cut (too) short. I walked back home. On the way, I dropped by Avalon, a cake shop, to buy some cake. Katya and I had the cake for dinner. Katya was … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Maya-san | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Final Work Day of the Year 2011

Today is December 28, the last working day of this year. I needed to work as efficiently as possible not to leave my duties during the holidays. Therefore, I did not go back home for lunch this afternoon; instead, Katya brought a lunch box for me. I have finished a long scientific paper with a collaboration of an American professor working together in the same institute. He also helped me with correcting English of another paper.  I am finishing the latter paper now at home. I have not written New-Year cards yet. It will take some more time. When I have done with the cards, I will be ready for … Continue reading

Posted in cooking, Daily life, Katya | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Last tennis lesson in 2011

After the year-end cleaning of the institute, I feel as if my work this year had been somewhat over. On the other hand, there are things to be done before the holidays. So I worked during the day time. In the evening, Katya and I went to the last tennis class of the year at Kose Sports Park. There were three pupils and a coach. After the practice, we played doubles games. Katya and I vs. Coach and a girl. We lost. Katya was so upset; she cannot stand losing. We decided to play between us on the 29th. We will see who wins. I hope Katya will not be … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Maya-san | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Year-End Clean Up

I was working whole day in my institute cleaning up buildings and grounds with our students; this is normal in Japanese schools at the end of the year. Christmas mood is gone. I should have taken pictures, especially of gardens. All the gardens had been covered with dead  leaves. We used blowing fans and blooms to collect the leaves. Windows were all cleaned up, too. Well, the institute shines now. We are ready for the new-year holidays.

Posted in Daily life, teaching | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Chanmery Christmas

We had a light Christmas dinner with a German cake, Stollen and a bottle of Rose Chanmery. I bought a small glass vase.  

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Za Cherry Christmas! – December 24, 2011 -

Today is Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve. I worked till 5:30 PM and finished a paper. I came back home and directly went to downtown with Katya. We took a light meal at Starbucks. Then we went to an art theater, “Sakura-za“, meaning “Theatre (Za) Cherry (Sakura)”, for a Christmas Eve concert “Za Cherry Christmas!”. The program was given at the entrance.    I like the artistic interior and atmosphere, which Kayta does not care too much. Bar/Lounge, where people are allowed to smoke freely, brings us back to the 60′s. The inside of the theater is kept as an old Japanese one for classic plays. There are two thick, … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Shops | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Emperor’s Birthday

Today is the 78th birthday of Japanese Emperor, a holiday. Although I am against Emperor system, I admit that he is intelligent and thoughtful. He was suffered from mycoplasma pneumonia this year, and still seems to be weak.  Emperor is at my father’s age and Queen, at my mother’s. Hope he will be fine soon. In the late morning, we had brunch at Gusto. I had chicken cutlets and Katya, Caesar salad and a piece of pizza. In the afternoon, we were relaxed at home.  I took Maya-san out for a walk. Then we played tennis for one and a half hour at Yamanashi Prefectural Youth Center. Then we went again … Continue reading

Posted in Daily life, Katya, Liesure, Maya-san, Restaurant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Katya finished this year’s classes

There was a small party in one of Katya’s English schools. Katya’s work is over this year. She is very happy about it. Tomorrow is Emperor’s birthday. Although I am against Emperor System in Japan, I think I will take a rest and play tennis with Katya. People are trying to finish all works within this year to enjoy holidays coming soon; I had three meetings today with professors and researchers from companies. I will be working till December 28th.

Posted in Daily life, Katya | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment