Days 683-689 <{ }> Sunday-Saturday, January 31-February 6, 2010

Days 683- 689 <{ }>
Sunday-Saturday, January 31-February 6, 2010


Day 683 {}
Sunday, January 31, 2010

Went to church. It will be the last time it is going to be held at this location. Next week they will change the venue. I then dropped a friend of mine to a hair dresser in the area.

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Day 684 {Surprise Dinner}
Monday, February 1, 2010

After work, this guy that works at the city office in my area called me and invited me to dinner with his friends. I gladly went because my apartment was getting boring. He however wasn't too sure where I lived, so when I went out of my apartment, I saw a car with hazard lights flashing... I went in the car, which a lady was in the driver's seat and a guy around the back. They both jumped in shock as they weren't sure who I am... The guy who called me was looking for me in the total opposite direction... He then came in the car.

So I went to the house of the lady who was driving and met her kids and her husband and another guy... We talked, drank and eat... and it was fun...




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Day 685 {}
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Went to the Tuesday English conversation thing at the college in my area after work today. One of the members was doing a presentation on his trip to Cambodia. It was all Japanese so I only understood about 30% of what he said... I need to take up studying Japanese more seriously... I am here almost 2 years now but I can only speak a little.

I then collected a CD from the coordinator with pictures that were taken of me at a dinner last December.

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Day 686 {New Visa Rule} ***
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Nothing worth mentioning happened today.

So the Japanese Government wanted every body to take their national insurance. This would include us foreigners and depending on how long you live in Japan, you will also have to pay a somewhat hefty back fee... This is in addition to about US$150 per month. they want to make it mandatory for us to pay or our visa probably won't get renewed. However here is hope now.....


The Immigration Bureau is planning to change a new guideline for foreign residents to ease concerns that those without social insurance will be forced to choose between losing their visa and entering the insurance system, a bureau official said Monday.

New visa rule on insurance to be deleted

Aim is to ease foreigners' concerns

But some foreigners warn the move won't be enough to entirely free them of the risk of being forced to enter the insurance system.

The wording of the guideline, which is to be enforced April 1, currently stipulates that foreign residents must present their health insurance card when reporting changes to or renewing their residential status. It is the last of the guideline's eight items.

"The bureau will delete item No. 8 by the end of March, and 'lightly mention' the need to present a health insurance card in the introductory passage of the guideline," Immigration Bureau spokesman Yoshikazu Iimura told The Japan Times. "The wording will be in a manner to eliminate foreign residents' concerns that their visas won't be renewed if they don't have insurance."

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100202a1.html

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Day 687 {Black Passenger Yellow Cabs Book}
Thursday, February 4, 2010

Played football after work at the usual location... So now they are back with the me vs them thing which the foreigners dislike very much. Got a book today that a Jamaican/American guy wrote about his experience in Japan... The book is called Black Passenger, Yellow Cabs...







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Day 688 { }
Friday, February 5, 2010

Went to dinner with my Landlord then to a little bar like place afterwards. I was quite shocked to see one of my recent friends working at the bar.

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Day 689 {Invictus}
Saturday, February 6, 2010

Stayed in most of the day. Watched an inspiring film called as Invictus. It's a true story about how Nelson Mandela, (former president of The republic of South Africa) inspired the South African rugby team to win the 1995 rugby world cup.

Days 676- 682 <{ }> Sunday-Saturday, January 24-January 30, 2010

Days 676- 682 <{ }>
Sunday-Saturday, January 24-January 30, 2010

Still feeling a little down about my situation but I'm coming on... I'm getting over it...

Day 676 (Hatpyoukai)
Sunday, January 24, 2010

Went to work today to watch the kids at my main school do their yearly theatre, Drama and musical event known as
hatpyoukai. It is always kept in the gym which at this time is EXTREMELY cold. At the last one, they placed me beside a heater. But this time it was not so... I had to bear the cold.

I went home and ended Resistance 2 (ended it in 5 days)... And yes I can finally say it was a little better than part 1. Not wayy better just a little better. I then started playing Metal Gear Solid 4, which has been getting many many good reviews. IGN gave it a 10/10.


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Day 677 ( )
Monday, January 25, 2010

Stayed home today because of "work" yesterday. I didn't do much in my apartment except read more of the shortened version of Japanese history, in the book that I bought. Then played lots of Metal Gear Solid 4, after which I went to bible study.


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Day 678 ( Car Slide)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Was running a little late for work so I was driving a little fast. Then while driving over a bridge, my car started drifting to the right all by itself. Then in my frightened state, trying to control the vehicle, it started to drift to the left, then back to the right.... then I finally gained control. All of this lasted about 3-5 seconds, but it was one of the most scary 3-5 seconds of my life. It was only seconds after I gained full control, when a car from the opposite side went by.

I didn't drive over 40km/h for the remaining journey to work.



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Day 679 ( The Book Of Eli)
Wednesday, January 27, 2010

After work, I watched a movie called "The book of Eli" starring Denzel Washington. It was ok. Not great, just ok.

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Day 680 ( 2012 )
Thursday, January 28, 2010

I completed reading Japan an Illustrated history, which is an interesting book if you are interested in Japan any at all.

I went to play football again in the big cold gym. We did rock, paper, scissors to see which team we were going to be placed on. All the scissors on one team and all the rocks on another etc... We did this and play against each other... Then we did it again after about 3 matches to mix the teams further. The second time around, I was placed on a team with no goal keeper... So we had to do the rock, paper thing again to see who would be the goal keeper. Sadly, I had to be the keeper for the first match. My team mates were really good so I didn't have to attempt to save much. So not even 1 goal scored on me....

Started watching the movie 2012. The plot was kind of stupid, it had too many split second co-incidences and very bad acting in my opinion. But for some reason or another I just wanted to see what's next.






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Day 681 (Credit Card - Fail / Apple's i-pad)
Friday, January 29, 2010


Credit Card - Fail

I applied for a Japanese Credit Card recently because one of the girls who I went to the Philippines with got one. I was however told long ago that people who work for my company don't normally get credit card so easily because our company fire people too often and too quickly. I still tried it out but I got a letter today saying sorry but I didn't qualify for the credit card.





I-Pad
Apple inc. came out with their new toy this week known as the i-pad.... Here is the video of its unveiling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmCPcZk2Bgc

It looks really neat and its supposed to be very thin and light... The cheapest models will be going for US$499... To me however, this seem only like an over sized i-phone/ipod touch. Steve Job's presentation was also a bit hyperbolic as things that the i-pad can do, can be done by an ordinary i-phone/ipod touch.
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Day 682 (Skiing)
Saturday, January 30, 2010

Went skiing today for the first time in my life. It was a little overwhelming at first. But then after a few tries it started to be fun... The trainer brought me wayy up to the top of the mountain of the training area but I could not manage to ski down properly. The slope was a bit too much.

Here is a video of what I did http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNwwdU64v3M

I fell about 3-4 times while learning. It wasn't painful at all though.

Days 669- 675 <{ }> Sunday-Saturday, January 17-January 23, 2010

Days 669- 675 <{ }>
Sunday-Saturday, January 17-January 23, 2010

Yup another somewhat uneventful week for me again... And maybe there are many more to come as my pay for next month will be only 75% of my usual pay because of winter vacation.

Recently, I have been feeling as if my life is just wasting away in Japan. The only thing I am learning is the culture and a little of the language. I feel like my talents are just not being utilized enough. I hope I some how get a break whether through my show or otherwise. Some break that can help me to use my talents and abilities more.

Day 669 { AVATAR }
Sunday, January 17, 2010

For the first time, I actually drove for more than 1 hour 30 mins none stop to get to another location. Usually, I would take a bus, a train or get driven by someone when going these distances. I finally braved up and drove to the Tottori prefecture to watch one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen, AVATAR. Unfortunately, I didn't see it in 3D so I want to go again to watch it in 3D.

On the way to Tottori prefecture, there was a whole lot of snow on either side of the road. I was with my friend and she showed me this magnificent looking mountain in the area. I have seen it before but never like this... Mount Daisen.

Yeah so avatar. The plot is quite familiar but the visuals (even though I am sure in 3d it will be 10 times better) and the action was AMAZING!!! I liked star trek (2009) but I enjoyed this more... Actually when I came out of the theatre I was like " aaah back to reality" .. I really enjoyed this movie... My friend also enjoyed it thoroughly.

It was that amazing, that it had to be banned in China. Read on ...

Avatar has become China's most successful movie after making nearly £47 million, but that hasn't stopped the country's government pulling the film from some of its cinemas over fears that it could cause political unrest.

The China Film Group, which is run by the state, believes the plot of human colonists attempting to demolish an alien village for its resources steers too close to a very sensitive issue in China at the moment.

Millions of Chinese people have been evicted from their homes to make room for high rises and government infrastructure projects, reports The LA Times. Avatar's success has also angered some Chinese officials, who fear the film's popularity takes too much market share from their domestic films.

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/blog/article/11190/avatar-banned-in-china.html


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Day 670 {}
Monday, January 18, 2010

All I did today was go to work then go to bible study.

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Day 671 {The Blind Side}
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Watched a movie name blind side via the internet. It is a true story about a poor black guy name Michael Oher who eventually was raised in a wealthy white family and got a break to go to college then joined the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. It was interesting.

I then ended the Ps3 game Resistance - The fall of man. Can't believe I ended a PS 3 game in a week. It speaks to the slowing down of my outside activities since 2010 started. Even pokemon took me about 4 months to end.

I also started playing resistance 2 and so far 1 is better. Well so far that is..... In 1, you have a good couple of weapons to select from but in 2 you can only carry 2 at a time ... The graphics in 2 is much better though.
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Day 672 {Sherlock Holmes/Bullets mailed }
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

I was supposed to go eat out with my land lord at my favourite restaurant in town today but he cancelled. So after work I watched the movie Sherlock Holmes. It had some nice action scenes but I ended up falling asleep while watching it. It wasn't so bad over all though.


Bullets Mailed

The ruling party in Japan (Democratic Party Of Japan) has been threatened.

Bullets have been mailed to the Tokyo headquarters of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and TV Asahi Corp. with the envelope received by the DPJ containing a letter demanding that scandal-hit DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa quit, investigators said Tuesday.

The envelopes bore no sender names and were apparently posted in Okayama Prefecture, the police said.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100120a9.html

The bullets were mailed from the prefecture that I am living in.

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Day 673 {Got My Book}
Thursday, January 21, 2010

After work today I received a book that I ordered online from amazon.co.jp. A book that I saw on my friend jamaipanese blog. The name is Japan - An Illustrated History. The book kind of summarises the history of Japan from its very start until present day. It has been an interesting read thus far.

Started back my usual Thursday football today. It was fun after missing it for 1 month. I wasn't getting tired quickly as before some how. Again we mixed the teams which is more fun than the usual we VS them thing.







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Day 674 {I Am Sad/DPJ in Trouble}
Friday, January 22, 2010

Got some sad news today that I would rather not share. But I will be fine in a couple of weeks at worst. I went out to a little bar after I got home from work, to see if I could talk away my pain and sadness in Japanese. It so happened that the foreigner who lives on the same apartment complex with me was there as well. He was kinda hiding out. Going out tonight helped me to feel a little better.


DPJ in Trouble
The current ruling party of Japan (Democratic Party of Japan) is in some serious hot water, since they got their historic victory late last year.


1) They are yet to make a decision about where to relocate the US soldiers who are currently in Okinawa, which is the southern most prefecture in Japan. The Okinawans want the US to come out of the prefecture totally BUT in 2006 Japan signed an agreement with the US saying that they will keep the soldiers within the prefecture... The US is currently pressuring Japan to keep the deal that they made... But most Japanese want the US out it seem. So there is some tension between The US and Japan now.

2) The president of the Democratic Party of Japan (Hatoyama) who by default is the prime minister of Japan is in some funds scandal thing. Where his mother, who is now the owner of the tire Company, Bridgestone, gave him a lot of money to help him in politics. His brother (whom their mom also helped financially) was in the opposition party but he recently resigned because he was in the scandal as well... But the Prime minister is fighting through... However, already some persons who were working for him, has been arrested.

3) The General secretary of the Democratic Party of Japan (Ozawa) who is a former president of the party and who basically is the master mind behind the party's historic win, and who is the real big wig in the party, is also in a funds scandal. Also some persons who were working for him has been arrested as well.

Short story here
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama again proclaimed his innocence Thursday in a political funds scandal involving donations from his mother, telling the House of Representatives Budget Committee that he is ready to resign if the facts prove otherwise.

Prosecutors have revealed that Hatoyama's mother gave some ¥1.26 billion to the prime minister's fund management body from 2002 to 2008, with part of the money apparently disguised as donations from other people, even some deceased.

Two of Hatoyama's former secretaries have been arrested over the case, but Hatoyama has insisted he was not aware of any wrongdoing. When news of the mother's contributions surfaced, they were first deemed "loans," but Hatoyama last month agreed to amend his tax returns and pay more than ¥500 million in gift taxes.

Prosecutors will question Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa on a voluntary basis Saturday in Tokyo, sources said Thursday.

The prosecutors have confirmed the date with the Ozawa side, they said.

The questioning will likely take four hours, during which investigators will ask him about his political fund management body's alleged false political fund reports related to a controversial land purchase, the sources said.

Ozawa is expected repeat his earlier claim that the ¥350 million land deal was entirely funded by his personal assets and not by shady donations from general contractors, the sources said.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20100122a2.html

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Day 675 {}
Saturday, January 23, 2010

Again stayed in for the entire day playing Resistance 2. Now its getting more interesting. Check out the size of this boss that I had to contend with today... You are like an ant to him and you have to fight him on foot and in his hand when he tries to have you for dinner.

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Yeah Richard, snow looks amazing... but its just too cold.
I don't like egg since I was like 5 years old when it made me had to go to the hospital... Since then I don't like the smell or the taste of it... I say this to the average Japanese over and over again... but they still ask. And very often forget.

Days 662- 668 <{ }> Sunday-Saturday, January 10 - January 16, 2010

Days 662- 668 <{ }>
Sunday-Saturday, January 10-January 16, 2010

This week for me was very cold, snowy and rather uneventful.

Day 662 {Japanese Show imitating Bolt}
Sunday, January 10, 2009

Went church then picked up my friend and we played lots of little Big Planet.

Japanese TV shows (including animes) are somewhat known to mock or make fun of people from other races. Either subtly or out rightly... Sometimes its just good plain fun though... Check out this mockery of Bolt and Gay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHfj_4XjT8I

Some people thought it was racist but I found it quite hilarious... I am not sure how racism is shown in it though, what do you think???

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Day 663 { Far Cry 2}
Monday, January 11, 2009

Holiday today so stayed in for most of the day playing little big Planet. I started playing a little Far Cry 2, but didn't really like it... So far I much preferred part 1.






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Day 664 {Resistance - Fall of Man}
Tuesday, January 12, 2009

Went straight home after work, then started playing a new game... Resistance - The fall of man. So far it has been quite interesting.






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Day 665 {Pray For Haiti}
Wednesday, January 13, 2009

This morning was difficult for me to get out of bed and go to work. Because it was cold and snowing heavily. The picture here is at the school that I went to today. Gave the teachers at this school a snack from the Philippines.

My heart goes out to the people of Haiti at this time, with that devastating earthquake... Possibly killing more than 100,000 people...while possibly injuring and/or leaving homeless over 3,000,000. Darn thats more than the population of Jamaica!!!! ... And this conservative American, republican, "Christian" guy name Pat Robertson, had this to say. Watch the video on the link below....

Pat Robertson really should change his name to Predictable Racist. Whenever something bad happens to black people somewhere in the world, PR is always there to make sure everyone knows how cursed the race of Ham really is. Yeah, read up on that — the whole ridiculous notion of the Curse of Ham (it was really Canaan who was cursed but the truth never stopped crazy right-wing fundamentalist preachers before, why should it now?) because it feeds into why Pat Robertson could even hold this idea in his head. Hint: Hamite = black and the so-called curse of Ham has been used in the past to defend slavery.

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2010/01/pat-robertson-predictable-racist-on-haitis-pact-with-the-devil/

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Day 666 {More on Hating Egg}
Thursday, January 14, 2010


Was falling asleep at my desk today after lunch.... The lunch today included egg but they were smart enough not to give me any this time...

Because Japanese people love egg so much, most of them can't quite wrap their heads around the reason why I hate it. I just do... Also most of them keep asking me why over and over and over again after explaining to them like 100 times the same thing !!!

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Day 667 {}
Friday, January 15, 2010

Went work in snow again... I just can't manage this thing at all. I'm so happy that its the weekend. Although it seem like it took forever to come.








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Day 668 {Avatar and Call Of Duty MW2 In the Billions}
Saturday, January 16, 2010

Was planning to go see Avatar today but will have to put it off until tomorrow. So I simply stayed in all day.

Avatar the movie and Call of duty 4 modern warfare 2 - The game are making some huge profits.. And I am yet to see the movie, or buy the game... Hopefully soon though

For an entertainment property to hit $1 billion in sales is a very rare feat. For two separate properties to pass the 10-figure mark at the same time may well be a first.

On Wednesday, Activision Blizzard announced that its mega-hit video game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, had crossed the billion-dollar mark, after just two months on store shelves--and the entertainment industry's single-day sales record. That milestone came shortly after it was announced that James Cameron's uber-blockbuster movie, "Avatar," had also reached that financial promised land.

To be sure, these are just round numbers, and don't have any formal meaning, but there's no arguing with the fact that it sure sounds good for the entertainment business to be sporting two separate billion-dollar titles at the same time, especially since they come from such different corners of the world.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10434464-52.html

http://intoxgaming.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14029



Richard, bwoy sorry bout the bad buy wid the 160GB... Yuh got it sold yet???
I don't think is the food caused me to get sick like that because the symptoms were more cold or flu like... coughing, throat pain and spitting out mucous etc... No stomach ache or anything like that... So it must have been the climate change or somebody give me it...

Yeah Stewart, to each his own... Japanese people have their own way of doing stuff. Maybe the majority of Japanese people would not find our Jamaican shows funny or interesting either.

Days 655- 661 <{ }> Sunday-Saturday, January 3 - January 9, 2010

Days 655- 661 <{ }>
Sunday-Saturday, January 3-January 9, 2010


Day 655 { Season 3 Of My Show }
Sunday, January 3, 2010

The third season of my show started on cable on January 1, 2010.... And here is a clip of it... Sorry but it is all in Japanese...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqsTRlt1CNA

I also received my luggage from the luggage company today.

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Day 656 { Paying Bills }
Monday, January 4, 2010

I used today to take care of bills etc. So I paid my rent, bought stuff for my apartment, lodged money and posted a letter to my house in Jamaica, with souvenirs from The Philippines, for my mom and sis.

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Day 657 { ALT Meeting }
Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Went to our last ALT meeting for 2009-2010 in Okayama city... No one from my area, Niimi was informed of this meeting from our company. I knew about this meeting through my main school who are not supposed to be giving me this information by the way.... However the company called us early in the morning to tell us to get up and go to the meeting today... Even though up until last night we were all uncertain...
Bought a 160 GB SATA Laptop hard disk for PS3... I will put this in my PS 3 later... I also bought another extention chord because the one that I had initially, has no more space available.... I am buying too many plug in stuff.

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Day 658 { Lots Of PS3 Games}
Wednesday, Janauary 6, 2010

Stayed in for the entire day. Got 8 PS3 games from my friend Neil... Who has countless PS3 and XBOX 360 games... The games I got from him are:

1) Uncharted - Drakes fortune
2) Burn Out Paradise
3) WheelMan
4) Sonic Genesis Collection (which probably have on my PC Already)
5) Bioshock
6) FIFA 2009 World Class Soccer
7) Unreal Tournament
8) inFAMOUS

I notice that I am having some terrible coughs chiefly at nights now.

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Day 659 { Throat Pain}
Thursday, January 7, 2010

Stayed in again for most of the day, then went to pay the second installment on my car. I started to feel really really sick and my throat was hurting me quite a bit. I jumped out of my bed about 3 am in the morning and could not go back to sleep....

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Day 660 { To The Doctor }
Friday, January 8, 2010

First day of work for the new year. I gave all the school staff a snack from The Philippines. My throat was acting up again, I thought it was bronchitis but the school nurse said its not. She also said its not the flu... My friend had to follow me to the doctor in the evening and I got some medication... Because I don't have the Japanese insurance, I ended up paying around US $80 for check up and prescription.... However, if I was on the Japanese insurance thing, I would have paid far less at the doctor BUT also looking at paying something like US $ 150 per month. Sooner or later I am going to have to take the Japanese insurance if I wish to stay in the country... The doctor said that I don't have bronchitis, thank The Lord but my throat is swollen and possibly infected.

I am thinking that its the warm climate of the Philippines then the sudden change to the very cold Japanese winter... Someone also recommend that I get a humidifier for my apartment.

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Day 661 { Humidifier }
Saturday, January 9, 2010

Bought an aroma steam humidifier thing today then stayed in most of the time playing Assassin's Creed. I finally ended it. Looking forward to part 2 now... So many games I want to play, so little time...

Day 654 { Back To Niimi } Tuesday, January 2, 2009

Day 654 { Back To Niimi / 2009 Review }
This will be last day by day blog for now, until something really exciting comes up again.... So back to the weekly grouping after this one, and back to my somewhat boring life in Niimi....

Went back to my apartment today from Osaka. I was lucky to get a relatively empty bus straight back to my area.

This blog will simply review some of the main things that happened to me throughout 2009. Both bad and good... As well as some postings that I think were interesting...
You can click on them to get the full story ...Here goes :


1) Went Round 1 bowling in Fukuoka ----Day 289 - Friday, January 2, 2009

2) Went Tsuyama, Okayama to meet some friends ----Day 291 - Sunday, January 4, 2009

3) Got My Japanese Driver' Licence ---- Day 294 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

4) My best friend and cousin died ---- Day 326 - Sunday, February 8, 2009

5) Arrived in Jamaica ---- Day 344 - Thursday, February 26, 2009

6) My Cousin's Funeral --- Day 346 - Saturday, February 28, 2009

7) Meet up with friends --- Day 350 - Wednesday, March 4, 2009

8) Meet more friends and my pastor --- Day 351 - Thursday, March 5, 2009

9) 1 Year In Japan --- Day 366 - Friday, March 20, 2009

10) Got 3 Years Visa Extension - Day 370 - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

11) Went Jamaican Party In Kobe - Day 395 - Saturday, April 18, 2009

12) Went Reggae Concert in Niimi - Day 402 - Saturday, April 25, 2009

13) Heading For Kyoto But Changed To Kobe - Day 412 - Monday, May 5, 2009

14) Jamaica 0ne love festival In Tokyo - Day 416 - Saturday, May 9, 2009

15) More Of Tokyo - Day 417 - Sunday, May 10, 2009

16) Season 2 of my Show - Day 435, Thursday, May 28, 2009

17) One of My Best Friends, Andrew Got Married - Day 437 - Saturday, May 30, 2009

18) Watched Star Trek At The Theatres - Day 444 - Saturday, June 6, 2009

19) Blog Post On Blood Types In Japan - Day 446 - Monday, June 8, 2009

20) Things to Know About Japan for foreigners 1 - Day 456, Thursday, June 18, 2009

21) Things to know about Japan for foreigners 2 - Day 457 - Friday, June 19, 2009

22) Things to know about Japan for foreigners 3 - Day 461 - Tuesday, June 23, 2009

23) Went to Conference in the Bahamas - Day 491 - Thursday, July 23, 2009

24) Went to Atlantis in the Bahamas - Day 492 - Friday, July 24, 2009

25) Performed in the Bahamas - Day 493 - Saturday, July 25, 2009

26) Met Japanese friend In Jamaica - Day 498 - Thursday, July 30, 2009

27) Got toothpasted at friend's house - Day 504 - Wednesday, August 5, 2009

28) Went Cool Runnings Water Park in Negril, Jamaica - Day 505 - Thursday, August 6, 2009

29) Met up with UCCF friends - Day 506 - Friday, August 7, 2009

30) Bolt, New World Record - Day 515 - Sunday, August 16, 2009

31) Met some Japanese and an Old Friend In NY - Day 520 - Friday, August 21, 2009

32) Performed at September 11 Concert In Niimi - Friday, September 11, 2009

33) My 29th Birthday Party - Saturday, September 19, 2009

34) A visit to Osaka - Sunday, September 20, 2009

35) Got New iphone 3G - Day 580, Tuesday, October 20, 2009

36) Came on National News and Got Yellow Belt In Karate - Days 602 and 604 - Wednesday and Friday, November 11 and 13, 2009

37) Got New Car / Went to Kyoto... Sunday November 22/23 and Friday, November 27, 2009

38) Headed for the Philippines - Day 644 - Tuesday, December 22, 2009


Thanks for all who have been keeping up with my life in Japan through my blogs, random phone calls, emails etc..

Much respect especially to my most frequent blog readers and commentators Richard and Stewart.
And to my occasional blog readers and commentators Latoya, Derri, Bjourn, Joy Ann and Yamauchi sensei... And all other random readers and commentators that I don't mention by name... Peace, love and blessings for 2010 !!!


RIP Andre Jasper Mair ....

Day 653 { Happy New Year / Back To Japan } January 1, 2010

Day 653 { Happy New Year / Back To Japan }

The Philippines Day 11 (Final Day)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

Continuing from yesterday.... Me, Omara, Sauna and Loi, walked around the mall for a while then we watched the fire works for the new year.... Here is a video I took of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m2TOY3-OBw


Eventually, Loi left us and went to celebrate with his family, and me and the girls walked around the mall a while. It was getting a bit late and there were no taxis around, so we started walking ... heading for our hotel room ...... We eventually took one of the Jeepney buses and then we again had to walk a bit more....

We then did our final packing and went to sleep. When we got up, we headed out to the airport, then took Thai air back to Japan... The 3 hours flight back was mostly smooth, but the landing I didn't really fancy at all. Its almost as if the Thai air pilots speed up towards the runaway, then drop the plane... Not very smooth at all ....

The customs and back into Japan process went ok... Then I gave my heavy luggage back to the company to send it to my apartment for January 3.

The Philippines was quite an interesting visit, and I would go again... If you plan to go there, I recommend not to go alone though... Unless you know your way around...