2008...

Almost end of 2008!!
Today, went kite surfing. I got some ride but it was too cold and light wind.
Finished kite and went Okinawa lunch!

Pork miso soup!

Yesterday, I got full day kite ride!
When I pulled over the car, somebody said
"Tako Tako Tako (It means KITE )
I looked around and there were no kite.
Then, when I looked at under the car, there was....

Octopus!!!!
It is another meaning of TAKO.
When the owner of our hotel picked up, it bited him..
It swelled up so much and he went to the hospital.
It was a bit of accident but at night , we had...


Tako yaki(ocutopus ball)
Such a delicious fresh ocutopus!

Anyway, 2008 will finish soon.
It was big transition year for me.
I had Pilates instructor training . I failed once but finally passed!

Also as a tourism job, I worked for Hayato as a coordinator.
It was the good position to have tourism job for me.

2008 was the year I looked around various world.
Starting from Vietnam, staying Canada, Dominican republic, Japan.

For 2009, I want to look around more world and start new career!

Hope everyone will have great new year!!

By KYOKO

Rest day for the body

Today, we couldn't get enough wind for kite.

checking arond a couple of beach. but not enough...

In the end, it became rest day for body.

Then, we enjoyed Okinawa food♪

"So-ki Soba(noodle)"
This is the original noodle from Okinawa. "Soki" is the Okinawa dialect for gristile of pork.
It was so soft cuz stewed so long time.
It was sooo delicious!

And, this is guest houes's dog!
Kotaro-


"Give me moreeee foood!!"

It was relaxing day for the body eating yummy food and driving.

Miyako---

This is Okinawa!!! Miyako island!!


Maehama beach



Nishihama beach

Look at this transparence !



No word.....
This is so beautiful.
This Miyako island is small island which we can go around easily.
It is surrounded beautiful ocean and sugar cane field.
The street is like maze cuz of tall sugar canes.

Yesterday, we left home at 4:30 am to take the first train.
Left Osaka and transfered in Okinawa(Naha). and got to Miyako island around noon.
I couldn't kite yesterday with not enough wind.
But today, i got ride!!!
So beautiful ride!!
Even such a transperence, I rode on the rock and crushed...><
I got a little injured, but it is practice experience...

Anyway, I am healed by beautiful ocean^^

Power of citrus

From mor, I went to downtown of Kobe.
I had interview for part time Engligh teacher job for next year.
It is for grade 6 students who will get in to junior high school.
I gave demonstration of lecture about 15 mins.
Reflecting how CAs gave lecuture for students, I refered thier way to teach.
Just I hope it went well.

Back to my place, and I had lunch with mom and sister.

At night, I added "citron" into hot tub.
We have custom to put citron into hot tub on the winter solticis.
It is cuz citron has effective smell for good health, then it will make the body strong to get over cold winter time.

It make me so warm!! usually, I take a bath about 40 min to sweat well.(I don't sweat that much usually.)
But with citrus power, I had tons of sweat!! awesome power!!
I understood the custom of Japan....

Oh. tmrw is Christmas eve.
Time passes so fast!!
Have a good Christmas eve, everyone^^

End of work of year

It was really warm weekend.
I worked this weekend....
On Sat, I worked as a cosmetic counselor in Osaka.
On Sun, I worked as a test examiner in Kobe.

When I noticed, it was the last job in 2008.
From now, making body for Pilates instructor job and looking for job as an instructor.

Last night, I preped for dinner cuz mom was out.
"Hormone hot pot"


My house's hot pot is really delicious!!
Best Hormone hot pot ever had!

Recently, ViVi(my dog) is taken out by my dad.
She looks uncomfortable first, but is getting used to it recently..
Kyoko "ViVi chaaa----n"



ViVI " Haai-- ( Yeeees)"

We are totally doting parents. Always, we fight to get her.. lol

Aroma therapy

I went to Osaka, Shinsaibashi.
I had monthly training for cosmetic seller.
I had good meeting with other co-worker.

She is going to Whistler from next year as a nutritonist.
She will work for junior member of winter sports. Such a nice job!
And, she was really worried about coming unknown life. I talked about Canada and gave various information which she wanted to know.
I am glad she felt better to know about Canada^^

After finished training, I dropped by the Pilates sudio where I had training to thank for my instructor.
Fortunately, there was my instructor !
I talked about carrer for instructor. I think I got some idea for it.
Don't know how it will be, but explore chances little by little!
Until I get certification, take my time for relaxing!

Got small gift for myself to celebrate my instructor life!
Aroma heater☆

The light will change in 7 colors
I can connect cable to PC and also to I-Pod.
It will be happy tool for my Pilates exercise before sleep.
Aroma & Music Pilates life!
Also, I got oil for body massage.

Mixed with Grapefruits aroma. I will use it for night massage from today＾＾
Aroma therapy will be usuful for Pilates to relax mind.
Taking aroma into my life, little by little I will learn about it!
To keep doing something, it is important to enjoy doing!

Tmrw, I will work in Osaka for cosmetic seller!

Yeahhhhhh!

Finally.......

I passed Pilates instructor exam!!
I got email from the main studio.
I passed with 90% mark!!!

I am soooo happy and feel so relieved.
My Pilates way will start seriously!

Keep daily self training, body mentenance, and have self mind as an instructor.
It might be hard to get job first, but little by little, I will make effort to get experience.

Yesterday, I went shopping for Okinawa trip.
Got summer comfortable clothes.
It is called Thai style pants. soo comfortable. I really like it!

One more week till trip!

Today, walking around Kyoto.
I got souvenir for family.
Kyoto is famous for Japanese pickled vegetable.


It is Japanese raddish with sesami.
So light taste. can't stop eating!!

Met my friend. We haven't met for about 3 years..
We talked about our life. It was fun to talk from different view.
Good to cherish ppl's relationship like this.

In the evening, I had part time job to prep TOEFL exam in Osaka.
and came back to Kobe.
Relax....

Again, tmrw is Osaka for training of cosmetic selling!

Healthy life starts from food

When I eat out, I try to choose restaurant where I can have healthy food.

Today, I went to have lunch with mom and we choose the one which we go often.

They serve fresh vegetable which were grown up around that area.
It is buffet style restaurant.
Always this place is popular and we had 30mins waiting time.
Beside the restaurant, there is a fresh veg market.
I found biiig mushroom(Shimeji mushroom) which is usually really small.

One of favorite dish..... mushroom!!!
Then, our turn came!


So many veg. happy lunch time^^

After driving practice, came back to home and prep for Okinawa.
I was making costume for end of year costume kite in Okinawa.
It is like halloween, I feel.

Making paper pattern, cutting clothing fabrics, and saw on the machine.
Helped by mom, it is getting done!!

Went downtown of Kobe(Sannomiya) and worked for TOEFL exam venue set up.
okies.. time to sleep.

Close to end of year

Weekend...
I had Luminarie job in 3 days straight.
It was sooooo busy...

That was the last weekend of Luminarie.
Then, so many ppl visited there.
Our shop sold a lot!

It was the first type of job, but it was so fun.
I like the job which I can communicate with ppl^^

Done with Luminarie job, annnd only half of month till end of year.

It is time to prep for trip for end of year.

Tmrw, bit of work for TOEFL(english exam) test!

Gardening

Good and warm weather here!
After cleaning up my room in the mor, I had time in the afternoon.
Then, I was asked to plant flower in our garden.
First gardening try--
"Viola"

Before (ViVi" What are u doing?")


After(ViVI " Do I look beautiful like Viola??"



It is so pretty and fun to do gardening!
Hope more and more flowers will open up until next Spring.
I will take care of them!

At night, I worked at Luminarie again!
Annnnd, my shop's idle.　



miniature Poodle"Korosuke"
It is the most popular than any other shop!
So cuuuute.
2 more days Luminarie work!

Making my room

Making my room!

After I left family house when I got into univ., I didn't have my room at my house.
But for a while, I will live in Kobe. Then, made my room using open room.

For a couple of days, I was working for it.

FUuuuu.
Finally it is done!
It is Japanese & simple style room!




Finally I can use Mac PC with wireless at my room!
Feel so better now with new room and refreshness!

From tonight, 3 days work at Luminarie again selling apple candy.☆

This is the hot pot which I tried the first time.
"Snow hot pot"

In Japanese soup hot pot, put anything like veg, meat, seafood.
And after that, add lots of white raddish.
It looks like snow. That's why it is calld "Snow hot pot"
unn! really yummy!!

Just so much work to grate whole raddish....(sweat...)

Getting into.....

Again, I am into something..

「LOST」

When will this story end??

In Japan, finally DVD of Season 4 came out.
My family loves this and gets into LOST world.

I only have watched Season 1, but once I start watch it, i can't stop...

I read stories of season 2 and 3 from web.
And, I watched Season 4 today.. What will happen!!??


Yesterday, I went to sports gym to talk about Pilates lesson.
I gave private lesson and discussed about the plan.
Hope I can have my class there!!!

First challenge for Pilates instructor!


Bad sleeping

Always she turns over like this..

Weekend work

Working weekend.
On Sat night, I sold apple candies at Luminarie.
There are lots of kinds at my store.
Milk-strawberries taste(Picture-Left and middle), Blue -Hawai taste(not sure there is English name or not...-Picture- Right), Melon taste, and so on...



Also threre are strawberries candy, Grape candy, Orange candy..
Everyone stop to think which one they will get.
Especially, Apple Candies are popular for kids.
They look so happy when they get.
I get happiness from them too^^

On Sun, I worked in Himezi as a cosmetic seller.
It takes 2 hrs to get there from my house.... long train trip...
Before work, I had time.
Then, I dropped by Himezi castle!




It is really interesting castle. It is one my favorite castle.
There are lots of trap which were used in old times.
So much fun to get inside and know the structure.

After 8 hrs work, I was so tired and not good condition.
Back to home and slept more than 10 hrs..

Now, got up and much better!

Today, I get chance to show my Pilates class at gym.
Kind of interview test for Pilates lesson.
I hope it is going in a good way!

WInter Kobe

Winter Kobe

Luminarie☆☆☆

Before that, I had things to do at Kobe, Kitano.
Then, I walked around this area.
This area is the former residence of foreign settlers.
Now, it is a famous area for sight seeing.

weathercock House. It is the landmark of Kitano


Santa Clause is visiting " France House"

There are lots of house like this. I like atmosphere of this area!
Then, Luminarie-----


Such a Beautiful illumination!!!!
I enjoyed selling food job , drinking and eating various foods.
Oops, soooo fulll.
Tmrw, i will help this job again!
I will enjoy working there^^

My healing spots

For last 2 days, I enjoyed visiting Kobe, Kyoto and Shiga.
I am living in Kobe(my hometown), but haven't walked around here for a long time.
Kobe's shopping area is really convenient to look around.
I enjoyed window shopping.
After that, I had still time before dinner in Kyoto.
Then, I visited Arashiyama(Kyoto), one of my favorite spot.
There is a beautiful river and currently, sooo beautiful with autumn leaves.
When I was a univ. student, I often came here to think about something or refresh.



Yesterday, I enjoyed in Shiga.
There is a big lake called "Biwako琵琶湖"(biggest in Japan).
Driving course around the lake is so beautiful.
I was healed driving around the lake.
And watched "SAW 5".
I have watched every episode from 1.
It was the first time to watch this at the theatre.
yeahh..... I have stiff shoulder now cuz of too much tension on the shoulder during the movie....

I was really healed and enjoyed for 2 days.

Tonight, I got part time job to work at illumination ceremony in Kobe.
It is called"Luminarie".
It is one of the biggest illumination ceremonies in Japan. After Kobe-Hanshin earthquake, Kobe started doing this to cheer up ppl.
It is sooooo beautiful.


I will help selling "Candy Apple"
haven't been this event for over 7 years!?
Looking forward to working there!

Wrap up month! and prep for next year!

Oh. now,,,, Get into December!!
It is the wrap up month for 2008 and prep month for 2009!

I want to spend this month doing what I need to do within this year.
Also, preparing for 2009!
Keep in mind these!

From morning, driving practice.
Organizing music from the old computer.
Burn the songs to the CD one by one. It takes lots of time....

Today's my little happy work.
I bought gel nail set in a couple year ago.
Using gel nail set, I reinforced decorated cell phone.
Annnd, I felt like doing nail too.
Gel nail is the type of nail art which use gel and UV light.
Apply gel on nail and make it fix by UV light.



simply,,,, silver flench nail with little flower.
If u are intersted in nail, gel nail is really good for keeping design and reinforce nail!