Thoughts on Father's Day

As for Father's Day gift campaign, some stores were advocating "Dad needs no more ties!" That message is so true. Tie is one of a few self-expressions for men in the business world. Hence, many, if not all, won't give up such a freedom and sole discretion easily.

Given the hot and humid summer weather in Tokyo, tie isn't what we need for now, either. The government has introduced "Super Cool Biz" this year. Accoring to it, a suit (and a tie) is officially prohibited from the business battle field in Japan. Hot pants are okay. I have never seen (never ever want to see) one so far though. If you go to an office with tie, you are NO patriotic.

Besides, Tokyo's offices and subways are not as comfortable as previous years. Their air-conditiongs are set at a higher temperature (some 28 degrees Celcius) than usual due to the blackout risk. Seriously such actions undercut Japan's economic growth even further.

So, all those circumstance in consideration, my wife (and baby girl) gave me a Starbucks tumbler and card. This is the very first gift I got on Father's Day. I have been looked forward to having a Father's Day gift throughout last couple of years (including my wife's pregnancy). But, now I came to think in a different way. Fatherhood itself is such a priceless gift. It is blessing. The gift is great, but I am so grateful to my wife and daughter who delivered the utmost happiness and delight in my life.

Happy Father's Day to all the dads.
Let's enjoy our fatherhood!!

We Shall Overcome

One of advantages to live in this 21st century is: information technology.

Ever since the earthquake and tsunami hit the northern Japan hard on last Friday, March 11, social media have proved the best information resource as well as communication tool. I have been getting the change in subway time schedules in Tokyo, latest earthquake news in Japan and warm messages from all over the world. Through Facebook, friends have contacted if my family and I are OK. One friend gave me an email first time in 5 years. Given too busy phone lines, I was able to contact my relatives in Sendai and Fukushima where the earthquake hit hardest via short mail.

I thank all the thoughts, prayers and supports from all over the world. I want to tell my friends that I cannot get in tough with for a long time: My family and I are OK in Tokyo.

Liquefaction has stopped water and gas supplies to some neighborhoods (not mine) even in Tokyo Metropolitan area. Due to the scheduled blackout, public transportation has stopped, or is operating under limited time schedules. So some people cannot make it to office and are staying home. Still, such problems are minor.

All the news coming from the northern Japan such as Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures is devastating and heart-wrenching. I was surprised to see many rushed into shops to buy up water, foods, batteries and toiletries over the weekend even here in Tokyo. As I walked into several Seven-Elevens, I found no bread, water and noodles. Things are getting worse than expectede. Now the concerns mount as the fear of nuclear plant meltdowns. Nikkei recorded the 3rd largest drop to 8,605 yen today, and expected to go down even further.

However, I am optimistic about the future of Japan. I believe in the orderliness and discipline of Japanese I watched last Friday night as walking home among tens of thousands of people. People were just walking back home. Private facilities offered their restrooms and some even provided the buildings for stay at the night. I also believe in the resilience of the people who reconstructed the country after the defeat of the World War II and the aftermaths of earthquakes and other natural disasters.

I admit I won't be of direct help in the devastated land in the north. I am neither doctor nor rescue team member. All I can do is extremely limited and negligible: to save energy, to work as usual and to spend money (incl. to donate it but not to buy up!!).

But, as such minor effort coming together, we shall overcome the disaster and the crisis.

スタバカ日誌～the more the merrier～

A couple days ago I took a day-off and headed to Azabu-juban. It was my 2nd time to the district this week as well as 1st time to the Starbucks store in years. I enjoyed breakfast there. With 3 floors, many comfortable couches and diverse customers from around the world, this Starbucks is one of the best in Tokyo.

Later the day I stopped by a Starbucks in Kichijoji for getting "One More Coffee". As seeing my receipt, a lady at the cashier noticed I was at Azabu's earlier. She told me she was working there before. The lady also told me that the new Starbucks store in Kichijoji (i.e. one at Nakamichi dori) is opening sometime before the Golden Week. Mid-April maybe? The new store will have 3 floors just like Azabu-juban's.

Thanks to Starbucks' One More Coffee campaign, I got not only a discount for my second cup of coffee but also all the stories. Priceless!

PS. Before opening its 7th store in Kichijoji, Starbukcs shut down one at the Kichijoji station. Wonder whether it's merely temprary or permanent. Cross ur fingers for the former! For now Kichijoji has 5 Starbucks stores.

My Neighbor

Let me introduce my neighbor Totoro.

As many of you know, he's famous for the movie "My Neighbor Totoro". But, seriously he is really my neighbor, and was an unexpected guest last weekend. The difference from the movie is that he's edible creme puff!!

Thanks to my brother for bringing him in.

Tokyo is not the best livable city, but this is a joy to live in this Metropolitan. Here is Shiro-hige's Creme Puff Factory where he is born.

Needless to say, it is very delicious with coffee of Starbucks or Dean & Deluca ;-)

スタバカ日誌～thank you for smoking～

Some business folks are so good at speech. Even though I cannot recall their names, their few words are so impressive, witty and hilarious. I still remember the speech of a manager from JT, a Japanese Tobacco maker:
"To those who smoke, thank you very much for smoking. (喫煙者の皆様、いつも大変お世話になっております。)
To those who do not smoke, I sincerely apologize for some smokers with bad manners . (タバコを吸われない皆様、一部のマナーの悪い喫煙者がご迷惑をおかけしております。) "

Several weeks ago at a Starbucks, I saw a male customer smoking inside (INSIDE!!) the store at Kichijoji. Starbucks' non-smoking policy is now a common sense. I've never imagined to see such a scene.
What is worse, he didn't have his own portable ashtray, dropping ashes on a dish. He kept smoking until a cashier told him this is a non-smoking area. This is not a bad manner but lack of common sense, I would say.

A Happy New Year

Paid a visit to a shrine on New Year's Day

Been to Mt. Fuji on the next day

and got recharged

With all the parties until New Year's Eve and visits to a shrine and to Mt. Fuji, My wife and I had a wonderful winter break. I feel fully charged to start a new year.

A Happy New Year!!

"Partytime" (by Missy Elliott)

We moved into this new apartment last March, but are now finally ready to welcome our friends. It's a beautiful, fine, perfect day for a party.


My wife cooks. I help. Uh, you know, not much. Stuff like peeling potatoes and dish-washing. Also, entertaining (or bothering?) her while cooking.

We primarily serve genuine Korean dishes. This is today's main menu: 버섯전골 (Mushroom Hot Pot).

A table for 5 and us.

Sofa So good

And a comfortable couch. Sometimes you can see some Sleeping Beauties or Sleeping Buddha on it. Today we're very lucky to find a Mermaid.

Dear friends, thanks for coming today. And we're await for more to come. You are welcome. Make a reservation!

MetLife

Billboard Live Tokyo is one of the greatest places to enjoy a METropolitan Life in Tokyo. My favorite musicians come here more than Blue Note Tokyo: Laura Izibor last August and Chrisette Michele last week.

Live performance also brings rediscovery of a new aspect of a musician (or a song). At Laura's live, I reconfirmed "Shine", "Don't Stay", "From My Heart to Yours" and "If Tonight is My Last" are best songs while learning "the Worst is Over" and "Perfect World" are good too. She was putting her heart into every single song, making her soulful songs even more heartful.

Chrisette Michele was a very skillful entertainer. She was good at making her audience enjoy her live by shaking hands and even giving a hug (!! I wanted to be the one!!). She also added a spice of jazz to some of her songs.

My wife and I spent a wonderful time.

良い胎教にもなったし!!(笑)

Tackling Tax

"Nothing in this life is certain but death and taxes," Mark Twain said.

This is not the reason, but somehow it turned out I'm taking two tax courses this first semester: "Tax Law" and "International Tax Accounting". Both classes are quite interesting in many ways, but especially in that the professor/lecturer have backgrounds from the opposite ends.

The Law is taught by a former top of National Tax Agency while the latter by a tax consultant from a Big 4 accounting firm. Given the decline of tax revenues, the Agency surely want to tax more. On the other hand, a tax consultant advises "tax management".

tax burdens

Living in Japan, it's hard to see one's tax burden. Many of us need not file tax return individually. Our employers do it instead. 5% of sales tax is not as high as that of Europe or America. While unemployed last year, though, I felt the burden as painfully as much. Perhaps, such trauma unconsciously led me to take the two classes.

Nothing is certain with which grade I pass the courses. But, as Tokyo's autumn is getting deeper and night longer, I have more time for study. "Autumn for Study" (勉強の秋) has come.

사랑하고 싶어

If the pictures below ring your bell with a classic Korean pop song, 소방차 (Fire Engine)'s "사랑하고 싶어 (I Want To Love You)", you must have been living in Korea around 1990. (I did!)

"소방차"는 아니지만...

Love Tokyo

By the way, the International Olympic Committee will meet next Friday in Copenhagen, to decide the host of 2016 Olympic Games. As many of you know, candidates are Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Chicago and Tokyo.

I do love Tokyo (and Chicago).

But, also I Want To Love You, IOC!!

Favorite songs these days

1. "Life Is Good" (by DJ Deckstream feat. Mos Def)
2. "Can You Let Me Know" (by DJ Deckstream feat. Lupe Fiasco & Verbal)
3. "Keep In the Pockets" (by DJ Deckstream feat. Talib Kweli)
DJ Deckstream is my most favorite these days. Check his music at MySpace. "Life Is Good" is soooooh gooood.

4. "Don't Stay" (by Laura Izibor)
Watching her grrrreat show at Billboard Tokyo, my wife and I were impressed and love her songs.

5. "Knock You Down" (by Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo)
Keri definitely knocked me down. She is so hot!!!

6. "In All the Wrong Places" (by Kero One)
7. "Keep Pushin'" (by Kero One)
He ain't Kim Jong-Il!! Kero One looks like him a bit though.

8. "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)" (by Kardinal Offishall feat. Rihanna)
The link to YouTube isn't feat. Rihanna exactly. But Keri.

9. "Alive" (by Black Eyed Peas)
Oh, yes. They are back for Japan Tour.

By the way, Jay-Z's new album will be in stores this Friday!!

"Let's Just Be Friends" (by Kero One)

So, here I am. Back to school.

Yet, never imagined that I would study high school math again. Algebra, Differential and Integral Calculus and so on.

It was a one-week prep class. I wouldn't have taken it unless my interviewer advised. I studied 'em at high school, and wasn't so bad. But hey, it's more than a decade ago. Be humble, I said to myself. It could be a good warming-up, I supposed too. A good opportunity to learn what it is like going to school at weekday nights. A fairly good chance to meet and get along with new friends before fall semester begins.

So, here're what I got.
Well, first of all, to my disappointment I realized I barely remembered calculus. Second, arriving home at 11pm, got extremely tired and sleepy next day, which was another disappointmnt that I'm getting old. And I just turned 33 lately... But, have already met half a dozen friends, and can't wait for my school starting in a couple weeks.

Over the Rainbow

Somewhere (in Tokyo) over the rainbow
Skies are gray (no blue)

Back to Basics

"Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan."
And certainly this wasn't my plan. At least until last year.

Ever since having finished my undergraduate study, I always wanted to go back to the U.S. for studying at graduate school. But, I realized it's not my goal. And met my new employer who encourages employees to study foreign language, accounting, law or anything useful for the job (and future one). It even subsidizes a part of tuition. So, why not now?

Last couple months I prepared my essays, submitted documents and had interviews. And just got my admission letter this week. Starting in September, I will be back to school for studying advanced financial theory and practices.

Imagining to work from 9am through 6pm and to study weekday nights as well as weekend, I feel a bit of dizziness. Perhaps though it is more like going back to my high school days. The three years I studied from 7am through 10pm at school. Yes, next couple years will be very hard, but just like back to basics, getting academic stimulus and excitement.

Knowledge is Power.
To fuel it though needs energy. Hopefully my energy (i.e. my dream!!) is sustainable, and never dies!!

What if my gas is running out? Well, a Starbucks is just three blocks away from the school :) What to worry about?

Thank You For Smoking

I love Starbucks for many reasons, but a distinctive one which differentiates this specialty coffee brand from others is its non-smoking policy. Well, now there are many other coffee shops with non-smoking policy, but arguably Starbucks is the first to start such a rule. One, esp. non-smoker, is able to enjoy gourmet coffee and its aroma. Puff won't annoy such coffee break at all.

"Universal Mind Control"?! (it's COMMON!!)

Such a policy, disappointingly though, doesn't cover terrace area outside a store. Worse, the stores even offer an ash tray for customers who request one. Japan has a huge smoker population. As summer's getting closer and weather nicer, it's irresistible to go outside and enjoy coffee. But, highly likely to have someone sitting nearby smoking.

As I enjoying book-reading and drinking coffee this morning, a gentleman had a seat right next to me. He lit a tobacco and started to smoke. The puff flew to me, disturbing my favorite time. But, guess what printed on the back of his T-shirt. It was:

"Love Each Other, Respect Each Other"

This must be a bad joke, or a cry from marginalized smokers more than ever. Whatever the message really means, thanks for reminding me of mutual respect. Too bad that he couldn't see his own back.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)

Opening eyes is not hard in every single morning. Yet crawling out of a bed and taking the first step out of home are the hardest parts. These are common all over the world, but Being squeezed into a rush-hour commuter train is, HORRIBLE only if you live in Tokyo unfortunately. To many, morning ain't the end of nightmare. But, only the start of it. Real one.

Music might help you start a beautiful day.

"Good Morning" (by Kanye West)
My long-time morning alarm as well as a favorite promotion video.

"Shine" (by Laura Izibor)
The sound of piano and Laura's voice touch your eardrum softly.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)
The song will take you not to the downtown office but beach.

"Morning in Rio" (by Sergio Mendes)
Imagine yourself in Rio de Janeiro.

"Wake" (by Linkin Park)
The intro from LP's latest album expresses a lay of sunlight, morning agony and yawn... With the album, one can rock every single day.

Well, music ain't enough maybe. The best of best ways to jump-start a morning is to stop by a Starbucks shop and get a cup of coffee!! Then, you'll get awake from the five senses.

Morning Calm

What a shame.

Lately I realized I've spent last four years or so not listening to Kero One. It is my regret. Deeeeep one.

I go to a Tower Records once a week, and check every single new HipHop album. Yet, his first collection did not draw my attention. I overlooked it perhaps because of my immaturity. Ain't mature enough for listening to this mellow jazzy HipHop.

But, now I had a lesson. Have grown up for not passing by his second, which came out this year. Kero One's second, "Early Believers", is a perfect BGM for beautiful, sunny weekend mornings. The songs are chill but heartwarming. It appears to me that he certainly has a heritage from the land of "the Morning Calm". "Early Believers" is a music of the Morning Calm.

According to the weather forecast, Tokyo got into the rainy season (梅雨) today. That gloomy, humid rainman is back to the city again, but thank God, I got Kero One this year. The Korean American's songs will dry the dampness up with refreshing air!!

The music, with a glass of Iced Coffee blend at Starbucks, guarantees a time for meditation.

"Welcome to the Bay" (by Kero One)

For Kero One, the Bay means San Francisco, but this Bay is the other side of Pacific Ocean, Yokohama.

I'm back, and so is African Festa, with 34 African embassies, 60 NGOs, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yokohama City.


One can get a free poster, buy African accessories or enjoy a live music concert

and street music performances here

and there,

Or get an African drum lesson.

But, wherever I am, can't start a day without a Starbucks coffee!! Here's one at Chinatown. (Oh, and Ethiopian embassy was selling its coffee, too.)

and Chinese supper. (I did have African cuisine too!!)

"Right Round" (by Flo Rida)

you spin my head right round, right round

It's been a couple month since we moved in a new apartment, and slowly started purchasing new furniture for it, one by one like a ceiling fan in the picture above. My wife and I will cover all items of our long shopping list hopefully by the end of this year.

On the other hand, I'll keep some "Pandra's boxes" for this year's hot summer night thrill. (And I won't remember which items I enclosed in each box by then. )

Pandra's Boxes, or Panda's?

Anybody who want Korean cuisine or such a thrill are welcome.

While You Were Sleeping

Golden Week is over.

This year's GW has 5 consecutive holidays, incl. weekend, in a row. So, before the holidays begin, I bought a dozen books from Amazon.com. I know, it's a bit ambitious...

Well, here's how it turned out.
On the very first day, my parents visited my new aparment.
Then, I got a cold (not swine flu) for next couple sunny days.
Followed by rainy days. Period.
I've finished only one paperback, and been reading two more.

As watching Sandra Bullock's "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) this evening, I realized the holidays are over while I was sleeping. And here's my favorite quote from the movie. Lucy (Sandra Bullock)'s father said to his daughter,

"Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan."