Turkish Airlines Business Class

It was empty. I could even occupy the two seats!

My most favorite part...a large CD collection, including classical music.

Somewhere between Tokyo and Istanbul...

Happy New Year 2009

I never realized I was so lazy last year...don't know how I didn't update the blog for so long. Anyhow, I've just come back from a grand adventure in Egypt and Turkey. Here is a champaign I'd like to toast with you!

A DAY IN BRIGHTON

I just happened to find this video on YouTube...which fondly reminded me of my very first stay in a foreign country...!!!

Pharmaceutical Industry Vs. Doctors

"Sure, the pharmaceutial industry is much more powerful than doctors," my doctor flatly said to me.

She was talking about a weird prescription drug system in Japan. Whatever the manufacturer is, all prescription drugs of the same kind are the same retail price under Japan's health insurance system. But depending on the manufacturer, wholesale prices actually vary. For example, say, company A adopts a very strict standard to check pesticides used for growing plants for herbal medicine, while company B does not conduct such a strict inspection. As a result, company A's herbal medicine's whole sale price is more expensive than company B's. Even so, retail prices of both are the same - which means pharmacies could lose money by selling company A's quality medicine, but company A does not, because it can still charge the more expensive wholesale price to pharmacies whatever the fixed retail price is.

In short, the current system actually discourage doctors to prescribe good, quality, but expensive medicine. I thought the solution may change the retail prices depending on the whole sale prices and let doctors and patients choose....? What do you think?

Juex Interdits

When I first saw the film with my parents, I was more or less the same age as the main character girl. Until recently, I only had a vague memory about two scenes - when the air raids on the bridge that killed her parents and puppy, and when she refused to drink a cup of milk that contained a dead fly, as my mom pointed it out as interesting.

Decades later, I rented a video from a French school that I started to attend over the weekend, and saw the movie second time - only to find myself belonging to the foolish adult world. I felt as if I was knocked on the head, and was told "what the hell are you doing?"

Oui, this world can be too political in various levels. But what we need in this crazy world is the straightforward, pure humanity and love that transcend throughout the movie, isn't it?

As I'm usually too workaholic even on weekends, such as watching CNN and C-SPAN, I decided to saw the video for a change. At the end of the day, this has led me to ponder over the world and my career seriously.

Cherry Blossoms

This year, cherry blossoms came out sooner than usual. Here is a picture in my neighbourhood that a local real estate agent sent me. Enjoy!

No Mid-Term Goals

As I sorted out newspapers, an interview with a Zen monk caught my eye.

He said that in Buddhism, living moment by moment is most valuable -- ah well, I know this is frequently used philosophy by play boys.

Then the monk mentioned something much more interesting: it is mid-term goals that haunt us; it is actually stressless if you just focus on short term goals, such as having a coffee, and long term goals.

Aside from climate change discussions -- experts reiterate setting mid-term goals is crucial -- actually the idea of skipping mid-term goals is quite thought-provoking to me. He continued that mid term goals are often uncontrollable. Yeah, it would be easier to attain short term goals, and probably that would finally lead to long term goals....

Priceless Value of Being Single

OK...I know this is not an exemplary answer to the typical Monday morning question, "How was your weekend?" -- especially after a long three-day weekend.

But I've got to say that I was glued to the PC...watching all those videos on YouTube, CNN, C-SPAN.

I love current events and fresh, articulate views. From that stand point, this video was one of the best....!!

Happy New Year 2008 !!

Here is a card from me, which I created on a tiny uninhabited islet called Nokahui in New Caledonia. I really wish it will continue to exist as we stop further global warming...

I wish you a very happy, gorgeous and successful New Year:)

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (15)

Our boat...everything is picturesque!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (14)

The tour guide boy caught a turtle!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (13)

And lobsters, which were tres bon!!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (12)

We ate the fish caught in the sea.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (11)

And the birds!!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (10)

Look at this incredible blue sea and white sand!!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (9)

Among other island where I visited this time, Nokanhui was absolutely the best...! The fish looked so comfortably swimming near the shore.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (8)

And there are many French cars in New Caledonia, including the parking lot of the school.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (7)

This is the French language school where I attended. It's run by the local government.

Ma professor est tres severe, mais tres bonne!!

And this is the back yard of the school....wow!!!

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (6)

Bonsai in the sparkling sea....

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (5)

This is a natural pool called "La piscine naturelle" in Ile de Pins. Simply by walking and looking down, you can encounter tropical fish.