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.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (4)

At a morning market that starts at 5 am, there are so much frensh food.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (3)

Every night, if the weather is good, you can see this sun set from the hotel window.

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (2)

In Noumea, the capital city of New Caledonia, I found an interesting sushi restaurant. Isn't this so French and tropical at the same time...??

C'est la vie -- tres bonne! (1)

I've just come back from my eleven-day vacation in New Caledonia. I simply enjoyed seeing the spectacular scenes and colors that needs no further explanation. From today, I'll show you one scene per day...stay tuned. Today's photo is Nokahui Island.

Luxuary Sadness

Shinjuku 43 km -- a green sign appeared in the dark, toward which many back-lights were driving like taking off.

On Sunday late evening, when returning from a trip, I love the moment that reminds me that it is the nation's capital where I'm coming back to start a week the next day.

It's sad because it clearly shows the weekend is over. But it's luxuary sadness, sort of.

I remembered having the same luxuary sadness when I saw the "Washington 160 miles" sign lit by my head light as I was coming back from a weekend trip to Ocean City in Maryland.

Yeah, I love the idea that I live and work in the nation's capital, that I have this little space of my car all to myself, and that I can listen to whatever music I like in the car......all this makes me feel I'm a true-blue yuppie:)