My Host Family

Hokaido Honeydrew the most expensive fruit in Japan

This evening, about 82 foreigners going to meet their host family at ochanomitsu. And I am in.

About one month ago, my friends and I went there to fill in the form and were interviewed by two Japanese women. We have been informed that if there are too many applicants, they will pick randomly. It took quite a while for the run, till last week, i received an invitation letter along with my gaasan`s photo (gaasan, refer to mother in Japanese) I was selected. `YES!`

Today, after the welcoming ceremony, we have been divided into few groups according to our host family address. Different groups have different activities since not all of them could afford us to the Tokyo Dome Hotel. Some having ice breaking games, some having afternoon tea together, and I was taken back to my host family house to have my dinner there.

My gaasan, is a warm and kind women who has two children, one boy, one girl, both are thirties now, and one four years old granddaughter. Besides me, she has totally adopted more than two foreigner. The earliest one is a Thai government supported student, about eighteen years ago. The one before me is a Taiwanese lady, shall meet her next weekend in the party. `Yeah, we got a party!`

My tousan (father) is far more friendly than I expected when I entered his house. By the time, he was watching a baseball match and seems like no business to deal with me. Luckily, I was wrong. Nice to have him as a japanese father. He works an accountant and has his own office that located besides his house. He is his own boss.

At uchi (home), we chatted and exchanged information about our culture and country. Gaasan oderred sushi set delivery for each of us since I told her I haven`t taken sushi in Japan. Well, she has cooked some dishes beforehand, I don`t know that till they were put on the table. Believe me, I was stuffed.

We have Hokaido honeydrew, which is given by tousan no friend, as the dessert. It is quite a special fruit, as you see, the skin of the fruit is like a piece of art, when you touch it, you could feel the white strip. Moreover, the taste is the sweetiest compared to other species. (Too sweet by the way) The weirdest part is, the fruit likes a solid liquid. You couldn`t chew it since it melts in your mouth like ice cream. Well, I guess that`s the reason why it got to be the most expensive fruit in Japan. It is a potentially large market in Japan for people who couldn`t chew any longer, the wealthy old folks.

Before I left, I was given a box of alcoholic chocolates, my favourate snack, together with some fruits. Then, gaasan walked me to the nearby train station and got me a ticket.

Really appreciate them for what they have done. I was having a great time. Thanks!

P.S. Our group have a party on next Saturday. All of the parents are going to cook for us, yeah!

The Business World

`What is the purpose of studying?`

Does it sounds familiar to you?

Last December, I read the Rich Dad Series: Rich Dad Poor Dad which was recommended by my housemate. Thanks to him, I was introduced into a new vision of the business world, a fair game which everyone is playing a role in it.

Robert Kiyosaki, who launched Cashflow Technologies, Inc and also the author of Rich Dad Series, has written some important points in his books. Here is a part of it:

Poor Dad vs. Rich Dad

Poor Dad Says		Rich Dad Says
"My house is an asset."		"My house is a liability."
Rich dad says, "If you stop working today, an asset puts money in your pocket and a liability takes money from your pocket. Too often people call liabilities assets. It's important to know the difference between the two.
"I can't afford it."		"How can I afford it?"
The statement "I can't afford it" shuts down your thinking. By asking the right question, you mind opens up and looks for answers.
"The reason I'm not rich is because I have you kids."		"The reason I must be rich is because I have you kids."
"I'm not interested in money."		"Money is power."
"When it comes to money, play it safe - don't take risks."		"Learn how to manage risk."
"Pay myself last."		"Pay myself first."
Rich Dad always took a percentage off the top of any income he earned. He put this money into an investment account that went toward purchasing his assets. Poor Dad spent all his money first and never had any remaining for investments.
Believed that the company you worked for or the government should take care of your financial needs.		Believed in financial self-reliance and financial responsibility.
Focused only on academic literacy.		Focused on financial literacy as well as academic literacy.
Learned only the vocabulary of academia.		Learned the vocabulary of finance – "Your words are the most valuable tools you have."
"I work for my money."		"My money works for me."
Thought that making more money would solve his financial problem.		Knew that financial education was the answer to his financial problems: "It's not how much money you make that's important – it's how much money you keep and how long you keep it."

A question for you, my friend. Are you planning to be rich or...

Source address, http://www.richdad.com

The Only One

At an international open auction, hundred of millionaires attended to bid for a series of collectibles. Among all of the bidding items, there were two identical stamps up for bid.

゛Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present you the 1918 Inverted Jenny Stamp, which takes its name from an image of a bidplane accidentally printed upside-down. So far, only two of the stamps have ever been found, making them one of the most coveted items tonight. Tonight, the twins were offered in pair with $1,000,000. Ladies and gentlemen, you may start bidding now.゛

First, a mid-age American businessman offered 1,050,000 USD then follwed by an old India women who offered 1,060,000 USD. It went on until a young gentleman who offered a surprisingly high bid 1,500,000 USD in a loud clear voice.

One... Two... Three... Sold!

The winning bidder walked up the stair steadily and collected the stamps. In front of the other bidders, He took out a lighter and burnt one of the stamp. Then, he proudly announced,

゛Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to offer you, a stamp that you can`t find an identical one in any part of the world. Let`s start with $2,000,000 bid prices!゛

Friends, you are the one and only. You are unique.

東京大の紹介 Tokyo University

安田講堂　Yasuda Auditorium

東大地図　University Map
弥生講堂　Yayoi Auditorium
法律学部　Law Building
農学館　Agriculture Block
医学学部　Medicine Academy
お寺 Shrine?

古めかしいビール Academic Building

東屋 Pavillion

巨木 Giant Tree

三四郎池　Sanshiro Pond

螺旋ベンチ Spiral Bench

有名な赤門 Akamon Gate

A Dream

I had a dream. I dreamt of my secondary school. It had been expanded over nearby area but packed with new buildings included five storey hostels. Like a KL in Kuantan, the land was stuffed.

In dream, I capable to dash and jump from roof to roof like a ninja. I avoided the sight of people, hid in the speed of light and unattainable height of sky. When you feel of a sudden gust of wind, it might be I passing through thou.

The night, I was running and jumping. Most of the time, I peeked at people of land. They chatted and smiled to each others. Each time, I felt a great loneliness. Then, I dashed faster and jumped to a new height.

When I woke up, I kept thinking. Is his personality created his capability or his capability created his personality.

Today, I keep challenging myself to a new level of sky. At the same time, I lose interests of what others do. Our pathes have led us away. I really don`t know how to share with them.

P.S. I started to read books of business and investment recently. Wanna to get a start in business instead of studying.