Yep, that's me on the left. Many people are surprised when they find out I am half-Japanese. That is my full-blooded Japanese mother to the right of my half-blooded Japanese brother. It was VIP day for me at the Ford's Prairie Elementary School in Centralia, Washington. If my second grade classmates had not known I was Japanese, they did now. … [Read more...] about Little Japanese Boy
Archives for 2011
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Many may be surprised but Japan does not have an official standing military. After World War II, they gave up this right in their constitution. If this was true what was Japan doing with these warships anchored at port in Sasebo, Japan? You be the judge... … [Read more...] about Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
100 Yen Store
It was the summer of 2002, I had traveled to Sasebo, Japan, with my Japanese mother. It was my first trip there since 1990 so it had been 12 long years since I have been "home". Japan's economy was struggling during this time, deflation was a problem. I remember the Japanese Yen was trading roughly at 100 Yen for $1 US dollar. That was a big shocker since I remembered as a … [Read more...] about 100 Yen Store
Swordsman in Istanbul
One of my most memorables times during graduate school. I spent the 2001 summer interning with TEGV in Istanbul, Turkey. During this time Turkey was in turmoil, the US was thinking about invading Iraq while the Turks, not happy about this invasion, was about to elect Tayyip Erdogan and the AK Party into government. To add to the excitement, Turkey had finished in the top 3 … [Read more...] about Swordsman in Istanbul
Sights and Sounds of Cafe Tram
Cafe Tram is one of my favorite coffee shops in Saigon now located in the Phu Nhuan District. You will love the water gardens and their small water falls here. Prices for coffee are good, it is one of the very few quiet coffee shops in the city as well. No blaring music unless you are inside one of the air conditioned rooms. Enjoy my YouTube clip below and some more … [Read more...] about Sights and Sounds of Cafe Tram