My sister lives by herself in an apartment near her university. I stayed with her during my 4 months stay in Japan this summer. My sister, Maiko, loves cooking, and she would cook me breakfast and dinner every day. I would help her finish homework and preparation for presentations when she needed.
Would you like some Long Island Iced Tea?? --- Ah, it's too strong for me. But I'd like to have buy-you-boogie instead.
I ate too much food over this summer! Although I don't like eating sushi or raw fish, I survived. When Takashi came to visit me in Japan for 2 weeks, we went to "all-you-can-eat yakiniku (beef marinated with special sauce)" with Maiko and her boyfriend, Hisayuki.
Would you like some Blue Hawaii?? --- Sure, I'd like you to use Bacardi Rum for that.
I had my 23rd birthday on June 27th. I celebrated the day, first, with my parents and grandparents, then with Takashi and my good friends! sorry, this picture is not from my birthday, but they were the people who celebrated my birthday with me that night. My real birthday pictures are too bad to see.
Would you like some Gin & Tonic?? --- No, thanks. Gins are too bitter for me.
Takashi and I went to Yokohama (near Tokyo) to see our good friends, Aki and Kenyo. July 7th is Tanabata (the day we celebrate milkyway in the sky), an important festival day. We went to the festival in Yokohama and had fun all night!
Would you like some Kamikaze?? --- Make it a shot, please! Shake well.
We stayed in Yokohama for 2 days and a day in Tokyo, but we survived to spend a night (July 7th) on a famous surfing beach called Shounan. We had a hard time making fire and were freezing by sea breeze. But after we made fire, we did fireworks and created a comfortable space for us to spend over night.
Would you like some White Russian?? --- Yes, I love it the best! Please use Absolut Vodka for that.
On July 8th, Takashi and I got engaged! It was about noon before he went out in water for some surfing. To say the truth, I was not expecting him to propose me that soon, because I was mad at him not getting into water when there were good waves out there. I thought he was just afraid of the waves, but he couldn't get into water, because he had this engagement ring in his pocket. This would be one of the most happiest and unforgetable moments in my life.
Would you like some Tequila Sunset?? --- Sure, I'd like you to use Cuervo Tequila for that.
I worked as a bartender at a popular dance club bar in Fukuoka City. This is my best partner, Shin, when I was bartending. We helped each other to make drinks as fast as we could, and my sales performance was his, and his was mine. We worked hard and were #1 bartenders at the bar.
Would you like some Orange Blossom?? --- No, thanks. I don't like gins. Screw Driver instead.
Since the bar was New York style with American owner, we served American drinks. A half of our customers were Americans, and the other half were Japanese. It was a very interesting and unusual atmosphere. I soon created my original cocktails and served them to my customers too. The most popular cocktail to Japanese was Gin & Tonic, to Americans was Jack & Coke!
Would you like some Red Eye?? --- I know it's a healthy drink, but I don't like tomato juice.
I worked as a DJ at the same dance club bar. During my DJ shifts, I would play my favorite songs; It was always the mixture of American and Japanese music. I often played Missy Elliot, Nelly, Bahamen, Paperboy, Sisqo, Jay-z, etc. For American music. They loved the music, because I was the only DJ who had those updated American CDs!
Would you like some Grey Hound?? --- I would rather have Salty Dog instead.
This is how the place looked like. The place is called "Off Broadway," so if you have a chance to visit Fukuoka, that's about the only place English is the official language. It was always packed with people on weekends, and there was even a long line of people waiting outside of the club.
Would you like some Campari Orange?? --- Sure, but I like Cassis Orange better.
In the daytime, I worked as an English-Japanese translator at world swimming tournament. I was hired as a professional translator there after competitive interviews and tests. I worked at doping control station most of the time, since it was the most complicated, important, and serious station for all swimmers.
Would you like some Moscow Mule?? --- With good lemon, please. Sorry I'm picky.
Would you like some Gin Buck?? --- Didn't I say I hate gins? Please don't ever ask me to drink them.
Since I was too busy working every day and night, I quitted my summer jobs a week before coming back to Michigan. I wanted to spend more time with my family and grandparents. My dad, mom, sister, two grandpas and two grandmas, and I went to Kobe together with a huge bus-like car. Kobe is where my dad was born. It is also the place where there was a huge earthquake a while ago. We enjoyed staying in Kobe where it has changed a lot after the earthquake.
Would you like some Kir?? --- Yes, please use chilled wine glass for that.
They are my grandparents. (from left) Yaeko (my dad's mom), Minoru (my dad's dad), Kimie (my mom's mom), and Michio (my mom's dad). They all get along with each other like best friends, and my family always make promise with them to take them to somewhere they want to go (This winter, we are going to Miyazaki). They are all very healthy and are active in many ways.
Would you like some Manhattan?? --- Well, I know it takes time to make it, so... no thanks.
Would you like some Long Island Iced Tea?? --- Ah, it's too strong for me. But I'd like to have buy-you-boogie instead.
Would you like some Blue Hawaii?? --- Sure, I'd like you to use Bacardi Rum for that.
Would you like some Gin & Tonic?? --- No, thanks. Gins are too bitter for me.
Would you like some Kamikaze?? --- Make it a shot, please! Shake well.
Would you like some White Russian?? --- Yes, I love it the best! Please use Absolut Vodka for that.
Would you like some Tequila Sunset?? --- Sure, I'd like you to use Cuervo Tequila for that.
Would you like some Orange Blossom?? --- No, thanks. I don't like gins. Screw Driver instead.
Would you like some Red Eye?? --- I know it's a healthy drink, but I don't like tomato juice.
Would you like some Grey Hound?? --- I would rather have Salty Dog instead.
Would you like some Campari Orange?? --- Sure, but I like Cassis Orange better.
Would you like some Moscow Mule?? --- With good lemon, please. Sorry I'm picky.
Would you like some Gin Buck?? --- Didn't I say I hate gins? Please don't ever ask me to drink them.
Would you like some Kir?? --- Yes, please use chilled wine glass for that.
Would you like some Manhattan?? --- Well, I know it takes time to make it, so... no thanks.
