you gotta start somewhere

Hello. Konnichiwa.

Good Morning. Ohayou.
Ohayou-gozaimasu. (Polite)

Good afternoon. Konnichiwa.

Good evening. Konbanwa.

Good night. Oyasumi. Oyasuminasai.

Good bye. Sayounara.

See you later. Dewa mata.

See you tomorrow. Mata ashita.

How do you do. Hajimemashite.

I'm glad to see you. Oai-deki-te ureshii-desu.

How are you? Ogenki desu-ka.

I'm fine. Genki-desu.

And you? Anata wa?

I'm fine, too. Watashi-mo genki-desu.

Thank you. Arigatou. /
Arigatou-gozaimasu.(polite)

saturday night

It's Saturday night and I am home, feet up, and reading up on our destination: Japan. Getting very excited.

only 3 sleeps to go.....but who's counting?

the team meets for a briefing

started thing about the purpose of our trip.

PLACE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place

my name in Japanese katakana script

I had to put in my long name cos it wouldn't recognise the short one, but I am cool about that cos I get a really nice script.

It is pronounced "DAIAN". (Consonants are pronounced more or less the same way as in English. "A" sounds like a in father, but shorter. "I" sounds like ee in meet, but shorter.)

http://japanesetranslator.co.uk/your-name-in-japanese/

tour team meeting

Some of the team gather to nut out wether to buy the FEED ME pack on the jetstar flight or take pot luck.

there's never instructions in english

I can remember being in New York and visiting a wonderful art and design exhibition at the Japanese society building i think it was and i needed to go to the loo. They had installed the very latest in Japanese loo technology and there was a control panel with many options to choose from. It was a freezing cold day, and there seemed to be an option for a heated seat, but I have to admit I was so worried abour wearing what I had just done, I settled for the oldfashioned push the button and flush option. On this trip to Japan, I am going to attempt to learn how to drive these machines.

Japan has many National days to celebrate

Thanks to
http://www.sardouzami.com/goonagoon/rooze%20kir/national%20penis%20dag.htm

whetting my own appetite

doing some research before I leave

I am deeply attracted to Japanese vending machines, and it appears I am not the only one. Ryuuichi Terada Ikeda of Sapporo, Hokkaido has been taking a picture of the same Coca-Cola vending machine nearly every day for over two years, and intensely documenting the changes. Not only does he take daily photos, but he compares the photos to the previous year and draws diagrams explaining the daily changes. The addition of new products, stickers, and marketing gimmicks are all there in clear detail.

http://jihan.sblo.jp/

whetting the appetite.....this should do it!!!!

This is the Next Generation House by Sou Fujimoto Architects. It's like a house built with Jenga blocks and is a small weekend house that overlooks the River Kuma in Kumakura, Japan. We are going there!!!!!!

This year I have rediscovered my architectural roots and have been imparting knowledge to unsuspecting students. Now I am extending that rekindled enthusiasm for the built environment and tagging along with a study tour of Japan. I will be visiting the ancient and the modern and this blog will record my latest adventures

I name this BallPark adventurer......Arki Ball