part 2

Kids Christmas party

Thanks for all the fun! It was awesome!

Plain Vs Plane

Punctuation catastrophe

Synonym

The Hobbit (film)

Last weekend I went to see The Hobbit.

I thought it was really good.

It is the first part of a trilogy that is 

a prequel to the Lord of the rings trilogy.

So if you thought the LotR movies were fun,

you will probably enjoy this one too.

The one think I would critisize is that it

is a little bit too long, (3 hours) and can feel a bit

slow sometimes. But Peter Jackson's

movies have a habit of doing this.

5/5

Bogeymen

Click the picture above for a link to an interesting BBC 

article about scary Christmas folklore from around the world.

Back out

back out

v.,informal

To fail to keep a promise; get out of an agreement. 

She backed out of her engagement. 

(She had promised to marry him, but broke her promise.) 

He agreed to help him with the loan, but backed out. 

(He agreed to lend him money, but he changed his mind.)

P.S The picture at the top is unrelated. 

I couldn't find a picture to represent back out 

so I just but a picture of a bear with no hair instead.

Get away with

get away with

v., informal

To do (something bad or wrong) 

without being caught or punished.

"Some students get away with 

not doing their homework."

(They leave their work undone 

without being caught or punished.)

in case

in case

adv. phr., informal

In order to be prepared; as a precaution; if there is need.

-Usually used in the phrase "just in case". 

The bus is usually on time, but start early, just in case. 

(The bus is usually on time, but you should start 

early so that you will be there if it leaves early.)

Oh my Dog!

I know Japanese people looove this kind of stuff! Personnally I don`t and I feel terribly bad for the dog but I admit these pictures are funny!

Crazy critters & stunning snow

We had the first snow of the year just the 

day before yesterday in Kyoto. 

Even with the naked eye snow is beautiful, 

but under a microscope it is truly stunning. 

Have a look at some snowflake micro-photography, 

just click on the picture above for the link.

Also, if you are not terrified of insects, 

take a look at some of the most unusual bugs on the planet. 

The cute little guys above are called "bee flies".

Just click on the picture to see more.

:Phil

STUPID QUESTION

Today's stupid question is...

Would you rather 

fight 100 chicken sized horses 

or 1 horse size chicken?

An all-around iPhone Case

Have you just gotten an iPhone 5 and are looking for a case for it?  Well, here is an all-around case that will not only protect your iPhone, but also be useful when you get stranded on a deserted island and have no food.

Introducing, the Senbei Rice Cracker iPhone 5 case!

This new case is handmade from brown rice and salt by "Mariko."  Not only does it smell and look good, but it also tastes good!  So if you are ever in need of a snack, just take a bite out of your iPhone.  But beware, you will lose some protection for your iPhone.  Also, if you do drop your iPhone, the case will most likely break, but you can still eat it.

For more information, you can check it out here.

amazing towers

I just saw those pictures and I have to say I am pretty amazed by what some people can build. Those towers are so really original and extravagant, I love them!!

Ono Hawaiian Food!

So if I say Hawaiian food, what do you think of?  Well, most of you will answer:  Loco Moco!  Your answer is half correct.  Loco Moco is what we call "local" food and not authentic Hawaiian food. 

An authentic Hawaiian dish that I want to share with you today is Lomi Lomi Salmon.  Huh?  Well, this is a traditional side dish served at Hawaiian luaus (party).  This dish was introduced to Hawaiians by early western sailors.  Here is the recipe:

First you need about 700 grams of salmon and rock salt.  You will lay this on the salt in a dish and cover it with more salt.  Put it in the refrigerator overnight, and wash off the salt and dice the salmon.

Next you will peel and dice 3 tomatoes and 1 small onion.  If you can find a Maui onion, that would be best, but if not, any onion will do.  Next mix the tomatoes, onion, and salmon together.  Then add 3/4 lime juice, 1/8 teaspoon of Tabasco, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. 

Now, here is how this dish got its name.  Next mix everything together as if you are massaging the mixture.  Once everything mixed well, you are ready to eat!  Enjoy!

Movies

So now that I have finished my university classes until next year, 

I have time to do normal things again, like watch movies. 

Over the weekend I watched two films. 

BRAVE 

(メリダとおそろしの森) 

It was a cute kids movie. 

The animation was really beautiful, 

but the story was not so great. 

Fun to watch, but not amazing.

2/5

LOOPER 

(ルーパー)

Really interesting film about time travel. 

I recommend this one if you like science fiction.

4/5

Can anybody catch the misteak?

This was taken from engrish.com.  This site has many weird english words and phrases used in everyday signs, menus, and clothes, etc. 

Now, do you see the mistake in this picture?  

Can you believe this was on the news in America???

Arashiyama

This morning I got up a bit early to go to Arashiyama and see the red leaves I so wanted to see. There was almost no one and the sky was so blue, it was perfect. One hour later though all the tourist buses started to show up and it got much more crowded! Fortunately I was on my way back home already! Here are some pictures I took. Have any of you been there this year? It feels awesome to wake up and see such a beautiful scenery before heading to work!

Take THAT, bad grammar

Can

The word 'can' is used to denote ability.

I can swim.
(I have the ability to swim.)

Can he lift 150 kgs?
(Does he have the ability to lift 150 kgs?)

May

The word 'may' is used to denote permission.

You may swim in this river.
(You are allowed to swim in this river.)

May I have a biscuit?
(Am I permitted to have a biscuit?)

Can for Permission (Informal Setting)

These days, however,
the word 'can' is used for both ability and permission,
particularly in an informal setting.

You can swim in this river.
(You are allowed to swim in this river.)

Can I have a biscuit?
(Am I permitted to have a biscuit?)

Always May for Permission in a Formal Setting

In a formal setting or in polite company,
you should use 'may' to denote permission.

May I leave the table?
(Am I permitted to leave the table?)

Thrak and I

Eye halve a spelling checker

Thanksgiving = Turkey?

Yes, almost 88% of Americans eat turkey for Thanksgiving, which is almost 334 million kilograms of Turkey eaten in one day.  So some of you might be wondering what other food do you eat on Thanksgiving?  Well, here are some commonly eaten foods for Thanksgiving. 

Stuffing -  this is bread/cornbread with onions and celery, and maybe dried cranberries or apples. 

Cranberry Sauce

 Corn on the Cob

Mashed potatoes with gravy

Green bean casserole

Pumpkin Pie

Lunch time!

Every day, a friend of mine makes 

lunch for her son to take to school, 

some of them are really awesome.

Ubiquitous

ubiq·ui·tous

adjective

Definition of UBIQUITOUS

: existing or being everywhere at the same time  

: constantly encountered  

: widespread a ubiquitous fashion

— ubiq·ui·tous·ly adverb

— ubiq·ui·tous·ness noun

Examples of UBIQUITOUS

1. The company's advertisements are ubiquitous.
2. "by that time cell phones had become ubiquitous, and people had long ceased to be impressed by the sight of one"
3. Hot dogs are the ideal road trip food—inexpensive, portable, ubiquitous. —Paul Lucas, Saveur, June/July 2008

And if you're wondering who the old man at the top is,

that's the ubiquitous Bill Hunter. He was a famous 

Australian actor, and up until last year, when he died,

it was against the law to make a film in Australia

without him in it.