Hello from Osaka

　April 13, 2013

　　Dinner cruise near Imperial Hotel Osaka and dinner by them

　Janury 19, 2013

　　Went out to Osaka Central Public Hall, a famous hitorical buiding of about 100 years.
　Symposium of a Lecture, 3 Rakugo tales, Talk show was held to celebrate the 90th
　anniversary of Japan's Mediation System （judicial system of solving civil disputes by
　mediators and mediating judge of court through the spiritus of mutual gratitude and
　concession.
　　Jeevan found it difficult to understand Rakuge and began to fell asleep while Katu
　kicked his legs to keep him awake. First time to watchi Rakugo in person for both
　Jeevan and Katsu.
　　We briefely learned about the person of Mr. Iwamoto Einosuke, who was a big stock
　trade and donated one million yen to city of Osaka. The money was used to build this
　Public Hall. He obtained the idea of donation through his experiences he had during
　his trip to U.S.A. as a memmber of Honorary Commercial Commissioners of Japan to
　the United States of America in 1909.

　Januray１４、2013

　Jeevan　helped us fix the punctured tube of bicycle and dispose of
　book shelves no longer needed.

　January 13, 2013

　　Made a short trip to nearby Fish Maket and strolled around the old port.

　January 12, 2013
　
　 At the 20th Speach Contest by foreign high-school students on their experiences in Japan,
　Jeevan made a speech about social differences between Japan and U.S.A.

　December 14, 2012　　Bonfire Festival at Iwatsuta Shrine

　　　Jeevan visited a nearby shrine to experience a local festival.

　　　A yearly festival was held to commemorate the legendary epidode that
　　once upon a time, the Ebisu god drifted from somewhere and reached the
　　Ishizu beach　and the village people set fire to the wood in order to warm
　　the cold body of the Ebisu god.　108pieces of woods, same number as
　　Bonnou, were set and burned to wish for nexe year's good lucks and
　　happinesses.　Incidentally, we took 108 pictures altogether.

　　　We discovered that Jeevan likes "Yakitori"　grilled chicken
　　(often skewered by a wood stick)　very much.　He enjoyed the lottery of
　　 Yakitori, although he got one stick only.

　　　After the ceremony, we visited a friends bar. 　Jeevan's first trip to a bar
　　（drinked Coke since he is a minor.）

.

　December 9, 2012
　　Jeevan patarticipated in 12th Mainichi PC Inputting Competition and
　won the 4th prize in class of Engligh language.

　
　December 8, 2012
　　Jeevan participated in Ooizumi Rotary Club's end-of-year family meeting.

　December 8, 2012

　　　Jeevan woke up early and sat for ACT in Minoo city.

　December 7,2012

　　We participated in a Christmas Party at New Hankyu Hotel in Umeda.

　November13,2012
　
　　　Visited a Nepali restaurant and enjoyed some very spicy dishes.

　November10.2012

　　Thanks to the nice nice persons who carried us by us, sunny weather, many other
people arond and things, we, along together with 28 people, enjoyed visiting Kiyomizu
Temple, Umekouji Steam Locomotives Museum, Kyoto Aquarium　(newly opened March 2012)
Embroidery Museum at full length.

　November 3, 2012

　　Jeevan went to Kansai Gaidai University and joined the Homecoming
　Day. Met a very powerful and interesting person at the age of 80.

　October 27, 2012

　　Jeevan participated in the special 28th anniveersary meeting of Ooizumi Rotary Club.

　October 21. 2012
　　Jeevan visited the Sakai Festival and watched the parade for a couple
　of hours. Mickey and Minnie made their first appearance in thie festival.
　The ancient style matchlocks caught his attention.

　October 7, 2012

　Jeevan visited the Autumn Festival (Thanks to the Harvest) near
　our office area.　Several Floats (miniture shrine) gathered at a place
　 and particpants　displayed their strengh and guts by lifting the shrine
　up and down and　carrying the heavy shrine without dropping it to the
　ground for some distance.

　October 6,2012

　Visited relative's to celebrate his newly built office building and his house in Gojyo, city,
Nara, about 35miles from Sakai.

　Did some sightseeing after having a bowl of "Champon"　noodle at a recently very crowded
Chinese restaurant. 　Visited the exhibition of a revived ancient fishing method which was
not working because of the damaged broght by the Typhoon 17 two weeks ago. Walked through
the Shinmachi (literally "new town") 　which was developed over 400 years ago and and is
preserved in nealy original conditons.

　September 23,2012

　　Drove to the Osaka Castle Park in the afternonn and enjoyed touring around
　the castle and up at the Main Tower. 　Many interesting historical facts were there,
　one thing to remember, above all, is that the Main Tower was rebuilt for the 3rd time
　in 1931, 82 years ago , by citizens' donations at the cost of 450,000 yen while 750,000
　yen was consumed to build the headquarter of the Army which was an obligation,
　imposed by the government, in 　exchange for the permission to rebuild the Main Tower.

September 16, 2012
　
　Jeevan went to Kishiwada Danjiri Festival and enjoyed
　watching the Floats and shopping at various stands.

September 8, 2012
　
　Jeevan participated in Sumiyoshi High's School Festival.

August 22, 2012

We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Jeevan Rajagopal from
Lincoln, Nebraska. He will be stying with our family for probably
the following ten month.

On February 18, 　I was given the opportunity to help as a
volunteer translator for Mr. and Mrs. Steven Rego during
the reception of Senshuu International Marathon, held on
February 19. 　Mr.Rego had the guts to complete the Senshyu
International Charity Marathon next day which was quite cold
and not so favorable for runninng.

The medal, in honor of the first Japanese American policeman in
Berkeley, was given as a sign of long term friendship between
Sakai and Berkeley cities. 　It is also a simbol of the braves of
policemen as Mr. Tsukamoto's watch was put to an end on
duty, during his professional endeavors to protect people from
crimes.

My respect for policemen were increased by these experiences.

Ava and Tristan, June 13. Photo from Ms. Amy Karl

Updated April 14, 2009

　Mr. Tristan Karl's 6 months photo from Ms. Amy Karl

　We celebrated Takahiro's 15's birthday with Sushi dinner.
　In the middst of so called "Gang Age", he refused to be
　photographed. So here is a photo from August 2002, when
　we visited Hiroshima area.

Updated on Dec.31, 2007

　　Decbmer 20 Jo sent a Mill's Fleet Farm sweatshirt to
　　match the cap, previously owned by late Einer.

　　I usually find it difficult to choosie gifts for anyone
　　but will somehow find　some suitable gifts for her
　　somewhere.

　　August 1 to 11,　2007 we hosted 2 boys from Berkeley

　　　We did our best so that they could enjoy their stay
　　　Hopefully, we could keep in touch for a long time.
　　　Eveen if not, 　the memories will last a long time.

Updated on Sep. 9, 2006

　　Katsuyoshi made a visit to Minnesota to inquire after
　Mr. Einer Satter in a hopital in Fergus Fall and to visit
　the grave of late Renee Satter　who was a really nice
　person.
　
　

Updated on Aug 20, 2006

　　Takahiro left Japan to go to Berkeley as a member of
　Sakai city delegation of 12 children and 4 adult leaders.
　Retunred on Aug 20 as a more reliable kid. 　Being apart
　even for a short period of 11 days made us appreciate
　each other better.

Updated on May 28, 2006

　　　Haruka and Takahiro did their job very well
　　at their shcool's Athletic Meeting today.

　　Updated on April 14, 2006

　　　Takahiro turned to be 12 years old today. 　 Haruka is 10. They were 7 and 5
　　when they visited Minnesota in February 2001.

　　Updated on April 12, 2006

　　　My precious pictures of precious perons and memories......