Mammogram

I'm back! I have posted any blog for a long time. Actually, I have several blogs, not only this one, but for my work, my diary etc., and I haven't update any of them. I knew that creating a blog that will satisfy everyone is impossible, but I had a kind of trouble in some other blogs. I didn't feel like blogging any more. After a few month, I came back on a whim and probably, I'll be updating as frequently as possible!

Mammogram Recommendations?

Compared to other developed nations, fewer women take mammogram routinely in Japan, which is why breast cancer has a high mortality rate here. When the tumor is detected in the early stage, this disease is curable but as few people take a checkup, it is usually too late when they find a cancer. I recently had a chance to talk with an obstetrician and gynecologist and learned about the need to take medical checkup. We're still encouraging people to take mammogram here, so I was surprised when I heard about the guideline in the US. I assume this is due to the economic crunch, however, prevention is more important than curing cancer patients.

As for me, I took a checkup 2 years ago and I guess I have to take one this year.

Demise of the King

They said that it will be always remembered what you were doing when you heard the news about the death of Micheal Jackson. I was just sleeping and I got an email from a friend that informed me of the news. I was half asleep and I didn't get surprised or shocked at all. When I got out of the bed and turned on TV, I got shocked. Even though I haven't been listening to his music recently, I've always loved it. It never gets out of date.

Michal Jackson is literally the king who mesmerized people on the whole planet. I'd say he might have had as much power as Pope has in Christian world. He has been the only king and we will never have another Micheal Jackson in the future. We have such diverse music styles and everyone's preference differs from others.

I felt empathy for him when somebody, I forgot who he was, said that Michael was the loneliest man he had ever met. Even the King, who was admired by billions of people, could not fill in his loneliness. The more powerful you become, the less people you can trust, which is really a sad thing.

Michael is is not only the King. But to me, he looks like someone that lives in another world, which could be a virtual world, or in our illusion. I never see him as a ordinary human being just like us. He is the superpower, whom we can never get in touch. I really felt so when I heard the story one of the commentators told us about. He said he was asked by a Japanese girl if he has touched Michael. She shook hands with the commentator and she fainted. He is such a special figure.

Anyway, his demise in this time is not a bad thing. They say Michael looked so frail and he wouldn't have another chance for come back. If we saw Micheal in a terrible conditions, a lot of people would feel discouraged. Michael shouldn't be old. He must be the King, and an innocent boy who forever loves singing and dancing.

His sudden death slip back all the images of his glorious moments into a fantasy world.

twitter

I'm having a hard time updating this place, but so far I never think about quitting updating.

I recently started using twitter. I still haven't figured out how well it work for me but seeing Anderson tweet is really fun for me!

Medical Marijuana

There have been a lot of problems related to marijuana in Japan these days. Quite a few celebrities were arrested, and students in prestigious universities were accused of drug traffiking. So legalizing this plant, even as medical use, is unthinkable here. I also cannot believe they are sold casually in some shops and people can get some marijuana easily.

Even so, it is OK to sell its seeds, which are usually processed so as not to let it burgion. We use the seeds for bird feed or spices. However, there's a catch. It's also OK to sell unprocessed seeds. But if you grow them, you get arrested.


I can understand how marijuana helped the musician relieve her pain and how much it changed her life. But I still don't think it's a good idea to see it as one of medical herbs. She said something like, "If it helps people feel good at the end of the day, government cannot judge his or her decision (to use the drug)." But in my opinion, something that could lead the society in the bad direction shoulg not be legalized.

Last week, Anderson was in LA and I love to see Anderson broadcast from the roof top of the building.

North Korea

I know it is a kind of absurd to talk about a news show broadcasted a week ago. I was planning on updating this place and took some pictures. Better late than never.


North Korea is a cause of headache for our country, what with abduction issue, nuclear programs, ballistic missiles. Among that, abduction issue is the major concern for the Japanese. Other countries give nuclear issue the first priority, which I personally believe is the right thing to do. And so, sometimes the Japanese government is frustrated when they don't take abduction issues as seriously as we expect.

And now, two American journalists were sentenced 12 years in prison, serving compulsive labor in mine lands. I have often seen on Japanese TV how inhumane they treat the inmates there. I feel sick in stomach just to recall what was reported. I think more and more people will be concerned about what's happening in NK, and I hope the country will be a better one.

As for the journalists, I think I saw a report by one of them, maybe Laura Ling(?). She appeared on 360 a few years ago, didn't she?? I was amazed by how she liked the country. She seemed so happy to be in "such a beautiful country." Japanese people tend to see NK as just an odd country and we never expect it to be beautiful. Since I saw her report, I've thought how biased our media might be. Basically, the Japanese have a hostile feeling toward NK, and so our media might like to promote prejudice.

Even so, I don't feel like showing respect to that regime.

Ku Klux Klan

This is my first time to hear about KKK, which might sound like that I am so retarded when American people hear this. But I was surprised that this kind of discrimination was still going in this civilized nation.

It was a nice moment to see young Anderson. Although it was just 4 years ago, he seems a lot younger. I thought he looked so handsome in the old interview, but I found him much more attractive in the present.

Anyway, it is interesting to hear that it was like a "fairy tale" for a black man to be elected as a mayor of a small city in the country of which President is a black man. This mayor being elected is just as significant as the Presidential Election.

Talk with Bibi

Generally speaking, many Japanese people are ignorant of what's happening in Israel. To us, what's happening there is world away and we are so indifferent. I remember my Canadian coworker say,"Israeli issues are often taught in Western countries and many people are concerned about it but here in Japan, not so many people know about it." (... oh well
I'm just making excuse for my ignorance.)

Anyway, I don't have a positive feelings toward Israel as far as I learned from the talk between David and Anderson. Making the Middle East nuclear-free is so important for the entire world. And in order to realize it, Iran is the key. I can understand that. However, Israel cannot make it as long as the country itself is unstable. I think Obama is right. Dealing with Israel/Palestine issues is the most important in that region.

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I captured some cute pictures! I hope you enjoy them :)

Aung San Suu Kyi

Not only people in "this" country, but I think many people in Japan do not know about the situation in Burma, either. And I'm afraid I am one of them. So it was a good opportunity for me to learn about what's happening to Suu Kyi and in Burma.

It was interesting when the musician, too bad I don't remember name, compared Aung San Suu Kyi with Nelson Mandela. Both of them fought for democracy, which was the very reason they were imprisoned. But they don't hate the people who had done that to them. They hate their surroundings where they are/were obliged to suppress democracy.

Is that really possible for a foreigner to sneak in the country and swim all the way to her? This is such a mystery. Somebody asked him to do so that they can arrest her?

Anderson must be so keen on this issue, he is always just as enthusiastic at any issues though, as Burma is his starting point of his extraordinary career. I also loved it when he played the music of the singer at the end to show his respect.

It's been a long time since I blogged last time

Are there still visitors to this place?? Anyway, I came back to my own place for the first time n a very very long time.

I have been extremely busy with my work recently. I do enjoy watching the show but cannot spare enough time to keep up blogging. However, writing about the show is one of the best way to enhance my English and the lack of it made me realize how my English ability has been deteriorating these days. I think it's high time I started again.

Even so ...

Maybe I'll write about Pakistan, Burma or kayaking tomorrow.

I at least posted the commercial for CNN Heroes. Anderson sounds so soft and pays respect to all the possible CNN heroes.

Smile, please!

To be honest, I haven't been able to even watch 360 these days. I am kind of stressed out. But seeing my favorite anchor really helps me feel relaxed. Seeing his smile makes me smile:)


As I said, I haven't checked out the show for the past few days, I want to ask you this. Japanese "Prime Minister," which I never want to call him this way, visited White House and had a talk with President Obama. He is the first leader to visit White House. But how many of you know this? In my opinion, I didn't like his visit. There are several reasons.
1) The U.S. invited him just before State of the Union. It looks like that America showed respect to Japan, and actually, we thought that we are highly welcomed. However, media wouldn't focus on it as much as Obama's speech. In the end, his visit didn't make a big news.
2) I don't like current happened-to-be PM. I never think he is fit for the job and he is a national embarrassment. According to one survey, his supporting rate is less than 10%. The Washington should know that he wouldn't last long. (Actually, when Hillary came, she even had a talk with the leader of the opposition party.) While our leader just enjoyed being there, the U.S. succeeded in asking a helping hand when needed.