As many of you know, I'm very keen on bonsai. (Bonsai are miniature trees planted in pots.) I'm fortunate, I will be living on Shikoku, the island that produces many of Japan's bonsai.
Wouldn't be fun to bring one home? Here is a web site that lists some bonsai. Your job is to determine the price (in yen, the Japanese currency), convert it to dollars and figure out the price of the tree.
http://www.kinashi-bonsai.com/chinshouen/shop/search.php
When you find the price, Paulding students, come to my room (room 54) and tell me personally to redeem your prize.
PS Here's a hint, this site will make the conversion job easier:
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/convert?amt=100&from=JPY&to=USD&submit=Convert
Please don't publish your answer on this site.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Leave me a Japanese Greeting!
You can leave me a greeting in Japanese if you go to this website, Babelfish. Type in a short greeting into the box and then translate it from English to Japanese. You can then copy it (control "C") and paste it (control "V") into this blog.
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/?fr=avbbf-us
It is also fun to paste the Japanese into transalate box and see how it translates back into English.
This is what I got when I typed in "This is fun!"
これは楽しみである!
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/?fr=avbbf-us
It is also fun to paste the Japanese into transalate box and see how it translates back into English.
This is what I got when I typed in "This is fun!"
これは楽しみである!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Old and the New... or "How do I flush?"
One of the fascinating aspects of Japanese culture is the integration of both the old and the new.... the old traditions and the newest technology. Believe it or not, this even affects bathrooms. Let me quote from the basic handbook of the sending agency, the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund:
"While many places in Japan have Western-style toilets, don't be surprised if you encounter the 'Squat' variety. They are sanitary and sensible, although they do require some balancing. As long as you are able to keep your heels placed on the ground, you will find them fairly easy to use. Before going to Japan, you many want to practice squatting while trying to keep your heels on the ground.
On the other hand, toilets with heated seats are becoming quite common at regular homes... These seats usually have a console of various controls and buttons which, when pushed provide luxuries such as continuous flushing noise for privacy and modesty, seat heating for cold days and warm jet sprays for washing. "
Hmmm. Should be interesting. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to practice my squatting!
** In what others ways do you think I'll encounter both the old and the new? **
"While many places in Japan have Western-style toilets, don't be surprised if you encounter the 'Squat' variety. They are sanitary and sensible, although they do require some balancing. As long as you are able to keep your heels placed on the ground, you will find them fairly easy to use. Before going to Japan, you many want to practice squatting while trying to keep your heels on the ground.
On the other hand, toilets with heated seats are becoming quite common at regular homes... These seats usually have a console of various controls and buttons which, when pushed provide luxuries such as continuous flushing noise for privacy and modesty, seat heating for cold days and warm jet sprays for washing. "
Hmmm. Should be interesting. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to practice my squatting!
** In what others ways do you think I'll encounter both the old and the new? **
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