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  • 2009
    • May
    • April
    • March
      • Prelude
        03/30/09
        The cherry trees have already started blooming in the southern parts of Honshu. Here in Kitakami, the cherry blossoms are still a few weeks off, but their advance team has arrived. Plum blossoms started appearing last week, despite three days of snow.

      • Tax Time
        03/29/09
        Tax time in Japan doesn't seem to evoke the same image of oppressive bureaucracy that it does in the U.S. I wonder if it's because the forms are simple and colorful?



        Or it may be because the instruction booklet includes a cute cartoon lady to guide you through the pr

      • Distant Views
        03/09/09
        On Sunday, we went to Geto Ski Area, where the unusually clear skies afforded long range views in all directions. The summit is usually shrouded in fog, so it seemed like a special treat.

        To the east, we could see Mt. Hayachine, about 65 kilometers away in the central mountains of Iwate.<

      • Hina Matsuri
        03/05/09
        March 3 is about more than just good ear health. It's also the day of Hina Matsuri, or Girls' Day. Families with daughters celebrate the day to ensure their future happiness. The most recognizable feature of the celebration is an elaborate display of dolls (hina ningyo).


      • National Ear Health Day
        03/03/09
        March 3 is National Ear Health Day. Why? Because some countries don't mind enshrining puns in official proclamations. "Ear" is mimi, and "three" is mi, so 3/3 is "ear".

        It's a day to pay careful attention to ear health, and how better to do that tha

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