Wine and Grill

That was the evening I have learned a lot again.
I was not good informed from my husband about the party. He just told me that we are going to have a dinner with his client. I thought it would be a dinner of small group.
But when we arrived at the place, I was schocked!!!



My God!!! Sticked raw piggy!!!



Look at this, this pig is biting an apple! Nooooooo!!!
I'm not a vegetarian but I was schocked!!



and it has been started grilled.. My husband teased me that Japanese smash fish in front of the Sushi counter and eat them up while they are still half alive. That's true.

But this raw pork and lamb are too realistic for me...If they are already grilled and burned, I'm fine.

So I slowly understand the concept of the party. It's not a "Barbeque" night but actually "Wine" night!



Many people came, 40 people or even more. The client of my husband is hosting party and he invited many people. His speach was followed by fun but warm welcoming speach by a man from New Zealand. (a man with blue shirt). I have never seen such a humours man like he is:)



and these people are all owning grape fields and producing wine!! It is a gathering of wine lovers!!



While the pork being grilled, all the guests are escorted to the upstrair in the restaurant. Bottles and bottles of wine have been opened and served together with appetizer.



We had to taste so many different wines. There was a can provided on the table where you can pour away wine if you can't finish them. You can continue tasting next one.



We have been surrounded by all these wine producers. What interesting was one of them has a huge grape field in Geogia. He usued to sell wine to Russia but due to this polical situation, he cannot sell them to Russia anymore. So he decided to make Brandy in stead. We were very interested in thie georgian wine. The man kindly offered us a bottle. It was very good.



We have to go down and check if our main course is ready or not. Pork and Lamb, they are grilled tender.



So here comes action. We had to get rid of this stick out from the meats.





So, this was our main dish. Of course, match perfectly with red wine.

The party has started at 4pm and went on until 12am!! There was always a humours speech from this man between each dishes and he tells how much we love wine:) I'm not a big alcohol drinker but this night, I enjoyed drinking a lot.

It was also interesting that I didn't have any headache next morning. Usually I suffer from huge headache if I drink too much. It's because those wine I drunk last night was all natural. They don't contain any presevation. The wine are "BIO"!

We have also been informed that there is a restaurant in our neighbor where offering varieties of wine including Georgian. Since Godzilla and Ursla are also fan of Gergian wine, we decided to buy a dose of wine and at the same time dine there. This report will be found in my VOX blog.

Restaurant QN-WORLD
http://www.qn-world.ch/


TODAY's MUST!!

Mild but refreshing shampoo and conditioner after being exposed to the smoke from grill!!

Aubrey Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo

Aubrey Green Tea Finishing Cream Rinse



Shampoo made from soap and won't damage sculp and hair. Allowed full, healthy hair to grow.

After enjoying natural wine, hair care must be also organic!!

Japanese challenger

It's been a way too long since I posted last time. It doesn't mean that I was spending boring days. I was just too occupied by many other things.



But now it's summer again! Odie and I are back in Zollikon..



with new Japanese guy!!

He is actually my new boss, who moved and joined the office since this April!!

This day was his birthday! I convinsed him that he should leave office early today and go swimming with me.

He had his "Lake Debut" with us last Sunday.



See this wooden deck on the water? People love to lie down on this deck and enjoy sun. Sun bathing on this deck is so comfortable, but the problem is that I have to swim back to the shore again in the cold water.

My boss didn't have any problem with it. Moreover, he dived from the deck many times before he gets completely dry. Unbelievable!!

In this moment, I felt that he is not a normal Japanese guy..



On the day of his birthday, as soon as we arrived in Zollikon, he dived from the platform!! The water is 19 degrees in temperature! I always slowly get into the water but he just dived! I was afraid he might get heart attack.



But no problem for this big Japanese man! He even climbed up to the higher platform..



and jumped.



Odie usually doesn't like to dive from head. Even when he dives, he jump from his feet, just like a frog. But this day, since my boss diving around like crazy, Odie said "now, I will go from head!". I think he said that from his pride as "waterman"....



and he did. But compare to the beautiful dive of my boss, Odie still looks like a frog.

My boss, continued being crazy and he finally went for a slide.



I've never seen someone sliding here, except children..

After having fun, we had coffee and a cake.



Odie and I sung birthday song.



It was such a beautiful summer evening. Gee, my boss, it seems like he doesn't have any problem adjusting to Swiss life style. Even Swiss people can't dive into lake he did. This summer, Swiss people will surprise by Japanese spirit!!


Today's MUST!

Börlind SUN Anti-Aging Cream LSF 15 75ml

for your face..

and

Börlind SUN Sonnenmilch LSF 30 125ml

for your body..



Protect your skin from strong UVA!

Operabal Budapest 2009

Year by year, I have more fun in Operabal in Budapest. Four years ago, when I first time joined this fancy event, I even didn't have right dress.



I also didn't know how to set my hair:)
But now at least I know how everything goes. I'm totally relaxed than before..



The dress of my mother-in-law is getting powerful year by year:)



We always gather at Godzilla's house for cocktail before going party. These are the women team for 2009. Green dress represents "spring", Ursula, the pink one is "summer", orange skirt is "autumn" and my blue dress is "winter". People call me "ice princess":)



Men are in boring colours but look better in front of colourful Godzilla's art:)


Godzilla wore Keyboard-made cafus ring! It was a Chrsitmas present from us. We knew he will where them for Operabal!



So, an exciting moment of the entrance. As usual, there is a demonstration across the street. People play rock music and try to annoy the participants of Operabal. Which I think good performance:) Because of the recession, demonstration gave bigger impact than last year. I also receognize the affect of recession at the entrance. This year, there was no beautiful ice-made castle in front of the entrace.

But dance hall is beautiful as usual. What important is music and drink!


Four years ago, we just rash into this hall because we were almost kicked out, due to my unproper dress. Now I have one on the most PROPER dress:)

Opening ceremony. The performance of Debuetazen und opera singer are always impressive.



But what impressed me the most is this moment. A Chorus of hungarian National lied. Once the music started, everybody stood up immediately.. Recently, I deeply touched by the spirit of loyalty to the country. I cannot imagine Japanese being so loyal to our national lied.



After a beautiful performance of Debuetanzen, it's our turn to dance!

It always starts from a Walts. But Godzilla and Ursula are already dancing in their origianl style.





After we danced for a while, I was schocked!!



Oh my god!! Godzilla and Ursula are interviewed!! I rash torward them!!



Ursula is explaing about how dress, even where they from and what she does.. I"m sure she gave huge impact to Hungary:)



People might think that Operabal is such a classic party, but actually it's not. After 12 o'clock, even a main dance hall becomes as a rock'n'roll disco:) Three girls, getting wild:)



Even a fiance of my friend, joining this crazy dance session!



Once when Ursula has joined, our dance got even more agressive. Since Ursula's dress stands up a lot, we three drag attention of all:)



Ursula's dress is perfect for spinning dancing!



We danced until 3am in the morning. It was my fourth operabal but I've never stayed so late and never had so much fun. Of course, I had fun everytime but this year was again different. The more I got to know the culture, more fun the party is.. And a BIG THANKS to Godzilla who makes effort to organize the ticket every year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy new year from Lüsai, mountain in Switzerland! I'm speding second ski holiday in this small mountain village where I can enjoy snow boarding every day. Up to now, I haven't fall down from this classical lift.





Every year, I want to challenge something new. In 2008, my new achievment was Japanese blog which is succeful enough after 1 year.

Now I'm facing 2009 and hereby, I'm happy to introduce my new attempt.


Organic Beauty Solutions Switzerland


Online shop for organic cosmetics.

The shop is consisted in 3 languages and 3 currencies are availale which is Swiss Franc, US Doller and Japanese yen.

The purpose of this shop is to deliver natural cosmetics from Europe as cheap and as fast as possible.

In Japan, the demand of natural cosmetic increase but they are sold in double expensive price than in Switzerland. My goal is to offer these cosmetics in reasonable price and deliver them all over the world. Resident in Switzerland can also profit from my shop because you can receive the product without visiting drug store. The price is actually same as you buy from drug store so why don't you save your time and buy online? You can also find variety of products which you never can find all of them in one drug store.



So those who interested in health and narutal product, please visit my shop! Men are also welcome! Check some gifs for your partner and also for youeself. Men's product are also available.


I wish you and myself a happy, succesful new year:)

Party in drug store by Colombo

I had such an uique party last week..



Party in drug store!!
At least, in Japanese standard, no one can imagine having party in drug store:)



It is a drug store in our neighbor and the owner knows Odie for a long time.



Colombo, the owner of the drug store and a good consultant. When Odie was small child, Colombo often teased him, telling Odie that the helicoper flying from the hospital is his. Small Odie always believe that the helicopter really belongs to Colombo.



Colombo also gave Odie an advise when he wanted to become a self-employeed. He has been a good advisor.



A brother of Colombo is a professional singer! Having a party in drug store is already very unusual for me but they even offered guests a "live performance"!!



It was indeed amazing. I also met some people who was attending our engagement party 3 years ago. And they didn't know that I'm already living here for 2 years!! Well, now they know. It's also comfortable for me knowing nice people in neighbor.





So the party has continued. Last year, becauce of my German school, I was not able to participate. But this year, it was perfect oppotunity for me to get to know so many great people.



Especially, I'm now desperately in need of support from Colombo for my new business idea.
I talked to him in this regards and it seems like he will help me out. It's not yet confirmed but it would be nice if I can have a business partner like Colombo. I can leart a lot from him, who is experienced self-employeed.



This night, the drug store where I always walk by turned out to be a fun party venue. Who ever thought of it... That's why life in Switzerland is full of surprise.

Family event

Again, I had such a fun time with all the families of Odie. Once in a year, this huge party is held in Basel, hosted by a brother of Godzilla.



For me, it was a second time! I was really surprised, when I first joined the party last year because of this huge buffet! It is as beautiful as the banquet party in 5 star hotel!!



Upon I arrived, I was already totally excited for a fun day..!



This is really gorgeous!! In Japan, I've never seen such a selsction of cheese, even in a buffet in 5 star hotel!! (I always have to compare with 5 star hotel since I belong to it before..)



The bread, Zoft is also hugeeeeee and it's a handmade!!



Fruits are also part of the decoration and the guests can pick them up anytime they want..! This time, our friend from Japan, Morita san was joining and he was totally amazed. He was telling me every time " this is not possible in Japan!":)



,,,which one is Godzilla..? Godzilla and his brother are two youngest among their 4 brorhers and sisters. I can easily imagine how naughty they were..:)

So were eating and chatting whole time.



I also fell in love with this boy..



He likes playing with me and also with Odie.He was so cuteeee! I wish I have such a boy!



In the late afternoon, we went for a walk. "A Walk"? I thought it will be a quick walk. But it ended up as 1 hour long walk all the way to the main station!! Even an oldest sister of Godzilla joined and she walk together without any problem!! This is very amazing!! In Japan, nobody even think of letting 70year old lady walk so long!!



We also walk back to home.. The total distance we walk on this day is about 7km, I assume..



Back to the home, the party has continued..The room is light up cozy and comfy..



Time for dessert! Both cakes were yummy yummy.I already had enough chocolate but I was able to eat two pieces of cakes. Oh noooooo!



I also brought green tea cream with me. I knew someone will bring cakes so some cream to add on those cakes might be an idea. But it seems like I didn't put enough sugar in it.. Since Japanese prefer having less sugar in dessert, this cream was my taste, not for guests.. Next time, I will make something sweet or perhaps Avocado sushi is better..



Finally "Art contest" has begun!!



This is actually an art from the daughter of Godzilla's brother. Two daughters of him are both artist. Hmmmm it seems that Godzilla's relative have all "art" in their blood!



I really really love this family! They are not only kind but all fun and cheerful. I always feel comfortable in this family. Maybe it's also because they are always making effort speaking high German with me. I believe my German skill has been improved from last year so it was even more fun this time. But my goal is understanding Swiss German without having problem. If they can speak Swiss German to me (although I reply then back in high German) it will be even more fun!!
I'm very proud being one of the member of this family!

Dampferball 2008

It was my second Damperball experience this year.



Dampferball- a dance party which is held on a Dampboat. Our family participate this dance party every year and for me it was second time.



I was so suprised last time to dance in such a classical small ship.



Where you see manual operation system in front of the dance hall.



But this year, I felt much more familiar. I have chosen blue dress which I bought in US.



So the party has started.



Music is continuously played by live band and you dance before appetizer, after appetizer, after main dish and after dessert... whichmeans almost all the time:)





Swiss food is tasty only in such a special occation..:)



What I was also looking forward is Ursula's dress.



and her dance with Godzilla. First of all, I wore simple nude colour dress last year which turned out to be super boring dress next to Ursula's flash pink dress!! (you see her dress in sidebar:) That's why I have chosen colour dress this year in order not to be so boring next to her bright dress.
This year, she had passionate red dress bought in Iran!!(where she arrange her dress is also very original!!)



and as you know, how they dance..



I really have to be careful when they are dancing close to me.. I don't want to be bumped by Godzilla..



Compared to the other couples in photo, you can see how unique they dance. Consuming full energy!!

Since Godzilla and Ursula are so crazy, I also have to do some action!!



Titanic in snoowwwwwwww!! My god, that was fxxking cold!!

But I felt like acting crazy, after seeing agressive Godzlla's dance:)

and I could also dance much better than last year. It was indeed lots of fun!! I'm still bad in ball dance but this one, Odie should take me to dance lesson. He promised.

Being spinned by Odie with Rock'Roll music was ok. When I met him first time in club, I thought "what kind of stupid European dance is this??" since Odie spinned me too much. That time in TOkyo, I only know sexy disco dance with R&B or Hiphop:) But now I got use to this European way and I can even enjoy!



The only thing I can improve better until next year is again German.. Odie enjoy talking about politics with Cigar which I still cannot understand well. Like learning dancing, I hope I can learn more in discussion by next year.

My friend is a Broadway star

This year, New York was all about my friend Yuki. We stayed there total 3 nights and we actually spent time with her only for a drink and one lunch. But she gave us such a strong impression which made us feel "New York" as "Yuki". She is my friend who now living and working in New York to become a Broadway star!!



I met her in my previous job in Japan. We were still one of those "youngest" in the company and we performed as cheerleaders in employees party. It was indeed fun time I had there and this is how we became friends.

But I have to say that she is super direct girl which make her very unique Japanese. I mean she is never been a typical Japanese girl. (she admit herself). For example, when I introduced my boyfriend (now husband) to her, first thing she asked him was "what do you like about her?":) My husband and I never forget this! It was such a simple, straight question!
She is also quite moody. In other way, she doesn't hide her feeling. Many Japanese hesitate to show their REAL feeling in order to avoid conflict. But Yuki is not. When I ask her "how are you?" she can say "terrible" in grumpy face:)

I can imagine not all Japanese can get along with her well. But I like her very much. Her unique character make her attractive. And since she knows she is an emotional person, she realize "acting" is her best career becuase she knows how to be emotional. It comes out naturally from her inside.



So now she is living in New York, taking dance or acting lesson and same time working as a waitress. When she doesn't have lesson, she is working more than 12 hours in a restaurant and meantime, checking newpaper for any audition information.



Her world is full of drama. On the night we arrived in New York, we visited her restaurant. It was Halloween night and she was working there in a custume. She looked very good in the restaurant. But after 5 days later, she told me that she was fired!! I couldn't believe it!! She laughed and said "now I started training in another restaurant". What a tough girl..



She looks tough and she behave strong but she has sensitive part as well. She often tells me that she is jealous about me. She is jealous how I found Mr. Right and living peacefully in Switzerland. This is another straight forward word she gave me. She even went to see a councelor in order to be prepared to see us, without being jealous.

But actually, it's me who is a bit jealous. I am jealous about her life which is full of action and the fact that she is breathing air in America, chasing American dream. During our stay in US, I have been asked by a staff in Abercrombie&Fitsch if I want to join the team. I really love to if I can. Living in US was also my dream. But I'm not in the status anymore just moving around and do whatever I want.



Yuki really knows what she wants. That is something she has and I don't. What I can do is support her and wish her success. So what, if she lose part time job. Madonna was also switching around her job before she become so succesful. With her passion, I'm sure Yuki will reach to the point she dreams. In fact, she sing a phrase of "Phamtom of the Opera" very well!

Yuki's homepage is coming soon. Check it out by typing "Yuki Akashi" those who interested in strong, charming Japanese Hope who has full energy to consume in acting!

US Presidential Election

November 4, 2008. The whole world were paying attention to one country, the United States of America. Odie and I were in Washington DC to see and feel this historical moment.



I, being a typical Japanese, not a political oriented person at all. But as most of Western people are, Odie really loves to discuss about politics, I mean he is an extreme case. What make Odie untypical European is that he is such a passionate Republican.

Since we arrived in US, we were staying and enjoying time with this American family who has been friends of Odie's family for a long time. The problem is, this family are Democrats, which cause of course, big explosion of discussions in every meal time. I usually hate political discussion but since this is a very special occasion, I tried myself to being involved (well, at least try to listen) to the discussion. As I always wonder, it is very interesting for me to see people having such a big conflict of opinions but still can dine together. In Japan, there is a saying "such a conversasion makes food taste bad":) But obviously, this saying is not applied here.
Among many democrats, Odie was making hugggggggeeee argument and being so agressive.
Upon first dinner, one American woman asked me to whom I'm for. I told her that I'm completely indifference because it will be a big explosion if I talk about politic with Odie. But her answer slaped me in my face "it doesn't matter, such an attitude is prohibited in US". I thought "well I'm not an American" but what she has said remained in my heart.

So I was observing discussions for couple of meal and I reallize it actually doesn't matter what the others opinion are. I mean, the discussion won't make any severe damage to friendship. For me the discussion sounds like almost fight but they actually enjoying exchanging opnionis. I asked Laura (she is democrat but her husband is not) if they ever talk about politics and fight. Her answer was very interesting. They do talk about politic because the goal they are seeing is same, only the way to reach there is different.
I actually knew that I potentially have different opinion from Odie that's why I decided not to speak out. If I have same opnion with him, I could have just agree whatever he says. I learned that even with little bit of knowledge, I have to have at least my own opinion and I don't have to afraid of it.

I became even more confident with this thought on the election date.

In the morning of election, we strolled down the street and saw a black woman sittling on her porch. She friendly said "Good Morning!". Odie asked her "have you vote?" and she showed us suddenly emotional expression and said "not yet but soon. And you? Vote for black man!"

Also, as I took taxi, the driver who was also African American instantly asked me if I vote. He was quite confident of Obama's victory and said "it will be a history". Of course, I also felt that this vote is important not only for African American but all citizens. Odie liked to ask people "have you vote?" and everybody proudly say "Yes, of course!" It wouldn't be like this in Japan. Again, I felt shame of not having an opnion.



In the evening, we went to this bar where equipped with many TV, where all democrats come. It was very impressive to see the people starring at TV and watching results to come. Whenever the result appears for each states, applause occurs. Finally it has annonced that there is no way left for Republican to win. Barack Obama, a first black president from Western country has born who will have huge responsibility for the country in this unstable time in the world.



What republican say and what democrat say are of course important but the fact that America has chosen first black president is really meaningful. Maybe because I'm now away from my country, the strong feeling of the proudness of race and country touches me a lot. I imagined how greatful all the people are. Face, face, face, especially of those African American with tears shown in TV touched me more than any other movies.



I have read that the dream of Martin Luher King has not yet come true in US. But now US has made a big step of this dream to come REALLY true!! Now I want to make a small step. Finish being typical Japanese without hainvg political opinion and be an international person who can participate world's politic!

Hiking in Maienfeld, a Heidiland

Again we were in the mountain weekend.



Maienfeld. A place where Heidi comes from. This small village is famous as a stage of Heidi which is very popular story even in Japan.



A hiking course staring from this village leads you to Heidi's field.　Follow a sign of "Heidiweg". Red course is easy one, but in order to visit Heidihütte, where you see Heidi's house, you have to take advanced level Blue course.





As soon as we started our way, beautiful scenery jumped into our sights. A huge grape field with mountain behind.





sheeps are also enjoying the view..



This is the end of Red course, easy peesy way. Blue course is more steep. This mountain is not as high as in Brienz last weekend but there is a 600m height difference from staring point to the Heidi Hütte, our goal.



We head our jouney of course further to Blue course.

What interesting in this hiking course is that you see a board with Heidi's episode.



Peter hit these woods like an instrument in order to tell Heidi in mountain that he will visit her soon..(that was a sign)



Heidi and Uncle Ulm had rest in the bench whenever they walk down to the village.



From this point, Peter threw away Klara's wheel chair and broke it into pieces from here. (but from this incident, Klara started to learn how to walk)



By reading these episode, our hiking went fast, it took only 1 hour from the starting point up to top. (My Japanese guide says it will take 2 hours!) Here is Heidihutte, a goal of Blue course.



Up on the mountain was a real Heidiland!! Heidi Hütte, where Heidi and Uncle Ulm live in story. Now this place functions as restaurant.



We went further up on the hill and had lunch here, overviewing amazing view of Graubünden.



This is the best part of Hiking. Enjoying breathtaking view after long walk.



On the way down, we took another way, a small road through forest covered by full red leaves. These leaves makes confortable sounds every step we take.



Heidi's fountain.



We went off from Blue course, continues further to red course and came back to the starting point of blue course again. So many back and forth. We walked indeed a lot this day.



But now I got to know better to Heidi's world. In Japan, Switzerland is popular because of this Heidi's story. Even now, many Japanese think whole Switzerland is like here, Maienfeld. Well, I'm living in normal city in Switzerland but these photo I took from Maienfeld would be a nice gift for my friends in Japan.. This is the exact image of Switzerland they have.