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.

Hinking from Brienz Rothorn Kulm

Last weekend I have experienced again new Swiss culture. I absolutely wanted have ride on special SL train running from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm. Since this is a very special open air SL train, it operated only during summer. This month is the last chance for this year.



Upon we arrived in Briez, I saw a long qeue... A line for the Rothorhn Bahn. (SL train) Whatttt?? It's not a high season in summer anymore! Are they all in the line??



yes they are.. My dream SL train is right there but it looks like already full...

and while we were in the line to buy ticket, my dream train has departed... Shock!!



But soon Odie realized that there is an another train waiting for us behind. He dragged me to that train which is a "diesel train". Nooooo this is not that train what I wanted!! My dream SL train has no window and you can breathe fresh air!! Beautiful wooden bench are in the row, not like this plastic chair!!



I was pushing my forehead to the window with sorrow...



But soon impressed by it's unbelievably beautiful scenery.



Brienz lake is amazingly blue.



The train goes quite steep way, through nicely coloured tree.



Beautiful autumn day.



Family are hiking. In their behind, you see my dream SL train who left me behind.



Finally we have reach the top, Brienz Rothorn Kulm!! Wowwww the lake is so down below and now I'm facing to those amazing Swiss alps!!



It's very beautiful but now I want to fly away like him... because I know I have to go advanced hiking course. Not like those easy couse which I saw from the train.



Odie,, he is pausing in front of beautiful landscape but I know how it goes behind him..



Oh my gott!!!



Unstable rocky way goes all the way down with some melted snow looks slippy and dangerous!!



I have to go thougth cliff..



I felt natural power fully in my body..



After fighting with those steep rocky way. finally I have reach to the peak!! The scenery is only for those who conquered steepy freaky way. Tomato tasted soooo good after a big work!



This is REAL SWITZERLAND...!



Mountain plants are also pretty.



Although we had to go thourgh norrow road, the way after lunch was not so tough anymore.



This is the point to Canton Bern.



From Schoenbuehl, we took lift down to village. Funny to riding lift without snowboard:) In summer, the list functions for hikers, very practical!



After exploring swiss mountain and experiencing my first hiking in Switzerland (advaced course!!) I'm back in the village.



Lovely goat brothers are telling me "Well down!".
I was totally crash in the train back home but very comfortable after spending time in full nature. Hiking in Switzerland is fun!!