kirakira25 comments

Posted in: Crowd on VIP alert at site of Clinton's wedding See in context

A "bimbo" that attended Stanford university and has a masters in public health??! What`s your definition then of an educated woman??! If this is how you class "bimbo" I would be delighted to be labelled as one!

The wedding looked lovely, if a little ostentatious for my taste. Good luck to them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Majority of weight-loss products fail to cut kilos See in context

Im so sick of people going on about my weight like there is some magic secret to it or something - I have 3 kids, Im 37, I`m 165cms, 46 kilos (a little skinny in my opinion) and my waist is 61 cms. Paddy Smash has it right. There is no big secret:

1) Above all else I am very lucky - I have a small frame, long limbs, and genetically dont put on much weight - like my mum and dad. 2) I rarely eat food from a tin/packet - we tend to eat a lot of veggies, fish, rice, chicken, fruit and the most processed we get is bread and yoghurt. It all sound so boring, but it really is delicious. We eat smaller portions too - I noticed that when I returned to the UK one year. Because of this diet, I can get a pizza once a week, or a McDonalds, and not worry about it. 3) I exercise - I cycle/walk where I can. I do stomach crunches most nights - just because thats my "wobbliest" bit! 4) I drink at least 2 litres of water every day. I rarely drink sodas, and have 2-3 cups of tea/coffee a day.

I don`t know if it would work for everyone, but it works for us.

However - my brother is huge! Partly his lifestyle an diet is bad - he loses weight whenever he changes things, but can never keep going with it. BUT he also took a lot of steroids as a kid, and I am certain this has interfered with his metabolism. So not everyone is fat because they are lazy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: What would be your ideal summer fling? See in context

Bumping into Amuro Namie at the laundromat (coin laundry),

You might want to hunt for her in a different location - just a suggestion!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Two men arrested for letting young girls work at cabaret club See in context

14 year old girls talking with men over 20. What a tragedy!

A tragedy for the guy in question if it was my daughter and my husband got hold of him. But then my daughter would not be working as a hostess at 14 anyway.

I think it is entirely possible their experiences were as positive as their paychecks.

You obviously know jack about the hostess industry

soft-hearted manager

LOL! Yeah, right, theyre all heart, these guys. Took pity on a couple of young girls and thought hed cut them a break so they can get a bit of pocket money to go buy candy and stickers. Wake up!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: What would be your ideal summer fling? See in context

I had a summer fling on a trip to Thailand in 2002. It was 6 months after dad died and I needed to get away by myself for a few weeks.

I met a Japanese guy in a cafe in Bangkok and we got talking in broken English. We had a holiday fling and he returned to Osaka and I returned to London. I never thought I would see him again.

18 months later we got married and now we have 3 kids. He is still my soulmate, my best friend and pretty damn hot too! So I would say to anyone "fling away"! And tkoind2 - it does exists in the modern world. It could be 5 years from now, or in 5 mins when you finish reading this and pop down to the combini - but it DOES happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Two men arrested for letting young girls work at cabaret club See in context

Im sorry but I think the parents should be arrested for neglect! Except sad to say but they probably knew exactly where they were and what they were doing - but theyre bringing in the cash so who cares, right?! There`s the million dollar question in these girls lives: "Who cares?"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: The expat summer See in context

I think this article is probably referring to those ex-pats living in the Gaijin Ghetto (Hiroo, Azabu etc), going to international schools, expenses accounts, paid-for apartments, and absolutely not married to a Japanese living a "Japanese life"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: New program warns elderly against 'ore ore' scams See in context

This happened to a friend of mine - the guy called and claimed he was her son, had been arrested and needed money for bail. She told him "Buddy, if you are indeed my son and have done something stupid enough to get yourself arrested you`re on your own!" (Her son was actually sitting next to her at the time!)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Doctor arrested for taking lewd photos of sisters during check-up See in context

and yet there's a lack of criticism of the 'Japanese way of of doing things' when criminals like these and child murderers are given light sentences

Have you ever even read JT??! The suspended sentences dished out here are like a private joke everyone is in on - except you it would seem!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: The shrinking state of Japanese salarymen's pocket money See in context

Get off your bum and work to contribute (unless you are physically disabled)

What about if you can`t get off your bum and work because you are raising young children? Does that not count as contributing to the family, even though it may not be a financial contribution?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Will Tokyo Sky Tree's completion bring down 'skyscraper curse' on Japan? See in context

Or is it tall poppy (big willy) syndrome??

Oh buddy - you just got my weekend off to a great start! Thank you!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Elderly woman arrested for beating youth sitting in priority seat of bus See in context

I would also add a "60 year old" is hardly elderly! I think this woman was looking for a way to vent some stress and this is nothing less than assault. Especially if as The758 said the kid got up and she beat him anyway. If I was that kids mum I`d be furious!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Elderly woman arrested for beating youth sitting in priority seat of bus See in context

so I'm sure with an appendix being taken out it's at least 10 days to 2 weeks.

It still is 5 days as Cleo said-my friend had hers out last month.

This is a great story and I am glad the kid got what was coming to him IF he was obnoxious and rude BUT - I get the distinct impression here given this womans history and that she was physicaaly able to beat up this kid that a) she didn`t even need the seat and b) she went looking for a fight. It seems to be she was using this situation as an excuse to vent thinking she would get away with it. Violence like this is not excusable.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan split over maiden names, foreign suffrage See in context

I took my husbands name but only because my maiden name was very difficult for Japanese to pronounce - lots of "R"s and "L"s - and I got tired of repeating it 15 times every time I needed to give it!

Why is it such a problem for people to have different surnames? Is the worst thing they can come up with that people will have two names on the door???!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Debate swirls over best abbreviation for McDonald's See in context

Jesus some people have way too much time on their hands.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Confused by Japan’s cycling laws? You aren’t the only one See in context

I second that-does anyone have a link to the real information? I knew about the bell thing through hearsay, but I didn`t know anything else!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Confused by Japan’s cycling laws? You aren’t the only one See in context

@tmarie - I agree with you it shouldnt always be the cyclists fault, the same way I dont think it is fair that it is ALWAYS the cars fault either. Case in point my friend whose car was hit by a kid on a bike while he was stationary - the kids brakes weren`t working. The police tried to arrest him!

But sorry - I do think if there is a risk of someone jumping out from a doorway - go slow. Or stopping suddenly to use their keitai in front of you - dont be so close to them. If the pavement is crowded with people/kids/dogs - dont ride at all.

And in the particular cases I gave outside the daycare - there is a huge socking great sign saying "daycare. Cyclists please take care and watch your speed" - and yet both times it wasn`t the kids runnning around - the cyclists were way too fast and out of control. And they knew it - hence speeding off (although we caught one of them). The one kid that broke his leg was during a walk - the kids were lined up holding on to a rope with handles and the cyclist was just out of control coming round the corner and ploughed into them.

I completely agree with you that in some cases it is not the cyclists/drivers fault. But generally here I see a shocking lack of thought and attention by both cyclists and drivers. I am a cyclist, and a driver, and a pedestrian - and I have been bashed by a bike before! Touch wood I have never hit anyone with my bike, but I can see how easily it could happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Confused by Japan’s cycling laws? You aren’t the only one See in context

Ive never been called up for a bike check either, and Ive always wondered why because I think I have been breaking rules ever since I got here! I did get one guy flag me down on my bike once and I thought he might need help with something or maybe there was something wrong with my bike but he asked for my phone number!!!

I love my mama-chari - it really is the only practical way to get kids around the area. It is like a light vehicle, especially as it is electric, but I would never dream of taking my kids on the road in it with the way people drive here.

Even though we have a big warning sign on the street outside the daycare, twice in the last year kids have been knocked down by speeding cyclists. One had very bad cuts and bruises, the other broke a leg. What amazes me is both times the cyclists pedalled off and escaped! How could anyone hit and run a child and not even stop to see if they had killed them? I dont know how they can live with themselves. Luckily we caught the first guy, but the police said there was nothing they could do and it was a private matter!!! How can that be right??! He could have killed her and didnt even stop. If bikes are legally like vehicles, then the "drivers" should be treated as such.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Welcome home See in context

Not unlike the scenes at London Heathrow except that was an angry mob...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Navigating the intricacies of Japan’s gift-giving protocol See in context

I agree with you ThonThaddeo - Ghirardellis chocolate is a FAR superior present! Thats exactly what I was trying to do - acknowledge and respect the gift-giving culture with a more modern and westernised twist to it. But it seems my mistake - crappy towels, preferrably with dodgy flowery patterns or cute teddy bears on them are the way to go.

For future reference though, anyone with kids - I bought some big packs of funky pencils with erasers from Costco for my daughter to give out as Sayonara presents to her classmates, and Yoroshiku presents to her new classmates. We attached a little note to each one for the new class, giving her name, age, family members and favourite food/animal/colour. They went down a TREAT! My daughter is immediately the most popular kid in school, and for days afterwards I was getting passed little notes through the teachers from the mums saying thank you and when I finally had my first PTA meeting at the new place only last week I was the star of the show!

3000 yen for 90 pencils and we have bought the loyalty of the whole school year and neighbourhood! Bargain!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Navigating the intricacies of Japan’s gift-giving protocol See in context

We have just moved house and rather than the traditionl snacks that get shoved in a cupboard and dumped when they are past their sell-by date, I thought I would be clever and get beautiful sets of glass-cup scented candles and give them to the neighbours with a little introductory note. Nice, I thought.

But my first mistake apparently was that Japanese associate candles with death - even spiced apple, ocean breeze and cool vanilla ones. My second was assuming our neighbours would even be remotely interested in getting to know us. The guy next door studiously ignored his doorbell until we finally bumped into them going into their place-it was awkward to say the least-and virtually forced the present on them.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: How much is too much for a CEO's salary? See in context

I dont think its a question of putting a figure on things necessarily, but a question of proportion. When people are losing their jobs and getting salary cuts left right and centre because the company isnt doing well, to find that the top guys are still making a mint and getting bonuses and pay rises doesnt sit well at all. No wonder Keidanren are so against making that information public. The Japanese still seem to be as deluded about their "equal" society as they are about the length of their colons!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Japan and its standardized test-based education system See in context

I think the article is a slight generalisation but it makes many valid points and I have to agree with most of what was said. And as Tkoind says - it has nothing to do with wanting to "westernise" Japan, but everything to do with wanting Japan to stand up and be a major world leader. This cannot happen while people aren`t prepared to stick their necks out and make some tough decisions.

The country and big business in general is run by a bunch of guys who have been very comfortable with and/or made a lot of money out of the status quo - the seniority ladder regardless of how good you are at your job, the amakudari system, etc etc.

The guys coming up from underneath cant wait for it to be their turn. Change and leadership takes effort - and I just feel a collective national apathy here. Its like by the time they leave school and start work they are already exhausted! Just sit on the escalator and your turn will come.

On a personal level - as things stand at the moment I will not be putting my kids through the system from junior high onwards, and quite honestly if the rest of the country want to follow like sheep, fine by us - less competition for the ones who will stand out in the future. My husband has made his career out of being different - he dared to do it and it paid off.

Japlan and Tkoind for prime minister(s) I say!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Uniqlo puts old clothes to good use See in context

So did I read this right - they only accept UNIQLO used items? If so, not quite as philanthropic as the article makes out.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Local experts help foreign women take the pain out of labor See in context

this effect was almost entirely accounted for by maternal IQ.

Ah, well - that explains it then ;) !!! Did they say anything about paternal IQ?! There`s a LOT of things I would like to explain away using THAT one!!!

So far the only way he dazzles us is by leaping off walls

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Why Japanese property managers are so strict on renting apartments See in context

Why stop at apartments? Ive been refused a credit card for years even though my husband is Japanese. Weve been asked to see our passports and marriage cert at a ryokan before. It can make life here very difficult when I can`t even get a credit card, and when I use my husbands I am often made to feel like a criminal. I must just have that kind of face!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Local experts help foreign women take the pain out of labor See in context

Good luck with your number 2! (Baby, I mean!!!) My friend is still breastfeeding her 2 1/2 year old but you know - I wouldnt so much call it "feeding" as "comforting". I am feeling guilty right now because I have heard breastfeeding makes kids more intelligent (?). I breastfed my first and she is doing really well at school. I didnt breastfeed my second and its early days yet but he is showing all the signs of being a classic dumb-ass! Poor kid! Thank god for him he is good-looking cos he aint gonna get anywhere with his brain!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Why Japanese property managers are so strict on renting apartments See in context

And when you take a Japanese friend to translate everything for you, guarantors and key money, an employment letter, and they STILL say no foreigners.....?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Local experts help foreign women take the pain out of labor See in context

If we get reincarnated I vote to come back as a woman too, but this time do I get to choose whose body I am in???!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Local experts help foreign women take the pain out of labor See in context

Cracked nipples, pain, leakage, sore and swollen

and you don`t think you suffered??! You are one tough cookie Cleo!

I agree that motherhood is a great thing (although I am writing that with gritted teth right now after being up every 2 hours with my 6 MONTH OLD!!!) but I wouldnt say dont knock it till youve tried it - what if you try it and then decide its not for you???! I would say imagine a life ahead of you with no children ever, and a life with children, and if you decide that no kids is what you want - good for you. Be happy. I love mine but my God, I can see it is not for everyone and there are moments when....OK, not gonna go there!

Let`s just say it is no coincidence to me that I spotted the first grey hairs and my skin seemed to fall off my face right around the time my first son reached toddlerhood!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Recent Comments

Popular

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites


©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.