Hiroshima,

I drove to Hiroshima late Thursday night and spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there. It was my first time in Hiroshima. I first went to Miyajima and spend about the whole day there walking around and hiking in the hills on the island. It was excellent weather and the scenery was spectacular!! I really loved it there and would like to go back and hike around again.
The following day I went to Kure. This is the city that the famous WWII battle ship Yamato was build. I visited the museum in Kure and learned about the WWII history there. It really surprised me to learn all that happened in that little city during the war. I was very interesting and I was there half the day just looking and reading everything.
After that I went to downtown Hiroshima to the atomic dome, peace park, and the atomic bombing museum. That was incredible and really got me thinking about all that happened. I felt really bad as I read all the stories of children who were killed after the the atomic bomb was dropped. It really was a power museum with a powerful message of peace.

Hiroshima was one of the most beautiful cities I have seen in Japan. I really enjoyed it and in a way kind of felt like Sapporo. The weather was excellent and well worth the 6 hour drive. I want to do it again sometime. You can see some pictures from the slide show.

Well the rest of this week is Golden Week. I am going to stay home and relax and watch some movies. I am soooooooo glad I have this week off. I really need this time off right now.

Sunday Night....

Sunday nights are my least favorite time of the week. But tonight I don't feel too stressed because at least I know its a little shorter week and next week is a holiday. But I have tons to do before Friday.

I am watching the mens finals of the Monte-Carlo Tennis Championship. Nadal and Federer... Its a great match and Nadal is winning so far so I am happy. He is my favorite player right now. My 2 favorite tennis players are not from the United States. Today I went window shopping at a sports store and looked at tennis stuff. I am kind of bummed because I don't have a lot of time to play while living and working in Japan. On Saturday when I do have time all the courts around here are reserved. So I need to find some tennis buddies who can let me play with them. I will sooner or later.

On a different subject,,,,, I have had a lot of people last week ask me about my feelings on guns. The news about the shootings at Virgina Tech. last week was absolutely terrible. I was shocked as was everyone else. Its a difficult situation. To be honest I do own a few guns. I have not shot a gun in a while but I do own some. Many people own guns for personal protection. I guess that my be why I have some. But really thats a very sad statement. I wish there were no guns. But unfortunately there are. Its impossible to change the laws in the United States. It is a right of freedom for Americans. However, I wish they would make the laws much stricter and do better background checks on people buying guns. Actually I have no ideas on how to solve this problem. The only idea I have is the stop the problem before it happens. That means for parents to be more involved with their kids. For teachers and civic leaders to take quicker action and reach out to those who do show potential problems. But I do believe it starts in the home. Parents need to do a better job teaching children respect, patience, love, and service. I really think those values are being lost. Anway, thats m opinion. Not much of an opinion but its what I believe. My heart really goes out to those families.

Well I better finish watching this match...

Back to work...

Well I returned home from my business trip last Friday night. I was dead tired on Saturday and Sunday. It was a long flight to get back.... But it feels good to be back. Still, sleeping in my bed at my house in Utah for a couple of nights was excellent.

Also, I had a chance in Utah over the weekend to go to Moab my favorite place. I took some toys and had a good time. Here are some pics...

By looking at these you can understand I like Moab to play with my 4x4 toys. Every year at this time is the largest 4x4 festival in the US. It is called the Moab Jeep Safari. These pictures do not show all the people or events. Its crazy!! But I like it. The weather is usually nice and the people are crazy. Anyway, I was glad I had a business trip back in Utah during this time.... lucky!!

Its Monday night... I am dead tired. I still haven`t fully recovered from the weekend. So I will go to bed a little early tonight. Sleep sounds so good right now. The only problem is that tomorrow comes too fast. But thats ok because I have a lot to do....

Happy Easter...

Well its Easter. Actually Easter is over because it is now past midnight. So Monday morning. I am in Indiana this week on a business trip. This trip was kind of good timing because I got to America last Thursday. I had a meeting in Utah. Then I took my toys and went to Moab Utah for the annual Jeep Safari that I go to. My whole family and some friends were there. So it was really good to see them and the weather was EXCELLENT!!! I got a sun burn!! But now I am in Indiana. I have a meeting here tomorrow and then I drive 5 hours to Kentucky for another important meeting on Tuesday. Then finally I can go back home to Japan on Wednesday morning!!! I am ready to go back. It was hard to say goodbye to my family and friends again. Especially my mom. But life goes on. Anyway, its nice to be here for meetings in English. I don`t have to worry about whether or not I fully understand what is being said. So a nice break from my Japan office anyway. But I will be back there on Friday. Driving to my old office last week I thought about how easy my life was in the US. Everyone goes home at a good time. People seem to really enjoy working and there is a lot of small talk in the office. This would be considered lazy and wrong in my office in Japan. So its tough. I feel like everyone in my Japan office works in a bubble. Not much small talk. Everyone is really quiet and not a lot of joking. So very very different. But I will just hang in there and try not to forget who I am...hehe.

Can`t believe it....

Last night someone broke into my car. I can`t believe it. I came home to find my car had been broken into and my door was open. I checked the inside and nothing was stolen. But some people said they saw 2 people dressed in suites just walk up to my car and pop the door open and look around inside. Well I called the police but they can`t really do anything. They said they would drive around and see if they see anything. But of coarse they won`t. I was told it happens sometimes in this area. This is a nice area with a lot of businessmen living here. So it sounds like these guys always wear suits because there are so many people walking around in suits.

Well thats a first for me. But I am ok. A couple years ago in the United States I had my car stolen. So I guess it could have been worse. The car is fine and no damage. I guess the thieves do not like American rock music because all I had in my car was a bunch of music CDs I brought from the United States when I moved. I actually had a lot of music in my car so I am glad it didn`t get stolen. I wish I was home when they broke in though. I would have seriously ran outside to meet them and give them a nice American greeting. Anyway.... I never thought it would happen in Japan. But I guess it does anywhere. Still I feel very safe here and Japan basically feels much safer than the United States. But I can`t help feel that Japan is not the same Japan I knew when I first came here about 14 years ago. I think its become a little worse. I see graffiti in many areas now. I watch the news and see things I would not expect to. I guess it has changed. But still... much safer I feel than the US. Its a nice country and people are generally friendly and honest. So I really enjoy living here in peace. I just don`t enjoy people breaking into my car.....