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July 27, 2006
July 26, 2006
Small Houses, Tighter Families?
So supposedly, 80% of Japan is still occupied by trees and forests…meaning that only 20% of the land is used for living. Why is that? Why do we choose such a compact way of living?
Most of my friends are astonished to see my house in Japan because of its size, or lack of. My American friends couldn’t believe that I don’t get my own bathroom and shower/tub. Which would be the norm here in Japan though. Not to mention the size of my walk-in closet, this to them reflects as a shoe closet. Does a smaller house mean more communication and a closer family though? The stereotypical image that I have is that American families are more tightly knitted than Japanese families despite having a large quantity of privacy.
Maybe it’s the game room that keeps the American family together!
July 24, 2006
Rainy Days
essential items posted from PhotoZou
Blame it on global warning, blame it on Japan. The rain has got to STOP just like the heat wave in the US must cease…at least that’s what a lot of people are hoping.
Tuyu (or the rainy season) usually starts around in early June around Tokyo and continues until about a month, month and a half. Usually, it never lasts as long as the weather anchors say that it will. Well, we’re at the end of July and the rain still keeps on coming. With rain come humidity, damp clothes, mold, and eau de damp. Not a pleasant time. And now the weatherpeople are stating that the rainy season will continue into August. I’m not exactly looking forward to a hot, humid summer but enough is enough!
July 14, 2006
Community Ties
As emphasized a million and one times, PhotoZou is all about COMMUNITY. Therefore, PhotoZou now carries a new feature of “Community” (Beta stage). Find people with the same interests and thoughts by creating Community groups. Join a community that you show an interest in and swap stories and pass on the passion. And of course, upload photos and literally see for yourself what Community is all about!
Community categories run from Tech to Travel, Entertainment to Lifestyle so there’s bound to be a Community that suits you! If not, well, just make one. I made two myself, “Shoes” and “Books” because those are the things that I can't do w/o!!
Ciao for now and see you in Community!
July 12, 2006
We Present to you....PhotoZou! (tada!)
The moment y’all been waiting for! Unoh is finally going to release to the mass public PhotoZou!!!
In the past few weeks, some of you may have gotten exclusive invites to PhotoZou from friends and members of Unoh via Email. PhotoZou is still in Beta stage but it will now be open for public registration… today! Of course there’s room for everyone but hurry and sign up to join in on the fun ASAP.
PhotoZou features functions such as keeping a personal diary, Emailing, mapping photos (all over the globe!), uploading videos, and of course an easy-peasy way to upload photos and to make and receive comments on photos!
As mentioned before, PhotoZou is still in Beta stage so we would appreciate any comments and feedbacks to make PhotoZou a better place! Thank you.
Join us today, smile over pictures, get inspired, and become a part of the PhotoZou family!
July 11, 2006
Smokers be Warned
Smoking has become a big issue in Japan. Up until recently many family restaurants allowed smoking while dining which, I personally thought was incredibly rude to non-smokers like myself.
Sure smoking is a choice but non-smokers have the right to breathe clean air as well. Smoking habits should be done with manners. Too many people throw out their cigarette butts on the streets and don’t give it a second thought. These days, many eateries, offices, public buildings have banned smoking and there are even cities that doesn't allow smoking on public streets. Taxes on cigarettes were also recently raised. And smokers are encouraged to carry portable ash trays. Who gets to make the call of freedon to choose? A smoker or a non-smoker?
On behalf of all non-smokers I would like to thank god for these rules! Now my friends and I don’t have to pretend to be pregnant every time we go out to eat!!
July 10, 2006
Invite Friends to PhotoZou
Have y’all checked out PhotoZou yet? I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but the basis of PhotoZou is to build a community. And what better way than to start by meeting new people, sharing pictures and memories, and making new memories with new friends! Someone in my yearbook wrote, “There are no such things as strangers, only friends we haven’t met yet.” I believe that this is a true statement. Spread around the word about PhotoZou, invite all your friends and even foes, and build a family around shared interests, photos, and smiles. Your next best friend or lifetime partner could perhaps be only a click away! Until then, smile pretty for the camera, upload pics, and show them off to your old friends!