http://www.netsato.com Homestay, Japan, Hawaii, Parenting & Computers Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:06:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Much has been said about Honolulu's proposed rail transit system, and as we get closer to the general election, I suppose the noise will be growing on both sides of the fence. But I want to throw in my two cents. I support rail because: 1) We need an alternative to more ... http://www.netsato.com/2008/10/15/honolulu-rail-its-about-time-to-build-it/ Since first writing about our Japanese adoption process over two years ago, I've been overwhelmed with the comments and e-mails on the subject. At first, I tried like heck to respond to everyone, but overtime, it became just too much. Honestly, between work and two young kids I can't even ... http://www.netsato.com/2008/08/20/our-japanese-adoption-update/ I don't get it. Have you seen this Japanese sticker before on a car in the US? Or, maybe you've seen this sticker... In Hawaii (and in SoCal I hear), it seems that "cool" young dudes in the import car hot-rod scene think these Japanese stickers are da bomb! Maybe I'm ... http://www.netsato.com/2008/07/09/whats-with-these-japanese-stickers-on-us-cars/ Name the artist with Hawaii ties who: 1) released a single with Celine Dion on January 16, 2008. 2) was nominated for 3 MTV Video music awards in 2006 and 2007? 3) released a platinum selling album in 2006 under the Sony label? 4) is hosting a music TV show with ... http://www.netsato.com/2008/02/09/hawaiis-international-stars-making-it-big/ Think parking your car is a chore? Is your parking stall too small? Good thing you don't live in Tokyo, where car ownership truly is a privilege. In fact, you can't even buy a car in Tokyo unless you can prove that you have a place to park it. I ... http://www.netsato.com/2007/11/14/tight-parking-in-tokyo-where-to-park-your-car/ Boodlehiemer Growing up in the 1960's we used to have a thing called a record player. For you younger folks, a record player was the way we listened to music before CDs and MP3 players. As a 5 year old child, the single most important record in my collection was Stuart ... http://www.netsato.com/2007/10/30/the-silly-record-stoo-hample/ Japanese English? In America we speak a version of English called American English. In Japan they use Japanese English. What's that? Actually, Japanese English, sometimes called Japlish, is not a real language. In Japan it seems that it's pretty cool to use English words and phrases splashed into marketing messages. ... http://www.netsato.com/2007/10/29/creative-japanese-english/ Words of wisdom from my 4 year old boy. While riding in the car... Son (with a serious tone): Dad? You know I don't know everything. Me: Is that right? Son: Yeah, only God knows everything.... (long pause) .... and Google. http://www.netsato.com/2007/10/25/god-and-google/ It's official. Today, the Mongolian born sumo wrestler known as Hakuho was promoted to professional sumo's highest rank, Grand Champion, or Yokozuna. Hakuho becomes the sports 69th Yokuzuna and joins fellow Mongolian wrestler Asashoryu at the pinnacle of Japan's national sport. The means that the Hawaii Grand Sumo ... http://www.netsato.com/2007/05/30/two-yokozuna-for-the-hawaii-grand-sumo-tournament/ My 4 year old son is a wonderful big brother. He just loves his little sister and can't get enough of showering her with rough-house hugs and kisses. Unfortunately, she is not always happy about being the recipient of soooo much physical attention. As my Japanese adopted daughter just turned ... http://www.netsato.com/2007/05/21/my-daughters-first-words/