its for sure summer time in osaka

well yesterday we got some thyphoon weather. that was fun for about 1/2 an hour. and then it was just too wet. it rained for about a day, non stop. and then after the rain dried up mother nature left a new gift. Cycaydas!! i saw my furst live cycadah on the wall of the apt building next to ours. I first though.hmmm what is that green rock doing stuck to the building, then at second glance i saw that it was green and rainbow shiny, had huge wings and was as big as my palm. ewww.

and if i wouldn't have seen the guy, i wouldn't have been so scared when i noticed all the "birds" in the trees were going crazy this morning. The cycaydahs are super loud in the morning, and sound like hundreds of baby birds in the trees. hmm its going to be intersting considering im quite paranoid/scared of bugs.

well, ill live. but over the past few weeks we've been busy bees. doug was here weeks ago, and we showed him a good time (as always).Me and shiv tried to get lost, this act had a greater purpose. We are trying to explore new areas of osaka. and of course we did find all new nooks and crannies.

we'll post some pics. of the bike rides. before i forget. we went to shakeys pizzaria today, and i dont think ever one fully understands the pizza combinations that come out of this place. Here are some of their creations
- ikasumi (octapus ink pizza) ** 2 stars, gross, no taste - tuna, raw shrimp and corn ** for obvious reasons-- sweet ground beef, extra cheese, potatoes **** so good, ---rosemary,ginger and salmon * toomuch weird flavors-- taco pizza with peperoni, lettuce, salsa, cheese,***** its like one big tortilla chip, with so much topping. ----

cant think of any more slices right now, but it should be known that corn, mayo and potato are as common as cheese and pepperoni, for pizza topping.

While on our bike adventures we went to the umeda sky building, that really weird looking super tall building. it has outside glass escalators that take you to the roof. very scary. but even more interesting the building had a bift shop that had a small harrods section. So you could get all types of bristish teas, jams and harrods shopping bags.
Also, in japan its very common to send a gift set as a measure of thanks. Like a cookie set, a jelly set, a beer set or a cooking oil set. yes a cooking oil set.
So what it is is a gift box full of regualr, nicely wrapped cooking oil. sandra and paul notified us of this strange asian trend, and its alive and well in japan. Just like in korea, they do have span gift sets complete with the gift wrapped cooking oil.

We went to see shrek #3 but were mildy excited. it was ok. The 300 was super good though. for our anniversary wich was on the 8th, we decided to go to kobe after work. we were going to go out for srilankan food, but then we both decided that we would probably get small portions and it wouldnt be as tasty as ammis food. so that morning we were really craving a good hearty canadian style meal, like old spagetti factory. And alas! we found one in Kobe. we were so happy. we walked around the harbour, ate over priced desserts at the desset land, and then had the most amazing crepes at the shopping mall complex near the harbour.

kobe had this amazing cathedral building that we wanted to photograph, but it was locked off by a highway and ramp. thats so japan. Inside one of the malls there was a huge bust of the mona lisa made out of pearly buttons. i couldnt stop looking, i swear she was looking at me...

This week shiv worked a ton, he did a whack load of privates for miki, so i was out and about, or at home for the week. one night i went to hard rock with tara, evania, nicole and becky for dinner and dessert. The apple crumble is so over priced, but so worth it. i will never take apple crumble for granted ever again.

xoxo