two one _two one

design sight
"Just what is design?"

Make your muscles learn English.

Ah ha!
I've got the key
I've got the secret
Thanks to Zuiiken English I have wroked out where I have been going wrong with this language learning thing. It's not my brain that has to learn and retain the new vocab it's my muscles!

Zuiiken update

Ecstatic to hear that these super rad ladies have been doing their thing since 1992.

Slightly devastated to find that Zuiiken Gals are no longer on Fuji TV. I have a feeling that the only way I am going to fill my life with more Zuiiken (whatever the hell that means) is to get satelite TV - and that is simply not going to happen...I refuse to have my soul sucked out for the sake of Zuiiken.

How dare you say such a thing to me!

Zume and I have become so obsessed with this style of language acquisition that we are in desperate need of all episodes. If you see any more let us know...
Here is another favorite of ours to tickle your fancy.

This is proof that it works - check out the rapid language absorbsion of the people they have roped into doing the english aerobics - i really like the guy in the apron

language learning at its finest

I implore you to watch this golden piece of visual and educational mastery

If only the french, spanish, italians and greek would come up with some effective language videos like the japanese - my language skills would be sharp and my buns would be tight!
After viewing this vid several times I am convinced this method of teaching would really spice things up in my own classroom.

go world!

There comes a time in every 'international' relationship when loyalties are tested, blood flows thicker than water and you realise that despite your closeness you may never truly be in the same boat...

Japan vs Australia
may the best team win
(to be honest I couldn't really care less - I know, Iknow - but I am being supportive)
I am going for Japan because they have good hair, seem to look younger as they age and they have stealth like samurai precision - I am going for the Aussies because I am one and I have been told this is a history making event for them...
So GO TEAM

ps If the Italian team were playing I would definitely be going for them in appreciation of the fine Campari they have provided me this evening. I am enjoying it immensely as I prepare a luscious world cup dinner and snacks...

safety precautions

Naturally we have been researching our destinations to get the best tips. We have stumbled upon many tourist do's and dont's. I have been relaying any big finds or interesting new tips to Zume. But I also encourage him to do his own tourist tip finding.
It seems most of the Japanese tourist tips are very similar and some quite helpful. Although others just seemed down right unusual. One in particular sticks in my mind no matter how hard I try and erase the thoughts. While I am not exactly sure of the source, I do know it was a Japanese website offering safety tips to Japanese tourists considering travel in street crime prone areas.
When I asked Zume if he had found anything interesting he said "Yeah this website says to look less like a tourist and more like a local I should get more browny and grow a - I don't know what you call it". As I looked up at him, he was stroking his face with his hand. "A beard?" I quizzed and sniggered. "Yeah get browny and grow a beard." To Zume browny means getting a tan and growing a beard; well I'm guessing that would take many moons. Inspite of the stupidity of this tourist tip, I cannot help but wonder what sort of facial hair they are suggesting and how this might deter would be robbers.
And...if this travel guide is suggesting that in order to look less vulnerable one must look less 'Japanese', what are they suggesting one should look more like?

Perhaps a middle eastern appearance would make for a carefree adventure...




















maybe we should consider a more sinister appearance, the look of someone highly skilled in kungfooery...

















oui oui joost like one of zee locaals...




















or the porn star look is always a winner, sure to ward off any thoughts of petty theft...

Whoah! We're going to Ibiza...

Whoah! We're going to Ibiza
Whoah! Back to the islands
Whoah! We're going to Ibiza
Whoah! We're gonna have a party
Whoah! In the Mediterranean Sea


Actually we really are...

This is what has been consuming my time and my head space lately.
It all started about a month ago when Zume ventured to ask "Hey, why don't we go to Spain for the summer?" Asking me a question like that equates to asking me if I would like some ice cream - I am NEVER going to say no.

In no time we were on the phone to the travel agent and writing a list of the places we wanted to go.
In true over zealous style, I had listed every exotic and sexy Mediterranean beach on the planet as a place to go. But we have since chopped in down a little.
At the risk of sounding like an annoying bragging spoilt brat I am going to give a run down of our summer journey.

London - Paris (to ride our bikes through the streets of gay pari and eat creme brulee at Amelie's cafe in Monmatre) - Barcelona (to be pickpocketed and see if Zara clothes really are cheaper there) - Ibiza (to party it up with celebs, djs and the largest population of pimple faced, alchohol intolerant, barely out of their teens brits) - Venice (to see what a real gondola looks like) - Rome (to shop like a freak and decide whether or not it was built in a day) - Athens and the Greek Ialands Santorini, Mykonos and Paros (to chill and soak it up before heading back to Tokyo)

So here's the thing, we have less than two months before we leave and we need to learn french, spanish, italian and greek.

So far I have progressed to a level where I can ask for a Camembert sandwich in French, I can ask where the toilet or beach is in spanish (while being aware of the pickpoketers) and I can barely leave anywhere now without squealing arrivederci, blowing kisses and waving like I am hanging off the side of a luxury sea liner ready to depart on the trip of a life time. As for greek, well at this stage I am ignorantly hoping sign language will suffice.

All language assisstance is greatly appreciated - please help!