- - - 2/25/2011 - - -

Badminton Class

Filed under: — Andy @ 12:30 am

I recently joined a badminton class at my local gym. I really enjoyed playing while I was back home and this class would be a great way to improve my skills and finally get some sort of formal training. So far the class is pretty fun, and I am learning a lot about the basics of badminton such as footwork. However, I was the only one in the class without my own racket… until now. My new, and fairly expensive, racket:


Head Power Helix 8000

- - - 2/24/2011 - - -

Leatherman and Photon

Filed under: — Andy @ 12:25 am

They have arrived!
My new green (personalized) Leatherman micra, and Photon light.
Now my one key doesnt feel lonely anymore.

- - - 2/22/2011 - - -

Security+

Filed under: — Andy @ 12:21 am

Another certification finished and out of the way: Security+

- - - 2/20/2011 - - -

Plum blossoms in Kamakura, soon

Filed under: — Andy @ 12:15 am

Spring in Japan is when the cherry blossoms come out, but before that are plum blossoms. Although a bit early still, a friend and I went to Kamakura to see some of the early blossoms. It was a nice day to walk around Kamakura and during the day I remembered how much of a nice place it is, and also realized that since I now live 15 minutes away I could go anytime I wanted.

- - - 2/12/2011 - - -

First Snow-Hike to Mt. Enkai

Filed under: — Andy @ 10:18 pm

It finally snowed this year.
There was not much snow, and before it all melted away I took a long hike through the neighborhood parks and up to Mt. Enkai to see and experience the beautiful snow.


The plum blossoms are also starting to bloom.


A kid enjoying the snow while he can.


Hiking up the mountain. There was a lot more snow up here than down in the parks.


Mt. Omaruyama. The same place I watched the first sunrise of the year.

- - - 2/3/2011 - - -

Setsubun, Ehomaki Party

Filed under: — Andy @ 10:08 pm

Feb 3rd is Setsubun, also known as the bean-throwing ceremony. Besides throwing beans, another tradition is to make a big sushi roll (Ehomaki) and eat it in a particular direction. This year is south-south-east. Some of the people in my house and I decided to have a small Setsubun party.


All the fixins out and ready.


My finished Ehomaki


Eating. He was more in the south-down-east direction.

- - - 2/1/2011 - - -

ITIL

Filed under: — Andy @ 4:31 am

It was required for my job, but I just passed my first IT certification test.
ITIL Foundations