A few things:
- The world’s oldest man, Henry Allington from England, died today at the age of 113 years and 42 days.
He had been the world’s oldest man for only 29 days before he died. Before Mr. Allington, the world’s oldest man had been Japanese Tomoji Tanabe (died at age 113 years 274 days). I wrote a post about Tomoji Tanabe when he died…click here to read it. Now the world’s oldest man is Walter Breuning from America. He’ll turn 113 years old on (2009) September 21. (The world’s oldest person is Gertrude Baines, also from America. She’s 115 years old.)
- As with most kids all over Japan, my daughters began their school’s 夏休み (summer vacation) today. They will return to school on August 25…so they’re off from school for about five weeks.In Japan, the new school year begins in April, not after summer holidays…so they’ll return to the same class.
Also, in Japan, kids get alot of 宿題 (homework) to do over the summer.
- My oldest daughter also started her first day of work at her first part-time job today. She began working at Domino’s Pizza.
- To attract families with kids to travel by 新幹線 (bullet train) to go somewhere during their 夏休み (summer vacation)…新幹線 (bullet trains) in Japan have been painted with pictures of characters from the 「ポケモン」 (“Pokemon“) cartoon.
- The fast-food chain, Lotteria, in Japan has started a “money-back guarantee” for it gourmet 「絶妙ハンバーガー (“Zetsumyou (Exquisite) Hamburger“). If you buy one and don’t like and return more than half of the burger, they will give you a new one (in case the first one simply wasn’t prepared properly)…if you’re still not satisfied (and return more than half of the second one), your money will be refunded.
Tokyo Five 
You know, I never thought I’d be saying that we need another fast-food restaurant chain in America, but… Lotteria seems like a place I’d want, and a place that would stomp the competition around here ^^ If only because I know I’d be going, and any of my friends I could drag along. It really says something when you’re that confident about the quality of food you serve.
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Actually, not just Lotteria…but all food and services in Japan are the highest quality!
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So about the world’s oldest man and woman… I do remember the French woman who died at the age of 122 back about ten years ago. I’d say that’s a pretty decent run. Me, I plan to live forever or die trying.
Also, Pokemon bullet trains scare me. 😛
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If Pokemon trains scare you, then I guess you shouldn’t see things in Tokyo such as the Tokyo Police Dep’t’s “cute” mascot! 😉
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Oh my gosh Pikachu!!! Love that cute lil yellow creature. I hope your girls are enjoying their school holidays apart from their homeworks. So your eldest is working at Dominoes (my husband and I love Dominoes better than Pizza Hut) I saw the news about Mr Allington’s death, I cant help smiling when I heard the secret to his longevity are cigarettes and good whisky. My husband just grinned at me as I rolled my eyes with the fact 😀
Your daughters are on their summer holidays. We’re off for our summer holidays too. my husband works for the International school and their holidays coincides with the British holidays.
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Do they have Domino’s Pizza in your country?
What kinds of pizza toppings are popular there?
In Japan, many people like mayonnaise, corn, potatoes, and squid…as well as the more “traditional” toppings. (Those toppings might sound shocking…but they’re actually good!)
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Yes we have Domino’s here, over here we also have the local toppings too but my husband & I prefer Aloha Chicken and Beef Extravaganza. Im not sure which toppings are most popular tho 😀 When you say ‘traditional’ toppings, do tell as I like to make my own pizza too but wish to experiment with something new
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By “traditional”, I meant “regular” pizza toppings. Such as: pepperoni, sausage, peppers, cheese, tomato sauce, ham, etc.
In Japan, those are popular toppings…as well as the “in Japan only” ones that I mentioned above.
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Shinkansen so cute with Pokemon
Do you have any plans of going anywhere with your daughters?
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We’ll probably go to the beach one day and a big zoo that also has a water-park on another day.
Other than that, we haven’t decided yet.
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