Search Results for: blog a taste of japan

A Taste of Paradise Where You’d Least Expect It

If you have the money to travel to London then you probably don’t have to dig deep to afford a drink of water. Unless that water is harvested in Hawaii and you’re staying at the historic five-star Claridge’s of London hotel. The upscale property is now offering a taste of paradise to its most discriminating clientele (British royals and European nobility often frequent the hotel). Claridge’s execs say they just added MaHaLo Hawaii Deep Sea Water to their water menu, which features 30 of the world’s finest waters. According to hotel managers, MaHaLo Hawaii Deep Sea Water is harvested 3,000 … Continue reading →

Dog Breeds: Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is a breed that most likely originated in China and moved to Japan as part of a royal gift. Images of a dog that resembles the Japanese Chin appear on ancient Chinese pottery, embroideries, and temples. They were bred to be companions and lap warmers for nobility; historical evidence suggests that the dogs could not be purchased. They were only given as gifts from one noble to another. There are two classifications of dog in Japan: Inu (working dogs, like the Shiba Inu) and Chin (the royal lap dogs). Japanese Chin were often given as gifts to … Continue reading →

Halloween in Japan

Happy Halloween! It’s finally here… the day it seems our family (well, at least my daughter) has been anxiously anticipating for months. The house is decorated. The treats are made. The costumes are ready. In just a few hours, ghosts, ghouls, pumpkins and princesses will take to the streets here in the United States, but have you ever wondered what the holiday is like in other parts of the world? In Japan, 2006, marks the first year Halloween will be celebrated throughout the entire the land of the rising sun. Little known two decades ago, Halloween is now becoming a … Continue reading →

Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Kicks Off This Week

This week the Epcot International Flower Garden Festival officially opens.  It’s one of Epcot’s longest events, in the length of time it’s going on at the park.  So from year to year it might not seem like a lot changes.  This year, though, it’s got something special up its sleeve. One of Disney’s big films of the year is “Oz: The Great & Powerful,” which tells the story of how a man from the American Midwest became the wonderful, terrible Wizard of Oz.  It opens on March 8, two days after the kickoff of the Flower & Garden Festival, and … Continue reading →

Genealogy Podcast Roundup – Week of July 9, 2012

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Every week, the Genealogy Podcast Roundup brings you brand new episodes of your favorite genealogy podcasts. This is a good place to find genealogy podcast that are new to you. There may also be podcasts that don’t always talk about genealogy topics, but, have done so for a random episode. Genealogy Gems released episode number 136 on July 8, 2012. This episode is called “Life After iGoogle”. In this episode, host Lisa Louise Cooke has a fantastic solution for everyone who is concerned about Google pulling the plug on iGoogle. She also points out that her website has been upgraded, … Continue reading →

Work It

If I took my daughter to work with me, this is what she’d be doing all day Yup, knocking back donuts. It takes more skill than you’d think. Look at those jaw muscles in action. Is that sweat on her temple? No, I don’t work in law enforcement, unless you call breaking up fights and threatening jail time for pint-sized cookie thieves, policing. Rather, I work a series of mundane jobs in order to pay the bills. The lack of excitement on my job fronts is why I didn’t partake in Take Your Child to Work Day. On the fourth … Continue reading →

Fun for Grown-Ups at Disney: Epcot

Given that Disney World is a family friendly park there aren’t a lot of places there that are exclusive for adults. Today I’ve decided to focus on somewhere that, although it contains plenty for kids as well, would also make a fun day out for grown-ups. Many of the Epcot attractions I’ll look at might also appeal to some kids, but I tried to choose things that would better hold an adult’s interest. When I think of Epcot the World Showcase comes first to mind. Epcot is home to pavilions dedicated to 11 different countries from across the globe. Each … Continue reading →

The Aflac Duck Has A Brand New Voice

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Not too long ago, the Aflac duck lost it’s voice. The poor little mascot for the Aflac insurance company has been silent for at least a few months now, as the insurance company attempted to find a new voice for him. Finally, the wait is over, and the Aflac duck has a brand new voice. I’m sure it won’t be long before we get to hear it. The original voice behind the Aflac duck was comedian Gilbert Gottfried. Perhaps Aflac selected him for the voice of their mascot because his voice is very distinct and noticeable. In any case, Gilbert … Continue reading →

Scrap on the Road

I enjoy scrapbooking, but I am by no means obsessed with the hobby. Translation: You won’t find me scrapping on the road. Unlike some of the die-hard scrappers I regularly crop with, I don’t make a point to collect mementos from every attraction I visit on vacation. Nor do I remember to photograph my family trying new foods or chilling in the backseat of the car, so I can incorporate the shots in a fab layout when we return from our trips. That said I applaud scrappers who are able to think ahead and document their adventures in the moment. … Continue reading →

The Aflac Duck Has Lost it’s Voice

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It seems like every major insurance company has created an eye catching, entertaining, memorable mascot. Progressive has Flo, who is perky and energetic. Allstate has Mayhem, a menacing man who wears a suit and personifies all manner of dangers. Geico has the Gecko, who is animated, green, and extremely cute. Aflac has a white duck with a distinct, somewhat grating, voice. Or, at least it did. The Aflac insurance company has been using a white duck as it’s mascot for years. It looks like a typical duck, but, if I had to guess, it might be a puppet or otherwise … Continue reading →