My friends at U of Tsukuba and their Japanese friends. I prepared Kimbab(Korean Nori Maki) and spicy mushroom soup. (3-6-06)
 

 Welcoming new comers, end of the semester party of the graduate students at the Dept of Ag.Econ, Uinv. of Tsukuba.  Far left (in black sweater and pants) is the president of the Ag.Econ Garduate Students' Body.(3-7-06)

Boiled pot-stickers by Chinese students in the department.  Best pot-sticker ever I tasted.  Usually Chinese ones are greasy, which make them harder to eat many.  But these ones are much lighter.  Loved it.  We also had two Nabe(Japanese stew or soup)s and rice, that were followed by chips and drinks. They eat A LOT!!!(3-7-06)

 (3-9-06) A restaurant nearby the department building. We had a dinner party for  students and colleagues under professor Nagaki's supervision.  More than 20 students and faculties  joined the party.  Cost will be divided evenly (yes, you do not pay more than the students!) and I paid 3,000 yen.
 

 (3-9-06)Professor Nagaki and his undergraduate students (seniors).

 At the farewell party for Roh sensei. He's teaching Korean to Linka.(3-23-06)

 A farewell party for professor Nagaki's students. Professor Nagaki's residence (3-25-06).

A farewell party for Dr. Choi. All the best. (3-28-06).
 

On a sunny day(4-1-06), we had a barbecue party at my friend's university townhouse for families(3 bed-rooms).  Spacious but cost you about 70000 yen a month, which is cheaper than out-of-campus housing, though.

At the porch of the university townhouse.(4-1-06)

 

We had pork, beef, chicken, fish, and sausage.  Japanese use charcoal made out of wood.  In the US, they use coal.(4-1-06)

Right next to the backyard, there is a small park.  Very peaceful.(4-1-06)
 

Me and Nabi(name of my friend's cat). (4-1-06)  I like cats and dogs, even though I am allergenic to fur of them.
 

Hana-mi(花見:flower view) parties on the street next to my dorm.  They(people all across Japan) will celebrate this occasion everywhere during Cherry Blossom season.(4-1-06)

It was really cold but the weather forecast said it will rain tommorrow, in which case, cherry blossoms would fall and that means no Hana-mi this year.  So, they party all night.(4-1-06)

Me looking cold.(4-1-06)

 

No cars and No Fire.  Japanese people are usually very law-binding but not for the Hana-mi season.  I saw fires and motorcycles parked on grass.  I heard form the news, Hana-mi parties went bad in Tokyo.

In my office, Eunkyung(her fater is a student in the department) and me. She is 4 months old. (4-4-06)
 

I joined the University Orchestra and we have practices on Monday, Thursday evenings(6:00~9:00pm) and Satuday morning(9:00~12:00am).  If you are a player of any orchestral instruments, please go to the orchestra web page and find out what you can do.  Senior students usually teach and advise when you are practicing.

This is a photo of the cello part playing at the Welcoming concert for Freshmen.  They are good.  Also we have regular concert on May and October.  Seats are sold by the members and S seat is about 1200 yen(half th eprice if you are a member)
 

After the college faculty dinner party for new faculty members.  I was invited to visit Tunisia in Africa to work on an ODA program.  I appreciate their concerns and invitations to the party and the trip.

2006 Fall, Cello Duets, Ka-to-ri and Hoo-ko.

 

Si-o-ri and Sato.

O-o-tsu-ka and Se-ki-ha-ra

Abe and Ku-yu-ha-ra(Ko-ta-ro)

Ka-me(Kazuki) and Mu-ra-ya-ma(Yu-ri)

Ya-su and Izumi

Hi-Ka-Ri and Yu-ri-e

The department Bounenkai(Year End Party).  10 faculty members participated, including 3 visiting professors. Left is Stella from Bulgaria.

Me and my officemate professor Bao from Rai-Mongo(內蒙古; China)
 

Year End Party with friends and Japanese tutors and their friend...

Congratulations on your graduation and earning Ph.D., Dr. Bae.

Me spraying Champane on Dr. Bae.

Year end party at Bae's.

I provided a cake.

After the party, I drove to the Ko-ji beach and watch the first sun rise.

Yeah...

Sun rise at the Kazumigaura, on the way back to home.

My first and maybe the last concert (1-27-07, at Nova Hall)in my life. Made a couple of mistakes but it went OK.  One of my greatest achievements in my life. I am a proud member of University of Tsukuba Orchestra! I am sitting the first row, 2nd seat from the rear end  (the last cello from the center, front seat, right in front of the contrabass)

I am playing the Waltz in Verdi's Masquerade. I look good... very good.



 

I don't know how to describe my feelings on that stage.