Aftermath of Global Financial Crunch?

As a matter of fact, I thought I am totally free from the recent global financial turmoil. I do not mean I am wealthy enough to waste some money, but I just DO NOT have any assets to be hurt by the international credit crunch.

However, it was only a couple of weeks ago when I got a bank account report from a Japanese city bank, I recognized the aftermath of the disaster has finally reached me.

I opened a bank account at the bank about 6 years ago to save my bonus payment in euro and Aussie dollars. Why did I put my money there in Aussie? The reason was easy -- interest rates! Initially, I planned to buy only euro with my bonus in Japanese yen. But... all of a sudden...somebody inside me whispered a warning: "Mina, Don't you have to hedge risks? Is euro-only saving good enough for you?"

In terms of risk hedges of stronger yen against other currencies --which would lessen my bank account balance in yen eventually-- as well as to earn better profits via differences of higher interest rates, I decided to put the half of my bonus into Aussie...

Yet, it seemed to be OK until September this year. The unrealized profits of my saving in euro and Aussie increased by 25-30% from the initial capital, thanks to weaker-than-expected yen against those currencies and relatively high interest rates.

But the situation converted all of a sudden under the growing concerns on the global credit crunch triggered by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers and other related issues.

The latest account report showed my "Unrealized Losses" are now swelling to as much as 10%; Aussie plunged by 40% while euro weakened by 25% against yen during the past two monthes.

I know it's not easy to earn money...... But I learned now that it's SO EASY to lose money in a instant.

Has The Change Really Come To America?

Nov. 4 of 2008 will be the really unforgettable day not only for the people in the U.S., but for the rest of the world as Barack Obama has been elected president of the controversial nation, as the first African-American elected to the country's highest office. We were, there was no doubt, one of the witnesses of the historic moment. The speech made by the next President of the United States was surely moving.

As a matter of fact, I was somewhat skeptical about Obama's landslide victory though the U.S. Media expected him to win with a wide margin. As a person who was educated in the U.S., I thought America is not yet ready to have an African-American President. Although I had never felt that I was a MINORITY at school or in the Bay Area, I knew that the place I was from was not mirroring the whole shape of the nation. The reality of the professed nation of the unity is not a melting pot but a large piece of patchwork.

Ominous black clouds still still loom over the country and thus over the rest of the world.

In his speech, Barack Obama declared, saying "The Change has come to America." However in the midst of his supporters' chorus of shouts "Yes, We Can! Yes, We Can!" the next President of the U.S. was standing behind bulletproof glass walls.

It is surely sad and unfortunate to say that there has always been a considerable danger for Mr. Obama to be assassinated. In fact, exit polls showed that about 55% of WHITE American gave vote to John McCain. I can easily imagine that some people would say "Oh my God, The White House is no more the one we loved as it became The Black House," or something like that... In fact, it was only a couple of days ago when some creepy crazy white-Americans plot the death of Mr. Obama.

Moreover, I always wonder whether the U.S. is a real democratic and developed country or not, in terms of the MESS of voting. The election result came out clearly and quickly this time, but the complicated and not functional voting system let people to wait in the long line for hours to cast their votes.

Before dispatching troops to the middle-east and South Asia, the U.S. had better settle down a 'modern election system' not to be supervised by the United Nations election administration committee.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/04/MNFA13RQDA.DTL&type=politics&tsp=1

Wine Train Ride in Napa, California

Taking a Wine Train trip in Napa is one of the most favorite events for many travelers in Northern California. But just like not many Tokyoite go to the observatory of the Tokyo Tower several times or very few Japanese poeple climb up to the top of Mt. Fuji repeatedly, it is not really common either for Northern Californian to take wine train trips several time in their lives...I guess. However, as a matter of fact, it was my third time to take the tourist train with gorgeous dishes.

The first time was with my farther... I believe it was in the summer 2000. We enjoyed champagne branch ride. The meal was great and my Dad really enjoyed and loved the tour.

The second time was with my female friend who was traveling together in the Bay Area to attend my Berkeley friend's wedding. At that time, we enjoyed Spas and grape seed oil massage at a hotel and then head toward the dinner. That was...just great and we both loved the treatment.

So, this time, me and my mother tried lunch ride. As I'm driving, I was not able to drink wine during the ride, though I could enjoyed some 'tasting' before boarding.

As Mother and I ordered different plates, we could enjoy both versions. It was surely expensive, but worth trying to entertain special people, such as PARENTS! My mother, needless to say, really loved the experience in Napa.

Yes, Mama, I'm glad you to say that! Why don't we come back here with Dad sometime again?

Sundial Bridge in Redding, California

People will imagine palm trees, beach and the Holly Wood sign as the typical images of California. But THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH! California is more than that!!!

Whenever I travel to see my friends in Northern California, my Japanese friends ask me, "Did you go to Holly Wood? What about the Disneyland in L.A.?"

No kidding! The land size of California is about the same of the main island of Japan. Nobody would expect foregin travelers in Tokyo to drive down to Hiroshima or to Okayama for a day trip... right?

Anyway, my second home, filled with my school days memories, is in Northern California of green mountain area, crystal clear lakes, rice fields and the Bay Area. California is really big, maybe much bigger than everybody (in Japan) thinks. So is Northern California, as it will take more than 5 hours if you drive down from Mt. Shasta to Berkeley, the East bay of the Bay Area.

I usually drive straight between Mt. Shasta and Berkeley, except 1-2 times of coffee break. This time, too, I could take my Mother to Napa from Mt. Shasta within 6 hours. But I decided to stay overnight in Redding, one of the LARGEST cities in Northern California. (Mom is not really used to long-distance travel by driving.)

Ron recommended us to stop by the Sundial Bridge in Redding. Though I did not know anything about the site because the bridge was built only a couple of years ago at the Turtle Bay, I thought it should be a good idea to entertain Mother in a small city, where there is nothing special to host foreign visitors besides the newly built bridge.

By the time we got the Turtle Bay park, a popular camping field, the sun was about to drop over the mountains. The reflection over the water --Sacrament River-- was nothing else but gorgeous! I quickly opened my sketch book and grabbed a pen and a brush to paint the beautiful moment.

Here it is!

Traveling Northern California: Mt. Shasta

One of the biggest events of this summer for me was traveling Northern California to see my old friends from junior college and Berkeley.

Well, although I was born and grew up in Tokyo, I would say Northern California (above San Francisco) is my second home.

As well as seeing and talking to my dearest friends, I was able to say 'Hi' to my sacred and special mountain, Mt. Shasta.

Though the air was a bit smoggier than usual because of wild fine in Happy Camp, the beautiful mountain was still there and smiling to me...

Hello, I'm home!!

Cinque Terre in Italia, 2006

"Cinque Terre" means "Five Lands," or laterally five small fishing villages located in the northwestern coast area in Italy. I came by these villages on the way from Siena to Milan, via Pisa. It took about 2 hours from Pisa by local train.

I stayed at an apartment in Riomaggiore and, of course, had a great time there.

In Manarola, I met a guy Bepe from Perusia. We had nice conversation and Bepe would not leave me while I was painting the sunset view in Manarola. Because he does not speak any English, we had to speak in Italian, baby talk Italian...

When I finished painting, Bepe told me something like this (in Italian).

"I'm sorry but I have to go now, as my friends and I have an appointment for dinner tonight."

"That's OK. It was nice meeting you Bepe. I have decided to have supper at a restaurant over there (you can see it the green house in my picture "Manarola"). So have a good night."

"No, no! I want to see you again after the dinner. I will come back quickly as soon as I finish the meal."

"Oh, no. You don't have to. Anyway, I have to take a train to go back to my apartment in Riomaggiore, the next train stop. So, I have to leave heare a hour later or so..."

"I'll come back as soon as possible, OK?"

Bepe left me and I had supper at the restaurant by myself. When I was leaving the restaurant I saw Bepe was running up to me from the hill.

"Mina, Mina! I'm back!"

But we had about 10-15 min. before the train arrival. He wanted me to walk back to the next stop Riomaggiore, about 1 mile away from Manarola. However...after the sunset, walking back along the promenade in the dark with an Italian guy? Well...I don't think so!

So I said good bye to him again telling that I have already got a train ticket and left Manarola.

The train was late about 10-15 min. as usual. When I got the Riomaggiore Station and walked up the hill for a while toward my apartment, I saw Bepe sitting on the bench and waiting for me.

Mamma Mia! Bepe was such an Italian gentleman.

I admired his passion so that could not help but having a glass of beer with him before I went back to my room.

Piazza del Campo in Siena

I painted this piece from the roof top of the museum, next to the Duomo.

The view was... Just Fantastic! Que vella la vista!!