7:21 p.m. I went to a supermarket in the neigborhood around noon, and found some nice, plumptious Chinese cabbages in cardboard boxes, sold for 150 Yen. 150 Yen! That's less than half the price around the same time last year!

Come to think of it, we had little sunshine last year and much snow that leafy vegetables such as cabbages, Chinese cabbages, letuce, spinach all had poor harvest and their market prices shot up.

Looking at the fat round Chinese cabbage, my head is getting filled up with ideas of Chinese cabbgae dishes; nabe (pot dish) would be typical, mizutaki, chanko, kim-chee, mmm... they all sound so good that my mouth's beginning to water.

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Caterpillar

2:58 p.m. A friend of mine had introduced me to a song last year-end called ":Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri. Yes, THAT famous song, but I didn't know until then. Western music trends don't seem to travel as far as Japan, I'm afraid.

Yesterday, I finally downloaded the song from iTunes to synch with my iPod, so I've been listening to it all morning. A sad song, really, but it's a beautiful piece and it kind of soaks into you. Am sure it's going to be a great hit even here in Japan, if only this song gets enough exposure.

And thanks to my friend, think I'm ready to test it at Karaoke!

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Caterpillar

2:13 p.m. Have you bought the talisman with the sardine heads and holly leaves? Have you bought the bag of soy beans? Yes folks, it's Setsubun today, so let's get ready for the bean throwing!

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event when we are allowed to have some fun throwing roasted soy beans crying out, "Oniwaaaa soto, Fukuwaaaa uchi," to drive away the evil, which is symbolized in the form of a creature called Oni, literally translated, goblins. After the bean throwing, we are allowed to eat the same number of roasted beans as our age, for it is believed to bring us health and long life. For more details about Setsubun, please see our Annual Events page.

I used to hear those cries when I was a child, just when the day was getting towards evening and the windows of every homes were starting to light up. Hope there will be lots of cries rising from happy families this evening.

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Caterpillar

2:45 p.m. Looks like we're going to have snow again tomorrow. And this time, it might snow all day.

It is a nuisance when the public transportations get delayed, or when you have to huff and puff to clear the snow off the streets, but on the flip side is a rare chance to see this huge city Tokyo, from a completely different angle. A snow-capped Hachiko isn't something you can usually see.

I must remember to charge my iPad tonight. Perhaps I could drop by a 100 Yen shop to get a pair of one of those touch gloves, too.

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Caterpillar

1:51 p.m. It's still rainy around here near my office, but the forecast says it will turn to snow later this evening. Come snow, I got my touch gloves ready!

And on this cold day, JRA has announced that Mirco Demuro and Christophe Lemaire has passed the secondary test, and became the first two foreign jockies to ride in Japan year-round. Congratulations! Both of you! I'm sure your career here in Japan would be a great success. Get out there and show 'em what you got, boys!

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2:31 p.m. Sad news has come in. Stay Gold (Orfevre and Gold Ship's sire) has suddenly died yesterday. Rumor says that the cause of death was aortic rupture, but no official announcement has been made so far, as far as I know.

It's a huge loss for the Japanese horse race world and I also regret it personally, because Stay Gold was a unique horse and I liked him. Though it's a blessed relief that Stay Gold has left his sire line in Dream Journey, Orfevre or Gold Ship.

Fortunately, I've found Christophe Lemaire's interview following his success in the jockeys' license test, saying that his current dream is to repay Japan and his home country France, by winning l'Arc de Triomphe with a Japanese horse. If he could win with Gold Ship, it would not only save my feelings but also be the best farewell present for Stay Gold too.

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2:36 p.m. Brrrr. I'm cold. According to the thermometer, the room temperature in this office is supposed to be 12 degrees Celcius, but I'm shivering.

5:12 p.m. I haven't had a chance to buy betting tickets today since I've been working, but the horse I'd pointed out to Cow seems to have won the Elfin Stakes, one of the prep races for the spring Ohka-sho. Yes, they win when I'm not buying.

They say it's going to be even colder tomorrow, threatening with additional rain. Hmm... it will give me a good chance to stay home, look back on my betting results and analyze them for the coming February Stakes, the first G1 this year.

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Caterpillar

10:06 p.m. I've finally started organizing my betting data for the analysis. But I had to put it aside to watch Kisaragi-sho and look what I saw!

Rouge Buck, a promising fillie, has earned herself an easy win beating all the other colts by 2 lengths. She hasn't experienced a tough race yet, though her strength is outstanding that there is no doubt she'd be in the center of attraction in the fillies classic races this spring. As long as she won't be worn out like Harp Star, why, I have a hunch she'd win the fillies' triple crown!

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5:42 p.m. Heard on the weather report that Tokyo is under a cold wave of -9 degrees Celcius. No wonder it's cold. Well. let's be glad that it's not snowing. Around same time last year, we were having heavy snow.

Besides, we're much warmer here than in Germany or Scotland, or even New York where my friends live. I hope they're not frozen. It might have been good thinking after all, to send disposable heat packs.

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1:50 p.m. I've finally got the chance to hear the game tune transcribed by Chu-ni Mario. And it didn't disappoint me, it was HILARIOUS!!! I'll paste a link from YouTube so you can all see (hear) it. As an 8th grader, I've tried hard to transcribe the Super Mario Brothers theme.

About six years ago, a teenage boy has transcribed the famous Super Mario Brothers theme on his computer for the first time in his life, and uploaded it to NicoNico, a Japanese video sharing website following his brother's advice. The video gained popularity in an unexpected way; that it was far from the original and well, enjoyable. The boy under the username "Kuroma," has become well known among the NicoNico viewers as "Chu-ni Mario" and that he makes terrible transcriptions of game themes. Six years later, after he'd learned the basic music skills in musical carrier college, he has now become a professional freelance game music producer, and he's been gaining attraction this time, because of his great improvement in the past six years.

Considering the fact that he couldn't read nor write musical sheets when he first transcribed the Super Mario theme, the transcription is still hilarious and I couldn't help rolling over laughing in tears. Hope you'll understand that I'm not making fun of him, but just trying to appreciate how we can follow our dreams and change.

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11:58 p.m. Oh god, it's this late? I didn't realize until now.

I was going to find and put a link to Chu-ni Mario's current piece, but it's been a holiday today and I've been too caught up in analyzing my past results of February Stakes that I'd completely forgot about the time. I'm very satisfied with my analysis, though. It's been successful and I feel like I can win February Stakes this year.=3

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Caterpillar

2:04 p.m. Since I was too occupied and couldn't finish the task yesterday, I'm putting a link to Chu-ni Mario's latest piece on YouTube. He seems to be using his username, "Chroma" and the title of the tune is "Winter to hurry me." I hope you enjoy it and see (hear) how drastically he improved, to become a professional game music producer. (CHIPTUNE) Chroma - Winter to hurry me

I've listened to it too, and although I don't know much about games and game music, I thought this tune was awesome!

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Caterpillar

4:46 p.m. One of our clients said she's going to Universal Studio Japan in Osaka, where they have the amusement attraction of the Wizardry World of Harry Potter. And ever since, Cow has been terrified. "What if she brings us back Every Flavour Beans?"

Well, I don't mind as I've never tried one before. Though I'd certainly prefer the chocolate frogs. And if I may choose, I would definitely like a Nimbus 2001. That would be awesome, no doubt!

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Caterpillar

2:06 p.m. Our client must be enjoying her day at USJ Japan by now. Hope she's having fun.

My fun will have to wait till tomorrow, when Kizuna runs his first race after his fracture last year. Wondering not just how the horse will perform, but also how Yutaka is going to ride him. Will he go and take a good position in the front, or we he stay behind again like he's always done? Not to mention, the former option would be the better choice, if he expects to win Prix l'Arc de Triomphe with Kizuna.

And how about Harp Star? She's entered in the same race as Kizuna. She only has to carry 54kg which is obviously and advantage against Kizuna, but if her jockey doesn't ride aggresively, she will be forced into a difficult position.

So I can't wait to see tomorrow's Kyoto Kinen, where the two horses race against each other! Also, secretly expecting our client to bring back some Every Flavor Beans, just to see the expression on Cow's face, tee-hee!

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Caterpillar

7:20 p.m. The performance of Kizuna and Harp Star was honestly, a let down. Apparently, no lessons have been learned from the past experiences.

But I cheered up a bit when I discovered that the cupcake my niece had brought yesterday, turned out to be pretty rich and tasty. She's made some chocolate cupcakes herself and brought them to the grans', since it was St. Valentines Day. Perhaps I should follow her footsteps and give away some self-made chocolate next year? Why not, if that can make someone happy?

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Caterpillar

3:01 p.m. Speaking of meeting something unexpectedly nice or good, I've unexpectedly discovered Real Steal as a colt with quite much talent. He's run in yesterday's Kyodo Tsushin Hai, which is considered to be a gateway to winning the Japanese D'erby, and performed remarkably.

Although you might say that he was lucky enough to draw the most inner post, not to mention it was a great advantage on the Tokyo turf in an averagely mild lap, the horse has proven he has great speed. His next task would be, how to ride him so that he can perform his best. My humble opinion is to position him on the outside before he shifts his gear up in the last stretch. Interruptions while he's gaining speed would be critical.

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Caterpillar

4:25 p.m. I've overslept and got up late. Not to mention I washed my face, changed clothes, brushed my teeth, threw my lunch in the backpack and ran out of the house in a mad rush. So I haven't had the mind or time to spare for being aware of the little nice things in life.

Thankfully, I made it in time for my meeting. When you make it in time for something you were afraid you might be late for, it makes you feel so relieved that you tend to forget to learn from your mistakes. What went wrong? How can I avoid doing the same thing again?

I will appreciate the good luck I had today, of trains and subways arriving on schedule, no accidents happening to block my way, and then I will record all tv programs I want to watch tonight, so I can go to sleep and get up earlier tomorrow.

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Caterpillar

3:00 p.m. I never believed much in miracles, but they do happen. I'm having the happiest moment of my life since yesterday!

Yesterday as I got home, I found a letter addressed to me from NY. I didn't recognize the sender's name, but I opened the envelope anyway. Inside was a card with a handwritten message.

Some of you might remember that I'd mentioned a cafe on Guam called Tsuruya Cafe, where they served Japanese food. I'll put a link for those who want to see my past Murmur. About Guam Part2, August 26th, 2006and First Anniversary 7, June 7th, 2007.

And the writer of the card was the son of the owners of Tsuruya Cafe!

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Caterpillar

1:19 p.m. After I got back from my trip to Guam, I'd sent a Thank You note to the owners. They had been very nice while I visited their cafe almost for every meal. They'd add a cup of coffee or miso soup, or sometimes a fruit or a salad to go with my order for free. And when I told them I was going back to Japan, the Mrs. had even given me a parting gift! Of course I'd sent a Thank You note.

At the end of the same year, I had sent a Christmas card to them at the same address, but sadly the card has been returned as "Unable to forward," and all these years I've been wondering what had become of them.

Reading the handwritten message on the card, I learned that the Mrs. had battled cancer and passed away several years back. But she had kept my Thank You note which her son read afterwards, when he was going through her belongings. Kindly, he has sent me the message to let me know of his parents and thank me for the note, that might have meant a lot to his mom.

If this isn't the most loving, caring, kind action, I wonder what is. That's why I'm having the happiest moment of my life!

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Caterpillar

3:56 p.m. It was pretty warm during the day today. I went out to get a panel for work, but I could walk around without my scarf or gloves. And I actually felt the season changing with my own skin.

The temperature hasn'tchanged much since yesterday, nor have the wind or moisture. Yet, I can feel something different in the air. Isn't that amazing? I felt the power of sunllight getting stronger than yesterday, smelt a faint fragrance of flowers in the air, and the wind seemed to have a slightly gentler touch against my skin. I love it when I feel things like this. It makes me feel alive.

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Caterpillar

2:36 p.m. So, the first grade one race of the season, February Stakes.

Speaking from the result, I'm keying Kopano Rickey and going to buy a wheel of Incantation, Kazenoko, Corin Berry, Sun Vista, Happy Sprint, Roman Legend, and perhaps Best Warrior, only if he gets his lost weight back on.

It would be and advantage for Kopano Rickey, if he could race feeling out how Corin Berry would move ahead of him, so if Rickey doesn't lay back at the start, he would be able to come within 3rd position. If there's a chance that some other horse might beat him, I'd say Roman Legend is the only one who can, that is of course, as long he doesn't screw up the start either. Best Warrior, I'm not so enthusiastic to buy, as his condition doesn't to seem to be moving upward, I'd rahter buy Wide Bach instead, hoping he might reach 3rd place.

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9:39 p.m. I haven't been feeling well since Friday, so spent most of the day lying down, wrapped in blankets. Mmm... wish I could stay this way for days. I do enjoy the privilage of staying cuddled up in blankets and not having to do anything. Quite much.

Kopano Rickey became the first ever horse to win February Stakes 2 years in a row. I'm happy for both Rickey and his rider. Yutaka Take is not a jockey who should be burried in dust just because he didn't get along with some owners. I'm hoping his future would be bright, especially now that Mirco and Chritophe is going to ride throughout the year. Although I don't like the way he rides Kizuna, still the man deserves to ride better horses.

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Caterpillar

4:33 p.m. Needless to say, I lost my first race of the season since I had cut out Best Warrior although he had gained some weight back on. I just couldn't imagine him performing so well after he'd been beaten by one full second in his previous race. A one second gap is equivalent to that of 5 lengths.

I've reviewed my decisions and discovered my mistakes! I was forcing myself to buy trios distorting my call, not just because I wanted to win so much, but also wanted to win big. Now that I know what exactly I've been doing wrong, I think I got a step closer to winning races this year.

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Caterpillar

3:10 p.m. Again, Cow is infuriated. I don't know why he gets mad so often however, it seems he has a lot of things to get angry or upset about.

Today, he 's been grumbling about Papa Cow "letting out strong, unpleasant odor beyond description". Later it transpired that Papa Cow had eaten some jiao-zi.

Well, at least we now know what breath mints are for.

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Caterpillar

2:57 p.m. Perhaps because I'm still recovering from pneumonia, everything I see or hear seems negative. Apparently, I'm in a bad mood.

Last year, I had a chance to see the Neil Pasricha's presentation at TED about "The 3 As of Awesome". I was very much inspired by it and since the beginning of this year, I've been trying to follow in his step and write about "small things that make our lives so sweet".

And I realized that it must be a time like this, when you're in a bad mood or when you're not feeling well, that we need to remind ourselves we've always got "two choices; one, you can swirl and twirl and gloom and doom forever, or two, you can grieve and then face the future with newly sober eyes."

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Caterpillar

5:23 p.m. I was going to write about getting a new pair of sneakers for a bargain, but Cow insisted I write about his calluses.

Cow has grown calluses and horns on his heels from spending long hours in the cold kitchen. They seemed to bother him so I brought him a file to rub them off, and some Vaseline. That was about a week ago.

Cow is now quite happy and satisfied with the results of the filing which he enjoys to do every day. Good, good. It does make you feel nice when you get the results you expected, doesn't it?

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Caterpillar

3:26 p.m. My Converse have become quite worn out and I've been meaning to get a new pair of sneakers for some time. The nearby supermarket has been having 5% discounts every Wednesday, including the upper floors where they sell clothes and shoes, so I decided to take my pick from their sneakers rack and look what I found?

I've found some L.A. Gear Walk.n.Tones with relentless red tags of "30% OFF". I don't even have to choose. I brought a pair to the cashier to pay, and the lady inside the counter says, "1,300 Yen, please." What? The price on the tag was originally 3,790 Yen. How could it be 1,300 Yen?

As I looked closer at the tag the lady had nonchalantly cut off from my new sneakers, I noticed there's been a new price on the tag which said 1,900 Yen. They've taken 30% off from this price! I've just searched for the manufacturer's web page and discovered that sticker price was 5,292 Yen. What a bargain!

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Caterpillar

2:28 p.m. I've read a report about the world's first practical jetpack developed by Martin Aircraft Company in New Zealand.

According to the article on the company's website, this jetpack has over 30 minutes flight capability at a speed pf up to 74km/h and an altitude up to 1,000 meters. I've seen a demonstration video, and it looked like a small chopper on your back.

It wasn't exactly what I'd imagined as a device to fly around on my own with, but that's all right. A step is a step.

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Caterpillar