"Fugu（Fuku）"

In a recent few years, our family had spent one-night at "onsen" in Kyushu in the end of December.But, this year, we gave it up from several reasons. Instead, we decided to have a luxurious dinner in Kokura.

Yesterday's our dinner was "Fugu(Fuku) no full-cource"（ふぐのフルコース） that included "Fugu-sashi"（ふぐ刺し）, "Shirako-iri Chawan-mushi"（白子入り茶碗蒸し）,"Kara-age"（唐揚げ）, "Fugu-nabe"（ふぐ鍋）. I and my wife drunk "(Fugu) Hire-zake"（ひれ酒） that is Sake with baked "Fugu"'s fins.

Our table was in a separated room, so we spent a very relaxed relaxing time.

Candle lights event

Last Saturday, an event called "Orio-Haku Toumyou de X'mas"（おリオ博　灯明 de X'mas） was held near JR Orio station（JR折尾駅）. In this event, people placed a lot of candles covered by paper backs on the ground to create fantastic atmosphere.

In its opening event, my son's wind orchestra band performed two songs, "Winter Wonderland" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"（赤鼻のトナカイ）.

It was a little bit cold, but their performance gave audiences hot,peaceful feelings.

Christmas lights in Kokura

IMG_0786.JPG, originally uploaded by bikenglish.

In this season, we often see beautiful lights here and there. This time, I took several photos of Christmas lights nearby my work office.

Unemployed Man

I have learned "Unemployed Man" thorough VOA Special English program. I like this kind of naming to the characters in comics. It reminds me of "Kobayashi Yoshinori"（小林よしのり）'s comics. For example, in his well-known work named "Toudai Ittyoku-sen" （東大一直線）, the main character's name is "Toudai Touru"（東大通）.

"Motsu-nabe"

"Motsu-nabe"（もつ鍋） has become a popular food for ordinary people in Japan. Generally, "motsu" means animal's internal organ, but in this case, it means bovine's intestine.

Last Saturday, I took part in a party of parent's group of my son's high school wind orchestra club. There, I ate "motsu-nabe" drinking beer.

People in Japan can get "Motsu" in low price because it used to be thrown away in the past. So, "motsu-nabe" is a less expensive food.