In Obama For Obama

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Are Japan's Sensations hurting President Obama?

Lately, I've become bothered by advertisements with President Obama's images. I see them everywhere.

In Hokkaido, on club fliers, in front of Osaka restaurants and even on trains to Kanazawa. I can't help but wonder if the advertisements with President Obama pictures downplay the importance of his job to us?

Are we taking his role seriously?

Here are photos of products in the Obama store. The product to the right is bread in the can. Yes, canned bread. Canned bread isn't unusual. Japan has the most interesting food combinations I ever seen.

These items on the table display were posted on a previous post.

The cute sign is advertising white t-shirt prices.

A flier advertising an event.

The special edition of the newspaper. They gave them out for free. Now that was classy.

One side was in English and the other side was in Japanese.

Store is decorated with pictures of Japan events promoting or celebrating President Obama.

More pictures. I don't what higurashi+ the Kanji means. Japanese speakers, please help?

This book sold out completely all over Japan when it first hit the shelves.

Saki ceramic cups (I think). ;-)

Finally black t-shirts for ¥2500. They're are ¥500 = $5.00 more than white t-shirts.

Japanese translation of the books he wrote. I read "Dreams from My Father." Enjoyed.

Playing cards, WOW...perhaps this proves my point. Definitely can't get this as a gift for anyone.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Obama, Japan's Inauguration Celebration

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - The historical 44th presidential inauguration was the last event. We watched the ceremony at Sekumiya hotel.

I wondered what was on his mind as he walked to the ceremony. I thought he looked lonely, but that grin tells a different story.

I was so excited, I couldn't sit down. Those who know me, know how hyper I get when I'm happy.

I love their union. May God bless them.

It's 1 a.m. and we're at the event singing, getting interviews and ready for the ceremony. Me, Lucia Brea (she lives an hour away and came down to Obamashi), Ashley and Sara.

We The People...rang the Peace Bell.

The Obamashi Hula girls ringing for peace.

Mr. Fujiwara of Sekumiya Hotel is one of the Obama for Obama founders. Mr. Fujiwara was the first interviewee for my In Obama For Obama project.

Frontin' (slang for pretending) like I'm ringing the bell. The organizers would not let us ring the bell until after the priest finished the ceremony. It's a great photo op. :-)

The MAIN EVENT: Ringing the Peace Bell for WORLD Harmony.

Obama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan: Hagaji Temple priest Tamagawa Shouryuu, rings the Peace Bell during the President Barack Obama Inauguration Celebration at Hagaji Temple. This information is from Darrell Miho. He told everthing and I mean everything. Click here to read his story.

THE PRAYER

Mr. Tamagawa of Hagaji Temple is another founder of the Obama for Obama group.

Mr. Tamagawa was the first to report the namesake to the former Obamashi mayor.

The Peace Bell

The Obama group was performing. The Hula girls were their backup dancers. Those ladies were freezing.

Darn the cameraman blocked my clear shot. The group was singing the famous"lalalalalala O-BA-MA song."

The Obama Mascot

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 was sung by the choir.

The Obamashi Hula girls kicked off the performances.

Ashley, Sara and me. I love the positive impact the election had on people worldwide. Will the momentum continue?

My former neighbors that helped me settle into Obamashi, Japan joined the celebration.

An American, Sara Wall, showed off her election paraphernalia.

Konishi San sang in the choir; then hung out with us to enjoy the rest of the event.

Canned Bread?!?! I guess they were thinking it could stay fresh for tourists to take home. It tastes like Saltine Crackers without the salt.

I (Heart) OBAMA Noodles- tasted like Soba noodles. It was おいしい! Oishi means delicious in Japanese. I heard they were made from rice too.

The Obama Saki- is a white liquor. It tastes like, hhhmmm, a less potent vodka. It is distilled from rice. Very appropriate since Obamashi (actually most of Japan) is covered in rice fields.

Free $0.99 - I hustled (some say bargain, others say haggle) this Saki. Yep for free. :-)

The Food Court - had complimentary hot food and tea. They also let us taste their new Obama creations. Nice strategy to get us to buy products. It worked.

A random couple at the Hagaji Temple event, enjoying my random act. I put my cap on his head since he was admiring it. He was cool with it, he looks uber happy. Spontaneity is fun!

Lunch before the inauguration events kicked off, overlooking the sea. Got to eat to live.

Ashley Hayes came from Nagano to celebrate. This sister is fluent in Japanese, a Columbia graduate and down-to-earth. Konishi San is an Obama resident. She is fluent in English, a violionist and a fun, high-spirited lady.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Obama All Around The World....

Monday, January 6, 2009 - I got back from winter holiday extremely sick from food poisoning. We think it was from the Mee-Hon dish I ate in Langkawi. Langkawi is an island in Malaysia. The airlines tried to prevent me from flying, wasn't happening.

Finally, back in Japan. Sick and all, I went to a convenient store to buy saltine crackers; since I was waiting for the train (in a small town named Omiimazu) about 40 minutes from Obamashi. And found this magazine on the newsstands.

I don't know what it says, I'm working on that...Check out how his legs are crossed.

Got to love caricatures.

It was jaw dropping to see Obama talked about in Malaysia. Yea, I saw news coverage about people supporting him worldwide but to experience it. It's like Whoa. In Japan it breathtaking and now in Malaysia....it reinforced my travel desires to see the world.

What you think about this worldwide coverage?

Barack Obama in KL!!! I was surprised Barack Obama was on Malaysia's Newsweek cover. They had a Times magazine too (with Obama) but we gave it to one of our other travel companions. Yea, I know you wondering why I was surprised. I told you I didn't see him in China. China don't get down with the brown people like that. They'll come around.

We got to Hotel Equatorial, which was great! It was a wonderful place and guess what...

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - We arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Shanghai, China. We didn't get to tour Shanghai but Beijing was definitely a sight to see. No Obama there. :-(

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Our President

December 2008- Barack Obama won the election. The worldwide media kept us updated about him, his family and all related politics. Obamashi, Japan went back to being quiet as usual. The businesses continued to sell, advertise and fish. Of course, they were planning future events. Japanese are mastermind planners and very efficient.

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Osaka, Japan - Hankyu is a large department store. This pic is for holiday purposes. :-)

In Loving Memory of "Toot"

Our sincerest condolences to Barack Obama and his family in their time of loss.

It saddened me to hear this news. I hoped his grandmother would witness the 44th presidential election. Obama made history in so many ways; from using the advancements in technology in his election to getting the support and votes of young people to bridging the differences between the two major political parties.

The day before the election Obama learned about his grandmother's death. It was amazing to see him at the podium the night he won. He was strong, purposeful and humbled.

I know his grandmother would have been proud that he was elected the 44th President of the United States of America.