Importance of Nihongo to my Career

Engineers who have been in Japan for training probably know how important Nihongo is. In our group, we are required to speak and understand Nihongo as much as possible for many reasons:

Japanese engineers and Filipino engineers can communicate properly. They will understand each other about any given jobs. Filipino engineers can ask many questions about his job or about the circuit and he may able to understand what the Japanese engineer may explain. Any jobs will be done correctly the soonest time possible since the 2 engineers understand each other.

Although we do not have time to study during office hours, we were encouraged to review in our homes. We are also planning to take JLPT exam next year. And most importantly, we aim to speak fluently and understand Nihongo in the future.

Cognitive Development by Learning Nihongo

People who have learned Nihongo show greater cognitive development in areas such as mental flexibility, creativity, and higher order thinking skills, such as problem-solving, conceptualizing, and reasoning.

In addition to cognitive benefits, the study of Nihongo leads to the acquisition of some important life skills. Because language learners learn to deal with unfamiliar cultural ideas, they are much better equipped to adapt and cope in a fast-changing world. They also learn to effectively handle new situations. In addition, the encounter with cultures different from one's own leads to tolerance of diverse lifestyles and customs. And it improves the learner's ability to understand and communicate with people from different walks of life.

Meet Life Long Friends by Learning Nihongo

Knowing other languages effectively increases the number of people on the globe with whom you can communicate. People who speak Nihongo fully appreciate the effort and desire learners expend to get to know their culture and to communicate with them. Your ability to speak Nihongo and your interest in other cultures can connect you deeply with people around the globe.

From anime to sushi bars, karaoke to manga, bonsai to origami, Japanese culture has become part of international culture. A knowledge of the language will give you direct access to Japanese film, animations, and comic books, give you insight into the special terminology used in your favorite martial art, help you understand the cultural basis for kamikaze training and the origin of the samurai warrior, and develop your ability to order sashimi like a native at your favorite Japanese restaurant!

Knowing Japanese will set you apart from the crowd.
The majority of people who learn a foreign language choose a European language like Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Choosing a less commonly learned language like Japanese will differentiate you from the crowd.

Studying Nihongo

Although Japanese is one of the more difficult languages in the world to learn and Fluency requires thousands of hours of study, there are just so many reasons for studying Japanese.

Learning another language gives the learner the ability to step inside the mind and context of that other culture. Without the ability to communicate and understand a culture on its own terms, true access to that culture is barred. Lack of intercultural sensitivity can lead to mistrust and misunderstandings, to an inability to cooperate, negotiate, and compromise.

Though it's possible to travel to Japan without speaking the native language, your experience will be largely shaped by your ability or inability to see beyond the surface of the culture.

When you lack the ability to communicate in the native language, you can not fully participate in day-to-day life, understand the culture, or communicate with the people.

When you know the language, you have the comfort of being able to successfully navigate all sorts of situations, like order meals in restaurants, ask for and understand directions, find accommodations and perhaps negotiate cheaper prices, and meet and talk with natives, to name only a few.

You will be able to communicate more completely and have a deeper, more satisfying travel experience. Your language ability will allow you to see and do things that many visitors cannot.

Cooking Japanese Foods

Our company is a Japanese firm. From anime to sushi bars, karaoke to manga, bonsai to origami, Japanese culture has become part of our culture here in our company. And last March 2007, we have a cooking activity.

We have to show our skills in preparing and cooking Japanese foods to our Japanese managers. Well, it is a good activity because it is a way of releasing stresses from our daily task. It is also a form of mind relaxation. Aside from that we have really enjoyed preparing Japanese foods.

Here are some of what we have prepare during the activity.

Vacation Plan to Kissimmee, Florida

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a busy person. I am currently working as circuit design engineer in a semiconductor company in our city. At the same time, I am a mother of two, going three, very active toddlers. I need a vacation, I guess! So this coming Christmas break, we are planning to have a vacation in Kissimmee, Florida, USA.

I have heard a lot of Kissimmee Florida from my old friends and relatives. They claim that this city is a family- oriented destination known for its themed dinner theaters, swamp tours and outdoor activities.

Have you tried flying through the air at 60 miles an hour on a tricked out theme park roller coaster? How about a round of golf on one of Florida’s most celebrated courses? Or hiking nature trails, getting acquainted with Old Florida? I guess I want to experience this amazing outdoor activities!


We will probably enjoy Kissimmee’s water parks because we all love to dip and dive. At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, we can see some of the steepest hills that twist, turn and jet you through tunnels and mazes. It would also fantastic to have the Dolphin Plunge experience.


I think it would be great if we will stay in a luxury vacation home with private pool close to all the Orlando attractions in Kissimmee, Florida. This would be a cost effective alternative to staying at a hotel. After all, it comes with everything we need from private heated swimming pools to cable/satellite TV. Aside from that preparing our own meals in a fully equipped kitchen will help us save money too also. I now it would be a more relaxing and enjoyable vacation!


There are a lot of things to see and to do at Kissimmee, Florida. Visit this place and you will surely love the place because Kissimmee has even more to offer than before!

Missing Hsinchu, Taiwan

I once lived in Chupei City, Hsinchu. Taiwan. That was 8 years ago and I have missed those good places I have visited, and of course those nice memories too.

Hsinchu is located in northern Taiwan, which is known as “The Windy City” for having a windy climate. I have worked in a wafer fab located at Hsinchu Science and Technology Industrial Park, which is home to 360 high tech companies including TSMC, Philips, United Microelectronics Corporation, Holtek, AU Optronics and Epistar. Indeed, the city is base for high technology industry in Taiwan. And this makes the city as the highest income level in Taiwan.

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have heard about how an NMEDA qualified dealer could assist and how a NMEDA dealer can help the elderly or disabled get back onto the road of independence.

What is NMEDA in the first place? For a short background, NMEDA is an association of mobility equipment dealers, driver rehabilitation specialists, and other professionals dedicated to sharing more knowledge for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment.

As a matter of fact, they have a so called Quality Assurance Program (QAP), which aims to promote quality, safety, and reliability in the industry. It enhances vehicle modification and mobility equipment installation with the highest guidelines available in the industry. QAP Requirements include the following:

1. Maintain Product and Completed Operations and Garage Keepers insurance for liability purposes.
2. Have certified welders if they perform structural modifications to vehicles.
3. Have technicians certified for the equipment they sell, install and service.
4. Maintain records of all adaptive work.
5. Undergo an inspection/audit process at least annually by an independent auditing firm to ensure compliance to the NMEDA Guidelines, certain aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and "Make Inoperative" mandates.
6. Abide by the Mediation Committee's decisions when a complaint is lodged by a consumer, a Dealer, or any other person or entity.
7. Provide 24 hour service to their customers.
8. Meet shop facility and equipment requirements.
9. Have four-corner scales.

What is a dealer member? It is a single business location that sells and/or installs and/or services adaptive vehicle equipment. To qualify for dealer member just conduct active business including sales, installation, and/or service of mobility and adaptive equipment. Follow guidelines as published by NMEDA. Make full payment of dues prior to obtaining membership. Abide by the bylaws and standards of quality promulgated by NMEDA.

NMEDA believes that it can unify and improve the mobility equipment industry and service to people with disabilities. If transportation is the key to freedom, then NMEDA is the key to quality transportation. So what are you waiting for? Go to nmeda.org and on the homepage, hit the dealers locator and type in your ZIP code and see if there is a qualified dealer near you.

Dinuguan

One of Grandma’s specialty is dinuguan. Once you taste her recipe you will surely love it.

Ingredients:
3 cups cubed boneless pork ½ inch cubes
1 ½ cups pork blood
3 tbs. oil
½ cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tbs. salt
1 medium onion sliced
3 cloves garlic crushed
2 pcs. hot peppers chopped

Procedure:
1. In a pot, place the pork and add the vinegar mixture.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer. Cook until the pork is tender – approximately an hour.
3. Heat a frying pan and add the oil. Sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is clear.
4. Add the oil, garlic, and onion to the boiled pork and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Puree the pork blood in a food processor. Add pureed blood to the pork little by little at a time, continously stirring the mixture while adding, and then bring to a boil.
6. Add the chopped pepper and simmer uncovered to reduce the sauce for a few minutes more. Serve hot.

Mommy’s Daing na Bangus

Bangus taste really delicious. Try making daing na bangus and you will love it! Here’s how:

Ingredients:
1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless milkfish, butterflied
2 to 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt, pepper
Oil for deep-frying

Procedures:
1. Combine fish with vinegar, garlic and salt and pepper to taste in container with lid or anything that can be covered with plastic wrap.
2. Cover tightly and marinate in refrigerator. Heat oil in deep-fryer until hot. Fry whole fish until golden brown and crisp on outside.
3. Makes 2 to 3 servings.This dish is traditionally served with fried rice.