Tokyo's Narita airport installed a device to test the temperatures of passengers arriving from Mexico.

Dear Readers:

I am temporarily sidelined in the USA. At least I'm not quarantined somewhere. I have come down with a virus and decided not to return to Japan until I am symptom free. With the recent surge in swine-flu cases, I'd rather not take a chance...

Coughingly yours...

What Forest Gump Should Have Said: Life is Like a Cherry Blossom

Sakura, the cherry blossom, the elemental symbol of the ephemeral nature of existence... With the appearance of these flowers, the routine of all Japan comes to a halt. In every neighborhood and park one will find the Japanese sitting under these trees...eating and drinking throughout the day and late into the evening...There are lanterns strung in the branches ...and at night the blossoms glow as they reflect the light. Salary men, in their black suits and ties, and office ladies, in their skirts, enjoy picnics on blue plastic mats. The elderly, from nursing homes, are wheeled out to lunch under the cherry trees. Families and couples gather in large and small groups, to laugh and talk...As the days progress, the flowers begin to fall like snow. Children scoop up piles of the fallen petals and chase each other through the park, throwing handfuls into the air. When the wind catches the flowers, there is a snowstorm of Sakura...better than a New York City confetti parade. As I watch the petals blow high into the air, I think these pink blooms must travel round the world, to land who knows where.

Yes, life is like a cherry blossom. One day we're young and beautiful and strong. The next day we look in the mirror and say...where did that person go? Take heed and savor whatever the season of your life. Forest Gump would have appreciated the cherry blossom.

Sakura: Japanese Folk Song Celebrating the Cherry Blossom

Click on the youtube link for song and photos....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKTRnO7SV68

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
On Meadow-hills and mountains
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the morning sun.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Flowers in full bloom.
Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,
Across the Spring sky,
As far as you can see.
Is it a mist, or clouds?
Fragrant in the air.
Come now, come,
Let’s look, at last!

Calpis and Pocari Sweat: Not what they sound like, thank goodness

Automatic beverage machines are everywhere in Japan. In every machine, can be found two very popular drinks - Calpis and Pocari Sweat. Yes, I know what tastes those names conjure. Forget the names when you're drinking them and you'll be OK. Calpis does come from a cow so your first guess is sort of close. Calpis tastes like a watered down, sweetened milk product - or at least that's my best guess. Pocari Sweat is not sweat in a bottle. It seems to be an electrolyte drink for when you sweat.

If those two beverages do not appeal to you, there's the ubiquitous drink of the world, Coca Cola. I have even found some machines that carry Dr. Pepper, that favorite soft drink of Texans. The Dr. Pepper can has some very wild manga on it though. One looks like a giant monster eyeball. The other is a very curvaceous animae space woman. Nothing at all like the dull Dr. Pepper cans back home.

These machines are giving Starbucks a run for the money. You can find all sorts of cold and hot, coffee and tea in these machines. The hot drinks have a red bar under the label and the cold drinks have a blue bar. There are just about as many choices as a coffee shop for all you espresso lovers. One of the most popular is called Georgia Coffee. Do coffee beans grow in Georgia? Has global warming changed Georgia into the tropics while I've been in Japan? My best guess is that it's made by Coca Cola in Georgia? Another brand is Boss Coffee. The spokesman of Boss coffee is the American film star, Tommy Lee Jones. He is the Coffee Boss. I think it must be his drivers license picture that is all over these machines. Either that or he has not had his morning cup of Boss coffee yet. I love Tommy Lee Jones. He looks so real.

North Korean Launches Rocket Over Japan

TOKYO/SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japan on Sunday, drawing swift international condemnation and triggering an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.

The reclusive state's official media said a satellite had been successfully launched and was sent into regular orbit.

U.S. President Barack Obama said in a statement that North Korea, which tested a nuclear device in 2006, had violated U.N. resolutions and increased its own isolation with what analysts believe was effectively a test of a ballistic missile designed to carry a warhead potentially as far as Alaska.

Sitting around waiting to see if the North Koreans "accidently" launch their missle over Japan

I'll keep you updated....