Aya Hirayama

Aya Hirayama born January 13, 1984, is a Japanese actress who has appeared in a few films including Waterboys (2001) as well as appearing in two television programs in her native Japan, Waratte Iitomo and Itsumo futari de. She recently starred in the South Korean movie Fighter in the Wind as Youko and also in the Japanese television series Haruka 17 in the leading role as Haruka. She is left-handed.

Aya Matsuura

Aya Matsuura (Matsuura Aya) born June 25, 1986, is a female Japanese popular music artist and actress who was born in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.

Aya auditioned in 2000, and became the 4th member selected to be a part of the "little sister" portion of artists that worked alongside Morning Musume, which was later to became known as Hello! Project. Another H!P group, Sheki Dol also came out of the 4th audition. It is a common misconception that Aya originally auditioned to be a part of Morning Musume, which she didn't. After being chosen from that audition, Aya Matsuura began her solo career. In time she would become one of H!P's biggest acts.

Aside from a successful solo career, Aya Matsuura (nicknamed Ayaya), has also done numerous collaborations with other members of Hello! Project, including special, usually short lived groups Gomattou with Maki Goto and Miki Fujimoto; Nochiura Natsumi with Maki Goto and Natsumi Abe; and DEF.DIVA with Maki Goto, Natsumi Abe, and Ishikawa Rika. She's also done the "Folk Song" series which feature Yuko Nakazawa and other H!P artists, as well as Hello! Project's shuffle groups (Ayaya was placed in 3-nin Matsuri for 2001, Odoru 11 in 2002, Salt 5 in 2003, and the larger H!P All Stars in 2004).

Matsuura has appeared in many commercials for various companies; notably Pretz snack foods, Epson color printers, and Kirin beverages. Currently she also takes part and co-hosts the television show Utawara with other names in Japanese entertainment such as Johnny Jimusho's Matsumoto Jun.

Ninomiya Ayumi in School Uniform

Ninomiya Ayumi is gravure Idol. born on September 24, 1984.

transit

remember when we slipped

through the silvery limbs

of Barcelona's rails

pushing each red lettered ticket

through the hungry slot,

brushing brightly lettered details

of our trip beneath our prints.

remember how the station trembled

like Fall back home,

ready to shake herself free

of crispy leaves, or

in this case- scrambling tourists.

the doors roared open

devouring our senses with the

breakfast, papers, scarves

and silence,

which surely lived before we

entered.

Metro

We had to learn how to use the metro within the first few days of arrival. My school is a 45 bike ride from our present hostel. I can't imagine how that translates into walking. 

Anyhow, we have familiarized ourselves with a large part of Barcelona through their subway system, which is less than 1 euro per transit.

Tapas are nothing to "tap" about. Or dance, or any other joy-induced activity. Don't let them fool you into thinking that tapas are the next $1 menu from Mcdonalds, or worthy competition for the smirk-clad mexican selling you homemade tacos from his RV. The three part recipe that is a "tapa" in all it's glory can be summed up as this: a crusty sandwich without the condiments. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. It's true. Do not, and I repeat, do not attempt to travel through Europe with your watered down version of tapa survival 101. It will not work and you will go hungry.

Unless you bring your own mustard packets. 

Miss Universe Japan 2008 Contest

Winner Hiroko Mima

Japan has decided on its representative to this summer’s Miss Universe Japan 2008 Contest
and final 21-year-old Hiroko Mima has been crowned Miss Universe Japan 2008.! beating out 9 other Beautyful Japanese Girls Here are some photos from that contest.