I love face book. It is so easy to chat with friends, play on-line games and even watch video clips, not to mentioned reunited with long lost friends. A few days ago, my friend in Hong Kong posted a video link about a interesting home. I watched in amazement and google to see if there were homes similar to the one I just watched. In fact, there is one right in the United States — in North Branch, Minnesota.
The video link is Discovery Channel HD Cable show called “Planet Green” which focus on the world’s greenest homes. The show offers great tips on creating a healthier environment in your own home as well as giving you a glimpse of some of the world’s most innovative architecture homes. Bear Creek Dome is one of them. Located on 50 acres just north of Minneapolis and St. Paul is the dome home of Tessa Hill and Dennis Odin Johnson.
The homes used 60% less structural materials to built compare to a regular box house thus making it extremely resource efficient.
The spherical shape of the dome allow it to deflects from tornadoes and hurricanes. It can also with stand winds over 200 miles per hour thus making it one of the strongest lightweight structures around.
The strength of the dome shell can withstand snow in excess of 150 pounds per square feet.
The structural wood materials are FSC Certified and none of the interior panels need to be finished with any chemical sealers or paint therefore being extremely child-friendly.
Take a look at the video below and tell me what you think. Comments?
Living and growing up in Hawaii has many advantages, one of them being able to enjoyed the benefits of different cultures especially those of Japan. In addition to the millions of annual visitors from the land of the rising sun, we also have quite a number of specialty Japanese supermarkets, video stores and restaurant that cater to our love of Japan.
One of things that I love as a child is Hello Kitty. This fictional character in the shape of a kitty is the product of a company named Sanrio and was first designed by Ikuko Shimizu. A female white Japanese bobtail cat with a red bow and no drawn mouth is the staple of cuteness. She currently lives in London, England with her parents and twin sister named, Mimmy. She was first introduced to the United States in 1976 and then expanded into a globally sensations with license arrangements worth more than $1 billion annually. Her images can be seen on TV, movies, dolls, stickers, greeting cards, clothes, accessories, school supplies, dishes and even home appliances. You can also visited the Hello Kitty Theme Park or even have a theme of Hello Kitty in your wedding. Yup! Everything from cake, to decorations and even the dress is inspired by the character. And why not go on a honeymoon to Taiwan where they have the Hello Kitty Hotel. A entire theme hotel based on the character. You arrived in a kitty van, escorted to your pink room that even has Hello Kitty bed sheet and pillows, walked into their Kitty’s garden and finally have a delicious cake shapes with the face of Hello Kitty.
This is technology at it’s best. Take a look at the picture to the left and guess what it might be. Do you think they are just pens with a camera attached to it? You might be in for a shocking surprise!!
Any guesses?
Congratulations! You’ve just seen something that will be replacing your PC in the near future.
Here’s how it works:
Using bluetooth technology, you can carry the “computer” in your pocket or for the ladies, in your purse.
The instrument produces both the monitor as well as the keyboard on any flat surfaces so you can easily carry it to the office, at home or even hanging out at the coffee shop. It is made in Japan and is currently being tested. Perhaps in near future, we might see it in the US market for purchase.
“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” is a song by Jule Styne and made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Every female that I know is ecstatic when she receive diamonds of any sort whether they are earring, necklace, penchant or bracelet. It is the perfect present for all the special occasion.
The Mercedes-Benz is a luxury automobile from Germany that has a reputation for quality and durability. Beautiful styling, innovative technology, excellent safety features, and hand crafted leather seats makes this the perfect choice for any Elite. Now, imagine having both –diamonds and Mercedes Benz together.
At a cost of $4.8 million and having to pay $1,000 each time just to touch it, this diamond covered Mercedes belongs to Prince Alwaleed from Saudi Arabia. This is indeed a class by itself.
When I was teaching English in Japan and first heard of the term, “square watermelon”, I was a bit puzzled. As far as I know, watermelon were always round. Seeing the confusion on my face, the next day, one of student brought me a newspaper articles from the Japan Times. A Zentsuji farmer came up with the innovation idea because of the limited amount of space in a typical apartment. Round watermelon seems to take up lots of room in the fridge and you can not stack items on top of it. To solve this problem, the farmer built cube-shaped glass conditioners for the watermelon to grow in. As they grow from seeds to watermelon, they take the shape of a square. Each square watermelon is hand-picked and shipped all over Japan. They sells for 10,000 yens or about $83.
The ideas has caught on all over the world. In Brazil, they are using wooden boxes instead of glass containers to grow their watermelon. In the United States, a North Carolina resident is using the idea to grow square tomatoes. And in Michigan they are publishing articles letting gardeners know how to grow their own square watermelon. I wonder what other type of fruits will be next. Square Apple?
Have you ever tried the square watermelon from Japan? Comments.
Looking for a new place to travel to? Why not head over to Dubai. In recent years, this newcomer has achieved considerable success. As a place that combines exotic experiences with top quality hotels and beautiful architecture, no wonder Dubai is ranked as a must-see destination!
Dubai is easily accessible with more than 135 airlines operating through its modern and efficient airport. There are many choices of accommodations in the city or along the beach or even in the mountains. You can chose to stay in one of the state-of-art hotel with all of the modern facilities from health clubs to the world’s best cuisines or rent out one of the best beach house for a relaxing day of snorkeling. The choices are endless.
Shanxi is a province in the northern part of China and located west of the Taihang Mountains. The GDP per capital of Shanxi is way below the national average, but with the recent discoveries of coal, jobs have been created and has put this once unknown city on the map. With over 260 billion metric tons of coal deposits (1/3 of China’s total), Shanxi is becoming richer by the minute.
Many wealthy mine owners in Shanxi are living the luxury life from expensive houses to million dollars wedding. Cars like Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce Phantom and Lamborghini were once the envy of many in cars show, but never did I think it would become party of Groom’s escorted party. The news article took me by surprise as I thought it was just an average wedding in China until I actually looked carefully at the pictures. Here a run-down of all the cars that were used that day:
I love face book. It is so easy to chat with friends, play on-line games and even watch video clips, not to mentioned reunited with long lost friends. A few days ago, my friend in Hong Kong posted a video link about a interesting home. I watched in amazement and google to see if there were homes similar to the one I just watched. In fact, there is one right in the United States — in North Branch, Minnesota.
Living and growing up in Hawaii has many advantages, one of them being able to enjoyed the benefits of different cultures especially those of Japan. In addition to the millions of annual visitors from the land of the rising sun, we also have quite a number of specialty Japanese supermarkets, video stores and restaurant that cater to our love of Japan.
This is technology at it’s best. Take a look at the picture to the left and guess what it might be. Do you think they are just pens with a camera attached to it? You might be in for a shocking surprise!!
