Would you buy them? Since early 2011 when I saw a Volvo I would point to it and tell the people, “Hey look, that’s a Chinese car!” Chinese automotive brand Geely bought Volvo in 2010 and plans on using the Volvo brand to enter developed markets like the States. Shortly after the purchase there was much speculation as to the true intentions behind Geely’s purchase. Of course we can assume, like most companies, they assimilated technology and incorporated positive components from Volvo into their own corporate endeavors. In addition it seems that Geely is hoping to use the Volvo brand image to not only sell cars, but help open developed markets to the idea of “Chinese made autos? Why not?” Would you buy a Volvo now that you know they are Chinese owned and made? Seeing as I haven’t owned a car in the States for over six years, I certainly won’t. The real question is, will you?

Reporting from CNN

Keeps rocking it.

This was shot literally 30 minutes from my place in Japan.

So in Japan “Omiage” is a custom that almost every Japanese person observes. Directly translated this word means souvenir. Of course when we think of souvenirs we usually think of the things we bought to cherish memories of a trip or a time we had fun. Although the Japanese do this, they also are in the practice of gift giving. This is the true idea of “Omiage.” It is bestowing a gift to someone else from your travels to other places.

In the US it isn’t so uncommon for us to engage in the practice of gift giving. Even when we return from trips we may have gifts for friends or family. In Japan they take it one step further and also do it at the work place. Now here is where things really differ…. it’s usually food! Each region in Japan takes pride in the products they produce and provide you a way to take them home and share them with friends, family and co-workers.

Due to the sheer cost of this custom, I usually stray away from it. A common single package of omiage can run you between 10 to 20 dollars. If you are buying for all the people who know you are traveling, it can easily become much more than 40 dollars. That aside, price is not so much an object for Japanese people. They seem to legitimately enjoy sharing their travel experience with co-workers and friends. I myself received some grapes from a co-worker! It is incredibly interesting being able to experience these simple cultural differences firsthand.

Hey! Merry Christmas everyone! Welcome to the minimatt.com Christmas Edition! I hope all of you will have a great Christmas Day and an even better start to your New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Tiger (in Japan)!

So this is my first Christmas abroad. Sure it’s popular in other parts of the world but not to the extent you’d think. In Japan, it’s popular for all different reasons. Christmas for most Japanese has absolutely nothing to do with religion. They hear it’s a day kids in the Americas and Europe get all these cool gifts. But they know very little about the origins.

Here it’s popular to celebrate on Christmas Eve along with Christmas Day. A little like back home I guess, depending on the family tradition. The major differences lie in the next few sentences. Family is not a big thing during this holiday. Friends like to get together, maybe exchange a few gifts and hang out. Usually when the family has dinner on one of the two “special” nights. They’ll hit up the local fast food store for some tasty fried chicken (if the lines at KFC are just too out of control).

Lastly of course, we can not forget the “Christmas Cake.” What? Christmas Cake? Yes, CHRISTMAS Cake. Throw a Santa figurine on there, maybe a fake piece of Holly, and now you have a Christmas Cake. Ok sure, it’s all cutesy, there’s nothing wrong with the appearance. It’s about half the size of a normal cake, but then again, everything here is half size. However,… the price is the exception to that rule.

I got to see a couple of cakes at this store where people were LINED up. I was thinking to myself “must be a pretty good store or they have a good deal going on.” I walk over and almost knocked a couple of people over. The cakes cost about 45 to 65 USD. A single sliver of a slice goes for about 7 USD. So to say the least, I said,… no thank you and moved on.

So take everything you know about Christmas and throw it away. When it comes to traveling on this side of the planet, the likelihood is it’s very different. I think some sushi and sake sounds like an excellent way to celebrate tonight! Merry Christmas everyone!

I was bitten just yesterday…. This is December right? I will exterminate all of these things. I can’t believe one bit me in DECEMBER. It’s not that warm out! But some how Japan’s mosquitos are the meanest of the mean. Still alive and kicking at 10 degrees Celsius. I guess it won’t be safe till,… maybe February…

Speaking of which, the weather has finally just chilled down. It’s hitting around 10 degrees at night but still peaking around 20 during the days (Celsius mind you!). It’s pretty intense. We are no where near snowing weather. We probably won’t hit zero till some time in January or early February. Of course, come March it starts to warm up again. By May it’s feeling pretty nice outside. All things considered,… minus the mosquitos, this climate is pretty sweet.

I know I’m not able to have a proper Thanksgiving,…. No Turkey, scarce cranberry sauce, only dried cranberries, gravy that doesn’t exist, and the list goes on. That doesn’t mean I can’t wish you all the best Thanksgiving ever! So eat up, have some nice turkey with gravy to go with the mashed sweet potatoes. Oh and be sure to eat all the cranberry sauce for me.

So now I can play with Google Wave….

Who else is on board?

P’owning

[audio:http://www.minimatt.com/audio/teh_pwnerer_teh_noob_song.mp3]
A post dedicated to guys like Vathana, Ian, Kyle, Pat,… and maybe Marc if he ever reads this.

P.S. I could so see Viera singing this thing.