"Has anyone ever seen a legal alien?"

If you think prices are high now imagine going to the grocery stores and paying $5.00 for one tomato, or $7.00 for a head of lettuce. That's what would happen if we shut down employing illegals.

Look what's happened in society, cleaning ladies are now making $25-$50 an hour at a job that used to be quite affordable, often times making more than highly educated professionals.

Everyone from gardeners to cleaning services, to massage therapists are demanding outrageous wages for the service provided.

When we the consumer accept it, it has a trickle down effect that effects everyone.

If  Illegals were to totally disappear, most of us would not be able to afford groceries.

I still don't know why they call them illegal aliens, has anyone ever seen a legal alien?

"Epilogue, eerie, G-d's work-Planet Japan..."

Editors note, this is the epilogue to my book, "Planet Japan."

The Torah states: "A man is (like) a tree of the field," the vineyard of

the G-d of hosts is the house of Israel. "The fruits are the children, who are like sons and daughters. How great is the responsibility of the leader, the gardener, to whom the owner of the garden entrusted his garden! For this reason our sages referred to teaching children as "the work of G-d."

"How great is your merit to have been appointed by G-d as a keeper of his vineyard. We see that even the slightest improvement in a seed greatly increases the beauty and value of the tree which grows from it."

The above letter was written to the Rebbe (Top Rabbi) (like the Pope for Jewish people), from an unknown source. The letter can be found in the book, I Will Write it in Their Hearts, a treasury of letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

I now know why I am so heartbroken and emotional over leaving Japan and teaching, being a sensei. I was helping to do G-d's work, teaching sure felt wonderful. No job will ever be the same. Though I thought I would never teach again because by profession I am a photographer and publisher, I have come to find teaching the most rewarding and spiritual job in the world.

My life has changed, I feel for the better!

Shalom and Bracha,
Peace and Blessings, Jim Sensei aka James "Kimo" Rosen

"The way of Tea..."

Editors note, I published in a book in 2004 called Planet Japan, the next couple blogs will be excerpts from that book. The book never really sold  many copies and the supporting website was not economically feasible to keep running. None the less I feel some of the entries are worth posting to my blog for two reasons. 1- I like them and 2- The blog is free and does not cost  any money, enjoy.

The way of tea is one of Japan's traditions. It is connected with various styles of art, including calligraphy, flower arrangements, woodwork, cooking and gardening...

A highly developed spiritual culture has emerged through the
encouragement of a bowl of green tea. It is based on the act of preparing and drinking powdered green tea.

The philosophy of the way of tea combines four principles:

1-Harmony... You can create it between person and person, thing and thing, person and thing for everything

2-Respect... Respect each other, not to judge one's title.

3-Purity... Spiritual purity

4-Tranquility... whatever happens to you, keep tranquil

There is a quotation from the Japanese tea ceremony which symbolizes and reflects Japan's spirit,"A once in a lifetime chance"(Ichi-go- Ichi-e)

To begin, one should experience every tea as if it's your first. The host should treat every guest with generous hospitality and each guest should try to express their gratitude graciously. Even if you have been to many tea ceremonies with the same host, you should keep in mind the meaning of "Ichi-go-ichi-e” and try your utmost to appreciate the tea ceremony as a unique and memorable experience. This way of thinking can also be extended to everyday life.

When you meet somebody for the first time, try and look at it as a special occasion, if you meet that same person again you should try and appreciate the meeting as another unique and meaningful moment. Living in this way, it is believed one will have no regrets and feel that life is enjoyable and fulfilling.

"Kaua'i County Coucil, Fiction!.."

(Bloggers note- The names are all members of  Kauai County council, for those of you not living on Kauai, just substitute your own city or county council members names in lieu of Kauai's.)

The question remains for the Kauai county council, If Jay Furfaro is the chair, what are the other council members?

Joanne Yukimura is a lamp, because she has many bright idea's, plus being the mayor during Iniki was no cake walk.

Nadine Nakamura is an end table, she can support the lamp, is a rookie and needs to settle in.

Tim Bynum is the couch, since he is a little bigger than the chair.

Dickie Chang is the remote control, so we can turn him off or on, just like his television show.

Derek Kawakami is the HDTV, he's young and in the prime of his life, just like HDTV.

Mel Rapozo is the table, he lays it all out, and needs space to do it.

I still don't understand why the chair makes more than the couch?

"What's wrong with profiling...?"

It's pure capitalism, convincing the American people they need to show their family jewels by means of a full body scan while lining the pockets of wall street executives.

In Israel the most dangerous airport in the world there are no full body scanners.

Would president Obama submit his wife, children and mother in-law to full body scans or body pat downs?

Why are we making everyone from from grandmothers to children go through body scans and pat downs as though we are all criminals?

How many people who have been convicted of terrorism fit the profile of your mother, father, sister, brother or cousin?

Every terrorist I recollect had had a certain profile, why are we making everyone suffer?

Bring back profiling, in the meantime, men pop a Viagra before going through airport security and give them something enormous to contemplate.

'101 things to not do on Kaua'i, ' Halleluyah!

There is a publication in the visitor industry called 101 things to do.

I have decided to make a list of '101 things to not do on Kaua'i' , but will limit this response to my top ten of things not to do.

#10- Do not use lights at night in violation of the shear-water birds possibly colliding with them...

#9-Do not support ferry boats on the Hawaiian islands unless you want rocks thrown at you...

#8- politicians, please do not block sidewalks while waiving signs...

#7- Do not call 'slippa's' flip flops...

#6- Do not say how are you, "say Howszit..."

#5- Do not have peaceful loving concerts, or else you may be arrested...

#4- Do not walk on well groomed taxpayer supported trails that are safer than the roads, since you will be issued trespass warnings...

#3- Do not support any new development, and if you do go back to the mainland or wherever else you may be from...

#2- Do not sue the county of Kaua'i, or you will probably settle out of court of a large sum of money and live happily ever after.

#1- Do not use the term 'Haole' when describing a Caucasian person because anyone can be without spirit or the breath of life, including you.

Finally for my 'Hana Hou.' Please do not take the Garden Island newspaper for granted. We must be thankful for many things during this Thanksgiving period and one of the many things to be thankful for is the great periodical of the Garden island news, Halleluyah!

"The best things in life are free..."

I say one of the best things to do on Kauai is spend an afternoon at 'Kapa'a sunshine market.' (Every Wednesday commencing at 3:00 P.M..)

Experience exotic fruits like Lychee, Rambuton, mango-steins, passion fruits, mountain apples, and vegetables like breadfruit (ulu) Japanese cucumber, Filipino beans and monster radishes.

Prices are cheaper than the local supermarket where most of the fruits and vegetables are imported from the mainland United States.

Eating local is suppose to get you in tune with the aina (land) eating things from the ground where you live can connect with one spiritually, also there is a big push to eat local for sustainability to create more local jobs and better ones health.

I always go late for the best deals since many vendors don't like to take the extra ripe fruit home with them, also you avoid the crowds going late.

Without a doubt the Kapa'a sunshine market is my favorite thing to do on Kauai.

Support your neighbor, buy local,connect spiritually, strive for sustainability, eat healthy, get great deals and shop sunshine markets happening daily around our cosmic island.