"Welcome to Kevin Michael's HomePage" KevinMichael's Profile

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My picture with Nevada Falls in the background.

Life is too short to wait.

If I could live a few thousand years without the whole aging process, then I'd live in hundreds of cultures and learn thousands of other languages. Alas, my greatest limitation is not money but time. Money I can make. Time is ever fleeting.

I'm not content with mediocrity. Doing is everything, or it is at least how I look at what needs to be done, what I should do, and what I wish to do. Life seems to have more meaning by being an active participant than just watching it all go by. Therefore, I make it a point to stick to my goals.

Starting from desire, life is richer for not simply imagining doing things but actually doing them.

From California but living the dream in Japan.

One of the Giant Sequoias near Yosemite.

I've met people back home in California who think that I'm living the kind of life they'd like to live and they wish that they could do the same. The thing is, that they could do the same. Of course, I spend a good portion of my year working, but then during my vacations I take off & go to somewhere other.
I don't think, "Ok. I want to do it." I think, "Ok. I'm doing it!"

It's really a life style choice. You either go through life doing the things you'd like to do or you go through life being a wannabe. Imagine when you get too old to do the things your dreams are made of. What a waste to go through life just wishing to be or wanting to go somewhere else and missing opportunities because of indecision or lack of motivation.

Hopefully, those of you who need it will find inspiration. And for my fellow doers in life, you probably need no encouragement from me. I am further inspired by the adventures of other VT travellers and how they've shown the world... that life is about doing.

I love my honey

Beautiful Hawaii

My wife and I were married on February 14, 2004 at 2:00 in Niigata City. She is the greatest treasure of my life and I have never been happier. Our marriage is the most defining chapter of my life so far. Our plans are to travel together to many places as our future unfolds.

Life in Japan (honey & I)

I`ve been living in Japan for more than 15 years now. Life here is not really so different than life in the United States. We have a smaller place than my family back home but, I also think we have a lot more serenity. Other than the loud noises that occasionally come from some governmental wannabe (broadcasting loudly from a car or truck at 2000 decibels as they go by) Japan for us is relatively quiet and relaxing. It's life in the slow lane.

GOALS

Performing in a pub in Ireland

Goals accomplished:

-High School wrestling & Black Belt in Judo
-Read & Write Hiragana & Katakana (I know... it's not such a big deal)
-Illustrated over 30 children's books
-Play the acoustic guitar, the piano, & the flute
-Developed, illustrated, and created hundreds of teaching materials
-Married the most wonderful woman on Earth

Continual goals:

-Been running a Japanese company for over 15 years
-Body building
-Salsa dancing
-Travelling with my wife
-Japanese & Kanji (little by little)
-play baseball, mountain bike, & hiking

Future goals:

-buy a home
-travel to Ireland again
-travel to Greece
-travel to California more
-travel to Hawaii again & again

Love the Children (our Nephews & Nieces)

our Nephews & Nieces

From top to bottom left to right:
Ryouka & Yuujin (our Japanese Niece & Nephew) in Niigata, Japan in front of our school Christmas tree (my honey's brother's kids).

Ryan & Eric (our American Nephews) in Beijing, China (my sister's kids) in a 2-kid bicycle pulled stroller.

Casady & Kaitlin (our American Nieces) in Tracy, California (my brother Shane's kids) outside waiting to ride with Santa.

Uncle Matt (my brother-in-law) and my brother Pat's kid's identical twins Catherine (Kitty) and Elizabeth.

Sophie, Miles (the oldest), Brendan, Liea, my brother Pat's other kids.
Sophie and Liea are fraternal twins. So, in total my brother Pat has 6 kids.

We have 2 more coming I've heard.

Christmas in Japan

English LOFT Christmas party 2008

We like to really bring the Christmas experience to our students here in Japan so we put in a lot of work to make it happen. The kids love it and have a great time. Santa joins us every year.

My wife and Jennifer

Intro Updated Jul 27, 2011
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Comments (43)

Usctwin May 15, 2012 at 9:39 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday, Kevin!
DaHongHua May 15, 2012 at 6:13 AM Report Abuse

A warm happy birthday greeting from Malaysia.
You have a very good motto that I would like to share.
Pavlik_NL Oct 22, 2011 at 2:34 AM Report Abuse

Hi Kevin! Thanks for your comment. Although it was not stated that Bridalveil falls was the highest, I have changed the text a bit so that further misreading will be minimized. By the way: you have a wonderful homepage here! Smile from the Netherlands, Paul
Rabbityama May 14, 2011 at 5:25 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday! Nice Japan pages!
maztek Mar 21, 2011 at 7:18 PM Report Abuse

I have gone through ur pages....a person who is highly self motivated..your goals will take you anywhere. i would suggest youngsters to follow you...
carteki Jan 14, 2009 at 8:52 PM Report Abuse

I recall being somewhat deafened on the streets of Tokyo by an electioneering vehicle (or should you say loudspeaker with wheels?). My trip there was a short one, so I plan to go back
Barry_Allen832 Jun 21, 2008 at 12:30 AM Report Abuse

I'm a new member and I've been reading up on Japan and China. I'm going to be an exchange student in China for 1 year and when I graduate I intend to go live in Japan someday. Your comments on this page have inspired me so much to do it!!
Marisola Jun 13, 2008 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful page! I'll be in Japan soon, and hopefully Niigata again!
Aidasss Jan 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM Report Abuse

Hi!! Thanks for your comment!! I didn't think on it before, and it's really a good option!! I'll try to contact them. Thanks again!
zuriga Jan 1, 2008 at 11:08 PM Report Abuse

Yes, indeed... THE Drury Lane. I moved to the UK 4 years ago to be with my sweetie. Before that, I was in NY for a very long time as I'm old. :-) Life here is different but good - always pluses and minuses to everything, as you know.