Personal (English)
Sandals from Okinawa
03/09/19 14:06
My good friend, Michiko, made these for me.
They are sandals from Okinawa.
How nice!
They are sandals from Okinawa.
How nice!
Lost property
02/09/19 12:20
When we were talking about organ donation at home, I remembered there was a space for writing your intention regarding donation on the back of insurance cards.
I wanted to show that to her, so I looked for my health insurance card.
It is always in my wallet, but I couldn’t find it.
I looked for the card everywhere for about 30 minutes, even forgetting to drink my after-work alcohol.
The next day, I looked everywhere, but I still couldn’t find it.
I was about to go to the City Hall to get the card issued again, and I was wondering if I should report it to the Saijo police.
Before doing that, I thought I should check my desk at work.
When I opened the drawer, somehow the card was in a pile of documents.
What a relief!
That night, the beer tasted even better.
I wanted to show that to her, so I looked for my health insurance card.
It is always in my wallet, but I couldn’t find it.
I looked for the card everywhere for about 30 minutes, even forgetting to drink my after-work alcohol.
The next day, I looked everywhere, but I still couldn’t find it.
I was about to go to the City Hall to get the card issued again, and I was wondering if I should report it to the Saijo police.
Before doing that, I thought I should check my desk at work.
When I opened the drawer, somehow the card was in a pile of documents.
What a relief!
That night, the beer tasted even better.
Trapped
06/08/19 16:48
It was very hot and humid last night.
I had the windows and door open, and the fan was running when I went to bed.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling so hot.
I turned on the air-conditioner and closed the windows and the door.
I turned off the fan as I didn’t want to feel cold afterwards.
I fell asleep again.
After a while, I woke up sweating and feeling extremely hot and thirsty.
I looked at the air-conditioner and found out it wasn’t working.
I thought I had turned on the air-conditioner but actually I hadn't.
That meant I had been sleeping in a bedroom which was just like a sauna.
I turned on the air-conditioner and slept like a log until next morning.
I had the windows and door open, and the fan was running when I went to bed.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling so hot.
I turned on the air-conditioner and closed the windows and the door.
I turned off the fan as I didn’t want to feel cold afterwards.
I fell asleep again.
After a while, I woke up sweating and feeling extremely hot and thirsty.
I looked at the air-conditioner and found out it wasn’t working.
I thought I had turned on the air-conditioner but actually I hadn't.
That meant I had been sleeping in a bedroom which was just like a sauna.
I turned on the air-conditioner and slept like a log until next morning.
Fujiki Naohito in Kurara, Higashihiroshima July 7th, 2019
10/07/19 14:29
I didn’t know he was a singer. I knew him as an actor.
We saw an advertisement for his concert in Kurara and said, ‘Let’s go and see a good looking man!’
At first, I was surprised to see how well he played the guitar.
Second, he can also play the piano, although not as well as the guitar.
Third, his Rubik's cube skill is extraordinary.
Fourth, he can draw pictures well. (He drew the picture for Natsuzora.)
Not to mention he is good looking, and he graduated from Waseda university.
I was very impressed with his time management skills.
He is an actor, so he spends time memorizing phrases and practicing.
He is a musician, so he spends time memorizing songs and practicing.
He also draws pictures, and plays with a Rubik's cube.
His favorite saying is 'Practice makes perfect’, which is my favorite phrase.
He inspired me.
Once in a while, seeing something I have never seen is good.
We saw an advertisement for his concert in Kurara and said, ‘Let’s go and see a good looking man!’
At first, I was surprised to see how well he played the guitar.
Second, he can also play the piano, although not as well as the guitar.
Third, his Rubik's cube skill is extraordinary.
Fourth, he can draw pictures well. (He drew the picture for Natsuzora.)
Not to mention he is good looking, and he graduated from Waseda university.
I was very impressed with his time management skills.
He is an actor, so he spends time memorizing phrases and practicing.
He is a musician, so he spends time memorizing songs and practicing.
He also draws pictures, and plays with a Rubik's cube.
His favorite saying is 'Practice makes perfect’, which is my favorite phrase.
He inspired me.
Once in a while, seeing something I have never seen is good.
Fresh sweetcorn
18/06/19 14:10
Miwa ordered fresh sweetcorn online from ‘Oisix’ a while ago.
As they are seasonal, she didn’t know when they would arrive.
They arrived today.
However Miwa had left for Germany on her business trip, and she won’t come back for two weeks.
So Miwa said that, ‘BJ CLUB staff can have my fresh sweetcorn. I will wait until next year.’
Thanks to her, we had fresh sweetcorn. (They're so fresh I ate one raw- so sweet.)
As they are seasonal, she didn’t know when they would arrive.
They arrived today.
However Miwa had left for Germany on her business trip, and she won’t come back for two weeks.
So Miwa said that, ‘BJ CLUB staff can have my fresh sweetcorn. I will wait until next year.’
Thanks to her, we had fresh sweetcorn. (They're so fresh I ate one raw- so sweet.)
New Walls
27/05/19 12:12
I have been thinking what to do with dirty walls.
Betty painted all the lesson rooms’ walls.
They look nice and clean now.
I whispered to Betty that kids’ orange room may look great with waves. (I had never expected that would have happened.)
The next day, she made my wish come true.
How artistic!
Thank you, Betty!
Betty painted all the lesson rooms’ walls.
They look nice and clean now.
I whispered to Betty that kids’ orange room may look great with waves. (I had never expected that would have happened.)
The next day, she made my wish come true.
How artistic!
Thank you, Betty!
Golden Week
08/05/19 19:00
During this year’s Golden Week, we didn’t go abroad.
However, great friends from abroad came to visit us.
Betty and Rob from Canada.
Betty and I have been friends for 31 years.
If I hadn’t met her in Australia, I don’t think Blue Jays English School would exist now.
福岡の実家に３泊。二人とも母の手料理を喜んでくれた。８４歳のお母さん、ありがとう！
福間の海岸をお散歩
嵐がCM撮影で使った、宮地嶽神社。
四国に２泊。中津渓谷
ナビに連れられて行った道は、細い道が多く。中には離合もできない道を結構長い間つきすすんだ。汗ばんだ。泣きそうだった。
ホッケーの真似
中津渓谷
エアホッケーに白熱。このサイズの違い
However, great friends from abroad came to visit us.
Betty and Rob from Canada.
Betty and I have been friends for 31 years.
If I hadn’t met her in Australia, I don’t think Blue Jays English School would exist now.
福岡の実家に３泊。二人とも母の手料理を喜んでくれた。８４歳のお母さん、ありがとう！
福間の海岸をお散歩
嵐がCM撮影で使った、宮地嶽神社。
四国に２泊。中津渓谷
ナビに連れられて行った道は、細い道が多く。中には離合もできない道を結構長い間つきすすんだ。汗ばんだ。泣きそうだった。
ホッケーの真似
中津渓谷
エアホッケーに白熱。このサイズの違い
Drums and English
12/11/18 12:39
I take drum lessons once a week.
My drum teacher gives me advice on phrases I am having trouble with.
I practice 5 to 10 minutes with a practice pad every day at home.
When I want to practice using a drum set, I go to the studio.
I make sure I learn all the rhythms before the next lesson so that I can learn new things in the lesson.
I feel that learning English is the same.
Practice and get advice in class. Keep practicing at home every day even for a short time.
Then your English will improve steadily.
My drum teacher gives me advice on phrases I am having trouble with.
I practice 5 to 10 minutes with a practice pad every day at home.
When I want to practice using a drum set, I go to the studio.
I make sure I learn all the rhythms before the next lesson so that I can learn new things in the lesson.
I feel that learning English is the same.
Practice and get advice in class. Keep practicing at home every day even for a short time.
Then your English will improve steadily.
Car Sharing
11/10/18 19:11
Since July, Tae and I have been car sharing every Tuesday and Thursday.
It has been working pretty well.
However, when I was heading to my parking lot today, I saw Tae ahead of me.
Then I realized, ‘It’s Thursday.’
I totally forgot about car sharing today, but luckily I got out of the apartment exactly at the time we always meet. It was a miracle.
It has been working pretty well.
However, when I was heading to my parking lot today, I saw Tae ahead of me.
Then I realized, ‘It’s Thursday.’
I totally forgot about car sharing today, but luckily I got out of the apartment exactly at the time we always meet. It was a miracle.
Anesthesia Incident
13/09/18 15:24
I had a dentist's appointment at 10:30 a.m. I got anesthesia so around my lips was numb for a while.
After the dentist, I came to BJ club and started working.
Speaking Japanese was OK, but I realized that speaking English was pretty difficult.
I know we use different muscles when we speak English, but I didn’t know the difference was so drastic.
Terry said, ‘Don’t come to work drunk.’ But I didn’t.
After the dentist, I came to BJ club and started working.
Speaking Japanese was OK, but I realized that speaking English was pretty difficult.
I know we use different muscles when we speak English, but I didn’t know the difference was so drastic.
Terry said, ‘Don’t come to work drunk.’ But I didn’t.
Lost property
10/09/18 17:22
When I was walking towards ‘Shinkagetsu’, there was a hat shop.
There I found a nice cap and bought it.
I really liked it, but I lost it last weekend (maybe at a restaurant).
I'd only worn it several times.
I’m so sad.
There I found a nice cap and bought it.
I really liked it, but I lost it last weekend (maybe at a restaurant).
I'd only worn it several times.
I’m so sad.
Staycation
23/08/18 15:31
This summer, I enjoyed ‘Staycation’.
I learned this word in the article of English Proficiency Test.
This word means ‘stay at home and enjoy your holidays.’
I went back to my hometown Fukuoka and spent 4 days with my parents which was not actually a ‘Staycation.’
After that, I came back to Hiroshima, I enjoyed playing the drums, visiting friends, and a day trip to Osaka.
It wasn’t as exciting as a trip abroad, but it was a very nice break from busy life.
I learned this word in the article of English Proficiency Test.
This word means ‘stay at home and enjoy your holidays.’
I went back to my hometown Fukuoka and spent 4 days with my parents which was not actually a ‘Staycation.’
After that, I came back to Hiroshima, I enjoyed playing the drums, visiting friends, and a day trip to Osaka.
It wasn’t as exciting as a trip abroad, but it was a very nice break from busy life.
The shattered screen
01/11/17 19:16
I’ve been using my iPhone for about 5 years.
It’s so damaged, as we can see in the picture. It says it has no capacity anymore.
After the kindergarten lesson last Friday, I hurried to get back to work to reserve an iPhone X.
The start time for reservations was 4:01 p.m., and with the help of Nathan, I managed to reserve the phone right after 4:01.
Now I am waiting to hear from the store. I just hope my present phone keeps working until the day of the new phone’s arrival.
It’s so damaged, as we can see in the picture. It says it has no capacity anymore.
After the kindergarten lesson last Friday, I hurried to get back to work to reserve an iPhone X.
The start time for reservations was 4:01 p.m., and with the help of Nathan, I managed to reserve the phone right after 4:01.
Now I am waiting to hear from the store. I just hope my present phone keeps working until the day of the new phone’s arrival.
Remembering new students’ names
20/04/17 15:26
We make it a priority to remember new students’ names as soon as possible at BJ CLUB.
Many new classes have started in April.
As I ask all the teachers to remember their students’ names, I should be a role model.
However, every year, it is getting harder and harder.
I finally learned most of the students’ names by now.
I hope I will not forget their names during Golden Week.
Many new classes have started in April.
As I ask all the teachers to remember their students’ names, I should be a role model.
However, every year, it is getting harder and harder.
I finally learned most of the students’ names by now.
I hope I will not forget their names during Golden Week.
Deer Incident
31/03/17 14:15
When I was driving along the Hiroshima Highway, I saw something moving right ahead of me.
It was a deer.
It saw me and staggered.
I don’t remember if I slowed down or not, but I steered to the right and avoided the deer.
After that, I tried to see what was happening in the rearview mirror.
The deer was still there and a big truck was approaching it.
I screamed, ‘Get Out of the way!’
The deer jumped and disappeared.
My heart was beating for a while.
I took Route 2 on the way back.
It was a deer.
It saw me and staggered.
I don’t remember if I slowed down or not, but I steered to the right and avoided the deer.
After that, I tried to see what was happening in the rearview mirror.
The deer was still there and a big truck was approaching it.
I screamed, ‘Get Out of the way!’
The deer jumped and disappeared.
My heart was beating for a while.
I took Route 2 on the way back.
Coffee maker incident
06/03/17 16:26
Yesterday, we went to Edion.
We looked at coffee makers.
Ours is very old and it was cheap, but it still works.
So, we didn’t buy one.
This morning, while I was washing the dishes, the coffee pot fell off the counter and the glass broke into pieces.
It was fate. It was meant to be.
Now, I don’t feel guilty about buying a new stylish coffee maker.
We looked at coffee makers.
Ours is very old and it was cheap, but it still works.
So, we didn’t buy one.
This morning, while I was washing the dishes, the coffee pot fell off the counter and the glass broke into pieces.
It was fate. It was meant to be.
Now, I don’t feel guilty about buying a new stylish coffee maker.
Tragedy
24/01/17 19:05
It’s the busiest time of the year at work for M.
She’s been working 15 days without any days off.
She leaves home at 8 a.m. and comes home around midnight.
Last night, when she came home, she looked so worn out.
She had missed the first step and fallen down 15 steps of the stairs at the company.
Her glasses flew off.
She didn’t know what had happened at first.
There was no one around her.
Somehow her shoe was on the first step, so she had to go up the 15 steps to get it.
Miraculously, nothing fell out of her bag, even though her bag doesn’t have any zippers.
She’s been working 15 days without any days off.
She leaves home at 8 a.m. and comes home around midnight.
Last night, when she came home, she looked so worn out.
She had missed the first step and fallen down 15 steps of the stairs at the company.
Her glasses flew off.
She didn’t know what had happened at first.
There was no one around her.
Somehow her shoe was on the first step, so she had to go up the 15 steps to get it.
Miraculously, nothing fell out of her bag, even though her bag doesn’t have any zippers.
A little exercise
22/12/16 15:29
The only exercise I do is taking Suzu for a walk and 5 minutes’ yoga every morning.
I’ve decided to walk to work on Mondays.
It is 20 minutes’ walk and Tae-san gives me a ride home.
My goal is to walk to work 10 times a year.
That will be my new year’s resolution next year.
It’s a small goal, but it’s better than nothing.
I’ve decided to walk to work on Mondays.
It is 20 minutes’ walk and Tae-san gives me a ride home.
My goal is to walk to work 10 times a year.
That will be my new year’s resolution next year.
It’s a small goal, but it’s better than nothing.
Nosey Parker
25/11/16 14:37
There was an angry man at the post office.
He was furiously tapping a pay slip on the counter many times while he yelled at the clerk.
I was trying to understand why he was so upset.
However, two women behind me were chatting.
Even though I concentrated on their conversation, I couldn’t hear them.
Then, I heard a number called.
It was the number after me.
I was too busy eavesdropping, and missed my turn.
I was busy at work, but I’m not too busy to be nosey.
He was furiously tapping a pay slip on the counter many times while he yelled at the clerk.
I was trying to understand why he was so upset.
However, two women behind me were chatting.
Even though I concentrated on their conversation, I couldn’t hear them.
Then, I heard a number called.
It was the number after me.
I was too busy eavesdropping, and missed my turn.
I was busy at work, but I’m not too busy to be nosey.
A little mistake
07/11/16 18:53
I got a call from my bank.
The clerk said that the name of our employee was wrong.
I wrote, ‘シュナイダー‘’シュナイザー‘.
I had to go to the bank to fix the problem.
There was a charge of 540 yen to correct the mistake.
What was more, I had to pay 200 yen for the parking.
The parking ticket I got at the bank somehow didn’t work.
The clerk said that the name of our employee was wrong.
I wrote, ‘シュナイダー‘’シュナイザー‘.
I had to go to the bank to fix the problem.
There was a charge of 540 yen to correct the mistake.
What was more, I had to pay 200 yen for the parking.
The parking ticket I got at the bank somehow didn’t work.
Delivery
25/10/16 15:03
I got sick of going to the liquor store and carrying heavy boxes of beer.
I ordered a box of ‘Kinmugi’ online.
Unfortunately, it came when no one was at home.
So the delivery man left the box in the ‘Takuhai box.’
I ended up carrying the heavy box home.
I ordered a box of ‘Kinmugi’ online.
Unfortunately, it came when no one was at home.
So the delivery man left the box in the ‘Takuhai box.’
I ended up carrying the heavy box home.
Contact Lenses vs Glasses
06/10/16 16:26
I’d been wearing contacts for many years.
Recently, I got sick of visiting my eye doctor regularly, and decided to switch to glasses.
I still have daily contact lenses and wear them occasionally.
When I wore them yesterday, I realized that I could see my face much more clearly.
I might have made the right decision.
Recently, I got sick of visiting my eye doctor regularly, and decided to switch to glasses.
I still have daily contact lenses and wear them occasionally.
When I wore them yesterday, I realized that I could see my face much more clearly.
I might have made the right decision.
A difficult day
20/09/16 15:00
I went out for lunch before work.
It started raining while we were having lunch.
We got soaked on the way back to the car.
At work, we gave Eiken practice tests.
While I was setting up the tables, I pinched my finger.
It hurt a lot.
I was wearing my favorite shirt.
I never wear it on Wednesdays and Fridays as I don’t want it ruined during the kindergarten lessons.
However, while I was teaching, the ink from one of my students’ pens got on my shirt.
Thanks to some alcohol, I was able to remove most of it.
I just smell of alcohol now, and my finger still hurts.
It started raining while we were having lunch.
We got soaked on the way back to the car.
At work, we gave Eiken practice tests.
While I was setting up the tables, I pinched my finger.
It hurt a lot.
I was wearing my favorite shirt.
I never wear it on Wednesdays and Fridays as I don’t want it ruined during the kindergarten lessons.
However, while I was teaching, the ink from one of my students’ pens got on my shirt.
Thanks to some alcohol, I was able to remove most of it.
I just smell of alcohol now, and my finger still hurts.
FaceTime with my father
30/08/16 14:50
I talked to my father on FaceTime this morning for the first time.
It was very nice to see and talk with my parents.
I was also able to see my parents’ living room.
I bought an iPad, and Nathan set it up.
I showed my father how to use it during the summer vacation.
He learned well.
He uses it to make bets on boat races, he orders goods, he listens to international radio programs, he reads books, and he looks at Instagram.
He is 85 years old. I’m proud of him.
It was very nice to see and talk with my parents.
I was also able to see my parents’ living room.
I bought an iPad, and Nathan set it up.
I showed my father how to use it during the summer vacation.
He learned well.
He uses it to make bets on boat races, he orders goods, he listens to international radio programs, he reads books, and he looks at Instagram.
He is 85 years old. I’m proud of him.
Air Conditioner Incident
03/08/16 12:36
Since last year, the air conditioner in the living room hasn’t been working well.
It finally broke down last week– the hottest time of the year.
We had no A.C. for a week.
We went to Edion and some workmen came to install the new A.C.
On Saturday, after the installation, one of the lights was flashing.
I called the store, and the workmen came the next day.
The workmen were not able to fix the problem.
I think the workmen broke the A.C., but one of them said the A.C. itself was defective.
They will come back with the new A.C. next Sunday.
When will I be able to have a nice relaxing weekend in a comfortable living room?
It finally broke down last week– the hottest time of the year.
We had no A.C. for a week.
We went to Edion and some workmen came to install the new A.C.
On Saturday, after the installation, one of the lights was flashing.
I called the store, and the workmen came the next day.
The workmen were not able to fix the problem.
I think the workmen broke the A.C., but one of them said the A.C. itself was defective.
They will come back with the new A.C. next Sunday.
When will I be able to have a nice relaxing weekend in a comfortable living room?
Pokemon Go
27/07/16 12:54
Just so that I can tell my students I know what they are doing, I installed ‘Pokemon Go’.
If it weren’t this hot, I might be outside among young people doing ‘Pokemon Go’.
It was fun.
Since yesterday, I have been able to ask this question to my students.
‘Do you do Pokemon Go?’
If the answer is ‘Yes’, ‘OK, from now on, there is no excuse for saying you were too busy to study.‘
If it weren’t this hot, I might be outside among young people doing ‘Pokemon Go’.
It was fun.
Since yesterday, I have been able to ask this question to my students.
‘Do you do Pokemon Go?’
If the answer is ‘Yes’, ‘OK, from now on, there is no excuse for saying you were too busy to study.‘
Takigawa Crystel’s hair style
19/07/16 19:02
I asked my hair dresser Chiaki to change my hair style to a hairstyle like Takigawa Crystel’s.
She didn’t make fun of my comment and told me it would take one more time to get a Takigawa-like hairstyle.
On Monday at work, no one even noticed I had my hair cut.
Sachittel Anegawa
She didn’t make fun of my comment and told me it would take one more time to get a Takigawa-like hairstyle.
On Monday at work, no one even noticed I had my hair cut.
Sachittel Anegawa
No improvement
30/06/16 15:30
It’s been 21 years since I moved to Hiroshima.
However, my Hiroshima dialect hasn’t improved.
Miwa taught me how to say, ‘おかあさ～ん、まちがえんさんな～、ますやみそよ’
I practiced a lot.
The next day, I said the phrase to Yuko.
I only got 30 out of 100.
However, my Hiroshima dialect hasn’t improved.
Miwa taught me how to say, ‘おかあさ～ん、まちがえんさんな～、ますやみそよ’
I practiced a lot.
The next day, I said the phrase to Yuko.
I only got 30 out of 100.
My students
09/06/16 12:41
Some of my students asked me to come to their ‘Culture Day Event.’
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to their school as it is Eiken Day.
High school girls usually hate mothers and teachers.
So I felt really happy when they asked me to come.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to their school as it is Eiken Day.
High school girls usually hate mothers and teachers.
So I felt really happy when they asked me to come.
The chicken wing incident
26/05/16 16:14
While I was on the phone, I heard a weird sound. I looked around and saw Suzu eating chicken wing bones.
I caught the end of the bone that was sticking out of Suzu’s mouth.
Eventually I let it go as I needed to use my right hand to grab a paper to give information to the person I was talking to.
Suzu ate one piece of chicken wing bone.
I got scared, but I had a dentist appointment, so I left Suzu behind.
After the dentist, I was going to work, but I was worried about Suzu, so I went home.
She looked fine. Just in case, I stayed with her for a while.
I left home and pulled my car out of the garage,but I couldn’t stop worrying about Suzu.
I parked my car, and went back home, got Suzu, her blanket and some other belongings, and drove to B.J.club.
We put her in the staff area.
Luckily, all the children’s lessons were on location on Wednesday.
She always wanted me to hold her, so I held her and did my work.
Everyone was so nice to her.
She didn’t get sick.
I was just exhausted by the end of the day.
I caught the end of the bone that was sticking out of Suzu’s mouth.
Eventually I let it go as I needed to use my right hand to grab a paper to give information to the person I was talking to.
Suzu ate one piece of chicken wing bone.
I got scared, but I had a dentist appointment, so I left Suzu behind.
After the dentist, I was going to work, but I was worried about Suzu, so I went home.
She looked fine. Just in case, I stayed with her for a while.
I left home and pulled my car out of the garage,but I couldn’t stop worrying about Suzu.
I parked my car, and went back home, got Suzu, her blanket and some other belongings, and drove to B.J.club.
We put her in the staff area.
Luckily, all the children’s lessons were on location on Wednesday.
She always wanted me to hold her, so I held her and did my work.
Everyone was so nice to her.
She didn’t get sick.
I was just exhausted by the end of the day.
Time Flies
18/04/16 13:12
It surely does.
It feels just like yesterday when I went to the shrine on New Year’s Day.
Have a nice Golden Week!
It feels just like yesterday when I went to the shrine on New Year’s Day.
Have a nice Golden Week!
A woman I’d wanted to see
28/03/16 16:24
She used to clean the park where I took Suzu for a walk.
She always kept the park clean.
She was from the ‘Silver Employment Center.’
We had a nice chat every time we saw each other.
4 years ago, she quit working.
Right after that, she brought Suzu some food and treats.
I wasn’t home, so I never had a chance to thank her.
I only knew her name.
I had wanted to see her for years.
Today, I happened to see her at YouMe Town.
I finally was able to thank her and I gave her my phone number so that we can take Suzu for a walk together.
She made my day!
She always kept the park clean.
She was from the ‘Silver Employment Center.’
We had a nice chat every time we saw each other.
4 years ago, she quit working.
Right after that, she brought Suzu some food and treats.
I wasn’t home, so I never had a chance to thank her.
I only knew her name.
I had wanted to see her for years.
Today, I happened to see her at YouMe Town.
I finally was able to thank her and I gave her my phone number so that we can take Suzu for a walk together.
She made my day!
Kindness
10/03/16 15:42
I went to the taxation office this morning.
There were 5 cars ahead of me waiting to get into the parking lot.
At that point, I wasn’t able to go forward or go back so I decided to wait.
After a few seconds, a man came up to me and told me that I could park in a parking lot in his condominium grounds.
I thanked him and headed to the taxation office.
Thanks to him, I was able to save lots of time.
What a nice person he was!
There were 5 cars ahead of me waiting to get into the parking lot.
At that point, I wasn’t able to go forward or go back so I decided to wait.
After a few seconds, a man came up to me and told me that I could park in a parking lot in his condominium grounds.
I thanked him and headed to the taxation office.
Thanks to him, I was able to save lots of time.
What a nice person he was!
Beer taste
02/03/16 12:53
Last Wednesday, I went to a cell phone manufacturing company to help with their audit.
Some auditors came from England and I was their interpreter all day.
I interpreted all day even during the lunch break.
Once I got mixed up, and spoke English to Japanese people.
Other than that, I managed to translate everything well (I think).
After that, I taught 2 classes in the evening.
That night, the beer tasted really good.
Some auditors came from England and I was their interpreter all day.
I interpreted all day even during the lunch break.
Once I got mixed up, and spoke English to Japanese people.
Other than that, I managed to translate everything well (I think).
After that, I taught 2 classes in the evening.
That night, the beer tasted really good.
A horrible incident
22/02/16 15:40
On Sunday evening, I had a call from the person I was going to have a business meeting with the next morning.
On his way to Hiroshima from Ibaragi, his bag had been stolen.
He had nothing. All his money and his credit cards were in his bag.
He had to wait for his family to bring him money and cancel all the credit cards.
Then I thought, I had no idea what is in my wallet.
If I had my wallet stolen, I wouldn’t even know where to call.
On his way to Hiroshima from Ibaragi, his bag had been stolen.
He had nothing. All his money and his credit cards were in his bag.
He had to wait for his family to bring him money and cancel all the credit cards.
Then I thought, I had no idea what is in my wallet.
If I had my wallet stolen, I wouldn’t even know where to call.
The Garage Accident
01/02/16 16:18
Last Sunday afternoon, I heard a big noise when I was at home.
We went out to the balcony and looked at the Boulevard.
There was no accident.
One hour later, the condominium superintendent called me.
She said that the vertical rotating garage had broken down and I wouldn’t be able to get my car out for a while.
That ‘for a while’ period ended up being 5 days for me, without a car.
To B.J. club, Tae san drove me or I walked, but to go to the kindergarten and the community center, we had to take a taxi.
I missed my car so much.
It was so good to have my car back.
Vertical rotating garages can be very dangerous.
We went out to the balcony and looked at the Boulevard.
There was no accident.
One hour later, the condominium superintendent called me.
She said that the vertical rotating garage had broken down and I wouldn’t be able to get my car out for a while.
That ‘for a while’ period ended up being 5 days for me, without a car.
To B.J. club, Tae san drove me or I walked, but to go to the kindergarten and the community center, we had to take a taxi.
I missed my car so much.
It was so good to have my car back.
Vertical rotating garages can be very dangerous.
Miracle
21/01/16 12:53
Some of the students I’ve been teaching since they were 5 years old took Center Shiken.
5 days before Center Shiken, we had a class.
I had a hard time deciding what material to do as it was just before the very important exam.
Finally, we went over the year 2007 exam.
The day after the exam, I saw in the newspaper that the English examination had used the year 2007 question structure.
‘Miracle’, I exclaimed.
5 days before Center Shiken, we had a class.
I had a hard time deciding what material to do as it was just before the very important exam.
Finally, we went over the year 2007 exam.
The day after the exam, I saw in the newspaper that the English examination had used the year 2007 question structure.
‘Miracle’, I exclaimed.
Ship
10/11/15 15:19
My father made this ship and boat from a piece of wood.
He got the designs and B.J. Club logo from the internet.
Amazing for a 84 year old!
He got the designs and B.J. Club logo from the internet.
Amazing for a 84 year old!
Oden
13/10/15 14:22
It’s a good season to have oden or nabe.
As we will be very busy this week, we decided to make oden and make it last for a few days.
When we prepared all the ingredients for oden, it wouldn’t all fit in the middle sized pan.
Now, there are two pans full of oden.
I’m sure it will last for a week.
As we will be very busy this week, we decided to make oden and make it last for a few days.
When we prepared all the ingredients for oden, it wouldn’t all fit in the middle sized pan.
Now, there are two pans full of oden.
I’m sure it will last for a week.
Grocery shopping
18/09/15 16:15
I went to Fresta before work on Monday morning.
I put lots of groceries in my basket, and went to the cashier.
Then I realized I didn’t have my purse with me.
‘Should I return all the groceries to the original places? That would be a nightmare.’
Luckily, I had some cash in an envelope.
It was B.J. Club’s cash.
I checked the amount and there was enough to pay for all the groceries.
I borrowed the money and managed to finish my shopping.
I wonder what people do when they don’t have money at the cashier.
By the way, I returned the money to B.J. Club the next day.
I put lots of groceries in my basket, and went to the cashier.
Then I realized I didn’t have my purse with me.
‘Should I return all the groceries to the original places? That would be a nightmare.’
Luckily, I had some cash in an envelope.
It was B.J. Club’s cash.
I checked the amount and there was enough to pay for all the groceries.
I borrowed the money and managed to finish my shopping.
I wonder what people do when they don’t have money at the cashier.
By the way, I returned the money to B.J. Club the next day.
It's too late
08/09/15 16:23
I ordered Higashi Hiroshima shopping vouchers and received the notification.
Right after that, we had summer vacation.
After the holiday, I went to YouMe town to receive the vouchers.
I was too late to get them.
The receiving period was over.
Every time I look at the poster of the shopping vouchers, I feel sad.
Right after that, we had summer vacation.
After the holiday, I went to YouMe town to receive the vouchers.
I was too late to get them.
The receiving period was over.
Every time I look at the poster of the shopping vouchers, I feel sad.
Dirt on the floor
29/07/15 18:03
I saw some black spots on the floor at school.
I wondered why and asked N and Y.
Y said those spots might have come from one of her student’s shoes.
The reason that Y thought that was because that student’s shoes were new.
Then a few minutes later, while Y was talking with me, she realized those spots had come from her own new shoes.
She started cleaning the floor right away.
‘The darkest place is under the candlestick.’
I wondered why and asked N and Y.
Y said those spots might have come from one of her student’s shoes.
The reason that Y thought that was because that student’s shoes were new.
Then a few minutes later, while Y was talking with me, she realized those spots had come from her own new shoes.
She started cleaning the floor right away.
‘The darkest place is under the candlestick.’
Dizziness
14/07/15 15:14
One of the B.J. Club staff, A, got up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.
Then suddenly, she became dizzy.
She started wondering what was wrong with her.
She sat down, rested for a while, and she felt better.
She wasn’t dizzy anymore.
A few minutes later, she found out there had been an earthquake.
It wasn’t her. It was the earth!
Then suddenly, she became dizzy.
She started wondering what was wrong with her.
She sat down, rested for a while, and she felt better.
She wasn’t dizzy anymore.
A few minutes later, she found out there had been an earthquake.
It wasn’t her. It was the earth!
It’s kind of hot
02/06/15 12:52
It was a little hot without the air conditioner at B.J.club one day.
I said, ‘Shall we start the air conditioner?’
Everyone stood up and shut all the windows and the door.
Even after 30 minutes, it was still hot.
I looked at the air conditioner, it was not on.
No wonder it was so hot.
I said, ‘Shall we start the air conditioner?’
Everyone stood up and shut all the windows and the door.
Even after 30 minutes, it was still hot.
I looked at the air conditioner, it was not on.
No wonder it was so hot.
Errands
21/04/15 15:18
As I’m the owner of a small business, I have many errands to run.
One of them is taking care of finance.
I go to the bank twice a month.
I go to several banks at once.
Today, first, I submitted paperwork at JA and went to the post office.
I had two things to take care of there so I took two number tickets.
The two numbers were miraculously called at exactly the same time so I went back and forth between two clerks.
After that, I went to Momiji Bank.
There were 10 people ahead of me, so I went to Saijo Plaza and did some shopping for work.
By the time I went back to the bank, it was almost my turn.
Everything was done within 50 minutes.
I felt satisfied.
One of them is taking care of finance.
I go to the bank twice a month.
I go to several banks at once.
Today, first, I submitted paperwork at JA and went to the post office.
I had two things to take care of there so I took two number tickets.
The two numbers were miraculously called at exactly the same time so I went back and forth between two clerks.
After that, I went to Momiji Bank.
There were 10 people ahead of me, so I went to Saijo Plaza and did some shopping for work.
By the time I went back to the bank, it was almost my turn.
Everything was done within 50 minutes.
I felt satisfied.
Laundry Incident
13/04/15 12:37
Y had lots of errands to run that day.
As it was raining, she took a load of laundry to a coin laundry.
Y was very happy that coin laundry charged less than other laundries.
She had a nice lunch while she was waiting for her laundry to finish.
Finally, everything was finished.
She packed all the clean clothes in her car.
She thought she had only been there less than one hour, however at the parking gate, she was charged 100 yen.
The cheapest laundry in town was pointless.
After that, the rain stopped and there was a sunny clear sky that afternoon.
As it was raining, she took a load of laundry to a coin laundry.
Y was very happy that coin laundry charged less than other laundries.
She had a nice lunch while she was waiting for her laundry to finish.
Finally, everything was finished.
She packed all the clean clothes in her car.
She thought she had only been there less than one hour, however at the parking gate, she was charged 100 yen.
The cheapest laundry in town was pointless.
After that, the rain stopped and there was a sunny clear sky that afternoon.
Towels
01/04/15 14:19
When I was hanging out washed towels to dry, I noticed all the towels were extremely old.
How did I not notice it?
I hadn’t bought towels for many years.
The towels I have now are either gifts or the ones I bought really cheap.
How have I lived without buying new towels?
That night, I bought several towels on line.
How did I not notice it?
I hadn’t bought towels for many years.
The towels I have now are either gifts or the ones I bought really cheap.
How have I lived without buying new towels?
That night, I bought several towels on line.
Inkan incident
24/03/15 14:57
I needed to get a name stamp for Terry to open his bank account.
I went to Daiso hoping to find something similar to his family name, but I couldn’t find anything similar to his family name.
I stood right in front of the name stamp rack looking for something, which could be read as his name.
While I was so focused, a child came near me.
The father of the child sensed my tension and he told his son to stay away from me.
After a while, I found the name stamp ‘Terai’ which is very similar to Terry.
I was so happy to find it.
I went to Daiso hoping to find something similar to his family name, but I couldn’t find anything similar to his family name.
I stood right in front of the name stamp rack looking for something, which could be read as his name.
While I was so focused, a child came near me.
The father of the child sensed my tension and he told his son to stay away from me.
After a while, I found the name stamp ‘Terai’ which is very similar to Terry.
I was so happy to find it.
Dropping things
03/03/15 18:23
I dropped my sock behind the washing machine.
I thought I wouldn’t be able to pick it up, but I managed to retrieve it by using a long duster.
It took me 5 minutes to pick it up.
The same day, I cleaned the bathroom and the sink.
The drain net was a bit dirty, so I scrubbed it.
After cleaning, the bathroom and the sink were shiny.
However, I realized that the bar below the drain net had come out and had dropped into the drain pipe.
I tried to pick it up by using long chopsticks and short chopsticks.
I almost gave up, but miraculously managed to pick it up.
It took me 20 minutes to pick it up.
After that, I had terrible backache.
I thought I wouldn’t be able to pick it up, but I managed to retrieve it by using a long duster.
It took me 5 minutes to pick it up.
The same day, I cleaned the bathroom and the sink.
The drain net was a bit dirty, so I scrubbed it.
After cleaning, the bathroom and the sink were shiny.
However, I realized that the bar below the drain net had come out and had dropped into the drain pipe.
I tried to pick it up by using long chopsticks and short chopsticks.
I almost gave up, but miraculously managed to pick it up.
It took me 20 minutes to pick it up.
After that, I had terrible backache.
A lost bank card
23/02/15 13:50
M had a phone call from Hiroshima Bank.
The clerk said that they had her bank card.
M did not understand what the clerk was talking about at first.
He said that the ATM at Sogo automatically took her card a few minutes after M had left.
M did not even know she had lost her card when she got the call.
She must have forgotten to take the card, after she had charged her ‘Paspy.’
We were thankful for the advanced technology and the service.
The clerk said that they had her bank card.
M did not understand what the clerk was talking about at first.
He said that the ATM at Sogo automatically took her card a few minutes after M had left.
M did not even know she had lost her card when she got the call.
She must have forgotten to take the card, after she had charged her ‘Paspy.’
We were thankful for the advanced technology and the service.
A discrepancy
20/01/15 15:05
One morning, I received a phone call.
It was from a credit card company.
The woman asked me if I ate at xxxxx in Sogo and used my credit card.
The answer was ‘Yes’.
She said the restaurant had charged me 110,000 yen instead of 11,000 yen.
I checked the credit card receipt.
I had signed the bill for 110,000 yen!
I am usually careful when I sign bills abroad.
This is Japan, so I didn’t think anyone would make that kind of mistake.
Luckily, the restaurant found out the mistake and corrected the amount.
Since then, I‘ve been very careful when I sign bills.
It was from a credit card company.
The woman asked me if I ate at xxxxx in Sogo and used my credit card.
The answer was ‘Yes’.
She said the restaurant had charged me 110,000 yen instead of 11,000 yen.
I checked the credit card receipt.
I had signed the bill for 110,000 yen!
I am usually careful when I sign bills abroad.
This is Japan, so I didn’t think anyone would make that kind of mistake.
Luckily, the restaurant found out the mistake and corrected the amount.
Since then, I‘ve been very careful when I sign bills.
Koizumi Shinjiro
11/12/14 13:42
Mr. Koizumi came to Higashi Hiroshima to support Mr. Nakagawa.
The speeches were held in the parking lot of You Me town, which is right across from B.J.club.
I was teaching high school students preparing for entrance examinations.
Nathan was giving a listening lesson.
Kate was teaching conversation.
I wanted to see Mr. Koizumi because he is good looking.
However, I only saw his back out of the window and it was too loud for everyone (including me) to concentrate on the lesson.
The speeches were held in the parking lot of You Me town, which is right across from B.J.club.
I was teaching high school students preparing for entrance examinations.
Nathan was giving a listening lesson.
Kate was teaching conversation.
I wanted to see Mr. Koizumi because he is good looking.
However, I only saw his back out of the window and it was too loud for everyone (including me) to concentrate on the lesson.
Conversation at the Bank
02/12/14 14:17
There was an old man and a banker talking in the bank.
I overheard their conversation.
The old man wanted to cancel his long term deposit account.
He thought he would not be living much longer.
The banker said if he cancelled it, there wouldn’t be any interest.
‘Come on, even with a big amount of money deposited, there isn’t much interest at your bank. Please return the old man his money,’ I said to myself.
I overheard their conversation.
The old man wanted to cancel his long term deposit account.
He thought he would not be living much longer.
The banker said if he cancelled it, there wouldn’t be any interest.
‘Come on, even with a big amount of money deposited, there isn’t much interest at your bank. Please return the old man his money,’ I said to myself.
Nouveau Wine
19/11/14 12:43
I had no interest in ‘Beaujolais Nouveau.’ Before.
When I tasted it, I thought ‘Nouveau’ wine was too light.
Last week, Tottori Hojyo wine store was having a wine tasting in Sogo Hiroshima.
We approached a sales clerk to get free drinks before dinner.
He said, ‘Thanks for coming again.’ (He remembered us.)
We tried eight different kinds of wine.
One of them was ‘Nouveau Wine’.
It smelled fresh and tasted good.
That day, my prejudice against Nouveau wine and Japanese wine changed.
I bought a bottle of ‘Nouveau Wine’.
It’s in the fridge and waiting for me tonight.
When I tasted it, I thought ‘Nouveau’ wine was too light.
Last week, Tottori Hojyo wine store was having a wine tasting in Sogo Hiroshima.
We approached a sales clerk to get free drinks before dinner.
He said, ‘Thanks for coming again.’ (He remembered us.)
We tried eight different kinds of wine.
One of them was ‘Nouveau Wine’.
It smelled fresh and tasted good.
That day, my prejudice against Nouveau wine and Japanese wine changed.
I bought a bottle of ‘Nouveau Wine’.
It’s in the fridge and waiting for me tonight.
Foot message
11/11/14 18:41
Recently, I started learning foot massages.
It’s quite interesting.
I’ve learned all the spots by heart.
I love taking massages.
I give foot massages to my family and they love it.
Unfortunately, it is not that relaxing when I do my own foot massages.
It’s quite interesting.
I’ve learned all the spots by heart.
I love taking massages.
I give foot massages to my family and they love it.
Unfortunately, it is not that relaxing when I do my own foot massages.
Lost luggage
31/10/14 15:16
We stayed at a nice Ryokan in Yuda Onsen on the weekend.
After we checked out, one of the receptionists drove my car to the entrance, and three other receptionists followed us with our luggage to see us off.
When we were about to get into the car, one of them tried to load a suitcase and four big bags which were not ours.
I told him they were not ours.
I guess those bags belonged to some guests who had already left as there was no one else in the lobby.
After we checked out, one of the receptionists drove my car to the entrance, and three other receptionists followed us with our luggage to see us off.
When we were about to get into the car, one of them tried to load a suitcase and four big bags which were not ours.
I told him they were not ours.
I guess those bags belonged to some guests who had already left as there was no one else in the lobby.
T kun
10/10/14 19:10
T kun is a sweet, smart student.
I teach him Eiken stuff privately.
During the lesson, he said innocently, ‘Sensei, there is a little brown spot below your right eye.’
Yes! That’s a blotch I have. I’ve been wondering if I should get it removed.
I had laser treatment 10 years ago, but it came back.
T kun helped me to make up my mind.
I teach him Eiken stuff privately.
During the lesson, he said innocently, ‘Sensei, there is a little brown spot below your right eye.’
Yes! That’s a blotch I have. I’ve been wondering if I should get it removed.
I had laser treatment 10 years ago, but it came back.
T kun helped me to make up my mind.
The busiest man in the world
17/09/14 19:03
We went to a wine bar in Hiroshima.
The bar was very small. It had a bar with 8 stools.
There was only one table, which seated two people.
There were no restrooms.
The restaurant was full.
There was only one man working.
Everyone was ordering lots of food and drinks.
While he was cooking, he took orders, explained details about the wines, answered phone calls, served the food, and washed the dishes.
He did everything almost perfectly.
I’d never seen anyone that busy.
The food and drinks were good, but I don’t think I would go back there again.
Just looking at that busy man made me a bit dizzy.
The bar was very small. It had a bar with 8 stools.
There was only one table, which seated two people.
There were no restrooms.
The restaurant was full.
There was only one man working.
Everyone was ordering lots of food and drinks.
While he was cooking, he took orders, explained details about the wines, answered phone calls, served the food, and washed the dishes.
He did everything almost perfectly.
I’d never seen anyone that busy.
The food and drinks were good, but I don’t think I would go back there again.
Just looking at that busy man made me a bit dizzy.
A huge appetizer
03/09/14 19:01
I’m usually good at ordering the right amount of food at restaurants in America.
Lots of restaurants in America serve big dishes.
That day, we had to wait at the bar until our table was ready.
The bartender said that we could order drinks and appetizers at the bar.
He explained about ‘the appetizer of the day’, which sounded good.
We ordered drinks and ‘the appetizer of the day’.
It was fresh crispy potato with crab and cheese. It was delicious, but it was so big.
After a little while, we were told our table was ready.
We paid the bill at the bar and moved to the table.
We ordered fresh oysters there.
After that, we were going to order our main courses.
By the time the oysters were served, we were already full.
We couldn’t eat any more, and the waitress looked disgusted.
Lots of restaurants in America serve big dishes.
That day, we had to wait at the bar until our table was ready.
The bartender said that we could order drinks and appetizers at the bar.
He explained about ‘the appetizer of the day’, which sounded good.
We ordered drinks and ‘the appetizer of the day’.
It was fresh crispy potato with crab and cheese. It was delicious, but it was so big.
After a little while, we were told our table was ready.
We paid the bill at the bar and moved to the table.
We ordered fresh oysters there.
After that, we were going to order our main courses.
By the time the oysters were served, we were already full.
We couldn’t eat any more, and the waitress looked disgusted.
Swallows
23/07/14 19:14
Like they do every year, some swallows made a nest at the main entrance of the building.
The baby swallows grew up and left their nest in May.
A few weeks later, the swallows started making a nest right next to the B.J.club entrance.
I thought, ‘it’s maybe too late to make a nest this time of the year.’
The swallows completed building their nest, and laid their eggs.
We waited for the eggs to hatch.
It seemed it was taking too long.
Finally, they hatched yesterday.
Everyone at B.J.club was happy.
The baby birds are so tiny and cute.
The only drawback is that we have to clean up their poo everyday.
The baby swallows grew up and left their nest in May.
A few weeks later, the swallows started making a nest right next to the B.J.club entrance.
I thought, ‘it’s maybe too late to make a nest this time of the year.’
The swallows completed building their nest, and laid their eggs.
We waited for the eggs to hatch.
It seemed it was taking too long.
Finally, they hatched yesterday.
Everyone at B.J.club was happy.
The baby birds are so tiny and cute.
The only drawback is that we have to clean up their poo everyday.
Donations for Hometowns
08/07/14 16:32
‘Donations for Hometowns’ are very popular now.
I made two donations.
With only a 5,000 yen donation, we got so much squid.
It took one hour to remove the guts and skin.
We ate the squid raw and cooked.
The rest of the squid is still in the freezer.
After that, we got 20 ‘sazae’ shellfish.
It took one hour to make them into ‘sashimi’, ‘nitsuke’, and ‘tsuboyaki’.
It was more than enough for two people.
They were delicious, but it was a lot of work.
I made two donations.
With only a 5,000 yen donation, we got so much squid.
It took one hour to remove the guts and skin.
We ate the squid raw and cooked.
The rest of the squid is still in the freezer.
After that, we got 20 ‘sazae’ shellfish.
It took one hour to make them into ‘sashimi’, ‘nitsuke’, and ‘tsuboyaki’.
It was more than enough for two people.
They were delicious, but it was a lot of work.
Driving Range Incident
17/06/14 15:44
I often go to a driving range on weekends.
My golfing skill hasn’t improved at all, but it is one of my favorite Oyaji things to do.
I made a mistake one day.
I took the booth right next to a left hander’s booth.
It meant I was facing the stranger whenever I hit balls.
I felt uncomfortable, and ended my practice within 10 minutes.
My golfing skill hasn’t improved at all, but it is one of my favorite Oyaji things to do.
I made a mistake one day.
I took the booth right next to a left hander’s booth.
It meant I was facing the stranger whenever I hit balls.
I felt uncomfortable, and ended my practice within 10 minutes.
Manners at the Okonomiyaki Restaurant
12/06/14 13:57
‘K’ is my favorite Okonomiyaki restaurant.
I sometimes go there alone before work.
I don’t even look at the menu anymore, and order the same dish every time.
While I was having lunch there, three men came in and asked, ‘How long does it take to be served?’ The store owner said, ‘It’ll take about 15 minutes.’
One of the men tutted.
Of course it takes 15 minutes to make delicious Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki.
He had no right to complain.
I said, ‘If you don’t know how Okonomiyaki is cooked, just go and get fast food. Don’t bother these diligent store owners!’... To myself.
Anyway, they stayed and enjoyed the Okonomiyaki.
I just thought they put too much sauce on their Okonomiyaki.
I sometimes go there alone before work.
I don’t even look at the menu anymore, and order the same dish every time.
While I was having lunch there, three men came in and asked, ‘How long does it take to be served?’ The store owner said, ‘It’ll take about 15 minutes.’
One of the men tutted.
Of course it takes 15 minutes to make delicious Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki.
He had no right to complain.
I said, ‘If you don’t know how Okonomiyaki is cooked, just go and get fast food. Don’t bother these diligent store owners!’... To myself.
Anyway, they stayed and enjoyed the Okonomiyaki.
I just thought they put too much sauce on their Okonomiyaki.
The brave rescue mission
28/05/14 15:23
Kate only had 30 minutes’ break between lessons.
She found out that one of the baby birds had fallen out of the nest and had landed in the poo box.
She quickly went upstairs and borrowed a ladder from the landlord.
She climbed up the ladder and successfully put the baby bird back in the nest.
The nest was so high, it must have been so scary to climb up the ladder.
What a good job!
So much love!
I’m sure the swallow family really appreciates what Kate did for them.
She found out that one of the baby birds had fallen out of the nest and had landed in the poo box.
She quickly went upstairs and borrowed a ladder from the landlord.
She climbed up the ladder and successfully put the baby bird back in the nest.
The nest was so high, it must have been so scary to climb up the ladder.
What a good job!
So much love!
I’m sure the swallow family really appreciates what Kate did for them.
The consequences of breaking a routine
20/05/14 18:51
I have a weekday morning routine.
I get up at 7, make breakfast and lunch at the same time, and eat breakfast.
I feed Suzu and do the dishes.
After that, I read the newspaper, vacuum clean all the rooms, and do Yoga for 15 minutes.
I read an English newspaper while I get a foot massage.
Then I take Suzu for a walk.
This morning, I broke that routine and took Suzu for a walk earlier than usual.
I walked to the elevator and found that I was not in service.
If I had stuck to my routine, I wouldn’t have had to walk up and down six floors.
I get up at 7, make breakfast and lunch at the same time, and eat breakfast.
I feed Suzu and do the dishes.
After that, I read the newspaper, vacuum clean all the rooms, and do Yoga for 15 minutes.
I read an English newspaper while I get a foot massage.
Then I take Suzu for a walk.
This morning, I broke that routine and took Suzu for a walk earlier than usual.
I walked to the elevator and found that I was not in service.
If I had stuck to my routine, I wouldn’t have had to walk up and down six floors.
Freelance masseur
09/05/14 14:42
I went to Chinatown 3 times to get foot massages while I was in Canada.
My legs were swollen from the long flight.
On the first day, when we entered the massage salon, the receptionist was eating her lunch.
She didn’t stop eating her lunch while she was talking to us.
We were seated and they brought us a hot water bath.
After a while, two men came from outside and started our foot massage.
After the massage, we left the salon, so did they.
On the second day, we went to a different massage salon.
On the third day, we went to another massage salon.
While we were getting the foot massage, there was a man came in.
He was the man who had done my foot massage at the first salon.
Freelance masseurs go to every salon in Chinatown, which means the massage salons’ qualities are all the same.
My legs were swollen from the long flight.
On the first day, when we entered the massage salon, the receptionist was eating her lunch.
She didn’t stop eating her lunch while she was talking to us.
We were seated and they brought us a hot water bath.
After a while, two men came from outside and started our foot massage.
After the massage, we left the salon, so did they.
On the second day, we went to a different massage salon.
On the third day, we went to another massage salon.
While we were getting the foot massage, there was a man came in.
He was the man who had done my foot massage at the first salon.
Freelance masseurs go to every salon in Chinatown, which means the massage salons’ qualities are all the same.
Like a human being
02/04/14 17:39
Suzu may think she is a human.
These are pictures of her lying under the kotatsu.
These are pictures of her lying under the kotatsu.
Last Minute Shopping
27/03/14 13:46
I bought extra bottles of wine and beer at the beginning of March.
Next month, consumption tax will be raised to 8 %.
I had thought I could save some money by doing last minute shopping.
However, we ended up drinking more than usual.
It wasn’t good for my wallet or for my health.
Next month, consumption tax will be raised to 8 %.
I had thought I could save some money by doing last minute shopping.
However, we ended up drinking more than usual.
It wasn’t good for my wallet or for my health.
Tokyo University
10/03/14 20:13
The son of one of our students passed the entrance examination to Tokyo University.
The student said that he didn’t teach his son much, instead he spent lots of fun time with his son.
If we could just spend fun time with our students and they could pass various English tests, that would be so great.
The student said that he didn’t teach his son much, instead he spent lots of fun time with his son.
If we could just spend fun time with our students and they could pass various English tests, that would be so great.
Cleaning before cleaning
26/02/14 19:19
Last Sunday, some cleaners came to clean the pipes of each apartment in our building.
Our condominium union hires cleaners once every 2 years to clean all the pipes in the building.
We were very busy cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, and the powder room before they came.
I even mopped the whole floor, which was nothing to do with the pipes.
Our condominium union hires cleaners once every 2 years to clean all the pipes in the building.
We were very busy cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, and the powder room before they came.
I even mopped the whole floor, which was nothing to do with the pipes.
Mao-chan
21/02/14 14:08
I wonder how many people stayed up late last night to watch Mao-chan’s performance.
I was one of them.
I fell asleep several times while I was waiting for her turn. Her performance started around 1:40 am. It was just so amazing.
Right after the performance, Mao-chan had tears in her eyes. We saw lots of stories and feelings in her tears. That made me cry, too.
I got so excited that I couldn’t get to sleep after that.
I was one of them.
I fell asleep several times while I was waiting for her turn. Her performance started around 1:40 am. It was just so amazing.
Right after the performance, Mao-chan had tears in her eyes. We saw lots of stories and feelings in her tears. That made me cry, too.
I got so excited that I couldn’t get to sleep after that.
Snow
10/02/14 16:30
Last Friday, it snowed a lot.
The last adult class was cancelled as none of the students from the class were able to drive to school because of the snow.
After all the classes had finished, I drove home.
There is a very short and steep hill just before my parking lot.
My car slipped back down the hill. My legs were trembling.
Luckily, there weren’t any cars behind me.
I changed to a lower gear and managed to get up the hill.
As I was so nervous, I left everything I’d bought in my car and went home.
The next day, I had a good excuse to be lazy and stayed home until I went out for a drink.
There was a snowman made by convenience store workers next to my apartment.
The last adult class was cancelled as none of the students from the class were able to drive to school because of the snow.
After all the classes had finished, I drove home.
There is a very short and steep hill just before my parking lot.
My car slipped back down the hill. My legs were trembling.
Luckily, there weren’t any cars behind me.
I changed to a lower gear and managed to get up the hill.
As I was so nervous, I left everything I’d bought in my car and went home.
The next day, I had a good excuse to be lazy and stayed home until I went out for a drink.
There was a snowman made by convenience store workers next to my apartment.
STAP Cells
03/02/14 12:49
It had been always middle aged men who had gained awards for their discoveries in the field of science.
I was surprised to see a young good looking woman on TV who had discovered STAP cells.
I also read an article this morning.
A young woman from the University of Hiroshima discovered something very important.
(I don’t know the details.)
It is good that some young female researchers are successful.
I hope they will get good support from the government and institutes.
I was surprised to see a young good looking woman on TV who had discovered STAP cells.
I also read an article this morning.
A young woman from the University of Hiroshima discovered something very important.
(I don’t know the details.)
It is good that some young female researchers are successful.
I hope they will get good support from the government and institutes.
The price to pay for delicious oysters
20/01/14 16:45
On Saturday, we went to Akitsu to buy fresh oysters.
Oysters are in season now.
We bought a bag of unshelled oysters and 10 big oysters with shells. They were not expensive at all.
We enjoyed some unshelled oysters with lemon, and others with vinegar and soy sauce.
The big oysters were grilled in the oven.
All of them were so fresh and delicious.
I got too excited and cut my finger with an oyster shell.
As they were so good, I kept eating even after cutting my finger.
I'm glad I live in Hiroshima and get to eat delicious oysters.
Oysters are in season now.
We bought a bag of unshelled oysters and 10 big oysters with shells. They were not expensive at all.
We enjoyed some unshelled oysters with lemon, and others with vinegar and soy sauce.
The big oysters were grilled in the oven.
All of them were so fresh and delicious.
I got too excited and cut my finger with an oyster shell.
As they were so good, I kept eating even after cutting my finger.
I'm glad I live in Hiroshima and get to eat delicious oysters.
Manju incident part 2
14/01/14 15:13
During the winter vacation, my mother and I went to Dazaifu Temmangu.
I go there every winter to pray that my students pass their entrance examination.
We buy ‘Umegaemochi’ every time we go there.
‘Umegaemochi’ is one of my favorite sweets.
There are many ‘Umegaemochi’ shops in Dazaifu.
My favorite one is ‘Midoriya’.
My mother left 20 wrapped umegaemochi on the low table at home.
Each mochi was wrapped and the 20 sweet mochis were wrapped in a big piece of paper.
When no one was in the room, Suzu unwrapped the big wrapping paper without tearing it. (As if a person had unwrapped it.)
She pulled out one mochi and unwrapped the wrapping paper very carefully.
She put it in her mouth.
Right after that, I caught her.
She might have tasted 0.001 gram of anko.
I go there every winter to pray that my students pass their entrance examination.
We buy ‘Umegaemochi’ every time we go there.
‘Umegaemochi’ is one of my favorite sweets.
There are many ‘Umegaemochi’ shops in Dazaifu.
My favorite one is ‘Midoriya’.
My mother left 20 wrapped umegaemochi on the low table at home.
Each mochi was wrapped and the 20 sweet mochis were wrapped in a big piece of paper.
When no one was in the room, Suzu unwrapped the big wrapping paper without tearing it. (As if a person had unwrapped it.)
She pulled out one mochi and unwrapped the wrapping paper very carefully.
She put it in her mouth.
Right after that, I caught her.
She might have tasted 0.001 gram of anko.
Time flies
20/12/13 16:12
I may be writing this at the end of every year.
I feel like it was summer only a few days ago, but the year 2013 will be over soon.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
I feel like it was summer only a few days ago, but the year 2013 will be over soon.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!
Manju incident
09/12/13 13:10
I usually have breakfast at 7:30, lunch at 12:00, and supper at 9:15p.m.
As my supper time is late in the day, I always have snacks in the evening.
Otherwise my stomach rumbles horribly from starvation while I am teaching.
The other day, I had a bite of manju, and then T san came in and talked to me.
After that N san came in and talked to me.
I had no break and went to teach the class.
After the class, I had another bite of my manju, then S san came in and talked to me.
After that, I had a phone call and talked on the phone for a while.
I had 5 minutes’ free time before my next lesson.
Finally, I finished eating my manju.
It took me 3 hours to eat one little manju.
As my supper time is late in the day, I always have snacks in the evening.
Otherwise my stomach rumbles horribly from starvation while I am teaching.
The other day, I had a bite of manju, and then T san came in and talked to me.
After that N san came in and talked to me.
I had no break and went to teach the class.
After the class, I had another bite of my manju, then S san came in and talked to me.
After that, I had a phone call and talked on the phone for a while.
I had 5 minutes’ free time before my next lesson.
Finally, I finished eating my manju.
It took me 3 hours to eat one little manju.
iPhone
27/11/13 14:22
I’d been refusing to buy a smartphone. I kept using my cell phone until last week. I was going to be a stubborn old woman who kept using her cell phone.
However, Nathan convinced me to get an iPhone. I guess I decided to get an iPhone as my iPod was so useful for work and for my private communication.
New technology is amazing. It can do so many things. Now I have something in common to talk about with my high school students.
However, Nathan convinced me to get an iPhone. I guess I decided to get an iPhone as my iPod was so useful for work and for my private communication.
New technology is amazing. It can do so many things. Now I have something in common to talk about with my high school students.
An old cellphone and an iPod
07/11/13 13:55
I’ve been refusing to get a smartphone.
I have access to the internet at home and at work.
When I am away from both places, I am driving or I am busy doing things.
I had never felt any need to get a smartphone.
A year ago, I bought an iPod.
I use it often.
I can listen to music and audiobooks.
I use it for listening practice in the classroom.
I take pictures of Suzu almost everyday.
Recently, I started using Line on my iPod.
It’s easy and fun to communicate on Line.
I’ve even bought several stamps.
New technology is so attractive.
(Composite photos I made using Line...)
I have access to the internet at home and at work.
When I am away from both places, I am driving or I am busy doing things.
I had never felt any need to get a smartphone.
A year ago, I bought an iPod.
I use it often.
I can listen to music and audiobooks.
I use it for listening practice in the classroom.
I take pictures of Suzu almost everyday.
Recently, I started using Line on my iPod.
It’s easy and fun to communicate on Line.
I’ve even bought several stamps.
New technology is so attractive.
(Composite photos I made using Line...)
Grocery shopping
31/10/13 14:34
M and I have been talking about ‘Matsutake’ for about a month.
M went grocery shopping yesterday.
She found ‘Matsutake’ grown in America.
She stopped and thought for a while.
Finally, she made up her mind, grabbed it, and put it in her shopping basket.
At the cashier, she noticed she had only 1,000 yen in her wallet.
She had to give up the ‘Matsutake’.
M went grocery shopping yesterday.
She found ‘Matsutake’ grown in America.
She stopped and thought for a while.
Finally, she made up her mind, grabbed it, and put it in her shopping basket.
At the cashier, she noticed she had only 1,000 yen in her wallet.
She had to give up the ‘Matsutake’.
My all-round medicine
28/10/13 16:04
I’ve been feeling a bit sick for a week, with a sore throat, a cough, and a runny nose.
However, every night after 9:15, all the symptoms totally go away.
Alcohol is my all-round medicine.
However, every night after 9:15, all the symptoms totally go away.
Alcohol is my all-round medicine.
A series of breakdowns
08/10/13 15:07
It started with my fridge this year.
The door didn’t close properly. It was old, so I bought a new fridge.
An air conditioner at my parents' broke down.
It was old. I bought a new one.
Soon after that, a ceiling light I bought last year fell off the ceiling.
Luckily, no one was there at that time.
People from the home appliance store came and replaced it.
They even bought a new carpet for us as the carpet was damaged when the light fell off.
My work computer’s screen started to flicker.
I had to buy a new one.
My electric piano which is about 10 years old suddenly lost its sound.
I can still hear the sound if I wear headphones.
So I guess I will still keep it.
Many things broke down this year.
The door didn’t close properly. It was old, so I bought a new fridge.
An air conditioner at my parents' broke down.
It was old. I bought a new one.
Soon after that, a ceiling light I bought last year fell off the ceiling.
Luckily, no one was there at that time.
People from the home appliance store came and replaced it.
They even bought a new carpet for us as the carpet was damaged when the light fell off.
My work computer’s screen started to flicker.
I had to buy a new one.
My electric piano which is about 10 years old suddenly lost its sound.
I can still hear the sound if I wear headphones.
So I guess I will still keep it.
Many things broke down this year.
Reading
25/09/13 15:48
When students read English articles aloud, many of them read quite well.
However, even smart students sometimes read numbers in Japanese and make me laugh.
I wonder why they suddenly change English to Japanese when it comes to numbers.
However, even smart students sometimes read numbers in Japanese and make me laugh.
I wonder why they suddenly change English to Japanese when it comes to numbers.
Question
29/08/13 14:10
Y kun asked me how to say ‘2倍返し’ in English.
Yes, the key phrase from the popular drama, ‘半沢直樹’.
I said, ‘I’ll get you back double.’
That reminded me of a mistake I made when I lived in Canada.
I meant, ‘I’ll get back to you,’ but I said, ’I’ll get you back.’
I was lucky I made that mistake while I was with my nice and cute Canadian friend, not at my workplace.
Yes, the key phrase from the popular drama, ‘半沢直樹’.
I said, ‘I’ll get you back double.’
That reminded me of a mistake I made when I lived in Canada.
I meant, ‘I’ll get back to you,’ but I said, ’I’ll get you back.’
I was lucky I made that mistake while I was with my nice and cute Canadian friend, not at my workplace.
Lunch
02/08/13 15:52
I recommended that Nathan get healthy lunches delivered, as he always ate greasy food and snacks.
He started getting lunch every day, and it looked good.
So I started getting lunch delivered, too.
I lost some weight, I guess by eating balanced food.
On the other hand, Nathan seems to be the same.
He started getting lunch every day, and it looked good.
So I started getting lunch delivered, too.
I lost some weight, I guess by eating balanced food.
On the other hand, Nathan seems to be the same.
Coincidence
29/07/13 16:15
I saw my hair dresser, Chiaki, on the way to work.
The next day, I ran into her at a drugstore.
Two days later, I saw her again at the bank.
What a coincidence.
She even said that she had seen me at Shiori (an Izakaya) that week.
I have never run into anyone like that in my entire life.
The next day, I ran into her at a drugstore.
Two days later, I saw her again at the bank.
What a coincidence.
She even said that she had seen me at Shiori (an Izakaya) that week.
I have never run into anyone like that in my entire life.
Flat tire
23/07/13 17:34
I took my car to the car dealer for a 2-year check up.
After the check up, I was told that my right rear tire had a nail and they fixed the tire.
I was lucky to be alive!
After the check up, I was told that my right rear tire had a nail and they fixed the tire.
I was lucky to be alive!
Ms. Miyamoto
15/07/13 16:46
Ms. Miyamoto and I have known each other for seven years.
Maybe she is around my mother’s age.
She worked as a cleaner in the park near my apartment.
When I took Hana and Suzu for a walk, she always patted them and talked to them.
We had a chat every time we saw each other.
Last March, she said to me that she was going to quit working at the end of the month.
Suddenly, I felt so sad.
On her last day, she brought Suzu lots of food and treats to take home.
I had tears in my eyes.
This week, she left Suzu some food with the apartment manager.
I wanted to thank her, but I didn’t have her phone number.
All the information I have about her is her last name and that she lives near Tsutaya.
I really hope I can see her again.
Maybe she is around my mother’s age.
She worked as a cleaner in the park near my apartment.
When I took Hana and Suzu for a walk, she always patted them and talked to them.
We had a chat every time we saw each other.
Last March, she said to me that she was going to quit working at the end of the month.
Suddenly, I felt so sad.
On her last day, she brought Suzu lots of food and treats to take home.
I had tears in my eyes.
This week, she left Suzu some food with the apartment manager.
I wanted to thank her, but I didn’t have her phone number.
All the information I have about her is her last name and that she lives near Tsutaya.
I really hope I can see her again.
A Role Model
27/06/13 14:52
I was walking Suzu as usual one morning.
That morning, Suzu pooed on the road.
I opened Suzu’s poo bag to pick it up.
There was neither a plastic bag nor any toilet paper in it.
I stood there for a minute thinking what to do.
I hate seeing poo or cigarette butts on the street.
Many children come to my school.
I should be a role model for them.
I ran to the park with Suzu, got some toilet paper, and ran back to pick up the poo.
After that, we ran back to the park and flushed it into the toilet.
There was a creepy man sitting on a bench in the park watching the whole event.
However, I think I looked crazy and creepier than he did at that time.
That morning, Suzu pooed on the road.
I opened Suzu’s poo bag to pick it up.
There was neither a plastic bag nor any toilet paper in it.
I stood there for a minute thinking what to do.
I hate seeing poo or cigarette butts on the street.
Many children come to my school.
I should be a role model for them.
I ran to the park with Suzu, got some toilet paper, and ran back to pick up the poo.
After that, we ran back to the park and flushed it into the toilet.
There was a creepy man sitting on a bench in the park watching the whole event.
However, I think I looked crazy and creepier than he did at that time.
Unconditional Love
19/06/13 14:23
A couple of swallows have made a nest at the entrance of Omotani building again this year.
I look forward to coming to work and seeing them every day.
There is a special dropping box right under the nest.
There are four baby swallows in the nest.
They grow day by day.
I just look at them for a while with admiration.
However, the parents stare at me.
I can hear them saying,’ Stay away from our children.’
If they pecked me with their beak, it would be so painful.
I look forward to coming to work and seeing them every day.
There is a special dropping box right under the nest.
There are four baby swallows in the nest.
They grow day by day.
I just look at them for a while with admiration.
However, the parents stare at me.
I can hear them saying,’ Stay away from our children.’
If they pecked me with their beak, it would be so painful.
Wii Fit
14/06/13 15:11
I have been doing ‘Wii Fit Yoga & Training’ for 10~20 minutes almost every day for 7 years.
My friend said I was a 'one-trick pony.’
However, my Wii Fit suddenly broke.
I feel like I have lost a good friend.
My friend said I was a 'one-trick pony.’
However, my Wii Fit suddenly broke.
I feel like I have lost a good friend.
Anniversary
06/06/13 15:06
It was B.J.Club’s 18th anniversary yesterday.
Time flies. Most of my young students were not even born when I started B.J.Club.
I opened a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate the anniversary.
Time flies. Most of my young students were not even born when I started B.J.Club.
I opened a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate the anniversary.
TBIT
24/05/13 18:02
We had to change planes at LAX.
There were 3 hours until our next flight.
Right after we landed at LAX, we checked the ‘Departure Time Board’ to see which gate to go to.
The gate was ‘TBIT’.
‘What is TBIT?’ ‘There are still words I don’t know.’
There were still 3 hours till our next flight, so they should have shown us the gate within one hour.
So I relaxed, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and started reading a book.
We checked the board once in a while, but it still said ‘TBIT’
Almost one hour had passed, then we started doubting ourselves.
I asked a man who looked like an American.
‘Could you tell me what TBIT stands for?’
He said, ‘I don’t know.’
At first I thought he was joking, but he was serious. He said he was wondering that too.
We were on the same flight.
We figured out ‘TBIT’ stood for ‘Tom Bradley International Terminal’
That meant we had to take a bus to get to that terminal.
The American man was nice and funny.
We talked a lot while we were figuring out the complicated way to ‘TBIT’.
Thanks to him, I didn’t get stressed out.
We found ‘TBIT’ and got to the gate in time.
Somehow, I don’t know why but we got upgraded seats.
On the way home, I slept so well in the nice seat.
There were 3 hours until our next flight.
Right after we landed at LAX, we checked the ‘Departure Time Board’ to see which gate to go to.
The gate was ‘TBIT’.
‘What is TBIT?’ ‘There are still words I don’t know.’
There were still 3 hours till our next flight, so they should have shown us the gate within one hour.
So I relaxed, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and started reading a book.
We checked the board once in a while, but it still said ‘TBIT’
Almost one hour had passed, then we started doubting ourselves.
I asked a man who looked like an American.
‘Could you tell me what TBIT stands for?’
He said, ‘I don’t know.’
At first I thought he was joking, but he was serious. He said he was wondering that too.
We were on the same flight.
We figured out ‘TBIT’ stood for ‘Tom Bradley International Terminal’
That meant we had to take a bus to get to that terminal.
The American man was nice and funny.
We talked a lot while we were figuring out the complicated way to ‘TBIT’.
Thanks to him, I didn’t get stressed out.
We found ‘TBIT’ and got to the gate in time.
Somehow, I don’t know why but we got upgraded seats.
On the way home, I slept so well in the nice seat.
Lost Property
14/05/13 14:15
On the plane to San Francisco, I lost my glasses.
When I woke up, I couldn’t find my glasses.
While I was panicking and looking for my glasses, a cabin attendant noticed my strange behavior and she helped me to look for my glasses.
After a long search, I gave up and said to the cabin attendant, ‘It’s OK.’ She was very nice and told me that we should be able to find the glasses before landing.
I sat in my seat disappointed.
Without glasses, I cannot see well.
Soon after that, the cabin attendant said in a loud, but sweet voice. ‘There they are!’
The glasses were under the seat across from my seat. Between the seats, there was an aisle.
I don’t know how my glasses got there, but I was so relieved.
I wrote a ‘thank you email’ to ANA after the trip.
When I woke up, I couldn’t find my glasses.
While I was panicking and looking for my glasses, a cabin attendant noticed my strange behavior and she helped me to look for my glasses.
After a long search, I gave up and said to the cabin attendant, ‘It’s OK.’ She was very nice and told me that we should be able to find the glasses before landing.
I sat in my seat disappointed.
Without glasses, I cannot see well.
Soon after that, the cabin attendant said in a loud, but sweet voice. ‘There they are!’
The glasses were under the seat across from my seat. Between the seats, there was an aisle.
I don’t know how my glasses got there, but I was so relieved.
I wrote a ‘thank you email’ to ANA after the trip.
Conversation- Frustration
26/04/13 15:58
I went to a drugstore and did some shopping.
I didn’t have the store’s member’s card with me.
The salesclerk asked me, ‘Do you have a member’s card?’ I wanted the minimum of conversation, so I said, ‘No’.
He asked, ‘ Would you like to have one?’
I said, ‘I already have one.’ Then he said, ‘I’m sorry we cannot add points later, is it OK?’
Yes! it was OK. Did I ask you to add points later?
I didn’t care about any points.
That was why I’d done my shopping without the card.
I’m not sure how to avoid having that kind of conversation when I don’t have my member’s card.
I didn’t have the store’s member’s card with me.
The salesclerk asked me, ‘Do you have a member’s card?’ I wanted the minimum of conversation, so I said, ‘No’.
He asked, ‘ Would you like to have one?’
I said, ‘I already have one.’ Then he said, ‘I’m sorry we cannot add points later, is it OK?’
Yes! it was OK. Did I ask you to add points later?
I didn’t care about any points.
That was why I’d done my shopping without the card.
I’m not sure how to avoid having that kind of conversation when I don’t have my member’s card.
Battery
26/03/13 15:38
I took my watch to a store to get a new battery.
I said, ‘My watch needs a battery,’
It took the sales clerk 40 seconds to reply to me.
He said, ’This doesn’t need a battery, this is a solar watch!!!!’
Oops, I had left my watch in the closet too long.
I totally forgot it worked by light.
I said, ‘My watch needs a battery,’
It took the sales clerk 40 seconds to reply to me.
He said, ’This doesn’t need a battery, this is a solar watch!!!!’
Oops, I had left my watch in the closet too long.
I totally forgot it worked by light.
Detox
23/01/13 19:07
‘Please don’t read this before you eat.’
We had ‘Parents’ Week’ last week.
I had been a little sick since the beginning of the week.
I had a slight fever and a headache.
I pretended I was fine.
I had a good appetite. I can’t be sick on workdays, especially in parents’ week.
On Thursday, I had my regular Japanese breakfast.
I had two servings of curry rice for lunch.
I had 8 pieces of sushi and some sweets as snacks.
Finally, I had beer, Yakitori, and some vegetables for dinner.
That night, I woke up feeling sick.
The next morning, I stood in the kitchen but I was too sick to cook.
I ate half an apple before taking some medicine.
Then I became really sick and threw up everything.
All I ate that day was one banana.
The weight I gained during the holiday was totally lost.
Not a good way to lose weight.
We had ‘Parents’ Week’ last week.
I had been a little sick since the beginning of the week.
I had a slight fever and a headache.
I pretended I was fine.
I had a good appetite. I can’t be sick on workdays, especially in parents’ week.
On Thursday, I had my regular Japanese breakfast.
I had two servings of curry rice for lunch.
I had 8 pieces of sushi and some sweets as snacks.
Finally, I had beer, Yakitori, and some vegetables for dinner.
That night, I woke up feeling sick.
The next morning, I stood in the kitchen but I was too sick to cook.
I ate half an apple before taking some medicine.
Then I became really sick and threw up everything.
All I ate that day was one banana.
The weight I gained during the holiday was totally lost.
Not a good way to lose weight.
Hospitality
10/01/13 15:22
We went to Kyoto during the winter holiday.
We stayed at the JAL Princess hotel.
We checked out of the hotel before noon and left our luggage there to do some sightseeing.
After sightseeing, we got a taxi and asked the driver to stop by the hotel on the way to the station.
I was ready to get out of the taxi to get our luggage when we arrived at the hotel.
Instead, a bell person came up to our taxi, asked us what we wanted, and came back with our luggage in one minute.
What nice service!
If we were in New York, even if we had been staying at a decent hotel, the same thing would never have happened.
I remember waiting in line for a very long time with a tip in my hand at a hotel in New York.
I still like lots of things in America, but hospitality in Japan is quite awesome.
We stayed at the JAL Princess hotel.
We checked out of the hotel before noon and left our luggage there to do some sightseeing.
After sightseeing, we got a taxi and asked the driver to stop by the hotel on the way to the station.
I was ready to get out of the taxi to get our luggage when we arrived at the hotel.
Instead, a bell person came up to our taxi, asked us what we wanted, and came back with our luggage in one minute.
What nice service!
If we were in New York, even if we had been staying at a decent hotel, the same thing would never have happened.
I remember waiting in line for a very long time with a tip in my hand at a hotel in New York.
I still like lots of things in America, but hospitality in Japan is quite awesome.
Homework
04/12/12 15:40
G kun had a hard time finding a handout I had given out before as his bag was full of old books and paper.
I said to everyone in class, besides that week’s homework, tidying up inside their bags would be their homework.
I was just kidding.
The following week, after I finished checking their real homework, one of the students asked me, ‘How about the other homework?’
All 6 boys did their other homework.
That was cute.
I said to everyone in class, besides that week’s homework, tidying up inside their bags would be their homework.
I was just kidding.
The following week, after I finished checking their real homework, one of the students asked me, ‘How about the other homework?’
All 6 boys did their other homework.
That was cute.
Sleeplessness
22/11/12 15:13
I had a cold last week.
I wasn’t able to speak for 2 days.
That was so painful.
I slept all day Saturday and Sunday.
I even slept Monday morning.
Then, I got over my cold.
On Monday night, another problem arose.
I wasn’t able to sleep at all.
Sleeping too much can cause problems.
I wasn’t able to speak for 2 days.
That was so painful.
I slept all day Saturday and Sunday.
I even slept Monday morning.
Then, I got over my cold.
On Monday night, another problem arose.
I wasn’t able to sleep at all.
Sleeping too much can cause problems.
At the grocery store
06/11/12 18:54
My friend N was so excited about a ‘Takoyaki party’, which only the two of us were holding.
I have this massive Teppan.
We can make 30 Takoyakis.
She had this massive Teppan.
We can make 30 Takoyakis.
She had a hard time deciding which Takoyaki powder she should get.
Finally, she picked one and went to the cashier.
When she was packing everything she had bought, she found out that she had grabbed two different bags of Takoyaki powder.
After all that.
We can have 2 or 3 more Takoyaki parties.
I have this massive Teppan.
We can make 30 Takoyakis.
She had this massive Teppan.
We can make 30 Takoyakis.
She had a hard time deciding which Takoyaki powder she should get.
Finally, she picked one and went to the cashier.
When she was packing everything she had bought, she found out that she had grabbed two different bags of Takoyaki powder.
After all that.
We can have 2 or 3 more Takoyaki parties.
Sake Matsuri
16/10/12 18:43
I got a letter from Eiken.
Next year’s Eiken is scheduled for the same day as Sake Matsuri.
Why?
On the most fun day in Saijo?
Next year’s Eiken is scheduled for the same day as Sake Matsuri.
Why?
On the most fun day in Saijo?
Eiken
09/10/12 15:29
Eiken is in one week.
I’ve done everything that I could.
I praised, scolded, and encouraged the kids.
I made the most of the limited lesson time.
I showed them how to study at home.
I even taught them how to fill out the answer sheet.
There isn’t much I can do anymore.
It’s all up to the students now.
I’ll just pray, and go to Sake Matsuri tomorrow.
I’ve done everything that I could.
I praised, scolded, and encouraged the kids.
I made the most of the limited lesson time.
I showed them how to study at home.
I even taught them how to fill out the answer sheet.
There isn’t much I can do anymore.
It’s all up to the students now.
I’ll just pray, and go to Sake Matsuri tomorrow.
Nadeshiko Japan
07/08/12 18:39
I was trying to stay awake last night, but I fell asleep even before the game started.
This morning, I heard that Nadeshiko Japan beat France.
I was so happy to hear the news.
After that, the game was broadcast.
It was a close game.
Even though I knew the result, I was so excited.
I wonder what happened to the people who were watching the game live.
They must’ve been too excited to fall asleep after the game.
This morning, I heard that Nadeshiko Japan beat France.
I was so happy to hear the news.
After that, the game was broadcast.
It was a close game.
Even though I knew the result, I was so excited.
I wonder what happened to the people who were watching the game live.
They must’ve been too excited to fall asleep after the game.
Beer Session
31/07/12 18:39
When I saw an advertisement about ‘Beer Session’, I thought that this event had been organized just for me.
There will be many kinds of beer and Okinawan food.
It’s ‘drink as much beer as you like.’
The tickets are already booked.
I can’t wait!
There will be many kinds of beer and Okinawan food.
It’s ‘drink as much beer as you like.’
The tickets are already booked.
I can’t wait!
Anpan Incident
27/07/12 19:25
I’ve never fed Suzu human food other than vegetables and occasional meat without any seasonings.
I had company that day, and one Anpan was left carelessly on the table.
Suzu didn’t miss that.
She put the whole Anpan in her mouth.
As the Anpan was very small, it fit right into her mouth.
I’m not sure if it was too big for her to swallow it fast, or I was quick enough to catch her.
The Anpan was still in her mouth.
I put my fingers into her mouth, grabbed it, and took it out.
Suzu got scolded, and didn’t even have a bite of Anpan.
I had company that day, and one Anpan was left carelessly on the table.
Suzu didn’t miss that.
She put the whole Anpan in her mouth.
As the Anpan was very small, it fit right into her mouth.
I’m not sure if it was too big for her to swallow it fast, or I was quick enough to catch her.
The Anpan was still in her mouth.
I put my fingers into her mouth, grabbed it, and took it out.
Suzu got scolded, and didn’t even have a bite of Anpan.
Technology
18/07/12 15:38
Two weeks ago, I found a hole in the hose of my vacuum cleaner.
It was 6 years old. I thought it was too soon for it to be broken.
However, I vacuum every day, so it could have happened.
I bought a new vacuum cleaner.
I was surprised to see the difference.
The new one was much more quiet, more powerful, and easy to use.
Technology advances day by day.
It was 6 years old. I thought it was too soon for it to be broken.
However, I vacuum every day, so it could have happened.
I bought a new vacuum cleaner.
I was surprised to see the difference.
The new one was much more quiet, more powerful, and easy to use.
Technology advances day by day.
Katakana
03/07/12 19:00
I told my student R not to write Katakana.
I meant that English words cannot be read in Katakana.
He started writing in Hiragana….
I meant that English words cannot be read in Katakana.
He started writing in Hiragana….
A Nail Art Appointment
21/06/12 13:20
It was a hot and sunny afternoon.
Miwa doesn't like walking unless she is shopping.
However, that nail salon was near the house and they didn't have enough
parking space, so she walked to get there.
When I saw her in the evening, she looked sad.
She showed me her nails.
I didn't see any difference.
Her appointment wasn't Sunday.
It was the same time on Saturday.
Miwa doesn't like walking unless she is shopping.
However, that nail salon was near the house and they didn't have enough
parking space, so she walked to get there.
When I saw her in the evening, she looked sad.
She showed me her nails.
I didn't see any difference.
Her appointment wasn't Sunday.
It was the same time on Saturday.
The Marriage of Seiko-san
15/06/12 19:09
When I heard Seiko had got married to a 48 year-old professor, I was surprised.
She is 50, but she is still good looking.
She shouldn’t be marrying such an old man.
But, wait a minute, I’m almost his age.
Time flies.
She is 50, but she is still good looking.
She shouldn’t be marrying such an old man.
But, wait a minute, I’m almost his age.
Time flies.
Toilet Door Disaster
31/05/12 13:23
Right before my first class, I went to the bathroom in the community center.
I opened the door.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain on my forehead.
The metal door had broken, and it fell on me.
I got a big bump on my head.
It was so painful.
Why me?
I had to teach 5 classes after that, but at the same time I thought it was better than any student getting hurt.
Toothache
16/04/12 15:53
My tooth had been aching for weeks.
I finally made an appointment with a dentist who had a good reputation.
I told him all the symptoms.
He said that I’d been brushing my teeth too much too hard.
I thought that couldn’t be true.
After that, I started brushing my teeth gently.
My tooth doesn’t hurt anymore.
Trying things too hard doesn’t help sometimes.
I finally made an appointment with a dentist who had a good reputation.
I told him all the symptoms.
He said that I’d been brushing my teeth too much too hard.
I thought that couldn’t be true.
After that, I started brushing my teeth gently.
My tooth doesn’t hurt anymore.
Trying things too hard doesn’t help sometimes.
A Busy Week
12/03/12 15:59
February is the busiest month of the year for me with the class scheduling.
During that particular week, many things happened.
Nathan had hardly missed any working days for the past 5 years, however during that week, he got a very bad backache and couldn’t even walk.
He missed 3 days of work and Kate and I taught his classes.
I brought him food several times.
He still screams in pain when he gets into my car.
I got an inquiry from a company, so I made a proposal and visited the company.
I had to study to translate for a cell phone company’s audit scheduled for one week later.
I studied for 30 minutes every day.
I also had a meeting with that company to learn about their business.
Besides all of the above, I was in great pain.
My tooth was hurting really badly.
Even after the treatment, it hurt badly.
It was such a chaotic week.
During that particular week, many things happened.
Nathan had hardly missed any working days for the past 5 years, however during that week, he got a very bad backache and couldn’t even walk.
He missed 3 days of work and Kate and I taught his classes.
I brought him food several times.
He still screams in pain when he gets into my car.
I got an inquiry from a company, so I made a proposal and visited the company.
I had to study to translate for a cell phone company’s audit scheduled for one week later.
I studied for 30 minutes every day.
I also had a meeting with that company to learn about their business.
Besides all of the above, I was in great pain.
My tooth was hurting really badly.
Even after the treatment, it hurt badly.
It was such a chaotic week.
Dentist
17/02/12 16:12
Since ’The nice dinner incident’, I have been going to the dentist regularly.
While I was sitting and waiting for the anesthesia to start kicking in, I overheard a conversation between the dentist and a patient.
The dentist said, 'Two teeth need to be pulled out. You always have your mouth open, for your health and teeth, you need to keep your mouth closed.'
‘Your teeth need major cleaning.’
I felt bad for that old patient.
Then I heard, 'When you are not busy with your school work, make an appointment for your teeth to be pulled out.’
That was actually a university student.
I was shocked.
While I was sitting and waiting for the anesthesia to start kicking in, I overheard a conversation between the dentist and a patient.
The dentist said, 'Two teeth need to be pulled out. You always have your mouth open, for your health and teeth, you need to keep your mouth closed.'
‘Your teeth need major cleaning.’
I felt bad for that old patient.
Then I heard, 'When you are not busy with your school work, make an appointment for your teeth to be pulled out.’
That was actually a university student.
I was shocked.
Optimist
30/11/11 18:53
M took TOEIC.
Even though she had a terrible hangover that day, she said she did well on the test.
She even hadn’t studied for TOEIC at all before the test.
I was wondering how she did well on the test.
She waited for the result.
She checked the mail box every day.
She was sure she had got her highest score ever in her several attempts.
The result came.
She got her lowest score ever.
Even though she had a terrible hangover that day, she said she did well on the test.
She even hadn’t studied for TOEIC at all before the test.
I was wondering how she did well on the test.
She waited for the result.
She checked the mail box every day.
She was sure she had got her highest score ever in her several attempts.
The result came.
She got her lowest score ever.
Wasabi Incident
17/11/11 14:45
I went fishing at a fishing pond in Yoshiwa.
I never liked fishing, but eating fresh fish after catching it appealed to me.
We caught (Mainly my friend caught) 18 fish.
The people at the fishing pond cooked them for us.
They were delicious.
On the way home, we bought fresh wasabi.
It was 700 yen.
After that, we took the high way and drove back to Saijo.
We stopped at Fresta to get some groceries for dinner.
There, we saw wasabi.
I looked at the label on it closely.
It was grown in Yoshiwa, and it cost only 300 yen.
We were robbed.
I never liked fishing, but eating fresh fish after catching it appealed to me.
We caught (Mainly my friend caught) 18 fish.
The people at the fishing pond cooked them for us.
They were delicious.
On the way home, we bought fresh wasabi.
It was 700 yen.
After that, we took the high way and drove back to Saijo.
We stopped at Fresta to get some groceries for dinner.
There, we saw wasabi.
I looked at the label on it closely.
It was grown in Yoshiwa, and it cost only 300 yen.
We were robbed.
Traffic jam
04/11/11 16:14
The Boulevard in Saijo is always busy on weekends.
Sometimes it is faster to walk to the station than driving.
The other day, Kazumi stopped at a traffic light near the station.
She heard a terrible noise.
She said to her daughter, ‘The car next to us is making a big noise,’
Her 6 year old daughter said, ‘Isn’t it this car making the noise?’
After that, her car broke down.
Luckily, she managed to park her car right at the corner of the Boulevard.
A car breaking down on a busy street is scary.
Sometimes it is faster to walk to the station than driving.
The other day, Kazumi stopped at a traffic light near the station.
She heard a terrible noise.
She said to her daughter, ‘The car next to us is making a big noise,’
Her 6 year old daughter said, ‘Isn’t it this car making the noise?’
After that, her car broke down.
Luckily, she managed to park her car right at the corner of the Boulevard.
A car breaking down on a busy street is scary.
Sake Matsuri
13/10/11 15:33
I was going to go to Sake Matsuri on Saturday.
Rie invited me to her condominium for lunch.
She said, ‘Let’s have Bishu Nabe before going to Sake Matsuri so that we won’t get drunk.'
The Bishu Nabe that Rie made was delicious.
We kept eating and drinking.
We ended up leaving for Sake Matsuri in the evening.
All the Sake breweries were closed, so we just spent 10 minutes in the park.
Rie invited me to her condominium for lunch.
She said, ‘Let’s have Bishu Nabe before going to Sake Matsuri so that we won’t get drunk.'
The Bishu Nabe that Rie made was delicious.
We kept eating and drinking.
We ended up leaving for Sake Matsuri in the evening.
All the Sake breweries were closed, so we just spent 10 minutes in the park.
High School Friends
04/10/11 15:25
My high school friends from Fukuoka came to visit me last weekend.
We hadn’t seen each other since we graduated from high school.
29 years had passed.
Even though we had totally different lifestyles, it was so nice to see each other.
Speaking in Fukuoka dialect and being with high school friends made me feel comfortable.
However, I was shocked that I hardly remembered any of our friends’ names.
We hadn’t seen each other since we graduated from high school.
29 years had passed.
Even though we had totally different lifestyles, it was so nice to see each other.
Speaking in Fukuoka dialect and being with high school friends made me feel comfortable.
However, I was shocked that I hardly remembered any of our friends’ names.
Bladder Infection
22/09/11 13:09
Suzu didn’t sleep well the other night.
The next morning, she was restless.
She tried to pee every 3 minutes.
I took her to the vet.
The vet told me Suzu had a bladder infection.
I gave Suzu antibiotics which were prescribed by the vet.
After a while, Suzu looked OK.
I had to leave for work soon after that.
I wanted to be with Suzu all day that day.
I understood part of parents’ feelings.
When kids are sick, they’d rather be home with their children.
The next morning, she was restless.
She tried to pee every 3 minutes.
I took her to the vet.
The vet told me Suzu had a bladder infection.
I gave Suzu antibiotics which were prescribed by the vet.
After a while, Suzu looked OK.
I had to leave for work soon after that.
I wanted to be with Suzu all day that day.
I understood part of parents’ feelings.
When kids are sick, they’d rather be home with their children.
More haste, less speed
29/08/11 16:33
I collected all the non-burnable garbage from Nathan’s house, Kate’s house, my house, and BJ Club.
I only had one hour to go and be back from the landfill as Nathan needed the car to go to the community center.
Right after I left BJ, I got stuck behind a bus which was going in the same direction.
I got annoyed and took another road hoping to get in front of the bus.
At the intersection, I had to wait for the traffic light to turn green.
Then right in front of me, the same bus got ahead of me.
I was stuck right behind the bus again.
I only had one hour to go and be back from the landfill as Nathan needed the car to go to the community center.
Right after I left BJ, I got stuck behind a bus which was going in the same direction.
I got annoyed and took another road hoping to get in front of the bus.
At the intersection, I had to wait for the traffic light to turn green.
Then right in front of me, the same bus got ahead of me.
I was stuck right behind the bus again.
The wrong direction
24/08/11 14:08
After the party, X san started walking towards Hiroshima University.
I asked her, ‘Where are you going?’
She said, ‘I’m going home.’
Her house was in the completely opposite direction.
I turned her around and set her in the right direction.
The next day, she didn’t remember any of our conversation.
I asked her, ‘Where are you going?’
She said, ‘I’m going home.’
Her house was in the completely opposite direction.
I turned her around and set her in the right direction.
The next day, she didn’t remember any of our conversation.
Old car
19/08/11 14:34
My car is over 9 years old.
I’ve been happy with my car as it has never had any major problems.
On the other hand, my mother has been concerned about my car.
She thinks it’s too old.
As I drive back and forth to Fukuoka, she thinks I should buy a new car.
During the summer vacation, I drove my mother to our family grave.
When she got into my car, she grabbed the handle over the passenger seat.
Right after that, the handle fell apart.
My mother was surprised. I felt so bad.
Why did it happen with my mother?
I’ve been happy with my car as it has never had any major problems.
On the other hand, my mother has been concerned about my car.
She thinks it’s too old.
As I drive back and forth to Fukuoka, she thinks I should buy a new car.
During the summer vacation, I drove my mother to our family grave.
When she got into my car, she grabbed the handle over the passenger seat.
Right after that, the handle fell apart.
My mother was surprised. I felt so bad.
Why did it happen with my mother?
Time Flies
05/08/11 15:47
It’s already August.
Half a year is gone.
The summer vacation is starting tomorrow.
Time flies when we’re having fun.
Half a year is gone.
The summer vacation is starting tomorrow.
Time flies when we’re having fun.
Cankers
28/07/11 19:54
It’s horrible to have cankers.
Every time I eat something, it hurts.
Every time I speak, it hurts.
I had to explain many things in lessons this week.
By the end of the day, my mouth was totally dry and sore.
However, after the first mouthful of beer, I felt no pain.
Every time I eat something, it hurts.
Every time I speak, it hurts.
I had to explain many things in lessons this week.
By the end of the day, my mouth was totally dry and sore.
However, after the first mouthful of beer, I felt no pain.
A gift from my mother
13/07/11 19:01
My mother sends me a letter and money for my birthday every year.
In her letter, she says, ‘Be healthy, drive carefully, be strict to yourself, be sweet to others.’
I understand what she says and decide to be strict to myself, and be sweet to others.
After a while, though, I notice myself getting irritated over little things.
In her letter, she says, ‘Be healthy, drive carefully, be strict to yourself, be sweet to others.’
I understand what she says and decide to be strict to myself, and be sweet to others.
After a while, though, I notice myself getting irritated over little things.
Customer Service
01/07/11 14:09
I went to a store to buy a gift for my brother.
I chose beer, sake, and sweets.
I asked the salesclerk if they would be delivered within four days.
She said, 'If all of them are in stock, they’ll be delivered soon. Just a moment, please.'
She came back with another salesclerk.
The other salesclerk said, 'The sweets aren’t in stock, so we should get one from the main shop. It will take a little time.'
I waited for 5 seconds and asked the salesclerk, 'What about my question?'
The salesclerks talked to each other and said, 'They may not be delivered by Friday.'
I didn’t want to waste any more time, so I said I would pick some other sweets.
The salesclerk brought 2 similar sweets in stock.
She said one of them cost 800 yen to deliver, and the other one was free to deliver.
So I picked the latter one.
When I was writing a delivery slip, the salesclerk came back and said, 'These sweets are not in stock. Can you pick a gift whose label says take home OK!'
Excuse me, you were the one who showed me the alternative sweets.
I was so close to leaving the store at that time.
However, I didn’t have time to go to another store, so I kept my mouth shut and sent the beer and sake.
To me, it’s OK if salesclerks are not used to doing their jobs, however apologies when they make mistakes and friendliness are important.
I chose beer, sake, and sweets.
I asked the salesclerk if they would be delivered within four days.
She said, 'If all of them are in stock, they’ll be delivered soon. Just a moment, please.'
She came back with another salesclerk.
The other salesclerk said, 'The sweets aren’t in stock, so we should get one from the main shop. It will take a little time.'
I waited for 5 seconds and asked the salesclerk, 'What about my question?'
The salesclerks talked to each other and said, 'They may not be delivered by Friday.'
I didn’t want to waste any more time, so I said I would pick some other sweets.
The salesclerk brought 2 similar sweets in stock.
She said one of them cost 800 yen to deliver, and the other one was free to deliver.
So I picked the latter one.
When I was writing a delivery slip, the salesclerk came back and said, 'These sweets are not in stock. Can you pick a gift whose label says take home OK!'
Excuse me, you were the one who showed me the alternative sweets.
I was so close to leaving the store at that time.
However, I didn’t have time to go to another store, so I kept my mouth shut and sent the beer and sake.
To me, it’s OK if salesclerks are not used to doing their jobs, however apologies when they make mistakes and friendliness are important.
Lukewarm beer
13/06/11 16:33
Saturday dinner is the most important of the week.
We ordered some food and 2 bottles of beer.
The beer came and it wasn’t cold at all.
After one sip, I got a waitress right away and complained.
Miwa told me not to get upset.
I can be patient, but I cannot compromise about my Saturday night beer.
The waitress said, ‘Sorry our fridge is broken.’and brought cold draft beer.
We ordered some food and 2 bottles of beer.
The beer came and it wasn’t cold at all.
After one sip, I got a waitress right away and complained.
Miwa told me not to get upset.
I can be patient, but I cannot compromise about my Saturday night beer.
The waitress said, ‘Sorry our fridge is broken.’and brought cold draft beer.
Test Drive
09/06/11 12:56
My car is 9 years old.
I want to buy a new car within the next 2 years.
I have a dream car.
For me, it is expensive.
Miwa and I went to a car dealer and I test dove my dream car.
The car salesman said to turn anywhere I liked, so I took a turn.
Right in front of me, there was an extremely narrow road.
He said, ‘OK, please turn right.’
I did what he said.
Next I heard a scary sound.
YES! I hit a brick and got a scratch on my dream car.
The salesman told me not to worry as it was covered by insurance.
I just lost all the excitement towards my dream car.
Well, I still have 2 years to think about and test drive many cars.
I want to buy a new car within the next 2 years.
I have a dream car.
For me, it is expensive.
Miwa and I went to a car dealer and I test dove my dream car.
The car salesman said to turn anywhere I liked, so I took a turn.
Right in front of me, there was an extremely narrow road.
He said, ‘OK, please turn right.’
I did what he said.
Next I heard a scary sound.
YES! I hit a brick and got a scratch on my dream car.
The salesman told me not to worry as it was covered by insurance.
I just lost all the excitement towards my dream car.
Well, I still have 2 years to think about and test drive many cars.
Screen Window
20/05/11 15:57
A fly flew into the room.
As there wasn't a screen on the window, I decided to put a screen on that window. (All the other windows at BJ have screen windows.) I drove to Daiki. It was hot and sunny, but I wanted to install a screen window right away.
I came back to BJ with a screen window, which I needed to put together. I opened the package and found that the net wasn't included.
I lost all interest in making the screen window and started doing accounting.
As there wasn't a screen on the window, I decided to put a screen on that window. (All the other windows at BJ have screen windows.) I drove to Daiki. It was hot and sunny, but I wanted to install a screen window right away.
I came back to BJ with a screen window, which I needed to put together. I opened the package and found that the net wasn't included.
I lost all interest in making the screen window and started doing accounting.
Toxx Up Shoes
17/05/11 15:09
I wore a pair of toxx up shoes while I was travelling in Paris.
I took those shoes with me to Paris, hoping they would help shape up my legs.
As I walked 2 or 3 hours every day, I had horrible muscle pain.
I’m not sure if my legs have more muscles or not, but I didn’t gain much weight during Golden Week.
(I usually gain 2 ~3 kg during the vacation.)
My toxx up shoes might have helped.
I took those shoes with me to Paris, hoping they would help shape up my legs.
As I walked 2 or 3 hours every day, I had horrible muscle pain.
I’m not sure if my legs have more muscles or not, but I didn’t gain much weight during Golden Week.
(I usually gain 2 ~3 kg during the vacation.)
My toxx up shoes might have helped.
Paris
26/04/11 13:46
Miwa got a cheap air ticket to Paris, so we are leaving for Paris on April 28.
I tried to learn French, but I gave up.
I heard French people don’t speak English even when they can.
We’ll find out if French people are really snobbish or not.
There may be nice people in France.
The most important thing to do while we’re there is to taste good wine and cheese.
I tried to learn French, but I gave up.
I heard French people don’t speak English even when they can.
We’ll find out if French people are really snobbish or not.
There may be nice people in France.
The most important thing to do while we’re there is to taste good wine and cheese.
My mother
18/04/11 16:11
I was talking to my mother on the phone.
My nephew is getting married in Tokyo in July.
My parents want to go to Tokyo the day before the wedding.
I can’t go with them as I have 6 classes to teach on Friday.
My brother said that he could pick them up at the station.
So I don’t have to worry about my parents.
My mother asked me, ‘ Can you get to the reception hall on your own?’
I said, ‘ Mom, I’ve been to many countries by myself. Of course I can.’
Even though I am 46 years old, a mother is a mother forever.
My nephew is getting married in Tokyo in July.
My parents want to go to Tokyo the day before the wedding.
I can’t go with them as I have 6 classes to teach on Friday.
My brother said that he could pick them up at the station.
So I don’t have to worry about my parents.
My mother asked me, ‘ Can you get to the reception hall on your own?’
I said, ‘ Mom, I’ve been to many countries by myself. Of course I can.’
Even though I am 46 years old, a mother is a mother forever.
Cataracts
11/04/11 13:20
‘Cataract’: when I heard that word, I froze.
I felt a bit sick.
Hana’s eye sight has been weak since she was a child.
The vet told me that I should be careful when I take Hana for a walk so that she won’t get hurt by tripping over things.
I bought eye drops for Hana. They were 10 times more expensive than my eye drops.
If they improve her eye sight, I don’t mind paying 4,500 yen for a tiny bottle.
As I ended up paying 48,000 yen for Hana and Suzu’s immunization shots, tablets, blood examinations, and eye drops, I didn’t go out for a drink that weekend.
I felt a bit sick.
Hana’s eye sight has been weak since she was a child.
The vet told me that I should be careful when I take Hana for a walk so that she won’t get hurt by tripping over things.
I bought eye drops for Hana. They were 10 times more expensive than my eye drops.
If they improve her eye sight, I don’t mind paying 4,500 yen for a tiny bottle.
As I ended up paying 48,000 yen for Hana and Suzu’s immunization shots, tablets, blood examinations, and eye drops, I didn’t go out for a drink that weekend.
Being hungry
07/03/11 13:15
We had a registration day at kindergarten.
After that, we went straight to the ATM to deposit all the money we collected.
I was extremely hungry at that time.
I said to Kazumi, ‘I’ll get something to eat for everyone at work. What would you like to eat?’
Kazumi said, ‘Anything is fine.’
We went to the food court in Maxvalu.
All the shops were closed.
I liked the ‘Nijuyaki’ there. I was shocked.
We decided to get something on the way back to work.
Then I realized that we were running short of gas.
We stopped at a gas stand.
I opened my wallet.
There was only 1,000 yen in my wallet.
I had said that I would buy something to eat for everyone at work, but there was only 1,000 yen. I also had to spend that 1,000 yen on gas.
I was hungry all that evening.
After that, we went straight to the ATM to deposit all the money we collected.
I was extremely hungry at that time.
I said to Kazumi, ‘I’ll get something to eat for everyone at work. What would you like to eat?’
Kazumi said, ‘Anything is fine.’
We went to the food court in Maxvalu.
All the shops were closed.
I liked the ‘Nijuyaki’ there. I was shocked.
We decided to get something on the way back to work.
Then I realized that we were running short of gas.
We stopped at a gas stand.
I opened my wallet.
There was only 1,000 yen in my wallet.
I had said that I would buy something to eat for everyone at work, but there was only 1,000 yen. I also had to spend that 1,000 yen on gas.
I was hungry all that evening.
The power of jealousy
25/02/11 14:58
I took Hana and Suzu for a walk one sunny morning.
Suzu’s leash somehow slipped out of my hand and she ran out of the park.
While Suzu was running on the road, I called her name loudly.
It might have woken up the whole neighborhood.
She turned around, looked at me, and started running in the opposite direction.
I tried to run, but I couldn’t because Hana(8years old) froze.
I picked up Hana to catch up with Suzu.
Right then, Suzu saw us and she ran back to us.
I lay on the road to reach Suzu’s leash.
It was like 5 seconds, but it felt like 50 minutes.
Suzu wanted to be held, so she came back.
Jealousy is so powerful.
Suzu’s leash somehow slipped out of my hand and she ran out of the park.
While Suzu was running on the road, I called her name loudly.
It might have woken up the whole neighborhood.
She turned around, looked at me, and started running in the opposite direction.
I tried to run, but I couldn’t because Hana(8years old) froze.
I picked up Hana to catch up with Suzu.
Right then, Suzu saw us and she ran back to us.
I lay on the road to reach Suzu’s leash.
It was like 5 seconds, but it felt like 50 minutes.
Suzu wanted to be held, so she came back.
Jealousy is so powerful.
Windy Day
18/02/11 14:47
It was very windy last Saturday.
There was snow on the ground.
Because of the snow, the highway was closed, so I took the train to Hiroshima.
I thought that I was brave but also silly for going to Hiroshima on that day.
A few days later, Y san told me she had played tennis outside on that day.
She hadn’t been able to see the ball and it had been too windy to follow the ball.
However she played tennis for 2 hours.
Hearing her story, I was able to justify my behavior.
There was snow on the ground.
Because of the snow, the highway was closed, so I took the train to Hiroshima.
I thought that I was brave but also silly for going to Hiroshima on that day.
A few days later, Y san told me she had played tennis outside on that day.
She hadn’t been able to see the ball and it had been too windy to follow the ball.
However she played tennis for 2 hours.
Hearing her story, I was able to justify my behavior.
Swollen face
11/02/11 15:32
When I woke up, I felt that there was something very wrong with my face.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
My face was swollen and it was so red.
I checked the symptoms on the internet.
I had either a kidney disfunction or the menopause.
I was so depressed and went to see a doctor.
‘No more beer?’ ‘Will my face be like this all the time?’
I thought of many unfortunate possibilities.
The doctor told me I had an allergy to food I had eaten or I had hay fever.
Either way, I was happy to hear the doctor’s diagnosis.
I took medicine. My face looked much better the next day.
I guess we shouldn’t rely too much on internet information.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
My face was swollen and it was so red.
I checked the symptoms on the internet.
I had either a kidney disfunction or the menopause.
I was so depressed and went to see a doctor.
‘No more beer?’ ‘Will my face be like this all the time?’
I thought of many unfortunate possibilities.
The doctor told me I had an allergy to food I had eaten or I had hay fever.
Either way, I was happy to hear the doctor’s diagnosis.
I took medicine. My face looked much better the next day.
I guess we shouldn’t rely too much on internet information.
Where do you live?
07/02/11 16:03
Kate started teaching a new phrase in an older kindergarten class.
‘Where do you live?’
‘I live in~’
It was K chan’s turn to answer.
She said, ‘I live in Soken Home.’
Kate said, ‘Not Soken Home.’ ‘Takamigaoka.’
K chan did not admit it.
She kept saying, ‘I live in Soken Home.’
I explained it in Japanese, but K chan still insisted that she lived in Soken Home.
The owner of ‘Soken Home’ would be very happy if he or she heard this story.
I would like to recommend K chan to appear on Soken Home’s TV commercial.
‘Where do you live?’
‘I live in~’
It was K chan’s turn to answer.
She said, ‘I live in Soken Home.’
Kate said, ‘Not Soken Home.’ ‘Takamigaoka.’
K chan did not admit it.
She kept saying, ‘I live in Soken Home.’
I explained it in Japanese, but K chan still insisted that she lived in Soken Home.
The owner of ‘Soken Home’ would be very happy if he or she heard this story.
I would like to recommend K chan to appear on Soken Home’s TV commercial.
Lottery
28/01/11 14:43
Miwa received a form to enroll in a prize draw when she bought some clothes at Sogo.
She filled out the form.
We had to put the form in a box next to the entrance on the first floor.
Right when Miwa dropped the form in the box, I realized something very important.
There were two boxes next to the entrance.
One was for the draw. The other was for donations.
Miwa’s form went into the donation box.
I put my hand in that box, and a receptionist ran to me with a suspicious expression.
When I explained the situation, she understood and helped us.
I almost became a thief, but we haven’t heard if we won something or not yet.
She filled out the form.
We had to put the form in a box next to the entrance on the first floor.
Right when Miwa dropped the form in the box, I realized something very important.
There were two boxes next to the entrance.
One was for the draw. The other was for donations.
Miwa’s form went into the donation box.
I put my hand in that box, and a receptionist ran to me with a suspicious expression.
When I explained the situation, she understood and helped us.
I almost became a thief, but we haven’t heard if we won something or not yet.
Nap
21/01/11 14:58
Having a nap always feels good.
It’s one of my favorite things to do on weekends.
However, having a nap on any public transportation can be risky.
Miwa and I got on the bus at Sogo Hiroshima bus terminal.
The bus stops right near my apartment, so it’s easier to take the bus home.
We shared a bottle of wine, and a glass of beer each that night.
When I woke up, we were already at Hiroshima University.
I knew the answer, but I asked the driver. ‘Did we pass Saijo town?’
We ended up taking a taxi home.
It was a good thing I didn’t sleep right until we got to Kurose.
It’s one of my favorite things to do on weekends.
However, having a nap on any public transportation can be risky.
Miwa and I got on the bus at Sogo Hiroshima bus terminal.
The bus stops right near my apartment, so it’s easier to take the bus home.
We shared a bottle of wine, and a glass of beer each that night.
When I woke up, we were already at Hiroshima University.
I knew the answer, but I asked the driver. ‘Did we pass Saijo town?’
We ended up taking a taxi home.
It was a good thing I didn’t sleep right until we got to Kurose.
Driving
14/01/11 14:15
I drove back to Hiroshima from Fukuoka on January 2.
I checked the traffic conditions on the internet. All the roads were clear.
I left Fukuoka after lunch.
Just before Ozuki interchange, there was a sign saying,’Road Closed because of snow.’.
I had to get off the highway and take local roads.
Thanks to my navigation system, it was easy to get to Ueki interchange.
There, an attendant said, ‘The highway here has just closed.’
It wasn’t his fault that the highway had just closed, but I was so annoyed and I asked him with an angry voice, ‘Where can I get on the highway???’
I drove for a while, then finally got on the highway at Yamaguchi Minami.
I kept driving. Just before Hiroshima Higashi, there was a sign saying, ’Traffic Jam 20km.’ I wondered if I should stay on the highway or not.
I decided to take local roads. I got off the highway at Hiroshima Higashi. From there to my home, there was a traffic jam. It took nearly 2 hours.
I should’ve stayed on the highway.
I was exhausted when I got home.
I checked the traffic conditions on the internet. All the roads were clear.
I left Fukuoka after lunch.
Just before Ozuki interchange, there was a sign saying,’Road Closed because of snow.’.
I had to get off the highway and take local roads.
Thanks to my navigation system, it was easy to get to Ueki interchange.
There, an attendant said, ‘The highway here has just closed.’
It wasn’t his fault that the highway had just closed, but I was so annoyed and I asked him with an angry voice, ‘Where can I get on the highway???’
I drove for a while, then finally got on the highway at Yamaguchi Minami.
I kept driving. Just before Hiroshima Higashi, there was a sign saying, ’Traffic Jam 20km.’ I wondered if I should stay on the highway or not.
I decided to take local roads. I got off the highway at Hiroshima Higashi. From there to my home, there was a traffic jam. It took nearly 2 hours.
I should’ve stayed on the highway.
I was exhausted when I got home.
Welcome and Surprise
10/01/11 12:31
On my first day back to my parents’, my father brought an i-pod and the speaker to the dining room.
He started the music. It was my favorite song.
‘Welcome back, Sachiko.’ He said in English.
We started having dinner.
My mother made lots of dishes.
She is such a good cook.
After dinner, my father said in English, ‘ This is a surprise.’
He brought a watermelon.
He bought it with his pocket money.
He wanted to surprise me, so he bought a watermelon made in a green house.
It tasted good.
My father said, ‘Welcome back and surprise!’ in English again.
It was so sweet.
He started the music. It was my favorite song.
‘Welcome back, Sachiko.’ He said in English.
We started having dinner.
My mother made lots of dishes.
She is such a good cook.
After dinner, my father said in English, ‘ This is a surprise.’
He brought a watermelon.
He bought it with his pocket money.
He wanted to surprise me, so he bought a watermelon made in a green house.
It tasted good.
My father said, ‘Welcome back and surprise!’ in English again.
It was so sweet.
Keys
21/12/10 13:30
Miwa decided to have an engine starter installed in her car.
She got a quotation.
The next day, she brought her car to the car dealer.
Everything was going smoothly.
We went to pick up the car.
The engineer said that he needed all of the car keys to synchronize something and other…
Miwa said she had only one key.
He said she should have at least one more key.
She went home to look for the key.
I had an appointment for a massage, so I left at that time.
Later, I met Miwa at the car dealer again.
In her hands, there were bike keys.
They were obviously bike keys!
She said sadly, ’They are not for the car.!’
We went home. I helped her to look for the key.
This time, it didn’t take long to find the key.
This whole thing took the whole day.
Miwa enjoys her warm and ready to go car every morning.
She got a quotation.
The next day, she brought her car to the car dealer.
Everything was going smoothly.
We went to pick up the car.
The engineer said that he needed all of the car keys to synchronize something and other…
Miwa said she had only one key.
He said she should have at least one more key.
She went home to look for the key.
I had an appointment for a massage, so I left at that time.
Later, I met Miwa at the car dealer again.
In her hands, there were bike keys.
They were obviously bike keys!
She said sadly, ’They are not for the car.!’
We went home. I helped her to look for the key.
This time, it didn’t take long to find the key.
This whole thing took the whole day.
Miwa enjoys her warm and ready to go car every morning.
Absent minded
10/12/10 14:15
One day, I had a lot of things to take home from work.
Many towels to be washed, garbage, groceries and my own bag.
When I got home, I realized I didn’t have the towels with me.
The following day, I checked inside my car, ~ no towels….
At work~ no towels.
I might have thrown them away with the garbage.
I thought I would have to buy new towels.
A few minutes later, Kazumi came to work.
She had the towels in her hand.
She told me that she was helping me with carrying things and she went home with the towels.
How absent minded I was.
All the towels were washed and dried.
Thank you so much, Kazumi!!!!
Many towels to be washed, garbage, groceries and my own bag.
When I got home, I realized I didn’t have the towels with me.
The following day, I checked inside my car, ~ no towels….
At work~ no towels.
I might have thrown them away with the garbage.
I thought I would have to buy new towels.
A few minutes later, Kazumi came to work.
She had the towels in her hand.
She told me that she was helping me with carrying things and she went home with the towels.
How absent minded I was.
All the towels were washed and dried.
Thank you so much, Kazumi!!!!
A great performance
03/12/10 14:25
Last Sunday, I bought a ‘Tokkuri’.
(A decanter for sake)
I visited several stores and found a nice Tokkuri made of glass.
Yesterday, when I was washing the dishes, I knocked over the Tokkuri.
I saw it falling, but there was nothing I could do.
I was sure it was going to break.
Miraculously, it hit Suzu.
I even didn’t know Suzu was in the kitchen at that time.
After it hit Suzu, it landed smoothly on the floor.
Suzu saved our Tokkuri.
I love you, Suzu!!!!!
(A decanter for sake)
I visited several stores and found a nice Tokkuri made of glass.
Yesterday, when I was washing the dishes, I knocked over the Tokkuri.
I saw it falling, but there was nothing I could do.
I was sure it was going to break.
Miraculously, it hit Suzu.
I even didn’t know Suzu was in the kitchen at that time.
After it hit Suzu, it landed smoothly on the floor.
Suzu saved our Tokkuri.
I love you, Suzu!!!!!
Concert
19/11/10 12:54
I went to a concert by Hajime Chitose.
I hardly knew her songs.
I bought tickets as the concert was going to be held at Senjokaku in Miyajima.
I’d always wanted to see a concert in Miyajima.
Any concert was fine.
The concert started in the old shrine.
We all sat on Zabuton.
Her voice was so beautiful that I was very moved.
I’d never heard such beautiful songs live.
I hardly knew her songs.
I bought tickets as the concert was going to be held at Senjokaku in Miyajima.
I’d always wanted to see a concert in Miyajima.
Any concert was fine.
The concert started in the old shrine.
We all sat on Zabuton.
Her voice was so beautiful that I was very moved.
I’d never heard such beautiful songs live.
At the restaurant
08/11/10 16:23
I went to a new restaurant.
All the food we ordered tasted good.
The people working there were nice enough, and the restaurant was nice and clean.
However, there was something lacking.
That was enthusiasm and confidence in the people working there.
The same thing can be applied to any business.
All the food we ordered tasted good.
The people working there were nice enough, and the restaurant was nice and clean.
However, there was something lacking.
That was enthusiasm and confidence in the people working there.
The same thing can be applied to any business.
Venison
19/10/10 14:37
While I was driving along a country road, several people waved at me to stop.
They asked me if I wanted some sweet potatoes.
They looked like nice people, so we got out of the car.
They just had B.B.Q. deer, so they gave us a dish full of venison.
They also gave us 4 big ‘Yakiimo’.
As we got lots of things for free, I bought a big bag of sweet potatoes.
It was originally 500 yen, but they said I could have it for 300 yen.
It was a lucky day to have been driving along that country road!
They asked me if I wanted some sweet potatoes.
They looked like nice people, so we got out of the car.
They just had B.B.Q. deer, so they gave us a dish full of venison.
They also gave us 4 big ‘Yakiimo’.
As we got lots of things for free, I bought a big bag of sweet potatoes.
It was originally 500 yen, but they said I could have it for 300 yen.
It was a lucky day to have been driving along that country road!
Stinkbug
04/10/10 18:57
3 days ago, I found a stinkbug stuck between the balcony door and the screen door.
I slid the door and the screen door open and closed many times to let the bug out, but it didn’t work.
The bug was stuck there until this morning.
This morning, I slid open the door again.
I thought the bug was dead, but it was still alive!
It finally got out, and flew across the Boulevard.
I felt like I had accomplished something big.
I slid the door and the screen door open and closed many times to let the bug out, but it didn’t work.
The bug was stuck there until this morning.
This morning, I slid open the door again.
I thought the bug was dead, but it was still alive!
It finally got out, and flew across the Boulevard.
I felt like I had accomplished something big.
Jacket
30/09/10 12:50
I went shopping last weekend.
I tried on a jacket.
It was nice.
I’d always wanted a jacket like that.
I asked a sales clerk, ‘ How much is it?’
She answered with a nice big smile.
‘It’s 89,000 yen’
I stood there for a few seconds and said ‘ Thank you, I will come back again.’
Later, I thought that I could go to France with that much money and didn’t go back to the store.
I tried on a jacket.
It was nice.
I’d always wanted a jacket like that.
I asked a sales clerk, ‘ How much is it?’
She answered with a nice big smile.
‘It’s 89,000 yen’
I stood there for a few seconds and said ‘ Thank you, I will come back again.’
Later, I thought that I could go to France with that much money and didn’t go back to the store.
Expense reduction
13/09/10 16:32
We try to cut unnecessary expenses at B.J.club.
For example, I wash towels at home instead of buying paper towels.
We turn off air conditioners in the lesson rooms if they are not in use for longer than one hour.
We start the air conditioner 30 minutes before the lesson starts.
One day, 5 minutes prior to the next lesson, Nathan said ‘Oh, no! the air conditioner is not on!’
Kazumi said’ Oh, no!!’ She ran into the lesson room and closed the curtain.
We needed to close the windows, but it was better for the curtains to be open as it was daytime.
People do strange things when they are panicking.
For example, I wash towels at home instead of buying paper towels.
We turn off air conditioners in the lesson rooms if they are not in use for longer than one hour.
We start the air conditioner 30 minutes before the lesson starts.
One day, 5 minutes prior to the next lesson, Nathan said ‘Oh, no! the air conditioner is not on!’
Kazumi said’ Oh, no!!’ She ran into the lesson room and closed the curtain.
We needed to close the windows, but it was better for the curtains to be open as it was daytime.
People do strange things when they are panicking.
My favourite izakayas
08/09/10 15:27
Sake Yoi
082-423-8077
Saijo Okamachi 4-21
4 minutes from Saijo Station
This is a small Izakaya with only a bar counter.
The owner makes tasty Japanese dishes.
It feels like being home with your mom.
The price is reasonable.
---
Shingetsu
082-422-1077
Saojo Okamachi 5-6
4 minutes from Saijo Station
The friendly owner will welcome you.
The owner makes tasty Japanese dishes.
The price is reasonable.
082-423-8077
Saijo Okamachi 4-21
4 minutes from Saijo Station
This is a small Izakaya with only a bar counter.
The owner makes tasty Japanese dishes.
It feels like being home with your mom.
The price is reasonable.
---
Shingetsu
082-422-1077
Saojo Okamachi 5-6
4 minutes from Saijo Station
The friendly owner will welcome you.
The owner makes tasty Japanese dishes.
The price is reasonable.
At the restaurant
30/08/10 15:56
We ordered lots of food and drink.
The waitress repeated them all.
After that, there were 5 seconds’ silence.
We looked at each other, and she said, ‘BJ Club???’
I said, ‘Yes’. She told us her family name.
I said, ‘Yuka?’
She used to come to BJ club when she was an elementary school student.
Now, she is old enough to have a part time job at a restaurant.
I couldn’t believe how fast time had gone.
The waitress repeated them all.
After that, there were 5 seconds’ silence.
We looked at each other, and she said, ‘BJ Club???’
I said, ‘Yes’. She told us her family name.
I said, ‘Yuka?’
She used to come to BJ club when she was an elementary school student.
Now, she is old enough to have a part time job at a restaurant.
I couldn’t believe how fast time had gone.
Divorce settlement
24/08/10 14:28
Tiger Woods is getting a divorce.
It is said that the divorce settlement could be as much as 700 million dollars (60 billion yen).
WOW!
It is said that the divorce settlement could be as much as 700 million dollars (60 billion yen).
WOW!
Time flies
03/08/10 14:18
Recently, I often say, ‘Time goes so fast’.
The summer holiday is starting soon.
I feel like it was Golden week only a few weeks ago.
Anyway, have a happy holiday!
The summer holiday is starting soon.
I feel like it was Golden week only a few weeks ago.
Anyway, have a happy holiday!
It’s too hot
27/07/10 18:31
Recently, I often see changes in people’s behavior.
People look tired and a bit irritated, busy with wiping away their sweat.
It is also happening to me.
It is so hot every day. It is just too hot to do anything.
Hana and Suzu make it worse by lying so close to me. It’s like I’m wearing two blankets.
However, they are too cute to push away.
This weather is an excuse for not doing anything.
The best thing that I can think of right now is to watch TV in an air conditioned room.
Please cool down a little before I become the laziest person in the world.
People look tired and a bit irritated, busy with wiping away their sweat.
It is also happening to me.
It is so hot every day. It is just too hot to do anything.
Hana and Suzu make it worse by lying so close to me. It’s like I’m wearing two blankets.
However, they are too cute to push away.
This weather is an excuse for not doing anything.
The best thing that I can think of right now is to watch TV in an air conditioned room.
Please cool down a little before I become the laziest person in the world.
No water (Part 3)
23/07/10 14:16
Kazumi came to pick me up. She was an angel.
I was able to wash my face, brush my teeth, and had coffee at her place.
She even put lots of water in containers for me to take home.
We drove back to my place with lots of water.
We had to walk to the 6th floor.
I filled Hana and Suzu’s water dish.
Then I poured lots of water into the toilet.
That afternoon, I heard the water was back, but the car garage wouldn’t work for a few days.
Advanced technology can be so inconvenient.
I realized we take it for granted that we always have water, electricity, and so on.
It’s time to appreciate what we have.
Special thanks to Kazumi!
I was able to wash my face, brush my teeth, and had coffee at her place.
She even put lots of water in containers for me to take home.
We drove back to my place with lots of water.
We had to walk to the 6th floor.
I filled Hana and Suzu’s water dish.
Then I poured lots of water into the toilet.
That afternoon, I heard the water was back, but the car garage wouldn’t work for a few days.
Advanced technology can be so inconvenient.
I realized we take it for granted that we always have water, electricity, and so on.
It’s time to appreciate what we have.
Special thanks to Kazumi!
No water (Part 2)
21/07/10 15:34
When I finished my morning routine- vacuum cleaning, reading the newspaper, and doing exercise- it was still 9 o’clock.
I called Kazumi and said, ‘I want to come over to wash my face, get some water, and drink coffee.’ She kindly said, ‘Of course’.
I walked to the elevator and found out the elevator was not working.
I went down the stairs from the sixth floor to the first floor.
I walked to my parking, which is a multilevel parking garage.
I saw the notice there said that ‘Because of the thunder, the garage is not working,’
I thought of walking to Kazumi’s but it was pouring with rain and I didn’t have an umbrella. So I called Kazumi and said ‘HELP’.
I called Kazumi and said, ‘I want to come over to wash my face, get some water, and drink coffee.’ She kindly said, ‘Of course’.
I walked to the elevator and found out the elevator was not working.
I went down the stairs from the sixth floor to the first floor.
I walked to my parking, which is a multilevel parking garage.
I saw the notice there said that ‘Because of the thunder, the garage is not working,’
I thought of walking to Kazumi’s but it was pouring with rain and I didn’t have an umbrella. So I called Kazumi and said ‘HELP’.
No water (Part 1)
19/07/10 14:04
Right after I took a bath, there was a big clap of thunder. Then the water stopped coming out of the tap.
I hurried to the bathroom to see if there was any water left in the bath tub.
Unfortunately, I saw the last trickle of water going down the drain.
It was already close to midnight, so I just went to bed without thinking too much.
The next day, there was still no water when I got up.
At that time, I wasn’t worried much. I called Kazumi to see if she had water at her place. She said, ‘Yes’.
My phone call at 7:20 in the morning woke her up.
Nathan said he had water too.
At 8 a.m. there was still no water.
I called the condominium maintenance company.
The man who answered the phone said that it would take a while to fix the problem.
There was no water in the fridge. The only drinks I had were cans of beer. Hana and Suzu’s water dish was almost empty.
The toilet was getting stinky.
I couldn’t wash my face or brush my teeth.
Even though there was no water coming out of the tap, I kept raising the handle of the tap by mistake.
My hardship started then.
I hurried to the bathroom to see if there was any water left in the bath tub.
Unfortunately, I saw the last trickle of water going down the drain.
It was already close to midnight, so I just went to bed without thinking too much.
The next day, there was still no water when I got up.
At that time, I wasn’t worried much. I called Kazumi to see if she had water at her place. She said, ‘Yes’.
My phone call at 7:20 in the morning woke her up.
Nathan said he had water too.
At 8 a.m. there was still no water.
I called the condominium maintenance company.
The man who answered the phone said that it would take a while to fix the problem.
There was no water in the fridge. The only drinks I had were cans of beer. Hana and Suzu’s water dish was almost empty.
The toilet was getting stinky.
I couldn’t wash my face or brush my teeth.
Even though there was no water coming out of the tap, I kept raising the handle of the tap by mistake.
My hardship started then.
Teachers' credibility
12/07/10 15:51
A kindergarten child said to Kate, ‘Your pronunciation of white is wrong.’
I had to say to her that Kate was right.
Kate was born in America and raised in America.
She has been speaking English for 22 years.
Nathan told me one of the elementary school children said, ‘Your English is wrong.’
Nathan was born in England and raised in England.
He is a graduate of Oxford University.
Everyone, please trust your teachers!!!!
I had to say to her that Kate was right.
Kate was born in America and raised in America.
She has been speaking English for 22 years.
Nathan told me one of the elementary school children said, ‘Your English is wrong.’
Nathan was born in England and raised in England.
He is a graduate of Oxford University.
Everyone, please trust your teachers!!!!
Souvenirs from Germany
28/06/10 16:17
Miwa brought me 4 bottles of beer, 1 bottle of wine, and 5 mini bottles of
hard liquor.
She said that she had no time for shopping.
They were more than enough for me, they must have been so heavy.
I can't wait to have cold German beer tonight!
hard liquor.
She said that she had no time for shopping.
They were more than enough for me, they must have been so heavy.
I can't wait to have cold German beer tonight!
Trip to Germany
21/06/10 16:14
My flat mate Miwa is going to Germany on business this week.
I am not worried about Miwa but I am a bit worried about Hana and Suzu.
They will have to be home alone longer than usual while Miwa is away.
They will be so excited when I come home from work.
That will make me feel very tired.
I guess I am worried about myself.
I hope Miwa has a successful meeting in Germany.
I also hope Hana and Suzu behave.
I should check if Miwa put her pajamas in her suitcase as she often forgets them.
It won’t be easy to find pajamas in Germany.
I am not worried about Miwa but I am a bit worried about Hana and Suzu.
They will have to be home alone longer than usual while Miwa is away.
They will be so excited when I come home from work.
That will make me feel very tired.
I guess I am worried about myself.
I hope Miwa has a successful meeting in Germany.
I also hope Hana and Suzu behave.
I should check if Miwa put her pajamas in her suitcase as she often forgets them.
It won’t be easy to find pajamas in Germany.
My driver’s license picture
14/06/10 19:03
Time flies.
Five years have passed since I renewed my driver’s license.
This time, I had my picture taken at a photo shop.
I chose not to get an instant photo taken.
Last time when I took young cute Niki to an instant photo booth, her pictures turned out to be horrible.
If her pictures were horrible, how would my pictures look?
I paid three times more to the photo shop compared to using an instant photo booth, and waited for 2 days to receive my pictures.
It was worth it.
The photographer did a nice finishing job.
A number of wrinkles were smoothed out and my skin looks brighter.
I thank advanced technology!
Five years have passed since I renewed my driver’s license.
This time, I had my picture taken at a photo shop.
I chose not to get an instant photo taken.
Last time when I took young cute Niki to an instant photo booth, her pictures turned out to be horrible.
If her pictures were horrible, how would my pictures look?
I paid three times more to the photo shop compared to using an instant photo booth, and waited for 2 days to receive my pictures.
It was worth it.
The photographer did a nice finishing job.
A number of wrinkles were smoothed out and my skin looks brighter.
I thank advanced technology!
Meditation training
07/06/10 18:58
I read the book ‘Kangaenai Renshu’ (Meditation Training) written by a young monk.
In this book, he points out that we are too absorbed in our own thoughts to concentrate on the things we are actually doing right at that moment.
I realized I’m often thinking about work, food, the weekend while I’m doing something else.
I’m trying to concentrate on what I am doing.
It seems to be helping me to organize my thoughts.
In this book, he points out that we are too absorbed in our own thoughts to concentrate on the things we are actually doing right at that moment.
I realized I’m often thinking about work, food, the weekend while I’m doing something else.
I’m trying to concentrate on what I am doing.
It seems to be helping me to organize my thoughts.
The story of my obstinate warts Part 3
31/05/10 13:06
I can't believe I'm writing 'The story of my obstinate warts Part 3'.
Last time, I kept going to the doctor until all the warts were gone completely.
I went to the doctor at least 6 times for the treatment.
It's been over a year since my first wart appeared.
Unfortunately, they are back again.
I hope I will not be writing 'Part 4' again.
Last time, I kept going to the doctor until all the warts were gone completely.
I went to the doctor at least 6 times for the treatment.
It's been over a year since my first wart appeared.
Unfortunately, they are back again.
I hope I will not be writing 'Part 4' again.
Writing a diary in English
24/05/10 15:56
最近、生徒さんに「勉強しなさい！」と言うばかりで自分がなにもしていなかった。反省し、ブログを日本語と英語、両方で今週から書くようにした。（続ける自信はあまりない。。。）
生徒さんには、「日記を書いてください！」とよく言っている。
私のブログが少しでも参考になれば嬉しい。先ずは英語でブログを書き、そのブログをちらちら見ながら、日本語で書いてみた。
訳さないのは、日本語ではこういう言い方がピンとくるけど、英語ではちょっと違うこういう表現が良い、というのが必ずある。だから訳そうとするより、英語で考えて英語で書く。日本語で考えて日本語で書く方が、簡単だし、自然な文章ができあがる。
英語の方はネイサンにチェックしてもらい、間違いを正してもらい掲載していく。
これからは、聞いたことはあるけど自分で使ったことのない表現を増やしていきたいと思う。
ネイティブだって、結構簡単な英語でメールや、手紙を書くものだ。
日本人には、なんだか難しく書こうとする人が多いが、そうでなく、シンプルにわかりやすく書く方が格好いいのだ。
ネイティブのような文章力を目指して私も頑張る！！！！
The effects of "Ukon no Chikara"
Last Friday, I went out for a drink with my coworkers to celebrate Kazumi's birthday.
Nathan kindly offered to get 'Ukon no Chikara' on the way to the restaurant. I asked him to get 'Ukon Super".
On arriving at the restaurant, I drunk 'Ukon Super' which is supposed to prevent against getting too drunk and having a hangover the next day.
Unfortunately, it worked too well for me.
After 2 jugs of beer and 2 glasses of Korean Sake (Makkori), I didn't feel like I had drunk any alcohol.
It's more fun to feel relaxed after a few drinks.
We need to get our money's worth when we drink.
I guess 'Ukon Super' was too strong for me.
生徒さんには、「日記を書いてください！」とよく言っている。
私のブログが少しでも参考になれば嬉しい。先ずは英語でブログを書き、そのブログをちらちら見ながら、日本語で書いてみた。
訳さないのは、日本語ではこういう言い方がピンとくるけど、英語ではちょっと違うこういう表現が良い、というのが必ずある。だから訳そうとするより、英語で考えて英語で書く。日本語で考えて日本語で書く方が、簡単だし、自然な文章ができあがる。
英語の方はネイサンにチェックしてもらい、間違いを正してもらい掲載していく。
これからは、聞いたことはあるけど自分で使ったことのない表現を増やしていきたいと思う。
ネイティブだって、結構簡単な英語でメールや、手紙を書くものだ。
日本人には、なんだか難しく書こうとする人が多いが、そうでなく、シンプルにわかりやすく書く方が格好いいのだ。
ネイティブのような文章力を目指して私も頑張る！！！！
The effects of "Ukon no Chikara"
Last Friday, I went out for a drink with my coworkers to celebrate Kazumi's birthday.
Nathan kindly offered to get 'Ukon no Chikara' on the way to the restaurant. I asked him to get 'Ukon Super".
On arriving at the restaurant, I drunk 'Ukon Super' which is supposed to prevent against getting too drunk and having a hangover the next day.
Unfortunately, it worked too well for me.
After 2 jugs of beer and 2 glasses of Korean Sake (Makkori), I didn't feel like I had drunk any alcohol.
It's more fun to feel relaxed after a few drinks.
We need to get our money's worth when we drink.
I guess 'Ukon Super' was too strong for me.
The Mega Mac
17/01/07 22:59
Last Saturday, my dearest friend Miwa and I went to Macdonald's as Miwa wanted to try a Mega Mac.
There was a long line of cars in front of Macdonald's. We waited in the drive through line and got what we wanted. We then drove to Kagamiyama Park. Carrying our lunch, we walked in the park for a while with my dearest dog, Hana. Kagamiyama Park is Hana's favorite park. When I am not so busy, I take her for a walk there.
After a while, we sat down on a bench, and opened the bag. Miwa had her first bite of her-long waited Mega Mac.
The next moment. she said something that was a little difficult for me to hear. She had said, 'My jaw is dislocated!'
Miwa's mouth seems to be too small for a Mega Mac.
There was a long line of cars in front of Macdonald's. We waited in the drive through line and got what we wanted. We then drove to Kagamiyama Park. Carrying our lunch, we walked in the park for a while with my dearest dog, Hana. Kagamiyama Park is Hana's favorite park. When I am not so busy, I take her for a walk there.
After a while, we sat down on a bench, and opened the bag. Miwa had her first bite of her-long waited Mega Mac.
The next moment. she said something that was a little difficult for me to hear. She had said, 'My jaw is dislocated!'
Miwa's mouth seems to be too small for a Mega Mac.
The band aid incident
31/12/06 11:58
One night, as my hands were dry, I put some cream on my hands and wrapped a band aid around my index finger before I went to bed. As soon as I went to bed, I noticed the band aid was getting loose. I tightened it so that it would stay on my finger all night. I fell asleep right after that.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling something was very wrong. My index finger was completely numb from the pressure of the band aid. Half asleep, I thought ‘Oh! My goodness, what if I lose my index finger!’
I massaged my index finger for quite a long time, fearing what would happen to my finger after that. Next morning, though, my index finger was fine.
Since that incident, I have been very careful handling band aids.
In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling something was very wrong. My index finger was completely numb from the pressure of the band aid. Half asleep, I thought ‘Oh! My goodness, what if I lose my index finger!’
I massaged my index finger for quite a long time, fearing what would happen to my finger after that. Next morning, though, my index finger was fine.
Since that incident, I have been very careful handling band aids.