see you again

Today is day 100 for my diary.

So?

Finally I can quit keeping a diary.

Even though I wrote some sentences in English every day, my English writing skill hasn't improved at all. But it doesn't matter.

I'm terrible with doing the same thing every day. Then, I decided to keep a diary at least for 3 months. Now, I've done all I decided.

Actually, I expected I'll make a new goal to keep a diary, but I'm really fed up with it.

About two month ago, I was also totally fed up with writing a diary every single day. Then, I decided to join in the blog ranking site.

Although I expected that someone gave me a message, there was only an ad the first entry day.

But next morning, I got a kind message which encouraged me a lot. It was from PhycoCat. I imagined from his name, he might have a supernatural power, then he read my mind, and left me a message:)

Before I leave here, I'd like to say thankyou to him.

Hi, PhycoCat! I can't say thinkyou enough because I gave up writing if you didn't give me a message at that day. Anyway, how is your shed going? I'm looking forward to seeing photos of the completed shed and the rose garden. Please be careful not to get hurt doing a carpenters. See you!


And, I'd like to say thankyou to visitors who left me some messages.


Hi happi!! Thank you so much for all your comments!! It's no doubt that your comments kept my motivation up. Generally speaking, people don't like to discuss about serious social issue in Japan. But you didn't hesitate to tell me what you have in mind. I think that you are well suited to live in the U.S.. I hope your dream will come true!! See you soon.


Hi Taka-san, what's the weather in Kyoto? I feel from your blog that you enjoy life very much in Kyoto. Many people feel comforted seeing your pictures of nature. Thank you for your comments. I felt father-like tenderness from you. See you.


Hi, Anima!! I'm really glad to hear from you. I have a longing for your English skill and writing skill (also having a great partner;-) In particular, I like "The Dice Man" in all your entry. I guess the article must fascinate many readers. I hope one day I can express all my thinking in English like you. Thank you for telling me your opinion in my site. It made me really happy!


And, it'll be a great memory that mindda gave me information about Aled Jones, and I'm happy that Suman Rai gave me a message. Thank you all!!


Finally, I don't keep in touch with koto, but I hope she has a great time now. And I'd like to say thankyou to her friend as well. Take care!!



I'd like to have a exchange of different views. So, I'm going to begin a correspondence with a native English speaker. Today, I sent an e-mail to Canadian women who teaches Japanese to high school student. I'm not sure whether she will reply soon, but I will keep trying until making a good pen pal at the exchange language site.

Although I might write something here in English or Japanese in some weeks ahead, I am going to delete my entry from BlogMura site tomorrow.

I hope to meet you again sometime somewhere. Thank you for reading. See you everyone!!!








(*´Д｀)ノ~~

Elderly suicides surge

12,107 is the number of suicides involving people over the age of 60 in Japan. Remember, people over the age of 60 are including people who are in their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 100s.

16,909 is the number of suicides involving people in their 30s, 40s and 50s in Japan.

Comparing the numbers, it's obvious that the generation of full activity commit suicide more than the generation of retirement.

However, many news reports highlighted the number of over the age of 60. Why did they combine only the number of over the age of 60 together?

I think this kind of number would hide the real problems. The problem is spreading to not only elderly people but also the younger generation. To cover up the real problem offers no solutions.


Most the suicide cases are announced as the cause of death is just heart failure. In addition the announced cases are small fraction of the real suicide figure.

As I mentioned before, the role of the mass medias tells the public the truth, and raise the right issues.


I lost a friend who committed suicide suffering depression, and lost a friend who had a heart attack from over work. Although I can't do anything, I couldn't help but comment about this...



BBC news Thursday, 19 June 2008 11:24 UK.

Suicides involving people over the age of 60 rose by almost 9% to 12,107, making up nearly 40% of all cases in Japan, the National Police Agency said.

Japan's elderly are increasingly concerned about money and rising health care costs.

Nationwide, the number of suicides rose by 2.9% to 33,093, the second-highest figure since records began in 1978.

Aging society

Japan has one of the world's highest suicide rates.

Last year ministers approved a raft of measures to try to reduce this, such as more workplace counselling and blocking websites that offer suicide tips.

But it appears that the measures have yet to yield results.

Recent months have seen a rash of cases where people killed themselves by mixing chemicals to produce toxic gas.

Police said that the main causes of suicide were depression, illness and debt.

But the elderly have been particularly hard-hit by issues linked to Japan's ageing society.

Health insurance costs have risen and people are increasingly concerned that the state will not be able to support them properly.

A recent scandal involving millions of lost pension records has exacerbated concern over social security issues.

And as the traditional family structure has changed, some elderly people are worried that there will be no family members to care for them in their old age.

Thank you for reading.

boy soprano

I visited David's blog site today. He found a video from a British TV show called 'Britain's Got Talent'. He said that he almost started crying when he watched the video of a 13-year-old boy singing "PIE JESU".

I love to listen to boy soprano, and I have a CD including "PIE JESU", it is one of my favorite.

Just my opinion, soprano is the only boy voices for me. Of course, I don't mean female voices is not good. But boy's are short-lived voices, so the temporary nature gives me a special feeling.

And, I'm not a christian, but I love listening to anthem. I had a chance to listen to anthem by a cathedral chorister in Paris by chance. In the sacred atmosphere, I couldn't stop crying from the angel voices.

I'd like to show you this video.
The original poster gives us information,: "Aled Jones performing O Holy Night, first as a young Aled, then Aled today."

I think the BBC's editing team did a great job. Don't you think so?



"O Holy Night"

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Thank you for reading.

about health-care system

I really hate this idea "old folks = the weak".

If you are not real idiot, you must notice this equality isn't true.

No wonder sick person can not work regardless of any age.
Why are only old folks released from charges?

There are people on the front lines of work who are in their 70s.
There are people who save huge money without any pension payment.
There are people who have enough money to live on their high-yield interest.

If you say it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of age, why don't you propose that those who can afford to make money or save money must pay it at the same rate with young generation?


I think new health-care system for the elderly is not so bad. I even think all citizen(include old folks) have to pay the insurance payment and medical bills at all the same rate.

But this case will work on the assumption that medical social worker give help in every difficult case of payment.

I think the Local Autonomy has to put a lot of medical social workers everywhere, and has to make a network of them. Then, if you really can't afford to pay the insurance, you don't have to pay it.

In the case, there will be many people who cannot keep a national health insurance certificate. But doctor cannot turn down to see you. After you got cure, a medical social worker will give some advice about easy payment, or it might be no payment if you cannot really afford to pay it regardless any age.

However if you hadn't been paying the insurance illegally even though you had enough money to pay, you will be arrested, and you have to pay full-bills of medical care, and all the insurance fee of unpaid months with high interest.

How about that idea?

Thank you for reading.

World Refugee Day

Do you know 20 June is World Refugee Day?

We are entire ignorance about the refugee.
I hope the day will be our good chance to think urgent refugee issue.

I'd like to introduce "The Tokyo Refugee Film Festival".
A lot of films will play in small venues, and admission is free.

Especially, I recommend you to see a film titled "Kite Runner".
But I think this film will have a high popularity, so it's better to arrive in plenty of time and keep a seat.
Doors are scheduled to open 30 minutes before each screening.



The Tokyo Refugee Film Festival

In celebration of World Refugee Day on 20th June 2008, UNHCR and Japan for UNHCR proudly present the 3rd Annual Tokyo Refugee Film Festival.

The Tokyo Refugee Film Festival is becoming a vital component of UNHCR's year round action plan to raise awareness of the plight and triumphs of the world's 33 million refugees and internally displaced persons. A select array of films from across the globe gives voice to seldom-heard stories of hope, despair and resilience. The select films give voice to seldom-heard stories of hope, despair and resilience from across the globe.

Dates: 20 (World Refugee Day) - 27 June 2008
Fee: Free Entry (No need to RVSP: first come, first served)
Venues: Goethe-Institut Japan
Instituto Cervantes de Tokio
Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Tokyo
L'Institut Franco-Japonais de Tokyo
NHK Fureai Hall
Organizers: UNHCR Representation in Japan
Japan for UNHCR
Contact: 03-3499-2310 (UNHCR Representation in Japan, Public Information)
jpntofes@unhcr.org

Thank you for reading.

father's day

I almost forgot today was father's day. I should have sent a small gift like a book. Maybe next time...
I've just sent a message to my father like that, : I'm really grateful to you that let me have my own way. And thank you for giving me strict discipline with deep affection.

I though the message was a little bit childish. It was as if one say a big thankyou to parents after the graduation ceremony. But I wanted to say that because I haven't done anything to bother the police, like the guy who stabbed 17 innocents was arrested.


I think my father had a tough life. After my real mother died, he had to work hard while raising a six-month-old baby and a two-year-old boy.

Honestly speaking, I wanted to live with my grandma on mother's side longer than forever. When the end of summer vacation was approaching, I used to make a plan like involving a little car accident or something, to stay at my grandma's house even after summer vacation. (You might not believe that a 5-year-old girl thinks like that. That's the way I am.)


However, my father never thought to leave us in someone's hands for good.

My father all the time scolded my brother and me over small things, like "Don't place your shoes badly!" "Don't frown!" and so on. (I confess that I had thought my father must be a devil.)

But I knew all of that was because he loved us. Thank you, dad. I love you!

Thank you for reading.

earthquake country

The earthquake hit in Iwate Prefecture this morning.
I'm praying for the victims of the disaster, and hoping to more victims are rescued without delay. And also I hope nobody involve in the secondary disaster of the landslide.



TV news reported that the nuclear power plant in Miyagi prefecture was working as normal, even after this earthquake.
It is famous that Japanese nuclear plants are designed to withstand earthquakes, and in potentially big earth movement, be supposed to shut down safely.

But, who can say they are 100% safe?
If 8 magnitude earthquake hit just under the nuclear power plant, who would know any radiation never leak?

According to Japanese Government, worldwide about 20% of the earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 or larger hit Japan.

However, electric power rely on nuclear power more and more in Japan. The number of nuclear power plant is 67(including under construction).

Now, Japan is driving to develop alternative energy sources of petroleum oil. But I really want to avoid to rely on nuclear power more than ever. Because Japan is an earthquake country.

But before complaining, I need more good idea to reduce electricity use in my home by myself. First of all, I'll go to bed earlier:)

Thank you for reading.

death

I started studying a part of clinical psychology, "Thanatology". In this field, a psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, is very famous, and her book, "On Death and Dying", is a bible for terminal care.

In these years, to face the death is a little boom. In the library, there are many books which theme is how takes people's death for granted. But, I wonder why people need to learn about death from books.

As for me, death is not anything special at all. Maybe, it's because I was grown up in a country side. I used to stay on the roof in the night, and looked at the stars for many hours. It was extremely important for me to imagine the birth and the future of the universe. Although I never ever think the most excellent creatures in the world is human being, the noticeable feature of human being is, we can say, having great imagination. As for the rest, we are just only single species of creatures.

We learned that people's importance of life is as heavy as the earth. What a stupid idea!
I think, if your all thinking is only about yourself, your life would be the same as your weight. And if you loved only money and material, your life would be the same as the stuffs' weight.

But, if you think you are a part of the universe, your life would be the same as the unmeasured universe. You all know, death is a natural part of life, but you might be scared of death. It's because you have imagination of human being. However, it will be much better to work your imagination more freely and creatively about death. That your imagination might lead you toward different way.

Thank you for reading.

good story

I always read technical books for a paper of my assignment. Most of them are written by specialist in the each field. With your permission I don't think they have a talent for writing, so I sometimes feel sick from clumsy phrasing of them.

Today, I decided to look for a book which provides a joy of reading. Then, when I was hanging around in the library, my eyes meet a book by chance, titled "Live in earnest! Something changes!." Huh? You don't have to tell me, I live seriously everyday, I think. This sort of book must be a how-to-book which I hate.

However I checked several pages to know what kind of wise act he recommended. But he said heart-warming episodes of interpersonal encounter. It seemed not so bad. Then I borrowed it just to kill time.

Well, although I've just started reading now, I'm glad I decided to borrowed this book. I will tell you a little.


A elderly man got onto a bus to go home. But he noticed the bus was not for him, and it was a long-route bus. He asked a guide of the bus to get him out before the bus enters a mountain pass. However the guide refused his request. She explained that she could not do that because every passenger would ask to stop at where he/she wanted, if she admitted the irregular case of him.

However, after the guide whispered to the driver, she announced like this,: "Your attention, please. This bus is reaching a mountain pass. So, to check the brake is on, this bus will stop just to make sure."


I like this story. I wonder this kind of things has been still common in the country side. I'm looking forward to going on reading.

Thank you for reading.

Korean Stars

I've been reading Professor Jarrell's e-mail newsletters.

Today, he wrote about his wife. His wife has become a big fan of a Korean singer. She plays his CD almost every morning. The singer is coming to Japan at the end of this month for a fan-club meeting, and his wife is going.

I know that many Japanese husband have a similar experiences. A lot of Japanese women, especially over middle age, are crazy about Korean stars. And it's not unusual that enthusiastic fans go to see their princes in Korea.

Hmm, I wonder how the husband can be calm under these situation. I can't stop thinking what will happen if their husbands did the same thing.

The wives might be furious about their husband, if they spend a lot of money for a young girl. Or they might be i-don't-care attitude which is the same way as their husband...

In either case, this kind of worry is silly and not realistic for me. I had better think about such a thing after I got married:P

Thank you for reading.

repeat-phobia

-phobia : a strong unreasonable fear or hatred of a particular thing (From the Oxford English Dictionary)

Acrophobia is well known as extreme fear of heights. Among other related words, claustrophobia (fear of being in a small confined place) and aviophobia (fear of flying in an airplane) are as famous for the major phobia.

I am not afraid of that kind of things. However, I suffer from "repeat-phobia."

Some of you could guess what repeat-phobia means. It means hearing same things again and again and again and again. I made the word tonight.

Last month, a man who looks like in his 30s moved to the next door in my apartment. About two weeks later, he suddenly opened a window, and started singing loudly in the night. That has been continuing almost every night. I thought that he must have been under a lot of stress, but when he got used to a new environment, it would be stop. Then, I put up with it for two weeks.


However, he sings the same part of the same song over and over again, so finally he gets on my nerves. I can tell I'm sort of tolerant, but I can't stand it any more!

Do you know the song of Masatoshi Nakamura titled "Fureai. (Mutual Touch)"

Please imagine a man shouts this part over and over again,: "no one can live alone♪"

Then, after singing the part repeatedly, comes back to the part, : "casual mutual touch of hearts brings happiness♪"

And he repeats the same part again....


It happened again tonight.　I almost screamed.

However I have to endure this situation. So whenever he starts singing, I wear headphones and play a CD at top volume. I'm wondering until when it continues.

Nin Nin...

Thank you for reading.

stabbing at random

BBC News reported. : Seven people died and 10 others were injured in the attack in central Tokyo's Akihabara shopping district on Sunday. Twenty-five year-old Tomohiro Kato was arrested by police at the scene.


Hearing about this topic, everybody must feel heavy in Japan. But I think it is not good to avoid this topic.

The killer had been updating his blog from his mobile phone until just before the killing. He said that in his blog: It was easy for me to play good person, and people are cheated very easily.

I think many people struggle under repressive educational system, and repressive social system in Japan. And many of them begin to feel depressed, and some of them decide to commit suicide, and a few of them try to finish one's life with guilty of murder.

I think most of the killer want to be punishable by the death penalty. So the death penalty won't work for stopping this kind of murder case.


I learn about seriousness of domestic violence in Japan. Many children suddenly get angry without reason, and kick and hit their mother. However most of the mothers just endure the situation because they think their child became violent because of her poor discipline.

Many sociologist say that to expose kids to a long period of violent scenes will affect the kids badly. The violent video games are said to work to get out their frustration, but as you all know, it can work to get worse after playing that games.

But the problem is they get angry too easily. Whether that kind of games be banned or not, their family will be an easy target of violent longer than forever.

I think the fundamental problem is why they get all involved in that kind of games. They cannot get through their frustration properly. Why? It may be the reason that parents and teachers ignore the natural difference of each one.

Every children have individual characters. However, in Japan, nobody admit it. Almost all the Japanese try to be the same. Some children show a sign of potential violence by nature. It is natural. It gets worse for them to pretend a desired person. To support their individual problems patiently might prevent crucial murder, I think.

Thank you for reading.

Getting on subway

Tonight, I watched a movie titled "Getting on subway" on TV for the first time. I've read the novel several years ago. Although I had known to make a movie from the novel, I didn't want to see the movie. Because the description in the novel was a full of nostalgic feeling, I had thought it would be difficult to describe the nostalgic world by film.

However the movie wasn't ruined by excess performance. The main character, Shinichi Tsutsumi, was very good with natural performance.
All of the sets looks quite cheap, but the story line was kept in an effort.

The theme for the story is something feeling continuous everywhere, it's linking even from past to present. The main character experiences time-travels by subway, then sees the history of his father whose heart was screwed by the war.

After seeing this movie, you might feel that you know nothing about your dearest family and friends. And, you might feel that it's not so bad to talk with your dearests about each other's past.

Thank you for reading.

Shinsei Bank

Why does Shinsei Bank take a change for the worse?

When I opened my account with Shinsei Bank, the number of online free fund transfer service was without limit.

Then, the bank suddenly decreased the free number to 5 times a month from unlimited.

After a brief interval, the bank announced that the average of the number which general customer use the service was 3 times a month. For the reason, the bank decreased the free number to 3 times a month from 5 times a month.

You want to know what happened next?

Shinsei Bank decreased the free number to 1 times a month from July. But it will be 5 times a month if you have a deposit of 2 million yen until the end of previous month.


Um, I understand why the bank wants to change to the service based on customers' transaction balance. However, it is too self-centered demand, isn't it?

I guess I might change my main bank account to Sony Bank.

Thank you for reading.

The Ainu

Recognition at last for Japan's Ainu

BBC News reported: Japan's parliament is to adopt a resolution that, for the first time, formally recognises the Ainu as "an indigenous people with a distinct language, religion and culture".
In a nation that has always preferred to perceive itself as ethnically homogenous, it is a highly significant move.


Above expression is very sarcastic, isn't it? But it is true that the Japanese prefer to perceive that we are ethnically homogenous.

Do you know a book of children's literature titled "Whistle of Kotan (Kotan no Kuchibue)"? This is a story of young brother and sister who are the Ainu people deeply distressed by bullying of race discrimination.

I read this book when I was 11-year-old. It was a bit difficult for me at that time, but I could understand at least what race discrimination was. And I noticed majority rule is not always justice.

After reading the book, I had doubts about Japanese history. Why did the truth of Ainu history eliminate from text book?

I heard a lot of people said Japan is homogeneous country on the TV, many many times. Even at the school, teacher said the Japanese people have specialty based on homogeneous society for thousands of years. I used to argue against teacher on each situation.

I am into issue of Tibet because Japan has same history of China. Japan shouldn't have divested the Ainu of nature and culture. It was historic resolution that Japan's parliament recognise the Ainu as an indigenous people with a distinct language, religion and culture. Thinking of all they've lost before now, it was crucial misguided policy. But better late than never. It is toooooooo late though...

To find a way to coexist with nature, Japanese people have a lot of things to learn from Ainu's spirit and culture. I love this spirit of the Ainu: "Everything you have is not owned by you."

Thank you for reading.

brain death

My next theme of bioethics assignments is about the problem of brain death and organ transplants. This kind of issue is over my head.　And my English skill is not enough to write this theme. I'll write a little part of my thinking.

Checking for the heartbeat, the breathing, the size of the pupils(doukou), a doctor decides the death of a patient.

However, even if the patient's lungs or heart doesn't work, it is normal to keep them working by medical instruments. And, in that cases, the doctor or the relatives assume the patient is still living.

But, in the case of crucial brain damage, even if the patient's lungs and heart still work well by medical instruments, the doctor can assume the patient as brain death. Because every organ is controlled by the brain. So, brain death could be equal to the end of organism. The relatives will be forced to make a decision when to stop the medical instruments.

In the case of brain death, the body can become resource of other patients who suffer from organ failure. Organ transplants is the more fresh, the better. It will be too hard for relatives to accept brain death and organ transplants at the same time.



As for me, I refuse any life-sustaining medical treatment. And I don't care what happens to my body after my brain death. It is OK to feed my body to hyena. I would rather be eaten than be burned. I want to be sort of nutrition in nature.

But I never ask my family to do that. Because I know nobody accepts my thinking. It is far from our custom and culture. So, it must be to respect the will of the surviving-people. Only surviving-people have to get over the grief. It doesn't any matter what the dead thinks in his/her living.



Get back to organ transplants, the most important thing is what the bereaved family want to after the brain death of their family. In our custom and culture, still there is a important meaning in the body of the dead. For the family, the body is not resource.

Thank you for reading.

greeting

My host-family Brenda gave me an e-mail, so I wrote back to her today.

Hi Brenda and Colin.

I'm really glad to hear what you have been up to. And my birthday was a week earlier than Clair's. Thank you for greeting for my birthday.
I'm fine, and get course credits at a steady pace. And I keep a diary in English with a goal of 100 days. (Although I've been writing for 83 days for now, I cannot say my English is getting better. Never mind! This kind of things happens all the time.)

You all had a good time with Claire in the three-day weekend. Good for you! I remember you and Claire enjoyed scrabble sometimes. I was extremely terrible at the game, but Claire was a good competitor of you. Don't you remember that you asked me to use my electric dictionary when you two could not seek a proper word in the game? I was a bit happy you asked me:-)

And,Great!!! you started learning how to play golf! I remember your saying that you might start golfing to have MORE time with Colin. You are as active as ever, aren't you! I know Colin is a good coach of you. Colin let me play golf at the neighborhood golf course. I like driving-shot but hate putting-shot, so I tended to be in a bad mood on the green, but Colin was very patient and kind to me. Please let me know again when you had a debut game. I wish I could play with you all. I'd really like to do that...

A few weeks ago, I watched a TV show which featured Cotswold. I recognized the river, the villages, the hills and pathways. Those lovely sceneries soften my heart. But I was really missing you while watching the show. Although I love every scenery, I wouldn't like to visit there again if you weren't there. I think these places are special for me because of loving you all.


Anyway, you have some guests in weekend? It will be another busy weekend again. I wish I could help you in the kitchen. During my home-staying, a lot of your friends visited your home. I remember all of them so well. They all were very nice to me! And I learned a lot from you what hearty hospitality is. Do you remember that Allan and Barbara sent me a tea cloth for my good serving? In my room, it still has been hooked.


It is almost one year after devastating flood. I worry about English weather this year too. Hope everything goes well with you. See you soon!!

Lots of love xxx
Yuki

Thank you for reading.

personal comments

I've read an interesting blog article by a professor teaching English at the University. He got very upset about his student's net-surfing in his class. He tried not to use the Internet in his class, but it didn't work out. He also suggested his student not to attend his class if they just want to get course credits without any willingness for learning.

I deeply understand his feeling. It's absolutely stupid to spend tuition money to do net-surfing or doze off. Why can most students spoil the money that their parent provided? Much much better earn money by yourself than spoil the tuition money for granted. It is no use taking only a college degree today. Now you are a full grown adult. Find a job right now if you do that!

However I can't say only the students are wrong, because the professor might have been doing sleep-inducing lecture in his class.

When I started studying English in the junior high school, my teacher was a native English speaker. Thanks to her, I created interest in English. She showed us how much fun English conversation was.

However in my second year, the teacher was changed to a Japanese man whose pronunciation of English was super-horrible. I dropped interest in English at all. During school trip in Kyoto, the teacher tried to talk to travelers from abroad. Guess what? His English didn't get through to them at all. In addition, the travelers asked him what he wanted to say clearly, the teacher couldn't catch what they said! Despite the fact that some students guessed what the travelers said!!!

Of course the teacher seemed disappointed. However we didn't really care about that. More importantly, all his students felt really miserable. Why would we have to be taught from this man??? We were his victims, weren't we?


Almost all the students just had studied English to get high score in the entrance exam of the University. The professor I read his blog must notice that kind of student's backgrounds. His student might think his normal lecture is as boring as high school English class. And to make matters worse, they don't want to study English as having no entrance exam any more.

So, I think he have to make a class more enjoyable,first. Before kicking against the pricks, it will be better that he shows his students how fun English conversation can be at any cost.

Thank you for reading.

Shunsuke

Now, the referee blowed the whistle for half-time.

Japan scored two points in the first half!! Good job, Nakazawa and Ohkubo!!

Japan can not afford to lose tonight. To win at an away game is much harder than at a home game.

My favorite player, Shunsuke, has suffered his leg injury, but he looks fine so far. He shows his strong will to win.

Now, it starts the last half game of a qualification match against Oman. Go for it, Shunsuke!


PS

The game is over!
Wow, Shunsuke got a goal in several minutes of the second half!!!

You did it, Shunsuke!!!
Your right leg is also great as well as your left's.

Don't say he is only free-kick specialist, any more!


Under Troussier coach, he was not selected as a member of Japan's national team. I was very shocked at that time. But he said the experiences made him grow up strongly, he noticed he was arrogance until that moment. He knew that if he has not that experience, he keeps thinking he was superior than other players. Yeah, he is right. If he had a kind of that feeling, he could not have become a great team player. I'm really glad Shunsuke became the biggest star of national team.


Japan has an away game in Oman on June 7. The announcer said the temperatures in Oman have reached 40 degrees centigrade recently. Have no fear! Hold on,Japan!

Thank you for reading.

no sense of the sacred

I got an e-mail today from a German traveller,Chris. He plans to land at Narita Airport on the 8th of June, and he said he needs help for some details. So, we will keep in touch.


Anyway, for the sake of the 49-day Buddhist memorial service of my great-aunt, I went to buy incenses to offer it to the altar.

There were many kinds of incenses. For example, slight-smelling incenses, non-smoking incenses, a kind of fruity-smelling incenses and so on. And if you want to make it look better, there are also gorgeous boxed set of paulownia wood.

To my big surprise, there were some electric type incenses such as LED illumination. I knew there are electric type candle, but I didn't know that.
To burn incenses could be source of a fire, so I understand why they sell that sort of thing. However incenses are burned for cleansing of the soul and the atmosphere. Although I can say it is rational, there is no sense of the sacred.

When I was child, my grandma taught me how to light incenses. I remember I tried to wave my wrist quickly to extinguish the flame. But sometimes they were keeping burning, I tried to blow them out, then my grandma said to me "Don't do that."
If everyone changed to the electric ones, that kind of scenes will disappear in front of the altar.

The salesclerk said the electric type incenses were selling well recently. Um, times have changed.

Thank you for reading.