Change the mode!

I just started my new career as an English teacher recently, so I have TONS of things to do. Preparation for classes, gathering students' personal information, studying English for myself, being familiar with my school system, getting information related to English studying, like STEP test, TOEIC, children' English certificates, and so on.

Especially, from tomorrow, the "parents' observation week" will begin! But I had a meeting with newlyweds today. I haven't worked so much as a wedding emcee lately, so I researched some wedding trends, information... That was fun! But I needed to change "the mode" from an English teacher. Additionally, I am a WIFE, so I want to have nice weekends with my husband. After the meeting, my hubby and I enjoyed shopping at Shinjuku and had a nice dinner. After I came back home, I rushed to prepare for tomorrow's parents' observation classes(especially, they are kids!!)...

It's not so easy to have different jobs & do household chores neatly, especially for me, such as a simple & lazy person!
But whenever I get flustered, I feel "grateful" at the same time. It's great I have a husband, and also great to have jobs.

Let's say it to myself again... And then, burn the midnight oil a little bit more to finish my preparation for tomorrow's classes!!

Family

This week, my parents (living in Sapporo, a northern city)and my parents-in-law (living near Nagoya, a western? part of Japan)had a trip together and this was not the first time for them. My father doesn't drive, so usually, my father-in-law drives for everybody. On the other hand, my mother-in-law visits Sapporo a few times a year. At that time, my parents (and sometimes my aunt also) entertain her.

When I decided to get married with my hubby, my parents were a little bit worried because my hubby was from western part of Japan. My home island, Hokkaido, is a kind of "new" area in Japan, so northern people are not so traditional. The culture is different from the "mother island" of Japan, so my parents were worried we might have some "gaps" in the future.

But eventually...nothing has to be worried! (maybe, I guess.) My parents-in-laws are really generous, warm-hearted people, so my parents' "worry" disappeared soon.They visited each other's home, traveled together (sometimes we accompany, but sometimes they go out alone), and send their hometown's specialities, etc, etc.
I have been happy to be with my hubby, but this great relationship among our parents has made me happier.

When I was single, I thought marriage's advantage was "to get a great partner."
However, after I got married, I noticed another advantage. That was "To make my family double!" I had great parents, a sibling, and relatives. But after the marriage, I got another great parents, sibling, and relatives(on my hubby's side) too!!

When we were in the U.S, two of our family members found cancerous tumors in their bodies. (God! Now they are OK!!) However, our families ( I include my family-in-laws) helped each other. That's why we could stay in America.

I know how marriage is wonderful (oh, I know it could be cruel, but in my case..,) so whenever I meet newlyweds through my wedding emcee job, I can say "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" from the bottom of my heart.

...Also, I should say...the reason I wrote this article is not because my father-in-law always read my blog!!!

New Soul

Just one and a half hour ago, a news program introduced a French singer. She was unknown, lived in a small apartment in Paris, but she wrote one song which became a big hit in the world. The singer is Yael Naim, and the song is "New Soul."
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=-YUxbDEPFiM&feature=related

If you listen to this song, you will say, "Oh! I know this song!" Especially in Japan, this song has been used a commercial song (of a car company? I forgot...)on TV.
When she started to sing this song, my eyes were caught by the lyrics. (They have captions.) Here is a part of the lyrics.

I'm a new soul came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit about how to give and take.
But since I came here
Felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake

I'm a young soul in this very strange world
Hoping I could learn a bit about what is true and fake.
But why all this hate?
Try to communicate
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make.

This is a happy end
Cause' you don't understand everything you have done
Why is everything so wrong

This is a happy end
Come and give me your hand
I'll take your far away.

When I started to live in the U.S, I felt almost the same way. After I came back to Japan, I felt this kind of feeling again. When one's circumstances changes, we tend to think in this way? Or, even people who live in the same place for a long time may think the same because the life is changing all the time.
I think it was talented of her to describe the "essential" feelings.

I don't want to be afraid of being "a new soul." If we keep challenging, we can still be "a young soul," I guess...

What I learned in the U.S. most was "people are the same regardless their age, cultural differences, sex, religion, and so on." Of course we have many "variations," but the principle is "Do others as you would have them do to you."
When I found myself feeling the same way as my friend who was from another country, I was glad to find our "common part." Today, I was remind of the feeling. When I noticed the lyrics, I was surprised how same as I felt (of course I couldn't write lyrics, though.) And I LOVE to feel this.
How we can share this lovely feeling??

To study English!!! Because English is the international language!! (New Soul is written in English, too!)

I look like...

The class that I 'm under the tension most is 1st & 2nd grade of elementary school students' class. There are just two girls in the class, but one of them is on the "blacklist." The one, Miho, is like a...queen. She is always late for the class, without any excuse or apologizing. She is very good at speaking English, so she doesn't allow to lose any game by the other girl. Oh, basically, she never smiles.

At my first class, the "queen" ordered me a lot. " You skipped this part. Do it." "Emily (my preceding teacher) didn't do that. Do what Emily did." " I don't like the game. Change to another one." etc, etc... In addition to, the queen (Miyuki) often whispered to the other girl. I guessed she said, "Is this teacher OK? I hope Emily comes back soon!" I had heard her mother also favored Emily. So, when the mother heard Emily would quit the school, she complained a lot to our school.
The queen got me nervous, and also the invisible"emperor" (the mother) got me nervous, too. I sweat, and brown-nosed the queen to make her comfortable.
At the first class, I was like her... "slave."

However, in the second class, I prepared perfectly. So, the "queen" seemed to be satisfied. However, she still whispered to the other girl.
I dared to say, "What were your talking about?"
The queen smiled at me for the first time.
"Want to know? I said, Keiko sensei looks like Edo Harumi!!"

What...!? That's it!?? I thought she criticized my class!!!
However, the queen was just a "child."
"Sorry for saying that! But I has been thinking that since I saw you for the first time!!"

Actually, I has been said so... When I had a training of our school, I was unconscious to do "Goooooooooood!" when I practiced demo lessons. Just after I came to the school, I don't know why, but my co-worker rumored "Keiko was an instructor of a manner school (that's what Edo Harumi did)" Well, I was an instructor of a DJ school!" However, other teachers have had fun to say, "Do you know it? Our new teacher is like Edo Harumi!"

Miyuki said to me, "Keiko sensei, please mimic Edo Harumi!"
I WAS her slave, so..."Your English is GOOOOOOOOOD!!" I mimicked "the" face PERFECTLY. Miyuki was so satisfied and laughed loudly like a "common child."

Well, I'm not her slave anymore... but have I gotten my status?? Maybe, not...
Someday, I will be their "real boss!!!"

Proofreading

Some of my students has been working on self study programs. Those who really need to improve in their English use our original materials. Checking their homework is one of my jobs.

Last week, I proofread Mai's( when I refer to my students or co-workers, I use fictitious names. I shouldn't identify my school or students on my blog because we have to protect their personal information. Sorry!) writing. She wrote about her dream.
Today, amazingly...she memorized the corrected (by me) writing and presented it to me! I was amazed... She is a very busy pharmacist. But she has never been absent my class and always previews perfectly.

My company's entrance exams were really hard. I had several interviews, writing tests, and a demo teaching test. Also I had very rewarding trainings, so I think I am an eligible English teacher... But I said to myself, "My English is far from perfect!! Can I proofread her writings??" I know even some native speakers' proofreading are not trustworthy. However, however...

I should read my old writings which Sally proofread again. Sally was my tutor in U.S, and she is the "best of best." Well, before that... PLEASE, SOMEBODY PROOFREAD MY WRITING!!!"

Crazy!

Keeping a blog( diary) can be said "facing yourself." Fortunately, I can face most of my days positively. However, today... I don't want to say what happened to me!!

I am sorry, you share your time to read my blog. But I can't give you any good information or some help to you today...(Oh, I don't do that all the time, maybe)
Life is sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter. As you can't take just "sweet side" on your life, sometimes I can't accept my day. I just wish you will not have many "bitter days." If you can go to bed with peaceful mind, it is the best!!

Well, well, actually, why I'm getting angry is just a "very little thing." You may laugh if you hear the reason, so I can't write it here...

Thak you for listening to (reading) my complaint! Sleep well!!!

Experience

Since I became an English teacher, I had felt "thank, God! I am still alive!!" after the classes. Why? Because I get too tired!! I have so many different classes that I am confused with the outline of each class!!
But today, I felt... "Thank, God! I am grateful to get this job!!"

As I wrote on this blog yesterday, I had an urgent private student today. She is a dentist, and she wanted me to check her first English presentation at the congress. Her original script was really long & had technical terms a lot, but actually I had a kind of "confidence" of teaching her.

When I was in the U.S, I studied "how to make presentations" most. I took many presentation classes, and belonged to the Toastmasters Club( which is an organization to improve in speeches.) It was very challenging for me cause my English was not really good! However, my ultimate dream was "being an international emcee," so I just tried to participate in anything about presentations.

Today, I could tell her what I learned at that time. From the Toastmasters meetings, from the lessons of a speech therapist, or even from my " teacher of an emcee school" job(which was a long time ago.)

After the class, she said to me. "You are awesome! I never think about how fantastic it is to learn from a PROFESSIONAL!!!"
I have a thing for the word, "professional."

I have always thought "I want to return my experience to other people!" It means "to help people." Studying English takes time. Also, my U.S. days were not so gorgeous because I spent a lot of time to study English & learn English itself or presentations. But I believed, "this is my study term. After I finished this term, I will return my bitter days (experience) to other people as a job!!"
When I heard her words, I realized I fulfilled one of my philosophy.

However,,, speaking about a "professional," I became a "professional" just one week ago. Should I say that to her?? Of course not!!!

Oh, my God!!!

Today, my sister-in-law visited our condo & she bought us two sets of fantastic curtain! ( We had them, but the sizes didn't match our condo's windows.)
We had a great time, but... Now I noticed I couldn't finish tomorrow's classes preparation! The problem is that I have an "urgent" private student tomorrow. She (maybe, I don't know the student's name) wants me to check her presentation, but that is a VERY technical one (the student is a dentist)...I even don't understand it in Japanese... Can I teach the student??? I will try to read it again...

Good night!!

Choice

When I was a college student, my major was English literature. My major seminar's professor was an eminent researcher of T.S. Eliot and John Dann. I was not a good student, so I don't remember their poems... But one thing...I always remind of what the professor said often. He said, " You are making CHOICES everyday, like what you eat lunch, which book you would buy, etc. Sometimes it would be a big one, like which one you will get married, or what job you aim... Regardless it's small or big, your choices are making your life and yourself. Why did you pick that one? The reason is based on your philosophy. Your philosophy can be made by reading great literature." In my opinion, our philosophy can be made not only literature, but also any information we get, people you love, what you learned from your experiences...etc, etc.

When we make a big decision, sometimes we can't "choose."
What should we do in these situations?
1) You can't decide the one because you want to chose "both."
2) You want to chose "A," but situation doesn't allow you to choose "A."

I have experienced both situations. In those cases, I just decide "let it be." Sometimes we have to face "uncontrollable" situations. I may feel "invisible power" is working... I always say to my self the Japanese expression, "We can do what is humanly possible and leave the rest to fate."(人事を尽くして天命を待つ。）

Also, lately I have been strongly conscious of this. " I am choosing something everyday, but I also AM CHOSEN or NOT CHOSEN." as an employee, a partner, a friend, a nice co-worker, etc, etc.

We can't get everything what we want in our lives. So...what do you choose?
Are you eligible to be chosen by someone you like?
Life is the series of choices.

My Bride

Today, I and Jane (my condo) have our first visitor! That was Kunie-san.

Kunie-san was one of my clients. I was a wedding emcee of her wedding party. At her wedding, I remembered she always cared about the guests, and even stuffs(like me.) A bride is always "the lead role" of her wedding party. I remembered I was self-centered at my wedding (sorry, pals!!) But some girls can be really thoughtful even at her wedding. I have always been impressed with such girls. She was exactly great example. She gave me a very thoughtful thank you card after her wedding, and since then, we became friends.

She brought her adorable son. I gave him clothes when he was born, and she had him worn the clothes. He is almost one-year-old. It means... I could teach him if he comes to my school! My youngest student is almost two-years-old. I thought, "How does he react if I give him an English lesson?" Sorry Kunie-san, I tried to use him...

Anyway, I appreciate her coming even though she has to take care of a very young son. We talked a lot, and it was a very pleasant time. One of the biggest reasons why I love my jobs ( as a wedding emcee, and maybe as an English teacher) is I could make such a wonderful relationship with my clients( hopefully, my students, too.)

However...after Kunie-san left, I got a call from my school. I was asked to teach an "urgent" private lesson. I took on, but I was surprised after I got the student's materials. The student wants to be checked her presentation of dentists' congress... and that script continued to 11 pages & too technical to understand!!!
I can't understand even I read it in Japanese... Isn't it beyond my capacity!!??
We'll see...anyway, let me try my best!!

Peaceful Thursday

Compared to Wednesday, today's my classes were really peaceful...because I didn't have kids' classes!! I had three adults' private classes & one junior high school class. I talked a lot with one of my private students who is a college student. 　She said she didn't study English hard at school, but her mother let her listen to English CD a lot when she was a child. Therefore, her English pronunciation was really good!! (Maybe better than me.) I told her so, and gave her some pronunciation tips to improve more. She seemed really glad, so I was also happy. Uhhhh, goood! Adults students never say, "Hey! That's boring!!"

By the way, today, my co-worker, Bob had some parents-observation classes. He was really nervous & upset. But eventually, he said, "My (kids) students listened to me more than usual because they were concerned about their mothers! I could handle the classes better!!" Yeah! Congratulations!!
He has been working hard... My open classes are two weeks later. I have been still "groping" how to make good classes. But my dairy efforts make my better days in the future. Go on!!!

Bullies??

After the second day as an English teacher, I felt like..."I can't believe! I am still SURVIVING!!!"



Today, I had two adults' classes & three kids' classes.

I handled adults classes well. The students were working hard, very supportive, and listened to my advice. However, kids' students were... I felt like they were bullies!!

Four-year-old kids; Capricious. Sometimes they were adorable, but they became short-tempered soon... Six-year-kids;Rebellious. They want to assert what they want to do regardless my teaching points... Second grade students; Boastful. They want to show how they can understand English, so they ignore my teaching steps...

They said to me"I don't want to play this game! It's BORING!!"or "Emily ( the previous teacher) didn't do that! Do what Emily did!!" etc, etc...
I was like a SLAVE of them... Also, I was concerned about their "bosses" because I have heard some of their mothers(bosses) made some claims about our school...
I was like a very weak "bullied" child...

But don't worry! I was exaggerating☆　　As I, who wants to be an "expert of communication," it is a great chance to mingle with different generations!!
Kids are very STRAIGHT to say "bitter" things, but they are really glad to be asked about themselves. When I asked them about their dreams, families, or friends, they couldn't stop talking.

By the way... The Open School Day is coming soon! Their "bosses" will come to our school two weeks later... Wow! before that, I should become their real "boss" in my classes... I signed...

Time Management

I have lots of dreams(maybe more than I can handle in the reality.) So, I am supposed to do many things in a day... However, sometimes I feel like " I have done NOTHING today!!" I mean, exactly, TODAY is the day when I felt so.

Today is my day off, so I wanted to prepare for my classes. But what have I done? Mostly, household chores... Washing clothes & dishes, cooking( I will be busy tomorrow and day after tomorrow, so I cooked A LOT!!,) pressing, deciding what clothes I wear this week(is it a household chore? Yes, it is VERY important thing!!), ordering food( I have never ordered the food delivery, but I decided to do from this week,) and took my bike to a repair shop( I got a flat tire!! Someone did that when I parked my bike near the station. I can't believe it!!), asked my condo's caretaker about my package which had been missing( fortunately, the mystery was solved,) and I payed some payments at the post office...

Oh, have I done a lot today???

But I have done NOTHING for tomorrow's classes!! It's a problem!! But tomorrow, my first class starts 3:00pm. Gosh! I'm going to go to bed right now, and let me save my energy for tomorrow.

Have a nice day( I mean, tomorrow!!)

The Debut☆

Today...I debuted as an English teacher!!

Yesterday, I had been preparing for that a whole day. However, the problem is "Teachers can't keep teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, or teacher's guides." All teachers have to share those materials. Other teachers in my school are experienced teachers, so they prepared for the next class within 10 minutes after the previous class. But of course I CAN'T DO THAT!!

Yesterday, I noticed I had forgotten to copy some materials. I went to the school early, copy them, and imaged how to proceed the classes. I had a two-weeks-training for teaching. My school has some particular ways of teaching classes. We should follow the steps, and shouldn't skip or shuffle steps. The training was very hard, but very rewarding. I was grateful to have been hired by the school.

However...it has been two weeks since the training! I almost forgot the steps & flows!! Before the first class started, I wanted to run away, actually...

But... two private classes were canceled just before they started. From other four classes, I learned A LOT!! I want to write all of them today, but let me do that next time because...I WANT TO GO TO BED!!
All thing I want to say right now is, "Thank God, I survived!!" When we start a new career, we couldn't forget the "debut" day. Even I made some mistakes, I would like to keep working as long as I have a job.

Oh, tomorrow? It's my day off! Again, thank God!!

Preparation for classes

Tomorrow is my debut day as an English. (I have been my school, but I observed classes.) I have six classes to teach on Monday.
Kids;Baby, three-year-old, 3rd and 4th grade, and 7th grade grammar class.
Adults; Two private classes. The students are a physician and a businessman working a foreign-affiliated company.

I have been preparing for those classes all day. For adults class, I made some papers & made vocabulary and comprehension questions. For kids, even I drew some pictures (I am a AWFUL painter, though!!) and did some handicrafts( even I am naturally all thumbs!!) Actually I haven't finished everything...

Can I really teach all classes tomorrow??? Nobody knows...

Work

What is work? What is work for you??
In my case, my hubby is a breadwinner. So, I don't have to work if we don't spend too much money. Basically I am a homemaker. I may have a child, I may go to another place because of my hubby's transfer, or may care my parents someday.(Fortunately, four of our parents are having organized lives and very healthy, though.)
Therefore, sometimes I CAN'T work outside. However...in just my opinion... I think everyone(except for children, students, very busy moms, or the elderly) has to have a job at any rate. Everyone has his/her speciality. Again, it's JUST my opinion, but it is better that we should think about how we can use our specialities. Voluntary works are also good, but to get paid means different. We can have much responsibilities to earn money, it makes grow us.

My ultimate dream is " to be a professional, to help people, and to connect with people through my jobs." I always hope that my clients (students) think " I'm grateful to have Keiko!" and then, even after my work, if I can connect with them...that makes my life richer and richer.

I know I am not so clever, nor VERY energetic, but I want to chase the dream. Maybe I want too much, but I would like to be a very professional English teacher and wedding emcee.

That was my monologue, but I can hear my hubby is saying..."You want to work? Please do! Please be a breadwinner!! Please let me become a housewife☆"
.....That's NOT my point!!!!!

Japanimation

I had a looong training for new teachers at my English school. When I had a kids' English training, a trainer said. "For kids, anime characters are heroes. When you want to explain English vocabulary, you actually can't "explain" what is...for example, "friend" because our class language is only English. However, if you show two friends' characters from a famous anime, they immediately understand. You SHOULD be familiar with popular animes among kids to be a persuasive teacher!"

I see... After the training, I recorded lots of ANIME shows. Doraemon, Puricure, Brilliant-revolution, Shimajiro, Pokemon, Cryon Shinchan, Our little three sisters, Shilver soul, Naruto, Prince of tennis, Pastime King, Bleach, Anpan-man, Chibimaruko-chan,Gardian Character, （ドラえもん、プリキュア、きらりんレボリューション、しまじろう、ポケモン、クレヨンしんちゃん、うちの三姉妹、銀魂、ナルト、テニスの王子様、遊戯王、ブリーチ、アンパンマン、ちびまるこちゃん、守護キャラ。。）etc, etc...

Since Japanese animation is called "Japamation," there are LOTS of popular animation!! Actually, I took much time to watch all of them...
What? Do you think I should prepare for ENGLISH first?? I agree with you...

New Job

From next week, I will start to teach English at an English conversation school in Mejiro. I had been taking a training in May, and overlapped with my predecessor.
Today was the last day of my predecessor, so I went to the school to take over some issues. And then, after the work, we had her farewell party and my welcome party!

We went to Okonomiyaki restaurant. We were... four Japanese girls( two of us are teachers, others are managers,) one Japanese guy(our head teacher,) one American guy, and one Australian girl. I was wondering which language would be our official language when all of us were together?? It was...Japanese!!
Mostly we talked in Japanese, and two foreign teachers almost understood us.
Because I was surrounded by Japanese colleagues, I almost spoke in Japanese!

Additionally, we had to cook Okonomiyaki by ourselves, but Toshi, a Japanese head teacher, and Bob, an American guy, cooked everything for us. We, girls, were just talking & talking!!

What a relaxed start of my new job!!

Balance

I LOVE to sing trendy pop songs! My recent favorite artists are: Superfly, Jyongri, and Miho Fukuhara(福原美穂。）　Especially...you should check the Superfly's new album! It's sooo coooool!

MY SPECIAL favorite songs in the album are: Hi-Five! and Love and Appreciation(愛と感謝。）
I noticed the two songs were written about completely different philosophy, but I actually sympathize with two of them.

These lines are from "Hi-Five!"'s lyrics.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=_B50inY-r8c
Don't stop your challenging
Just strive for what you want to do if you have time to talk about life
Keep your hope alive
I am sure your dream is going to come true.
Fly to the top of the top!! Be the cream of the crop!!

On the other hand, they are from "Love and Appreciation"'s lyrics.
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=iy4EcdUNaog
I know instant satisfaction and pleasure screw us up
My life is not the best, nor the worst, but I don't want too much
I love you because you also don't want too much in the life

Which type are you?? Me? I always want to be aggressive ( like "Hi-Five!" girl,) but I understand what "Love and Appreciation" says. I know how erenity is also important for my life.
Am I incoherent?? But maybe, the BALANCE is the most important...

Cancellation

Jane(our condo) was supposed to have her first guest today. The guest, Kunie san, used to be my client. I was an emcee of her wedding party. But I had a cold, so I had to cancel the appointment!! Sorry, Kunie san!!

I wrote " I was a little bit depressed & felt really tired." on Sunday evening. When people feel down, the cold "catch" us... Ohhhhh, I was in bed all day.
Hopefully, I would like to be active tomorrow!!

YOU also please take care!!

Emcee Reunion

Today, I met some girls at my emcee office. Now they are taking child-care leave. They are busy moms... but today, we could meet a cafe in Shinjuku.

They are available only during morning. We met at a cafe at 10:30. There were just a few people in the cafe at Monday's morning... So, our uproarious voices viberated all over the cafe!

From next week, I will start to work at an English school. So, this week could be a "reunion" week☆

Emcee Training

Every Sunday evening, I go to my emcee office to have a training. Originally that is a course for those who want to be emcees, but incumbent emcees also participate in to brush up their skills.

I always want to be possitive, but everytime I go to this training, I feel down.
I restarted this emcee job after the interval of five years. My skills haven't fallen down because I practiced when I was in U.S, but they haven't gone up so much.
I practiced on my own ways at home, so there are some gaps between my boss's teaching and mine... I want to be able talk with many varaeties, but it takes time...

I know I can progress at my pace & "my efforts don't betray me." However, sometimes I don't "see" my progress and I feel really tired...

Maybe I should go to bed soon today!

As Scarlet Ohara said, "Tomorrow is another day."

Good night!!

KARAOKE

I have a favorite beauty salon in Kichijoji. I used to go there before I went to the U.S. After I came back to Tokyo, I restarted to go there. That beauty salon always provides me a hand massage for free. Before I went to the U.S, I had the massage mostly from different girls. Some girls talked too much & others didn't talk enough. Six years ago, I met one girl. She was very pleasant, cheerful, and talked moderately. She was a very young part time worker ( at that time, she was a university student) of the beauty salon, but she was a great communicator. I was impressed a lot with her.

We became good friends. After I went to the U.S, she often wrote seasonal cards to me. Not e-mails. She always chose traditional cute Japanese cards, so I could show them to my American friends.

Today, I met that girl, Saki, after an interval of five years!! She became a wonderful lady, but she was still cheerful & pleasant.
We went to a nice Italian restaurant in Shibuya, and talked, talked ,talked...
When we were having desserts, Saki said.
" You said " I will become a jazz singer!" before you went to America. How's it going?"
"Did I?? Did I say such a stupid thing? I wanted to learn singing jazz, but I can't find a teacher. I had a singing teacher, but she didn't like jazz. Anyway, I still LOVE singing like KARAOKE!!"
After I answered, she immediately said, "Really? So, let's go to the KAREOKE for now!!"
I was surprised but delighted. " OK, let's go!"

...Young girls react so quickly... I didn't imagine that.
Eventually, we sang a lot. I am always happy as long as I can sing & meet nice friends☆

When You're Gone

♪When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too♪

This is from lyrics of Avril Lavigne's song.

But in my case...
♪When you're gone
The pieces of my clothes are scattering
When you're gone
My face, oh I didn't wash it from the morning♪

I mean... When my hubby is in a business trip, I am always tooooo relaxed!!!
From Thursday, my hubby went to Utsunomiya city.
Before he left home, he said, " Aren't you lonely when you are alone in this new condo?" I drooped my head saying, "I will be OK, maybe..."
But actually, now I enjoyed this life☆ I don't have to cook, clean up & I can go to bed anytime...

Oh! Today is my hubby's birthday! I should call him!! But maybe, after my favorite TV show finishes☆

By the way, Yuko chan, thank you for entertaining me today!!

Our condo

Just after we(my hubby and I) came back to Japan, we bought a condo.
People say, oh no, "I" think, "buying a house or condo" is similar to "getting married."

When people get married, they need three important things. Timing, happening, and feeling.

When we were in the States, we sometimes talked, "Maybe we have to buy our place after we go back to Japan. We can't live in our company's apartment forever."
Let's say, it was "timing."

After we came back to Japan, the company's apartment we were assigned was very small &...noisy. The downstair room was a supermarket. We suffered for its noisy air conditioner sound all the time. Let's say, it was..."happening."

We went to open houses. We looked five condos, and...there was one new condo we fell in love. Yes, we had a FEELING!!!

Like ordinary marriage, you can't buy a "PERFECT" house (condo) unless you are perfect. In this care, if we are billionaires, we could buy any "mansion." But we are not. However, we found our suitable one!

Let me call it(our condo) Jane.
Jane, I know you are not perfect. We have to take time to get to the nearest station from you. When it is raining, it would be hard to ride a bicycle on a steep slope.
Jane, you are so big that it is far away from our room to our parking area.
However...
We love your greens. Your nickname is "green hill." You puts on make-up with lots of trees and flowers. We love taking a deep breath with you.
Also, we love your scenery. We hadn't lived in over second floor. Now we are in a higher place in you... so, we can enjoy your beautiful night view everyday!!
Jane, sometimes people get divorce, unfortunately. But I know we don't want to.

Hey, remember! When we get married, we shouldn't forget about people who supported us. Four of our parents supported us very much when we got married to Jane! But we have messed around recently, so we haven't introduced her to them yet!
WE SHOULD INVITE OUR PARENTS TO OUR PLACE, soon!!!

Hello, again!!

Hello, you! I know it has been a looong time to publish this blog... After the last article (it-the summer trip article- had already been out of the season, though), I left the United States, went back to my home country, went back to my wedding emcee job, and got a new job. I will work for an English conversation school! I will be an English teacher as I dreamed of!!

I wanted to see you guys, but I concerned about writing the continuous stories of my last summer trip. However, it turned out nobody cared about these;), so I just decided to reopen this blog casually.

From today, I would like to write an article everyday...if it's possible... I may not attach photos & most of my stories may have not "punchlines," sorry...
But remember! The main objective of this blog is... TO IMPROVE MY ENGLISH!!!
I know a very few people check my blog... Oh, it could be nobody!??
Well, well, well, it's OK!! If you have time, please listen to (oh, my mistake, "read") my "monologues."

Now, it's time to good-bye today... Wow, already!! My another object of renewed blog is " GETTING SHORTER!!"

Good night! See you tomorrow!!