Amendment of the Japanese Constitution

Dear friends, honestly, I don't want to talk about this topic at 2:00am after work...
But I'll do it for the test.
Somehow, I suppose it may be good for me, a stupid girl who are interested in only fashion & Karaoke, to think about some serious issues about my country even for the test. They are important topics!

Should Japanese constitution be amended? If so, how?

It has been about 60 years since the Japanese constitution were enabled.
How the world has been changing is obvious, so I think it should be amended some segments.

First and foremost, the ninth article. We should keep the "keep peace" philosophy of the main section, but the problem is the sub section. It says, "Land, sea, air forces, will never be maintained." However, we have the Self Defense Forces. Sometimes we have to cooperate with other countries for world peace by sending the forces, like combating pirates at the Somalia offing, or Iraqi war. We need to admit the Self Defense Forces are the armies, but just for the world & Japanese peace.

Second, some politics issues. I support of the idea of abolishing of the House of Councilors. There are too many councilors in Japan. We don't need to pay their salary & election cost. The House of Representatives is enough for us.
Also, the recent stagnation of the Japanese government reminds us that it may be better for us to elect our prime minister directly.

Last, because of the change of our life styles, we should add some new kinds of human rights in the constitution. For example, the right of living comfortably within nice environment, the right of keeping privacy, and the right of knowing information.

Our human rights should be protected by the proper constitution. We will keep the basic theories, but we can amend some parts depends on the change of our life style& thinking ways.

Rose Jam

When I had dinner at Sungari , a traditional Russian restaurant with my friends a few days ago, I ordered Russian tea as a dessert. The Russian tea is supposed be tasted with three kinds of jam. One of the jam was rose jam. When I tasted the jam, I said..."Wow!" The dishes at the restaurant were great, http://www.the-shinjuku.ne.jp/CONTENTS/MEIBUTU/SUNGARI/ but the best one for me was honestly the ROSE JAM!! (I'm sorry to say it because the jam was the only one that they don't make...)

I had been wondering where I could get the rose jam.
But very coincidentally, I found the same one today!!

My hubby and I went to Kamishiro botanical garden which is near our condo.
There were some rose goods in the souvenir shop, and one of them was... the Damask Rose Jam. I decided to buy one with a little doubt. I didn't think I found the same one as I had at a fancy Russian restaurant...
But after I got home, when I licked it, I was sure this one was the same!!
http://www.yogurtson.com/Japanese/cts_shop/index_shop.html

I just love, love, love, the dedicate fragrance, rose taste, & faint sweetness!
Actually, I am writing this blog licking a few spoon of the jam...Phew, now it's 2;20 am!!
I know I'm totally addicted to the rose jam...
Fantastic!

Pirates in Somalia

Hello! Personally, I'm not interested in pirates in Somalia at all, (only pirates I'm interested in are "pirates of Caribbean", though...) but I should write about them for EIKEN...

Should Japan send maritime armed forces to combat pirates?

The international activities of the Japanese Self Defense Forces are always controversial issues because our constitution prohibits participating "wars" basically.
However, in the case of repressing combats in Somalia offing, I support the government's decision of dispatching maritime there.

Recently, many ships from various countries have been attacked by pirates around Somalia offing. The Japanese vessels were also attacked by them. This is a serious situation, and we need an emergent solution. We should be corporate with other countries to take care of this issue.

Sending maritime armed forces helps not only to combat pirates, but also prevent crimes. Many countries, like Russia and Korea, the national forces escort their own countries vessels. That is a great help for vessels, and we can prevent to pay expensive ransom to interrupt pirates' attack.

Pirates are like well-trained soldiers. To face off them, we need proper well-trained maritime. That may be only solution to confront pirates. The Somalian pirates have enough weapon and human resources. If many countries can send maritime, that would be a great threat for them.

To protect the Japanese national interest, we should send the maritime armed forces to Somalia offing.

Voting right for foreigners

Should foreigners in Japan given voting right?

Weather we should give voting right foreigners or not has been a controversial issue in Japan for a long time. However, many countries all over the world have already opened it to foreigners, like Belgium, Korea, or New Zealand.
I support the idea of giving it to them because of the following reasons.

First, the Japanese constitution says the voting right is one of the fundamental human rights. The interpretation depends on the person, but I believe we shouldn't limit it for natives. There are many foreigners who have lived in Japan for a long time, and become an important role in the community. For them, the voting right is the significant right to be given.

Secondly, the decline of the Japaneses interest for politics. The rate of voting has been declined. If the foreigners are interested in participating elections, we will get meaningful ballots from them, adding the native votes.

I'd like to mention about Koreans who were taken from their country to Japan when Japan tried to make Korea a colony. Some people said we shouldn't give voting right for them because they originally didn't want to live in Japan.
However, whatever the reason, they still live here in Japan, and had assimilated the community. Therefore, I think we should give them voting right to treat them fair.

Because of the recent progress of the globalization, many cosmopolitans have lived in the countries where they were not born. Japan and other countries should accept the fact, and treat them fair.

Thank you letters

The graduation season is coming in Japan!
Some students should leave the school, and I also should "graduate" some kid classes for some reasons.
Therefore, I should say good-bye to some students today.
I got some thank you letters from them.
THANK YOU very much!
Spring is always the season of good-bye and encounters,
I'm looking forward to meeting my former (already)students someday, again, and having new students in April.
Good night!

Make Drama

Yeah! Congratulations!!
Japan won the final of WBC!!
WBC official Web-site gave applause to both Japanese and Korean team, "It was one of those games for the ages that will certainly grow in proportion with the passage of time." I quite agree with that!
The game was completely thrilling more than any other fictional stories.
As a Japanese baseball charisma, Mr. Nagashima used to say..."They made drama!"

I was off today, and went to Kichijoji to have a hair cut, massage, and longer eyelashes;)
In the hair salon & a Thai restaurant which I had lunch, I gazed at my cell-phone TV.
In the 8 inning, the phone's battery was going to dead.
So, I watched TV in the street, standing in the cold weather, with almost 50? excited people.
Amazingly, our team won!

...And fortunately, I got 70 eyelashes on each eyelids.
See you tomorrow!!

Child care for men

Congratulations! The Japanese team won the semi-final of WBC!
On the delightful night, I'm going to write my essay for a test, still...

Should men spend more time for child care?

Our life style has been changing because of the improvement of technology.
For a long time, women are the ones who took care of children. However, I think men also help taking care of children to reduce women's burden & feel happiness.

Recently, many women have kept working after marriage. Still, many working women are taking care of their children more than the husbands. However, it is very hard for mothers to manage both. Men also try to take day offs, not to do overwork to help the mothers. Of course, the employers should encourage the fathers to do that for their children.

Until a few decades ago, many couples lived with their parents. So, there were many people who could take care of children, However, nowadays, most families are nuclear family, especially in big cities. Taking care of children with "a little" help is a heavy burden for mothers.

Additionally, it is very important for children to spend more time with their fathers.
They learn female virtues, like generosity & thoughtfulness from their mothers. They also can learn strength & responsibility from fathers. The balance will help the kid a lot to grow better.

I think many men want to take care of their children more, but the circumstance has not arranged enough yet. The employers should encourage them to spend more time with their children.

English as official language

Still, I'm writing a boring essay for my study...Sorry!

Should English be used as an official language?

In Japan? No. It is obvious that English has been used as the international language worldwide. But it shouldn't be an official language in non-English native speaking countries because of the following reasons.

First, simply, the problem of the process. We should change the signs, textbooks, manuals, public papers, from Japanese into English. Think about the cost! Also, what if some teachers or civil servants don't understand English? It's just unrealistic, and it will take too much time and process.

Secondly, we will lose our dignity and important part of culture. The Japanese language has been made by us, people who know Japanese ways of lives and culture. The Japanese language itself is the representation of our culture, and we shouldn't lose it.

Finally, the maintain of the expression of our character. The Japanese language was formed by our character. Even though the words describe the same meaning, English and Japanese are different to express. The Japanese language epitomize our humble, shy, and diligent characters.

We have necessities to study English to communicate with international people, but it doesn't mean we can lose our dignity. Keeping using the beautiful Japanese, we will be assertive in the international world.

English teaching by natives

Should English be taught at primary schools by native speakers?
( How are you? I had a great holiday today & have tons of things for updating the blog.., but let me write this serious essay for my study! You don't have to read it, honey, I don't want to waste your time...)

When we learn a foreign language, we should learn it from native speakers someday.
However, as it for children, I believe they shouldn't. When they learn English in Japan, I think the Japanese teacher can help them at the best.

First, the Japanese teachers can understand completely what the children are saying. So, they can manage for accidents. Because they are kids, sometimes they start to quarrel or have an accident during the class. In those cases, Japanese teachers can manage perfectly by using Japanese.

Next, Japanese teachers know what children might struggle. Because of distinctions between Japanese and English, they understand which sounds, grammar, or writing are difficult for kids. Therefore, they can teach the kids effective ways to learn English.

Finally, they know the Japanese characters, so they can remove the children's struggle in academic aspects & mental aspects. For example, Japanese tend to be shy to speak out first. Many of us don't like to be outstanding or competitive. We like to be supportive. Japanese teachers can teach English by games which be considered that Japanese characters.

Learning by native speakers has also advantages, but children will get those benefits I mentioned above from Japanese teachers. It will be a great help for children to learn Japanese teachers who have already experimented to learn English.

Stimulus

Since the new semester will start soon, many kids have been applying for my English school to be new students. We have to talk a lot with them. When I talked with Ruriko, who is 8 years old, I was amazed.

When I asked her, "What do you want to be in the future?", she said.
"I want to study abroad. And then, I want to be a teacher in America."
"...Wow! A teacher in America! Why do you think so?"
"Well, the first time when I read an English book, I was 6 years old. I thought English was really interesting. Then, I visited my uncle's house who lives in Los Angels. I talked with an American girl, and she understood my English. I was really really glad about it! I had wanted to be a teacher in Japan, but after that, my goal was changed to be the one in America!"

...Wow!! I was amazed how international experience stimulates a child's dream.
Also, even just reading English made her VERY interested in English, and she didn't forget that.

...Parents, your kid may have surprising possibilities, too!!

Relationship

It hasn't been a good day, today. (It's already March 19th tough, I'm talking about 18th.)
It's not only because the Japanese team lost a game at WBC, but also I got insane words from my student.

He was a new boy at 6-years-old class.
When I warned him not to open the window, he said to me, "Ugly pig!"
...So, I glared at him and said, "Hey, stupid kid! Do you know how your mother is bi×××!?" ...in my mind.

Most kids are adorable, but there are some kids who clearly need to be disciplined.
Actually, without exception, their mothers also need to be disciplined.
They are demanding, don't listen to our (the school's) convenience, and claim a lot.
The new boy's mother is a typical one. (Sorry for my severeness!)

...However, I warned myself.
If I keep assuming the mother is a bi×××& the boy is a naughty kid, they never like me.
I believe the human relations are a kind of "mirror."
If I like him/her, s/he will like me.
But if I dislike him/her, s/he dislike me.
That person will have the same feeling as you have toward that person...

For each other's happiness, I decided to try to love them.
If I find their virtue and be sincere to them, our relationship will have no problem.
I like my job cause I can learn those things.
Even though I would be called an "UGLY PIG."
Hey, I have to tell him I am a girl, too...

Toastmasters, again!

Tonight was the night.
Finally, I restarted the activities of the Toastmasters!
Toastmasters is a worldwide organization to practice speeches.
I joined the club in Lafayette when I was in America.
I loved the club and wanted to transfer to one in Japan.
However, it has been one year to settle down my new life and finally, I visited their meeting, today!

I visited the Key Force Toastmasters Club at Omotesando.
For me, it was weird to see all of the Japanese delivering English speeches and discussing them.
Some of them were half Japanese & half American or something...
So, they are as well as native English speakers.

I started to learn French, and joined the Japanese Toastmasters, finally...
Since I came back to Japan, gradually I have become to be active as I wanted.
Hopefully, I want to be MUCH more active, though.

English in primary school

Should English be taught to primary school children?


Many Japanese people say children should learn Japanese, our official language, first, other than English. However, I believe there are many benefits for Japanese to learn English when we are young. Here are the following reasons.


First and foremost, the increase of children's interest for the world. To learn English is to learn the western culture. The English rhyme and vocabulary will make them interested for another culture which is very different from Japan. Especially, meeting a native speaker will be an impressive experience for children. I think those unique learning will make children well-rounded people more.

Secondly, the expansion of children's possibilities to be bilingual.
Kids' listening abilities are excellent. The younger they are, the more they can mimic the original sound. To start learning a foreign language early effects a lot on people. If they will be able to speak fluently in English, they don't hesitate to compete in the international world. To have such people more would be the national treasure.

Thirdly, the reduction of English learning refugees. Many Japanese believe "I'm not good at speaking English at all." I think it's because their bitter memory in junior high. When they started to learn English in junior high, they were forced to cram the grammar matters. If primary school children can learn English, the class will be fun because kids' foreign language classes should have a sense of "game." So, they will get like English!

English is still the international language. Therefore, teaching it to children will be benefit for the future in Japan, domestically and internationally.

Uh... I'm depressed by two things.
One is my weakness of will. I "swore" to write essays for EIKEN everyday, but I can't!
The other is my poor writing. I need a tutor!!

Big game, Big dream

As you know, the Japanese national team defeated the Cuban team at the WBC this morning (as Japanese time.)

One of my kid students at the 3-4 grade class, Yuta, whose father is a famous professional baseball player.
When I asked him, "Hey, Yuta! Did you watched the big game today?"
He said with an innocent smile, "Definitely! You know, Chapman, who is an ace pitcher at Cuban team, can throw a ball at 168 km per hour. Can you believe the Japanese team got him!? They are AWESOME!!!"
He was so excited that he run in the classroom.

When our topic sentence was "what do you want to be?" he said he wanted to be a baseball player with a shy smile.
Once the national team wins a big game, the success grow many children's dreams.

Go on, Japan! Make their dreams come true!!

Interview Seminar

When I participated in an interview preparations seminar for EIKEN, I found a scary fact.
It's too late to prepare for this profound interview after I finish the writing test!

The teacher, Mr. Yamanaka, gave us a list of 60 possible topics for EIKEN interview.
We should make a speech of it for 2 minutes. However, if I wouldn't prepare anything, I couldn't make a logical speech!
Additionally, the topics are economical, political, cultural, international...
For a girl who doesn't have a common sense like me, would be in trouble!

Therefore, I've decided to publish my essays (might be a speech script, too) on this blog, instead of my daily issues.
My blog would be more boring than usual, so I'm afraid if I take your time for this self-satisfactional writings. If you read mine, I appreciate it..but you don't have to!

Today, I'd like to write about the retirement.
Should mandatory retirement age be extended to 65?

I think we should extend the retirement age to 65 because of the following reasons.

First, nowadays there are many old (I mean, who are over 60, in this case) people. They are not like those who were the same generation at the time when the retirement age was decided to be 60. They are healthy, capable, and enthusiastic about working for a longer time. There is no meaning to waste such wonderful people to work!

Secondly, pension issues.
Because of the aging society with less number of child birth, they can't get their pensions until they reach 65.
How do people who are 60-65 survive without a constant income?
Under this unstable economy, it is wrong to force them to save money to get through the "lost" five years.
Let's get them to work & activate the Japanese economy more and more!

Lastly, the shortage of the labor.
Because of the less number of child birth, we will be short of the labor force in near future. To prepare the time, we need more people who can work.
I don't want to talk about only old people. But also women, too!
They also should be exploited as the precious work force.
However, in the reality, it is not easy to keep a job after they delivered a child.
We should work on how to arrange the system for them to work easier.
Not only the retirement issue. We need to establish the social system to work comfortably for all people.

See? I am too sleepy to proofread my essay...
It is a poor essay, but I should practice a lot!
"Forewarned is forearmed." Right?

"It" will come

When I was in the U.S, I had been struggling with communicating in English.
However, most of my international friends were learning their "third" languages besides English.
Why? Because speaking English was not so special, so they were trying to have a chance to expand their possibilities by learning their third languages.

In my case, I thought if my hubby transferred to a non-English speaking country, I would be in trouble! At that time, the countries he might transfer were English-speaking ones or French-speaking countries.
Also, I was interested in French culture (of course French fashion brand, too!,) so I started to study French. It was almost three years ago, I suppose... But studying French for me was a long long winding road.

Firstly, I thought I should learn it "in English" because of my English improvement.
However, basically, English books are not explained as well as Japanese books.
I had no idea what they are saying, especially grammar books.

Secondly, I bought French references "in Japanese" when I visited Japan.
It was easier to read them than English ones, but still, I couldn't memorize them at all.

Thirdly, I took classes. Fortunately, there were many language classes by international students in the city where I lived.
The teacher was very enthusiastic French young girl.
But, maybe since she was a native speaker & there were some intermediate students, the teacher run the class very fast.
I attended the class as possible as I could, but I was like a "robot" who just repeated what the teacher said. I couldn't understand at all.

Fourthly, when I took a class from an American girl, I saw a ray of hope.
She was a college student who lived & studied in French. She also had a hard time to improve her French, so she conducted the class slowly.
It was a suitable class for me, like a completely beginner. When I learned from her, I studied French the best in my life.
However, I had to go back to Japan, so I quit the class.

After an interval of one year, I restarted to study French at a circle in my condo.
When I restarted it, I was shocked.
I didn't remember what I learned at all!
I thought it was impossible for me to acquire French...
However, lately, I found a good thing for me.

When I took a model test of the fifth grade (the easiest one) of the French certificate examination, I found myself passed the test.
It is still very hard for me to communicate in French, but from my memory when I was studying French in the U.S, I could have correct answers of the test!

I have been a "refugee" of French studying.
Some of my students are "refugees" of English studying.
However, now, I can say it to them.
"If you don't give up, you'll get something nice! "It" will come soon!!"

Life in a big city

I had dinner with my old friend, Masami, in Shinjuku tonight.
We went to a Spanish restaurant which is at the 49th floor in a skyscraper.
Seeing a gorgeous night view of Shinjuku, we talked a lot.

What I was impressed was so many people entering the building to have dinner on TGIF.
It was an usual scene in Shijuku, but I turned my thought about the life style.

I think I love being in a big city.
Because I can choose where I am. Which restaurant I go, which company I belong to, even which friend I hung out. Too many options might bother me. But as I get older, I know what I really want better.

In the biggest city in Japan.
Maybe the most comfortable place for me to live.

Woman's Worth

When I worked at the Labor Standard Bureau as an official, I had never felt I had an advantage of being a woman. I also didn't have a disadvantage as the point of welfare, but there were some stubborn guys who looked down women.

However, after I quit being an official, I got to know there were some jobs which had advantages of being a woman. And I like that.
When I was a wedding emcee, there were some fascinating guy emcees.
But still, many clients said, "We prefer a woman as an emcee."

Actually, the same thing can be said in the world of English education.
Generally, female teachers are gentle, pleasant, good at talking & English pronunciation.
At my school, the head teacher & foreign teachers are male.
So, recently my schedule is going to be packed with clients who said, "I would like to have a female teacher!"

Ryoko is a typical "madame" who lived near our school. I mean, in the gorgeous area.
She is always wearing branded clothes & having a luxurious label's purse, like Prada or Hermes.
Because my schedule was appointed by my private students, I told her that Toshi would teach her from April.
But Ryoko said, "Oh, no! I know Toshi sensei is a good person, but guy's voices are hard to catch. I prefer a female teacher, and I have enjoyed your lessons.
Please change the schedule as possible as you can."

It must be hard, but I didn't feel bad. I was requested!
I love having a job with advantages of being a woman. Maybe it's because I can enjoy being a woman, too.
Any problem?

Outrageous Tragedies

Before I went to work, I watched a movie as well as last week.
It was Changeling by Clint Eastwood.
While I was watching it, my breath was taken away many times.
It was just...very shocking movie. Very shocking story.
I don't want to talk about the details of the movie because probably some of you ( I believe not many people read my blog, though) will watch it.
However...I felt outrageous for evil people & organizations that are taking people's common happiness unreasonably.
The incident in the movie was a typical one. However, unfortunately, there are numerous such cases are happening in the world.
I can't forgive people make that happen, especially for children, who are small, weak, and not mature.

...Thinkig about it, I taught kid students. They are really adorable, truly...
Even thought some of them kicked & punched me...

Heartbeat

7:00pm on Tuesday, is the time I can watch the "American Idol."
Lately, I've kind of forgotten about watching cable TV, but I just happened to remember this program.

American Idol was my favorite reality show when I was in the U.S.
The contestants' performances were superb & I could watch the young gifted guy's growth. There are some favorite artists from this show...like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Katharine Mcphee, and Jordan Spark.
Especially, I was fascinated by Katharine's performances all the time. I remembered I cast some votes for her on the phone. She ended up as a runner-up, but still...she is brilliant.

I love music, so all the time some pieces of music are "playing" in my heart.
The songs depend on the time. The hot songs of the year ( for me) remind me of the days.
Especially, the American popular songs at the time I was in the U.S, make me nostalgic.
For example, You don't know my name by Alicia Keys, Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson, Kisses don't lie or Umbrella by Rhiana, Big girls don't cry by Fergie...
Whenever I hear those songs, I feel nostalgic.
I know I had great experiences in America, but it is true that sometimes I felt lonely & unsecured in a foreign country.
However, I think I'm lucky to have the nostalgic feeling cause it means I know different culture.

I hope the next "American-Idols-to-bes" will create such music ringing in our hearts.

TOEIC teaching

When I was in America, I hoped to be an English teacher after I go back to Japan.
But not an "English conversation teacher" as I am now, but a "TOEIC teacher."
Why? Because I thought I couldn't speak English very fluently, so teaching for exam (TOEIC) would be suitable for me!

For some reasons, I chose the English conversation school to work.
But since a few weeks ago, I started to teach a TOEIC preparation class which was my first desirous class.
The class is a private class. The student is Hiroshi, who is a sales manager of a foreign-affiliated company.

Hiroshi is a very smart guy, but in fact, (I'm afraid to say, though,) I think he is one of the "English learning refugees." He has been our student for ten years, but his TOEIC score hasn't been over 700.
I have never told him about this, but I know why he hasn't gotten out of the situation.

Reason#1: his shallow home study.
Reason#2: his cynical character.
I ain't speaking ill of him! Not only him, but also many students are satisfied with "the fact" that "I'm taking English classes!"
To be able to use English as you want, you need to take your time to think, read, listen, look up words in dictionary, etc. You need to "tread a thorny path" for awhile!
But Hiroshi doesn't take much time to study at home.
Also, he is always saying, "These words are translated into those meanings? You must be joking!" or "I don't think this English conversation makes sense!" etc, etc.
Once I explain a lot, he is convinced. However, the cynical attitude prevents him to improve in his English, I guess...
Actually, flexible people tend to improve in a foreign language soon.
Because they are to absorbed in practicing soon while cynical people are complaining.

Anyway, Hiroshi is a really nice guy, truly...
I want him to break the ice ceiling which has been soaring over him ten years.
I mean, I want him to get over at least 700 of the TOEIC score!

Can I do this? The beginning teacher's challenge has just started...
First of all, I need to change his character! Can I do that, for real???

Weekend

On Friday, my hubby got home with smile & one magazine.
The magazine is Hanako, which is featuring Kichijoji.
Today, we went out with the magazine to explore the area!

We visited a Moroccan ethnic cafe to have lunch. We watched a major movie, The curious case of Benjamin Button, at a local theater. We cruised & shopped around there, and ate dinner at a traditional Yakitori bar, Iseya.

When I was a wedding emcee, I worked mostly on weekends.
Therefore, I didn't hung out with my hubby on weekends so much.
I thought it was OK because I enjoyed my job. My hubby also said it was OK cause he could spend his time care freely.
However, since we went to America & started to spend all the holidays together, we kind of miss each other if we are not together on weekends.

On the bus from Kichijoji to home, my hubby was sleeping beside me, because of having an energetic day. Looking at him, I felt like I was his mother.
On week days, we work. On weekends, we enjoy the time together to refresh.
That's common life style, but I felt truly grateful again today.

Self-satisfaction Shows

Every 1st& 3rd Saturday is French lesson day.
Maybe I can appear the class with a sweatshirt & jersey pants because the class is held in a room in my condo. It doesn't take more than one minute from my home!

However, I chose a black dress and a leather jacket to go there. After the class, I went out with my hubby. Where? To an appliance shop & convenience store in my neighborhood.
I was having a nothing-special-usual-weekend, but my clothes was not very casual.
Why? I just want to enjoy dressing better!

In a car to an appliance shop, we heard news about the Tokyo Girl's Collection Show. The show has been huge. Many popular models appeared, the tickets were sold out immediately. One of the reasons why it is so popular is that the audience can get cloths in the show via cell-phone during the show!

When my hubby heard the news, he said, "Wow! Those girls are STUPID!"
You know man, your wife is one of the stupid girls...
I completely understand those girls' feeling!

I know I am an married woman in my 30's. I know dressing the best (for me) is just my self-satisfaction. Whenever I do "self fashion show" at home to decide the week's coordinates, my hubby says, "who cares?"
Whenever I take my time to apply a make-up, he says, " Why didn't you cleanse your make-up if you have to take your time to put on it everyday?"

I know everyday is just my "self-satisfaction show."
But...I really enjoy it & fashion, make-up, hair-do stuff are incentive for me to live better.
Could you accompany with my self-satisfaction shows? Thanks.

Vigorous people

Today, my best friend visited Tokyo.
She is...my aunt! Her name is Kyoko, my mom's younger sister.
Since my mom and her have been so close ( they have called each other almost every day!) Kyoko is like my "another mom."
Or my "patron" maybe... Over half of my wardrobes were bought by Kyoko!
She has been a dietitian of a biggest hospital in Hokkaido.
After she retired, she became a professor of her alma mater.
The congress of dietetics starts tomorrow, so she came to Tokyo today.

Kyoko has lived almost twice of me, but she is VIGOROUS twice of me!
Now she has been busy with scoring new students-to-bes at work, but went to a open series of Nippon Ham's (her favorite team) baseball game last night, and flied here this morning. She hung out with me, walking in Shinjuku with heavy luggage all day today, and will go to Mito tomorrow to participate in the congress on Saturday and Sunday.
Monday, she will enjoy sightseeing with her friends in Moto, and goes back to Hokkaido late night. Then, from Tuesday morning, she is working at an university, as usual...

I don't think I can manage such a hassle schedule!
But her age is "almost twice" of me... (Yes, I'm repeating!!)
But there are many old people who are VERY vigorous...
If I can be such a person when I'm in her age, the life would be fulfilling!!

However, on the way to home, I was tired(even though I don't use my energy so much like Kyoko!) & drunk(even though I don't drink so much like Kyoko!). I was crouching in a train like a very fragile child...
Does it take time for 35 years to be like Kyoko, or I'll be getting weaker??
I don't know...

What I'm paying for

That was a small thing, but it represents "me."
Before I went to work, I realized I lost my bicycle's key.
The problem was; I kept the key and a spare key, together in my key case. The reason is; I am too lazy to keep them separately! When my hubby set the lock, he gave me a set of keys, and I had kept them as the way they were since then.
I SHOULD HAVE SEPARATED THEM!
If I couldn't find the keys, I have to change the lock!

I was anxious about that while I was working.
After work, I asked the condo's caretaker if they had my bike's key as a lost-and-found.
They said, "Wait a minute! I'm bring them."
So, I thought he had mine...but he brought a BOX of lost keys!
There were about 50 lost keys!! And, I didn't find mine.
He said,"Maybe, everyone has spare keys? They don't come to find them!"
Well, I was worse cause I lost the spare key, as well...

However, when I got home, I found my key on the floor rag!
Because of my laziness, I have been paying for such useless time, sometimes...

Full Speed Ahead

Before I went to work today, I went to watch a movie. ( My classes starts at 3:00 on Wednesday. Sorry!)
What movie? High School Musical 3!!
Actually, I intended to watch "Changeling." But the tickets were sold out, cause it was a discount movie day for ladies!

Well, however, High School Musical 3 was spectacular.
I watched the first & second one at TV in America, so I knew the actors were fantastic & lovable. However, watching it at a movie theater was different!
We should watch those inspiring movie at a MOVIE THEATER. I realized.

In the movie, the main character, Gabrielle, said.
"I had been at a full speed ahead in my life. So, now I think it's OK to take my time."
Wow! That's what I want to be inspired!!
In my case, I had taken my time, so...I want to be at a full speed ahead!

Thinking about it, I went to school.
Wednesday is like the "kids' day." For my kid students, and lately, not only them, but also other kid students... I'm like their toy.
They bumped me, patted me, and tickled me...
Some kids run into me at a FULL SPEED AHEAD!!
I hope they think I AM a teacher...

Leakage

On Saturday, we had blackouts. Surprisingly, four times a day!
Monday, when both of us got home, we found the electricity was dead.
We had contacted our condo's caretakers, and had a few tests...
Today, they found we had a leakage! One old big outlet caused the leakage.
I was relieved to figure out why it happened.
But now, I think myself is kind of leaking energy... I didn't take a nap today, and worked at home a lot.
Good night, friends! I need to charge energy for tomorrow...
I'll write messages tomorrow, Miki an Kunie! Thanks!!

Marriage Anniversary

Like many? Japanese, we have two anniversaries.
One is the wedding anniversary, when we had a wedding ceremony and reception.
The other is the marriage anniversary, when we registered our marriage at a city hall.
The later one is today. March 2.

Since we are not anniversary-lovers, we tend to avoid to "celebrate" formally at anniversaries. Let me look back our U.S. days...
When we had the 5th marriage anniversary, my hubby's co-worker (senpai) suddenly came to our town and we were like his tour guide.
Because our wedding anniversary is November 23, we "realized" our anniversary had gone when we were getting in line for Black Friday's sale, EVERY YEAR!

This year, we knew we had to work late today, so once we thought about celebrating on Sunday...but we talked, "Let's go home cause economy has been down!" like that, and ate rice curry at home. We just wanted to have normal day, maybe.

However, today, my last class's student canceled the class. That was very RARE.
I talked with my co-workers, and left the school one hour before the usual time.
When I walked in the VERY crowded Shinjuku station, one guy bumped me.
That was...my hubby!
It was such a surprising coincidence!
"It must be an anniversary miracle, mustn't it???" We laughed.

Whatever special or normal, usual or unusual... it's always grateful to have someone, who is be with us...right??

Personal Contact

Since I forgot the fact of "monthly movie discount day" was Sunday last month, I had decided to get the discount this month.
The movie we targeted was...Departures.（おくりびと）
As you know, the Japanese movie which won the foreign language film award of the Academy.

Because of the "Academy" effect, the on-line tickets of the major theaters were sold out. So, my hubby and I went to a theater (not a cinema complex,) in Kabuki cho.
I thought the theater is very traditional one.
There were several employees who wore suits, and guided us perfectly.
The guy at the ticket counter explained about the available theater when some costumers didn't get tickets there, and another guy told us where we could use restroom when the theater was really crowded.
When we entered the screen room, I saw (maybe) the owner who chatted with familiar customers(I heard what they were talking.)

I was impressed! Nowadays, huge cinema complexes are popular.
However, there is such a "theater" which cares for personal contact!

Then, the movie started.
That was a very nice movie as many people talked about.
Everybody is going to die someday, and how to use the limited time depends on each self.
However, I felt a big theme from this movie, and that was an universal one.
That was...the importance of family.
The life is limited, and we can't live alone. Who is going to be with you?
People who "will" stay with you, are really precious.
Also, except for family, we communicate with many people everyday.
Friends, co-workers, neighbors, costumers, "strangers", etc, etc...
Some of those personal contact could be VERY important for us.
Encounter can change your life... I thought, whenever I communicate with any person, I should be...how can I say, sincere.
Because I can affect any life, and any person could affect my life.

...I was thinking such a thing during the movie of personal contact, and in the theater which makes importance of personal contact.
...Let me go to bed to be ready for tomorrow's personal contact!
Good night!!
But...