Today, one of my friends, Kunie, came to my English school to have her baby take a trial lesson from me! Her baby is 2 year old. A year ago, when she visited my house, I gave him a demo lesson. Not for him...but for me, to practice teaching;) cause I just started to teach English then!
One year has passed & the boy, Shuto, became cuter & cuter boy. He was very active & smart... I was so glad to have them at my school!
A week ago, I got an e-mail from my former conversation partner, Stephanie, who still lives in Indiana, U.S.A. She said she got engaged! She also wrote, "I know it's been so long since I've written - but I always want to catch you up on what's going on here."
Kunie was basically one of my clients. When I was a wedding emcee, she was a bride. I mean, I conducted her wedding before. I wouldn't have met Kunie if I hadn't been wedding emcee, and I wouldn't have got to know Stephanie unless I didn't go to America. I LOVE the links between friends, and I appreciate having such nice friends...even though I've been reclusive & lazy lately. Love you!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
"Yes, my princess!"
Hello, you! How have you been???
I've been just...maybe jaded...no, just frustrated... I haven't changed myself & my life yet as the way I aimed for, that's why! But it's OK. Just keep trying to seize the day, everyday!
By the way, I delivered a speech at the Toastmasters recently.
The title was "yes, my princess!" I talked about my experience, visiting Western Butlers' Cafe in Shibuya. Somewhat I dramatized in the speech. When I went there first time, the one who accampanied me was not Eri, but Miki, who is my lovely friend!
I went there with Eri, my favorite co-worker, too, but not for "spying new English educational place" like the script says, but just for having fun. Also, there are some parts she didn't say. Sorry, Eri!
Let me update the script here. Since it has to be a humorous speech, I "acted" several characters. I separeted colors depends on characters.
Pink; Keiko
Orange; Eri ( our school's assistant manager)
Blue; Butler
Green; My husband
The speech was seven-minute-long, so, the script is quite long as well as my other speech scripts. However, if you have time or are intereste in...now, it's time to the show!
Good evening, fellow toastmasters and guests. Have you ever read this magazine? “How to master English FINALLY!” ( I showed "an an," published by Magazine House) I found a very unique article here. "Western Butlers’ Café!" The article says, “In this café, all waiters are young, handsome, loyal western butlers. They speak only English, so the café is VERY popular to practice English conversation.” I teach English at an English conversation school. I showed this article to our assistant manager, Eri, saying,
“This café could be our biggest rival! Why don’t we go there and spy what’s going on!”
When Eri and I entered the café, I found several so-called “butlers.” As soon as they saw us, they smiled and said, ”welcome, my princess!” in unison! I said, “Eri, are they kidding me? Princess!? My students tell me I look in around my 40’s, and look like Edo Harumi! I know I’m far away from a princess!”
After we had seats, a Japanese owner gave us a flyer. It wasn’t a menu. It was a list of things we shouldn’t do.
“Let’s see… First, please refrain from giving your personal information, such as e-mail address or telephone number to your butler privately. Second, please don’t ask butler’s personal information. Third, don’t take pictures of butlers unless you pay for the service!? Eri, how arrogant they are!? I don’t come here to eat them!”
However, when a butler came to us, my skeptical mood was almost changed.
“Hello, my princess. My name is Mark, from England. I am very honored to serve you today.”
“Keiko sensei, he is soooo handsome!”
“I know, Eri, don’t be so excited! We are here to spy them!”
( To Mark) “Hello, Mark. I’m Keiko, nice to meet you. Can I ask you what made you come here, Japan?”
“I came here to be a butler to serve you, princess Keiko.”
“OK, now I know you are so professional… Let me change the question. What did you do in England?”
“ I was at a university for butlers and trained to serve you, my princess. Here is special rose water for princess Keiko, and princess Eri. Oh, I love your dress, and nails. So beautiful.”
“…Wow! Eri, did you hear that? He said I’m beautiful!”
“Keiko sensei, he said your dress and nails are beautiful, not yourself! Come on! Rose water? Cheezy! Wow, good smell…”
“Eri, let’s order the food! Well, according to the notice… We have to ring the bell whenever we ask something!? Annoying!” (ring, ring, ring)
“Yes, my princess!”
…Not only Mark, but all of young handsome western butlers answered us, smiling. “Hummm…that’s nice. By the way, I need to go to a restroom. Excuse me, Eri!"
Then, Mark came close to me with a graceful move.
“My princess, let me escort you.”
“…Thank you…”
Ten minutes later, the English butler, Mark, came to us with a Russian butler, Francis, who was also especially cute.
“My princess, we have a surprise for you. Please close your eyes. One, two, three… Open your eyes!” (They serve us dishes)
“Wow! You wrote our names by a chocolate pen?? That’s very nice!”
“And, this is also for you, my princess.”(he puts a tiara on me.)
“Perfect! Now I feel I became a REAL princess!”
Remember. Our original intention was spying them. However, we were completely enchanted by their services. The butlers were very entertaining, but not too much. They didn’t interrupt our conversation, but they spoke to us when we had a silence, and always checked our tea and served the tea if the cups had less than half.
After I got home, I told my husband about their services. I said,
“Well, if I pay 4,000 yen to buy an original note with an European key, I can exchange messages with the butlers. Also, they lift me up like I’m a real princess and have a picture taken if I pay…2,000 yen!”
My husband was reading newspaper and said dryly,
“Do you know how decent Japanese call that kind of service? A host club! Come back to the reality, mom! I need tea right now!”
…Then, I realized. Most women are required many roles in this society. As an office worker, a wife, a mother, and a considerate female. In my case, I’m busy with teaching my students, listening to their talking, serving tea for visitors. At home, I have a big child whom people call a husband, and do every household chore even though I am exhausted. Sometimes we need someone who entertains us, and serves tea to be relaxed. I mean, someone who just says, “Yes, my princess!!”
...Did you understand??
Maybe you had no idea for some parts unless you "see" my performance itself.
Sorry for the unkind update! But, let me "update" myself here from now on.
I'd like to write articles often, hopefully.
Let me hear your update, too, buddies!
I've been just...maybe jaded...no, just frustrated... I haven't changed myself & my life yet as the way I aimed for, that's why! But it's OK. Just keep trying to seize the day, everyday!
By the way, I delivered a speech at the Toastmasters recently.
The title was "yes, my princess!" I talked about my experience, visiting Western Butlers' Cafe in Shibuya. Somewhat I dramatized in the speech. When I went there first time, the one who accampanied me was not Eri, but Miki, who is my lovely friend!
I went there with Eri, my favorite co-worker, too, but not for "spying new English educational place" like the script says, but just for having fun. Also, there are some parts she didn't say. Sorry, Eri!
Let me update the script here. Since it has to be a humorous speech, I "acted" several characters. I separeted colors depends on characters.
Pink; Keiko
Orange; Eri ( our school's assistant manager)
Blue; Butler
Green; My husband
The speech was seven-minute-long, so, the script is quite long as well as my other speech scripts. However, if you have time or are intereste in...now, it's time to the show!
Good evening, fellow toastmasters and guests. Have you ever read this magazine? “How to master English FINALLY!” ( I showed "an an," published by Magazine House) I found a very unique article here. "Western Butlers’ Café!" The article says, “In this café, all waiters are young, handsome, loyal western butlers. They speak only English, so the café is VERY popular to practice English conversation.” I teach English at an English conversation school. I showed this article to our assistant manager, Eri, saying,
“This café could be our biggest rival! Why don’t we go there and spy what’s going on!”
When Eri and I entered the café, I found several so-called “butlers.” As soon as they saw us, they smiled and said, ”welcome, my princess!” in unison! I said, “Eri, are they kidding me? Princess!? My students tell me I look in around my 40’s, and look like Edo Harumi! I know I’m far away from a princess!”
After we had seats, a Japanese owner gave us a flyer. It wasn’t a menu. It was a list of things we shouldn’t do.
“Let’s see… First, please refrain from giving your personal information, such as e-mail address or telephone number to your butler privately. Second, please don’t ask butler’s personal information. Third, don’t take pictures of butlers unless you pay for the service!? Eri, how arrogant they are!? I don’t come here to eat them!”
However, when a butler came to us, my skeptical mood was almost changed.
“Hello, my princess. My name is Mark, from England. I am very honored to serve you today.”
“Keiko sensei, he is soooo handsome!”
“I know, Eri, don’t be so excited! We are here to spy them!”
( To Mark) “Hello, Mark. I’m Keiko, nice to meet you. Can I ask you what made you come here, Japan?”
“I came here to be a butler to serve you, princess Keiko.”
“OK, now I know you are so professional… Let me change the question. What did you do in England?”
“ I was at a university for butlers and trained to serve you, my princess. Here is special rose water for princess Keiko, and princess Eri. Oh, I love your dress, and nails. So beautiful.”
“…Wow! Eri, did you hear that? He said I’m beautiful!”
“Keiko sensei, he said your dress and nails are beautiful, not yourself! Come on! Rose water? Cheezy! Wow, good smell…”
“Eri, let’s order the food! Well, according to the notice… We have to ring the bell whenever we ask something!? Annoying!” (ring, ring, ring)
“Yes, my princess!”
…Not only Mark, but all of young handsome western butlers answered us, smiling. “Hummm…that’s nice. By the way, I need to go to a restroom. Excuse me, Eri!"
Then, Mark came close to me with a graceful move.
“My princess, let me escort you.”
“…Thank you…”
Ten minutes later, the English butler, Mark, came to us with a Russian butler, Francis, who was also especially cute.
“My princess, we have a surprise for you. Please close your eyes. One, two, three… Open your eyes!” (They serve us dishes)
“Wow! You wrote our names by a chocolate pen?? That’s very nice!”
“And, this is also for you, my princess.”(he puts a tiara on me.)
“Perfect! Now I feel I became a REAL princess!”
Remember. Our original intention was spying them. However, we were completely enchanted by their services. The butlers were very entertaining, but not too much. They didn’t interrupt our conversation, but they spoke to us when we had a silence, and always checked our tea and served the tea if the cups had less than half.
After I got home, I told my husband about their services. I said,
“Well, if I pay 4,000 yen to buy an original note with an European key, I can exchange messages with the butlers. Also, they lift me up like I’m a real princess and have a picture taken if I pay…2,000 yen!”
My husband was reading newspaper and said dryly,
“Do you know how decent Japanese call that kind of service? A host club! Come back to the reality, mom! I need tea right now!”
…Then, I realized. Most women are required many roles in this society. As an office worker, a wife, a mother, and a considerate female. In my case, I’m busy with teaching my students, listening to their talking, serving tea for visitors. At home, I have a big child whom people call a husband, and do every household chore even though I am exhausted. Sometimes we need someone who entertains us, and serves tea to be relaxed. I mean, someone who just says, “Yes, my princess!!”
...Did you understand??
Maybe you had no idea for some parts unless you "see" my performance itself.
Sorry for the unkind update! But, let me "update" myself here from now on.
I'd like to write articles often, hopefully.
Let me hear your update, too, buddies!
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