Excitement of EVEs

When?
When did it disappear to me???

As I was a kid, I had excitement of having Eves, like Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve, more than the actual days.
On Christmas Eve, I loved reading a Christmas picture book.
On New Year's Eve, music lovers my younger brother and I, used to watching Red and White Song Battle (Kohaku Uta Gassen,) and Southern All Stars count down live.

Whenever I had the Eves, I had certain feelings. They were excitement of having special events, and nostalgia for the time had passed so quickly.

However, today, I spent time like one of my regular days!
Of course I'm in my parent-in-law's house, which is not my "regular," and I helped my mom-in-law to prepare the New Year's dishes...
But I also could study, and didn't watch the Year-end special TV programs so much.

Is it a good thing or bad?
Maybe not so good...because I just became desperate to look back my LAZY 2009, so I tried to study!!

See you in 2010!!!

Biggest News in 2009

My personal biggest news in 2009 is, actually...the fact that having nothing biggest.

My resolutions were passing the first grade of EIKEN, taking the perfect score of TOEIC, and passing the fourth grade of French certificate.
2009 should have been an intensive year for me, but as I look back this year, it has been even sluggish.
I just achieved one resolution out of three!!!

I could excuse. I had to go to hospital often this year, and unfortunately I got an adverse effect. It took a lot of time...but I can't deny this..."my motivation got lower than it used to be."
Why?maybe because I settled down in my mother country, Japan, got a stable job & our own condo, my hubby has been promoted, and our relationship has been firm & comfortable...

In other words, "I'm too happy to be hungry to make my dreams come true!!"
However, I shouldn't be so. Being happy & making an effort to get higher place can be compatible.

I really want to aim to become "ideal myself" everyday!
I would like to make this blog "the bridge" between "real me" and "dream me," which was my original intention of this blog, "dreamboat!"

Have a nice New Year Eve!!

English Learning Stylist

Last night, my hubby and I left home at 9:30 pm, drove on (actually, he ONLY drove) Tomei Highway, and got my parent-in-law's house at 2:30am.
Why did we go out so late? To avoid the traffic jam!
The congestion of Japanese major highways on busy seasons is terrible!
Fortunately, we had never been stopped by the congestion.

We are having a good time with my parent-in-law!
Also, this small town in Mie prefecture has become busier lately.
Exploring the town is interesting!

By the way, what inspired me today most was just a "page" on a magazine.
When I browsed "AERA English(English educational magazine for adults)" at a local bookstore, I found a new job title, from the introduction of a lady.
"English Learning Stylist!"
She (I forgot her name) was a beautiful lady who looked in her 30's.
She had been an English teacher at an English conversation school (like me,) and now her job is...what the title says.
She has kept her English journal for 19 years!!since she studied in America.
She wrote a book, "I recommend you to keep journal in English," and the book became a smash hit! The article said so.

Wow! I've kept my journal in English! But just for...three years?and "sometimes" I keep, "sometimes" I don't write.
In contrast to, she has never stopped writing English journal!!

I learned from her that if we continue something, we can get something worth to be a professional. Do I have a possibility to be "English learning stylist!??"
Before I dream of that, I should have my private students make their dreams come true, like getting a high score of TOEIC or passing EIKEN.
That's very hard thing for me!!!

News Resource

I said I started to subscribe "The Japan Times Weekly," but just after I applied for that, I found another English weekly newspaper.
"The Nikkei Weekly!"
I've read Nikkei for years, but I didn't notice the ad!
I applied to get the sample issue, and two papers were delivered yesterday.

Both papers look good! Which one should I continue to read? Can I keep reading two papers every week?
That's the question...

I also watched a video, "CNN Hero Award" today.
This awards are presented to many people, who helped physically challenged or people in poor areas. The presenters are gorgeous celebrities. Nicole Kidman, Eva Mendes, etc... The celebrities have also been involved in volunteer activities.
I really hope this award program will start in Japan, as well! We should!

I would like to, and I feel "we should" know what is happening in the world, how people help each other beyond the cultural differences, and keep myself "moved" by inspiring people.
To do so, which resource should I use? I'll do try searching the best one, next year.

Housecleaning!

Two major things to do at the end of year (in Japan) are...you know, writing new year cards and the general housecleaning!

I almost finished the new year cards stuff, so I cleaned my house today.
I washed the windows, cleaned the kitchen including ventilating fans and refrigerator, with...nobody.
My hubby had a bad hangover, so he slept all afternoon!

Yesterday, he sent a text message to me in the afternoon. It was written "I'm going to the end-year party tonight, so you don't need to prepare my dinner!"
Then...he didn't come back until 3:00am!

I knew he was a "decent" "grown-up," but I was worried about him.
He rarely goes our for a drink, and seldom came home so late without any mail or phone call.
If he was having fun, it's all right...
But, what if he was abducted by a mysterious syndicate, was tied with a chair, and tortured!?!? (You know, that exactly "almost never happens," though...)
I know I had watched American TV dramas too much, like "Heroes" or "Chuck," that's why I could imagine such criminal scenes! But why didn't he call me???

The reason was very simple, he had just been busy with many co-workers.
He came home past 3:00 am, not having been tortured. Just having fun!

He said "I'm sorry!" again and again, not only he didn't call me last night, but also he couldn't help me with housecleaning today.

But it's OK! Last night, I read an article about the U.S. president Obama, and went to bed, being worried about my hubby.
Maybe that's why? In my dream, my husband WAS the President Obama, and he apologized to me! He said, "I'm DEEPLY regretful that I didn't call you last night..." looking into my eyes.

One of the most powerful men in the world apologized to me on the behalf of my REAL husband!! Therefore, I completely forgave him.
Thanks to sir, President!

Table for Two

Merry Christmas, again!

I was "knocked down" by flu on the last Christmas, so I'm HAPPY to be able to celebrate Christmas even though I've "kept" rash over my body!!

Because I worked until 9:30 pm last night, and my hubby is having the year-end party tonight, we had a home-made Chritstmas party on 23, alone.

I cooked all dishes & put my favorite clothes on (the venue was our house, though...)

My favorite dish was...the left one! Doom-shaped Sushi! I cut out peppers, cucumbers, hams, and cheese into the shape of flower. Then I placed them into a rice bowl, and put sushi rice into it. After I flipped it over on the dish...here is the "flower-doom" sushi!!

I think we had a "recession version's home party." I used cheap ingredients to cook. And cake, as well! The Christmas cake was, actually from our condo's real estate agent. We got it by sweepstakes! This cake was very interesting. In the box, there were many small roll cakes, a ribbon, and Christmas ornaments.

Yes! The cake is for self-decoration!

I used whipped cream, raspberry, blueberry, and added more edible ornaments.

The finish was... here it is!! I attached the "front" photo and the "back" photo.

(I'm sorry! I couldn't change the angle of these photos... I'll change them later!!) What do you think? This is apparently, "the recession version's Christmas cake!"

It's almost free for us!!

We enjoyed the Christmas dinner. Although it was "table for two" as well as usual...

Wait a minute! The cake is really "for two!??"

In our condo, many families have kids. Therefore, the cake (the prize of condo's sweepstakes) was the "family" size. As you notice, we've still been eating the cake...

Christmas Gifts

Merry Christmas!
Today, we didn't have regular classes at my school, so I had just three private lessons.

Reiko; 50, a Japanese calligraphy teacher. She has a college student daughter and a high school student son, but she looks an ACTRESS!!　Her fashion is always perfect, her nails are gorgeous... AND she has a good sense of humor. I love her!

Chiharu: 10, an elementary school student. She loves Tokyo Disney Land, and always buys the souvenirs to me.

Kotaro:17, a high school student. Her mother is very eager to have her sons study English. Actually, the whole family members are our students!
He just came back from school trip to...Hawaii! Do you envy him!? I do!!!

Since they always give me something(like souvenirs,) I bought them Christmas cookies shaped Santa!! Aren't they cute?
I also give these to my colleagues. Especially, I wanted to express my thanks to Bill and Tricia, new American teachers! As they had kid Christmas lessons today, Bill disguised him as a Santa, and Tricia became a reindeer! They were such good sports to make our school atmosphere on Christmas Eve, enjoyable!!

...And, I bought a Christmas gift to myself, as well...
Can you guess what the shoe-shaped one with lots of spangles? A pen case!! I felt, I would study harder if I got such a beautiful pen case!!

...I always make an excuse when I buy something...

French Certification

Yes!
I got it!
I passed the French Certification! The diploma was delivered today!
Even I say, "passed," it was 4th grade. The second easiest one of the certification.
When I took the 5th(the easiest) grade in Spring, my score was almost a full score!
However, the test of 4th grade was difficult for me, who had never learned "past tense," " half-past tense(characteristic French grammar!,)" and "future tense."

According to the letter from the French Certification Administration, the passing mark (of the 4th grade) this time was 60 out of 100. My score? It was exactly 60!
I just naked the passing mark!!

Is this a mercy from God to me, who were "remorseful" about her( I mean, my) laziness in this year? I made three resolutions at the beginning of 2009, and I just believed I achieved nothing! But, I got one of them! It's a Christmas gift!

However, even I passed a test, I still barely speak & understand French...

"Rash" Hour

Since two months ago, I have kept...them.
When they are quiet, they look like pink dots. When they are active, they are like red amoebas!
"They" are...RASH!

I know the reason.
Two months ago, I underwent a surgery. It was easy one, though, I took antibiotics to prevent infectious disease. Then, I got nettle rash whole my body as an adverse effect!

I went to a local physician, but he seemed having no idea why antibiotics had stayed in my body so long time. He prescribed steroids, but my French teacher opposed that.
She said, "No steroids! Steroids can make your symptoms calm. But after you stopped taking them, your rash becomes worse!!"

She recommended me to a dermatologist in Hiroo.
The dermatologist is a very beautiful woman. I guess she may be in her 50's, but her skin is...very REFINED!!!

She had me take a blood test to figure out what was the reason of the rash.
Today, I got the result!
The reasons were...surprisingly, house dusts and mites!!
The doctor said, "Antibiotic was trigger. But basically, you are allergic constitution.
Once you get rash, your skin are affected by house dusts and mites."
I was puzzled, "So, what should I do? Cleaning my house all the time??"
She smiled gracefully, " You can't root out all of the mites in your house. The place they likely live is futon. Get a nozzle for futon, and vacuum it often."

Oh! I thought I was a drama queen who had an adverse effect from a surgery...
But the problem now is not antibiotics, but house dusts and ticks!
Do I have to clean my house obsessively like Bree in desperate housewives?

I don't want to, but now, just enjoy having RASH HOUR...
Whenever I go to the dermatologist in Hiroo, I go to an Italian restaurant and have a delicious lunch and dessert!

Listening Test

I got the result of TOEIC in November.
My listening score was 495 (full score) and reading was 450.
It was...almost same my best score(950) two years ago.

I was relieved that my score didn't plummet.
I took TOEIC a few times after I went back to Japan, but two of the listening scores were not perfect. I have taken the full "listening" score in a few years. When my score was not perfect, I was very tired or the volume was a little bit low to me.
That's excuse? I know...but it's true!

I think any listening tests' results could be effected by the test-taker's condition and the test-venue's condition. Not only in tests, but also in real communication!
The place's acoustic condition, the speaker's accents, the listener's situation ( being relaxed or not...) The listening would be changed!

Anyway, one of my resolutions in 2009 was "getting a full score (990) of TOEIC."
I know my efforts have been short of getting a full score!
I have to work harder next year...

Catch up!

I have a question...
How do you catch up daily news?

My husband and I have subscribed Nikkei (Japan Economy) newspaper.
We think it is the most reliable paper to check economical news. I take time to read it almost a half hours per day... But I realized.

Shouldn't I check news in English?

So, I applied a free-trial-subscription of Japan Times.
They delivered the newspaper to my house for one week.
That's perfect! I can check Japanese daily news in English...BUT, reading two newspaper everyday really...takes time.

So, I decided to subscribe "Weekly Japan Times." It's issued every Saturday, and has weekly news on pages.
Is it the best way to catch up daily news?
I don't know, I also think about subscribing Newsweek or Time for a year, because if I apply that, I can get the issue at the cheapest price!

...However, the problem is whether I could check every issue or...not. I have many copies of Newsweek and Time...but they are "one year old." American president Obama, still is a senator on those issues!!

Party Masters

Last night was the Toastmasters Christmas Gala night.
We rented an Italian restaurant in Minami Aoyama, welcomed many guests, and had a party. I was asked to be a MC there, but since my physical condition had not been good, another member became the MC.
I was not sure whether I could come or not...but eventually, I was VERY glad to make it!

Whenever I go to the Toastmasters meetings, I'm overwhelmed (in a good meaning) by the members' energy. Most members are well-educated, working " career" mothers, and involved with activities (not only the Toastmasters, but also another NPOs or something.)
Especially, the founder of our Toastmaster club, Meg, who are a Japanese-American (Sansei) business owner, is an especially exquisite person.
She always brings many interesting quests!!

Who did she bring last night? Embassies of the Republic Tajikistan, Managers from a major insurance company, American yoga instructor, American English teacher who appears on NHK, a weather reporter, Presidents of food companies, a fashion designer, and a language education system enterpriser.
If you are interested in mingling with them, come to our party!

I had a GREAT time, but at the same time, I felt how difficult to be a PARTY MASTER like Meg.
My "partner" (It was decided by lottery) was a Canadian marketing manager of a mining company. He looked so arrogant and uneasy to talk!
His field was "iron and titanium." Hey, what do I know about "iron and titanium?"
I could talk to him, "Hi, I LOVE titanium because most high-class watches are made of them!"
...The conversation must have finished twenty seconds!

After I wondered, I talked to him, "So...how was the security in South Africa(because he just said he came back from business trip there)? My friend wants to go there to see the World Cup, but he's worried about the security."
He only shrugged his shoulders, "You know, 50 million people are living there. You won't be killed easily."
"Yeah, sure..." ANYWAY, the conversation between us was over within twenty seconds!!

Of course I talked with him more, but I thought, I could have been more...natural.
I had been to Canada, and I learn French, so we could have talked about these!
Just from his "super-business like" appearance, I just "assumed" I should ask his business matters!

...The way to be a "party master" is still far away...
Maybe the best way is going parties many times.
Or, at the Summer Gala (we have big parties twice a year,) shall I be a MC?
Then, I might not have to have "partner" who are difficult to communicate!