Exactly ten years ago, my hubby and I just got married.
One night, when he watched a news TV program, lying on a Futon to be ready to sleep, he muttered.
"...What's the hell this is? What is happening!?"
We watched the scene that two airplanes were crashing the World Trade Center in NY.
It was like a Hollywood movie's scene, but we knew it was not. It was real.
We spontaneously cuddle each other without saying a word. We had never experienced the fear. The fear was the apprehension that something worst would happen worldwide, it might affect our lives in Japan, too.
...It has been 10 years since then.
During the decade, we lived in America that seemed a different world to us.
Although we lived a small city in Indiana, a still "different world" from NY, we gradually figured out how this crucial terrorism attack had affected Americans.
Then, two days ago, I read two news articles.
One is; the interview of the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm, Howard Lutnick.
His company's office was located on 101th-105th floors of the North World Trade Center.
He lost all of his fellows who were working at the office then. The casualties were 658, out of the whole 960 employees. His brother was one of them.
On that day, Howard was delayed getting to the office because he had taken his son to his first day of kindergarten. The delay saved him.
However, the surviving boss had to live another crucial life.
Since the day, he had attended 30 funerals PER DAY for 25 days in a row.
He suffered from insomnia. On sleepless nights, he wrote 1,700 letters to his fellow victim's families.
If I were him, I would go crazy.
However, he was a very determined leader.
He had hired about 35 new employees every week to revive his company. Some of them were children of his fellow victims.
Just after 9/11, he announced he would dedicate 25% (eventually, 1.8 million dollars) of the company's profit to the victim families for 5 years and their medical insurance for 10 years.
Then, he made those promises come true as he said!
His story tells us how people could be strong even in such a catastrophic situation.
However, the other article about 9/11 showed us how vulnerable we could become, as well.
It is said that the number of people who had PTSD (Post Traumatic System Disorder) has increased a lot AFTER 5 years of 9/11. It means if we work too hard after a disaster, we might collapse even time has passed.
The two side stories made me think a lot.
If I happen to experience such a calamity unfortunately, should I believe in my strong side or should I care for my vulnerable side?
To protect my family, which side should I focus on?
Probably, I need to know about myself. I should watch & care for my family day by day, then I could give the best advice to them, maybe.
The most important thing is; if we survive from a disaster, we should keep living.
The pace depends on the person, but we shouldn't stop ourselves try to move on.
To every victim on 9/11, all of my condolences to you.
To every survivor of that, all of my best wishes to you.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Invisible tethers
...I know I haven't updated my blog since March!
Aftermath of the mega earthquake, literal aftershocks, mess after the nuclear plant's accident, afterthoughts of my jobs....
There are so many things that I want to talk to you.
But right now, let me quote lines of my favorite TV show, Glee's latest (in Japan) episode.
Sue, who is a mean cheerleading's director, always trying to crash glee club's activities, just lost her sister. Her sister, Jean, is with down syndrome. Sue has taken care of Jean instead of their busy mom, but actually, Jean had healed a lot Sue by her pure heart.
When Jean passed away, Sue was devastated and she made a speech at Jean's funeral.
And that couldn't stop my eyes to well up.
"I miss my sister. Every night at 10, she used to call me on the phone. I asked why, she told me that her body told her. She wanted to hear my voice.
I miss my sister. The smell of her shampoo. I wish she could always convince me to read her another book.
When you love someone like I loved her, they are a part of you. It's like attached by invisible tethers. No matter how far away you are, you could always feel them. And every time when I reach for the tether, now I know there is no one in the end and I feel like I'm falling into nothing this.
Then I remember Jean (her deceased sister.) I remember her life let her have no enemies, no resentments, no regrets, I'm inspired. ...Get up from bed and go on. But I miss my sister so much. It feel like pieced of me ripped off.
Just one more time, I wanna hold her. Ten more seconds. It that too much to ask? Ten more seconds to hold her... But I can't. And I won't. The only thing keeping me from being swallowed by the hole of sadness, is that Jean would kill me if I did.
So for now, I'm just gonna miss her. I love you, Jennie. Rest in peace. "
After the funeral, a boy who was so impressed by Sue's speech, broke up with her girlfriend because he thought he couldn't find the "tether" between them.
I think it's so hard for young people to feel that for anyone... But the older we get, basically... the more we (are supposed to ) learn how we could find the tethers, and how important they are.
Who are there at the end of your tether? No "a tether, tethers. Plural. There must be not only one.
Your mother, father, siblings, relatives, of course your boy/girlfriend, wife, husband...
Sometimes it is difficult to notice the tethers even with families. But you know, as long as you are related in blood, somehow, you need to connect with your families.
However, what about our life partners? One day, my husband made a joke, "we're family. Why aren't we related?" That's the catch of marriage. That's the catch of romance.
Even we had lived together for a long time, we could be "strangers" once our tethers are cut off.
That's why, we really need to work hard to keep the tethers connect. Don't take it for granted
there is someone who aren't related, at the end of your tether.
It's one of biggest jobs in our lives to find who are at the end our tethers, other than original family members.
It's silly, but sometimes, I had a bad dream. In the dream, I just agonize about not having a partner. Then, I woke up in the real world. In the real world, I have many people who are at the end of my tether... My parents, brother, relatives, and especially, I feel really grateful that my husband is sleeping peacefully beside me, and his parents always care for us.
Of course I know sometimes we need time being ourselves alone, with peace and serenity.
But... the feeling of noticing "there is someone in the end of my tether" is one of the meanings of why we're here, I can't explain enough, though...
That's why I always enjoy my wedding emcee jobs. I'm always happy to hear my friends or other people's romance or marriage news.
THEY FIND SOMEONE TO BE WITH!
Cynical people want to way, "how many percentage of them will find their decisions are mistakes?" ...Even though there will be "errors," I want to support people who are eager to "try."
...I miss my husband cause he has been visiting his parents home this weekend, but not like Jean for Sue, he's going to come back (of course!)
So, for now, I'm not gonna just miss him (not be in a sentimental feeling,) I'm gonna clean up my house not to disappoint him...to keep our tether connect!
...You know, it always needs "efforts" to live with "former strangers..."
Aftermath of the mega earthquake, literal aftershocks, mess after the nuclear plant's accident, afterthoughts of my jobs....
There are so many things that I want to talk to you.
But right now, let me quote lines of my favorite TV show, Glee's latest (in Japan) episode.
Sue, who is a mean cheerleading's director, always trying to crash glee club's activities, just lost her sister. Her sister, Jean, is with down syndrome. Sue has taken care of Jean instead of their busy mom, but actually, Jean had healed a lot Sue by her pure heart.
When Jean passed away, Sue was devastated and she made a speech at Jean's funeral.
And that couldn't stop my eyes to well up.
"I miss my sister. Every night at 10, she used to call me on the phone. I asked why, she told me that her body told her. She wanted to hear my voice.
I miss my sister. The smell of her shampoo. I wish she could always convince me to read her another book.
When you love someone like I loved her, they are a part of you. It's like attached by invisible tethers. No matter how far away you are, you could always feel them. And every time when I reach for the tether, now I know there is no one in the end and I feel like I'm falling into nothing this.
Then I remember Jean (her deceased sister.) I remember her life let her have no enemies, no resentments, no regrets, I'm inspired. ...Get up from bed and go on. But I miss my sister so much. It feel like pieced of me ripped off.
Just one more time, I wanna hold her. Ten more seconds. It that too much to ask? Ten more seconds to hold her... But I can't. And I won't. The only thing keeping me from being swallowed by the hole of sadness, is that Jean would kill me if I did.
So for now, I'm just gonna miss her. I love you, Jennie. Rest in peace. "
After the funeral, a boy who was so impressed by Sue's speech, broke up with her girlfriend because he thought he couldn't find the "tether" between them.
I think it's so hard for young people to feel that for anyone... But the older we get, basically... the more we (are supposed to ) learn how we could find the tethers, and how important they are.
Who are there at the end of your tether? No "a tether, tethers. Plural. There must be not only one.
Your mother, father, siblings, relatives, of course your boy/girlfriend, wife, husband...
Sometimes it is difficult to notice the tethers even with families. But you know, as long as you are related in blood, somehow, you need to connect with your families.
However, what about our life partners? One day, my husband made a joke, "we're family. Why aren't we related?" That's the catch of marriage. That's the catch of romance.
Even we had lived together for a long time, we could be "strangers" once our tethers are cut off.
That's why, we really need to work hard to keep the tethers connect. Don't take it for granted
there is someone who aren't related, at the end of your tether.
It's one of biggest jobs in our lives to find who are at the end our tethers, other than original family members.
It's silly, but sometimes, I had a bad dream. In the dream, I just agonize about not having a partner. Then, I woke up in the real world. In the real world, I have many people who are at the end of my tether... My parents, brother, relatives, and especially, I feel really grateful that my husband is sleeping peacefully beside me, and his parents always care for us.
Of course I know sometimes we need time being ourselves alone, with peace and serenity.
But... the feeling of noticing "there is someone in the end of my tether" is one of the meanings of why we're here, I can't explain enough, though...
That's why I always enjoy my wedding emcee jobs. I'm always happy to hear my friends or other people's romance or marriage news.
THEY FIND SOMEONE TO BE WITH!
Cynical people want to way, "how many percentage of them will find their decisions are mistakes?" ...Even though there will be "errors," I want to support people who are eager to "try."
...I miss my husband cause he has been visiting his parents home this weekend, but not like Jean for Sue, he's going to come back (of course!)
So, for now, I'm not gonna just miss him (not be in a sentimental feeling,) I'm gonna clean up my house not to disappoint him...to keep our tether connect!
...You know, it always needs "efforts" to live with "former strangers..."
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Patient, punctual, but panicky
Now it's 6:00pm, March 16. I’m writing this article, having only computer’s light and some candle lights. Currently, my living area has been under blackout. I know the blackout thing was planned beforehand because of our shortage of electric resources since we had the terrible earthquake, and sequential awful nuclear power plants' accidents. It’s weird, because I can see lots of lights outside.
Our lifeline has kind of been divided. Even though in the same city, there are “blackout areas” and “not-blackout areas,” depends on the balance of electric supply and demand. Anyway, one hour later, I’m supposed to get “the cultural life” back.
Since the unbelievable disaster happened last Friday, everything around my life has been changing. The English school I work for will have been closed until 21th. All of my wedding receptions for emceeing this weekend have been canceled. That’s awful to hear newlyweds have to postpone their wedding receptions!!
I talked with one of the brides on the phone. She couldn’t stop crying.
“I’m very very sad right now, but if we’re in our guests’ shoes…we can’t say, “please come to our wedding!” among the aftershock, confusion of blackout, and the danger of nuclear plants’ troubles.”
I truly hope the terrible situations in Japan will solve as soon as possible, and my client newlyweds can hold their weddings soon. I don’t care even if I become very busy when I get back to my businesses. When can I get back to my businesses!?? I was supposed to be very busy right now, but now, what I can do is just staying home.
I feel disappointed when I heard my school will cancel all of classes for awhile… If I work for a food company or toiletry business and so on, I would become much more busy. However, English classes are “extracurricular activity,” so under this emergency situation, I don’t have a place to work!
However, when I talked with our manager of the school, she shared heartwarming stories. “Your students are very loyal to you. Toshio came to the school just to give you White Day’s gift! Akira also stopped by the school, to pay for the next term’s tuition. Their loyal behaviors just refreshed me!”
Yes, nice people care the people who even involved with “extracurricular" business! Their stories lighten me up…and I just wondered, “they might be nice because I gave them Valentine Day’s chocolate??” I don’t know…
On Monday, when I was on the way to the school, the manager called me my classes were canceled. So, I went back to my home...when I got out of the station, I noticed so many people were making a line in front of a supermarket. What are they buying!?? Is there anything I should buy under this emergency?? I thought I had enough food, but I was just drawn by the crowd. But inside the store, there were much more people getting in lines to pay for food. I gave up to get food stocks, and left the supermarket.
But next to the supermarket, there also were lots of people, queuing to buy toilet papers. I knew I had enough toilet papers at home, but “just in case” feeling made me one of them. However, the line was much more longer than I thought, so again, I gave up to get reserves.
As international press has reported, Japanese people have been very patient & punctual even though just under this devastated situation.
However, even we’re punctual, maybe we’ve been somewhat panicky!!
We know, we shouldn’t have tried to get stocks for our own because victims in Tohoku area need them desperately.
But, under these unexpected blackouts and threat of nuclear plant’s accidents, people just run into stores, then…now, tissue papers, toilet papers, sanitary napkins, batteries, flash lights, rice, water, preserved food, are gone.
I don’t want to be panicky, but I want to be prepared for “just in case.”
Of course I would like to help people in Tohoku, but so far, to protect myself & my hubby…
When will we be go back to our real lives, like the life we can enjoy extracurricular activities and extradaily parties, like wedding receptions???
Our lifeline has kind of been divided. Even though in the same city, there are “blackout areas” and “not-blackout areas,” depends on the balance of electric supply and demand. Anyway, one hour later, I’m supposed to get “the cultural life” back.
Since the unbelievable disaster happened last Friday, everything around my life has been changing. The English school I work for will have been closed until 21th. All of my wedding receptions for emceeing this weekend have been canceled. That’s awful to hear newlyweds have to postpone their wedding receptions!!
I talked with one of the brides on the phone. She couldn’t stop crying.
“I’m very very sad right now, but if we’re in our guests’ shoes…we can’t say, “please come to our wedding!” among the aftershock, confusion of blackout, and the danger of nuclear plants’ troubles.”
I truly hope the terrible situations in Japan will solve as soon as possible, and my client newlyweds can hold their weddings soon. I don’t care even if I become very busy when I get back to my businesses. When can I get back to my businesses!?? I was supposed to be very busy right now, but now, what I can do is just staying home.
I feel disappointed when I heard my school will cancel all of classes for awhile… If I work for a food company or toiletry business and so on, I would become much more busy. However, English classes are “extracurricular activity,” so under this emergency situation, I don’t have a place to work!
However, when I talked with our manager of the school, she shared heartwarming stories. “Your students are very loyal to you. Toshio came to the school just to give you White Day’s gift! Akira also stopped by the school, to pay for the next term’s tuition. Their loyal behaviors just refreshed me!”
Yes, nice people care the people who even involved with “extracurricular" business! Their stories lighten me up…and I just wondered, “they might be nice because I gave them Valentine Day’s chocolate??” I don’t know…
On Monday, when I was on the way to the school, the manager called me my classes were canceled. So, I went back to my home...when I got out of the station, I noticed so many people were making a line in front of a supermarket. What are they buying!?? Is there anything I should buy under this emergency?? I thought I had enough food, but I was just drawn by the crowd. But inside the store, there were much more people getting in lines to pay for food. I gave up to get food stocks, and left the supermarket.
But next to the supermarket, there also were lots of people, queuing to buy toilet papers. I knew I had enough toilet papers at home, but “just in case” feeling made me one of them. However, the line was much more longer than I thought, so again, I gave up to get reserves.
As international press has reported, Japanese people have been very patient & punctual even though just under this devastated situation.
However, even we’re punctual, maybe we’ve been somewhat panicky!!
We know, we shouldn’t have tried to get stocks for our own because victims in Tohoku area need them desperately.
But, under these unexpected blackouts and threat of nuclear plant’s accidents, people just run into stores, then…now, tissue papers, toilet papers, sanitary napkins, batteries, flash lights, rice, water, preserved food, are gone.
I don’t want to be panicky, but I want to be prepared for “just in case.”
Of course I would like to help people in Tohoku, but so far, to protect myself & my hubby…
When will we be go back to our real lives, like the life we can enjoy extracurricular activities and extradaily parties, like wedding receptions???
Monday, March 14, 2011
At that time
At that time, I was dong the ironing. It was Friday, my day-off.
I was supposed to have a busy weekend. I had a kid English class to teach that day, had two meetings with my client newlyweds for wedding emceeing on Saturday, and I was supposed to take TOEIC on Sunday. When I was pressing my clothes, I didn't know the half of my schedule would be forced to change, at that time.
Then,I felt the sway. The movement didn't seem so big first, but it became much more shaky, gradually. Tableware sound cracking in cupboards. I run to them, and tried to hold the cupboards, preventing it from falling down. (Fortunately, they didn't fall down...) But the sway didn't stop.
Then, the awful image of the earthquake in New Zealand came to my mind.
People were under the debris. If I keep holding the cupboards, they might fall down over me!
...I suddenly became so scared that I screamed, "STOP! Please, somebody STOP it!!"
Now I know there was NOBODY could stop the threat of nature.
Even I felt so, here in Tokyo, where the seismic intensity was five. Now I can imagine how much people in Miyagi, the unfortunate state has most casualties, wanted to scream, "STOP! Please, somebody, STOP!!"
I screamed, and run out of my house with fear. But nobody was outside, even though there are 570 families are living in our condo. So I went back home, and hid myself under a table to protect myself.
After the shake stopped, I checked every room in my house. Almost all books popped out from book shelves, glasses and dishes broke inside the cupboards, golf bags and plants fell down... but I didn't hurt.
Maybe, there are a few times when people can look back their lives, thinking, "at that time, I might have died." It might not be so serious, but that earthquake could be counted on "at that time" moment in my life.
The more time passed, the more I got to know how serious the earthquake was.
I canceled my English class, and didn't go out at all on Friday. I thought it would affect our daily lives a lot.
But Saturday, I was actually stunned how people were working so hard as usual.
I had two meetings with newlyweds. The first couple came to the hotel earlier than our appointed time despite of the traffic confusion. They said they left home very early not to make me wait.
The second couple called me and they would be late one hour, so I had lunch at Udon noodle casual restaurant near the hotel. The restaurant ( like a fast food restaurant) was very small, the building was located just under an elevated railroad, looked very unstable.
Whenever the train passed over the railroad, the restaurant became a kind of shaky.
I didn't know whether the sway was because of the train or earthquake...I was terrified, but many servers and cooks were working very hard in the restaurant, and many business people were grabbing a bite to have a quick lunch there. I just realized, we should work to live whatever happened, especially, in a big city!
However, even though Japanese diligent state of mind hasn't been damaged, our infrastructure
has been damaged.
TOEIC has been canceled on Sunday.
Today, Monday, most big companies would start their work, so our electricity supply was supposed to run out. Therefore, the electricity company divided Kanto area (Tokyo and around other 4 states) into 5 groups, gave them quota time, and tried to stop the electrical supply at each group's quota time, taking turns. It gave us confusion.
The English school where I work decided not to have classes today at the last minute to avoid troubles, so I went back home. I don't know when my classes would start, and I'm sad to hear some of my client newlyweds have decided to cancel their wedding receptions. So, the earthquake has affected my business...but I'm fine.
I know this is a devastating accident. I feel awful for people who died, lost their family members or friends, or their houses by the earthquake and tunami.
We must look back "at this moment,"with a terrible feeling...but each one can do what we can do.
So far, I would like to do my best for the rest of my businesses and my household work.
Then, I hope I can look back "at this time," with a better feeling than now I have.
I dedicate my deepest condolences for people who died, lost or hurt by the quake.
I was supposed to have a busy weekend. I had a kid English class to teach that day, had two meetings with my client newlyweds for wedding emceeing on Saturday, and I was supposed to take TOEIC on Sunday. When I was pressing my clothes, I didn't know the half of my schedule would be forced to change, at that time.
Then,I felt the sway. The movement didn't seem so big first, but it became much more shaky, gradually. Tableware sound cracking in cupboards. I run to them, and tried to hold the cupboards, preventing it from falling down. (Fortunately, they didn't fall down...) But the sway didn't stop.
Then, the awful image of the earthquake in New Zealand came to my mind.
People were under the debris. If I keep holding the cupboards, they might fall down over me!
...I suddenly became so scared that I screamed, "STOP! Please, somebody STOP it!!"
Now I know there was NOBODY could stop the threat of nature.
Even I felt so, here in Tokyo, where the seismic intensity was five. Now I can imagine how much people in Miyagi, the unfortunate state has most casualties, wanted to scream, "STOP! Please, somebody, STOP!!"
I screamed, and run out of my house with fear. But nobody was outside, even though there are 570 families are living in our condo. So I went back home, and hid myself under a table to protect myself.
After the shake stopped, I checked every room in my house. Almost all books popped out from book shelves, glasses and dishes broke inside the cupboards, golf bags and plants fell down... but I didn't hurt.
Maybe, there are a few times when people can look back their lives, thinking, "at that time, I might have died." It might not be so serious, but that earthquake could be counted on "at that time" moment in my life.
The more time passed, the more I got to know how serious the earthquake was.
I canceled my English class, and didn't go out at all on Friday. I thought it would affect our daily lives a lot.
But Saturday, I was actually stunned how people were working so hard as usual.
I had two meetings with newlyweds. The first couple came to the hotel earlier than our appointed time despite of the traffic confusion. They said they left home very early not to make me wait.
The second couple called me and they would be late one hour, so I had lunch at Udon noodle casual restaurant near the hotel. The restaurant ( like a fast food restaurant) was very small, the building was located just under an elevated railroad, looked very unstable.
Whenever the train passed over the railroad, the restaurant became a kind of shaky.
I didn't know whether the sway was because of the train or earthquake...I was terrified, but many servers and cooks were working very hard in the restaurant, and many business people were grabbing a bite to have a quick lunch there. I just realized, we should work to live whatever happened, especially, in a big city!
However, even though Japanese diligent state of mind hasn't been damaged, our infrastructure
has been damaged.
TOEIC has been canceled on Sunday.
Today, Monday, most big companies would start their work, so our electricity supply was supposed to run out. Therefore, the electricity company divided Kanto area (Tokyo and around other 4 states) into 5 groups, gave them quota time, and tried to stop the electrical supply at each group's quota time, taking turns. It gave us confusion.
The English school where I work decided not to have classes today at the last minute to avoid troubles, so I went back home. I don't know when my classes would start, and I'm sad to hear some of my client newlyweds have decided to cancel their wedding receptions. So, the earthquake has affected my business...but I'm fine.
I know this is a devastating accident. I feel awful for people who died, lost their family members or friends, or their houses by the earthquake and tunami.
We must look back "at this moment,"with a terrible feeling...but each one can do what we can do.
So far, I would like to do my best for the rest of my businesses and my household work.
Then, I hope I can look back "at this time," with a better feeling than now I have.
I dedicate my deepest condolences for people who died, lost or hurt by the quake.
Friday, March 04, 2011
Photogenic?
One of necessaries for MCs is commercial photos. I published one at my MC office's website, but the president said, "This photo doesn't show your goodness. You should have another shooting." When I showed another photo to another MC office's president, she also said to me, "usually, photos are better. But in your case, you look 100times better than this photo. You should have another shooting!"
I know I'm not a photogenic, even though my hubby insists "you look much better in photos actually...am I saying something wrong?" In old commercial photos, my smile was awkward, my hair was not perfect, my makeup...was OK, but people can notice my age spots or wrinkles when they see them in a bigger size.
I needed to have fresh photos for a new bilingual emcee casting site, so I contacted a different photo studio not only to take my photos, but also to apply my makeup and hair-do.
The photo studio is run by a hair makeup artist who did lots of work with celebrities...so, I expected "to look better than myself."
The one who applied on my make-up was the daughter of the make-up artist.
She looked definitely younger than me, but maybe because of her professional tendency? She spoke to me like a friend. That made me comfortable, even I tend to be very nervous on shootings.
After our pleasant talks, I looked a mirror...Then, I was almost screaming to look at my "after professional make-up for photos" face. My skin was too thick by foundation, my eyes were too big by using fake eyelashes. She widen my width between double-edged eyelids, so I was like a character from a Japanese girls comic book. I had to teach my sixth grader boys after the shooting, so it was obvious how they react if they saw this face. They absolutely would make fun of me, giving me a new nickname like a Rockie horror show's character or something...
But the make-up artist said, "It's the best make-up for a shooting!"
After the photos were developed, I realized she was right. I looked like a beautiful young MC.
Because all the time the young make-up artist girl tried to make me laugh, my smile didn't look awkward at all.
After I got home, I showed my hubby those photos, proudly.
He raised his hand immediately, and said... ""We got a situation! You're not the girl whom I asked for a job on the Website. Who are you?" I guess your clients would say so if they look these photos! They are far better than real you!!"
...Oh, really? From a professional view, it might be a problem. But from one girl's view, I'm happy if I'm beautiful even just in a photo!
I brought those photos to my MC office, and asked the president to change my old photos on the Website, believing better photos are better.
But she said almost the same thing as my hubby.
"Ah.... they had you got so many lights here! You look like you're in your 20's. ...Gee, how can I say... You look cute in these photos, but if the gap between the photo and you in person is big, it might not be very good, so...I'm satisfied with your old photos."
What! You said "You look better than your photo," so I took another pictures, but now you say,"You look better in a photo, and it's not good!??"
But she's right. There are many MCs whose photos are great, and make people disappointed when they see the MCs in person....
But "just a girl" inside me, chose the "too good to be true" photo for my private cards.
...I don't care ven if people are disappointed!!!
I know I'm not a photogenic, even though my hubby insists "you look much better in photos actually...am I saying something wrong?" In old commercial photos, my smile was awkward, my hair was not perfect, my makeup...was OK, but people can notice my age spots or wrinkles when they see them in a bigger size.
I needed to have fresh photos for a new bilingual emcee casting site, so I contacted a different photo studio not only to take my photos, but also to apply my makeup and hair-do.
The photo studio is run by a hair makeup artist who did lots of work with celebrities...so, I expected "to look better than myself."
The one who applied on my make-up was the daughter of the make-up artist.
She looked definitely younger than me, but maybe because of her professional tendency? She spoke to me like a friend. That made me comfortable, even I tend to be very nervous on shootings.
After our pleasant talks, I looked a mirror...Then, I was almost screaming to look at my "after professional make-up for photos" face. My skin was too thick by foundation, my eyes were too big by using fake eyelashes. She widen my width between double-edged eyelids, so I was like a character from a Japanese girls comic book. I had to teach my sixth grader boys after the shooting, so it was obvious how they react if they saw this face. They absolutely would make fun of me, giving me a new nickname like a Rockie horror show's character or something...
But the make-up artist said, "It's the best make-up for a shooting!"
After the photos were developed, I realized she was right. I looked like a beautiful young MC.
Because all the time the young make-up artist girl tried to make me laugh, my smile didn't look awkward at all.
After I got home, I showed my hubby those photos, proudly.
He raised his hand immediately, and said... ""We got a situation! You're not the girl whom I asked for a job on the Website. Who are you?" I guess your clients would say so if they look these photos! They are far better than real you!!"
...Oh, really? From a professional view, it might be a problem. But from one girl's view, I'm happy if I'm beautiful even just in a photo!
I brought those photos to my MC office, and asked the president to change my old photos on the Website, believing better photos are better.
But she said almost the same thing as my hubby.
"Ah.... they had you got so many lights here! You look like you're in your 20's. ...Gee, how can I say... You look cute in these photos, but if the gap between the photo and you in person is big, it might not be very good, so...I'm satisfied with your old photos."
What! You said "You look better than your photo," so I took another pictures, but now you say,"You look better in a photo, and it's not good!??"
But she's right. There are many MCs whose photos are great, and make people disappointed when they see the MCs in person....
But "just a girl" inside me, chose the "too good to be true" photo for my private cards.
...I don't care ven if people are disappointed!!!
Lone Wolf or Team Player
Last night, my husband and I went to a solo puppet show. Are we interested in puppet shows? Not actually, but the actor's performance is exceptional to me. He is Norisawa. http://www.puppet-house.co.jp/nori/sawa.htm#norisawa Because he was...my homeroom teacher at high school!
When I entered a private protestant girl high school in Sapporo, I was a fussy little girl. I wanted to go to another public school, but I failed it out. That private girl school was kind of insurance for me, so I didn't feel good to go there.
However, after I go to the school and met my homeroom teacher, Norisawa, for the first time...my high school days became colorful to me. First of all, even from the first day of the school, he already knew each one's first & last names. He talked to each one, looking at each one of 40 little girls' faces. I asked him why, then he said, "you know, it's first time for me to be a homeroom teacher! You all are my first students! I was very excited, and asked my wife to read each one's name, and I tried to pick the name's photos from your entrance applications! Actually I kind of awful of remembering girls' names, so I should do that!"
But even for me, one of the girls, it seemed very hard to remember 40 girls' names perfectly. He didn't seem to have any troubles with calling our names correctly, that showed us how he had worked hard to do a "karuta" game to memorize our names. I felt sorry for having thought, " I don't want to go to this school!"
He was a very interesting art teacher. On the entrance ceremony day, he showed some puppets (later, I knew those his handmade puppets were praised very much from European artists)to us and our parents. "I'm a teacher, and actually, I'm also an amateur puppet actor. I do perform regularly. They are from my show, "Macbeth," as you know, a Shakespeare's play. In Japan, puppet show sounds like for kids, but I do it for mostly adults." He performed a little for all of us. I wondered, how many high school teachers does perform a puppet show in front of students and parents? I started to like the shcool, where he belongs.
Since then, it became my regular thing to stop by Norisawa's office after school. I told my complains for school or my parents like a fussy kid, and he started to talk about himself, too. "Teacher's job is great, and other teachers' of this school are also great...but I feel like I don't belong here sometimes. I enjoy being with all of you, so I can't explain why."
One year and a half later, Norisawa made his biggest decision of his life. He got a scholarship from the government, and went to France to study puppet theater major, and he was immediately selected to be a professional puppet performer, and sent to Czech Republic, where puppet performances are very popular. As a 16-years old girl, I was very sad that my most favorite teacher was leaving the school, but somewhat I understood he finally found where he belonged to.
Years later, I visited Czech with my family, before I got married, to see Norisawa. When he came to Sapporo to perform, I went to see his performances. But after I got married, I moved to Tokyo, then America, so I didn't have a chance to meet him even we have been contacting each other via e-mail sometimes.
Last night, he performed in Tokyo, and the time I could introduce my husband to Norisawa finally came! But I was a bit worried. My hubby has been in the busiest season of his job, so even last night, our 10th marriage anniversary night, he needed to stay up all night at the office to finish his job. Norisawa's performance was the night after...can he really come?
Also, my hubby is a conservative guy who "belongs to" a conservative Japanese company. On the other hand, Norisawa' performance is...so artistic that he has been praised to get so many awards in Europe, but can a conservative Japanese guy understand puppets' artistic world?
My hubby was very nice to make it last night. All the time during the performance, I looked at Norisawa how to perform, and my hubby how to react, one after the other, like a tennis judge.
Norisawa's solo performance seemed like a lots of energy. Sometimes he jumped & did somersaults, shouted... He did emceeing all the times to explain about his performances (most puppet shows don't have lines,) trying to make the audience laugh often, so, his stage was like a sort of "standing comedian show" sometimes.
I was wondering, how he hasn't changed since we met for the first time. His voice, his appearance... nothing has changed. When I was 16, he was 29...so, how old is he now? 39? ...Am I miscalculating??
During his performance, I noticed half of his performances also hasn't changed. He has been doing some same performances for 20 years!! But he has many fans & been asked by so many countries to come to perform...because of his art. I was also wondering how hard to do the same thing so many years. Even I say, "same," they are not the"same" for him. He must have modified those performances sensitively, I guess the process sound hard to do.
Eventually, my hubby enjoyed Norisawa's performance. He was just amazed there is such a person in the world. The one who left his country, to seek where he belongs to (In Japan, most people don't understand the art of puppet performances, but in Czech, people do!) get the jobs by his ideas & art, work by using just his voice & body.
Having seen Norisawa and my hubby talking, I felt that was a kind of "a mysterious encounter of a lone wolf (Norisawa) and a team player(my hubby.)" Of course I know Norisawa should become a team player when he makes a stage, and my hubby might become a lone wolf when he should insist what he believes in at his company.
But basically...the way of living as an individual artist, or as an employee of a company... Which one would you prefer?? If you become a individual player, you might be able to do what you want to do, but you can just rely on yourself. If you are a team player, sometimes you should do something reluctant for your company, but sometimes you can lean on where you belong to.
Maybe, just each of us know which one is better for ourselves, like when Norisawa decided to leave Japan.
After my hubby praised Norisawa's stage, he talked by himself.
"So, that was artistic...the art is difficult!!"
Patience
A few days ago, an import DVD from America, "Glee season 2" was delivered to my home.
I have already watched all 10 episodes of the DVD, and I would like to leave my favorite lines from the DVD here.
It was episode 10, "Very Glee Christmas." (Sorry, it's a kind of off-season right now!)
Artie, a wheel-chaired guy, found out his girlfriend, Britney, still believes in Santa.
(That's so funny! She is supposed to be 17 years old! This is not happening to most high school girls, but Britney has been described like a "dumb blond(Sorry to say so! I don't believe most blond ladies are not so smart, but it's one of American politically incorrect notions.)" in this TV drama, so it's understandable for Glee fans. I love Britney!)
To protect her innocent notion, Artie and his Glee friends bring Britney to a shopping mall to have her tell her Christmas wish to a commercial Santa. Artie would like to get what she wants, but he notices it's impossible.. because her wish is, "To make Artie be able to walk."
Artie and Glee members are puzzled, so they ask a female football coach, Biest, to pretend to be Santa, and persuade Britney that Santa can't make it happen. Why Biest? Because she looks like Santa!
Being said, "Hey, you look like a Santa! " is insulting for a woman I think, but Biest, my favorite character in the new season, reluctantly does her students' favor.
As you know from my description, Biest (not a beast...) is a lady who looks like a football player guy. Yes, she is a strict football coach, but inside her, she is a sensitive girl who has been embarrassed by her appearance, so she always understands when her students hurt. That's why I love her.
Anyway, a few days before Christmas, Biest Santa sneaked into Britney's house, and talked with Britney.
Biest: Do you remember what you asked for Christmas?
Britney: Yes, I asked you to make Artie to be able to walk.
Biest:Santa's trying his best, but that one's a little hard.
Sometimes what Santa wants to give a good girl like you is patience. Because, believe it or not, there are even some things that he can't manage. You know, there was a girl a little younger than you...and she was a little husky. She was always asking Santa for the same thing-to make her look more like the other girls. She wasn't asking to be pretty or nothing. But she just didn't wanna stick out so much. Santa just couldn't do it. So instead Santa gave her patience.
And later on, that girl was glad...that Santa didn't give her what she'd asked him for. She put being husky to good use.
Britney;...Was her name Ricki Lake? (That's hilarious! Biest was talking about herself when she was a kid, but Britney thought it's about her cheer leading friend who has a husky voice!)
Biest: (Sighs) The point is...I don't think I'm gonna be able to give you what you're asking for, even enough I'd like to. I'm sorry, it's just not gonna happen.
Then, Biest Santa leaves Britney's house.
Britney is disappointed, but the next day from Christmas, she is really happy.
Because as she wished, Artie becomes able to walk!!
Britney found a kind of artificial legs, "Rewalk," was invented in Israel, was under her Christmas tree. No one doesn't know who gave the one, so glee members start to believe in Santa again.
However, glee fans know...it was from Biest Santa!!
I think Biest is a great teacher. She didn't crash Britney's fantasy, but told her the reality, giving her a great life-surviving tip from her experience.
PATIENCE. When I feel I don't have a talent for emceeing or teaching stuff, when I feel I envy someone for his/her capacities, I say myself, "just hang in there! Unless I stop being here, something good is going to happen to me!"
I felt the coach Biest told me I was right to think so.
Now, another DVD I ordered, "Desperate Housewives complete season 6" has been waiting for me to be watched.
Can I still watching TV dramas even I need to take a test two weeks later?
I don't think I learned "patience" enough from the coach Biest...
I have already watched all 10 episodes of the DVD, and I would like to leave my favorite lines from the DVD here.
It was episode 10, "Very Glee Christmas." (Sorry, it's a kind of off-season right now!)
Artie, a wheel-chaired guy, found out his girlfriend, Britney, still believes in Santa.
(That's so funny! She is supposed to be 17 years old! This is not happening to most high school girls, but Britney has been described like a "dumb blond(Sorry to say so! I don't believe most blond ladies are not so smart, but it's one of American politically incorrect notions.)" in this TV drama, so it's understandable for Glee fans. I love Britney!)
To protect her innocent notion, Artie and his Glee friends bring Britney to a shopping mall to have her tell her Christmas wish to a commercial Santa. Artie would like to get what she wants, but he notices it's impossible.. because her wish is, "To make Artie be able to walk."
Artie and Glee members are puzzled, so they ask a female football coach, Biest, to pretend to be Santa, and persuade Britney that Santa can't make it happen. Why Biest? Because she looks like Santa!
Being said, "Hey, you look like a Santa! " is insulting for a woman I think, but Biest, my favorite character in the new season, reluctantly does her students' favor.
As you know from my description, Biest (not a beast...) is a lady who looks like a football player guy. Yes, she is a strict football coach, but inside her, she is a sensitive girl who has been embarrassed by her appearance, so she always understands when her students hurt. That's why I love her.
Anyway, a few days before Christmas, Biest Santa sneaked into Britney's house, and talked with Britney.
Biest: Do you remember what you asked for Christmas?
Britney: Yes, I asked you to make Artie to be able to walk.
Biest:Santa's trying his best, but that one's a little hard.
Sometimes what Santa wants to give a good girl like you is patience. Because, believe it or not, there are even some things that he can't manage. You know, there was a girl a little younger than you...and she was a little husky. She was always asking Santa for the same thing-to make her look more like the other girls. She wasn't asking to be pretty or nothing. But she just didn't wanna stick out so much. Santa just couldn't do it. So instead Santa gave her patience.
And later on, that girl was glad...that Santa didn't give her what she'd asked him for. She put being husky to good use.
Britney;...Was her name Ricki Lake? (That's hilarious! Biest was talking about herself when she was a kid, but Britney thought it's about her cheer leading friend who has a husky voice!)
Biest: (Sighs) The point is...I don't think I'm gonna be able to give you what you're asking for, even enough I'd like to. I'm sorry, it's just not gonna happen.
Then, Biest Santa leaves Britney's house.
Britney is disappointed, but the next day from Christmas, she is really happy.
Because as she wished, Artie becomes able to walk!!
Britney found a kind of artificial legs, "Rewalk," was invented in Israel, was under her Christmas tree. No one doesn't know who gave the one, so glee members start to believe in Santa again.
However, glee fans know...it was from Biest Santa!!
I think Biest is a great teacher. She didn't crash Britney's fantasy, but told her the reality, giving her a great life-surviving tip from her experience.
PATIENCE. When I feel I don't have a talent for emceeing or teaching stuff, when I feel I envy someone for his/her capacities, I say myself, "just hang in there! Unless I stop being here, something good is going to happen to me!"
I felt the coach Biest told me I was right to think so.
Now, another DVD I ordered, "Desperate Housewives complete season 6" has been waiting for me to be watched.
Can I still watching TV dramas even I need to take a test two weeks later?
I don't think I learned "patience" enough from the coach Biest...
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
10th Marriage Anniversary
On March 2nd, 2001, my hubby and I registered our marriage at Musashino city hall, in Tokyo.
At that time I lived in Sapporo, keeping my job as a governmental employee.
I was about to leave my hometown, my parents, my job, and my old friends because of marriage.
However, I wasn't afraid of what would happen to me at all. I was filled with 100 % joy and excitement for my new life.
My hubby was a man, so he was more realistic than me. He was filled with responsibility & a kind of fear if we could make it or not...it makes sense.
On the other hand, I don't know why, but I didn't have any doubt for "if we could live happily ever after."
Because I kind of know my hubby was the right one for me.
10 year later then, I think I was right.
I enjoy having time with my hubby ten times (10 times sounds exaggerating, tough,) more than when we got married. I've been getting to know how my hubby is a wonderful person more and more, and my family and family-in-law have been building a great relationship for 10 years.
Yes, marriage has been magnificent as I imagined. No, actually, much more than I pictured.
However, I don't mean we're perfect.
What I learned from marriage is "no couple is perfect." In other words, "There's no one who is "perfectly happy."
We've been through some hard times, not about our relationship, but about our unexpected matter. That "unexpected matter" prevented us to be a perfectly happy family, but the process against it makes us a "self-styled" perfectly happy couple.
Through those stuff, I've found my hubby is very sincere, reliable, trustworthy, having a great sense of humor guy.
Happiness is just what you feel. If what you feel affects who you are, you should just believe you're happy.
I feel I'm just lucky I could feel happy for my marriage life for ten years.
My intuition worked to find "Mr. Right," but I might have found a"Mr. Wrong."
There are many, so many great people who separate their partners.. I think I am lucky to have "my Mr. Right," although I feel my hubby thinks me as "Ms. Rough."
I meet many newlywed couples every week, as a wedding emcee.
Many of them say, their wedding receptions will be the best moment of their lives.
However, inside my mind, I talk with them.
"Wedding reception is not the best moment of your lives. It's just a start of your best moments.
You might not be "perfectly" happy, but the more you spend time together, the more you like each other. Even when you can't get along together, it's great to have a partner."
Yes, the more you spend time together, like my hubby and me...oh? My hubby is not here, at home with me, on our 10th marriage anniversary!
He needs to work overnight, so he will stay a hotel nearby his office tonight!
But it's cool for me. Not because I'm sweet, but because I'm strategic.
We'll celebrate our 10th marriage anniversary year in Hawaii, during Golden Week!
Yeah!!
At that time I lived in Sapporo, keeping my job as a governmental employee.
I was about to leave my hometown, my parents, my job, and my old friends because of marriage.
However, I wasn't afraid of what would happen to me at all. I was filled with 100 % joy and excitement for my new life.
My hubby was a man, so he was more realistic than me. He was filled with responsibility & a kind of fear if we could make it or not...it makes sense.
On the other hand, I don't know why, but I didn't have any doubt for "if we could live happily ever after."
Because I kind of know my hubby was the right one for me.
10 year later then, I think I was right.
I enjoy having time with my hubby ten times (10 times sounds exaggerating, tough,) more than when we got married. I've been getting to know how my hubby is a wonderful person more and more, and my family and family-in-law have been building a great relationship for 10 years.
Yes, marriage has been magnificent as I imagined. No, actually, much more than I pictured.
However, I don't mean we're perfect.
What I learned from marriage is "no couple is perfect." In other words, "There's no one who is "perfectly happy."
We've been through some hard times, not about our relationship, but about our unexpected matter. That "unexpected matter" prevented us to be a perfectly happy family, but the process against it makes us a "self-styled" perfectly happy couple.
Through those stuff, I've found my hubby is very sincere, reliable, trustworthy, having a great sense of humor guy.
Happiness is just what you feel. If what you feel affects who you are, you should just believe you're happy.
I feel I'm just lucky I could feel happy for my marriage life for ten years.
My intuition worked to find "Mr. Right," but I might have found a"Mr. Wrong."
There are many, so many great people who separate their partners.. I think I am lucky to have "my Mr. Right," although I feel my hubby thinks me as "Ms. Rough."
I meet many newlywed couples every week, as a wedding emcee.
Many of them say, their wedding receptions will be the best moment of their lives.
However, inside my mind, I talk with them.
"Wedding reception is not the best moment of your lives. It's just a start of your best moments.
You might not be "perfectly" happy, but the more you spend time together, the more you like each other. Even when you can't get along together, it's great to have a partner."
Yes, the more you spend time together, like my hubby and me...oh? My hubby is not here, at home with me, on our 10th marriage anniversary!
He needs to work overnight, so he will stay a hotel nearby his office tonight!
But it's cool for me. Not because I'm sweet, but because I'm strategic.
We'll celebrate our 10th marriage anniversary year in Hawaii, during Golden Week!
Yeah!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"Sex and the City" class
English school I work for has "counseling weeks" a few times a year.
In those weeks, we don't have regular classes, but we have irregular classes to figure out what kinds of classes will be popular among students.
Beside customary TOEIC preparation classes, the irregular class I had was...
"Sex and the City" class!! ...Correction...it was named "movie and drama without captions" class, but I picked one episode from the season 5 of this monster TV show.
Because everyone (especially girls) likes the show once they start to watch, and I thought language learners could enjoy the main character, Carrie's sense of humor in English.
Also, we could learn American culture through the TV show.
I dictated the whole lines from the episode (it took two hours and a half!) and explained them to my students.
For example, I made come comments about blue parts, cause if they will not guess the exact meaning unless they know only the literall meaning
Carrie, Narration(N); Meanwhile, Miranda is back at the office. She was politically incorrectly, happy to be there.
Carrie, N; Meanwhile, Charlotte was working on her perfect plus one. Justin Anderson the Third.
Carrie; Oh’ that’s great. You have a wildly successful career and a relationship. I was worried we.., you know, women only get one or the other...But you have it all!
Also, I interpreted some jokes an punning, like red parts.
Carrie, N; When your career is better than ever, it’s hard not to get a big head.
Carrie, N; Miranda and Walker had shared one night of great sex BC-before child.
Carrie, N; She invited him to be her plus one at the book party since she knew she’d be conveniently minus one(she meant Miranda's baby).
Carrie; Justin was just in time. Because Charlotte was finally ready for a new relationship.
The class actually worked well. Everybody in the class seemed enjoy.
I would like to continue the class at the time o f the next counselling week!
There was a 82 year old decent lady in the class...was it really OK to teach her the "Sex and the City class!??
...I guess it's fine! She has a very young spirit, and she said she enjoyed the class!!
In those weeks, we don't have regular classes, but we have irregular classes to figure out what kinds of classes will be popular among students.
Beside customary TOEIC preparation classes, the irregular class I had was...
"Sex and the City" class!! ...Correction...it was named "movie and drama without captions" class, but I picked one episode from the season 5 of this monster TV show.
Because everyone (especially girls) likes the show once they start to watch, and I thought language learners could enjoy the main character, Carrie's sense of humor in English.
Also, we could learn American culture through the TV show.
I dictated the whole lines from the episode (it took two hours and a half!) and explained them to my students.
For example, I made come comments about blue parts, cause if they will not guess the exact meaning unless they know only the literall meaning
Carrie, Narration(N); Meanwhile, Miranda is back at the office. She was politically incorrectly, happy to be there.
Carrie, N; Meanwhile, Charlotte was working on her perfect plus one. Justin Anderson the Third.
Carrie; Oh’ that’s great. You have a wildly successful career and a relationship. I was worried we.., you know, women only get one or the other...But you have it all!
Also, I interpreted some jokes an punning, like red parts.
Carrie, N; When your career is better than ever, it’s hard not to get a big head.
Carrie, N; Miranda and Walker had shared one night of great sex BC-before child.
Carrie, N; She invited him to be her plus one at the book party since she knew she’d be conveniently minus one(she meant Miranda's baby).
Carrie; Justin was just in time. Because Charlotte was finally ready for a new relationship.
The class actually worked well. Everybody in the class seemed enjoy.
I would like to continue the class at the time o f the next counselling week!
There was a 82 year old decent lady in the class...was it really OK to teach her the "Sex and the City class!??
...I guess it's fine! She has a very young spirit, and she said she enjoyed the class!!
American Idol
Here comes this season again...yes, American Idol new season has started!
In America, it starts in January every year. Since I moved to America in 2003, I watched the reality show & voted the year's my favorite. Carrie Underwood, Katharine Mcphee, Jordin Sparks... After I came back to Japan, I've been still excited to keep watching the show from Japanese FOX channel!
Because the Japanese FOX channel airs the show one month later from America, I usually check the American Idol's website, checking who stays the show and who is kicked out.
However, when I watch regional auditions, I can say who is going to Hollywood or not without confirming the results from the Website, because it's obvious the difference between contestants who can sing or not!!
When I watched an audition in Nashville, there was one really interesting guy.
He didn't look "American Idol" type. He looked a "professional wrestler type," with a lot of tattoo on him. He didn't sing "American Idol" way. He sang a local heavy metal concert way.
So, it was apparent he is not going to Hollywood... But he became the most impressive contestant for me, so far.
When the judges said "no" to him, he smiled and said.
"It's cool. We're all just who we are. I love criticism. If you tell me," no, I'm not feeling you,"I just gonna make me get home and practice ten times harder.
Even the greatest musicians all times fail auditions once or twice in their lives.
There's a reason for everything in this life. So...thank you, guys!"
Isn't his great!?
I just couldn't stop my feeling that I want to fly to Nashville soon to see him!
Yeah, we're all just who we are. And, there's a reason for everything in our lives.
These two are like big two philosophies we should keep in mind!
I love to find those "heroes" next door (he is not my next door actually, he's in Nashville..,) that's why I love reality TV shows!
In America, it starts in January every year. Since I moved to America in 2003, I watched the reality show & voted the year's my favorite. Carrie Underwood, Katharine Mcphee, Jordin Sparks... After I came back to Japan, I've been still excited to keep watching the show from Japanese FOX channel!
Because the Japanese FOX channel airs the show one month later from America, I usually check the American Idol's website, checking who stays the show and who is kicked out.
However, when I watch regional auditions, I can say who is going to Hollywood or not without confirming the results from the Website, because it's obvious the difference between contestants who can sing or not!!
When I watched an audition in Nashville, there was one really interesting guy.
He didn't look "American Idol" type. He looked a "professional wrestler type," with a lot of tattoo on him. He didn't sing "American Idol" way. He sang a local heavy metal concert way.
So, it was apparent he is not going to Hollywood... But he became the most impressive contestant for me, so far.
When the judges said "no" to him, he smiled and said.
"It's cool. We're all just who we are. I love criticism. If you tell me," no, I'm not feeling you,"I just gonna make me get home and practice ten times harder.
Even the greatest musicians all times fail auditions once or twice in their lives.
There's a reason for everything in this life. So...thank you, guys!"
Isn't his great!?
I just couldn't stop my feeling that I want to fly to Nashville soon to see him!
Yeah, we're all just who we are. And, there's a reason for everything in our lives.
These two are like big two philosophies we should keep in mind!
I love to find those "heroes" next door (he is not my next door actually, he's in Nashville..,) that's why I love reality TV shows!
glee
Although a popular high school musical TV drama, glee 2, has been aired for 5 episodes in America, I only could watch the first two episodes as the Japanese FOX's preview, last Sunday.
I love this show not only because the actors' performances are outstanding, but also it shows American society's hierarchy.
In the glee club, most members are minorities. Blacks, Asians, Latinos, single-parent kids, physically challenged, and...gays. They are facing the situations of being bulled, but they don't stop expressing themselves. In the club, there are some members who are supposed to be the top of the hierarchy in a high school, like football players and cheer leaders. There was a conflict between them first, but they became understanding each other, practicing performances.
I really like their ways of mixing the traditional hierarchy.
Also, adults around the high school kids are so attractive in the show.
One of my favorites is Burt, Kurl's father. Kurl(a boy) is gay. Burt (a single parent) is an old-fashioned American guy, who loves football, but he tries to understand who his son is.
It's very nice the way he loves his son the way as he really is.
Here is my most favorite scene from a episode of glee 1.
In this episode, Burt starts to see Finn's mother, Carole, also a single parent.
Burt invites Carole and Finn to his house to live together. Finn and Kurl ended up to live in a same room. Kurl(a gay) was excited to live with Finn( a quarterback star player) because Finn is also a glee club's member. However, as a star foodball player Finn, it seemed humiliating to live with "a gay." After Kurl decorated their room up, Finn just yelled at Kurl, saying, "everything is faggy in this room!"
...Burt heard what Finn said, and here is what Burt told Finn.
Burt;Did you say faggy? Is it OK to say my son FAGGY!?
Finn;..No, sir, I didn't mean so...
Burt; I know what you meant! You think I didn't use that word when I was in your age?
I did! When some kids were caught in practice, I told them, "Shake it off, stop being such a fudge!" We meant exactly the way you meant it, "being a gay is wrong. It's some kind of punishable offense."
...I thought you were different, Finn.
I thought you've been a glee club, and being raised by your mom...
You're some new generation dude who thought this differently. You came in the world, knowing, what is taking on me years of struggling to figure it out.
I guess I was wrong.
I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I love your mom, and maybe this is causing me hurt.
But my family comes first.
I can't hide the poison around. This is my home. He is my son.
I don't know what you want, but not under my roof.
If I'm in his shoes, I don't think I can say those words on the spot!
Finn is his girlfriend's son, and they just started to live together.
However, Burt protects his son, Kurl. Also, his words are honest and sound thoughtful even to Finn. Burt is the man of men!
So, Burt and Carole broke up because of this happening!?
...I don't know yet, but I'm thrilled to know what is going on between two of them, while everybody cares for young couples' updates.
See you on the FOX!!
I love this show not only because the actors' performances are outstanding, but also it shows American society's hierarchy.
In the glee club, most members are minorities. Blacks, Asians, Latinos, single-parent kids, physically challenged, and...gays. They are facing the situations of being bulled, but they don't stop expressing themselves. In the club, there are some members who are supposed to be the top of the hierarchy in a high school, like football players and cheer leaders. There was a conflict between them first, but they became understanding each other, practicing performances.
I really like their ways of mixing the traditional hierarchy.
Also, adults around the high school kids are so attractive in the show.
One of my favorites is Burt, Kurl's father. Kurl(a boy) is gay. Burt (a single parent) is an old-fashioned American guy, who loves football, but he tries to understand who his son is.
It's very nice the way he loves his son the way as he really is.
Here is my most favorite scene from a episode of glee 1.
In this episode, Burt starts to see Finn's mother, Carole, also a single parent.
Burt invites Carole and Finn to his house to live together. Finn and Kurl ended up to live in a same room. Kurl(a gay) was excited to live with Finn( a quarterback star player) because Finn is also a glee club's member. However, as a star foodball player Finn, it seemed humiliating to live with "a gay." After Kurl decorated their room up, Finn just yelled at Kurl, saying, "everything is faggy in this room!"
...Burt heard what Finn said, and here is what Burt told Finn.
Burt;Did you say faggy? Is it OK to say my son FAGGY!?
Finn;..No, sir, I didn't mean so...
Burt; I know what you meant! You think I didn't use that word when I was in your age?
I did! When some kids were caught in practice, I told them, "Shake it off, stop being such a fudge!" We meant exactly the way you meant it, "being a gay is wrong. It's some kind of punishable offense."
...I thought you were different, Finn.
I thought you've been a glee club, and being raised by your mom...
You're some new generation dude who thought this differently. You came in the world, knowing, what is taking on me years of struggling to figure it out.
I guess I was wrong.
I'm sorry, but you can't stay here. I love your mom, and maybe this is causing me hurt.
But my family comes first.
I can't hide the poison around. This is my home. He is my son.
I don't know what you want, but not under my roof.
If I'm in his shoes, I don't think I can say those words on the spot!
Finn is his girlfriend's son, and they just started to live together.
However, Burt protects his son, Kurl. Also, his words are honest and sound thoughtful even to Finn. Burt is the man of men!
So, Burt and Carole broke up because of this happening!?
...I don't know yet, but I'm thrilled to know what is going on between two of them, while everybody cares for young couples' updates.
See you on the FOX!!
Social Network
Even the movie, "the Social Network" has been sweeping lately, I personally don't trust people who contact me through a social networking site.
If I haven't met the people "in person," they seem like virtual for me.
Without meeting in a real world, I don't think we could build a real friendship.
However, there is an exception.
If we have a common thing, especially, if we have a similar passion, we might contact together.
These days, I've been trying to expand my "MC network."
That became one of my resolutions this year.
Last Wednesday, I had dinner with three MCs. Two of them are originally my friends from my former MC office, Nozomi and Hanako. The other is from my current MC office, Ms. M.
Actually, Ms. M was the reason why I belong to my current MC office.
When I was looking for a new MC office, Nozomi recommended Ms.M's official blog to me.
Nozomi has sympathized with Ms. M's professionalism as a MC, and I felt the same when I read her blog. Therefore, I joined the MC office she belonged to.
And Hanako heard about Ms. M's blog from Nozomi, then she has shared the same passion with Ms. M, like Nozomi.
I could say, Ms.M has been our "MC guru" in a virtual world.
...So, what was I doing!??
I said I couldn't trust people whom I haven't met in person, but I entered a company because I believed a person on a computer!
However, I finally met Ms.M last month, so she became my MC guru in a REAL world.
VEry fortunately,I found out she is a really nice person & very professional MC in a REAL world as well. Therefore, I asked her to be a "real guru" for Nozomi and Hanako .
I mean, I set up the meeting of four of us.
We had dinner together in Shinjuku.
We shared each other's stories of professional ones, and personal ones.
That was the day when my virtual network turned out a real, solid network.
On the same day, I had lunch with Yuko, also a wedding MC, whom I met at the conference of Bridal MC Alliance. Bridal MC Alliance is an organization I found virtually, I meant on the Internet.
Whenever I talk with other MCs, I learn a lot from their experiences, passions, the actual ways of their jobs, or how to communicate with clients.
My mentor, Ryoko, built bilingual MC's network and it's a part of her job...but I thought, I could develop my "private" network with my professional peers.
They could be MCs, could be English teachers, or translators...
To do so, I might use my "virtual" relationships on a social network site, and so on.
But, just a correction...the movie, "Social Network" based on a true story of Face Book.
As you know, Face Book is based on not a virtual network. On the site, you can see your "real friends" information, that's why it became really popular.
It's a complicated world!!
If I haven't met the people "in person," they seem like virtual for me.
Without meeting in a real world, I don't think we could build a real friendship.
However, there is an exception.
If we have a common thing, especially, if we have a similar passion, we might contact together.
These days, I've been trying to expand my "MC network."
That became one of my resolutions this year.
Last Wednesday, I had dinner with three MCs. Two of them are originally my friends from my former MC office, Nozomi and Hanako. The other is from my current MC office, Ms. M.
Actually, Ms. M was the reason why I belong to my current MC office.
When I was looking for a new MC office, Nozomi recommended Ms.M's official blog to me.
Nozomi has sympathized with Ms. M's professionalism as a MC, and I felt the same when I read her blog. Therefore, I joined the MC office she belonged to.
And Hanako heard about Ms. M's blog from Nozomi, then she has shared the same passion with Ms. M, like Nozomi.
I could say, Ms.M has been our "MC guru" in a virtual world.
...So, what was I doing!??
I said I couldn't trust people whom I haven't met in person, but I entered a company because I believed a person on a computer!
However, I finally met Ms.M last month, so she became my MC guru in a REAL world.
VEry fortunately,I found out she is a really nice person & very professional MC in a REAL world as well. Therefore, I asked her to be a "real guru" for Nozomi and Hanako .
I mean, I set up the meeting of four of us.
We had dinner together in Shinjuku.
We shared each other's stories of professional ones, and personal ones.
That was the day when my virtual network turned out a real, solid network.
On the same day, I had lunch with Yuko, also a wedding MC, whom I met at the conference of Bridal MC Alliance. Bridal MC Alliance is an organization I found virtually, I meant on the Internet.
Whenever I talk with other MCs, I learn a lot from their experiences, passions, the actual ways of their jobs, or how to communicate with clients.
My mentor, Ryoko, built bilingual MC's network and it's a part of her job...but I thought, I could develop my "private" network with my professional peers.
They could be MCs, could be English teachers, or translators...
To do so, I might use my "virtual" relationships on a social network site, and so on.
But, just a correction...the movie, "Social Network" based on a true story of Face Book.
As you know, Face Book is based on not a virtual network. On the site, you can see your "real friends" information, that's why it became really popular.
It's a complicated world!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Passion & Concentration
Today was my birthday.
I wrote my resolutions of this year already, but I'd like to note my "theme" of this year here.
That is...passion & concentration.
When I attended the Toastmaster's Christmas Gala last year, a former president Masako said, "I attended my relative's international wedding reception party. They had a bilingual emcee.
But she was...not good. Her English was not good, but most importantly, I noticed she didn't have passion for her job, and the couple. I felt how important an emcee is for a wedding! The wedding was not a fiasco, but not fantastic at all because of the emcee!"
At that time, I had a big wedding job as a bilingual emcee a few days later.
Listening to her talk, I determined,"I might not be a very experienced emcee, but at least I have to have passion for the job and the couple!"
On the last Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I was locked myself at home to prepare for the international wedding reception.
Then, I watched the Japanese Figure Skating Championship on TV.
I was so impressed by some performances. I noticed...when a skater was satisfied his/her performance and judges gave him/her a very high score, the skater looked so together.
S/he seemed very concentrated the performance. For example, Takahiko Kozuka's short program performance, and stunningly, Miki Ando looked having no other thoughts during her both performances.
When I watched those performances, I felt just breathtaking, and even sensed the time had stopped because of their...concentration.
Then, I noticed how important concentration was for performances.
My stage is not as big as the top skaters, but the importance of concentration is the same.
I engraved the words, "passion & concentration!" in my mind when I went to the wedding job.
Then...I did a good performance.
Two days ago, I went to a bilingual emcee's party that my teacher Ryoko Sumitomo designed.
The participants were so passionate even they have already great careers!
I want to be like them. I need to be like them. Also, I should try to meet the people whom I want to be like them.
Last year, I became "the year girl" on my birthday.
Can I become the "it girl" this year? I mean, by my career & English and so on...not my appearance, unfortunately... "Year girl"×3 and "it girl" are so different!!
I wrote my resolutions of this year already, but I'd like to note my "theme" of this year here.
That is...passion & concentration.
When I attended the Toastmaster's Christmas Gala last year, a former president Masako said, "I attended my relative's international wedding reception party. They had a bilingual emcee.
But she was...not good. Her English was not good, but most importantly, I noticed she didn't have passion for her job, and the couple. I felt how important an emcee is for a wedding! The wedding was not a fiasco, but not fantastic at all because of the emcee!"
At that time, I had a big wedding job as a bilingual emcee a few days later.
Listening to her talk, I determined,"I might not be a very experienced emcee, but at least I have to have passion for the job and the couple!"
On the last Christmas Eve and Christmas day, I was locked myself at home to prepare for the international wedding reception.
Then, I watched the Japanese Figure Skating Championship on TV.
I was so impressed by some performances. I noticed...when a skater was satisfied his/her performance and judges gave him/her a very high score, the skater looked so together.
S/he seemed very concentrated the performance. For example, Takahiko Kozuka's short program performance, and stunningly, Miki Ando looked having no other thoughts during her both performances.
When I watched those performances, I felt just breathtaking, and even sensed the time had stopped because of their...concentration.
Then, I noticed how important concentration was for performances.
My stage is not as big as the top skaters, but the importance of concentration is the same.
I engraved the words, "passion & concentration!" in my mind when I went to the wedding job.
Then...I did a good performance.
Two days ago, I went to a bilingual emcee's party that my teacher Ryoko Sumitomo designed.
The participants were so passionate even they have already great careers!
I want to be like them. I need to be like them. Also, I should try to meet the people whom I want to be like them.
Last year, I became "the year girl" on my birthday.
Can I become the "it girl" this year? I mean, by my career & English and so on...not my appearance, unfortunately... "Year girl"×3 and "it girl" are so different!!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
How to improve TOEIC score
Last November, I took the TOEIC.
A month later, I got the result. I forgot to keep the result on this blog because I was busy around the time. But now I remember...
I felt very happy to see the score because my reading score was 490, just 5 point short of the full score(495!)
My listening score had been a full(495) score, but my reading score hadn't been improved for a few years. It had been from 450-465. (The original TOEIC consists of a listening test and a reading test.)
I thought that was an obstacle I couldn't take the full score, and I had no idea how I could improve the reading score.
However, a year ago, I decided to subscribe an English newspaper.
I didn't think I could catch up with reading a daily newspaper, so I took the weekly one.
I've been reading the English newspaper...that's why my stagnant reading score has improved!?
Maybe...
My students often ask me, "what should we do to improve TOEIC score?"
I recommend them to study TOEIC reference books, and study basic English, half and half.
For example, if you study English one hour a day, take thirty minutes to learn TOEIC book, and take half an hour to look up English grammar book.
Do I do that? Actually, no... I shouldn't excuse, but it's hard to make time to sit down in front of the desk, and study everyday. But I try to use English all the time.
So, I also tell my students, "Learning a foreign language is like working out.
Don't think too much, just move your body! Your body learns how to do it before you think of it."
You could read English (newspaper, book, Internet..,) write (anything! blog, diary, e-mail, money book...)in English, listen to English TV shows or dramas, and speak in English to...anyone. You could talk to an international tourist, "May I help you?" when you see someone, wondering in an unfamiliar place.
Many Japanese hesitate to use English, saying,"I'm not fluent in English!"
But I want to say it in a loud voice. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE PERFECT ENGLISH!!"
If you keep using it, English would become a part of you.
My English is not perfect too. I'm also one of the people who are "struggling" with English.
But I just keep learning, so I know, if I don't stop learning it...I'll get "reward" sometimes.
If your TOEIC score is not good, don't care about it too much.
Take another chance. You have "saving" of studying English, and you just didn't use your saving for the test.
But I also know, you would be very glad if you took the right score.
TOEIC is just "a test," but IT IS A TEST.
To get the "reward," I mean, getting a good score, just keep trying!
...So, my TOEIC score was almost full because I got a almost full score of reading test?
NOOO! My listening score had been a full score, but this time, it was not.
Therefore, my score was 955. Just 5 points above the last year.
I improved 5 points, should I say "only" 5 points or "as a big step" 5 points??
...I'll get the answer this year, or the following year because it takes time to acquire a skill.
...Am I forgetting my listening skill (score) has fallen down??
...It takes time to recover a skill as well, you know...
A month later, I got the result. I forgot to keep the result on this blog because I was busy around the time. But now I remember...
I felt very happy to see the score because my reading score was 490, just 5 point short of the full score(495!)
My listening score had been a full(495) score, but my reading score hadn't been improved for a few years. It had been from 450-465. (The original TOEIC consists of a listening test and a reading test.)
I thought that was an obstacle I couldn't take the full score, and I had no idea how I could improve the reading score.
However, a year ago, I decided to subscribe an English newspaper.
I didn't think I could catch up with reading a daily newspaper, so I took the weekly one.
I've been reading the English newspaper...that's why my stagnant reading score has improved!?
Maybe...
My students often ask me, "what should we do to improve TOEIC score?"
I recommend them to study TOEIC reference books, and study basic English, half and half.
For example, if you study English one hour a day, take thirty minutes to learn TOEIC book, and take half an hour to look up English grammar book.
Do I do that? Actually, no... I shouldn't excuse, but it's hard to make time to sit down in front of the desk, and study everyday. But I try to use English all the time.
So, I also tell my students, "Learning a foreign language is like working out.
Don't think too much, just move your body! Your body learns how to do it before you think of it."
You could read English (newspaper, book, Internet..,) write (anything! blog, diary, e-mail, money book...)in English, listen to English TV shows or dramas, and speak in English to...anyone. You could talk to an international tourist, "May I help you?" when you see someone, wondering in an unfamiliar place.
Many Japanese hesitate to use English, saying,"I'm not fluent in English!"
But I want to say it in a loud voice. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE PERFECT ENGLISH!!"
If you keep using it, English would become a part of you.
My English is not perfect too. I'm also one of the people who are "struggling" with English.
But I just keep learning, so I know, if I don't stop learning it...I'll get "reward" sometimes.
If your TOEIC score is not good, don't care about it too much.
Take another chance. You have "saving" of studying English, and you just didn't use your saving for the test.
But I also know, you would be very glad if you took the right score.
TOEIC is just "a test," but IT IS A TEST.
To get the "reward," I mean, getting a good score, just keep trying!
...So, my TOEIC score was almost full because I got a almost full score of reading test?
NOOO! My listening score had been a full score, but this time, it was not.
Therefore, my score was 955. Just 5 points above the last year.
I improved 5 points, should I say "only" 5 points or "as a big step" 5 points??
...I'll get the answer this year, or the following year because it takes time to acquire a skill.
...Am I forgetting my listening skill (score) has fallen down??
...It takes time to recover a skill as well, you know...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)