In the modern society, some people are too dependent on technology such as computer. However, by and large, I think we should focus on advantages it provides us.
First of all, working situation has become very efficient because of technology. We can have an international meeting by using TV phone, send visual images by a digital camera. Especially, e-mail made us quite easy to contact each other. Not only these general conveniences, but also specific advancements we have been blessed.
Medical field is one of the remarkable benefits from technology’s progress. Fighting with a terminal disease such as cancer is always our concern. However, I heard, nowadays the patients can figure out whether anticancer drug will suit or not for them as the result of DNA test. I think this is a good example that technology gives us freedom to select the best.
Modern technology has absorbed into our private lives, too. I made many friends from all over the world when I lived in America, and I have kept contact them. We send e-mail each other, meet by Skype, chat on the computer, and broad our network by Social Networking Service. If it were thirty years ago, I don’t think we would still be close friends.
We can’t stop following our dream, “to make our lives better.” We should be careful not to be addicted to the conveniences, but I believe we can
receive the benefit.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Encounter
Sometimes people "happen to" meet something(someone) very special.
Today, when I went to a fancy Italian restaurant with my classmate of French class, I met a talented singer-to-be.
She is a young, cute, and very honest girl.
Her friend is a waiter of that restaurant, so she performed a concert there.
Her name is erica, and I think she will come out the major music industry soon...
Check her out if you are interested in!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCIw56qUGw
I haven't seen (heard) such a perfect performance for awhile. I was so impressed!
Speaking of encounter...it was first time to hung out with Akemi, my French classmate. She is a working mom with two little kids, but she is so active!
I think she goes out much more than me...
Her life sounds like she is having 48 hours...
OK, I'm giving up! I'm so sleepy now, even though I took a nap today...
Maybe my day has just 18 hours, precisely...
Today, when I went to a fancy Italian restaurant with my classmate of French class, I met a talented singer-to-be.
She is a young, cute, and very honest girl.
Her friend is a waiter of that restaurant, so she performed a concert there.
Her name is erica, and I think she will come out the major music industry soon...
Check her out if you are interested in!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jCIw56qUGw
I haven't seen (heard) such a perfect performance for awhile. I was so impressed!
Speaking of encounter...it was first time to hung out with Akemi, my French classmate. She is a working mom with two little kids, but she is so active!
I think she goes out much more than me...
Her life sounds like she is having 48 hours...
OK, I'm giving up! I'm so sleepy now, even though I took a nap today...
Maybe my day has just 18 hours, precisely...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sales Record
The supporting self study campaign has started.
The teachers take counsels with students, and recommend best study materials to them.
This campaign is held biannually.
I have sold some materials to my students, but I remember it was not easy.
I tried to convince them a few times, and my head teacher helped me to give advice them.
However, today...
When I had a counsel with Yukio, who is 67 years old president of a printing company, said "yes" very soon.
He said, "if you recommend it, I'll take it. How much is it?"
...That was it...
He bought our material before, but he hasn't completed it yet.
Therefore, he was not interested in our "self study" materials.
However, maybe since I tried to establish a good rapport with him, he has listened to me well. I felt very happy not only I "sold" our company's material easily, but also I could feel his trust to me.
...Of course that was not a public sales record, but to me, it was my private sales record!
...By the way, my another private student, Ami, who just graduated a junior college, renewed her contract today. She hasn't shown up for a half year without contacting us. It means she skipped her private classes in vain.
But she came to our school today, renewed the contract as our manager recommended. It cost 600,000 yen, but she paid at once by a credit card.
...A BLACK card!
I knew her father is rich, but what's the hell a 20 year old girl has a BLACK card which can afford to buy a MANSION!!
...That was another sales record for today...
The teachers take counsels with students, and recommend best study materials to them.
This campaign is held biannually.
I have sold some materials to my students, but I remember it was not easy.
I tried to convince them a few times, and my head teacher helped me to give advice them.
However, today...
When I had a counsel with Yukio, who is 67 years old president of a printing company, said "yes" very soon.
He said, "if you recommend it, I'll take it. How much is it?"
...That was it...
He bought our material before, but he hasn't completed it yet.
Therefore, he was not interested in our "self study" materials.
However, maybe since I tried to establish a good rapport with him, he has listened to me well. I felt very happy not only I "sold" our company's material easily, but also I could feel his trust to me.
...Of course that was not a public sales record, but to me, it was my private sales record!
...By the way, my another private student, Ami, who just graduated a junior college, renewed her contract today. She hasn't shown up for a half year without contacting us. It means she skipped her private classes in vain.
But she came to our school today, renewed the contract as our manager recommended. It cost 600,000 yen, but she paid at once by a credit card.
...A BLACK card!
I knew her father is rich, but what's the hell a 20 year old girl has a BLACK card which can afford to buy a MANSION!!
...That was another sales record for today...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Know-it-all?
One of my private students, Tokijiro, is a 78 year old psychiatrist.
He is a graceful, sophisticated, smart gentleman.
However, his problem is...he wants to know EVERYTHING.
I go over just for a few pages of the textbook in a 50-minute class because of a shower of his questions.
For example;
Keiko: So, while she was having a coffee at the Starbucks...
Toki: Wait a minute. What does "Starbucks" mean?
Keiko: In this exercise, let's act it out..
Toki: Excuse me. Why do you say "act it OUT?" What does "out" mean?
Keiko: The pronunciation difference between "blink" and "brink..."
Toki: Brink? What's the meaning difference between "brink" and "cliff???"
...I always want to say, "What do you need?? You should PRACTICE first before asking so many questions!!!"
But surely, never do I. I know he has never reviewed & previewed. He just enjoys asking questions at my school. (In another words. he enjoys satisfying a thirst for knowledge?)
Today, he asked me as usual.
Toki: "What's the real name of "a.m?" What does it come from??"
Keiko: Well... "after midnight."
Toshi: Wow! Really? So, how about "p.m?"
Keiko: Ah..."pre midnight."
Toshi: I didn't know that!
...After the class, I looked them up.
My dictionary said, "a.m" is the abbreviation of "ante meridium." "P.M." is "post meridian." They are not English, Latin!
It's obvious I lied to my student!
...But I may not correct. He doesn't have to know Latin!!!
Sometimes, a teacher should pretend to be a know-it-all...
He is a graceful, sophisticated, smart gentleman.
However, his problem is...he wants to know EVERYTHING.
I go over just for a few pages of the textbook in a 50-minute class because of a shower of his questions.
For example;
Keiko: So, while she was having a coffee at the Starbucks...
Toki: Wait a minute. What does "Starbucks" mean?
Keiko: In this exercise, let's act it out..
Toki: Excuse me. Why do you say "act it OUT?" What does "out" mean?
Keiko: The pronunciation difference between "blink" and "brink..."
Toki: Brink? What's the meaning difference between "brink" and "cliff???"
...I always want to say, "What do you need?? You should PRACTICE first before asking so many questions!!!"
But surely, never do I. I know he has never reviewed & previewed. He just enjoys asking questions at my school. (In another words. he enjoys satisfying a thirst for knowledge?)
Today, he asked me as usual.
Toki: "What's the real name of "a.m?" What does it come from??"
Keiko: Well... "after midnight."
Toshi: Wow! Really? So, how about "p.m?"
Keiko: Ah..."pre midnight."
Toshi: I didn't know that!
...After the class, I looked them up.
My dictionary said, "a.m" is the abbreviation of "ante meridium." "P.M." is "post meridian." They are not English, Latin!
It's obvious I lied to my student!
...But I may not correct. He doesn't have to know Latin!!!
Sometimes, a teacher should pretend to be a know-it-all...
Saturday, May 23, 2009
How to choose your career
I really don't want to take the EIKEN... I hate writing an essay!!!!
Topc: factors to consider when choosing a career
Although we have to make choices everyday in our lives, choosing a career is one of the most important decisions. I would like to discuss how we should figure out the answers.
Basically, I believe we can choose our careers based on our personal values. Earning a higher salary, fulfilling job satisfaction, keeping regular hours, and getting social status… There is no job that meets every standard, so you have to clear which is the most important to you. In my case, I have valued the following two aspects.
First, earning potentials. I teach English at an English conversation school. I have received many rewarding trainings from the school. I have to study hard to meet their requirements, and I am grateful to do so because that makes my English improved.
Second, job satisfaction. I had worked for the government just after I graduated college. I had a stable salary, but I had never been satisfied with my job because it seemed like anybody could be my replacement. However, since I became a teacher, some students have said to me I am irreplaceable for them. That makes me very happy.
Some people have said, “to work is to live.” I think it is very important to recognize what is a criterion for choosing a career to fulfill the life.
Topc: factors to consider when choosing a career
Although we have to make choices everyday in our lives, choosing a career is one of the most important decisions. I would like to discuss how we should figure out the answers.
Basically, I believe we can choose our careers based on our personal values. Earning a higher salary, fulfilling job satisfaction, keeping regular hours, and getting social status… There is no job that meets every standard, so you have to clear which is the most important to you. In my case, I have valued the following two aspects.
First, earning potentials. I teach English at an English conversation school. I have received many rewarding trainings from the school. I have to study hard to meet their requirements, and I am grateful to do so because that makes my English improved.
Second, job satisfaction. I had worked for the government just after I graduated college. I had a stable salary, but I had never been satisfied with my job because it seemed like anybody could be my replacement. However, since I became a teacher, some students have said to me I am irreplaceable for them. That makes me very happy.
Some people have said, “to work is to live.” I think it is very important to recognize what is a criterion for choosing a career to fulfill the life.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Beauty World Japan
Hi!
Some friends have asked me what has been going on...because I haven't republished my blog for awhile... Nothing happens! I haven't gotten swine flu, so far!
Today, my friend, Masami took me to a VERY fabulous event... The Beauty World Japan in Tokyo Big Site! This event basically for people who are involved in beauty industries such as cosmetics, aesthetics, nail salons, hair salons, etc, etc.
Masami was not, neither am I...
But she has a connection to those people, so she got tickets.
It was just amazing how advanced the beauty industries right now...
We got many free samples & leaflets of new products. I can enjoy trying those for awhile!
Thank you, Masami!!
Some friends have asked me what has been going on...because I haven't republished my blog for awhile... Nothing happens! I haven't gotten swine flu, so far!
Today, my friend, Masami took me to a VERY fabulous event... The Beauty World Japan in Tokyo Big Site! This event basically for people who are involved in beauty industries such as cosmetics, aesthetics, nail salons, hair salons, etc, etc.
Masami was not, neither am I...
But she has a connection to those people, so she got tickets.
It was just amazing how advanced the beauty industries right now...
We got many free samples & leaflets of new products. I can enjoy trying those for awhile!
Thank you, Masami!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Nuclear Power??
God, I am so unfamiliar with this topic...
My essay may be miserable this time...
Agree or disagree; The use of nuclear power should be expanded?
I agree with the use of nuclear power should be expanded because if I compare it to other power, using nuclear power will bring benefits to Japan.
First, using the nuclear power is economical. The unit price per power generation is much cheaper than price of oil and electricity. Additionally, because of the extremely small weight and volume, it is easier to transport and stock. The cost-effective nuclear power plants will be expected to generate employments, too.
Second, nuclear power doesn’t emit CO2 which is one of the major reasons for the global warming. It doesn’t exhaust Nox and Sox, that are to cause air pollution. In the nowaday’s world, to pick the environmental-friendly one is meaningful.
Thirdly, we can use the renewable energy effectively. We have high technique of retreating nuclear power. On the contrary to our short resources, using the nuclear power & reusing it is one of our ways to survive in the competitive world. We can appeal our high technique level to the world.
I know we have a special feeling for the nuclear war because Japan has been only atomic bomb victim, However, using nuclear power for safety has too many advantages to avoid it.
My essay may be miserable this time...
Agree or disagree; The use of nuclear power should be expanded?
I agree with the use of nuclear power should be expanded because if I compare it to other power, using nuclear power will bring benefits to Japan.
First, using the nuclear power is economical. The unit price per power generation is much cheaper than price of oil and electricity. Additionally, because of the extremely small weight and volume, it is easier to transport and stock. The cost-effective nuclear power plants will be expected to generate employments, too.
Second, nuclear power doesn’t emit CO2 which is one of the major reasons for the global warming. It doesn’t exhaust Nox and Sox, that are to cause air pollution. In the nowaday’s world, to pick the environmental-friendly one is meaningful.
Thirdly, we can use the renewable energy effectively. We have high technique of retreating nuclear power. On the contrary to our short resources, using the nuclear power & reusing it is one of our ways to survive in the competitive world. We can appeal our high technique level to the world.
I know we have a special feeling for the nuclear war because Japan has been only atomic bomb victim, However, using nuclear power for safety has too many advantages to avoid it.
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