The last day

Hi, everyone!

Today is the last day of the year. Compared with when I was a child, I can't feel something special now. It's a day that I need to reconcider of my own year. I really feel happy thinking back over this year's many unprecedented events.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

A roller coaster

Hi, everyone!

What sort of impression did you get from spending this year? For me, I moved forward as if I was riding on a roller coaster all through the year. The driver was Plum, of course. That coaster was full of thrills, rolling at high speed, which could take me a height of the world on learning English. Thanks to Plum, I have managed to follow all of you, in spite of my poor English. Now I express my appreciation to you.

There are only one day left till the New Year starts. Please take care of you, friends.
See you…

'Asia stories'

Hi, everyone!

From time this week: The 10 biggest Asia stories
#1 Pakistan in crisis
‘The country reels from the imposition of emergency rule, a beleaguered presidency, a spate of suicide bombings and an escalating Islamic insurgency.’

The day before yesterday, this story changed crueler one. The ex-president Bhutto was assassinated by a person of Islamic. It’s really sad, but I can’t feel so much reality in my life because of my ignorance about it. In the first place, the concept of ‘Asia’ has not appealed to me for a long time, for there are too large differences between Japan and other Asian countries. I feel our country has something special for better or worse.

Think back to this year on TIME, we couldn’t see so many Japanese women. I only remembered Ai Miyazato. I hope more women can be actively involved in the front line of the world.

So, see you!

The best books

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, I am just serving my role as a mother at the minimum, so called tenuki. I sometimes feel pity for my kids, but it may foster a spirit of independence in them in the near future.

Alice, I was surprised with your energy for your research. Hokkaido in winter, it’s great!
As Plum said, I also believe your amazing power of action will produce excellent results. How about Kushiro? Could you take any delicious foods there?

I’d like to mention the best books of this year.
1) Web jidaiwo yuku (Mochio Umeda)
2) Sasaki kaorino techojutu (Kaori Sasaki)
3) Zainichi nihonjin(Masao Miyamoto)
They could greatly influence on me.

Plum, now you have tripped to Kyusyu, which might be hard for you. Please take care and enjoy your New Year holidays!

So, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. See you!

Mild weather

Hi, everyone!

It has been mild weather today, and I enjoyed window cleaning of my house. While cleaning them outside, I could feel the heat of the sun. I love this calm climate.

I’d like to show my opinion about the best movies of this year.
1) Letters from Iwo Jima
2) Soredemo bokuwa yattenai
3) Hula girl( last year’s movie)
I have interested in Japanese movies these days, which may show a variety of contents.
At the beginning of the year, I decided to go to see movies once a month, but I couldn’t. Although I like go to theater, I have no time to go there lately. I must consider the order of priority in my life carefully.

So, I hope you will go through with your works. See you!

Cleaning up

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, thank you for your detailed comment about the status of mothers in old time Japan. It’s easy to understand for me. Now there are still such examples in the emperor system of Japan, aren’t there?

We have gotten along with our cleaning up today. I could feel comfortable fatigue now, but it seems endless. I have still many works to do tomorrow. Take it easy…

So, see you, bye!

A very early stage

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I’m sorry for your cold, and for correcting my composition in spite of your bad condition. I was surprised at many mistakes on it, and I feel I am still at a very early stage in English. I hope you will get well soon, and I thank you so much!

I will start a big cleanup of my house with my kids tomorrow. It may be easy because of these days’s warm weather. Be careful of our health…

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

To see Santa Claus

Hi, everyone!

When I read magnolia’s comment today, I wondered why Japanese religious base is mother-oriented. I have once heard that Buddhism teaches ‘nyonin jobutu,’ which tells us that women can’t attain Buddhahood unless they are born again as men. Some temples used to be clothed to women. Is there any difference between a woman and a mother…? The point of view on religion is complicated for us, but very interesting. Sunflower, I think your subject will surely stimulate our frame of reference.

My kids were excited yesterday, because they expected to see Santa Claus in a couple of days. Older daughter said to me, ‘I am going to set a trap for him so that I can see him!’
I frustrated her and put presents for them on their bedsides last night. This morning they were surprised with it and disappointed at their failure. ‘We didn’t hear he came last night!’ They sighed. I couldn’t help laughing behind them.

So, I wish you a Merry Xmas! Bye!

'Web jidaiwo yuku'

Hi, everyone!

I really felt happy to read your comments, enjoying your valuable holiday. It’s wonderful.

This afternoon I was reading a book I borrowed from the library yesterday and very impressed with it. Although I haven’t read it yet to the end, I’d like to recommend it for the best book of this year. The title is ‘web jidaiwo yuku,’ written by Mochio Umeda, a sequel of the bestseller book which was published last year. The author compared the Web world to a free superhighway for learning, and everybody could arrive at some point along that way.

His statements were very positive, optimistic, and realistic. For example, he quoted a proverb, ‘in the right place at the right time,’ and said he learned this word at Silicon Valley. In addition to this, he mentioned that ‘only the paranoid survive.’ That is to say, this book is not only for a computer programmer but also for anyone who try to attain something great through Internet. I think I am surely ‘in the right place at the right time.’ I’m sorry for my poor comment about it, but it must be worth reading.

So, see you tomorrow. Good bye!

The influx of Chinese workers

Hi, everyone!

From TIME this week: Chasing the Japanese dream
‘This influx of Chinese white-collar workers is forcing Japan to rethink its very national identity. Traditionally, the island nation has been inward-looking and xenophobic. Today, however, grappling with a labor shortage caused by decades of declining birth rates, Japan knows it must import workers if it is to remain the world’s second-largest economy.’

I have forgotten the truth that Japan is just a small island nation. It is rather difficult to keep it at all times in my mind as long as I spend my days in peace. I think it is natural that people of the world don’t recognize our lives in Japan as the Far East small country, especially women’s ones, as Plum mentioned before. But now we have to show our lives and thoughts to the world so that we can survive in these hard surroundings. As Magnolia and Azalea taught us, it’s also very important to think about a relationship with U.S. I must open my eyes and ears wide.

So, I’ll go back to my household chores. See you tomorrow, bye!

The starting line

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I appreciate what you said for us, and I now feel easy about your access on this Blog. Frankly speaking, I am usually puzzled what to do and write on it, and the more I know, the more I find I don’t know about English. Yes, exactly I just come to the starting line of my improvement in English. Without your warm advice, I would already give up.
And I am happy if you will point out my mistake.

I also thank you for teaching me the book of アルク. When I tried an oral test of EIKEN about three years ago, I got 起きてから寝るまで口慣らし練習帳, which came in very useful at that time. But I have forgotten almost all of this, and not ever used a CD, attached to this. I’d like to re-use this.

Sunflower, I was interested in the subject about Christianity. I also wonder why it remains so little numbers in Japan.

So, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

Relieved at home

Hi, everyone!

Today was my last business day of the year, and now I am relieved at home, turning over various things in my mind. I can recognize nothing is happier than our good health, and good relationships with friends. I hope we will be in more fortunate circumstances year by year.

So, see you tomorrow, good night!

Be relaxed

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, I suppose I am a little obsession of this blog, and so last night, I felt exhausted about it. From today, I can be relaxed on it. Thank you.

Azalea, I also sometimes feel as if we can be together and peacefully talk to each other. I could enjoy your stories everyday.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow. Good night!

Just six months!

Hi, everyone!!

We have finally done today!　
December 18, 2007, today, it is just six months since we launched this blog, and I am very happy to having gone ahead with all of you, especially with Plum. Thanks to you, I can spend most fantastic time than ever in my life. Without your great support, we couldn’t keep writing on this blog. From now on, I have no idea about this blog, but I will follow you as possible as I can. Thank you very much!!

About six months ago, I couldn’t manage to write English smoothly. But I have enjoying writing on English lately, even a little bit. I’d like to improve my English more.

So, I will have a sweet dream tonight, and I hope you, too. See you tomorrow.

The coldest morning

Hi, everyone!

It was the coldest morning today, wasn’t it? Hard winter of Nagoya has come at last. On TV news this evening, a newscaster said that there are many ‘winter days,’ or fuyubi, during which the temperature falls below zero degrees, in Nagoya as three times as in Tokyo or Osaka. I didn’t know about it. We have to survive this tough season.

Cosmos, thank you for your report on Dr Ueno’s lecture. She is still so young that we will be able to get her wisdom more.

So, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good bye!

A saga drama

HI, everyone!

Plum, I’m sorry for Ulala-san’s fever and your hectic days! As you said Yujin-kun is very big boy, I’m afraid baby-sitting is so hard on your hands and neck. I hope she will become well soon and you’ll feel easy about it.

This evening, a saga drama of this season on NHK was over, which made me feel a coming of yearend. I don’t like such Japanese costume play so much, but my HD loves them. He has always made it a rule to watch them every year, and give us a detailed explanation about it. While listening to his talk, I have a feeling I understand many circumstances, but after a while I found I didn’t know them at all. Why…? Probably it is because I’m not interested with those Japanese histories, which tend to depict men’s war.

So, see you tomorrow, good night.

PS I could change our post time. Thank you, Alice!

Longer holidays

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, did you go the Diet Library to study about your essay? It’s fantastic! I hope you could find some data you want.

We have just 2weeks this year, and will spend some hectic days. I agree with Cosmos’s opinion that we should not to do many things at once. OK, take it easy. By the way, about a week ago, my HD suggested going to Tokyo Disney Land at this yearend, because he will able to take longer holidays this year than usual. It seems wonderful, but I’m afraid of its coldness, overcrowding and difficulty. We have never been to Disney Sea, but I don’t feel terribly keen on it. I have no idea about it…

So, I hope all of you have a nice plan on this yearend, good bye!

'Oprah's favorite candidate'

Hi, everyone!

Alice, you have many works to do, and I hope you will be able to do them all.

From TIME this week: Obama finds his moment
‘Oprah’s favorite candidate---Now the Obama campaign is hoping that Oprah Winfrey’s golden touch will have a similar impact on the residents of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.---And the day after Oprah’s plans were revealed, Hillary announced that she had her own diva supporter: Barbra Streisand.’

President campaign of USA will become more and more intense and some famous persons tend to announce their support for a favorite candidate officially. In Japan, not many people are willing to volunteer their opinions in public, partly because there are very few politicians worthy to be considered. It’s a pity.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

My best music

Hi, everyone!

Today I’d like to talk about my best music of this year. I have become a lover of old favorite songs, as I mentioned before and it’s because of my age. I like a cover trilogy of Hideaki Tokunaga these days. Those songs on it are all women’s songs, such as Miyuki Nakajima, Mariya Takeuchi, Yuming, and so on. His voice has a feeling of transparency and cool, and I usually enjoy his CD while my cooking in the kitchen. I chose this without hesitate as the best music of this year.

For my essay, now I’m reading ‘ warawa no hansyogai’ by Hideko Fukuda, a pioneer of women’s liberation movement. This book was published at about one hundred years ago, when she was forty- years old, but her statements on it are not only fresh, but also very powerful even for people today. I’m interested by those who were energetic in women’s empowerment in Meiji era.

So, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

About discrimination

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, I was sorry to have missed seeing you at the yearend party. I wonder your daughter could get well. From your report she has already been well, hasn’t she?
By the way, it was interesting that you discussed about discrimination at Jonathan’s meeting today. I am impressed with his word that defining discrimination was so difficult. I think everyone can become both offenders and victims in different situations.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

Women's liberation movement

Hi, everyone!

For my essay, I am now reading books about some women who had fought for liberty as a forerunner. Plum taught us before about Hideko Fukuda, and I found now that she was strongly influenced by Toshiko Nakajima. Both of them are popular activists for women’s liberation movement in Meiji era, but I have never heard their names and achievements. While reading books, I have recognized the modern Japanese history little by little, as Plum told to us. We used to learn our history from the viewpoint of men, and regard this as quite natural. And now, thanks to Plum’s many instructions, I could discover a new angle for women.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye.

Beautiful Korankei

Hi, everyone!

It was warm, nice day today. I went to Korankei for the first time with Azalea’s guidance for her kind invitation. We visited a Zen temple Kosekiji at first, and then walking along a clear river, crossed a rope bridge. The height season of color leaves has already gone, but rather quiet colors, shining in the weak winter sunshine, made my heart peaceful.
We took soba for lunch outside, and left for Azalea’s house. We enjoyed a delightful talking, in spite of not so much time. She also gave me a chance of cutting many fruits off in her back yard. Anyway, we must have been behaving ourselves, and it was a fine day today…. Thank you very much, Azalea.

So, I will write about my essay soon. See you tomorrow!

Happy lunch

Hi, everyone!

Today, thanks to Plum, we had a very comfortable, happy lunch and a lively conversation going with each other. I very enjoyed each delicious meal! Thank you very much, dear friends…

While talking about gender issue today, I thought of my real mission as an individual. When I read some feminists claims in former days, I disappointed that our surroundings haven’t changed a bit. But I also inspired by their great spirits. I am proud of being our women’s group and I believe, you, too.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

Who is Jeannette Rankin

Hi, everyone!

I found an interesting article on today’s Tensei-jingo, Asahi shinbun.

‘There may be few Japanese who know the name of Jeannette Rankin. She was born in USA 1880, and the first female member of Congress. She led the activity of women’s suffrage in USA, and she is a counterpart of Fusae Ichikawa in Japan.’
I heard to her name for the first time, and I didn’t remember that it is the memorial day of the Pearl Harbor Attack today.

From wikipedia:
Jeannette Rankin (June 11, 1880 – May 18, 1973) was the first woman elected to the United States House of Representatives and the first female member of Congress. A lifelong pacifist, she was the only member of Congress to vote against United States entry into World War II and one of fifty to vote against World War I. Additionally, she led resistance to the Vietnam War. To date, she is the only woman to be elected to Congress from Montana.

Azalea, men were made from women, that’s right.

So, I’m looking forward to see you tomorrow. Good bye!

'Global gender gap'

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I thank you for introducing a beautiful poem you received when you were 19 years old. (You take good care of your things!) Rhyming poem may sound fantastic, I suppose.

From TIME last week: Index
Global gender gap
‘The Swiss-based World Economic Forum released an annual list that ranks countries on the basis of gender equality. The report measures the discrepancies between men and women in four categories: 1) educational attainment, 2) economic participation and opportunity, 3) political empowerment, and 4) health and survival. The U.S. slipped from 22nd place in 2006 to 31st place this year, partly because of its low political-participation rate for women.’

It goes without saying that Japan is 91st place, and No.1 is Sweden. I couldn’t catch this news on Asahi shinbun in Japanese. I want to read such index on front page some day.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

Holding a barbell

Hi, everyone!

It was rather warmer today than yesterday and I could saw beautiful blue sky.

Azalea, I thank you for your detailed story about the skin fossils of dinosaurs. I can’t imagine 65 million years ago…! But it is also mysterious for us, who have to get along our small daily life.

Cosmos, I feel sorry for your struggles with your PC, and I’d like to hear your following talks next time.

This afternoon I went the gym to do new program with some barbell. I was really tired with many squats holding a barbell over my shoulder! I’m sure that I should feel some muscular pains tomorrow morning. So, it’s the end. See you!

The coldest day

Hi, everyone!

It was the coldest day today, wasn’t it!?　I had to put on my down jacket to go out. Winter finally has come. They say the flu will go around this winter, and I’m afraid of that I might catch it this season. I must wear a flu mask on a subway so as not to receive others germs.

When I went to the lecture meeting of Dr Ueno several days ago, as I told you before, I got some copy materials of her story, published on Fujin koron and Nikkei woman. I was interested with one article on it, saying she had hated her mother because of devoting to her bossy father. Azalea taught me before that Fusae Ichikawa, a great advocate for women’s suffrage, had also been disappointed by her father’s violence against her mother. It is interesting that those repressions of their mothers made them aim toward women’s empowerment.

So, it’s time to prepare a bath. See you tomorrow!

Cold wind

Hi, everyone!

It blew cold wind today, and I finally put a carpet on the floor of living room. We will have to heat rooms this night, won’t we?

Azalea, I already caught the news on the radio, but I haven’t recognized its real meaning. I’d like to learn about this subject from you next time.

Magnolia, you have done at the guide test two days ago. You must look forward to the result, mustn’t you.

I have some works tonight for my kid's PTA, and see you tomorrow. Good bye!

Western food lunch

HI, everyone!

This morning, I went to parental visitation of my kids’ school in pretty cold rain. At that class, a friend of mine asked me for lunch with her friends. I gladly agreed to it, because I haven’t gone to lunch with my kids’ mothers for a long time. Then we went to a Western food restaurant by her car. Since I have never talked to her friends, I felt a bit nervous with them. But gradually we began to relax each other, we enjoyed to chat and chat of several issues, and have delicious food. I am shy person and will take a long time to be a good friend.

Plum, it seems really effective for me to think everything, everywhere in English. On the way to my work, I always listen to CNN radio news on my ipod and do shadowing in a low voice. It is very easy way to learn listening English with ipod, which makes my commuting enjoyable. I will try to replace the thought in my mind with English.

It became winter from autumn. I hope you have good sleep. Bye!

Organizing a citizen sector

Hi, friends!

This afternoon I went to hear a lecture meeting of Dr Ueno, which I was also looking forward to. The topic was ‘organizing a citizen sector of minorities to survive,’ and I have imagined that she would tell us about some political issues, because the host of this event was an activists’ group for women’s political empowerment. But almost of her talk was about the nursing care for the elderly. Through her fieldwork, she could find several examples which have succeeded in an undertaking for nursery business. It is certainly important problem for us, especially those who have to face their too old parents. But I hoped to hear a point of view about women’s political participation. I suppose she can do that well, so I was disappointed a little bit. I’d like to listen to her lecture of those issues near future.

At the meeting, I could meet Cosmos, Alice, and Asahi-san.( sorry, I can’t remember your blog name.) I was happy to see them after a long time.

So, see you tomorrow. Good bye!

The beginning day of December

Hi, everyone!

These days’ weather was mild, and it’s fantastic to enjoy late roses at Tsurumai Park.
Ballerina is so pretty name, isn’t it? I fancy its tiny flower.

Today is the beginning day of December, and we will have to do many our business until the opening of the New Year. I feel depressed when I think about a big cleanup, in spite of my small house. I also worried about a winter vacation with my kids. If I could teach them a kind of cooking, or knitting, we could enjoy more precious time…

So, I hope all of you will enjoy this late autumn. See you tomorrow!

'Fatherhood 2.0'

Hi, everyone!

When I finished my work at my office today, I decided to follow a new way to go subway station, because of my intention of getting my new notebook at a bookstore. In spite of my working there for almost one year, I have always walked along the same way to the station. Then, while walking that new path, I was surprised with much fresh scenery for me, with beautiful play park, fantastic big tree, and traditional pretty café. There also were a lot of historical buildings along the road. I could feel so happy at that time that I will try this way to my office next time.

From TIME this week: Fatherhood 2.0
‘Many dads are challenging old definitions of manliness. …Though many fathers still cleave to the old archetype, (an associate professor of psychology) Rochlen’s study finds that those who don’t are happier.’
‘Other research shows that fathers who stop being men of the old mold have better-adjusted children, better marriages and better work lives---better physical and mental health, even.’

I have thought American men like to act as a good father. But by reading this article, I feel they are likely to Japanese men. Flexible thoughts will make both women and men happier more and more.

So, today is the end of nice November. Let’s enjoy last beautiful month. Good bye!

Welcome back again, Plum!

Hi, everyone, and welcome back, Plum!!
I’m very, very glad that you could finally come to here. We’ve really missed you. But we, junior essay members were lucky to have met you timely, and other members are looking forward to see you soon. I wonder when Ulala-san will go back to Australia. Please take care of you.

Today is my memorable day. When I became forty-years old, I decided I would be reborn at the very day. If our lifetime may be about eighty-years old, I had just been a half of my own at that time. Then I made up my mind to do what I want, and not to do what I don’t want. It’s very simple rule, but definitely important for me. Since then, I can feel real freedom gradually. So, today is my 3rd anniversary with joy. And coming back of Plum today made me happy twice.

So, good bye, and good night.

'onnatachino 21seiki'

HI, everyone!

Cosmos, I feel very sorry for your nerve disease. You must have some fatigue these days. Please take a good rest and come again. I’ll wait for you.

Today I went to Josei kaikan to look for several books about women’s suffrage, in order to write my essay. Among those, I found an interesting book. Its title is ‘onnatachino 20seiki 100nin,’ and this book introduces 100 women, who took an important role for gender equality, from Kajiko Yajima to Mamako Yoneyama. My memory is not certain, but perhaps Plum has introduced it to us at lecture for essay. Since each article is compactly constructed, I suppose it will be easy to read to the end. Those women must inspire us with hope.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

'Hanayori dango'

Hi, everyone!

It remains a few days in November. With the arrival of December, we have to feel the end of this year. How quickly time passes!

By the way, I have favorite regular work at year’s end. I always choose my best book, movie, and drama of the year and my favorite drama is already chosen. The best for me is ‘Hanayori dango.’ My kids and I saw this on a rerun and were crazy about this charming drama. This is a romantic comedy based on a girl’s comic, which depicts hard but fantastic struggle of a cute poor girl. Japanese comics always go ahead of our culture, doesn’t it? Now I will keep books and movies for later. Do you have your best book or movie this year?

So, it may be a change of season. Please take care of you. Bye!

Read aloud

Hi, everyone!

Let me introduce plum’s important lecture on yesterday. To improve our weak English skills, she said, we have to read English books aloud three hours every day. Three hours…! Until we can easily repeat them from memory, we should read again and again. She also told us that she wanted us at least an hour a day. All I can do is try it. Then today, I tried the issue of gender equality on TIME, and read aloud for half an hour. I could fix several sentences on my lip. Whoof! I did it more half an hour. Can I manage to do it every day…?

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

Women's magazine, again

Hi, everyone!

Alice, I agree entirely with you. Women’s magazine targets some typical women, and publishers are trying to stir up in women an urge to become beautiful, skinny, and young forever. These days, there is a fashion magazine for elementary school’s girls, actually I had to buy it at the request of my daughter few days ago. All girls on that magazine were skin and bones, as same as on adult’s magazine. It’s terrible. I had to tell my daughter that there were many plots on such media and we ought not to be manipulated by stupid advertisements.

Today we, junior essay members, gathered at Plum’s house and could see her after a long time. Plum seemed rather well and almost the same as always. We felt very happy that we could meet her and get wonderful lecture from her. We are very lucky pupils. Thank you very much, Plum.

So, a new week will start tomorrow. See you, bye!

Women's magazines

Hi, everyone!
How do you spend this holiday?

Magnolia, we are lucky to have met such nice class teacher, and you, too, were lucky, weren't you.
Thanks to that teacher, you could develop your English talent, I see.

From TIME this week: Global business
‘She (Cathie Black) is responsible for 19 titles, including such flagship women’s magazines as the 122 years-old Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and O: The Oprah Magazine, her most recent blockbuster hit.’
‘Given her success in the male dominated world of publishing, Black is surprisingly silent in her book on the subject of discrimination. It never affected her “in any way that was life-threatening,” she tells TIME. “Because I have a strong and forceful personality, I could either see it coming or do a sidestep so it didn’t have to happen.”

I wonder who publishers of women’s magazines in Japan are. They may be all men. I think it will soon be the time for woman looking after oneself. By the way, do you have any favorite women’s magazine? I only browse them in a bookstore lately, in spite of those fatnesses.

So, see you later, bye!

Meeting again

Hi, everyone!

Alice, there are annual school events here and there, and yesterday my kids also had a school festival at school gymnasium. Since my kids’ school has the highest number of pupils in Nagoya and no capacity for all families, we always have to go to the event on a weekday. Anyway, all children were very excited and satisfied.

This morning, my younger daughter could enjoy a fantastic meeting. Last year she was lucky that she has had a good class teacher, who was a young man, came from Kyushu.
He was so kind, sincere, and warm-hearted person that he was popular with the students. I think he had a deep desire to be of service to his students. He was playing guitar, painting cartoon, and showing a backward somersault everyday. But sadly, he decided to go Osaka at the end of the last school year, and children had to cry loudly.

Even after a year, children never forget him. Few days ago, we got the news that he will come to Nagoya and he wants to meet his class students. When my daughter heard it, she was really overjoyed and said she was definitely coming to meet him. And then this morning, they gathered at a neighborhood park, and could meet him again finally. In spite of too sudden invitation, almost all children could come there. He showed a changeless love for children, and played tag, dodge ball, and took photographs with children. It will always remain in her memory.

So, good night, see you!

Autumn holiday

Hi, everyone!

Alice, thank you for introducing me some valuable sites about studying abroad. As for destination, Canada and Australia are popular among Japanese parent and child. There are many people going to Canada these days, aren’t there? I will do my best for my dream.

Magnolia, congratulations! I suppose your fatigue could vanish when you heard the wonderful news. It is the result of your great efforts, isn’t it! I believe you will show your good performance on December 2nd. Since I’m going to listen to Dr Ueno’s lecture that day, I will be able to tell you the details of the event.

Late autumn holiday will come again tomorrow. Have a nice holiday, good bye!

Cabbage

HI, everyone!

Cosmos, you are amazingly ageless! I was told words KY and MK1 from my kids before. They usually use those words in their class. Where did you catch these?

Today when I watched ABC news on TV, I heard news about 60th wedding anniversary of Queen Elizabeth in England. On the news, it was reported that the couple call each other, Hon and Cabbage. Cabbage… I have never heard it. According a dictionary, it comes from French ‘chou,’ means darling. It is interesting, isn’t it?

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

Winter fashion

Hi, everyone!

Alice, I agree with you, we can get so much information from English news sources. When we use English, we can become an outgoing person, right?

Azalea, I also sometimes feel a pain in my brain. We must study English so as not to make our brain shrink.

Magnolia, welcome back from Taiwan! I guess you enjoyed wonderful trip there. You are really active person, aren’t you?

It has been cold today. While walking the streets, I could enjoy watching much winter fashion, such as far coats, wool mufflers, and long boots. When I sit down a reception desk on my work, I enjoy in my mind choosing a good dresser among many visitors. In general girls are more fashion-minded than boys, much more middle aged salaried worker.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

'Eigode shaberanaito'

Hi, everyone!

This morning, I watched a TV program ‘Eigode Shaberanaito’ on NHK-BS2. I usually watch this while cleaning my living room. Today’s guest was Shizuka Kudo, and she spoke English on TV for the first time. To my great surprise, she was amazingly good English speaker. She also said she likes British English than American one, taking some differences as examples. Why she decided to speak English on TV was for her daughters. Since she always tells them not hesitate to speak English, finally she made up her mind to appear on this program.

Then she showed her own vocabulary notebook, on which she writes English words picked out from a picture book. She is highly motivated. I was impressed by her many efforts, like as Norika Fujiwara, and I also understand importance of our motivation. My motivation? I’m dreaming that my daughters and I will study abroad in four years.　I must be hungry.

So, what is your motivation for learning English?
See you tomorrow, good bye!

The mystery of nature

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, I have also learned the mystery of great nature from your exciting introduction about dinosaurs. Once we imagine the dinosaurs’ world, we can recognize that our existence is quite insignificant, can’t we. It’s just wholesome ideas for us.

Cosmos, I read ‘Ohitorisamano rogo’ by Chizuko Ueno the other day. It’s interesting book for me, but I think she isn’t the only one who can handle this job. Even Junko Sakai or Rika Kayama could do. I’d like to hear from her about more socialized issues.

Autumn has deepened into winter these days, and it will be the time for the heating soon. Good night, I hope you will sleep well.

Kabuki actor's dynasty

HI, everyone!

Azalea, Alice, I found David Suzuki on TIME October 29, ‘Heroes of the environment.’
I’ll be waiting for your story about him.

Cosmos, it’s interesting for me that the politics in Japan may be like kabuki actor’s dynasty. Since the political life seems really difficult and complicated for an amateur, I think, we tend to entrust those issues to some political families. By the way, in Asian nations except Japan, many daughters have succeeded her father. I wonder why they are so popular in public.

Anyway, every political issue seems suspicious for us, doesn’t it? Chizuko Ueno says that it’s important to cut politician’s pay so that we can exclude a politician from some privilege. Next month, Ms Ueno will come to Nagoya to talk about this issue, and I’m looking forward to seeing her.
So, see you tomorrow, bye!

'Family affairs'

Hi, everyone!

Alice, thank you for your answer. Since whenever I listen to the word ‘mathematics,’ I feel scary, I have respect for your talent. And I can agree with Azalea’s opinion that you are a cosmopolitan.

From TIME this week: Family affairs
‘Asia is still dominated by political dynasties---retarding the region’s democratic development’
‘From India to China, many people still place a high priority on helping their family first---so average citizens simply may look at family politics as normal.’
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, India, Philippines, China, and Japan. Many Asian nations are dominated by family affairs in politics. First ladies of both Argentina and U.S. will succeed her husband. I wonder whether it is good or bad for public.

It’s weekend now. Time passes really quickly, doesn’t it?! I hope all of you will enjoy this weekend. Good bye!

Body combat

Hi, everyone!

Alice, I’d like to ask you what kind of statistics you are studying now, and why you began to learn them. I’m so poor at the science that I can’t recognize its charm, and envy you.

Today I went to the sports club and enjoyed a course of body combat, which is mixed some martial arts, like as boxing, kung fu, or tae kwon do. It takes only 30 minutes, but we must have really hard movements at the class. There are about 30 women, and many of those are playing that action smoothly. While giving a punch and kick, I can feel a power in the inner parts of my body and mind. I’ll try it at least for a month.

So, I’m little tired, good night, see you!

By fourteen years old...

Hi, everyone!

Alice, you have many international acquaintances, haven’t you. You must be an open-minded person to them. Which country would you like to go best?

Yesterday I read an interesting book titled ‘ Ju-yonsai karano seiji,’ by a fourteen years old girl of junior high. She interviewed eight politicians, such like as Shinzo Abe, then the Chief Cabinet Secretary. (Published one years ago) The aim of this work, which is very easy for reading, is for younger generations. But in this book the author can reveal them as passionate, high-minded, and friendly politicians, and even for adults, it’s a good politician’s guide book. The most impressive thing for me is author’s high awareness of the political issues. She is only fourteen years old! I look forward to this girl’s future.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

A laparoscopic surgery

HI, everyone！

I'm very glad to hear your warm words. Thank you very much!

Today I heard the news that one of my colleagues is going to enter the hospital next month and have an operation for a myoma of the uterus. Her myoma is rather big, and she wants to undergo a laparoscopic surgery, not an abdominal operation. There seems to be a hospital in Tajimi, which can perform that op, but her myoma was too big to do it at the hospital in Tajimi. So, she has to go a hospital in Okayama. I wonder why Okayama? Why nowhere in Nagoya? It’s strange for me…

So, see you tomorrow. Good night!

The Imperial Family

HI, everyone!

Sunflower, I’m interested in the site which you showed to us. You had studied about a licensed prostitution before, hadn’t you? The Imperial Family exactly symbolizes the system which has forced women being birth-giving machines. If we think about gender equality seriously, after all we should deal with it. As long as that system remains, men can easily believe their superior position to women, and control us forever.

Today, November 12th, is our 12th wedding anniversary day. We enjoyed sukiyaki for dinner, and raised our glasses in a toast for our health.

So, it’s time to dish-wash. Good bye!

'Soredemo bokuwa yattenai'

Hi, everyone!

Peach, I suppose Royal Family’s life is almost like a robot, which couldn’t have any will and thought, and it is no wonder that Masako has sank into mental depression.

Magnolia, how wonderful Kyoto in autumn was! I can imagine its beautiful scenery…

Last night, I watched a movie titled ‘Soredemo bokuwa yattenai,’ which depicts hard struggles of a young man, who was mistaken for a molester on train. That movie gave a thoughtful explanation of a trial, and a case of false accusation in Japan. I got scared about it, because they say in such condition, 99 percent cases are found guilty. It’s an interesting story.

By the way, I am impressed with Japanese movies lately. There are many Hollywood movies on the theater, but I think they make no difference.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

As for Crown Princess Masako

Hi, everyone!

Alice, it is hard to follow the evolution of electric appliances, isn’t it? I want to get a DVD recorder, but my DH usually says to me, ‘you can get it if the video recorder would be broken.’ He is just an economizer.

Cosmos, my article was on TIME November 5, 2007, P14.
Absolutely our life is also a ball of stress, and we can enjoy it. As for Crown Princess Masako, I’m afraid that she could never free from the stress unless she divorced in the future. But is it possible for her to divorce from Prince under the Imperial family system? I have no idea about it. What a pity!

So, see you tomorrow. Good bye.

'One big ball of stress'

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, thank you for letting us know about Jonathan’s meeting. It’s mysterious even for us to understand this confusion. How much more mysterious will be for Jonathan, a foreigner. Younger people may say ‘We have nothing to do with this,’ or ‘Sonnano kanke ne!’

Alice, I also liked romantic comedy with Meg Ryan, but recently we don’t see much of her, do we?

From TIME this week: Verbatim
‘As long as I can remember, the imperial family’s been like one big ball of stress.’…Prince Tomohito, cousin of Japan's Emperor Akihito, attributing his battle with alcoholism to the pressures of belonging to the royal family.

Probably he is the only one Imperial Family to talk so openly. He has fought against many health problems, which induced by his stress. As a matter of course, Crown Princess Masako is also suffering from the pressures of palace life. For an open Imperial Family, it is good for us to hear Family’s opinions from their own mouths.

So, good bye, and have a nice weekend!

An accidental meeting

Hi, everyone!

I like to read a book-review column on newspaper Sunday. Last Sunday I was impressed with a book-review by a female comedian. As far as I know, she usually plays the fool on TV, but in the newspaper, she appropriately expressed an attraction of a novel written by Natsuo Kirino, who is my favorite writer. I felt happy with such an accidental meeting.

Today I went to excise at sports gym, and now I am a little tired.
So, good bye, see you!

A seasonal change of clothing

Hi, everyone!

Alice, I don't know about the author Li Kaisei.　That work might show a weakness of women, mightn’t it?

Tomorrow is the first day of winter by the lunar calendar. But it was rather hot day today, and I can't decide clothes to choose every day. I don’t like a seasonal change of clothing because of troublesome. I wish my closet would be wider…

So, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good bye.

Happy news

Hi, everyone!

Alice, several friends of mine in Osaka usually use their Japanese names, and I had not asked them about it. But they told me that they had no voting rights. Some used to say that she couldn’t believe young nonvoting people.
I went to the site of Tutankhamen. What a miraculous experience we have! About 3000 years ago, he actually lived his life as a king and even now he exists. I was also surprised by its good condition.

Sunflower, I’m glad to hear that Plum will get back after a week. I hope she could be all right soon. Thank you for happy news!

So, see you!

Sudden resignation, again

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, I also watched ‘Always’ before on DVD. But I didn’t know the boy junnosuke was like Yoshiyuki Junnosuke. He was so natural child actor that I, too, moved to tears with the movie.

Last night, we were surprised by news that Minsyuto leader Ozawa announced sudden resignation. I don’t know his true motives, but can’t avoid having suspicious and disappointment with him. I think he had to fight against Jiminto at least until the next election, because he could win the last election as a result of public expectation. Japanese politics is always beyond our imagination, isn’t it? It’s really reasonable that public might lose hope in politics.

So, good night, see you!

'Pacchigi, love & peace'

Hi, everyone!

These days' clear sky makes us refreshing, don’t we!
I’m happy to hear that you were enjoying wonderful trips to Osaka, gero, or Yaotsu.
I can always enjoy an attractiveness of those places. Thank you!

Last night, DH and I watched a movie, titled ‘Pacchigi, love & peace.’ It is a sequel of ‘Pacchigi,’ which depicted bitter struggles of Koreans with permanent residence in Japan, with a little lovely feeling. There are many sensitive problems between Japanese and Korean people. In Osaka, many so-called ‘zainichi’ people are there and so are some friends of mine, who don’t have the rights to vote now. I feel I am, too, a perpetrator against them. I’d like to learn those issues more.

So, good bye, see you!

Dragons historic win

Hi, everyone!

It was fine, autumn-like weather today, wasn’t it?

Thanks to Dragons historic win, there are many sales in departments and shops, and today I went to get some clothes for me. I was disappointed that Tigers couldn’t win, but I was moved by many performances of director Ochiai of Dragons. He said at beginning of this season, that they would surely win, and he did so. I think he is a man of firm faith.
Have you gone to any shops today?

So, see you tomorrow, good night.

Heroes of the environment

Hi, everyone!

What a terrifying experience you had, Azalea! Were you stolen anything by the thief?
But at least you had the blessing that nobody bumped heads with him… Those stories are both scary. I’m sorry.

From TIME this week: special issue ’Heroes of the environment’
‘Toyota Prius design team…Ten years ago Toyota launched a gasoline-electric hybrid; the fuel-sipping Prius has since set the environmental standard.’
‘Kazutoshi Sakurai and Takeshi Kobayashi…A bank founded by Japanese rockers draws attention to environmental problems and finances programs designed to solve them.’
There are many people on it, who made a contribution to the planet, and only two groups in Japan. It might sad, but it is just the point of view of U.S, and I think they love ‘heroes.’

Thank you for your warm word, Sunflower. Now, writing on this blog becomes a part of my daily life. Thanks to all of you, I can enjoy it very much.

So, it’s time to cook…see you, have a good weekend!

The first day of November

Hi, everyone!

Today is the first day of November. I can’t believe that the rest of this year is just two months. As Cosmos mentioned before, the older we become, the faster time flies.

For past one month, I have tried to choose an aikido class, but I gave up taking lessons for that. Because such class usually give lessons for a weekday night or Saturday afternoon, and I can’t join them for reasons of time. I’d like to learn it someday. Instead of that, I took up training at a neighboring gym just today. I took an orientation for beginners and entried two studio lessons. One was a sort of yoga for body healing, and the other was a sort of martial arts, very hard movements. I was bathed in perspiration for the first time in about 20 years, and I feel comfortable fatigue now. I have decided to go there twice a week….( at least for a month)

So, I will go to bed earlier tonight. Good night, see you.

About Alice Paul

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, I remember Alice Paul now.　Last year, I watched a TV program on WOWOW, titled ‘Iron jawed angels,’ which depict her history for women’s suffrage. Hilary Swank wonderfully played her, and I was very impressed with her life, even though I didn’t know her at that time. Alice showed a lot of splendid heroism in prison, and I can vividly recall a scene that she tried fasting to protest against then government. They were embarrassed by her behavior and forced her to swallow food through a tube.
Thank you for telling us about the great woman, Alice Paul, Azalea.

By the way, I think nobody has such a feeling for strong-willed woman as Hilary Swank. I also like Jodie Foster, and I always watch her movie.

Alice, (nice name!) I don’t know MO disk. You are at the leading-edge of technology.

So, see you tomorrow!

New words

HI, everyone!

I’m happy to read your comments and knew new words, such like as persimmon, ginkgo, and triggerfish. (It is a lovely fish. Did it bite your finger, Azalea?) I also enjoyed beautiful scenery of Mt. haruna. I have so poor vocabularies, that I can make discoveries every day in this blog. In addition to that, I always have a nice time with many stories of beauty spots where I’ve never been. It is fantastic, isn’t it? I thank all of you.

Sunflower, I’ve also enjoyed Desperate Housewives from the first season, three years ago. That English is so difficult for me! And these days, since my DH (!) became a spectator with me, I had to watch it in Japanese. I’d like to get new TV recorder, and to learn English with it.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

The middle of autumn

Hi, everyone!

Alice, it’s fantastic for us to find a nice beauty salon, isn’t it? For women, getting stylists to beautify hairstyle is very comfortable. My regular one is also good, and an owner has agreeable sense of distance to me.

It’s still hot day, today. I have not put away an electric fan yet, and it is hard to feel the middle of autumn. It seems that changing colors of leaves will be late this season.

So, good bye, see you tomorrow.

A picture dictionary

Hi, everyone!

Yesterday, I got a picture dictionary, for me and my kids, through the Internet. In order to improve my vocabulary, it seems good. While flipping the pages of the book, I was interested with a page about family. There was ‘Lisa Smith’s family’ on it, which went through several stages; married, divorced, single mother and single father, and remarried.

Lisa was brightly smiling between two homes, which have stepfather/mother and half brother/sister or stepbrother/sister respectively. I didn’t know the proper use of these words. According to the dictionary, a sister of same mother is a ‘half sister,’ and a sister of same father is a `stepsister.’ This page gave me a positive impression about divorce in the West.

So, good night, see you!

A political issue

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, Magnolia, thank you for your sweet concern about my kids and me. Why they dissatisfied with me is, I suppose, that I give myself up to not only this blog, but also my PC. I always sit down at front of my PC, even while they are playing in my house. It may be good to do so after they go to bed, but at that time, I have to listen to my husband. Anyway, I will try to satisfy them. Thank you again for nice recipe, Magnolia.

Alice, I’m very interested with a political issue in Japan. It will take a long time to develop our good politics, but I’d like to believe our intellect, especially, of women.

I wonder Plum would have plenty of sleep at a hospital.
I hope so, and all of you, too…Good night.

A voter's guide to the 2008 election

HI, everyone!

Alice, the book I read is ‘ kosodate syufuno eigo benkyoho’ by Plum. Did you know that English title is appearing if you put a book jacket off? I love it.

These days, my kids angrily said to me ‘ which do you like, us or BLOG?!’ I suppose I become enthusiastic about this blog, and they are dissatisfied. Lovely baby! I have to try to play with them more.

From TIME this week.
‘On the fence: A voter’s guide to the 2008 election’
‘Hillary Clinton...With voters looking for change, a continuation of the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton dynastic cycle is a tough sell; tens of millions of Americans are dead set against her.’
‘Verbatim’
‘It would be nice to have a woman President. I think half the Senate should be women, half of Parliament, half the ruling mullahs. But that will never happen, darling!---Meryl Streep’
We can enjoy many information of the U.S. President election next year.

So, good bye, have a nice weekend!

'Why English for married women?'

Hi, everyone!

Today is October 25th. It is hard to recognize autumn season, isn’t it?

I reread Plum’s book ‘Why English for married women?’ today. I have felt deeply the necessity of improvement with my English these day, and I wonder how I work efficiently for it. But my brain has decreased its capacity…

About a month ago, I asked about Italian cooking to a neighborhood school. But even now, I don’t have any answers from that school. I don’t feel like asking one more time, and will give up learning cook there. I dream of being good cook.

I hope you enjoyed it, dear friends.
Good bye!

Hula girl

Hi, everyone!

This afternoon, I watched a movie ‘ Hula girl.’ It was a fantastic Japanese movie, in which cute girls are trying to dance Hula for their declining coal town at Hukushima, and for themselves.
Yu Aoi played a young, fresh girl and was honored with many prizes. But I was moved with an ex-KSD dancer who taught them Hula, played by Yasuko Matsuyuki. She wonderfully performed the severe but kindhearted teacher. It is really lovely, touching story.

Dear friends, I’m always taught many words and thoughts from you. I am happy about it, and I wonder how I could keep in my mind that knowledge.

So, see you tomorrow. Bye!

Dear Plum

Plum, I was surprised by your plan of entering hospital, and I’m really sorry about it. In spite of your terribly bad condition, you gave lectures to us three days ago. I thank you from bottom of my heart for your devotion for us. Please rest yourself well, and I hope you will be well as soon as possible. I’m waiting for you…

So, see you tomorrow, good bye, everyone.

For English writing skill

Hi, everyone!

Yesterday’s Plum’s lecture was wonderful for us, in spite of her not good condition. Plum encouraged us to develop our English writing skills more through this blog. For example, when I want to learn one word, I try to write English sentence with it, and I can get responses to me about it. Moreover, she gave us an advice to take notes of vocabularies, and showed her own memo for it. I was surprised with it, and felt shameful, because I understood that even Plum with linguistic ability makes special efforts every day. I must be hungry more.

Sunflower, I’m sorry for your stomach hard pain, and I hope you’ll be good soon.

So, it’s time to supper.
Good bye, see you!

Until next brainstorming

Hi, everyone!

Today I went to see Plum as a junior member with Azalea and Peach. Since it was about three long months after the Aichi seminar, I felt nostalgic feelings to all of them, but at the same time, just as usual. It’s thanks to our blog, isn’t it?

Plum’s lecture was really energetic, selfless, and profound, and I was overwhelmed with her power. I’m appreciated your great, great efforts, Plum. Until next brainstorming, I’ll do my best.

So, I hope you enjoyed it. Good night, dear friends!

'Fudeko sono ai'

Hi, everyone!

Today I also went to see the movie, ‘Fudeko sono ai’ with Magnolia. The movie depicted Fudeko gracefully as a mother of social-welfare education, and I was moved to tears several times. I thought it was a little hard for my kids, but they were interested with it, and asked me what Down syndrome was. I enjoyed a talk show after the movie, because the director Yamada was passionate, entertaining speaker. I really hope that Magnolia’s efforts could go out the world. It was a fantastic day.

So, see you tomorrow, good night…

The changing face of breast cancer

Hi, friends!

Thank you for showing your recipe of Asuka nabe, Magnolia. I like such sort of nabe, like as Ishikari nabe. Why is it called Asuka? I’ll try it soon.

Azalea, Cosmos, I also suffer from oblivion these days. When I go to the next room in order to do something, I sometimes can’t remember what I should do and say, ‘Why did I come here…?’

Alice, you have enjoyed nice communication with your friends, haven’t you? No treasure is more precious than our friends.

I’ll show you an interesting article from TIME this week, ‘The changing face of breast cancer’
‘But Asian women, as well as black women in the U.S. and Africa, are at higher risk of developing a more aggressive form of breast cancer…’
‘Asian women tend to have denser breast tissue than other women, and many studies show dense tissue is up to five times as likely to develop malignancies. What’s more, such tissue can conceal the disease since both tumors and healthy tissue may show up white on a mammogram.’

I wonder it is true. But according to the survey of TIME, the rate of breast-cancer incidence of Japanese is rather small, 32.7 per 100,000 people. U.S. is 101.1!

So, see you tomorrow, have a good weekend!

About nimono

Hi, everyone!

Thank you for your warm words, Azalea, Alice.
This afternoon, I went to see class teachers. They were carefully watching their pupils and I received the valuable advice from them.

When I feel a cool air in autumn, I’d like to cook and eat nimono, or boiled food. Nabe is also good. What kind of nimono or nabe do you like? All my family like oden, and eat it every season. I feel pleased as a Japanese whenever I have delicious oden. By the way, why does it look so tasty-looking for oden at a street stall…?

I will cook hurohuki daikon for supper. So, good bye, see you!

About class teachers

Hi, everyone!

Now, the sky is blazing red at sundown. It’s really beautiful and mysterious.

Tomorrow, I have to go my kids’ school for talking with class teachers. Fortunately, they are
very dedicated teachers for children, and I feel easy about it. But when my family came Nagoya two years ago, each teacher for my kids were not good. One was a teacher who was said a severest in my school, but in fact, she was just a heartless person. Another had a little capacity as a teacher, I think, and the younger daughter became a sort of school non-attendance. At that time I went school with her every morning, and picked her up before lunch. When I saw her gazing at an album which was send from her former classmates, I was close to tears. After one month, she was trying to go alone, and became an ordinary pupil.

So, it’s time to cook. See you tomorrow!

Inflation near future

Hi, everyone!　

I agree with you, Cosmos, we can enjoy our lives in various ways every day, and I think you, too.

Plum, I suppose you are really honest person. It appeared that young people vaguely aware of that situation, and they may lose hope not only in academic world, but also in every social world. I hope that my kids would be an independent, free person from any kind of authority as much as possible.

Magnolia, it is nice to go onsen for your pain. My husband used to say that he liked Sanage onsen, and I’d like to go there some day.

Peach, what a coincidence, we also had Sukiyaki tonight, for my older daughter’s birth day. It is one of her favorite meals.

Azalea, I fear inflation near future. I must think about it from now on…

I’m happy to write to all of you.
See you, good night.

A handy tool

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I’m interested with your comment about Japanese scholars’ laziness. When did you think so, like as in your university’s days? How do you think those scholars show their thoughts to us? I have no idea of that field, but I think there are few distinguished people who openly speak to public about some kind of social issues. They should show their own opinion more and more, so that we the people can think of that. But we already have a handy tool for learning. Even without a specialist, especially a male authority, we can study every field on the web, can’t we?

Today I cleaned up our rooms, put our clothes to right, and it made me happy. Such domestic labor is endless for us.

So, good bye, see you!

An Aikido class

Hi, everyone!
Dear friends, how about your weekend?

Cosmos, I'm sorry for my big mistake.　That was just strange thought.

Azalea, when I have such news about a fossil dinosaur, I feel smallness of our lives, and vast passing times.

Yesterday I went to look an Aikido class for women at Sakae. Because it was my first experience, I was a little tense. There were about ten women trying Aikido followed a coach, who appeared her early thirties. They had many interesting tricks for ninety minutes, and I learned from the coach several differences between Karate. It was really intriguing time, but now I wonder how to keep my power with it. Recently, I have to feel a decline in my stamina. It may be better in taking a careful strategy for me…

So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

A gifted woman

Hi, everyone!

These days nice weather has continued, and so we can really feel comfortable, can’t we?

I have also never heard the name of Doris Lessing, Plum. Today’s newspaper says that her world is based on three main points of Marxism, anti-racism, and feminism. This kind of work is your province. It is joyful for us, and all women, that such a gifted woman is publicly honored. Thank you very much for letting know us.

Alice, you had overworked with your hard presentation, hadn’t you? Please get a good rest.

Fortunately, Magnolia will be able to see Ms. Hisako Yamada, who directed the movie ‘ Hudeko sono ai.’ I’m glad to get permission from a host organization, and I canceled a previous appointment and decide to go there that day. I’d like to take a commemorative photograph of Magnolia. Somebody, could you join us?

So, good bye, see you!

The Latin Hillary

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, do you have any favorite Kabuki actors? I’d like to teach me about that charm for you. And I think your daughters are powerful persons, aren’t they?

Today I will write an interesting article from TIME. The title is ‘The Latin Hillary.’
‘Argentina’s First Lady and a powerful senator in her own right, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is the favorite to be the next President’
‘Fernandez, too, married her law-school sweetheart and helped him become the Governor of a small southern province and then President.’
‘”Women bring a different face to politics,” says Fernandez, who has a teenage daughter and a grown son. “We see the big geopolitical picture but also the smaller, daily details of citizens’ lives. We’re wrapped up as much in what our daughter’s school principal says as we are in what the newspapers are saying.”’

It is a nice article, isn’t it?

So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

A fragrant olive

Hi, everyone!

Plum, Sunflower, I also like the sweet smell of a fragrant olive. These days, even inside my house, I can feel it through a window, and become happy. I wish such nice season continued for a long time.

Magnolia, you appeared to enjoy Jonathan’s session about the education for the elderly. I think the best one will be teaching their knowledge each other. The elderly have many own wisdom and experiences. It is a nice idea to teach and learn for them, isn’t it?

Today I helped a big event at kids’ school, and so little tired.
Good night, see you tomorrow!

A great gift

Hi, everyone!　

Magnolia, I really got excited to hear that your splendid news about a movie of Hudeko Ishii. I can imagine your name on a movie screen! What a great news! It’s also our pleasure, isn’t it?

About Geki-shine, I can recommend it to you, Magnolia. I have watched them several times at a big hall, in which Kanzaburo Nakamura and Tamasaburo Bando used to play. They were very, very exciting movies. But my favorite one is a play by gekidan Shinkansen. The Geki-shine I watched yesterday is now on showing at the Mid land square three times a day, titled ‘ Oborono morini sumu oni.’ If you need more information, please see it on a web. I think you can enjoy them on it.

Sunflower, I’m happy to hear about Hanjo-tei at Tenma, because I had once lived near Tenma station before I got married. I like that lively street very much as a symbol of Osaka, and I’d like to go there with my kids someday.

Plum, I agree with Alice. I am really felt thankful for your sincere, vigorous support to us. It is a great gift for us to survive our future.

So, it’s time to washing dishes, good bye!

About Geki-shine

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I am also looking for your lecture about women's domestic labor. It is really interesting for us to learn from texts through the Internet.

By the way, do you know 'Geki-shine' ? It means engeki-shinema, or a sort of mixture of a play on the stage and a cinema. I went to watch it today, in which Somegoro Ichikawa played the leading part role with a gekidan Shinkansen. It was an amazingly spectacle image, and took only 2000 yen for three hours. I was deeply impressed with his great talent as a Kabuki actor. How beautiful his fight scene was! Because of high threshold of Kabuki world, I have never been to Kabuki theater. But Geki-shine was an easy way for me, even if it would be powerless against a real one.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

A formidable land

Hi, everyone!
Is everything all right with you??

I came back from Gihu at late last night. Fortunately, it was really nice weather while our two days trip, and now, my face is smarting with something like sunburn. We visited Takayama, Shin-hodaka, and Shirakawago, and really enjoyed beautiful old-fashioned townscapes, and a magnificent view from an observatory. We were also fully satisfied with delicious foods there, such as Hoba-miso, Hidagyu, and Gohemochi…but we treated a vast land of Gihu too lightly. When we went to Shirakawago from Shin-hodaka, we decided to use road No.360, carelessly. It was the beginning of a hell on earth.

The map only showed the road as a ‘narrow.’ But just after 30 minutes, our cries of fear echoed in our car. There were unbelievable narrow, steep, winding slopes, which had few road mirrors. A car coming in the opposite direction suddenly appeared to our car! It was surely my worst experience in my life. After that, we lastly arrived at Shirakawago, but since it took too long time, we couldn't visit Gujo-hachiman. A formidable land, Gihu…

So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

Have a nice holiday

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, it is fantastic that you are enjoying aquabics. I had no idea with noodles. Is this a kind of rope?

Cosmos, I definitely made a mistake in a pre-war life in China. As you mentioned, we have some incorrect information about our neighborhood. Recently, it is said that several movies about the Nanking Massacre, which make us feel awfully miserable, will be released in the near future. I feel I have to watch them. My lamented grandfather used to say that Japanese military commit many crimes in China at wartime, but never said beyond that. I wish I had asked him about it.

This year, there are many consecutive holidays, aren’t there? My family is going to visit Takayama and Okuhida tomorrow, Shirakawago and Gujo-hachiman the day after tomorrow. It’s a little greedy plan, isn’t it??? I hope all of them will be go well. So, I’m sorry that I will skip tomorrow’s writing.

See you later, dear friends, have a nice holiday!!

At a swimming school

Hi, everyone!

Peach, I’m glad to hear that your PC could be repaired soon. Actually, when it freezes, we also freeze, don’t we?

Cosmos, I enjoyed your story of trip to China with your brothers. Can your sister remember some Mandarin? I can see the wonderfulness of China a little bit, because my husband’s father is hooked on going there recently, and he visited China three times for past one year. He says that he likes a lot of magnificent, unsophisticated views, and he proudly shows those pictures to us every time.

This afternoon, I went to a swimming school in my neighborhood to make application for my younger daughter. She is a poor swimmer, and decided to go there these days. While I went through several procedures, I was really surprised by many, many people of middle age or older coming to take lessons. They looked like regular customers, who were really enjoying their club lives.

I envied them at that time, and I recalled some members of us have enjoyed swimming...Magnolia and Sunflower? In fact, I’m going to visit some aikido schools for women next week, and I’d like to decide good one. I’m really looking for that lesson. My season for sports will come soon.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

The Giants won the title...

Hi, everyone!

I enjoyed happy trip stories by Magnolia and Sunflower. Since I never been to both Karuizawa and Sendai, I really felt like going there. Autumn is a good season for travel, isn’t it!

Plum, I felt just sad that hear your several acquaintances passing away for cancer. Actually, it’s dangerous disease to treat. I hope good medicine for anyone will be developed near future.

Unfortunately, the Giants won the title yesterday, but I couldn’t believe that no TV stations telecasted this game. Several years ago, it was hardly thinkable, wasn’t it?
They say TV viewers have decreasing year by year.

So, good bye, see you tomorrow!

A TV drama

Hi, everyone!

Alice, I also like soul music, and my favorite is hogaku these days. When I listen old, nostalgic ( for me ) music, such as the Southern all stars, Off course, and Yumin, I can make myself at home. Is it because of my age??

TV program schedule may be newly formed in October. My favorite TV program, 'Desperate housewives' third season will start tomorrow on BS2, and continue for six months. This is very popular in USA, and on a seven- season contract now! Recently, I have no favorite drama in Japan.

So, it’s time to cook, and see you!

An ipod

Hi, everyone!

It has been raining today, and I had to put on a long sleeved shirt. Air temperature is extremely unbalanced these days, isn’t it?

Today, I got an ipod at a big electrical machinery shop. It is tremendously tiny, and could be set on anywhere with a clip. Until now I used an old CD player, which took a lot of space in my bag. When I got on a subway to go working, there were many, many passengers terribly pushing and shoving on it. I hate that crowding…So, listening English or beautiful music with an ipod might be just my precious time while getting on a subway.

Azalea, I think you have really rich vocabularies. If you are ignorant, what on earth am I??? It takes a long time for me to write this blog with my dictionary…

Today is the first day of October. I hope we will enjoy our fruitful days.
Good bye, see you!

The last day of September

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, Magnolia, I expect you are enjoying good trips in Sendai, or Karuizawa by now. I hope other members also have a nice weekend.

Today is the last day of September, and I feel a soft, misty rain is just a gift from autumn. We will have sanma for tonight’s supper, which may be a symbol of the harvest season.

So, I have to prepare it now. I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

Autumn rain

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, how many brutal nations are there on our earth…Actually, there are a lot of miserable incidents on a newspaper every day, which would show us many victims, who have no names. They used to have their own names and lives, though. Sadly, I am gradually numbed them these days. I wonder what we should do for those…

Plum, I’m glad to hear that your arthritis is getting better now. And because I have no sisters but two brothers, I envy you and your sister. It’s wonderful to sympathize with each other, isn’t it?

Today it had been raining all day. I also like such autumn rain. Tomorrow is the last day of September, and the real autumn will come.

So, have a good holiday, good bye!

Recording diet

Hi, everyone!

Thank you again, Azalea.
In a sense, planning times might be happier than a traveling itself.
I’m enjoying throughout my guidebook of Gifu.

By the way, my family has just started ‘Recording diet,’ which is proposed by Toshio Okada, an author of ‘Itsumademo debuto omounayo.’ (What a strange title!) He is a popular writer of otaku, and miraculously lost 50 kilograms. (117→67) I was really interested in his success story, which depicted simple, but exciting method to lose one’s weight. At first, all we have to do is to record steadily our weights and daily meals everyday. Then we will also record our calorie intake. We don’t have to save our meal at this stage. He said, ’A diet is an enjoyable brain work, and the best investment for low risk, high return.’ It’s a charming phrase for me.

So, see you tomorrow, friends!

A trip to Gifu, again

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, Azalea, thank you very much for your speedy reply about a trip to Gifu. Today, I got a guide-book for Gifu, and looked at Gujo hachiman. It’s a lovely, nostalgic old town, isn’t it! I like it, and will suggest it to my family. I am also fascinated with Kinkazan and cormorant fishing at Nagara river, which would end at October 15th. I greatly appreciate your nice plan. Thank you again.

By the way, I will tell you about the Tigers.
Yesterday they finally lost seven consecutive games, and as a result, also lost a chance for victory… I was really disappointed by that result, but it is a world of competition. We have to accept the situation.

So, see you tomorrow, bye!

A trip to Gihu

Hi, everyone!

I can find the clouds of autumn in the sky these days, and feel refreshing.
My family intends to go somewhere in Gihu next three consecutive holiday, but I can’t decide our goal. I’d like to go Shirakawago, where would take too long times. Takayama or Gero…? My family has never gone to Gihu, and so we are looking forward to our short trip. Do you have favorite destination in Gihu?

Yesterday was a deadline for essay junior(?) members. It was hard to finish my essay, but I’ve never have such a worthwhile job. Thank you very much.

'Gal mikoshi'

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, as I recall it, no woman ran with danjiri at Kishiwada city, just like in other festivals. It’ s also an example for nix women, isn’t it? But I remember a ‘gal mikoshi’ at tenjin matsuri, in Osaka, was parading along a shopping mall, where is called the longest mall in Japan. Those ‘gals’ are singled out from a large number of applicants by a contest. I don’t know it would exist now…

Magnolia, I’ve never read ‘joseino hinkaku’, but your introduction drew my attention.
I admire a woman who can tell a number of flower’s names.

Welcome to our blog, Champagne, and nice to see you.
I’m looking for meet you some day.
(Or, we have already met before?)

Thank you, everyone.
Good night, bye!

A Tofu restaurant

Hi, friends!

I can’t believe that September would be over soon. This late summer must cause stress to us terribly, and so my family went to a Tofu restaurant in the neighborhood today. There were many menus of all sorts of Tofu or soybean there, such as dengaku, yuba, and ganmodoki. All of them were mild and sweet taste, which could give us a little happiness. Since such delicious foods have begun to increase in Autumn, I like that season.

Actually, I don’t like cooking, but I admire a good cook. Recently I found an advertisement of an Italian cooking class in the neighborhood, which showed that home-cooked, tasty Italian cooking would be held once a month. It’s really fascinating for me…I cannot make up my mind about that, and I wonder if it will work. It’s better to have a look first, isn’t it?

It’s time to cook. See you, good bye.

About a danjiri

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, has the season for delicious crab come yet? It seems that you love them, because last year, I heard your story of some travels with those. I also like it, especially kegani.

Cosmos, thank you for your explanation about ‘philogynist.’ I think of a kind of ‘nix women.’ It’s a car for women only. Is this a nice idea for us, isn’t this?

Plum, I enjoyed your story about a baby-sitter work. While I read them, I got to remembering my home tutoring for part-time. When I was a college student, I went to kishiwada city, Osaka, and taught some subjects for a junior high-school’s boy, who liked play with me. One day of September, his parents invited me to a famous festival in their region; danjiri matsuri. Do you know this? The danjiri means a portable shrine, which has some wheels. We walked along a shopping center for a while, and waited for it with many spectators. Then, it came…with unbelievable speed! Many men carrying the danjiri ran a street through in front of us. It was really amazing festival.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow.
Good bye, dear friends.

Sumo issue, again

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, thank you for your detailed introduction of Sumo issue. ‘Nix women’ is really steeped in our society. I think many women regard them as quite natural, and don’t doubt about reasonableness at all. Actually, because of those difficulties, the more we try to learn those subjects, the less we will want to change them, as Plum mentioned before. There are long, long path in front of us.

Cosmos, I couldn’t find the word ‘phylogynist’ on my dictionary. I’d like to know it.

Thank you again for showing a summary of Jonathan’s meeting, Sunflower.
I enjoyed them, and to my regret, I can’t attend the next meeting for my work.

Plum, I greatly appreciate your message for informal English. I will follow a course of your plan.

So, I have to wash dishes…Good bye, see you.

About Christianity

Hi, everyone!

Dear friends, I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed discussion about Christianity.
It seems very meaningful for you, and I’m also interested in those issues.
I’m just reading now a part of Christianity in the book ‘Sophie’s world,’ but it is hard for me to understand. If given a chance, please let me know about them.

Alice, I feel respect for your eagerness to improve English, in spite of many works to do.
I was surprised when I looked at your blog, which have many, many difficult technical terms. You are a hard worker, aren’t you!

Plum, I found a feeling of familiarity to you, when I read your comment ‘life is hard.’
Even almighty Plum gave a sigh, it is unbelievable for me. But is it a life?
I just hope you will take a rest as soon as possible.

From tomorrow, a long holiday again.
Have a nice weekend, and see you!

Sumo issue

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, Sunflower, I'm interested in your Sumo issue.
I agree with Azalea's view that adopts pro-baseball as national sports.
I think Sumo are not overly popular in younger generation, because of its antiquity.
Young Japanese dislike such strict apprentice system. So, I feel pity for Asashoryu as a sort of victim.
By the way, they say a prohibition against women from stepping up into the ring is due to uncleanliness of women. It sounds strange, doesn't it? it's a men's selfish logic.

It has been humid day today...
I will go to bed early. See you tomorrow, good bye.

Thank you, everyone!

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I was really happy to hear your wonderful comment yesterday, and how nice your word, ‘happy three month birthday to us!’ was. Without your warm, emotional response, I also could not have this fantastic experience. And I’m pleased to read friend’s offers to continue this blog. I am proud to have been involved in this project.

By the way, I’m trying with my paper these days, and have many difficulties. I must improve my poor English more and more. As Peach mentioned, it is hard.

So, it's time to cook...
Good bye, see you!

We made it!

My dear friends…
We finally made it today!
It is just three months since we started this blog.
It was really hard for me to write it every day, but an important, rich experience I’ve never had before.
I just thank you from bottom of my heart, Plum and all of you!
If you don’t mind, I hope keep writing together.
Thank you very much.

Feminine Mystique

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I can’t imagine that you were going to Koshien ballpark. There is a sacred ground for fanatical fans, and I easily understand your fright of unbelievable excitement there.

Magnolia, I’ll express my appreciation for your comment in detail, and I respect your great self-control. If I were in your position, I couldn’t know what to do. So, let’s enjoy our joyful trip some day!

Alice, you have really a large circle of friends, do you? The Iguacu Falls…!
It’s fantastic plan.

Today, I found an unforgettable passage in ‘Feminine Mystique.’ Let me introduce it:

The problem was dismissed by telling the housewife she doesn’t realize how lucky she is---her own boss, no time clock, no junior executive gunning for her job. What if she isn’t happy---does she think men are happy in this world? Does she really, secretly, still want to be a man? Doesn’t she know yet how lucky she is to be a woman?

The passage in Japanese was a great shock to me before, and now they make me happy to discover something special.
So, it’s time to wash dishes. Good bye, dear friends!

Professional baseball

Hi, everyone!

I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed climbing mountain and apple field, Azalea.
As Magnolia said, it makes me feel envy.
I suppose your husband is a nature lover, isn’t he? ( Of course, you too.)

Magnolia, how did you decide your manifesto?
I’m sorry if you had already showed it before to us.

By the way, a pennant race at professional baseball is getting excited these days.
Because I’m a fan of Tigers, as I said before, I can’t help leaving TV while the program is going. The enthusiasm of the match came through on the TV screen, especially at Koshien. But I’ve never been there for Tigers and I eager to go there to cheer them up next season. If Tigers win the victory, everything will be fine at my home!

So, see you, tomorrow, good bye!

Wider vocabulary

Hi, everyone!

It seems just exciting that five members of us took part in Jonathan’s discussion, and I think really difficult for me to give my opinion about such serious subjects. I need much wider vocabulary. Anyway, I was surprised by Sunflower’s comment that there are only one percent Christians in Japan. I heard more than 30 percent in Korea. Why is it so small?

I finished today ‘Nobuko’ by Yuriko Miyamoto. Though it was wrote at the Taisho period, I could felt empathy with her emotions. In this book, being confined to their home, she struggled for her own freedom, finally divorced her husband, and found pleasure in writing her works. It is very valuable to me. Thank you for your advice, Plum.
I will mention later about ‘The Yellow Wallpaper,’ and I’m ready to read ‘The Feminine Mystique.’ I have read it in Japanese on the recommendation of a friend of mine.

I’m happy to read your comments every day, and they really make me feel relieved.
I’m looking forward to meet all of you, dear friends!

Good bye, see you tomorrow.

Welcome back, Plum!

It’s the long-awaited day today.
We are looking forward to seeing you, Plum!
It was surprising for me that you went to a meeting at the next day you came back,
and I was concerned about your condition. It is too hot at Nagoya, isn’t it?

Thanks to our blog, as Cosmos mentioned, I really enjoyed active discussions with all of you every day, even beyond big sea. In spite of my poor, childish English, I just kept writing. And I will keep writing with you from now on. Thank you very much!

Sunflower, thank you for your information about CCEA. Actually, I have known your group a little bit, because I once happened to see you at Will- Aichi while working. It’s fantastic that many people can exchange their culture beyond a human race. You have many energetic activities, don’t you!

From tomorrow, it will start three consecutive holidays.
I hope you will enjoy autumn recess.
Good night, and see you!

The long nights

Hi, everyone!
These days it becomes cool a little at night, doesn’t it?
I hope all of you will be all right.

In the long nights of autumn, I just feel like reading a good book with which I could dream another world.
While I learned part of Engels’s work, I was really burdened with many philosophies, from Greek myths, the Bible, to an opera. I have no idea of them!
So now, I try to read ‘ Sophie’s world,’ a best seller book of more than ten years ago,
which had been left on my bookshelf. It is pretty nice for me. The author of this book is a Norwegian. I wonder his philosophy was nurtured by the beautiful nature.

It will be time to cook. Everyday, cook and cook.
So, see you tomorrow, good bye!

A shock wave

Hi, everyone!

Azalea, I didn’t remember the colors of the rainbow I saw yesterday, but may be seven colors.
Is it different in other countries?
It sounds beautiful that some rainbows appear in same time in Hawaii.

Sunflower, It’s fantastic that you had a good time with modern English rakugo.
It reminds me of Shijaku Katsura, who was popular rakugo-ka.
Where did you enjoy them last week? I’ve never heard even Japanese live rakugo,
and so I’d like to enjoy it some day.

By the way, today, a shock wave passed throughout the country…
Prime Minister Sinzo Abe announced his stepping down from office.
I can’t understand why now, and must watch some TV programs tonight.
It must confuse the political situation for the present.

So, see you tomorrow, good bye.

Huge twin rainbows

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, I also enjoyed Masai’s story.
As Magnolia said, it’s rather difficult to understand each other even in same human races. But it sounds nice that Magnolia would become stronger than before.
As for my husband, his mother is a typical Japanese good wife, and she always follow after her husband or son. She never talk back to them. (or, may be forced to do so.)
So, my husband often says to me, ‘You talk so big! ’
It was a sort of home environment, but just nonsense for me.

By the way, I luckily saw huge, twin rainbows yesterday.
Those formed for a long time at the evening sky in which the sun was loathe to set,
and the scene was really fantastic!
Did anybody see it?

So, it’s time to cook.
Good bye, and see you tomorrow.

About PTA

Hi, everyone!

Cosmos, I'm interested with the story of ' Masai's lover,' and also with Plum's question
about it, that asked if a character would not a woman.

As for such gender issues, now I have some question about PTA activities of my kids' school, in which I became a staff this year.
First of all, the president of PTA is always a man, and some women who can support him are called ' Representatives of mothers'. (Isn't it strange?)
Many real works of PTA will be managed by mothers like as me, and on a conference, HE will lecture us for a long time. We have to be quiet, and give thanks to HIM at such a public area.
I'd like to ask a question of it to PTA members soon.
It may be good chance for me to think of these things deeply.

By the way, it will soon be the time of our 'paper,' and I'm really concern about it.
So, how about you?

Good bye, dear friends!

About takoyaki

Hi, everyone!

When I read all your comments these days, I really became confused with them,
which had a variety of place, and time.
But it doesn't mean bad thing, just fascinating for me, like as a high-quality novel.
Only being here, and feeling everywhere in the world.

Plum, I'm glad to hear your favorite things about Australia.
It's so wonderful for me to imagine some sweet fruits and blue sky there.
Some day I'd like to visit there and enjoy them.

Last night, we enjoyed takoyaki with a machine for exclusive use, takoyaki-ki.
Do you have this machine?
It is so popular in Osaka, and many family use it to eat takoyaki.
There are a shop in Osaka that sell takoyaki with even chocolate in it.
(it sounds strange)
When I read Plum' s comment about Ulala-san's crepe, I remembered those.
I'm sorry if my imagination might be rather poor.

It is still blowing hot, and so it's not easy to have tight sleep at night.
Relax and go easy, good night, dear friends!

About Australia

Hi, everyone!

Plum, did Ulala-san enjoy her memorial dinner yesterday?
Today I watched some news about APEC at Sydney on TV,
and it reminded me of your comment.
You could greatly help your grandchild to be born, and your daughter to enjoy her birthday.
It's wonderful for children that their mothers are in good health and support them.

Since I have never been Australia, I don't know about her real attractiveness.
The Blue Mountain sounds nice, and I can imagine beautiful nature of it to some extent.
If you give some charms or favorite things on Australia, what is it?
I will be happy to hear it from you.

Magnolia, I'm happy to hear that you visited onsen in Nagano.
It might be enjoyable to go onsen with friends, might'n it?
The season is turning to autumn.
We are looking forward to meet autumn wind...

So, see you, and good night!

A change of season

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I'm sorry for your hand's serious pain.
But it's good that your tablet and gel worked well for you and, massage!
I think you had too many works...
Actually, yesterday my husband suddenly got a sharp lower-back pain.(gikkuri-goshi)
Since he drives a car on business every day, and has little excise, it's not surprising for me.
Now he needs some 'rest cure.'( from 'The yellow wall paper'...)

Come to weekend, I really feel relaxed.
Because we can staying up late at night, and oversleeping at tomorrow morning.
It's my fun to sleep well at such a change of season.

So, have a nice weekend, my friends.
Good bye!

Go to a movie 2

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, I also have good impression with Naomi Kawase.
The day before yesterday, she came to the festival in order to attend press conference.
She was a taller lady than I had expected, and had eyes that convey a strong sense of purpose.
I wanted to see her movie 'Mogari no mori' and listen to her talk about it, but that ticket was sold out at once.
Those movie tickets go on sale during the middle of July every year, and so anyone who wants to go, especially to popular one, have to buy them before summer vacation.

Cosmos, it is interesting that you met a girl married with the Masai.
How did you feel about the movie today??

Azalea, I also enjoyed 'Night in the museum' on DVD, and I love funny Robin Williams!

It's fantastic that we can exchange our opinion about favorite movies, isn't it?
The most recently I was impressed is 'Bushi no ichibun' on DVD, in which Takuya Kimura played cool samurai.

So, see you, dear friends.

Go to a movie

Hi, everyone!

I'm glad to hear your warm comments about my fatigue,
and last nignt, long sleeping with my kids made me feel better.

Plum, you will have many house-works and business-works after coming back Japan.
I hope it will be cool in Nagoya at that time.
Please take care of you.

Cosmos, I heard that some movie tickets were already sold out,
and it may be better to check the site before you go there.
I like watching DVD at my house, but also love going movie theater, and watching them at big screen with my friends and many audience.
When I recall some movies, I can remember some friends with them.

A big tyhoon will come soon, and I feel disagreeably warm breeze.
I hope it will not hit here directly.

So, I will talk to you tomorrow, good bye!

Aichi women's film festival

Hi, friends!

Sunflower, thank you so much for your question about my schedule.
Since I have works on Friday and school's events on Wednesday,
I can't join you. Please arrange it as you like, and I don't mind.

Alice, it is wonderful that you expressed our blog as a tapestry.
You are a poet, aren't you!

Magnolia, it's fantastic that you had movie gathering with class members of Bev-sensei.
The theme of 'Mississippi' is charming for me.
I hope young lovers will be happy.

Today I went to work after about 1 and half months' absence.
I enjoyed so many vacations that I really took pains to manage my works.
At my office, Aichi women's film festival will be held from tomorrow, and so there were
many people making careful preparations.
I saw movie director Naomi Kawase, who won the Cannes grand prix this year!
It is excellent that many female directors play a such lively part.
I'd like to go movies here, but I am little tired now.(natsubate)

So, I hope you keep well, dear friends!
Good bye.

An emergency training

Hi, everyone!


Today, I went to my kids' school for emergency training in the heat of late summer.
On the supposition that the Tokai great earthquake happens, we had to receive our kids.
The principal said that only an intraplate earthquake can be foreseen,
and if the prediction is announced, we must come to school as soon as possible.
I heard that such prediction will be done from October, but is it really possible?
I'm afraid of my panic with that announce.


Sunflower, thank you for your preparing for the meeting.
I really want to join you, but I can't for some works.
If possible, could I write about his homeworks later?
I think the meeting will be so meaningful.

So, good bye, and see you!

The last day

Hi, everyone!

Peach, I was pleased to see you and hear your comment about a trip to Guam.
It's very exciting to do snorkeling, or go shopping with your family.
Do you like the southern lands?
I like their atomosphere of freedom, but I've never visited to Guam or Saipan, and so I envy you.

Plum, thanks to you, we have learned some feminist theory articles.
When I read them, I was always impressed by their passion and efforts.
I think I wish I had studied them earlier, such as in my school days.
But it's never too late, and it will be time to learn for me.

Today is the last day of my kids' long summer vacation, and they feel so gloomy now.
From tomorrow I'll get my free time. It's fantastic.

So, see you tomorrow, dear friends!

About favorite writers

Hi, everyone!

Plum, I'm also happy to hear that you could watch DVD,
holding Yujin-kun on your lap!
I've not read Kazuo Ishiguro's novels, but I have his 'When we were orphans,'
which was given at a library.
I'll try it someday.
(I read The mother by Pearl Buck, but I can't remember the details of it...)

It is very fantastic that we can read about one's favorite writers, isn't it?
I also like Miyuki Miyabe, especially her crime novels.
As for crime novels, my favorite writer is Natsuo Kirino.
Her works always depict frightening and disgusting crimes,
but I can't stop reading those to the end.
The reason why is, I think, that she is richly talented female writer to picture the innermost feelings of women, who might exist anywhere in the world.
My first Kirino was 'Yawarakana hoho', which got the Naoki Prize.

Today is the first of September, and I'm waiting for meeting all of you.
So, see you later, dear friends.

The end of August

Hi, everyone!

Plum, thank you for showing the recipe of lasagna with spinach and pumpkin.
Only reading it made me feel tasty and try cook it.
I also checked the site of Martha Stewart, as Plum showed before.
It is amaｚing that has many wonderful corners,
about such as food, crafts, gardenning, and so on.
Each of those is so stylish and fancy, that I just watched every corner of them.
I wondered who is Japanese Martha, is it Harumi Kurihara?

Azalea, Plum, I'm glad to see your favorite novels.
Do you like historical novels in china, Azalea?
I've never read those to the end, because I'm weak in remenbering names of many characters.
But I'll try them someday.

It's the end of terrible August today.
With the arrival of September, I feel mild and calm.

So, see you, dear friends!

Haruki Murakami

Hi, everyone!

I can hear the singing of insects outside, which really makes us feel relieved, doesn't it?

Do you like novelist Haruki Murakami?
I've had no special thoughts about him, and I've read only two novels of him,
'Noruwei no mori,' and 'Umibe no kafuka.'
But the other day, I took TIME in my hand and tryed to run through it,
in which a news about Murakami appeared. It was very interesting for me.
At that time I wanted to try his novels, and so I rent 'Nejimaki-dori kuronikuru.'

When I finished one of the three volumes, I regreted reading it at night.
At first, I felt a comfortable light touch with it, but finally "the horrifying narrative of a soldier
in World War 2 Manchuria"( from TIME) made me really sick.
That shock was so hard that I can't start the rest of it yet.
His novel's image was very light and amusing for me until now.
But it must be different, and so now I'm interested with himself.
Do you have any favorite writers ?

So, good bye and see you!

Lightning flash

Hi, everyone!

Sunflower, Thank you for your interesting information about "christianity."
I recalled some discussions about it at Aichi seminar, which aroused our interest.
If possible, I'd like to join and learn at Jonathan's session.

Azalea, I'm sorry that you missed the DVD of Billy's boot camp,
which is just the talk of the town.
But they say that may be pretty hard for beginners,
and so you might make a good buy.
please tell me its effectiveness, next time.

This afternoon, there was lightning flash and hard shower.
It will not be long before this summer is end...
Take care of you, dear friends.
Good bye and see you.

Welcome back, Magnolia!

Hi, everyone!

Magnolia, you could come back, again!
I hope your PC keeps better than before, and you could enjoy with us from now on.
I'm happy to hear that you visited Hirugano with your friends
and had a good time escaped from Nagoya's heat.
I like a fragrant smell of liliy, which makes me just as if to be sweet and noble lady,
and so, I'd like to go there some day.

Plum, I was interested with your story when you were a young girl.
You really have brilliant talent not only of English, but also of doing handicraft.
When I picture you delivering your hand-made dolls to gilrs in the neighborhood,
I'm very amused by that scene.
But what I was surprised more is your untiring energy about learning.
I just respect your many efforts, and hope follow you.
Now I read a half of paper of Engels, but I feel I have no sense to understand.
Anyway, I must go ahead, and go ahead.
Thank you so much for your encouragement words, Plum.

So, my kids are waiting their supper, good bye and see you!