THANK YOU FOR ALL!!
GOOD BYE!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Gorgeous night
HI, ladies!!
How are you doing?
Plum, I appreciate your frequent contribution to this blog, and I am interested in your various topics.
Tell the truth, I have much been obsessed by a big band since last year. This early morning, I got home from the concert of a-ha, the worldwide Norwegian band, held at the Tokyo JCB Hall, by a night bus. It was soooo excited that I couldn’t sleep a wink last night, keeping dozing off during the trip. The reason why so getting excited was that it was held in Japan for the first time in the last nine years, and that they already announced the dissolution of the band at the end of the next year. They have played for 25 years...
The hall was not so big that I could fully enjoy their good figures and beautiful songs at close. Most of the audience who gathered there were middle-aged women and men, singing, dancing, clapping and shouting all together! Me, too, of course…
Now I am completely groggy after this absolutely gorgeous experience…
I hope you are having a great time, too.
See you next! Night, night….
How are you doing?
Plum, I appreciate your frequent contribution to this blog, and I am interested in your various topics.
Tell the truth, I have much been obsessed by a big band since last year. This early morning, I got home from the concert of a-ha, the worldwide Norwegian band, held at the Tokyo JCB Hall, by a night bus. It was soooo excited that I couldn’t sleep a wink last night, keeping dozing off during the trip. The reason why so getting excited was that it was held in Japan for the first time in the last nine years, and that they already announced the dissolution of the band at the end of the next year. They have played for 25 years...
The hall was not so big that I could fully enjoy their good figures and beautiful songs at close. Most of the audience who gathered there were middle-aged women and men, singing, dancing, clapping and shouting all together! Me, too, of course…
Now I am completely groggy after this absolutely gorgeous experience…
I hope you are having a great time, too.
See you next! Night, night….
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The price of tuna
HI, ladies!
Sunflower, thank you for your summary account of TIME article, good help for me.
I heard few days ago that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decided that the total annual catch would be limited by 40 percent, and thus the price of tuna would rise in Japan…
By the way, do you know the movie about dolphin fishing in Japan? It is the subject about our eating habits. I’ll write about it next. See you, Bye!
Sunflower, thank you for your summary account of TIME article, good help for me.
I heard few days ago that the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) decided that the total annual catch would be limited by 40 percent, and thus the price of tuna would rise in Japan…
By the way, do you know the movie about dolphin fishing in Japan? It is the subject about our eating habits. I’ll write about it next. See you, Bye!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Overfishing of tuna
Hi, ladies!
From TIME magazine;
A tough catch
“The relentless hunt for tuna is harming not just the fish but businesses, consumers and the planet”
It is said that; The world’s tuna trade is an awesome 21st century hunt. But these days the chase is becoming unsustainable for some species of tuna, and some experts believe there is overfishing, saying the ecosystem will begin to get out of balance.
Japan consumes about 80% of the 60,000 tons of bluefin tuna caught around the world each year! Tuna-ranching has proven to be a good way to do business in some area like Philippines.
Oh, time is out...
See you next, good bye!
From TIME magazine;
A tough catch
“The relentless hunt for tuna is harming not just the fish but businesses, consumers and the planet”
It is said that; The world’s tuna trade is an awesome 21st century hunt. But these days the chase is becoming unsustainable for some species of tuna, and some experts believe there is overfishing, saying the ecosystem will begin to get out of balance.
Japan consumes about 80% of the 60,000 tons of bluefin tuna caught around the world each year! Tuna-ranching has proven to be a good way to do business in some area like Philippines.
Oh, time is out...
See you next, good bye!
Monday, November 9, 2009
A better measure
Hi, ladies!
Plum, I was impressed and encouraged by your uplifting words, which sounds good for me. Keep trying… Yes, I never give up.
From TIME magazine:
French president Sarkozy suggested that countries should factor happiness into their statistics for growth. It is an interesting argument, isn’t it? So, I’ll try to think about happiness…
Japan’s GDP has ranked second in the world, and its people have believed for a long time that Japan can enjoy its power in its economy. But now, in this long recession, many feel doubts about what is true happiness. Even though people work hard as long as possible, at the cost of family ties, they cannot feel easy.
First, Japan can make better use of talented person more effectively. Women and foreigners, for example, can develop their ability and share social responsibility.
Second, the speed of aging of Japan’s society is very high. So, this recession might be a good chance to think deeply about it. If we can get out of this crunch, we will find better ways.
Last, some experts warned that a single-minded fixation on growth masked the financial crisis. We have to recognize more comprehensive way of growth.
Now we must think about our frame of reference in economic progress.
…I can’t organize it…
So, I’ll try again next. See you!
Plum, I was impressed and encouraged by your uplifting words, which sounds good for me. Keep trying… Yes, I never give up.
From TIME magazine:
French president Sarkozy suggested that countries should factor happiness into their statistics for growth. It is an interesting argument, isn’t it? So, I’ll try to think about happiness…
Japan’s GDP has ranked second in the world, and its people have believed for a long time that Japan can enjoy its power in its economy. But now, in this long recession, many feel doubts about what is true happiness. Even though people work hard as long as possible, at the cost of family ties, they cannot feel easy.
First, Japan can make better use of talented person more effectively. Women and foreigners, for example, can develop their ability and share social responsibility.
Second, the speed of aging of Japan’s society is very high. So, this recession might be a good chance to think deeply about it. If we can get out of this crunch, we will find better ways.
Last, some experts warned that a single-minded fixation on growth masked the financial crisis. We have to recognize more comprehensive way of growth.
Now we must think about our frame of reference in economic progress.
…I can’t organize it…
So, I’ll try again next. See you!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Women have become less happy?
Hi, ladies!
It has been another warmer day today, hasn’t it? These days’ cold weather has made me shiver, and now I feel very happy. I also hope you are enjoying the sunshine.
I found the special report on women on the TIME last week, reporting that “as women have gained more freedom, more education and more economic power, they have become less happy.” Is it true?
I think it may be true in some extent. Recently the number of mothers who work outside their home has increased, but it doesn’t always mean they can feel happy.
First, in such great recession, women have to earn money to live whether they like or not. Some cannot afford luxuries any longer than before, even though they are working longer hours both at home and an office.
Second, these days’ women have become more honest about what ails them than their mothers. In the past, it was more important for women to be a polite, humble and docile person in society. They should not complain about anything around them, or people often say badly about them.
Last, the more women can gain education, the more they get depressed by the real condition in society. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. Women must have more emotional power in order to tackle their new challenges.
I believe that women can feel happiness more quickly than men can, but it is important for women to develop their capacity to bring satisfaction on their own.
It has been another warmer day today, hasn’t it? These days’ cold weather has made me shiver, and now I feel very happy. I also hope you are enjoying the sunshine.
I found the special report on women on the TIME last week, reporting that “as women have gained more freedom, more education and more economic power, they have become less happy.” Is it true?
I think it may be true in some extent. Recently the number of mothers who work outside their home has increased, but it doesn’t always mean they can feel happy.
First, in such great recession, women have to earn money to live whether they like or not. Some cannot afford luxuries any longer than before, even though they are working longer hours both at home and an office.
Second, these days’ women have become more honest about what ails them than their mothers. In the past, it was more important for women to be a polite, humble and docile person in society. They should not complain about anything around them, or people often say badly about them.
Last, the more women can gain education, the more they get depressed by the real condition in society. What you don’t know won’t hurt you. Women must have more emotional power in order to tackle their new challenges.
I believe that women can feel happiness more quickly than men can, but it is important for women to develop their capacity to bring satisfaction on their own.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Talk meeting
Hi, ladies!
Long time no see…
How have you been these days?
My kids and I are really fine, now.
This afternoon I attended the English talk meeting for the first time at the restaurant arcade? in the Ion shopping center near to Cosmos’s house. The participants are Cosmos, Sunflower, Rose and me.
They brought some interesting topics, including cursive writing and printed writing; the false charge of Ashikaga case; drug abuse; Nobel peace prize for Obama.
It was a little bit hard for me to express my opinion in English during the meeting, but at the very end of it, I felt comfortable mainly because of the eagerness and kindness of the three. Thank you very much!
So, see you next time. Good night…
Long time no see…
How have you been these days?
My kids and I are really fine, now.
This afternoon I attended the English talk meeting for the first time at the restaurant arcade? in the Ion shopping center near to Cosmos’s house. The participants are Cosmos, Sunflower, Rose and me.
They brought some interesting topics, including cursive writing and printed writing; the false charge of Ashikaga case; drug abuse; Nobel peace prize for Obama.
It was a little bit hard for me to express my opinion in English during the meeting, but at the very end of it, I felt comfortable mainly because of the eagerness and kindness of the three. Thank you very much!
So, see you next time. Good night…
Monday, October 19, 2009
Mild climate
HI, ladies!
As these day’s climate has been mild and healthy, I feel comfortable than never before. But unfortunately, the new flu is rapidly breaking out at junior high and elementary schools in Nagoya city, and there have been a series of temporary closing of classes. My daughters, too, were forced to stay at home quietly one after the other, in spite of their healthiness. Strangely, fewer teachers caught the flu than students did. It seems to be less infectious to adults.
So, take care. See you next.
As these day’s climate has been mild and healthy, I feel comfortable than never before. But unfortunately, the new flu is rapidly breaking out at junior high and elementary schools in Nagoya city, and there have been a series of temporary closing of classes. My daughters, too, were forced to stay at home quietly one after the other, in spite of their healthiness. Strangely, fewer teachers caught the flu than students did. It seems to be less infectious to adults.
So, take care. See you next.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The impression of Belgium
HI, ladies!
Plum, I was really impressed by those English articles, beautifully composed by your enthusiastic pupils. Every issue was so interesting and attractive that I became feeling to write about each topic, but haven’t enough time to do it.
So, I’m going to tell you about the impression of Belgium.
First of all, I scarcely know any idea about Belgium except those matters like its delicious chocolate and waffles. Northern European nations generally have less sunlight and mild climate, so it may be important for the people living in those regions to manage to live peacefully throughout longer winter.
Next, I also hardly realized the history of the country, as she mentioned, as the heart of Europe. I’d like to learn its role in the EU, because its current position has recently attracted world’s attention.
Finally, it’s wholly lovely to read her guidance about Belgium. Maybe she has for long loved the tiny but charming country, I suppose.
It’s time to the end. See you, good night!
Plum, I was really impressed by those English articles, beautifully composed by your enthusiastic pupils. Every issue was so interesting and attractive that I became feeling to write about each topic, but haven’t enough time to do it.
So, I’m going to tell you about the impression of Belgium.
First of all, I scarcely know any idea about Belgium except those matters like its delicious chocolate and waffles. Northern European nations generally have less sunlight and mild climate, so it may be important for the people living in those regions to manage to live peacefully throughout longer winter.
Next, I also hardly realized the history of the country, as she mentioned, as the heart of Europe. I’d like to learn its role in the EU, because its current position has recently attracted world’s attention.
Finally, it’s wholly lovely to read her guidance about Belgium. Maybe she has for long loved the tiny but charming country, I suppose.
It’s time to the end. See you, good night!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Recycler of cooking oil
Hi, ladies!
Peach, I was very happy to hear from you after a long interval, and at the same time, moved by your positive attitude toward such hard days. Now I sincerely hope your husband will overcome the illness as soon as possible. We are all waiting for you…
Today I’ll talk about the article from the TIME this week.
Heroes of the environment:
They introduce a Japanese woman Someya as a recycler, who turned used cooking oil into fuel. While 200,000 tons of used cooking oil was thrown out in Japan every year, she thought that Tokyo was a big oil field and every home was a spot for drilling.
Her father was running a family-owned recycling company, and began turning cooking oil into fertilizer and soap. But the real breakthrough came in 1992, when she learned that biofuel had been successfully derived from soybean oil. In just nine months, in cooperation with other researchers, they produced the world’s first biodiesel derived from the oil.
Named Vegetable Diesel Fuel (VDF), it emits no sulfur oxides and just half the particulate matter of conventional diesel. VDF currently fuels her fleet of oil-collecting trucks, as well as some city buses and service vehicles that maintain Tokyo’s expressways.
Now the company collects about 100 tons of oil a month, and she has a grand plan that will recycle all the used cooking oil in Tokyo within eight years.
… Encouraging news, isn’t it?
So, see you next.
Peach, I was very happy to hear from you after a long interval, and at the same time, moved by your positive attitude toward such hard days. Now I sincerely hope your husband will overcome the illness as soon as possible. We are all waiting for you…
Today I’ll talk about the article from the TIME this week.
Heroes of the environment:
They introduce a Japanese woman Someya as a recycler, who turned used cooking oil into fuel. While 200,000 tons of used cooking oil was thrown out in Japan every year, she thought that Tokyo was a big oil field and every home was a spot for drilling.
Her father was running a family-owned recycling company, and began turning cooking oil into fertilizer and soap. But the real breakthrough came in 1992, when she learned that biofuel had been successfully derived from soybean oil. In just nine months, in cooperation with other researchers, they produced the world’s first biodiesel derived from the oil.
Named Vegetable Diesel Fuel (VDF), it emits no sulfur oxides and just half the particulate matter of conventional diesel. VDF currently fuels her fleet of oil-collecting trucks, as well as some city buses and service vehicles that maintain Tokyo’s expressways.
Now the company collects about 100 tons of oil a month, and she has a grand plan that will recycle all the used cooking oil in Tokyo within eight years.
… Encouraging news, isn’t it?
So, see you next.
Friday, October 2, 2009
♪English country garden
Hi, ladies!
It has been raining almost all day today.
Plum, thank you for letting us know the beautiful song English country garden. The pictures of those beautiful gardens really delighted my eyes, and any types of songs were very charming. I like the one by Nana Mouskouri. By just singing the song, children in Australia can easily keep in mind the names of flowers, insects and birds, can’t they? By the way, she looks like Japanese singer Angela Aki…
The article quiz Plum put on the Blog is always informative for me. Just relax and go…Oh, I got 9 marks on the former, but only 5 on the latter. Maybe I misunderstood the situation.
So, see you next. Have a good weekend!
It has been raining almost all day today.
Plum, thank you for letting us know the beautiful song English country garden. The pictures of those beautiful gardens really delighted my eyes, and any types of songs were very charming. I like the one by Nana Mouskouri. By just singing the song, children in Australia can easily keep in mind the names of flowers, insects and birds, can’t they? By the way, she looks like Japanese singer Angela Aki…
The article quiz Plum put on the Blog is always informative for me. Just relax and go…Oh, I got 9 marks on the former, but only 5 on the latter. Maybe I misunderstood the situation.
So, see you next. Have a good weekend!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Effective expressions
HI, ladies!
Plum, I’m grateful to you for your devotion. Yesterday’s lecture was so detailed that I really hoped to use several effective expressions; for example…
>It would appear that social position of a writer’s wife, …, enabled Kiyoko Endo to act …
>Understanding the differences in the way in which…is central to this essay.
>It might be conceptualized as the site where writers meet together on the basis of their common intellectual affiliation.
> (I’m going to suggest that) women had much greater latitude to act as significant figures in the literary realm.
>There was the potential for women to acquire literary authority through other means in their own right.
>There were few routes whereby women could carve out public recognition in the literary sphere.
… I almost forgot what I should do by the end of this year…It is, of course, the ESSAY.
Yes, we can!?
See you next, bye!
Plum, I’m grateful to you for your devotion. Yesterday’s lecture was so detailed that I really hoped to use several effective expressions; for example…
>It would appear that social position of a writer’s wife, …, enabled Kiyoko Endo to act …
>Understanding the differences in the way in which…is central to this essay.
>It might be conceptualized as the site where writers meet together on the basis of their common intellectual affiliation.
> (I’m going to suggest that) women had much greater latitude to act as significant figures in the literary realm.
>There was the potential for women to acquire literary authority through other means in their own right.
>There were few routes whereby women could carve out public recognition in the literary sphere.
… I almost forgot what I should do by the end of this year…It is, of course, the ESSAY.
Yes, we can!?
See you next, bye!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
A lower birthrate
Hi, ladies!!
Plum, thank you for your reminder of the next meeting on September 27.
I am now happy to hear you’ve recovered your health. You have always been a phoenix that encourages me to make efforts more. In fact, the article quiz frightened me, because I’ve had a hard time with the article homework for a long time, and still now my struggle continues…
I’ll write the next issue: Is Japan’s declining birthrate a nationwide crisis?
The tendency of a lower birthrate in Japan cannot be halted for a long time. A lot of measures are expected to increase the number. However, smaller number of birth has some good points from the different point of view.
First, some people think it will harm economic productivity due to declining labor force. But it can be a good opportunity to rethink the current way of work. Under the company policy, employees tend to work hard without taking an adequate day off. It is important for us to create more effective work style such as flextime or introducing women power.
Second, it is reasonable for this matured society to have fewer children than our forebears. Still, the government doesn’t form enough budgets to raise children as a human resource. Improving conditions for child rearing is crucial despite of the number of children.
Third, young men and women often hesitate to have their child, not because of the economic surroundings, but because the lack of confidence to the nation. The former government still had a wasteful spending, while our pension system was almost abandoned. If the government can provide a sense of security through their policy, they might change their stance.
With these days’ economic downturn, we can think more innovative way of life to the future world.
...See you later!
Plum, thank you for your reminder of the next meeting on September 27.
I am now happy to hear you’ve recovered your health. You have always been a phoenix that encourages me to make efforts more. In fact, the article quiz frightened me, because I’ve had a hard time with the article homework for a long time, and still now my struggle continues…
I’ll write the next issue: Is Japan’s declining birthrate a nationwide crisis?
The tendency of a lower birthrate in Japan cannot be halted for a long time. A lot of measures are expected to increase the number. However, smaller number of birth has some good points from the different point of view.
First, some people think it will harm economic productivity due to declining labor force. But it can be a good opportunity to rethink the current way of work. Under the company policy, employees tend to work hard without taking an adequate day off. It is important for us to create more effective work style such as flextime or introducing women power.
Second, it is reasonable for this matured society to have fewer children than our forebears. Still, the government doesn’t form enough budgets to raise children as a human resource. Improving conditions for child rearing is crucial despite of the number of children.
Third, young men and women often hesitate to have their child, not because of the economic surroundings, but because the lack of confidence to the nation. The former government still had a wasteful spending, while our pension system was almost abandoned. If the government can provide a sense of security through their policy, they might change their stance.
With these days’ economic downturn, we can think more innovative way of life to the future world.
...See you later!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
MJ forever
HI, ladies!
Welcome back, Gloriosa!
I hope your condition has been much better.
Thank you for your quick response, Cosmos.
I’ll give an answer soon.
Today I’ll write about Michael Jackson’s die. (chigasaki method & TIME)
International pop superstar Michael Jackson died at his home on June 25, at the age of 50. After the investigation, the L.A. Police Department declared his death a homicide, saying criminal charges will be brought against the physician who administered the drugs that day. An investigator said a laundry list of drugs stopped Jackson’s heart, and that the physician also neglected to dial 911; Jackson’s bodyguard placed the call.
…Pop singer Madonna (both are the icons of pop music in 80s!) said the world has lost one of its greatest performers and that his music will live on forever.
See you, have a good evening.
Welcome back, Gloriosa!
I hope your condition has been much better.
Thank you for your quick response, Cosmos.
I’ll give an answer soon.
Today I’ll write about Michael Jackson’s die. (chigasaki method & TIME)
International pop superstar Michael Jackson died at his home on June 25, at the age of 50. After the investigation, the L.A. Police Department declared his death a homicide, saying criminal charges will be brought against the physician who administered the drugs that day. An investigator said a laundry list of drugs stopped Jackson’s heart, and that the physician also neglected to dial 911; Jackson’s bodyguard placed the call.
…Pop singer Madonna (both are the icons of pop music in 80s!) said the world has lost one of its greatest performers and that his music will live on forever.
See you, have a good evening.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Unsold food products in kon-bini
Hi, ladies!
Alice, thank you for your detailed information about dissenters. Those were so informative that I became to think why such large number of dissenters appeared.
Sunflower, thank you for letting us know the website NHK world. There are a lot of news and articles on it, and I can find it very useful to study social issues in Japan.
Today I will write this issue:
Do you agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores? (from chigasaki method)
I don’t agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores, because of following three reasons.
First, discount sales of food products could trigger excessive price-cutting competition. It also may lead to the collapse of its business model. Convenience stores should sell any products at just the same condition across the nation.
Second, the problem is the way in which storeowners have to bear the cost of unsold food items. Even under company policy, they can’t predict demand more accurately to reduce the amount of unsold items. Instead store chains operator should have responsibility to bear the cost.
Third, the convenience store industry should pay more attention to reduce waste. Major convenience store chains in Japan dispose of a lot of unsold food products. Promoting the recycling of food products, for example, is a good way to reduce garbage.
The convenience store industry as a whole should bear its social responsibility to reduce waste and to improve the more eco-friendly industry style. As stated above, I don’t agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores. (180)
…See you next!
Alice, thank you for your detailed information about dissenters. Those were so informative that I became to think why such large number of dissenters appeared.
Sunflower, thank you for letting us know the website NHK world. There are a lot of news and articles on it, and I can find it very useful to study social issues in Japan.
Today I will write this issue:
Do you agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores? (from chigasaki method)
I don’t agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores, because of following three reasons.
First, discount sales of food products could trigger excessive price-cutting competition. It also may lead to the collapse of its business model. Convenience stores should sell any products at just the same condition across the nation.
Second, the problem is the way in which storeowners have to bear the cost of unsold food items. Even under company policy, they can’t predict demand more accurately to reduce the amount of unsold items. Instead store chains operator should have responsibility to bear the cost.
Third, the convenience store industry should pay more attention to reduce waste. Major convenience store chains in Japan dispose of a lot of unsold food products. Promoting the recycling of food products, for example, is a good way to reduce garbage.
The convenience store industry as a whole should bear its social responsibility to reduce waste and to improve the more eco-friendly industry style. As stated above, I don’t agree with the price reduction of food products in convenience stores. (180)
…See you next!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Autumn in the air
Hi, ladies!
There seems to be already a feel of autumn in the air this morning, and I’m in a good mood. Even though it was not so muggy this summer, I’ve experienced a kind of summer fatigue …How about you? Now I really hope all of you are in good health.
By the way, I’ve tackled the English Article Drill Book (part 1) since the Aichi Seminar was over. A few days ago, I was already intending to finish it, but I found mistakes. Some of them were careless mistakes, and others were poor understandings. Mmm… I hope I will finish it as soon as possible.
My engine doesn’t start smoothly…See you tomorrow, have a good day!
There seems to be already a feel of autumn in the air this morning, and I’m in a good mood. Even though it was not so muggy this summer, I’ve experienced a kind of summer fatigue …How about you? Now I really hope all of you are in good health.
By the way, I’ve tackled the English Article Drill Book (part 1) since the Aichi Seminar was over. A few days ago, I was already intending to finish it, but I found mistakes. Some of them were careless mistakes, and others were poor understandings. Mmm… I hope I will finish it as soon as possible.
My engine doesn’t start smoothly…See you tomorrow, have a good day!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Summer moved on
Good afternoon, ladies!
I haven’t seen you for such a looooong time!
I’m happy to read your comments.
I have long been scared of the writing on the Blog during this summer, and couldn't concentrate my attention on learning English... Frankly, I was tired with housework and arrangements for my daughter’s club activities. But now kids are gone at last…. From now on, I will start an engine.
So, see you next. Good, good bye!
I haven’t seen you for such a looooong time!
I’m happy to read your comments.
I have long been scared of the writing on the Blog during this summer, and couldn't concentrate my attention on learning English... Frankly, I was tired with housework and arrangements for my daughter’s club activities. But now kids are gone at last…. From now on, I will start an engine.
So, see you next. Good, good bye!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Child abuse
Hi, ladies!
Thank you for your quick response, Alice.
I’ll tell you about organ transplants from children.
According to research by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are cases of children under six who have become brain-dead because of abuse from their parents. Another research shows that about 10 to 20 % of all children with head injuries are suspected of being victims of abuse.
So, organ donation with only the permission of parents would be a problem in many surgical cases. In addition, consequent organ traffic would be a potential problem. It is crucial to make a solid system for distinguishing child abuse brain-death cases from non-child abuse cases.
It is a controversial issue, isn’t it?
Thank you for your quick response, Alice.
I’ll tell you about organ transplants from children.
According to research by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are cases of children under six who have become brain-dead because of abuse from their parents. Another research shows that about 10 to 20 % of all children with head injuries are suspected of being victims of abuse.
So, organ donation with only the permission of parents would be a problem in many surgical cases. In addition, consequent organ traffic would be a potential problem. It is crucial to make a solid system for distinguishing child abuse brain-death cases from non-child abuse cases.
It is a controversial issue, isn’t it?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Organ transplant law
Hi, ladies!
How are you?
Today I will write a topic about organ transplant law:
The Upper House passed into law revisions of organ transplant law, making it possible transplant organs from brain-dead patients, who have not made their intensions clear as long as their family members give their consent.
The revisions will also allow children to be donors. This must be a long-waited legal change for many children whose only chance for survival is to go overseas.
However, the practice of organ transplants raises various questions concerning individual views about death.
First, it defines brain death as legal human death, but it is hard to deny that the public still have many doubts about it. Without public understanding, there can be no progress in the efforts to promote organ transplants.
Second, there are also concerns related to the intentions of potential donors. Many efforts are needed to increase opportunities for people to express their intentions.
Finally, some touchy issues remain unsolved in organ transplants from children. It is crucial to use different criteria for adults, and determine whether they are victims of physical abuse or not.
Such low-profile efforts are essential for securing wide public acceptance of organ transplantation in Japan.
How are you?
Today I will write a topic about organ transplant law:
The Upper House passed into law revisions of organ transplant law, making it possible transplant organs from brain-dead patients, who have not made their intensions clear as long as their family members give their consent.
The revisions will also allow children to be donors. This must be a long-waited legal change for many children whose only chance for survival is to go overseas.
However, the practice of organ transplants raises various questions concerning individual views about death.
First, it defines brain death as legal human death, but it is hard to deny that the public still have many doubts about it. Without public understanding, there can be no progress in the efforts to promote organ transplants.
Second, there are also concerns related to the intentions of potential donors. Many efforts are needed to increase opportunities for people to express their intentions.
Finally, some touchy issues remain unsolved in organ transplants from children. It is crucial to use different criteria for adults, and determine whether they are victims of physical abuse or not.
Such low-profile efforts are essential for securing wide public acceptance of organ transplantation in Japan.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The talk show
Hi, ladies!
We had a good time speaking at the talk show, becoming the unique characters, didn’t we? As Sunflower said, we were also able to know much more about other guests than before. I think this seminar was one of brainstorming session for us.
On the way home from the seminar, Plum gave me some instructive suggestions to pass the coming STEP test. For writing skills, I’m going to read English articles that argue on social issues, and then to keep good expressions in mind.
Oh, I have to try articles…
So, see you next. Have a nice summertime!
We had a good time speaking at the talk show, becoming the unique characters, didn’t we? As Sunflower said, we were also able to know much more about other guests than before. I think this seminar was one of brainstorming session for us.
On the way home from the seminar, Plum gave me some instructive suggestions to pass the coming STEP test. For writing skills, I’m going to read English articles that argue on social issues, and then to keep good expressions in mind.
Oh, I have to try articles…
So, see you next. Have a nice summertime!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The new women
Hi, ladies!
Sunflower, Cosmos, thank you for good suggestions about the new women.
From the viewpoint of Shoen, I, Kiyoko, am very proud of being one of the new women: Financial independence, defending women who chose not to marry, and questioning men’s chastity.
As for my choice of a legal wife, what I am interested in is true love, not the position as a wife. In our society, even though quite a lot husbands shamelessly have their mistresses, their wives must endure to the end. I believe firmly that the new woman can do what she wants. We can breathe, eat, love and marry for oneself, not for the society and men. If a husband betrays his wife, she should claim a right as a wife.
Of course, one can choose the life outside marriage, as Shoen did. I was once glad to hear that our leader Raicho publicly declared a communal life with her partner. We can put our feelings before the public, and speak the truth. It’s the new women's way.
So, see you next. Have a good day!
Sunflower, Cosmos, thank you for good suggestions about the new women.
From the viewpoint of Shoen, I, Kiyoko, am very proud of being one of the new women: Financial independence, defending women who chose not to marry, and questioning men’s chastity.
As for my choice of a legal wife, what I am interested in is true love, not the position as a wife. In our society, even though quite a lot husbands shamelessly have their mistresses, their wives must endure to the end. I believe firmly that the new woman can do what she wants. We can breathe, eat, love and marry for oneself, not for the society and men. If a husband betrays his wife, she should claim a right as a wife.
Of course, one can choose the life outside marriage, as Shoen did. I was once glad to hear that our leader Raicho publicly declared a communal life with her partner. We can put our feelings before the public, and speak the truth. It’s the new women's way.
So, see you next. Have a good day!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Long time no see
Hello, ladies!!
How are you??
Long, long time no see…I found it was not so easy to practice English every day.
As for the issue of the summer seminar, I found the more I read about Kiyoko's life, the more complicated I felt about her feelings. She often called herself a new woman, atarashi onna, who tried to get the right for women. But at the same time, she worried too much about her position as a legal wife. She seemed to have some contradictions. I have to read more deeply in order to deal with her issues at the seminar.
See you again, bye for now!
How are you??
Long, long time no see…I found it was not so easy to practice English every day.
As for the issue of the summer seminar, I found the more I read about Kiyoko's life, the more complicated I felt about her feelings. She often called herself a new woman, atarashi onna, who tried to get the right for women. But at the same time, she worried too much about her position as a legal wife. She seemed to have some contradictions. I have to read more deeply in order to deal with her issues at the seminar.
See you again, bye for now!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Remarks 4 by Kiyoko
Good afternoon, everyone!
How are you??
Do you remember me? Kiyoko again.
Last time I told you my thoughts on my childbirth, which gave me a great pain. I was an outspoken person. Finally I could find the child was not my enemy, and happiness came my way. But my husband Iwano still had the bad habit of womanizing. Shortly after adopting a secretary, he had an illicit relationship with her. I would forgive them as long as they respected my pride as a legal wife, but they never did it…
After leaving the house, Iwano asked for divorce, but I turned down the request. Not only that, I called for the obligation to live together. A series of the case had begun, and I was drawn into a “war”…Was I too combative? I didn’t think so. I just wanted to establish wives’ position.
See you next.
How are you??
Do you remember me? Kiyoko again.
Last time I told you my thoughts on my childbirth, which gave me a great pain. I was an outspoken person. Finally I could find the child was not my enemy, and happiness came my way. But my husband Iwano still had the bad habit of womanizing. Shortly after adopting a secretary, he had an illicit relationship with her. I would forgive them as long as they respected my pride as a legal wife, but they never did it…
After leaving the house, Iwano asked for divorce, but I turned down the request. Not only that, I called for the obligation to live together. A series of the case had begun, and I was drawn into a “war”…Was I too combative? I didn’t think so. I just wanted to establish wives’ position.
See you next.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Remarks 3 by Kiyoko
Good afternoon, young ladies! I’m Kiyoko Endo.
Today I’ll talk to you about my childbirth. While contributing some articles to seito in 1912, I was so relieved to hear that Iwano eventually divorced his wife. Then I decided to have our own baby. The age of 30 was a deadline for childbirth, I thought. Fortunately I gave birth to my first son Tamio in spring 1914. But the experience was extremely awful for me, and I felt nearly dead. I wrote in the magazine Daisan teikoku;
During the delivery, the new life in my body made an all-out effort to get out. So, I almost came close to death. “A baby. What does it matter?” I shout in my heart. “I can’t endure such pain and danger any more. I want to take it out even after cutting into small pieces. It’s a hateful enemy.”
…What a shocking confession. Many readers felt antipathy toward me. I just said plainly what happened at the time.
But gradually my idea about child had changed.
Today I’ll talk to you about my childbirth. While contributing some articles to seito in 1912, I was so relieved to hear that Iwano eventually divorced his wife. Then I decided to have our own baby. The age of 30 was a deadline for childbirth, I thought. Fortunately I gave birth to my first son Tamio in spring 1914. But the experience was extremely awful for me, and I felt nearly dead. I wrote in the magazine Daisan teikoku;
During the delivery, the new life in my body made an all-out effort to get out. So, I almost came close to death. “A baby. What does it matter?” I shout in my heart. “I can’t endure such pain and danger any more. I want to take it out even after cutting into small pieces. It’s a hateful enemy.”
…What a shocking confession. Many readers felt antipathy toward me. I just said plainly what happened at the time.
But gradually my idea about child had changed.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Remarks 2 by Kiyoko
HI, ladies!
I am Kiyoko Endo.
I think my attempt suicide might have a great impact on the public as a scandal, but originally I was a strong supporter of women’s right. Before the incident, I used to petition the government for revising of the article 5 of the Public Order and Police Law (Chian keisatsu-ho), cooperating with my mentor Utako Imai.
She was a powerful advocate for the movement in Heiminsha. Though I didn’t like socialism, I had admired Imai very much. From 1905 to 1909, I rushed madly around to change the situation, but all petitions were rejected by the Upper House. I was really disappointed, when I lost my love, as I told before…
My life is full of sensational incidents even after that. See you next.
I am Kiyoko Endo.
I think my attempt suicide might have a great impact on the public as a scandal, but originally I was a strong supporter of women’s right. Before the incident, I used to petition the government for revising of the article 5 of the Public Order and Police Law (Chian keisatsu-ho), cooperating with my mentor Utako Imai.
She was a powerful advocate for the movement in Heiminsha. Though I didn’t like socialism, I had admired Imai very much. From 1905 to 1909, I rushed madly around to change the situation, but all petitions were rejected by the Upper House. I was really disappointed, when I lost my love, as I told before…
My life is full of sensational incidents even after that. See you next.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Remarks by Kiyoko
Hi, ladies!!
I am Kiyoko Endo, very pleasure to join you. Going beyond space-time is a fantastic experience for us, isn’t it? All I want you to know is how I could live through my stormy life as a woman.
First of all, I have to talk to you about my first and eternal love. The lover’s name was former colleague Goro Nakano, who worked at Dempo tsushinsha as a political journalist. He already had a wife and a child, and yet felt in love with me when I was 23. A “lover” generally might mean having a sexual relationship even with a married man, but I have long hated such immoral intimacy. I don’t want to be a mistress. So, I told him that I would give my body to him if he divorced his wife. However, he was reluctant to do so, saying his wife hadn’t done anything wrong…
While such an indecisive relationship continued for almost two years, of course without any affairs, I was gradually irritated against him, and finally urged him to commit suicide together, giving him a dagger. Struck with a profound fear, he brought up separation in the end. Losing my all hope, I tried to kill myself by jumping into water at Kouzu, Kanagawa, on 28 July, 1909. But it failed. To make matters worse, next day Niroku shimpo carried the details of the incident, which showed both his and my name….(That was a yellow journalism!)
It was my first love. Bitter memory.
I am Kiyoko Endo, very pleasure to join you. Going beyond space-time is a fantastic experience for us, isn’t it? All I want you to know is how I could live through my stormy life as a woman.
First of all, I have to talk to you about my first and eternal love. The lover’s name was former colleague Goro Nakano, who worked at Dempo tsushinsha as a political journalist. He already had a wife and a child, and yet felt in love with me when I was 23. A “lover” generally might mean having a sexual relationship even with a married man, but I have long hated such immoral intimacy. I don’t want to be a mistress. So, I told him that I would give my body to him if he divorced his wife. However, he was reluctant to do so, saying his wife hadn’t done anything wrong…
While such an indecisive relationship continued for almost two years, of course without any affairs, I was gradually irritated against him, and finally urged him to commit suicide together, giving him a dagger. Struck with a profound fear, he brought up separation in the end. Losing my all hope, I tried to kill myself by jumping into water at Kouzu, Kanagawa, on 28 July, 1909. But it failed. To make matters worse, next day Niroku shimpo carried the details of the incident, which showed both his and my name….(That was a yellow journalism!)
It was my first love. Bitter memory.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Kiyoko Endo 4
Hi, ladies!!
Kiyoko Endo and her lover Iwano left for Osaka in April, 1911, because of Iwano’s new job as a writer at Osaka shimposha. Their strained relationships were still the same as before. In September, under the leadership of Raicho Hiratsuka, a new women’s literary journal seito was established. Endo had already become a member of staff, and carried her first novel entitled Otaka on the October 1911 issue. By 1915, she gave about 20 essays and novels in seito.
In spring of 1912, Iwano finally divorced his wife, and in September they went back to Tokyo after Iwano resigned from his post. The following year Kiyoko gave birth to her first son, Tamio. But even after having their child, their disagreement continued.
…I am a little bit bored with Endo’s repeating personal remarks against her lover Iwano, and don’t understand why she published such a naked facts and thoughts. But it’s a very interesting material about marriage system, sex and women’s position.
So, see you next. Bye!
Kiyoko Endo and her lover Iwano left for Osaka in April, 1911, because of Iwano’s new job as a writer at Osaka shimposha. Their strained relationships were still the same as before. In September, under the leadership of Raicho Hiratsuka, a new women’s literary journal seito was established. Endo had already become a member of staff, and carried her first novel entitled Otaka on the October 1911 issue. By 1915, she gave about 20 essays and novels in seito.
In spring of 1912, Iwano finally divorced his wife, and in September they went back to Tokyo after Iwano resigned from his post. The following year Kiyoko gave birth to her first son, Tamio. But even after having their child, their disagreement continued.
…I am a little bit bored with Endo’s repeating personal remarks against her lover Iwano, and don’t understand why she published such a naked facts and thoughts. But it’s a very interesting material about marriage system, sex and women’s position.
So, see you next. Bye!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Kiyoko Endo 3
Hi, ladies!!
Kiyoko Endo started to live together with writer Homei Iwano in Okubo, Tokyo, in 1909, at the age of 27. Their cohabitation drew attention among the media, as Yorozu choho carried an interesting article titled “Two strange persons started to cohabit; which will win, body or soul? (rei ga katsuka niku ga katsuka) ”While Iwano had openly asserted the hanju-shugi, an instinctive behavior policy, Endo considered love excessively sacred.
On the day, Endo began a diary, which was later published as Aino soto, A love struggle. She wrote a lot of details of their daily life in it, with her dissatisfaction, anger and suffering in their love-hate relationship. On the other hand, against her book, Iwano also published Seifuku hiseifuku, A conqueror and a conquered. Both of them frankly depicted what happened between the unusual couple.
…To be continued. See you later!
Kiyoko Endo started to live together with writer Homei Iwano in Okubo, Tokyo, in 1909, at the age of 27. Their cohabitation drew attention among the media, as Yorozu choho carried an interesting article titled “Two strange persons started to cohabit; which will win, body or soul? (rei ga katsuka niku ga katsuka) ”While Iwano had openly asserted the hanju-shugi, an instinctive behavior policy, Endo considered love excessively sacred.
On the day, Endo began a diary, which was later published as Aino soto, A love struggle. She wrote a lot of details of their daily life in it, with her dissatisfaction, anger and suffering in their love-hate relationship. On the other hand, against her book, Iwano also published Seifuku hiseifuku, A conqueror and a conquered. Both of them frankly depicted what happened between the unusual couple.
…To be continued. See you later!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Kiyoko Endo 2
Hi, ladies!
Today I’d like to write the following story of Kiyoko Endo.
After the failure in her suicide, Endo was forced to quit her temporally job as an English teacher, (she had already resigned from the Denpo tsushinsha at that time) because a newspaper carried an article on the incident.
About 4 months later, writer Homei Iwano visited Endo with the introduction of Utako Imai, asking Endo to live together and to marry him. It seems rather sudden proposal for her, but in fact, she had received some offers from other visitors. Endo refused the request for marriage, but accept sharing the same house without sexual relationship. It was a beginning of her long struggle about love…
It is very strange communications, isn’t it?
So, see you next. Bye for now…
Today I’d like to write the following story of Kiyoko Endo.
After the failure in her suicide, Endo was forced to quit her temporally job as an English teacher, (she had already resigned from the Denpo tsushinsha at that time) because a newspaper carried an article on the incident.
About 4 months later, writer Homei Iwano visited Endo with the introduction of Utako Imai, asking Endo to live together and to marry him. It seems rather sudden proposal for her, but in fact, she had received some offers from other visitors. Endo refused the request for marriage, but accept sharing the same house without sexual relationship. It was a beginning of her long struggle about love…
It is very strange communications, isn’t it?
So, see you next. Bye for now…
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Kiyoko Endo 1
Hi, ladies!
Plum, I’m interested in your seminar on the English articles. I’m looking forward to attending it.
It’s fantastic to read about the life of Shoen and Sanger. Now, I also try to write some facts about Kiyoko Endo.
Kiyoko Endo was born in Takanawa, Tokyo in 1882 as the second child of a scribe. She worked as a higher primary school teacher for 4 years, and then joined the Denpo tsushinsha (present Dentsu) as a writer. She became a zealous supporter of the women suffrage activity under the influence of Utako Imai, who used to be a member of Heiminsha.
While working at the Denpo tsushinsha, Endo loved each other with a colleague Nakao, who already had his own family. She urged him to divorce his wife, but he denied. With a great disappointment, Endo tried to commit suicide at the Kouzu seashore, Kanagawa, but failed.
…This is the part 1 of her story. See you next!
Plum, I’m interested in your seminar on the English articles. I’m looking forward to attending it.
It’s fantastic to read about the life of Shoen and Sanger. Now, I also try to write some facts about Kiyoko Endo.
Kiyoko Endo was born in Takanawa, Tokyo in 1882 as the second child of a scribe. She worked as a higher primary school teacher for 4 years, and then joined the Denpo tsushinsha (present Dentsu) as a writer. She became a zealous supporter of the women suffrage activity under the influence of Utako Imai, who used to be a member of Heiminsha.
While working at the Denpo tsushinsha, Endo loved each other with a colleague Nakao, who already had his own family. She urged him to divorce his wife, but he denied. With a great disappointment, Endo tried to commit suicide at the Kouzu seashore, Kanagawa, but failed.
…This is the part 1 of her story. See you next!
Monday, May 18, 2009
My next research
Hi, ladies!!
Today’s clear blue sky after the rain is so wonderful.
As for my next research, I am now reading the book written by Kiyoko Endo(1882-1920), who is a contributor to socialist press, including Niju Seiki no Fujin, and also a participant in early campaign for revision of Article 5 of Public Peace Police Law.
The book Aino soto is so interesting and fascinating for me, but I wonder how I would write about her because of its very controversial issue. So, I will write her miscellaneous story little by little tomorrow. See you next!
Today’s clear blue sky after the rain is so wonderful.
As for my next research, I am now reading the book written by Kiyoko Endo(1882-1920), who is a contributor to socialist press, including Niju Seiki no Fujin, and also a participant in early campaign for revision of Article 5 of Public Peace Police Law.
The book Aino soto is so interesting and fascinating for me, but I wonder how I would write about her because of its very controversial issue. So, I will write her miscellaneous story little by little tomorrow. See you next!
Friday, May 15, 2009
The number of suicides
Hi, ladies!
Current news:
Despite a decline in the number of suicides nationwide last year, there was an increase in the number of people in there 20s and 30s who took their own lives. A significant increase was noted in the number of people who committed suicide for motives such as “hardship,” “unemployment,” or “failure to find work,” strongly reflecting the sudden downturn in the economy since autumn last year.
More people in their 50s committed suicide last year than any other 10-year age group. The next largest groups are in their 60s. The total number of suicides by people under 40 years of age rose to 27 percent of the total. The figure for thirtysomethings has risen more than 30 percent since 1998.
...In fact, I have just picked up these articles from the news site, and put them into the blog in order to learn how to express those current issues. I found them so concise and compact.
So, see you next. Have a nice weekend!
Current news:
Despite a decline in the number of suicides nationwide last year, there was an increase in the number of people in there 20s and 30s who took their own lives. A significant increase was noted in the number of people who committed suicide for motives such as “hardship,” “unemployment,” or “failure to find work,” strongly reflecting the sudden downturn in the economy since autumn last year.
More people in their 50s committed suicide last year than any other 10-year age group. The next largest groups are in their 60s. The total number of suicides by people under 40 years of age rose to 27 percent of the total. The figure for thirtysomethings has risen more than 30 percent since 1998.
...In fact, I have just picked up these articles from the news site, and put them into the blog in order to learn how to express those current issues. I found them so concise and compact.
So, see you next. Have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The People's Honor Award
Hi, ladies!!
Current news:
The government has decided to give the People’s Honor Award to Mitsuko Mori, the actress who last week marked her 2000th performance in the play “Horoki”, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura said Monday. Mori, 89, is popular with audiences of all ages. In addition to playing the lead in “Horoki”, which is based on the autobiography of Fumiko Hayashi, Mori has starred in many TV dramas, including “Jikan Desuyo”.
Kawamura said at a press conference: “She has given hope to the public and enriched their lives. Her achievement is a great milestone and a record that no one else has or will reach.”
…We should be proud of her great performance. Is she really 89 years old?! I want to know the secret of her health and liveliness.
Well, see you next. Bye!
Current news:
The government has decided to give the People’s Honor Award to Mitsuko Mori, the actress who last week marked her 2000th performance in the play “Horoki”, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kawamura said Monday. Mori, 89, is popular with audiences of all ages. In addition to playing the lead in “Horoki”, which is based on the autobiography of Fumiko Hayashi, Mori has starred in many TV dramas, including “Jikan Desuyo”.
Kawamura said at a press conference: “She has given hope to the public and enriched their lives. Her achievement is a great milestone and a record that no one else has or will reach.”
…We should be proud of her great performance. Is she really 89 years old?! I want to know the secret of her health and liveliness.
Well, see you next. Bye!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Average childbirth costs
Hi, ladies!!
Current news:
Average childbirth costs differ among prefectures by as much as 50 percent, a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry survey has found.
According to the survey, an average total delivery expense is 420,000 yen, but ranges from 210,000 yen to 810,000 yen, depending on the medical institution. The highest expense is in Tokyo, at 510,000 yen, 1.5 times that in Kumamoto, at 340,000 yen.
The survey team also discovered a correlation between the amount of expenses and regional income differences. About 60 percent of facilities said they have been unable to demand all expenses, and 52 percent said they plan to raise fees by about 50,000 yen this year or later. The government plans to raise the lump-sum payment for deliveries to 420,000 yen in October as part of measures to tackle the declining birth rate.
…I don’t think money is always the measure of the common motivations for wanting a child. I suppose that women would hope for their peaceful future. Some could not give birth even if they were millionaire, because they can’t feel at ease in this situation.
Well, see you later. Good bye!
Current news:
Average childbirth costs differ among prefectures by as much as 50 percent, a Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry survey has found.
According to the survey, an average total delivery expense is 420,000 yen, but ranges from 210,000 yen to 810,000 yen, depending on the medical institution. The highest expense is in Tokyo, at 510,000 yen, 1.5 times that in Kumamoto, at 340,000 yen.
The survey team also discovered a correlation between the amount of expenses and regional income differences. About 60 percent of facilities said they have been unable to demand all expenses, and 52 percent said they plan to raise fees by about 50,000 yen this year or later. The government plans to raise the lump-sum payment for deliveries to 420,000 yen in October as part of measures to tackle the declining birth rate.
…I don’t think money is always the measure of the common motivations for wanting a child. I suppose that women would hope for their peaceful future. Some could not give birth even if they were millionaire, because they can’t feel at ease in this situation.
Well, see you later. Good bye!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Bright sunlight
How are you, ladies!?
Alice, Peach, you had a nice holiday, didn’t you?
Rose, you got an extraordinary experience…!
Even though the swine flu seemed to be less serious than we expected, you must have been afraid of the virus at the time. Please stay home and relax.
My family and I enjoyed a brief stay at Shino-jima last weekend. Thanks to the mild climate, beautiful scenery refreshed us. We also enjoyed delicious fish at a good price. All of us went on a bicycle trip for a while, running around the tiny, calm island in fresh air and the bright sunlight.
So, see you next. Bye!
Alice, Peach, you had a nice holiday, didn’t you?
Rose, you got an extraordinary experience…!
Even though the swine flu seemed to be less serious than we expected, you must have been afraid of the virus at the time. Please stay home and relax.
My family and I enjoyed a brief stay at Shino-jima last weekend. Thanks to the mild climate, beautiful scenery refreshed us. We also enjoyed delicious fish at a good price. All of us went on a bicycle trip for a while, running around the tiny, calm island in fresh air and the bright sunlight.
So, see you next. Bye!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Golden Week
Hi, ladies!!
It has been a warm and comfortable today, and Golden Week has already started. Will you have a nice plan during the week? I hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful holiday.
My husband is going to take a day off tomorrow, and we’re planning on going to the movies. At first, he seemed to be reluctant to go, because he doesn’t like a place where many people gather, and prefers to spend holidays just sitting around at home. But while I kept saying that we’d better to try something good, he accepted with bad grace.
Then I asked him what kind of movies he wanted, but he had no idea. So, I gave him a choice between okuribito and Slum dog millionaire, both of which got an academy award this spring. He was concerned about its too serious story, and hesitated for a while. Oh, he really likes an entertainment…
After all I decided to watch Slum dog…, and made a reservation at the
Miyoshi Movix Theater, which is the closest from my house. I'm looking forward to
watching it.
So, see you next. Have a nice holiday!
It has been a warm and comfortable today, and Golden Week has already started. Will you have a nice plan during the week? I hope all of you are enjoying a wonderful holiday.
My husband is going to take a day off tomorrow, and we’re planning on going to the movies. At first, he seemed to be reluctant to go, because he doesn’t like a place where many people gather, and prefers to spend holidays just sitting around at home. But while I kept saying that we’d better to try something good, he accepted with bad grace.
Then I asked him what kind of movies he wanted, but he had no idea. So, I gave him a choice between okuribito and Slum dog millionaire, both of which got an academy award this spring. He was concerned about its too serious story, and hesitated for a while. Oh, he really likes an entertainment…
After all I decided to watch Slum dog…, and made a reservation at the
Miyoshi Movix Theater, which is the closest from my house. I'm looking forward to
watching it.
So, see you next. Have a nice holiday!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
At a shopping center
Hi, ladies!!
Last Sunday, I went shopping to a big shopping center with my daughters, while my husband was in Tokyo on a business trip. There were a lot of people as usual, walking around in the large space. When I was young, I didn’t mind such crowds and shops at all. But I've been getting older and at that time, I wanted to move away from the shop as soon as possible, because I felt very tired. So I was sitting a chair at an open space, waiting my daughters choose their favorites at a nearby variety shop.
They like that kind of shops very much and it often takes one hour or so to decide what to buy. There are a lot of sweet, cute and colorful goods at the shops, and it might be the best time for girls, I know. But I was weary with waiting and almost dozed off. It was not until they touched me that I noticed them come back. I should have read in a bookstore instead of sleeping…
Well, it’s time to prepare for supper. See you!
Last Sunday, I went shopping to a big shopping center with my daughters, while my husband was in Tokyo on a business trip. There were a lot of people as usual, walking around in the large space. When I was young, I didn’t mind such crowds and shops at all. But I've been getting older and at that time, I wanted to move away from the shop as soon as possible, because I felt very tired. So I was sitting a chair at an open space, waiting my daughters choose their favorites at a nearby variety shop.
They like that kind of shops very much and it often takes one hour or so to decide what to buy. There are a lot of sweet, cute and colorful goods at the shops, and it might be the best time for girls, I know. But I was weary with waiting and almost dozed off. It was not until they touched me that I noticed them come back. I should have read in a bookstore instead of sleeping…
Well, it’s time to prepare for supper. See you!
Monday, April 27, 2009
A new pandemic?
Hi, ladies!!
Gloriosa, your idea about our present at the Victorian tutorial might be rational for us, and we have to discuss how to pay one’s share.
Alice, I wanted to listen to Plum’s lecture about freedom and equality. I don’t think women have their freedom and equality, and I hope more women can express their own wishes easily to achieve the rights.
An outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US is causing a big concern in Japan. The number of death from the flu has been rapidly increasing in Mexico, and we fear a new flu pandemic around the world…What I can do now is to prepare for foods and daily necessities.
So, see you next. Bye!
Gloriosa, your idea about our present at the Victorian tutorial might be rational for us, and we have to discuss how to pay one’s share.
Alice, I wanted to listen to Plum’s lecture about freedom and equality. I don’t think women have their freedom and equality, and I hope more women can express their own wishes easily to achieve the rights.
An outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US is causing a big concern in Japan. The number of death from the flu has been rapidly increasing in Mexico, and we fear a new flu pandemic around the world…What I can do now is to prepare for foods and daily necessities.
So, see you next. Bye!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
A silicone steamer
Hi, ladies!!
These days I am trying to improve the efficiency of cooking in order to have enough time to learn English. One day I came into a good idea that I could use my microwave more, and was looking for a kind of steamer available in it for a while. Then I happened to see a good one on a blog, which appeared to be very convenient for me. After taking a look on the Net, I found it had become popular as the newest type of silicone steamer. But I hesitated to get it at once because of its high price.
Few days ago, I was having lunch while watching TV, when a famous musician began to talk about his cooking on a very popular program at noon. He was introducing some kitchen tools as his favorite, and then explained a certain steamer… Oh, that’s it! It was one I found on the Net. He said that it was good for everyone to have a lot of vegetables in an easy and healthy way.
Then, I decided to buy it, and went to the site. But strangely, the advertisement disappeared both on the blog and the shopping area: It seemed that they had a rush of orders due to the program, or another media.
I am now really disappointed…I want to get it someday, somehow.
So, have a nice Thursday afternoon, Bye!!
These days I am trying to improve the efficiency of cooking in order to have enough time to learn English. One day I came into a good idea that I could use my microwave more, and was looking for a kind of steamer available in it for a while. Then I happened to see a good one on a blog, which appeared to be very convenient for me. After taking a look on the Net, I found it had become popular as the newest type of silicone steamer. But I hesitated to get it at once because of its high price.
Few days ago, I was having lunch while watching TV, when a famous musician began to talk about his cooking on a very popular program at noon. He was introducing some kitchen tools as his favorite, and then explained a certain steamer… Oh, that’s it! It was one I found on the Net. He said that it was good for everyone to have a lot of vegetables in an easy and healthy way.
Then, I decided to buy it, and went to the site. But strangely, the advertisement disappeared both on the blog and the shopping area: It seemed that they had a rush of orders due to the program, or another media.
I am now really disappointed…I want to get it someday, somehow.
So, have a nice Thursday afternoon, Bye!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The death penalty
HI, ladies!!
Alice, your story on the Swiss Alps was so impressive that I tried to imagine those breathtaking sceneries. We’d like to see and feel where Plum has already reached, wouldn’t we??
Today’s news/
The Supreme Court upheld the death penalty handed down by lower courts on Masumi Hayashi, dismissing her not-guilty appeal.
Causing indiscriminate mass casualties by lacing food with poison was extremely malicious, contemptible and cruel. The court had no choice but to accept a death sentence because the incident had a great impact on society.
A key issue was the weight given to circumstantial evidence.
…It’s also a controversial issue. If I were the position of a judge, or of a victim’s family member, what could I do?
Well, see you later, bye!
Alice, your story on the Swiss Alps was so impressive that I tried to imagine those breathtaking sceneries. We’d like to see and feel where Plum has already reached, wouldn’t we??
Today’s news/
The Supreme Court upheld the death penalty handed down by lower courts on Masumi Hayashi, dismissing her not-guilty appeal.
Causing indiscriminate mass casualties by lacing food with poison was extremely malicious, contemptible and cruel. The court had no choice but to accept a death sentence because the incident had a great impact on society.
A key issue was the weight given to circumstantial evidence.
…It’s also a controversial issue. If I were the position of a judge, or of a victim’s family member, what could I do?
Well, see you later, bye!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Organ transplant donors
Hi, ladies!
It has been raining on and off, and the temperature is lower than yesterday.
From the national news/
The government and the opposition party agreed to drop age limit for organ transplant donors. They hope to abolish the current age limits on being an organ donor, but also plan to more strictly define brain death.
The current law stipulates that only those aged 15 or older can become organ donors. One plan seeks to allow organ donations from babies less than 12 months old if family members agree. Another calls for the age limit to be lowered to 12 or older, while the third bill would leave the age limit unchanged.
…It’s a controversial subject, because there seem some serious problems on international organ traffic. I am worried that Japan will become a target of that crime if the law is revised in the near future.
Well, see you tomorrow. Good bye!
It has been raining on and off, and the temperature is lower than yesterday.
From the national news/
The government and the opposition party agreed to drop age limit for organ transplant donors. They hope to abolish the current age limits on being an organ donor, but also plan to more strictly define brain death.
The current law stipulates that only those aged 15 or older can become organ donors. One plan seeks to allow organ donations from babies less than 12 months old if family members agree. Another calls for the age limit to be lowered to 12 or older, while the third bill would leave the age limit unchanged.
…It’s a controversial subject, because there seem some serious problems on international organ traffic. I am worried that Japan will become a target of that crime if the law is revised in the near future.
Well, see you tomorrow. Good bye!
Monday, April 20, 2009
HI, ladies!!
I received valuable ideas from Gloriosa’s proposal this morning. (Please see her comment on the last) I want to take time to think about it…
Yestersay’s Victorian tutorial was so impressive for me, and I thought I am a lucky woman who has gotten this golden opportunity. The best thing I can do is to improve my English even little by little.
So, see you next. Bye!
I received valuable ideas from Gloriosa’s proposal this morning. (Please see her comment on the last) I want to take time to think about it…
Yestersay’s Victorian tutorial was so impressive for me, and I thought I am a lucky woman who has gotten this golden opportunity. The best thing I can do is to improve my English even little by little.
So, see you next. Bye!
Friday, April 17, 2009
For the STEP
HI, ladies!!
Today the lecture for the STEP test restarted at Cosmos’s home, under Alice’s guidance for the first time in 3 months, and the participants were Cosmos, Peach, Rose and me. Thanks to Alice’s kind advice, all of us learned a lot and enjoyed them. But I felt my poor brain didn’t work, because I haven’t taken such intensive English lesson for a long time.
…Today’s exercises…
My husband: Haruka is not looking well these days. Is she okay?
Me: Apparently, she isn’t sleeping well just now, although she usually sleeps really soundly.
H: Sounds like something is worrying her.
M: Well, that’s part of the problem. You know that she takes lessons on the piano, don’t you?
H: Yes, ever since she left Osaka.
M: That’s right. Well, at the moment she is joining the tennis club at her junior high, so she plays tennis a lot every day, which takes a couple of hours each day. And on the top of that, she is suffering from lack of time for practicing the piano and has difficulty playing it.
So, see you next. Have a nice weekend!
Today the lecture for the STEP test restarted at Cosmos’s home, under Alice’s guidance for the first time in 3 months, and the participants were Cosmos, Peach, Rose and me. Thanks to Alice’s kind advice, all of us learned a lot and enjoyed them. But I felt my poor brain didn’t work, because I haven’t taken such intensive English lesson for a long time.
…Today’s exercises…
My husband: Haruka is not looking well these days. Is she okay?
Me: Apparently, she isn’t sleeping well just now, although she usually sleeps really soundly.
H: Sounds like something is worrying her.
M: Well, that’s part of the problem. You know that she takes lessons on the piano, don’t you?
H: Yes, ever since she left Osaka.
M: That’s right. Well, at the moment she is joining the tennis club at her junior high, so she plays tennis a lot every day, which takes a couple of hours each day. And on the top of that, she is suffering from lack of time for practicing the piano and has difficulty playing it.
So, see you next. Have a nice weekend!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Bushido
Hi, ladies!!
When April began, a lot of new programs started on TV or the radio, and I have tried to watch some English study programs. Trad Japan is one of them that inspired me with its fresh concept. On it, the Japanese commentator strongly argued that Japanese people should express our thoughts and ideas more by ourselves in English, because this was highly significant not only for a good introduction to the world, but also for worthy of speaking itself.
He also introduced the words of Inazo Nitobe in his book Bushido, saying that Japanese people have an advantage in speaking English as a defendant, while native speakers just speak as a lawyer. This is a nice simile, isn’t it? I want to read Bushido.
So, see you next. Good bye!
When April began, a lot of new programs started on TV or the radio, and I have tried to watch some English study programs. Trad Japan is one of them that inspired me with its fresh concept. On it, the Japanese commentator strongly argued that Japanese people should express our thoughts and ideas more by ourselves in English, because this was highly significant not only for a good introduction to the world, but also for worthy of speaking itself.
He also introduced the words of Inazo Nitobe in his book Bushido, saying that Japanese people have an advantage in speaking English as a defendant, while native speakers just speak as a lawyer. This is a nice simile, isn’t it? I want to read Bushido.
So, see you next. Good bye!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sakanoueno kumo
HI, ladies!
These days I am interested in the actor Masahiro Motoki, as I wrote about it before, since I had been impressed by the touching movie Okuribito. The other day, I happened to see a making video on TV, which was produced for publicity of the coming drama Sakano ueno kumo written by Ryotaro Shiba. He is going to act as Saneyuki Akiyama, the leading role in it.
Since I began to learn and write on the Meiji period and the Victorian age about two years ago, I have wanted to get a broader knowledge of the subject, especially in the Nisshin and Nichiro senso. Though both wars had a profound impact on Japan, I can neither understand nor imagine the situation at all. So, this drama will give me a good opportunity to learn the history. Now I’m looking forward to watch the drama on this winter.
So, see you later, have a good Monday night...
These days I am interested in the actor Masahiro Motoki, as I wrote about it before, since I had been impressed by the touching movie Okuribito. The other day, I happened to see a making video on TV, which was produced for publicity of the coming drama Sakano ueno kumo written by Ryotaro Shiba. He is going to act as Saneyuki Akiyama, the leading role in it.
Since I began to learn and write on the Meiji period and the Victorian age about two years ago, I have wanted to get a broader knowledge of the subject, especially in the Nisshin and Nichiro senso. Though both wars had a profound impact on Japan, I can neither understand nor imagine the situation at all. So, this drama will give me a good opportunity to learn the history. Now I’m looking forward to watch the drama on this winter.
So, see you later, have a good Monday night...
Friday, April 10, 2009
Beautiful flowers
Hi, ladies!
It has been another unseasonable warm day and I can hear a lot of children playing outside through the window.
Thank you for your kind words to my daughter. She is getting used to her new environment and trying to make new friends at school.
Spring is a season you can enjoy beautiful flowers everywhere. My tiny veranda garden will soon become a nice place, because my daughters are eager to make fantastic flower bed there. I dream that at the veranda I sit down on a chair gracefully, enjoying a cup of tea, even beside a lot of washing…
Well. See you next. Have a nice weekend!
It has been another unseasonable warm day and I can hear a lot of children playing outside through the window.
Thank you for your kind words to my daughter. She is getting used to her new environment and trying to make new friends at school.
Spring is a season you can enjoy beautiful flowers everywhere. My tiny veranda garden will soon become a nice place, because my daughters are eager to make fantastic flower bed there. I dream that at the veranda I sit down on a chair gracefully, enjoying a cup of tea, even beside a lot of washing…
Well. See you next. Have a nice weekend!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
In translation
HI, ladies!!
It has been hot today… How are you?
This morning I drove to the Josei kaikan to borrow some books on Kiyoko Endo, whom I am trying to learn for this year’s essay writing. Though I couldn’t get any materials written by herself, there were several biographies, which seemed to be very intriguing for me. While searching other books at the library, I happened to see the newsletter of Gender Studies of Aichi Shukutoku Univ. As I leafed through it, there was a familiar name, who have greatly helped us in writing essays, on it: Dr B.
She wrote “Tongues and bodies in translation: what a title can tell us” in English, and its Japanese translation was also printed below, “Honyakuni okeru kotobato karada: daimeino jitsurei”. This title looks engaging, isn’t it?
Her comment was difficult for me to understand, because I think I had no knowledge about the background. But I was happy to know what she was making a study.
So, it’s time to wrap this up. See you!
It has been hot today… How are you?
This morning I drove to the Josei kaikan to borrow some books on Kiyoko Endo, whom I am trying to learn for this year’s essay writing. Though I couldn’t get any materials written by herself, there were several biographies, which seemed to be very intriguing for me. While searching other books at the library, I happened to see the newsletter of Gender Studies of Aichi Shukutoku Univ. As I leafed through it, there was a familiar name, who have greatly helped us in writing essays, on it: Dr B.
She wrote “Tongues and bodies in translation: what a title can tell us” in English, and its Japanese translation was also printed below, “Honyakuni okeru kotobato karada: daimeino jitsurei”. This title looks engaging, isn’t it?
Her comment was difficult for me to understand, because I think I had no knowledge about the background. But I was happy to know what she was making a study.
So, it’s time to wrap this up. See you!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The new term
Hi, ladies!!
What a warm climate today and I can see petals of cherry blossoms falling in the wind along the street. Those short-lived flowers fascinate us every spring, don’t they?
At last the new term has begun, and this morning I attended the entrance ceremony of the junior high with my older daughter. When we got to school, there were a lot of new students gathering at the entrance, and so we also stood in line to take photos at the signboard. My daughter wearing new uniform seemed to feel nervous in the presence of unfamiliar classmates.
I can feel refreshed at the beginning of the new fiscal year and restart to learn English intensively tomorrow.
So, see you next. Bye for now.
What a warm climate today and I can see petals of cherry blossoms falling in the wind along the street. Those short-lived flowers fascinate us every spring, don’t they?
At last the new term has begun, and this morning I attended the entrance ceremony of the junior high with my older daughter. When we got to school, there were a lot of new students gathering at the entrance, and so we also stood in line to take photos at the signboard. My daughter wearing new uniform seemed to feel nervous in the presence of unfamiliar classmates.
I can feel refreshed at the beginning of the new fiscal year and restart to learn English intensively tomorrow.
So, see you next. Bye for now.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cherry blossoms
HI, ladies!
April has already begun, but it is another windy and chilly day today. I can see a lot of cherry blossoms along the street, half in blooming from the veranda of my house, and I’m looking forward to viewing the beautiful flower in full bloom. Those trees are along the steep slope called sakurazaka. I normally don’t like these long slopes, but only in spring I love walking through the tunnel of the fantastic cherry trees.
This afternoon I watched an interview video of Ichiro on the Net, because I had missed it on TV last week. His baseball style seems always cool, but in the program, he told us the hot story about his struggles on the game. He said that when he went into a slump, he was able to capture the essence of baseball. I wanted to listen to it in detail, but he didn’t talk any further.
Professional baseball games are going to start tomorrow, and I hope a lot of new stars appear in that world.
So, see you next. Bye!
April has already begun, but it is another windy and chilly day today. I can see a lot of cherry blossoms along the street, half in blooming from the veranda of my house, and I’m looking forward to viewing the beautiful flower in full bloom. Those trees are along the steep slope called sakurazaka. I normally don’t like these long slopes, but only in spring I love walking through the tunnel of the fantastic cherry trees.
This afternoon I watched an interview video of Ichiro on the Net, because I had missed it on TV last week. His baseball style seems always cool, but in the program, he told us the hot story about his struggles on the game. He said that when he went into a slump, he was able to capture the essence of baseball. I wanted to listen to it in detail, but he didn’t talk any further.
Professional baseball games are going to start tomorrow, and I hope a lot of new stars appear in that world.
So, see you next. Bye!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Okuribito
Hi, ladies!!
Last Saturday night, my daughters and I went to see movies at a community center near my house. This is the first time we have ever joined such events, and I was looking forward to seeing them. That is because the program was Tsumiki no ie and Okuribito, both of which received an academy award this February.
I was worried that there might be too many people at the room, but there were about 40 participants, most of whom were in middle age, sitting at ease in each chair. The staff members were very kind, offering us a bottle of tea and some sweets.
The movies were fantastic. In especially Okuribito was perfect. I never expected it was such a sensitive movie. No one can watch this story without shedding tears. Though I hadn’t had any interest in the actor Masahiro Motoki until then, I was deeply impressed by his charm, talent and great sense for the dignity of life. I strongly recommend this touching movie.
So, see you next. Bye!
Last Saturday night, my daughters and I went to see movies at a community center near my house. This is the first time we have ever joined such events, and I was looking forward to seeing them. That is because the program was Tsumiki no ie and Okuribito, both of which received an academy award this February.
I was worried that there might be too many people at the room, but there were about 40 participants, most of whom were in middle age, sitting at ease in each chair. The staff members were very kind, offering us a bottle of tea and some sweets.
The movies were fantastic. In especially Okuribito was perfect. I never expected it was such a sensitive movie. No one can watch this story without shedding tears. Though I hadn’t had any interest in the actor Masahiro Motoki until then, I was deeply impressed by his charm, talent and great sense for the dignity of life. I strongly recommend this touching movie.
So, see you next. Bye!
Friday, March 27, 2009
After graduation
Hi, ladies!!
Plum, thank you for your warm concern about my daughter. After she graduated from the elementary school a week ago, she has spent most of the week meeting and playing with her friends, some of whom will entrance into the same junior-high, some will not. I only have to drive her to and fro between home and her destination.
My younger daughter is busy, too. When the two were away from home, without realizing it, a melancholy feeling sometimes came over me. Was it the so-called empty-nest syndrome??
But, I have something great to do. Yes, learning English. Without this big task, I must have felt more emptiness. Moreover, without the theme given from Plum, I must have been unaware what to do with it. So, I'm very lucky woman, I suppose.
So, have a nice weekend, good bye!
Plum, thank you for your warm concern about my daughter. After she graduated from the elementary school a week ago, she has spent most of the week meeting and playing with her friends, some of whom will entrance into the same junior-high, some will not. I only have to drive her to and fro between home and her destination.
My younger daughter is busy, too. When the two were away from home, without realizing it, a melancholy feeling sometimes came over me. Was it the so-called empty-nest syndrome??
But, I have something great to do. Yes, learning English. Without this big task, I must have felt more emptiness. Moreover, without the theme given from Plum, I must have been unaware what to do with it. So, I'm very lucky woman, I suppose.
So, have a nice weekend, good bye!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The WBC
Hi, ladies!!
I was a bit surprised by the comment Plum made yesterday about the world baseball classic, because I felt as if you had no great interest in those issues. I was also impressed by the game yesterday. In fact, my husband and I are lovers of the professional baseball, and so had had a lot of discussion about the WBC for the duration of this event. All players were trying to win the game and get championship, but we wonder why the team of Japan must fight against one of Korea five times. The quality of Japan’s baseball was so high that I wanted to watch Japan beat other countries as well. Anyway, I like the name samurai Japan. As Peach mentioned, Ichiro is the embodiment of samurai spirit, isn’t he?
Well, see you again. Bye!
I was a bit surprised by the comment Plum made yesterday about the world baseball classic, because I felt as if you had no great interest in those issues. I was also impressed by the game yesterday. In fact, my husband and I are lovers of the professional baseball, and so had had a lot of discussion about the WBC for the duration of this event. All players were trying to win the game and get championship, but we wonder why the team of Japan must fight against one of Korea five times. The quality of Japan’s baseball was so high that I wanted to watch Japan beat other countries as well. Anyway, I like the name samurai Japan. As Peach mentioned, Ichiro is the embodiment of samurai spirit, isn’t he?
Well, see you again. Bye!
Monday, March 23, 2009
The fixed-benefit
Hi, ladies!
Today I’d like to write about the fixed-benefit (Teigaku kyufukin). Recently I’ve often seen on TV that some local governments started giving it to their residents by hand. They say that Nagoya city will begin the procedure by the end of June. When the policy was publicly announced to boost our economy by the government last year, most people (me too) criticized it because of its futility.
But while time has wasted a lot on this subject, public atmosphere has gradually changed into a kind of acceptance. Then we are drawn to several advertisements saying “just 12000yen for a nice trip!” It’s alluring…
Come to think of it, its resources are from our taxes. I wonder whether it will have an effect on economy if we use it for some shopping or trip. I’d better think about the use of the fixed-benefit more seriously, for example, make a donation…even half of the money…How about you?
Well, it’s time to start cooking supper. See you next!
Today I’d like to write about the fixed-benefit (Teigaku kyufukin). Recently I’ve often seen on TV that some local governments started giving it to their residents by hand. They say that Nagoya city will begin the procedure by the end of June. When the policy was publicly announced to boost our economy by the government last year, most people (me too) criticized it because of its futility.
But while time has wasted a lot on this subject, public atmosphere has gradually changed into a kind of acceptance. Then we are drawn to several advertisements saying “just 12000yen for a nice trip!” It’s alluring…
Come to think of it, its resources are from our taxes. I wonder whether it will have an effect on economy if we use it for some shopping or trip. I’d better think about the use of the fixed-benefit more seriously, for example, make a donation…even half of the money…How about you?
Well, it’s time to start cooking supper. See you next!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The graduation ceremony
HI, ladies!!
How have you been enjoying these consecutive holidays?
Two days ago my husband and I attended the graduation ceremony at the elementary school, because our elder daughter was a graduate. That day was so nice and warm and we had a wonderful time.
First of all, the graduates were given the certificate from the principal one by one at the gymnasium. There were a lot of students and the atmosphere of the ceremony was so solemn that I almost fell asleep. Then, children sang several songs for graduation and made a speech, sometimes all together, sometimes one after another. I didn’t expect them to become so grown-up and tears gushed from my eyes at their fresh, beautiful and respectable appearance.
After that I was impressed by the address of the principal, teaching a story of kiseki no ringo. The story was about a man who had long struggled with apple farming without pesticides, which went beyond common sense in the farm world. But finally he made a big success in his business with unusually natural apple fields, in which a lot of insects and weeds grew.
The principal told us that as well as those apple trees, we couldn’t live healthier without great nature, and that we adults should watch over children, just like apples, fondly.
After the graduation party, my daughter fully enjoyed playing with her friends at the neighbor playground, and got back home at 6 o’clock. She was very satisfied but seemed sad. It was a new start in her life.
So, have nice holidays. Bye for now…
How have you been enjoying these consecutive holidays?
Two days ago my husband and I attended the graduation ceremony at the elementary school, because our elder daughter was a graduate. That day was so nice and warm and we had a wonderful time.
First of all, the graduates were given the certificate from the principal one by one at the gymnasium. There were a lot of students and the atmosphere of the ceremony was so solemn that I almost fell asleep. Then, children sang several songs for graduation and made a speech, sometimes all together, sometimes one after another. I didn’t expect them to become so grown-up and tears gushed from my eyes at their fresh, beautiful and respectable appearance.
After that I was impressed by the address of the principal, teaching a story of kiseki no ringo. The story was about a man who had long struggled with apple farming without pesticides, which went beyond common sense in the farm world. But finally he made a big success in his business with unusually natural apple fields, in which a lot of insects and weeds grew.
The principal told us that as well as those apple trees, we couldn’t live healthier without great nature, and that we adults should watch over children, just like apples, fondly.
After the graduation party, my daughter fully enjoyed playing with her friends at the neighbor playground, and got back home at 6 o’clock. She was very satisfied but seemed sad. It was a new start in her life.
So, have nice holidays. Bye for now…
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Warm spring days
Hi, ladies!!
Alice, I got interested in your remark about some failed missionaries. In fact, there must have been many English and American women who could not make a success of their ambitions…How did they spend rest of their life after getting back to their country?
Rose, I also feel happy to hear that you enjoyed such a fantastic weekend in Tokyo with your son. Your detailed description on Tsukiji can make me feel hungry.
Cosmos, congratulations on your 40th marriage anniversary! How do you feel about it now? Feeling long or short??
Recent warm spring days have made me very pleasant and comfortable, even though I still have a popular fear that I would suffer from hay fever suddenly. Strangely, sometimes I get it, sometimes I do not. Anyway, we’d better put on a big mask outside.
So, see you next, good bye…
Alice, I got interested in your remark about some failed missionaries. In fact, there must have been many English and American women who could not make a success of their ambitions…How did they spend rest of their life after getting back to their country?
Rose, I also feel happy to hear that you enjoyed such a fantastic weekend in Tokyo with your son. Your detailed description on Tsukiji can make me feel hungry.
Cosmos, congratulations on your 40th marriage anniversary! How do you feel about it now? Feeling long or short??
Recent warm spring days have made me very pleasant and comfortable, even though I still have a popular fear that I would suffer from hay fever suddenly. Strangely, sometimes I get it, sometimes I do not. Anyway, we’d better put on a big mask outside.
So, see you next, good bye…
Monday, March 16, 2009
A buffet-style restaurant
HI, ladies!!
Sunflower, you must spend most of your time for your daughter’s family. What a young grandma they have. Please take care of yourself…
Let me tell you what continued from the last issue.
My second reason why I want to go to Norway is, in a funnier sense, a-ha. I am a big fan of the most successful Norwegian band, and so I’d like to visit there to interview them someday. It’s a big dream for me…
Yesterday afternoon, my family and I went to a buffet-style restaurant at Midori-ku, which is one of our favorite places to eat because of its variety of natural foods. But when we arrived there at 12:30, there were a lot of people, about 30 or so, waiting for their turns at the entrance. The restaurant was so popular that there were always many customers to wait, but it was unusual. We were surprised at the situation, but we had no choice and decided to wait our turn while playing at a neighboring small park. We were ready to wait for a long time, and walking around the park in the warm sun. After a while, many junior high schools’ students came out from the restaurant, speaking aloud to each other. They looked very satisfied. Then, the line became short, and we could have lunch sooner than we expected.
So, see you next. Good bye!
Sunflower, you must spend most of your time for your daughter’s family. What a young grandma they have. Please take care of yourself…
Let me tell you what continued from the last issue.
My second reason why I want to go to Norway is, in a funnier sense, a-ha. I am a big fan of the most successful Norwegian band, and so I’d like to visit there to interview them someday. It’s a big dream for me…
Yesterday afternoon, my family and I went to a buffet-style restaurant at Midori-ku, which is one of our favorite places to eat because of its variety of natural foods. But when we arrived there at 12:30, there were a lot of people, about 30 or so, waiting for their turns at the entrance. The restaurant was so popular that there were always many customers to wait, but it was unusual. We were surprised at the situation, but we had no choice and decided to wait our turn while playing at a neighboring small park. We were ready to wait for a long time, and walking around the park in the warm sun. After a while, many junior high schools’ students came out from the restaurant, speaking aloud to each other. They looked very satisfied. Then, the line became short, and we could have lunch sooner than we expected.
So, see you next. Good bye!
Friday, March 13, 2009
My dream
HI, ladies!
Homework at TCLC: My dream
It is my secret dream to go Norway someday, and there are two reasons.
First is somewhat serious. I’ve once learned the political situation of the Nordic country in order to make speech on the Summer Seminar two years ago. Norway is one of the most advanced nations in gender equality. About 40 percent of the diet members are women, and furthermore, the half of the cabinet members is women. On the other hand, the rate of Japan is nine and eleven, respectively. So, I want to know how Norwegians can achieve such great success….
I will show you the second reason next. See you! Have a nice weekend!
Homework at TCLC: My dream
It is my secret dream to go Norway someday, and there are two reasons.
First is somewhat serious. I’ve once learned the political situation of the Nordic country in order to make speech on the Summer Seminar two years ago. Norway is one of the most advanced nations in gender equality. About 40 percent of the diet members are women, and furthermore, the half of the cabinet members is women. On the other hand, the rate of Japan is nine and eleven, respectively. So, I want to know how Norwegians can achieve such great success….
I will show you the second reason next. See you! Have a nice weekend!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Creative writing
HI, ladies!!
Cosmos, the health care system in the USA and the UK is a very interesting issue.
Alice, your mother is a so vigorous woman, isn’t she?!
Rose, I also like the poem “Youth” by Samuel Ullman!
After the lecture///
Although Plum gets us to answer the questions for the articles on the Blog everyday, I can’t understand how to deal with them correctly… (I wonder “get to + answer” is correct?)
When I was a student in the class of the creative English writing at TCLC yesterday afternoon, I couldn’t compose any meaningful sentences in simple English, because, as the teacher told us regretfully, I lacked even the knowledge of junior high level’s English grammar… Oh, what a mess!
While my husband was working hard yesterday because of this term for the settlement, I was playing tennis with a friend of mine, who used to work together at Nagoya university, at the new sports center near my house, and then having a tasty lunch at the famous café in Hoshigaoka, which was introduced on a guide book, so I felt a bit sorry for him…???
...Where is my English brain?
So, see you next. Bye for now!
Cosmos, the health care system in the USA and the UK is a very interesting issue.
Alice, your mother is a so vigorous woman, isn’t she?!
Rose, I also like the poem “Youth” by Samuel Ullman!
After the lecture///
Although Plum gets us to answer the questions for the articles on the Blog everyday, I can’t understand how to deal with them correctly… (I wonder “get to + answer” is correct?)
When I was a student in the class of the creative English writing at TCLC yesterday afternoon, I couldn’t compose any meaningful sentences in simple English, because, as the teacher told us regretfully, I lacked even the knowledge of junior high level’s English grammar… Oh, what a mess!
While my husband was working hard yesterday because of this term for the settlement, I was playing tennis with a friend of mine, who used to work together at Nagoya university, at the new sports center near my house, and then having a tasty lunch at the famous café in Hoshigaoka, which was introduced on a guide book, so I felt a bit sorry for him…???
...Where is my English brain?
So, see you next. Bye for now!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Exciting experience
Hi, ladies!!
I appreciate your great efforts to hold the talk show yesterday, Plum.
I also thank you, Sunflower, Fumiko-san (sorry, I forgot your Blog name), Cosmos, Alice, and all members.
I had a very exciting experience on the show as a Japanese guest, and figured out what Plum told me before, there was a lot to learn. Before the show start, I got nervous with a large audience. But during the warming up time, I was feeling relaxed and inspired by a lot of vigorous talking with Sunflower and two other participants, who showed me a positive attitude toward English.
The lecture presented by Mr. Blower was actually interesting and productive even for a beginner like me. I’d like to listen to him about other issues.
Last night, I was so relieved but mentally exhausted that went to bed at ten o’clock…! Now, I’m full of life. So, let’s start another challenge! See you next.
I appreciate your great efforts to hold the talk show yesterday, Plum.
I also thank you, Sunflower, Fumiko-san (sorry, I forgot your Blog name), Cosmos, Alice, and all members.
I had a very exciting experience on the show as a Japanese guest, and figured out what Plum told me before, there was a lot to learn. Before the show start, I got nervous with a large audience. But during the warming up time, I was feeling relaxed and inspired by a lot of vigorous talking with Sunflower and two other participants, who showed me a positive attitude toward English.
The lecture presented by Mr. Blower was actually interesting and productive even for a beginner like me. I’d like to listen to him about other issues.
Last night, I was so relieved but mentally exhausted that went to bed at ten o’clock…! Now, I’m full of life. So, let’s start another challenge! See you next.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
ENGLISH brain
Hi, ladies!!
I felt a lack of my knowledge of articles after trying the questions Plum gave us before. I made 3, 5, and 3 mistakes respectively. I want to make a note for the articles.
Yesterday’s seminar for writing English by Plum was very fruitful for us. According to her lecture, first of all, we must cultivate our ENGLISH brain by using every means, especially an electronic dictionary.
For example, we learned how to use a thesaurus dictionary: when we look up a word in it, we can see the same thing in different words.
How to use a collocations dictionary: when we keep words in mind, we’d better to see those in collocations and practical examples.
How to use an English-English dictionary: when we see a word in it, we have to read aloud and find it out more clearly.
I will try them.
After her lecture, she gave us some simple examples for writing English in an informal style, and made us write a long sentence as smoothly as possible. It was an unexpectedly difficult task for me, probably because I thought them through my JAPANESE brain. I don’t always use 5W and 1H in Japanese.
Thanks to Plum, my poor brain was strongly inspired by the entire lecture.
Well, see you next. Bye!
I felt a lack of my knowledge of articles after trying the questions Plum gave us before. I made 3, 5, and 3 mistakes respectively. I want to make a note for the articles.
Yesterday’s seminar for writing English by Plum was very fruitful for us. According to her lecture, first of all, we must cultivate our ENGLISH brain by using every means, especially an electronic dictionary.
For example, we learned how to use a thesaurus dictionary: when we look up a word in it, we can see the same thing in different words.
How to use a collocations dictionary: when we keep words in mind, we’d better to see those in collocations and practical examples.
How to use an English-English dictionary: when we see a word in it, we have to read aloud and find it out more clearly.
I will try them.
After her lecture, she gave us some simple examples for writing English in an informal style, and made us write a long sentence as smoothly as possible. It was an unexpectedly difficult task for me, probably because I thought them through my JAPANESE brain. I don’t always use 5W and 1H in Japanese.
Thanks to Plum, my poor brain was strongly inspired by the entire lecture.
Well, see you next. Bye!
Monday, March 2, 2009
So complicated...
HI, ladies!!
These days the season has been shifted back and forth so often that I can’t follow the change of temperature. Are you all right?
Plum, what a surprise, you have four grandchildren during the last two years!? You will become busier and busier as a good nanny.
Yesterday my husband and I went to a celｌphone shop to change the model, because we had received a news that it would not be usable unless we change it within 3 months. We were very poor users of our cellphones, so we wanted to change them into the easiest and cheapest ones as soon as possible. But eventually it took almost 2 hours! Why is that gadget so rich in its variety and so complicated in its setup? It was terrible.
So, see you next. Good bye!
These days the season has been shifted back and forth so often that I can’t follow the change of temperature. Are you all right?
Plum, what a surprise, you have four grandchildren during the last two years!? You will become busier and busier as a good nanny.
Yesterday my husband and I went to a celｌphone shop to change the model, because we had received a news that it would not be usable unless we change it within 3 months. We were very poor users of our cellphones, so we wanted to change them into the easiest and cheapest ones as soon as possible. But eventually it took almost 2 hours! Why is that gadget so rich in its variety and so complicated in its setup? It was terrible.
So, see you next. Good bye!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How are you??
HI, ladies!!
How are you?
I hope Plum already came back safely. Are you all right…?
I feel long time has past since I wrote here before.
Because I was tackling my essay writing in the same way as all of you were, and that task absorbed all my energy. I managed to submit it to Plum yesterday, and felt relieved for a while even though much remains to be done.
Bev sensei gave me a lot of productive suggestions on my essay, which were often difficult for me. “Critical perspective” is so hard…
I sincerely hope you will finish your essay soon.
Well, see you next. Bye!
How are you?
I hope Plum already came back safely. Are you all right…?
I feel long time has past since I wrote here before.
Because I was tackling my essay writing in the same way as all of you were, and that task absorbed all my energy. I managed to submit it to Plum yesterday, and felt relieved for a while even though much remains to be done.
Bev sensei gave me a lot of productive suggestions on my essay, which were often difficult for me. “Critical perspective” is so hard…
I sincerely hope you will finish your essay soon.
Well, see you next. Bye!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The meeting with...
HI, ladies!!
I was really disappointed by the news of resigning of the Ministry of Finances Nakagawa. He certainly hurt Japan’s pride in these hard economic crises, even though we had almost lost it. Now the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stayed in Japan…Shameful, isn’t it? In addition, I was surprised by the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso scheduled on 24th this month. One who are rising straight up and the other who are just dying…What a sharp contrast. All we can do is laugh weakly at the moment.
But then we don’t have other candidates who have enough ability to become the leader of our country. I’m afraid of this situation. I hope a future leader like Kimu-taku.( He once acted a smart PM in a TV drama.)
Well, see you next. Bye!
I was really disappointed by the news of resigning of the Ministry of Finances Nakagawa. He certainly hurt Japan’s pride in these hard economic crises, even though we had almost lost it. Now the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stayed in Japan…Shameful, isn’t it? In addition, I was surprised by the meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Aso scheduled on 24th this month. One who are rising straight up and the other who are just dying…What a sharp contrast. All we can do is laugh weakly at the moment.
But then we don’t have other candidates who have enough ability to become the leader of our country. I’m afraid of this situation. I hope a future leader like Kimu-taku.( He once acted a smart PM in a TV drama.)
Well, see you next. Bye!
Monday, February 16, 2009
The plum blossoms
Hi, ladies!!
There’s a big difference between today’s temperature and yesterday’s. Strong wind has made me shiver.
Recently the days have got longer day by day. Unusual warmth has the plum blossoms come out, which gave a sweet scent.
I have to go to meet my daughter.
See you soon, bye!
There’s a big difference between today’s temperature and yesterday’s. Strong wind has made me shiver.
Recently the days have got longer day by day. Unusual warmth has the plum blossoms come out, which gave a sweet scent.
I have to go to meet my daughter.
See you soon, bye!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Correct usage of the articles
HI, ladies!!
Thank you for letting us know another self-test about the articles, Plum. After trying those tests, I found how many perfunctory work I have done until now. Each article has its correct usage, of course…I have to learn how to use the articles.
Yesterday my daughters tried to make some chocolates prior to Valentine day, not for boys but friends, and those are called tomochoko. It was so hard for us that we spent almost half the day, and I was very tired. I’m a poor cook…
So, see you tomorrow. Bye!
Thank you for letting us know another self-test about the articles, Plum. After trying those tests, I found how many perfunctory work I have done until now. Each article has its correct usage, of course…I have to learn how to use the articles.
Yesterday my daughters tried to make some chocolates prior to Valentine day, not for boys but friends, and those are called tomochoko. It was so hard for us that we spent almost half the day, and I was very tired. I’m a poor cook…
So, see you tomorrow. Bye!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Five sources of definiteness
HI, ladies!!
Plum, thank you so much for letting us exercise the interesting self-test. I tried them but made seven mistakes. Answers and explanations seem to be very instructive, and I got so interested in the section on “five sources of definiteness”, which was written in answers, that I searched for it on the Net.
Article usage
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/esl.html
I’d like to learn them one by one, if I have some free time in the near future.
So, see you next. Bye!
Plum, thank you so much for letting us exercise the interesting self-test. I tried them but made seven mistakes. Answers and explanations seem to be very instructive, and I got so interested in the section on “five sources of definiteness”, which was written in answers, that I searched for it on the Net.
Article usage
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/llc/writecenter/web/esl.html
I’d like to learn them one by one, if I have some free time in the near future.
So, see you next. Bye!
Friday, February 6, 2009
The happy time
HI, ladies!!
Recently the weather in Nagoya has been warmer than usual, as if spring has already come. It is really comfortable for me, but there are fears for effects of the climate change, as Cosmos mentioned…
Plum, I’d like to get how to use the article correctly, but it’s always difficult.
Yesterday I could look back to the happy time for a while, because on TV I watched a come back concert played by “the police”, the noted rock band in the 80s. Favorite music has directly linked with one’s memories, hasn’t it? Beyond their 20 years’ interval, they have come back with gorgeous, matured appearance and powerful voice, which reminded me vividly of how things had been at the time. I enjoyed their evergreen songs.
So, see you next. Have a good weekend, Bye!
Recently the weather in Nagoya has been warmer than usual, as if spring has already come. It is really comfortable for me, but there are fears for effects of the climate change, as Cosmos mentioned…
Plum, I’d like to get how to use the article correctly, but it’s always difficult.
Yesterday I could look back to the happy time for a while, because on TV I watched a come back concert played by “the police”, the noted rock band in the 80s. Favorite music has directly linked with one’s memories, hasn’t it? Beyond their 20 years’ interval, they have come back with gorgeous, matured appearance and powerful voice, which reminded me vividly of how things had been at the time. I enjoyed their evergreen songs.
So, see you next. Have a good weekend, Bye!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mamemaki
Hi, ladies!!
Last night my daughters and I did a bean-throwing ceremony, mamemaki, as we do on setsubun day every year. They are always eager to do such a ceremony, and do an oni part in turns. I can recall a humorous day. Several years ago, elder daughter turned the light, put a mask on her face, and acted oni so seriously that her sister was completely terrified at the scene…funny, isn’t it? I wonder how many years do they have to enjoy these ceremonies.
I can feel a hint of spring day by day. I wish spring comes early.
See you next, Bye!
Last night my daughters and I did a bean-throwing ceremony, mamemaki, as we do on setsubun day every year. They are always eager to do such a ceremony, and do an oni part in turns. I can recall a humorous day. Several years ago, elder daughter turned the light, put a mask on her face, and acted oni so seriously that her sister was completely terrified at the scene…funny, isn’t it? I wonder how many years do they have to enjoy these ceremonies.
I can feel a hint of spring day by day. I wish spring comes early.
See you next, Bye!
Monday, February 2, 2009
The first month has gone
HI, ladies!
Sunflower, I am, too, so sorry to hear your news about your grandson that I don’t know how to comfort you. I hope all treatment will help him grow healthier.
Rose, I feel sorry that your mother-in-law passed away. You must have been shocked by the sudden word. The parting of your dear mother is really wrenching…
The first month has already gone with the wind…Time flies too fast. I’d like to finish my essay and send it to Azalea and Alice as soon as possible, but I’m still in the middle of writing.
So, see you later, Bye!
Sunflower, I am, too, so sorry to hear your news about your grandson that I don’t know how to comfort you. I hope all treatment will help him grow healthier.
Rose, I feel sorry that your mother-in-law passed away. You must have been shocked by the sudden word. The parting of your dear mother is really wrenching…
The first month has already gone with the wind…Time flies too fast. I’d like to finish my essay and send it to Azalea and Alice as soon as possible, but I’m still in the middle of writing.
So, see you later, Bye!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Miss Potter
Hi, ladies!!
Yesterday I watched an interesting movie on TV about Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), “Miss Potter.” I had long wanted to see it, because she spent her youth in the Victorian era and later greatly contributed to the conservation of the Lake District in England. That scenery was absolutely beautiful, of course.
She seemed to be born in a rich, middle class family (I don’t know it correctly), which kept many housemaids and a governess. I found very intriguing when her mother had eagerly struggled to urge her to marry as soon as possible, while Beatrix was making her own way as a writer of picture books. Then she met a man who worked in a publishing company, and both succeeded in publishing her first book of Peter Rabbit in 1902. They fell in love, but her parents strongly opposed their marriage due to his lower class as a tradesman. Soon, a tragic affair happened…
So, I recommend you this fantastic movie.
See you next, have a good weekend!
Yesterday I watched an interesting movie on TV about Beatrix Potter (1866-1943), “Miss Potter.” I had long wanted to see it, because she spent her youth in the Victorian era and later greatly contributed to the conservation of the Lake District in England. That scenery was absolutely beautiful, of course.
She seemed to be born in a rich, middle class family (I don’t know it correctly), which kept many housemaids and a governess. I found very intriguing when her mother had eagerly struggled to urge her to marry as soon as possible, while Beatrix was making her own way as a writer of picture books. Then she met a man who worked in a publishing company, and both succeeded in publishing her first book of Peter Rabbit in 1902. They fell in love, but her parents strongly opposed their marriage due to his lower class as a tradesman. Soon, a tragic affair happened…
So, I recommend you this fantastic movie.
See you next, have a good weekend!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A January day?
HI, ladies!!
Congratulations on your second grandchild’s birth, sunflower! You must have relieved about it. You and Plum have been busy taking care of your new born babies, which might be one of the most pleasant but hectic days, I suppose.
It’s really warm for a January day, isn’t it? So I feel sleepy now…
See you next, bye!
Congratulations on your second grandchild’s birth, sunflower! You must have relieved about it. You and Plum have been busy taking care of your new born babies, which might be one of the most pleasant but hectic days, I suppose.
It’s really warm for a January day, isn’t it? So I feel sleepy now…
See you next, bye!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A STEP test
HI, ladies!
It is Tuesday, January 27, 2009, and has been rather warm.
Plum, thank you for your writing on this Blog in Sydney in spite of your unimaginably hectic days! You might have so little time, but take care of yourself as much as your daughter and two little princes.
Last Sunday I took a STEP test. Greatly thanks to Alice’s lessons, I could feel a little easier than the last time at reading section. On the contrary, listening section was rather difficult, because I had little time to choose correct answers. I found those questions required both listening and quick-reading skills.
Sunflower, your parodies of President Obama’s speech were fantastic, weren’t they? I like them!
So, see you next. Bye!
It is Tuesday, January 27, 2009, and has been rather warm.
Plum, thank you for your writing on this Blog in Sydney in spite of your unimaginably hectic days! You might have so little time, but take care of yourself as much as your daughter and two little princes.
Last Sunday I took a STEP test. Greatly thanks to Alice’s lessons, I could feel a little easier than the last time at reading section. On the contrary, listening section was rather difficult, because I had little time to choose correct answers. I found those questions required both listening and quick-reading skills.
Sunflower, your parodies of President Obama’s speech were fantastic, weren’t they? I like them!
So, see you next. Bye!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
World hunger
Ｈｉ，ladies!!
Topic (2007.10):
Should more be done to eliminate world hunger?
Points-Climate change/Genetically modified crops/War
World hunger has been a serious problem in the developed countries for a long time, and we should do more to eliminate it.
First, these days climate change has increasing around the world, which caused devastating damages on the farms. It would be crucial to improve our environmental technology to protect those farms.
Second, we have to develop genetically modified crops more, which can provide cheaper foods to needy people.
Third, war is one of the biggest causes of food shortages. In order to change such circumstance, world institution, such as UN or food bank, should give more support to those countries both politically and financially.
All developed countries must have responsibility to reduce world hunger, which would give a big influence to food production stability worldwide.
…these words are very hard…
So, see you! Bye!
Topic (2007.10):
Should more be done to eliminate world hunger?
Points-Climate change/Genetically modified crops/War
World hunger has been a serious problem in the developed countries for a long time, and we should do more to eliminate it.
First, these days climate change has increasing around the world, which caused devastating damages on the farms. It would be crucial to improve our environmental technology to protect those farms.
Second, we have to develop genetically modified crops more, which can provide cheaper foods to needy people.
Third, war is one of the biggest causes of food shortages. In order to change such circumstance, world institution, such as UN or food bank, should give more support to those countries both politically and financially.
All developed countries must have responsibility to reduce world hunger, which would give a big influence to food production stability worldwide.
…these words are very hard…
So, see you! Bye!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
World's wilderness areas
Hi, ladies!!
Sunflower, did you watch the inauguration ceremony last night? I was so excited sitting in the front of TV as if I also took part in that historical event with a tremendous turnout of American people, all of whom had a bright face. Though I was very sleepy at the moment, the new president’s charming smile made me happy. His speech must become a big example for English learners from now on.
Topic (2008.1 STEP test):
Do the world’s wilderness areas need to be better protected?
Points-Biodiversity/Ecotourism/Rights of indigenous peoples
Recently the importance of world’s wilderness areas has increasing in such severe environment. We have to protect those areas for our safety planet.
First, deterring the destruction of areas is crucial for biodiversity in the area, which can maintain its beautifulness and cleanness. If it is destroyed, the natural circulation would be deteriorated, putting harmful effect on human being.
Second, in order to develop effective protection, it is useful for us to learn how to do it. Fro example, ecotourism can improve our interest about eco-friendly concept.
Third, we also need to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, who would directly maintain those areas. They must get adequate subsidies from their government.
We have to do more effective methods to protect our environment so as to live our healthier and safer lives.
…It’s hard for me…
Well, see you again. Bye!
Sunflower, did you watch the inauguration ceremony last night? I was so excited sitting in the front of TV as if I also took part in that historical event with a tremendous turnout of American people, all of whom had a bright face. Though I was very sleepy at the moment, the new president’s charming smile made me happy. His speech must become a big example for English learners from now on.
Topic (2008.1 STEP test):
Do the world’s wilderness areas need to be better protected?
Points-Biodiversity/Ecotourism/Rights of indigenous peoples
Recently the importance of world’s wilderness areas has increasing in such severe environment. We have to protect those areas for our safety planet.
First, deterring the destruction of areas is crucial for biodiversity in the area, which can maintain its beautifulness and cleanness. If it is destroyed, the natural circulation would be deteriorated, putting harmful effect on human being.
Second, in order to develop effective protection, it is useful for us to learn how to do it. Fro example, ecotourism can improve our interest about eco-friendly concept.
Third, we also need to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, who would directly maintain those areas. They must get adequate subsidies from their government.
We have to do more effective methods to protect our environment so as to live our healthier and safer lives.
…It’s hard for me…
Well, see you again. Bye!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The use of nuclear power
HI, ladies!!
Topic (STEP 2008. 6)
Agree or disagree: The use of nuclear power should be expanded
Points-Disposal of nuclear waste/Renewable energy/Safety
It is very essential for us to think of effective energy resources, however, I can’t agree the expansion of nuclear power, mainly because of its less safety.
First, we have little room for radio-active waste storage in our country, and thus it would be problematic to dispose of them in the near future.
Then, we must improve more available energy by getting more efficiency in using our energy. For example, renewable energy, such as solar and wind, will be able to increase by the development of our science.
Finally, we are afraid of nuclear power safety most, because they might have meltdowns accidentally or terrorist attacks dangerously in the future.
Moreover, it goes without saying that Japan has a lot of earthquakes.
Despite of current usefulness of nuclear power, we should refrain from expanding the use of it. We need safer and more effective energy resources.
…I could find the interesting issue about renewable energy resource on TIME this week, arguing that Americans have to try more effective energy resources, which have astounding potential to reduce many problems. Mr. Obama announced the green energy new deal (?).
By the way, late at night we can listen to his historic inauguration speech. Fantastic, isn’t it?
So, see you tomorrow. Bye!
Topic (STEP 2008. 6)
Agree or disagree: The use of nuclear power should be expanded
Points-Disposal of nuclear waste/Renewable energy/Safety
It is very essential for us to think of effective energy resources, however, I can’t agree the expansion of nuclear power, mainly because of its less safety.
First, we have little room for radio-active waste storage in our country, and thus it would be problematic to dispose of them in the near future.
Then, we must improve more available energy by getting more efficiency in using our energy. For example, renewable energy, such as solar and wind, will be able to increase by the development of our science.
Finally, we are afraid of nuclear power safety most, because they might have meltdowns accidentally or terrorist attacks dangerously in the future.
Moreover, it goes without saying that Japan has a lot of earthquakes.
Despite of current usefulness of nuclear power, we should refrain from expanding the use of it. We need safer and more effective energy resources.
…I could find the interesting issue about renewable energy resource on TIME this week, arguing that Americans have to try more effective energy resources, which have astounding potential to reduce many problems. Mr. Obama announced the green energy new deal (?).
By the way, late at night we can listen to his historic inauguration speech. Fantastic, isn’t it?
So, see you tomorrow. Bye!
Monday, January 19, 2009
To deal with violent crime
HI, ladies!
It is Monday, January 19, 2009, today. I’m also back after skipping this Blog for one week.
Writing essay in English was really harder than before for my almost empty brain, after the long interval of the New Year Holiday. Inspired by instructive suggestions from Azalea and Peach the other day, I’ve managed to keep writing my essay…In addition to it, STEP test will be held on next Sunday, which makes me hasty to some extent. But last Friday I could have a lot of listening subjects with Cosmos, and Alice’s encouragement inspirited us as usual, of course.
Question for STEP:
Is society doing enough to deal with violent crime? (2008.10 STEP test)
(Points-Banning weapons/Stricter punishments/The influence of the media)
Recently we are seriously concerning about the increase of violent crime even in this peaceful Japan. We have to do more effective methods to protect our social life from that.
First, banning weapons that can easily hurt other people is essential to detect violent action. The reason is that we can now get those weapons such as guns or solid knives through the Internet more smoothly than before.
Then, we need to adopt stricter punishments on criminal using of those. It is important for adults to teach younger people who don’t know how harmful they are.
Finally, we must know that the influence of the media is very serious. Through a lot of advertisements, TV programs, and the internet we receive violent messages whether noticing or not.
In order to keep our society safe, urgent protection is needed more and more. We adults must have big responsibility for deterioration of those violent crimes.
…My brain didn’t work well. So, see you next!
It is Monday, January 19, 2009, today. I’m also back after skipping this Blog for one week.
Writing essay in English was really harder than before for my almost empty brain, after the long interval of the New Year Holiday. Inspired by instructive suggestions from Azalea and Peach the other day, I’ve managed to keep writing my essay…In addition to it, STEP test will be held on next Sunday, which makes me hasty to some extent. But last Friday I could have a lot of listening subjects with Cosmos, and Alice’s encouragement inspirited us as usual, of course.
Question for STEP:
Is society doing enough to deal with violent crime? (2008.10 STEP test)
(Points-Banning weapons/Stricter punishments/The influence of the media)
Recently we are seriously concerning about the increase of violent crime even in this peaceful Japan. We have to do more effective methods to protect our social life from that.
First, banning weapons that can easily hurt other people is essential to detect violent action. The reason is that we can now get those weapons such as guns or solid knives through the Internet more smoothly than before.
Then, we need to adopt stricter punishments on criminal using of those. It is important for adults to teach younger people who don’t know how harmful they are.
Finally, we must know that the influence of the media is very serious. Through a lot of advertisements, TV programs, and the internet we receive violent messages whether noticing or not.
In order to keep our society safe, urgent protection is needed more and more. We adults must have big responsibility for deterioration of those violent crimes.
…My brain didn’t work well. So, see you next!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Our second discussion
Hi, ladies!
This morning feathery snow was falling outside, but now beautiful sunlight is pouring into the room, which makes me very happy.
Yesterday afternoon we junior members, Azalea, Peach and I, gathered at Azalea’s house in Toyota to have our second discussion on English essays. Azalea showed us her new subtitle, saying that she adopted it after thinking the matter over since last meeting. Peach and I could understand how she made such a subtitle, and so we discussed some other issues about Mumeo Oku.
Peach had already done her essay with introduction, conclusion, footnotes and bibliography. It’s amazing! She must have had great efforts in her busy New Year holiday. Azalea and I wanted to know how and why Ichiko Kamichika struggled to change the retrial system in the postwar period in her political activities. I think it’s a difficult but interesting theme.
Peach and Azalea kindly suggested several mistakes and important questions for me. They didn’t understand the relation between Sugako Kanno and Christianity because I had lacked my full explanation about it. It seems hard for me to write my issue carefully as well as concisely.
Though we had still questionable problems on our essays, Peach and I left Azalea’s house at 5 o’clock. We decided to send each essay to others until next meeting.
I assume we had a beneficial meeting and I appreciate Plum’s arrangement.
So, see you next.
Plum, have a safe trip and enjoy your stay with your family!!
This morning feathery snow was falling outside, but now beautiful sunlight is pouring into the room, which makes me very happy.
Yesterday afternoon we junior members, Azalea, Peach and I, gathered at Azalea’s house in Toyota to have our second discussion on English essays. Azalea showed us her new subtitle, saying that she adopted it after thinking the matter over since last meeting. Peach and I could understand how she made such a subtitle, and so we discussed some other issues about Mumeo Oku.
Peach had already done her essay with introduction, conclusion, footnotes and bibliography. It’s amazing! She must have had great efforts in her busy New Year holiday. Azalea and I wanted to know how and why Ichiko Kamichika struggled to change the retrial system in the postwar period in her political activities. I think it’s a difficult but interesting theme.
Peach and Azalea kindly suggested several mistakes and important questions for me. They didn’t understand the relation between Sugako Kanno and Christianity because I had lacked my full explanation about it. It seems hard for me to write my issue carefully as well as concisely.
Though we had still questionable problems on our essays, Peach and I left Azalea’s house at 5 o’clock. We decided to send each essay to others until next meeting.
I assume we had a beneficial meeting and I appreciate Plum’s arrangement.
So, see you next.
Plum, have a safe trip and enjoy your stay with your family!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
In my head
HI, ladies!!
Plum, I AM sorry for making you said so, but I never intended to disappoint you at all. I meant you’ve shown us those instructive accounts in an amazing way (if not for you), and I was very happy about it anyway.
These days Sugako lives in my head. She would be there until my essay finishes. So I’ll go back to my work. See you!
Plum, I AM sorry for making you said so, but I never intended to disappoint you at all. I meant you’ve shown us those instructive accounts in an amazing way (if not for you), and I was very happy about it anyway.
These days Sugako lives in my head. She would be there until my essay finishes. So I’ll go back to my work. See you!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My poor brain
Hi, ladies!!
I feel as if long time has already past since New Year’s Day, because a lot of events occurred during my daughters’ winter holiday. Unfortunately my poor brain had almost stopped operating as a whole for a long time, so it takes many hours to set about my task these days…and I was overwhelmed by Plum’s great amount of accounts on this Blog. But her beautiful works also opened my eye.
I’ll talk to you tomorrow, see you!
I feel as if long time has already past since New Year’s Day, because a lot of events occurred during my daughters’ winter holiday. Unfortunately my poor brain had almost stopped operating as a whole for a long time, so it takes many hours to set about my task these days…and I was overwhelmed by Plum’s great amount of accounts on this Blog. But her beautiful works also opened my eye.
I’ll talk to you tomorrow, see you!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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