Diary　Tomoko Ishikawa

My foreign books

2010-09-28T19:40:00.016+09:00

I'm a hard- core fan of Hally Potter.

I have 6 books in a sereies.

From 1 to 3 are good condition and very easy to read.

"Historian" is about a vampire.
It beconed me to go to the Eastern European contries.
I made more remarks in my blog

"Twenties girl " is a very funny and cute story.

I recomend this book for all girls.

"Twilight" and "new moon" are horror fictions.

There are a lot of adrable characters, vampire and wolf man.

But I'm sure that it's a dream of girls.

"blink" is written about the truth of "glimpse".

I'm interesten in some evidences, can tell just by looking or love at first sight,

the baced on the science researches.

"Hole" is a wonder story.

Boys are sended to a prerelease center, are digging holes in a dried up lake.

I'm wondering whether you may think it is real boring

or you can read with great interest.

I want to share our feelings.
I have some other books, "Catcher in the rye" "predictably irrational" "out liers".

I need more time to read books.

Teshima Sense by Chiyoko Todaka on Teshima

2010-09-09T22:56:00.005+09:00

When you go down a hill to the sea from "Karatono Shimizu", you can see a pond and a lot of feathery objects dancing on the pond. That’s Chiyoko Todaka’s art work..
The objects are made from plastic fibers. They spin around and swing together in the breeze. Even with no wind, they swing softly. I think they are born from this pond and they don’t have clear form just like atmosphere.
Fortunately, I had a chance to hear about this art work from Chiyoko Todaka
She told me that she wanted to present something inspiring from this place. She said, each place has its own fascination. She believes we can’t explain it, we can only feel it sensuously, and she is happy when people feel it.
From her story, I think that her style is very natural. Now, a lot of artists create art works on purpose, for sale. They might suffer from the gap between the commercial ism to make a living and their instinct as an artist.
I hope that artists’ feelings are chosen over money.

In the Air by Noe Aoki on Teshima

2010-09-09T22:55:00.002+09:00

“Karatono Shimizu”which is a famous fountain of Kagawa , is the focus of” in the Air”, Noe Aoki’s art work.
“Karatono Shimizu” is located at the base of Danyama,
Around 1000 years ago, when Kouhoutaishi, a high priest, of the Shingonsyuu, one of the schools of Buddism, came to this place, had thirst and dug in the ground , and then suddenly, fresh water sprung up. Even now, fresh water springs up from this fountain and is used as a local water source and a source for irrigation.

Noe Aoki installed a beautiful panel into the fountain. This panel, which has a lot of mottled circles clipped out of metal, has a design that seems like bubbles.
There is also a sculpture next to the fountain. It is a larged size work over 2 meters, but I didn’t feel it’s weight. It consists of thin iron wires, built in elliptical shapes that look like they are soaring into the air. If you look carefully, it consists of many welded round irons. These shapes also remind me of air and water, and the history of this place, protecting by local residents.Noe Aoki also might be presenting what she saw, and created a fusion of her art work and nature.

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

2010-08-27T13:35:00.009+09:00

I read “1Q84” during this summer vacation. I’m not a fan of Haruki Murakami, but I have been wanting to know why he can capture a lot of people’s heart, especially in the younger generation.
“1Q84” is 3 volumes long. The main characters are 青豆, and 天吾.　Now, they are 30years old. They have serious traumas in their background. When they were 11 years old, they made a great impression on each other, but 青豆 moved to other school. They haven’t seen each other for a long time, but they are still interested in the other.
One day, 青豆 did an unusual thing, she was dropped off a high way. At that time, she went into another world, 1Q84. The world of a fanatical group “さきがけ”, and little and little, this group allows 青豆 and 天吾 is destinies to be intertwined.
I’ve heard that the idea of the story came to Haruki Murakami, when he saw what happen on September 11th. If September 11th hadn’t occurred, we now might be living in another world. When I imagine that, I’ve felt that my existence is intangible.
Well, the fanatical group in the book, reminds me of “Oumu Shinrikyou”, Japanese cult religion committed to crime, like the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack. In this other world, the group has a great power, and 青豆 is pursued by this back, because she killed the reader of “さきがけ”.
After reading, I’m reminded of two things.
One is utopia. I know that the Tokyo subway sarin gas attack greatly influenced Haruki Murakami. Still now, all over the world, a lot of people pursue utopia, and believe they can create a perfect utopia? Each of us has different views and minds, if we try to create a perfect utopia, we have to push ourselves very severely. I’m afraid that people living in such a severe world, not a peaceful, might lose their minds. And, is that the really peaceful world? I’m sorry that people wish so enthusiastically that they can’t live in the utopia
The other thing is that I’ve felt something different from his past novels. The main character of his book always pursues something he whishes, but he never finds out it. There is just a small hope in the end.
I had been thinking that the main theme of his novels is sense of desolation and loss.
When I read his book at the first time, I was confused by a lot of riddles and complicated minds of characters, and I got scared the loneliness. I might identify a life of character as myself.
But a lot of people say, "when I read his novels, I can sympathize with his world", they might feel secure to know the same ways they do. Any way, I need more to hear from a fan of Haruki Murakami.
In his past novels, I often hit a lot of riddles. But, I could read “1Q84” more smoothly than I expected.
After reading “1Q84”, I’m not completely satisfied with the end of the story. I think that I wasn’t the only one.

"Father memory" by Chiharu Shiota on Teshima

2010-08-19T22:41:00.019+09:00

Chiharu Shiota, who was born in Osaka in 1972, has been based in Berlin
since 1996.
Her art work, “Father memory” is installed in an abandoned Auditorium. Many years ago it was used as an elementary school, Which many people attended. The school building was destroyed,
and only the auditorium and some rusty play equipment still remain.

When she visited there the first time, she might have imagined the sound of children laughing and people: rice planting and harvesting rice. This place is where old memories can be conjured up in our mind.

For creating the work, she gathered from 500 to 600 various types of window frames from Teshima and Naoshima, to make a big tunnel with assorted window frames in the middle of the auditorium. When you stand in the play ground, and to look at the auditorium, you can see the idyllic scene through the big hole of the tunnel.
The scene might inspire you to think of the past, where people have seen at one time.

When close to the tunnel, the window frames are arranged in a very fine balance; big and small, dark color and light color, and even space balance. I think that she has a good sense of art.

All of a sudden, I remembered the time which I saw her art work ” the room of memory” in the Kanazawa 21th century museum.

In there, huge window frames, painted white, were combined like a wall, and it created a distinctive world.

I’d felt like wandering into the past, where it was quiet and time was stopped. Actually, I could see the past through each window frame.

Window frames are daily products we use. I was surprised that window frames, not such special things, could cause us a great impression.

When I’ve faced her art works, some how, I’ve evoked my worries and aaaaaaaaathe room of memory 2009

loneliness and the limited time of my life. In my busy day, time goes so fast, and I don’t even think about it. I need to realize the remaining time, to live a more meaningful life.

http://www.chiharu-shiota.com/

"島キッチン" Shima Kitchen by Ryo Abe on Teshima

2010-08-12T22:21:00.009+09:00

In the Setouchi art festival, a lot of new art spots have been created on many islands, especially on Teshima. This island is of great importance due to the 17 art works created there.
A restaurant, “ Shima Kitchen ” was planned on Teshima as a place, where residents, volunteers and tourists, can talk, enjoy music or watch a play. Shima Kitchen was designed by the architect, Ryo Abe.
http://www.aberyo.com/
He made the whole house over and built an unique terrace with burned cedar roofs. I washed the roofs as a volunteer. It was very hard work. Shima Kitchen is well designed, very simple but successfully integrates the old and new.
Shima Kitchen was built encompassing the living trees around it.
I like that style.
We use a lot of materials, lands, trees, clay, stone, to build a living space. We human beings just consume a lot of things from nature, but I think that we’re usually getting power from nature, I believe we can coexist with nature.
The symbolic tree at Shima Kitchen is the fig. The fig has a meaning of immortality. I hope to live long, and with all living nature.
The main menu of Shima kitchen is a Keema curry, some how, women living in Teshima have been cooking Keema curry, and it has become a local food of Teshima.. To Shima kichen, famous chefs have come from "Tokyo Marunouchi Hotel", and every day they are planning the menu based on the available food. Some local women and volunteers are helping by serving.
http://shimakitchen.com/calendar/
When I’m sitting at the terrace of Shima Kitchen, I remember my old working place, a rural backwoods area where a lot of people had lived at one time. In Japan, due to urbanization, local areas have been suffering from a declining population.
This has caused the change of family form and the loss of their local cultures and demise of local communities. Through volunteering, I became to reflect on thing, what is a good point of our local community, and what I can do for my local area, and I’ve realized that I should decide where I’ll live.
Now, Shima Kitchen is a bustling and hot spot on Teshima, because there are a lot of attractive elements; a well-designed restaurant, famous chefs and the art festival.
During this art festival, I hope that the people living on Teshima gather and discuss Teshima’s future.

"Luck Exists in the Leftovers" by Clair Healy & Sean Cordeiro on Teshima

2010-08-02T22:40:00.027+09:00

Claire and Sean have been working fifty-fifty in Austallia and Germany.

Their collaborative art work is "Luck Exists in the Leftovers".

Their art work is in a very beautiful old house, covered by ivy. When you go through the gate, you will see large holes in the ground. Huge soils splash around holes, like coming out something from the holes. A stone passage leads to the narrow entrance of the house. The entrance hall is dim, just a simple earth floor. Looking to the right, a fossil dinosaur caruches your eye.

It is really just a fossile dinosaur, but looks on the verge of moving.

The dinasour is bonded with tons of fixtures and boxes. The boxes used were used and forgotten, the regidents gathered for this project.

At one viewing, you can imagine all kinds of stories; like an exacavated dinosaur entered the old house, and bond with old posessions to gain strength.

At the begining, I just enjoyed to imagine this story. After talking with Claire and Sean, I was suprised that they had more deepl thoughts for their art work.

There are a lot of beautiful abandoned houses, and in them. there are also large amounts of possesions, funiture, plates and utensils, kimonos・・・・. They still have worth, they hace just been forgotten. Claire and Sean give people opputunity to rethink the vaule of these possessions. The other side of the coin is that the value varies according to times or individuals.

They have been creating art works which relate to social issues, like mass production and consumption or environmental issues.

We usually buy easily, without considering. But We don't need such a lot of things to live. We may waste precious resorces. When we rethink what we need, we can find out what we really need.

I hope people, like artists, architects, producers, creating smething, aaaaaaaDeceased Estate 2004

to have these idea, why, or for what porpose.

I believe they can promote these idea to students and the world.

http://www.claireandsean.com/

Well, Their art work is in Kou of Teshima.

Fortunately, you can look some happy accidents, cactus on every where or swallow babies. you also may give some fortunes.

"Harmonica" by Sue Pedley on Teshima

2010-07-28T22:28:00.016+09:00

Sue Pedley's art work is my first volunteer activity.
The title of Sue's art work is "Harmonica".

Sue based in Australia, she became popular in Japan after the sucess of the Tumari art festival in 2009.

When Sue visited an old house in Teshima, there were tons of possessions: furniture, a sewing machine, plates, cups, utensils, and the goods necessary for everyday life; which a family lhad eft in the old house. They remain in there, like waiting for their owner to come back.

There were many handmade clothes and fabric in the closets and chests. They were made and collected for the family by some woman. Family memories was etched in everything. When Sue opened one closet, she heared the sound of a hamonica, like it was telling the family is memories.

I think that she was inspired by this closet, connecting the past and the present, the family and her.

She started to try to make a huge net for covering the old house, and wraped all plates and cups in fabric. A lot of people; Sue, local residents and volunteers, took part in this project, telling about their own stories.

While knitting the net, they also enhanced their relationship. It was the restoration of a local community and the creation of a new volunteer community.

Now, the old house, covered by the net, is standing on the high land in Kou of Teshima, holding the family's memorilia. It is looking to the sea, beatiful and calm.

On the first encounter, I expected a double meaning, harmonica and harmony, from the title "harmonica". And that is what I found.

http://www.eyelight.com.au/sue_pedley/index.html

Setouch international art festival 2010

2010-07-21T23:02:00.008+09:00

The 19th of July, Setouch international art festival 2010 has started!

The art festival is at Kagawa in Japan until October 31. There are a lot of fine contemporary art works.

http://setouchi-artfest.jp/en/

I'm taking part in this art festival as a volunteer. It's the first time in my life I join the volunteer in a serious stance. Suprisingly, this art festival is supported by a lot of volunteers. Though, we couldn't have these many fine art works at Kagawa. This volunteer activity by local people would help for their local community, to look the local good points and reconstruct the community. I can learn a lot about the new point of views from new world and friends.

Still now, I'm enjoying a volunteer life on weekends.

"neoteny Japan" in Ehime prefecture

2010-05-17T21:16:00.007+09:00

I visited the art museum of Ehime on May 16, to see a exhibition " neoteny japan". It seemed to be great success. The exhibiton came from a personal collection, Ryutarou Takahashi. He is a psychiatrist. He selected art works under the theme of "neoteny" from his collection.

There were a lot of fine art works of known artists.

Takashi Murakami.

Yoshimoto Nara.

Atuhiko Misawa.

Makoto Aida etc.

The artists belong to contemporary art. The thing that really strucked me the most was what a richly rewarded by the variety of art creations were there.

I think that one of secrets to success in this exhibition was the theme of "neoteny". Even neoteny, they had strong identities. Therefore, there were mature and fragile sences, it mirrored the problems of adult society.

Well, and I noticed that some artists had created some artworks in several ways, like painting, movie, sculpture and music etc, to express their world.

For example, Tomoko Kouike, when I entered a small room through a gate, a lot of people were standing in the middle of the room, there was a very large painting of "wolves and a girl"in the facade, a silver wolf object on left. When looked back to right, I saw a picture on the celling. It was a movie of the same theme, "wolves and a girl", and the whole room was filled with flashing light.

I was like I wanderd into an another world. I was sure I got into her world.

http://www.operacity.jp/ag/exh108/index_e.html

I've felt that art came to evolve.

Previously, Artists like painter and sculptor and musician, existed together. But recently, they get to blur into each other.

To express their world, the way doesn't matter. I feel important that what a sense of values can generate.

Some time ago, art gave us an emotional experience and it represented the beauty and power.

Later, we could get in something from art.

And now, art may try to make new worlds. I think that art would become a new amusement like game or trip or wisdom. In these mature society, we might require something special, even for art. And I've found art in demand. I'm looking forward to seeing the future of art.

"書道ガールズ"　in Shikokutyuou city

2010-05-10T19:20:00.004+09:00

“書道ガールズ”, the title of a Japanese movie, it means “girls learning Shodo”, will be released on May 15 in 2010. This movie is based on a true success story in my hometown, Shikokutyuou city. My hometown is located in the middle of Shikoku island, south west of Japan. Paper manufacturing is the town’s major industry, but now it has been declining from the severe international competition. Young people went to city, and the town became stagnant. The story is set in a high school in the town, my old high school. A new teacher comes to the school. He gets to work on 書道部, Shodo club, Japanese Calligraphy club. All players are women. They all have good skill, but no confidence and no hope. One day, the captain of Shodo girls saw the teacher writing, it was the new style of Shodo while dancing to music. They start to practice this dancing Shodo. Before long, they get to enjoy Shodo from the heart and have confidence. They become to try to do this performance for citizens. They decide to take part in the national contest. Please see the movie for more information.
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/shodo-girls/
Shodo is the art of drawing characters with a brush and India ink called sumi. When I was a student, a lot of girls were learning about Shodo. Of course, I did. At that time it was not special. We ought to have proud of Shodo as a Japanese culture. In these days, Shodo seems very cool skill. I’m amazed to see how different it is, as taking things in a different direction. I think that it is important to improve the image, good looking and hot and smart image, through some media.
In addition, 紫舟, hot Shodo artist who is famous for writing the title of “龍馬伝”, is from Shikokutyuou city. Such good news brings life to us. All citizens with the mayor in the lead help to promote this movie. I enjoy this movement like an event. Now, the Shodo teacher moved to a university as a Shodo professor. He seems to be very nice person, besides handsome. I heard that some Shodo girls went to his university. This is also a real story.

"新参者　newcomer " by Keigo Higashino

2010-04-15T21:40:00.011+09:00

I've met a really good book after so long. It is "Shinzanmono", the title means "newcomer", written by Keigo Higashino.

He is one of popular novelists in Japan. Recently every his book became a beseller. So, I'd thought that he would be a popular fiction writer. But "Shinzanmono" exceeded my expectation.

In Nihonbashi, the downtown in Tokyo, one woman who lived alone was murdered by strangulation.

She was a newcomer to Nihonbashi. Nobody knew a lot about her. But as a detective hearing the views of relevant people, the truths are emerging clearly.

The atractive hero appears in this book.　That's the detective. He is also a newcomer. He trys to restore the twisted relations between characters. His method is not direct, very considerate. He makes them found out the truth by themselves. There was a human kindness we had forgotten. I'm delighted to learn that there are still in Tokyo in these free sociaty. Rather, that may be the thing we really want.

After reading, I got to want to do something for my loved people.

Now, this book is my best recommend book in 2009.

Yuki Ogura: A Retrospective

2010-04-06T21:53:00.011+09:00

I went to Kobe to see the Yuki Ogura : a retrospective with my friend.

I wanted to see the Hyogo Prefecrural Museum of Art. It was designed by Tadao Ando who is a leading Japanese architect. I've become a fan of his art works since I went to the Benesse Art Site Naoshima. I'd felt to get lost in another time era. It was built up by a lot of fine buildings.

Refer to Naoshima for http://www.naoshima-is.co.jp/

Well, the Hyougo Prefectural Museum of Art is also a successful building. There are wide open spaces and glass-walls and bare concrete walls, they create a cold atmosphere.

For details to http://www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng/information/index.html

Yuki Ogura is a known nihonga painter(1895 - 2000). The famous features of her art works are soft curve line and light tone and pictures of human. Especialy, I've felt comforted by pictures of women, very attractive and adrable.

Even thoug they are nihonga, her works contain the elements of abstract painting. Some art works at a given moment look like "Henri Matisse" very famous french painter. Sometimes very detailed and sometimes very knocked down description create a lively scene.

Thinly-layered clear colors is a good point of nihonga. Her signature color is a translucent light emerald green. They all really moved me, I think that nobody could do these beautiful color and detailed description except her.

Twenties girl by Sophie Kinsella

2010-03-20T17:18:00.005+09:00

I've read this book at the recommendation of Josh, my English teacher. I' d really enjoyed this humorous, charming story.

This story's main character is Lara. Lara is an ordinary girl except her uncle, he has built up a big coffee company. Lara has just lost her love and failed her job. One day Lara meets a ghost at her aunt's funeral ceremony. Her name is Sadie, she is just Lara's aunt. She importunes Lara to search her necklace, lovely dragonfly and limestone beaded necklace. She has been holding a sad love story with a painter. At the end, all mysteries are going to the one answer. The story is set up by a lot of well thought pieces.

After reading, I'm wondering why there are a lot of feel-good victorious stories in US. I think that this is good to adapt the novel for the screen.

I'm sure that this is a very fantastic story, and perfect for a change.

ほかならぬ人へ　ｂｙ Kazufumi Shiraishi

2010-02-20T21:35:00.006+09:00

This book was awarded the 142 Naoki prize in 2010. Its theme is "Who is the soul mate?"

The central character, Akio is born in the elite family, and he has been suffering from his mediocrity. He gets married to one beautiful woman who is also ordinary, against the family's will.

But, one day, he is betrayed by her. In the truth, she has been loving the former lover.

He'd realized that she wasn't the his fate. During his tough time, one coworker, Toukai had been hearing his sufferings. And he got to be more interested in her.

In the end, there was a sad farewell.

It is a short story which is written with light touch.

After reading, I've developed a feeling of emptiness about love.

Actually, many people must enjoy the love, moment to moment. This is a real world in Japan.

But I still hope to meet my fate who loves only me. In reality, I should be more practical about love.

Twilight

2010-01-31T09:26:00.011+09:00

Since I heard the reputation of "Twilight" in US last summer, I had wanted to read it.

After reading, I've understood the cause of "Twilight boom". I'm convinced that this book was written for young girl's.

In Japan, there are some famous idol groups who girls get crazy. And this boom is spreading to Asian countries, like Korea or Taiwan or Veit nam. I think that such a generation, adolescent children need something that fasionates them. But in US, untill now, there was no idol who young girls get crazy.

There are all kinds of items which fasinate girls, danger and handsome boy and endless love and forbidden love with this book.

The story begins with the heroine's move, to a bit mysterious town. Her name is Bella. She meets with a boy, incredibly good-looking, and she falls in love with him. But in fact he was a vampire. She was an ordinary girl in former town, but in this mysterious town, she suddenly becomes popular. This is a dream of every ordinary girl.

This story is written from Bella'spoint of view. So, as reading, girls would identify theirselves with Bella and they might feel to fall in love with him.

Interestingly, "Twilight" is really leaving from the real world. Girls would realize "this is just a story". So, this boom may not last for a long time, like a Japanes idol phenomenon.

And I'm looking forward to seeing what the last scene will come.

Fish-shaped cake

2010-01-21T22:25:00.006+09:00

Today, I've seen a giggle at a food stand in a grocery store. It was a very very small fish-shaped cake.

We call it "Taiyaki" which filled with some kinds of stuffings, sweet red paste or chocolate or custard cream. Basically, one Taiyaki is the same size of my hand, but this small one was only my little finger size.I was really impressed by cook's work!

People say, " When fall into a recession, Taiyaki will become popular". Because unemployed people have to begin a business for getting money. The fish-cake stand is very easy to become a business, it's OK with small seed money and easy skill. And sales of Taiyaki will also become well, because we must be satified with only one fish-shaped cake, very cheap.

This very small fish couldn't make me fulled, but I really enjoyed it.

Caramel

2010-01-16T21:27:00.007+09:00

During last week, I had been having an uneasy feeling, so I was always cooking.
Well, this is a basic raw caramel candy. After getting this skill, I often make varieties of caramel candies, and present them to my friends.
Now, in Japan, some how,“caramel taste” become a popular.
I think it is also influenced by financial crisis. After that, I've seen a lot of interesting booms in Japan, activities for marriage, SNS, twitter, self-catering, caramel, etc.
I’m one of riding on these booms.

E-book

2010-01-16T21:04:00.010+09:00

Recently, I’ve often heard about e-book in the news. I ‘m a book lover. I have been waiting to see it for a long time, but I’ve never seen it in electric goods stores.
In fact, few years ago, some electric companies have once tried to enter the e-book market , but failed and bailed out of it,

why didn’t it become a popular in Japan?

And what happened from now on?
When they produced it in 2004, there were some devices in the market, DS(Nintendo), electric-dictionary and cell phone, and especially, cell phone has the same features as e-book.
I think that the reason cell phone wins is high-functions.

Usually, Japanese cell phone has very highly-functions which can use handheld texts and music and Web. Just at that time, Japanese younger generation got to be crazy for thumb novel. Their services were overlapping. In the end, consumer has chosen more convenience one.
Now, tastes are growing diverse, if they would try again, they might become successful. But I'm concerned about it.
It is due to differences between English and Japanese. In Japanese we can figure out a lot of information with less view, because of Kanji character. Kanji is shaped by picture, if I don’t know one Kanji phrase, we can imagine the meaning from each Kanji character. So then, we tend to prefer the good visual effects, even to books. In addition, we tend to describe with less words.

So I think, it would be difficult to get the win, like in US.
I’m convinced that enriched softwares will decide their future. When I read English books, I really think that English is difficult for reading, because, a lot of alike and meaningless line words. There is serious for poor readers, like foregner and Dyslexia and sight-dimmed eyes people.

I think there is in here the basic need, for the development of the software, to educate English and to facilitate visualization with emphasis or reading assistance tools or the screen good for eyes.
Also, they still have copyright issues. I'm ofeten impressed by effots of Japanese companies, but it would be difficult to solve these kinds of issues by only a company, so it’s important to cooperate with other companies, like Google and Amazon, Microsoft and Yahoo. By doing this, if the new wave will come, they could change their systems for it.
Well, very recently, I’ve heard that some newspapers were forced to cease their publications. Drying up completely, I’ll really miss it. Reading newspaper is the most favarite things in the morning. The publishing industry will also face the powerful tide of change in society. I'm wondering what kind of world will be coming!

Japan was overwhelmed by cold.

2010-01-13T21:52:00.005+09:00

Today I saw snow! It's not inherently bad, I like it, but I had a PE class at the outdoor for a marathon event on next week. It was too cold to speak well, and my skin was so dry and my hands were numbed. I need more warmly clothed.

Well, this change in climate is thought to be caused by global warming. Once the process is going to the one side, then the rewind will occur like a clock hand. It will become unstable climate.

But I'm convinced that goloval warming is progress steadily.

Relax

2010-01-12T23:04:00.003+09:00

January and February is the most comfortable season. I can have 1 or 2 hours as free time at home. So, in the meantime, I would like to enjoy TV programs, because someone say, I’m a bit far removed from the practical world.
Well, today some how, my interesting programs are concentrated in 10 pm.

“ガイアの夜明け”
“プロフェッショナルの流儀”

“まっすぐな男”.

My DVD can record only 1 program. I’m wondering what I should watch?
Today’s sweet is a piece of Baumkuchen. Though people are talking about Roll cake in Japan, I prefer Barmkuchen to it. I’m very happy.

Going into a market

2010-01-12T22:48:00.008+09:00

How should you do for going into a market?
When you have a good idea and found a company, even good idea, it’s not easy to enter the market and new area.
Of course, the first people will get a great advantage without pain. But in many times, we have to go into the market already reigned by someone. It means " fight them for a share of the market".
Few years ago, I have seen an interesting competitive war in Japanese cell phone market.
In Japan, Cell phone has become popular since 1990’s.
At the beginning, “Docomo” cell phone company, NTT-independent dominated the cell phone market. After relaxation of regulations, various companies were entering this market. And now, some companies coexist together. “au” and ”soft bank” have succeeded to get some share.

Docomo 48%
au 27%
Softbank 19%
2009. 12
Why they could eat away at the Docomo realm?
Stylish design is the commonality among them and they have distinctiveness. “au ”is strong for music, and ”soft bank” is very cheap and tie with iphone. Especially, “soft bank” have been promoting an effective advertising program, and be success only for 2 years.

Strategies for going into the market summarized as follows
First, research what demand and needs are there. They depend upon their culture and history, and adjust to them.
Second, make the originality. It would become a major benefit for competitive success, and even in the same field, you would be able to coexist peacefully with other companies.
Third, display your concerning. now, there is no inferior product in technologically advanced society. So, we attached importance to the cost and convenience, more than performance. Unprofessional people don’t know detail than professional person think. It is important to promote simply and clearly to stand out in people.
Finally, Good image would be valued more than anything. Good image is shaped by good appearance and smart concept going along at the time. Interestingly, how many people judge something by looks.

Well, I’m looking forward to seeing new interesting share competition.

3 day holidays

2010-01-11T20:10:00.004+09:00

During 3 day holidays, I met some friends and contacted some friends, I had fun. But I got to become unstable.

So, this evening I knitted a coaster. And I got settled.

The policy of letting the yen fall in value

2010-01-11T11:25:00.013+09:00

On January 7th, the financial minister Kan spoke that he will tolerate the lower yen. The maket recognized it as the policy of letting the yen fall in value on foreign exchange markets and the yen keeps weakening into 92yen.
Now, people have been discussing about the goverment intervention.
In my opinion, it's not fair policy. Japanese goverment tend to support the major companies. They depend on exports. Actually they make most of the profits, but Japan is also a resourceless country. If the yen go more weakening, the rising price of materials will happens. It means a real inflation, rather it is down in the value of the yen.
Besides, when the yen become lower, stocks will lift up regardless of riging GDP, because bringing in some foreign exchange. And business might be beginning to pick up by good mood.
I'm wondering if that is the best way.
Japan has a huge amount of govement bonds, the debt ration has reached 217% for GDP. It is the worst in the world, even America is 82%. Well, why Japanese goverment bond wouldn't tumble down, because it was trusted by Japanese companies as being outstanding through the world and Japanese huge savings, it's said to reach 1400 trillion yen. The real inflasion means the exploitation of Japanese property.
Recently, I was often impressed with the good service from bussiness efforts, but I got to hear a news which drop out from a price-cutting war. Export industries such as car and electric companies are the major industry in Japan. They got profits by exports and they always need the demand. Now, everyone goes to China and, after that will go to Africa. I wonder that we have to serch for new market for ever, what one would require to for the future?
I guess that the good point of Japanese is the trust, so Japanese bank or insurance company or walfare also could become a grobal service. They have a manual for aging society. Even emerging contries eventually go to it, especially in China, it will come soon.
In addition, in Japan, there is a need for law, such as consultation about contract and bond. We think that it is necessary a lot of money and time for the trial, but the trial is originally for the solution of problems. I guess, if it become quickly and cheaply and come in useful, that's bussiness will grow up.
Well, I bear no immediate relationship to these issues, but such a thing will have indirect effects on our life, and I can't see my whole life ahead of me, and I feel less secure.
After the budget cut, Japanese goverment spoke that they attached importance to science and tecnology. And then they should invest our budget in it. I wish the Japanese goverment would keep trying for the new future with far-sighted policies.

永遠の仔　” Eternal child”　ｂｙ　Arata Tendou

2010-01-10T23:38:00.004+09:00

When I read "告白confession", I remenbered " 永遠の仔eternal child".

It was written by Arata Tendou in 1993, and has sold around 1.3 million copies and was featured in TV drama in 2000.

The story set in Ehime, and revolves around 3 characters raised in an orphanage, who try to live as suffering total trauma from childhood abuse. The sentence is very sophisticated and detail and well worth reading. And they end in disaster. Two die tragically, and the last person has to live alone with more deeply trauma. I got deeply depressed.

In fact, I know this orphanage, an actual hospital. When I was in a graduate school, I often visited there to meet a girl having a mental problem like them. She was a very beautiful and fragile person, so then she had been suffering from her backgraund. At that time, I was just a student studying psychology, so I couldn't do special, just listen and be near her. After graduating, I had been concerned about how she was. Very recently, I was delighted to hear from a psychiatrist that she was well.

I know, there are people who grow up in unpropitious environment, as hating to do it, but go in for crime. It's not only their faults. I want to believe that everyone can start over any number of times and any time. It is necessary that he has an strong and unshaken heart.

According to psycology, it is made up by a kind of love, selfless love, usually we give it from our mother. Though you couldn't give it, you should give it from someone who love you without seeking return.

When I read a book, I find out something from it. Sometimes it was a new point of view, sometimes it was a new experience. I would hope book was a hope. If I try to find a hope in this book, it would be the strengh from the last person has to live alone.

告白”confession”　ｂｙ　Kanae Minato

2010-01-10T18:17:00.011+09:00

This book was elected the best recomended book by bookstores, and will be made into a film in 2010.

The beginning of the story starts off with a woman teacher at a high school confessing a crime which her daughter was killed.

She says to her students, "There is a murder(murders) in you ", and she trys to hunt down them.

The story is described in people involved of the crime, very clearly and lively. It is not only simple, but also polished style, even junior hight schoolstudent can enjoy it. Besides, there are a lot of ideas, elements of mystery, a dramatic development and ingenuity and unlooked-for last scence. I 'd much fun the first.

But, after reading, I have something on my mind.

It was the last scence, I'm wondering why criminal is never helped, no chance to reform. Especially, about the main killer. He had been also suffering from a mental problem, from his background, abondoned by his mother. I believe that everyone has everyon's existence value. I wanted to see a hope even for the cruel criminal.

Gift

2010-01-07T21:53:00.013+09:00

Today I had a lot of meetings with co-workers for the third term.

So, yesterday I made festive cookies and candies for celebrating the new term with co-workers. Cookie is "PORUBORONE", it's eaten on holiday in Spain. They were very crumbly. I couldn't wrap, so I served them just on a plane dish. But I got very nice comments than I expected.

Candy tastes honey and ginger. It became a soft than I expected. It isn't for children, but for adult, because I put good meaning ingredients, honey and ginger, in it. it's good for topic.

http://cookpad.com/recipe/1006121

I also brought sweets to English class, I wish that they would enjoy it.

Ｄuring cooking, my mother was watching me beyond criticism. Sometimes she says to me, "You tend to go to express for others".

I know that.

I just like to share happiness with loving people.

Gift is not sending goods, but expressing my thanks, so good heart is the most important.

It's true that I have some very sad memory about money. Of course, I know, I need money for living, but I don't need a lot of money.

And I want to do something that's doing for other people.

Any way, it's doing it because I think it's going to be fun. I'm sure!

Historian by Elizabeth Kostove

2010-01-05T23:48:00.008+09:00

Finally, I've finished reading "Histrian". It took so long time, because it was very long long story for me. But, I really enjoyed it.
This book was written by Elizabeth Kostove, American, she won the 2003 Hopwood Award for this novel, and this will be made into a movie in 2010.
The Historian deals with a young woman searching for her father who is in turn searching for the grave of Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula).
Vlad Ⅲmade famous in the Bram Stoker's fictional Dracula(1958), was a real person. the supposed connections between Vlad Ⅲand Bram's Dracula attracted popular attention. During his main reign (1456–1462), he is said to have killed from 40,000 to 100,000 European civilians and 100,000 Ottoman, mainly by using his favourite method of impaling them on a sharp pole.He was a hero scared Ottoman, but on other front he was a bloody dictator. The fear from the inhumanity of the matter was long remembered by the people and would pass into legend.Later, every time when plague was striken people, they would remember it.
The story span three generation. All is the historian. It was narrative and lyrical poetry text, especially, the old and histrical cities in Eastern Europe were described very detail and beautiful.
Most characters were scholars. You will give a grimpse into the academic circles.
And in my opinion, the most exciting part was the scene of chacing the true monestery be burried Dracula.
I bemoan the scences of meeting with Dracula and the cause of floosing Rosshi's memory. Even by these long story, it was too short to discribe the Dracula's mystery.
When make a movie of it, I hope that they tell the story of that's part in detail.
Well, why now, at the end of a century of scientific advance, Dracula is becoming popular in America?
I'm convince that comes from the financial cricis in 2009. Well, how about 1958( which Dracula's movie became a hit. )? 1958 was in the middle of not only the high economic growth, but also the Cold War era and before the Berlin Blockade. People would be perturebed about the world affairs, in between two extremes, and they might feel some indefinable anxieties.
I've realized, now is the one of these eras.
In fact, I read the Japanese translation of this novel, because of winter vacation. I prefer the original to the translation. It became too feel tight, caused by the correct trabslation.
Well, next I'll try to read "twilight", it is also a vampire story and become so popular in America.
I'd like enjoy reading!

New year greeting card

2010-01-05T20:38:00.005+09:00

One of the pleasures of this New Years holiday will be receiving greeting cards with friend's photo on them.

They might change little by little, but pictures brought me back the scene of old days.

In this year, I post my e-mail and blog address on my card, and then some friends send mails to me and promised to coming to Ehime. It was a good thing that I post it.

Well, today I visited my friend's new house, I knew it from her new years card.

There was a home theater in their living. It was made to order. What a gorgeous!

Building a house or picking up household goods seems to be having fun!

And she cooked lunch for me, until now, it was my role.

Besides, her cooking skill improved, beautiful kitchen would motivate her to cook.

It may be important to start from the form.

If you keep doing anything long enouh, you can experience almost before you realize it.

Shopping

2010-01-04T20:35:00.010+09:00

Today I went to Matsuyama to go shopping with my sister. Many stores already started winter sales. From Jan.2 or more early, it's getting to be early year and year.
We went around the city for the two hours or the three hours.
My sister is particular about her appearances.
She picked out very quickly and a lot of clouthes, besides as thinking total-coordinate with them she has. It's an astonishing ability.
I am diametric opposite. Basically, I like simple and natural style.
And I don't like to buy a lot of things.
Usually, I buy something what I really want.
After deep contemplation, I bought a pair of black boots with some advice from my sister. It was 2,2500yen. It was not cheap, but I'm OK, that is exactly what I needed it. If I bought a fake leather or at the shopping center, I could be less money. I buy not only in high-priced shops, but also mail order or UNICLO. I decide if it is right for my needs, price and quality and purpose.
I think this is the value judgment.
In the end, though I was supposed to buy some clothes, that was all. Perhaps I got satisfied with it.
On my way back, we dropped at a nice italian restrant, and take lunch.
My sister made an unique toy made from straw's paper. She is unexpectedly skillful with her fingers.
Well, I had a good time at Mid Matsuyama in a while.

New Year's holiday's

2010-01-01T19:45:00.010+09:00

During New year holiday's, many people retun home from the city. And my sibling's families came back to my home.
I was really looking forward to seeing them, but I had to stick to cook traditional New Year's food's dishes for them. Recently, it became easier than before, because many modern wives can't take such an enough time for cook. It is called "osechi." I'm a good cook, but it was not easy work.
The foods that make up osechi each have a special meaning associated with good luck.
For example, black beans wish for hard work, herring roe are for being gifted with children, lobsters are for long life, etc.
And we eat a zouni which rice cakes boiled in vegetable soup.
A wide variety of ingredients used for zoni are particular to the region where it's made. In the Kansai area, people enjoy a zoni miso soup, while a plain zoni soup is popular in Kanto.
The ingredients of zouni depend on the region, farm harvest is different by location. So, traditional foods will be opened to each region's life and culture and history.
And, I gave a New Year's monetary gift to my loved niece. we call it Otoshidama. It is one of the happy events for children during the New Year holidays. I can't betray the expectation of her.
Finally, I got a gift from my brother. It was a lucky charm. I've realized Japanese is very superstitious. But I'm OK as long as everyone's happy. I just wish my loved people's happiness in 2010.

The end of the year

2009-12-31T21:29:00.002+09:00

The end of the year is approaching quickly.
I'm happy that I could spend the end of the year, with my loved family.
I'm wondering how I spend 2009?
There are a lot of wonderful memories, happiness and sufferings. Acutually, everything is invaluable experience for me.
I wouldn't trade this year for anything.
Well, 2010 is coming soon!
I'm going to brace myself in 2010.
And, I hope that the New Year finds you in good health.

GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2009

2009-11-14T22:41:00.016+09:00

On December 6th, Good Degign Award 2009 has been determined.
I've excited about a lot of good quality products with a tasteful design.

This is the best 15 products of "good design award 2009"

http://www.g-mark.org/english/archive/2009/best15/09A02016.html mark.org/english/archive/2009/best15/09A02016.html mark.org/english/arc hive/2009/best15/09A02016.html mark.org/english/archiv e/2009/best15/09A02016.html

They are clearly out of the ordinary.

Purpose of Good Design AwardsDesign leads to the creation of superior objects and conceptual embodiments. By addressing the environments that encircle our lives, design drives our own development and leads to a stronger and sounder society.Inheriting the Good Design Product Selection Program instituted in 1957 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the Good Design Awards constitute a comprehensive, globally unmatched program of evaluating and advocating design in terms of its history and scale.Following on the success of over a half-century, the 2009 Good Design Awards seek the attainment of richly sustainable and prosperous living, industry, and society through scrupulously fair judging-grounded in humanitarian love-from perspectives of innovating lifestyle values, social values, and cultural values.

Some are very stylish disign, some are functionality superior.

This is one of 2009 awarded products. It's a plastic wrap, it has a really lot of ideas, the prevention of clinging, a paper edge, a marked for pushing point, intelligible explanation etc. Great!

Well, when I checked products, I saw the universal design products.

I'm also interested in it, but I didn't know the difference between them.
The Principles of Universal Design
"The authors, a working group of architects, product designers, engineers and environmental design researchers, collaborated to establish the following Principles of Universal Design to guide a wide range of design disciplines including environments, products, and communications."

1 Equitable use
2 Flexibility in use

3 Simple and intuitive

4 Perceptible information

5 Tolerance for error

6 Low physical effort

7 Size and space for approach and use

(from Center for Universal Design)

I've found out that Universal design is a movement as a study, and Good design is a commercial activity on purpose. Good design would grow in value by ensuring products quality, by the trusted institution.

This award would boost companies awareness of the design, and as a result, added up to offer a broader designs and enrich the quality of products.

Obtain a good price for fashionable designs. I'm convinced that Japanese design already rise to a world-class level.

However, I have a comment on it.

This website is the products of 2009 year awarded.

http://www.g-mark.org/award/search.html?result=true&lang=en

A good many products are selected every year, the total of awarded products is over 35,000!

It's too much. I'm afraid that it might loose the meaning of winning the award. I hope Good Design can keep the quality of the award.

ヘヴン(Heaven)　ｂy Mieko Kawakami

2009-11-10T23:10:00.016+09:00

This book is a new book everybody's talking about. It was wrriten by Mieko Kawakami. I've often read the articles about "ヘヴン", so I've been looking forward to read it. The author, Mieko Kawakami is 33 and a winner of the Akutagawa Prize in 2007.

The lead character, he is a junior high school boy who has been suffering from bullied.
One day he's gotten one letter, marked "we are family". And he gets some further letters. Letters come from Kojima who is a classmate, she has been also suffring from bullied. Kojima is dressed in shabby clothes on purpose. She identifies her dirty as a sign. He has cross-eye, and he feels inferior by it. She also identify his cross-eye as a sign, it's her bastions.
They can do nothing but follow the serious violence and bullying.
Kojima says about it," we enduring hardship are the justice. Everything consists of the results. There is no right and wrong"
And then, a dedicate friendship grows between them.
However, the consequence was so tragic.
But I didn't feel it by many beautiful and poetic sentences.

It is plain and poetic writing and I've finished to read about 2 hours.
After reading,I've felt bullying and bitter of living about "ヘヴン".
Bullying
In fact, I've never experienced bullying during school days, but after becoming teacher, I'd sometimes faced the difficulty of bullying.
I think bullying is a social issue. Bully also feel unpeaceful mind. Student's problems mirror the problems of adult society.

And, bitter of living!
When I was a student, I've never thought about such a thing"bitter of living".
If I thought about it, I would fall in the ground swell. Do they really feel like this?
Probably, they have a low self-esteem by bullying.
What am I supported to them? How heal the hurt mind?
They can do nothing but live as holding pain.
Let me know the good way.

Swine flue outbreak

2009-11-09T20:25:00.016+09:00

Now in Shikokutyuuou city, Ehime Prefecture, in Japan, we are facing Swine flue outbreak.
Suddenly, leaded to widespread infection among students.
We, teachers are pressed for small jobs, like the communication with the absentees and the prevention of spread and change of teaching schedule and stop for shool lunch.
We have been working to prevent the spread of the flue since summer.
I feel imponent in front of the strong infection of swine flue.
Some grades are closed for a whole one week, and siblings of patients are not allowed to go to school. And, students and teachers are encouraged to obey strict rules.

For example
1 throughness of hand-wash and gargle.
at the arriving at school
after meeting and cleaning
at the coming back from outdoor
before school lunch
2 check students temperature in every morning.
3 wear a mask all day.
4 spacing of student's sheats.
5 form front-facing seat and eat school lunch in silence.
6 ban on meetings and singing and group activities
7 cut of the events, like a flea market by students
8 change of musical concert

There is a lot of lot of rules. We have to drive students home to do these rules.
I feel pressed from the severe crisis management.

If children have a fever, we immediately call up their mother.
They can't work. Previously, swine flue will strangle the economy because it will disrupt people to work. The economic costs of swine flue in the world would be many times higher than previous estimates.

And now, a lot of parents rush in hospitals, even if child's symptoms isn't severe, because of the fear from the imformations to become severe. As listenning the swine flue news, I'm getting to feel that swine flue is a life-threatening disease.
I'm convinced that hospitals would be crowded severely.
Besides the goverment often significantly alert priority list of the vactination with influenza vaccine. Medical institutions are running short of influenza vaccine. I feel really sorry for them.

People say,"Humans don't have immunity against a new flue.But Fortunately, almost students already recovery from symptoms. It's not severe.
Some people's immune systems are strong enough to stop the virus from replicating. And not all people who have a virus become ill, some are only carriers.
Originally, virus can live by the host of virus, so if the host died, the virus would die too. The virus should create a mechanism not to kill the host. I think that it is necessary to find out the cause to become severe.

After all, now I just be powerless in the new disease outbreak.
I should take care of myself.

For now, I want to boost the immune system's ability to fight infections.
I try to care my lifestyle habit, good foods and healthy lifestyle.
For foods, taking mushroom and yogurt and green and yellow vegetables.
And try stress free.

Mister donuts

2009-11-06T22:35:00.012+09:00

After work, before 8 pm, I went to GranFuji which is a big supermarket to check books, for making a purchase plan of school library.

I ran smack into an English classmate at the book store. These days I have some accidental meetings like a charm. I've felt a curious connection as a friend.

After that, I went to Mister donuts.Mister donuts is one of donuts chain shops in Japan, and it's my favorite place.

When I lived in Matsuyama, I went to there at Saturday morning to eat a donut in lieu of breakfast. After coming back Shikokutyuou city, I can't go to there like Matsuyama, because it's located far from my home. And so now, I sometimes go to there at Friday night.

To tell the truth, I don't like eat donuts, but there are times when I get intense carving for going to there, like addiction.

As taking a rest at there, I feel really relaxed. Maybe, Mister donuts reminds me of good memories. And some how, I come up with good concepts.

Just now, Mister donuts was having 100Yen sale, every donut is only100 Yen. Usually, one donut is 120~130Yen and a cup of coffee is 298 Yen, But now, even a cup of coffee is just 200 Yen. In addition, new release donuts are very soft and raisen dough, they are cutting indegreeents for cutting costs.

I've found a sign that the deflation rate is increasing.

Recently, I'm offen impressed with the efforts of company to reduce price. How do they make the price includes all the costs?

Now, business is slow, and then the salary go down, and then business is more slow down.

We're going into a deflationary spiral. Not only Companies but retail shops, all commerce would be dumped into the dustbin by the severe cost competition.

In the end, we might get good services, high quality and low price, but we should recognize that they involve a lot of sacrifices.

Go on a stationery shop

2009-11-03T22:58:00.008+09:00

I think that today's Japnanese stationery shop is no only selling place stationery goods, but like an amusement park. They are stuffing the elements of play.

Today, I visited on my favorite stationary shop"BUNRAKU", is located near JUSCO KAWANOE.

It's small shop but display products very organized and deal with hot-selling products.

Japanese stationeries are evolving to polarization.

One is more detail and specialized. Todat, I got a diary of 2010. It has beautiful decolations on its cover and inner, very fancy and pretty. I fall in love with it.

The other is more simple and practical. Almost of them are for business person.

My favorite exploration in BUNRAKU is to find eco friendly goods!

I can find something new eco friendly-products every visiting.

Today I got a red oil pen and a refill.

Recently, there are a lot of refills even for highlighter pen.

I want to support such a company which creating eco-friendly products.

Sleepiness and insomnia

2009-11-01T21:21:00.009+09:00

This weekend I was very sleepy all days.
During last week I had been staying up lately, by 1 am and waking up at 4 or 5 am, to make a teaching plan on Dec 30.
I was doing well even the shortage of sleeping time.

But this weekend, when I woke up at 6 am on Saturday, I felt a little fatigue and sleepy and it continued all day. So, Saturday night I went to bed more early and woke up at 6 am on Sunday morninig, and then, I felt fatigue again, besides it was more strong.

I was wondering why I've felt exhausted, even if I took enough rest.
One reason is that there is the missunderstanding of my biological clock by the irregular rhythm of life.
Making the rhythm of life into habit, our body make up a kind of a movement. The movement would drive smothly by the regular rhythm. In the other hand, it would confuse by the irregular rhythm. I guess, especially it would be connected to the wake-up switch.

The second is that the lightness is getting weak.
I've heard that sun could reset our body clock. Surely I often feel cloudy day. And recently, I've noticed some children have seasonal affected disorder. Eyes are sensitive acceptor. So, we might be infuenced by lightness as I thought.

The third is that today's temperature is comfortable for sleep. I think that there is sleep- inducing temperture.

The forth is that moderate fatigue cause drowsiness.

After all, I've found a lot of causes.
The other way, these ways would have good effects on the prevention of insomnia.

Yogurt

2009-10-31T21:56:00.011+09:00

I used to eat chocorates for a snack. Because I love that's strong sweet taste. And it is easy to manage to calorie-controll. One is about 30kcal.

But thesedays, I don't eat much chocorates for my stomach, so just now I'm trying to find my new favorite snack!

Today I ate yogurt with blueberry sause after dinner.

Yogurt contains much protein and calcium and bifidus.

It's low fat and healthy snack.

If you add some fruit's sause, that's calorie is under 100 kcal(per 100g).

People say, "Fruit and yogurt for breakfast is good." But recently I've noticed that bowel movements becomes smoother when I eat yogurt at night more than morning.

Surely, good bacterial might grow in the intestine during night.

But then, I like a western-style breakfast, so it might be difficult to make eating yogurt at night into a habit.

Next, it's a matter of taste.

Halloween Party

2009-10-26T00:50:00.007+09:00

Today I took part in a Halloween party.

It was designed by new maneger for new English teacher, Josh.

One requirement was that dressed up for Halloween.

After thinking, I dressed as a pumpkin, plant's image, to wear a smoky yellow knit of mohair yarm. I made a light dark knit hat and a pumpkin bag. I just wanted to give thanks to Josh's professional mind.

The party was so nice as I thought. Josh prepared some games for us. I had a great time.

In the truth, from my indrawn character, I really don't like to attend these parties.

But I wanted to know how people were learning English.

Recently, I feel it's very hard to keep my motivation for English because of my busy days.

Participants ranged to variety careers, company's employee and doctor and cram school teacher. Almost of them told me that they needed English for their job. That was different than me.

I wished to make English friends to keep my motivation.

But I wouldn't solve my business by this party.

And, I'd whined a bit about my worry which I started to wonder what I'm working for, at the party. And then, one participant said to me, "you should quit, a lot of people wished to become a teacher."

Exactly, I've realized, now I have nothing to depend on and I am being easily swayed

I should build up my identity and recognize for what purpose I do.

Well, I came back near the midnight after a long time ago, my mother got angry very much!
At that time, I remembered that my mother had almost called the police, whenI didn't come home by midnight.

An Inconvenient Truth

2009-10-24T21:22:00.005+09:00

Today I was staying at home, because I couldn't go to school. It wasn't my feeling.

Fortunately, I'd done efficient a huge amount of jobs, so I could go to my favorite library in Mishima before noon.

Usually, I go to the library every Saturday. I picked up some magagines. Now, there are a lot of events in Novem, I have to prepare that I would be busy as a bee. My stomach might get worse(_).

Well, in the library, I found one DVD, it's "An Inconvenient Truth". I've missed the time I watched it with Sophia, and, I borrowed it.

I watched twice, and I've noticed that my impression changed a little.

Before I was moved by his contribution which spread "global warming" throughout US.

This time, I was impressed by his due consideration. It is like his autobiograhy. What curious me is the beautiful narration and effective projections, encouraged the beautifulication.

However, it is surely that this film imspired American to do push the eco movement.

Of course I do a lot of eco activities. Next time I would like to introduce my movement!

http://www.read-the-truth.com/

After that

2009-10-23T23:50:00.005+09:00

Today I took a gastric camera at Shikokutyuou hospital.
Though it's getting to small by the tecnological progress, it was a hard work for me as I thought.
After all, my doc found a gastritis in my stomach, so I have to continue to take medicines more 1 month.
The result of a gastric camera was out of mind, because, some how I was convinced I must be well. Maybe, I placed too much trust in my health.
It became a lesson not to place too much trust in my experience.
I know the cause of a gastritis, I have to see other place.

Well, I decided to take part in the Halloween party on 25 by my teacher's eager offer.
One reason, he said "the Japanese teacher would take part in the party."
After all, I decided to go to tha party. Because, in fact, the Japanese teacher is my friend, since my childfood.
After the class, I send an email to her about the halloween party.
She replyed me today.
"I didn't take part in the party, recently I quited the job. because my mother in law became a pancreas cancer. How was the new teacher?"
I've fallen short of expectations.
Oh, no! I have to speak with new people! And then, I have to think for my costume.

Udon tour in Kagawa

2009-10-18T19:26:00.007+09:00

Today I went to Kagawa Prefecture to eat "Udon".
Udon is a thick wheat-flour noodle, it's one of popular Japanese cuisines.
Udon is a local dishe of Kagawa, because Kagawa has been dry wheather, so people have been cultivating wheat, and Kagawa is faced on the sea, so it was not hard to get seaweed and fish. And now, there are a lot of small udon chains in Kagawa.

"Great sanuki udon" which is a tour guide book introducing udon shops, the first was published in 1983 and it sparked the Udon tour boom in Japan. And now it's still going on.

Every chain has its own taste, making it fun to try udon at different shops. Udon is usually served hot as noodle soup in a mildly flavoured broth, in its simplest form as kake udon, served in kakejiru made of dashi which is seaweed soup, soy sauce, and mirin.
It is usually topped with thinly chopped scallions and grated ginger.

Other common toppings include tempura, often prawn or kakiage, or abura age, a type of deep-fried tofu pockets seasoned with sugar, mirin, and soy sauce.
Shichimi or sesame can be added to taste.

Today's udon shop is a popular udonshop "Nagata udon", it was still crowded, when we visited there after 3pm. I ordered a small udon boll, it was 250yen. one of my friends ordered the special udon boll which was three times of mine, it was 600 Yen. it was so big.
I liked the soup which was not too strong and weak, good seaweed taste, and udon which was very smooth and felt elastic.

Next time, I would like to go to other udon shop. Any way, I really had fun for eating udon.

"The Setting Sun", "No longer Human" by Osamu Dazai

2009-10-17T21:43:00.003+09:00

At first, I read "Syayo"and"Ningenshikkaku".
Shayo (The Setting Sun, 1947) is depicted the decline of the Japanese nobility after World war 2 was published, Shayo made him a star. This work was based on the diary of Shizuko Ōta. Ōta was one of the fans of Dazai's works and first met him in about 1941. She bore him a daughter Haruko in 1947.
I feel offended after reading. this novel also was depicted a part of his life. As a result, he used her as a means to write the novel. His behaivior seems to be brutally self-indulgence.

Ningen Shikkaku ( No Longer Human, 1948)was also his quasi autobiography.
He completely abandoned his wife and children, and in the end drown himself with the other woman.
Ningen Shikkaku deals with a character headlong towards self-destruction.

I felt that this novel looked his scream which is suffering from isolation and low self-esteem.
He sold off in pieces of his life every time he wrote a novel. I think, he wanted to be recognized his existence by the people. But, even if he is an alcoholic and depression, it was morally unforgivable acts.

Any way, the book is one of the classics of Japanese literature, the masterpiece is difficult to comprehend by ordinary people, like me. I'm not his wife. I shold do what I want.

"Viyon's wife" by Dazai Osamu

2009-10-16T22:57:00.013+09:00

Today, my mother asked me to check a movie's schedule. It's "Viyon's wife" which is based upon a histrical fact written about in the novel by Osamu Dazai.Well, I'm wondering why often hear his name in TV these days. According to my mother, The movie will be released for the 100th anniversary of his birthday.
Osamu Dazai was a Japanese author who is one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th-century Japan. He is noted for his ironic and gloomy wit, his obsession with suicide.Yasunari Kawabata, Ryuunosuke Akutagawa, Souseki Natsume, and other writers are all internationally famous writer that are products of this era, the late 19th and early 20th century.
As they are tossed about by the" dramatically change in society", and they produced many works that reflected their own new views, which were produced by the change in their sense of values.
For this reason, thier works were recognized as masterpieces.
And, I tryed to read "Viyon's wife"in 1947. It's a very short story, so I could read soon. Well, my impression is that, it's awful!
He depicted a his dissolute life. The narrator is the wife of a poet, who has abandoned her. She takes a job for a tavern keeper from whom her husband has stolen money. Her determination to survive is tested by hardships, rape and her husband's self-delusion, but her will is not broken.I grew depressed thinking of his wife read this novel.She was just trying to accept him the way he is. Strength grows stronger by being tried.When I think about it, it is too much to bear.
Why does he and his novels hold such an attraction for the Japanese?
For one thing, when I read it, somehow I could see a little bit of myself in one character, living under harsh circumstances, of the novel.
Everyone could find out somethig from his life, the self-torturously life.
And, the humor of this novel might be in the contrasting characters "his delusion and weakness, and her honesty and strength. I would like to read other his books.

English class

2009-10-15T22:12:00.008+09:00

Today is my English class day.
Usually, I go to an English school, GEOS, every thursday night. GEOS is one of popular English conversation shools in Japan.

English class is still one of my pleasures in my busy days.
I take part in the active conversation class. At first, I just wanted to keep my English level. But recently, I'm getting to look forward to go to there as I thought.
Now, there are a lot of Japanese people who are eager to learn English.
I think that English classes are not useful not only for practicing English conversation, but also for cultural exchange.
Because, I can get interesting views from different professions, and widen my perspectives through being exposed to different values.
Almost my friends are teacher. So, it's precious for me to meet other world.

And I'm impressed by the GEOS's staffs are really high quality.
Now, my English teacher is Josh, he is American, and he has some interesting fields, political science and English teaching.
At the first class, he told us his motivation to live in Japan. Now he is gathering good experiences to be a university. I've never meet such a person vow to walk his way.
Well, we also get good experiences from him.

However, apart from GEOS, there is still no opportunity for me to actually speak English.
No matter how much time goes by, my Enghish won't improve.
I must study English by myself except thursday.

He suggested us to have a hallowin party on October 25, but nobody attends to the party.
I feel really sorry. I want to make English friends enjoy English together.

But now, I'm satisfied I really enjoy English class, even if I can't improve it.
It's important to enjoy myself.

Oriental zodiac

2009-10-13T23:24:00.009+09:00

I watched an interesting news in TV, which preparing the fortune Oriental zodiac goods for next year.

Oriental zodiac is an old Japanese calender which is based on Chinese signs of the zodiac.
The zodiac signs were introduced in Japan in the 6 century.
There are12 animals in the zodiac, mouse, cattle, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, wild boar. The animal zodiac operates on a 12-year cycle.
Many Japanese still believe people's characters and fates are determined by the animal sign of their birth.
Each of the zodiac animals have its own distinct characteristics, which people born in that year are said to share. According to Japanese tradition, each year reflects the character of a different sign of the Oriental zodiac. Of corse, I didn't believe it, it's just a superstition, but these types of thing is a creative attitude to handle daily routines differently. So, I enjoy this event as expecting.

Well, next year's animal is a tiger.
Getting back to what I was saying, one shrine was preparing unique tiger fortunes which front paws rasing to invite peace and happy, they look really like "manekineko."
A maneki neko is the decorative figure of a seated cat, with one of its front paws raised to invite people in.Items that invite good fortune, such as daruma and maneki neko, are called "engimono".
I also hope bring me good luck.

Workbalance

2009-10-12T20:59:00.007+09:00

During 3dayholidays, my younger brother family came back to Shikoku.

I'm also looking forward to see Yuiko who is my niece, and she is 3 years old and my love.

I'was surprised by his children who were polite and endearing gesture, and impressed by my brother and his wife who worked together.

We talked about our recent lives, and he advised me about my work.

"You should think your workbalance. Teacher's salary is very low, you just should do worth of your salary, so you shouldn't spend such a hard life."

I really know about it.

Recently, I've been weary from much working.

Usually, I'm in school, from7am to 8pm. After having dinner, I get redy for the next day's class for 2hours. There are 5 or 6classes everyday. And, I take charge of school library, I have to manage it and books. Even if I go to school on Saturday, I can't see the end.

Besides, I work to improve some student's problem behavior. I'm thinking about students on a 24-hour basis.

In addition, I'm single. Everyone knows I can work hardly.

The harder I do my best, the easier much work will come. And As getting years, I might get to notice to details.

Sometimes, my chief told me thanks. Maybe, I must do to chief's area.

Well, I have to learn to say "no."

Now, it is all about my work. I should reduce work to 40%, at least 50%.

And then, I would afford to think myself.

During 3day holiday's I sticked to think about cooking, I could feel nonworking mother's feeling. I had a fun.

They came back to Kobe. I really miss them. For new year day, I'm looking forward to see them.

Political ferment

2009-10-11T20:00:00.008+09:00

When I see this country's confusion these days, I can't help thinking the political poverty.

In US, it just so happened that president Obama's awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. The Nobel Committee hopes the award will help for him, and to inspire nuclear powers to move toward nuclear disarmament.
But he took it in stride, because the Nobel Prize is understimated in US and he is plagued with so many problems, the rise in unemployment and backlash of the old guard in every policies.
When you look dispassionately, he makes his intention clear and his policies seem to be very smart and stand reason, he is a true political leader.
But I've heard his rating has still fallen.
There's saying,"Bread is better than the songs of birds." which describes recent political issue perfectly."Honorable poverty" means living a pure and indigent life without regard for personal desire.
Everyone knows it, but in reality, it is easier to commend poverty than to endure it.

In Japan, there is a different type of confusion.
The problem with leadership is a big problem with Japanese politicians themselves.
There are many leaders who are always fighting with each other resulting in very little success.
So, when one leader was elected, at least, everyone should promise to cooperate with the leader.
They must first put some rules that deal with the cooperation.

And the Japanese leader needs to cultivate leadership.
I think that the principle of leadership is charismatic, it can improve by human efforts.
It is important to make the atmosphere as a leader. The appearence includes that deep and well-projected voice and better position. The political sense includes that strong identity and assertion and steadfastness.
And in the election, people easily depend on circumstances. So political party and politician could use psychographic strategies. I've convinced that some American politician use it.

Any way, the world won't change just by complaining. I want to be interested in politics and have my opinion.

Affection

2009-10-10T23:59:00.012+09:00

Today, I went to the Legal Hotel in Nihama, to see my friend's wedding.
Her marriage ceremony may be small and intimate with only family and a few relatives attending. But we would like to see her wedding, so we went to there secretly.

One of my friends didn't know her marrige before seeing her wedding dress.
She was left speechless. We really had a fun.
Well, it was surprised us that her partner was out of our mind. Because, she is quiet type of person, but he is a opposite person, a very sociable person. Additionally, he invited us to their house.

As I call, I was wondering how type of person would be made for each other, opposite or similar.
In my case, I've been thinking I'd like someone is similar to me and understand me. But I'm realized it's really hard to find such a person. Everyone is different. I should make efforts to compromise and understand others.

Thinking about it, it had been difficult for me to find someone I love, but it is not difficult to make a friendship with somemen.
Whenever I feel someone's earnest affection, I felt some kind of fear and left from him. Maybe, I thought that I couldn't return such a serious question. Because, if I answered something, I will have a hevy responsibility on my answer. I went into my shell and I couldn't understand even my own feelings.

Probably, this explain the reason that there is a thin line between love and hate.
The more I have strong feelings to him, the more he has strong sentiment to me.
And sometimes it would become love. Sometimes it would become hate.
Once the love bond breaking, the more it's strong, the more it's gone beyond the point where it can be repaired.
Onece there is a divorce, the line is cut, even two people promised to love each other.
I'm stunned by the fact that the emotional of human works complexity.

I don't think mine's going to be like others.
I think that I will always like the man I came to love.
I'm looking foward to see whether it is true or not.

In addition
I've heard that she decided marrige 2 month ago, and they had their marriage registered 1 month ago, and today they hold a ceremony. Up to the day they were legally married, their relationship had progressed at an incredible speed. So nobody knows about her marrige like us.
It's hard to believe!

ＵＮＩＣＬＯ

2009-10-10T09:25:00.006+09:00

Every Saturday morning, I'm overwhelmed by the ad of UNICLO.
UNICLO is Japanese clothing fashion brand. Now, UNICLO is leading trend in Japan.

I'm impressed by UNICLO's mind, competitive prices and unsurpassed quality and simple and up-to-date style!

For example, today's special is the velvet jacket. it's only 3,990Yen, it's 1/7 of regular brand-name jacket, I have. It's not discernible to the eye.

I must question the value of buying expensive brand-name clothes at the department store.
http://www.uniqlo.com/jp/

Now a days, UNICLO is trying to advance overseas.

I'm convince it would come up. Because UNICLO is needed by the people, place value on the other things, not clothes, UNICLO has caputured fans in the educated class, and especially low-income earner.

And That's style, vivid color and stylish design is for Foreigner maybe even better than Japanese.

I feel that we ought to welcome riging of these fashion brand, having clear strategies.

However, I feel a bit scare, because now the fisical resession still remain, a lot of fashion-brands are competing for dwindling territory.

Inefficient and weak ones will die out.

UNICLO must make a lot of efforts to provide inexpensive and high quality goods.

If he is popular, that doesn't mean he is coining money.

UNICLO's today's stock price 13,200 Yen

dividend yield a year 160.00（2009/08）

Sony's today's stock price 2,550Yen

dividend yield a year 42.50（2009/03）

They slash prices and compete on volume. I've seen tough facts of life in the fashion industry.

But, in some means, the rise of UNICLO will give hope to Japanese. And it will create and expand employment not only production ,but on the circulation. And to express a strong desire and clear vision to the world would increase the value of the company. In fact, the CEO of UNICLO could get a great deal of money riging UNICLO's stock price.

Any way, I ought to wellcome this current condition as a consumer without thinking.

Thank God,it's Friday!

2009-10-09T23:36:00.003+09:00

Today I went back to home before 8 pm, because, it's Friday.
I'm behind in my works for 3 days. Now, I've been able to breath.

At dinner time, somehow, I started to talke about blood investigation's result of the previous consalutation at the hospital.
When I went to hospital for upset stomach, I got the blood investigation before consultation.
I was wondering why I have to do it. I got it at the consultation. The doctor explained the reason, to check the serum amylase, from mydisrrhea after taking fatty things.
As the result, it was not high level, so the doc decided to see me to take medicine.
And then, I'd realized that it was hard for even the doc to cause of patient's condition. Perhaps, they make judgments by the date of test and see how it works, to prescribe some drugs.
Actually, it can't be helped, because the cause of desease occurred as a result of various overlapping. there is not only phisical sign, but daily habit or psychological and environmental causes, etc.
Recently, I'm interested in the matters related to swine flue, production of antibodies and allergen reaction and drug effectiveness. Just one desease, there are complex movements in my body.
I've realized the doc can't understand everything at the molecular level. They have no time.
In the end, if patients get well, it is enough to prescribe drugs, unless severe symptoms.

High Yen

2009-10-05T22:34:00.004+09:00

One week ago, I gave up writing blog, because of sleepiness.
I added some my opinions oh the previous blog.

The yen is still getting strong against the dollar.I had predicted a couple of years ago, because house prices of US were so expensive. As thinking a career wage of ordinary people, it’s not a real price but an expected price.
Well, how do they buy a house?They paid money to purchase a house, even take out a loan. It’s a dream, as an expectation house price will be rising, for their future. I feel a little jealous of American positive thinking.It was supported by strong expectation and huge amount of dollar in the market.
US population is growing, The strong expectation is supported by this reason, Actually, growth population will lead to intermittent inflation.
Japanese gorverment also trys to promote this fiscal policy, issue a huge amount of government bonds in prospect of economic growth and inflation.
It seems like shoesstring operation. It isn't secure. Luckily, A lot of Japanese companise are fighting against the inflation. Inflation might generate new risks of instability.
I think, today there are huge amount of extra dollars on the market. In fact, it brings an increase in excess investment. It sometimes flood on areas that generate profits, and when investor give up on, it flow out to new areas that generate profits. It's like a game.
I think the root cause of extra dollars, comes from not collecting the dollars by the Federal Reserve. Federal Reserve just has been printing of dollars. Doing bad-loan after recession by printing of dollars, eventually, will depress the dollar's value.
It also will cause wealth and a secure future loosse.
In the other hand, in Japan, due to an aging society, the population of wokers is rapidly decreasing. We can hardly expect rapidly economic growth. but we don't like inflation, because, we have huge amount of savings. We afraid of depressing the Yen's value.
I think that IMF in general should take initiative for such things. I guess dollars had been too strong. I look forward to successful reform in IMF.
Well, Japan already is a mature society. So we don't need a lot of things, we should maintain in our lives. we just hope for a stable society. We know, we should do the reformation of society, from manufacturing industries toward service industries.

Now, globalization is undergoing rapid progress in Japan. We can't avoid even financial globalization, we should know that movements on the world stage .

Addition 2009.10.11
The October 7 of news week issue had an article which is cautious about American inflation fear.
Rather, he believed the inflation will occur by things deficiency and extra money, and he recomended positive economic stimulation. I think that the resent weak dollar happend by fallen credibility from printing huge dollars.

Dietary education course

2009-10-04T20:16:00.010+09:00

Today, I went to Matsuyama to help my friend's "Daetary education course" as a cooking staff.
A nonprofit organization (NPO) called "Jmacs"organized this project.
Jmacs hopes to provide effective dietary education to children.
My friend, Itsuko Nozaki is a food coordinator, living in Mastuyama and she is striving to promote dietary education and local production for local consumption to the world.

I would like to help her, becaurse I just like her, and I sympathize with Jmacs way of thinking.

Besides, cooking is one of my hobby, so I really enjoy this activity.
The course includes 3 classes in this year. Today is the second, and the theme is "hot tofu".
She introduced some local organic vegetables, tofu and eggplant.
And I played trivia of eggplant to children. Eggplant is the second disliked vegetable among children, so I thought 10 eggplant's quiz children would get interested.
The most popular was the color change of eggplant peel caused by lemon.
It turned from purple to red, because lemon is strong alkaline property, so it changed purple pigment , one of anthocyanin.
I found that children get interested in more off center things.
Recently, I've been worring about myself, whether I suit my job, teacher, or not.
I believe this kind of activities, good experiences, also might be helpful for my job.

And all administration officers of Jmacs and staffs are really nice people. So, I cheer up just by seeing.
Any way, I had a great time by this event. I can't wait for the next!

Ｄevelopmental disorder

2009-10-01T23:03:00.009+09:00

During this week, I often talked with sturdents's parents after school, almost everyday.
Some how, some students became fidgety after a field day, and made some troubles.

I've been struggling to manage my class since the beginnig of this year.
The main cause is the two children act at their own discretion without thinking for other classmates, and require me like to their mother.
I was involved in their voltage. So, I often had a talk with their mother, and they also have been feeling difficulties for nurturing children.

Actually, recently I feel developmental disorders are incresing in a class.
In my class, there are 5 children who have some kind of difficulties, low intelligence or ADHD or pervasive development disorder, in my class, are 31 children.
It'a high ratio!

I think problematic children lack in communication skill.
They might have some difficulties by nature, like baiased development and developmentally-handicapped and oversensive etc.
So, the mother had felt difficulties for nurturing the child, and then, decreased communication, and then, the child could not develop smoothly and learn a language.
It becomes a vicious circle.

In the other hand, There are problems in their family background, for example, severity or poverty or abuse or neglect etc.
This may cause developmental problems.
They, however, can't possible concentrate on lerning, if they have such a daily worries.
I believe that educational backgraound is more important than high birth.
So, I've been trying to teach sturdents to improve their abilities, to get out of this terrible situation.
But, I know, it is really a difficult issue to deal with, in most case, everything will get back on the track.
Humans are weak, we can't go on living without relying on something.

I've realized, there are something I can't do, if I do my best.
There is more to life than work.
I would like to think positive and I hope a peace.

Hospital

2009-09-28T22:36:00.016+09:00

Today, I went to the Shiikokutyuuou hospital for my upset stomach. As my main certain symptom, no appetite and having burps before and after meals. When I sat down in the waiting room in the department of digestive organs, I was glad to see few patients, it was not crowded. But after all, I waited 4hours, additionally I have to take the test in another day.
I’d really felt the breakdown of medical care in my hometown. There are a lot of small clinics in my hometown, and they are never crowded. Acｔually, polarized phenomenon was brewing here in medical.
Because, recently, people tend to go to large-scale general hospitals like civic or public hospitals and university hospitals, capable of dealing with various illnesses in fields ranging from pediatrics to neurosurgery, to require high quality of health care, and then, unleash a crowding in only latge hospitals. I am writing to find out what kind of services and information to ease a crowing in large-scale hospitals.
The first is that enhance the partnerships between a large hospital and small clinics. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has advised us to have a family doctor. That system is that family doc can immediately introduces his patient to large hospitals, when he is getting worse. I think patients would feel secure by establishing the safety system. Now, in the field of medical care, it has been advancing through specialization and subdivision. We couldn’t prevent people require a long life and QOL.. So, clinics will segregate each other by improving their expertise, for example, in psychiatric circles, for depression or borderline personality disorder or children etc.
The second is that improve the efficiency of hospital, in medical examination. Now some reformations, like appointment system and sharing patient’s information with electronic medical charts, have already begun. The hospitals are also expected to balance competing goals for reducing medical expenses and better medical care.
We, Japanese, tend to think, how to live, so we always wish better lives. And doctors also try to assure the best possible medical care without any thought of national budget. In Japan , just join the health insurance system and we can get the finest medical care to pay 1/3 of the cost of the totall cost. But, Japan is aging at a rapid pace, and we will not expect dramatic growth. Unless halting rising medical costs, we will not retain our current structures. I think that the system, medical choice, will be introduced to meet the needs of the patients. Medical choice might extend to various fields, like check and treatment and medicine and even treatment term or refusal.
If the government is offering guaranteed high quality healthcare, we also have to expect an enormous of costs. So, the government tries to promote the idea like palliative care and dignified death, and then, people will start to think about their death and their life.
It's not easy to go this way. I couldn't stop to feel less secure that future could buy our lives by money would come soon.

Well, I got a lot of drugs in the hospital.
So, I asked a doctor, “ If my stomach improves, can I stop to take drugs?” and then, she said ”No, you have to stay on these drugs for 1 month ”
I was a bit depressed. Because I don’t like to take drugs, even I’m worse. I’ve been cured myself from almost disease by my immunity.
My mother also doesn’t like to take drugs, so it was rare for us to go to hospitals, even I developed a fever. Because of this, I belive I could improve my immunity.
The clean-loving Japanese have surrounded themselves with drugs and antibacterial goods, so Japanese lose chances to improve their immunities.
I want everyone to think more serious about drugs influences to our bodies.

Now, I try to eat a lot of carbohydrates and vitamins through breads and fruits, because it is easy to eat.
I know, I should take more proteins.
Today I cooked a special soup, enhance collagen with wing tips.
Lentils contein 60% carbo and 26%protein and 1% fat!
They don't have rich protein, but it is easy to digest.

Lentils soup rich collagen
for 4 people and 150kcal per person
lentils 50g
wing tip 4
shallot 2
carrot 1/4
green pepper 1
garlic 1piece
pepper and salt

1 mince every vegetables
2 saute every vegetables and wing tips with olive oil until onion turn light brown.
3 Put some water and boil for about 20 mini, as removing fat
4 Add boiled lentils, and salt and pepper to taste, and simmer until they are tender.

Upset stomach

2009-09-24T22:11:00.002+09:00

I have been suffering from headaches and vomiting. I might get a stomach upset. I’m going to go to hospital after a field day, in Sep 28 or 29. I have substitute holidays. So, that's all for today.

Highway

2009-09-23T20:41:00.009+09:00

Today, I went to Matsuyama to see a friend.
The highway was so crowded, because now, in only weekend, the highway tolls with a uniform driving charge of 1000Yen, except city area.
I found a lot of cars from other prefectures in the high way parking.
Yesterday, Yukio Hatoyama, be elected prime minister on Sep 16, committed to pursuing a far ambitious goal to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking at the Asahi World Environment Forum 2009, which opened the same day in Tokyo, he said his administration would aim for an emissions cut of 25 % from 1990 levels by 2020.
It constitutes a contradiction with the manifesto of his party, Democratic party. The highway become free is concluded in the DP’s manifesto.
Even now, there are a lot of increases in traffic in everyhighway. When free highway happens, CO2 emissions will increase very much.
I feel stirring concern, Japanese CO2 emission is only 4.5% of the total, and 41 % of the total number of CO2 are US and China. He shows that Japan will take initiative to achieve the target, to the world. I’m wondering if he has such a strong initiative.
Japan is said that is advanced on eco friendly technologies. If we could develop a sustainable system and spread our environmental technologies, we would buck up Japan’s value.
Any way, I shouldn’t worry too much, and I just expect Japan’s fine progress.

By the way, I found a fun store at the highway parking.
It’s a fruits market, really Ehime. I tried to put early oranges in a small bag for 200Yen.
I felt coming of autumn!

Stamp

2009-09-22T22:24:00.009+09:00

Today I had a stressful stuff. After coming home, I enjoyed "handmade."

Today's theme is a stamp.

Have you ever made a stamp from an eraser in your school days?

In my elementary school, when we were taught how to use a carving knife, everyone got to be crazy about making stamps from erasers.

Recently, making stamps seem to become hot topic in Japan.

Eraser stamp

materials

carving knif

eraser

ink pad

acrylic color

ink brush

how to make

1 painting on the eraser

2 carve eraser along the line

3 ink in and stamp

4 if you use acrylic color, you can stamp even fablic.

Eraser stamp is made from a few materials, and make easily!

You would like to challenge more funny one!

What really surprised me

2009-09-21T19:16:00.014+09:00

Today, there was a debriefing meeting of my friend wedding, an overseas wedding, combines with the honeymoon.

I was very much caught off guard by her.

She is one of teacher friend's group.

Last March, when I checked a news paper about teacher's personnel transfer, I found her name on the retired list. Though we often meeted to talk almost every month, I'd never heard whether she worried to quit the job, or not.

I couldn't get a hold of her, so I called all my friends, but nobody knew it.

After a while, I got an e-mail from her. They had words like " I'm going to get married one person, having a relationship with me. I'll go to Okayama" .

I nearly had a stroke.

In the meeting, we enjoyed listening all kinds of stories about them. Marrige person's opinion maybe of some help for me. I felt very encouraged from them. And, I just called to one single friend sitting in front of me," We shold do our best, souldn't we?" Then, because she answered, "No, I'm not enough. I got married".

I've nearly had a stroke again.

She just got married last week.

I'd believed that we had said whatever we did. I realized, everyone doesn't say whatever is on their mind and goes out with someone.

I've been thinking that I have to marry for a long time. But, until recently, I wasn't true interested in marriage.

It's a fact that I rarely met someone I really like. I'd been just thought someone understand me. Topics of my interest are economic and politics and environment, eco and health and food.

Maybe, they are not girlish. I might look serious and cool.

Usually, people seem to tell each other about what happened that day at home.

But in my family, we din't tell about such a things, I think it was not my parent's favorite topic. And now, if I tell about my work, it's not difficult but enourmous amounts of work and hectic and stressfull days , my mother will worry too much. So, now, we enjoy talking about current news.

Oh, I am in a crisis!

I should feel pressed more.

Luckily, Happiness are still continuing in my group.

My friends offer to introduce a new love to me, in the meantime, I should go for it.

I might find someone understand me.

Gardening

2009-09-20T19:11:00.010+09:00

I've been enjoying "gardening" since my childfood.
I've left home for a long time, and I lost a lot of plants and flowers, but my garden is still planted with a variety of flowers and plants.
Early September is the month for planting spring-flowering bulbs.
Basically, they grow easily, just only water and furtilize.
If they don't bloom in spring, the problem could be overcrowding.
Today, I focused on transplanting them.

Taking care of plants, just that alone is enough for me. It's my pleasure. Let's join me to enjoy gardening!
If you grow plants, you can really the strength of nature.

I have a lot of Daffodils and Tulips of different kinds that include rare species.
And, Leucojum aestivum and Cyclamen persicum and Zephyranthes and Ornithogalum dubium and Sorrel and etc.

Almost people would be content to just watch beautiful things.
In my case, while looking at plants, which is enough to purify my mind and feel comforted.
And, touching the plants, I feel my sensitivity will unfold.

This year, Fortunately, a Cyclamen servived last winter. Though I buy some Cyclamen every year, it's the first experience for me.
In addition, I've found some small bulbs of Cyclamen. Each bulb sprouts a few leaf.
It's also my first experience!
They give hope to me!

5 days holidays

2009-09-19T23:29:00.007+09:00

Today, 5 days holidays started!
I have a lot of homework, because I had been tackling worries about students during last few weeks. Any way, I have to do those without complaining.
When I look back at the past several years, I've felt difficulties managing students year and year.

I feel children having some kind of difficulties, like ADHD or lack of social skills or psychological fear, are increasing.
In the other hand, there are so many parents who are earnest for an education for their children. change in society
I think, it is cocktail of several reasons, change in society, like a gap of society and diversification of individual values.
People in matured countries are searching for an enjoyable, easy life.
Surely, we got it, but in the result , we are forced to be hectic lifestiles.
Now, we also are requesting by customers, parents.
Since some time or other, we just attend to their needs. A wide variety of students are in public school. It creates differences of opinions among them.
I realized, I've been exhausted by trying to respond to the request as completely as possible.
I should make a virtue of necessity.

Well, I've complained again!
Generaly, people enjoy making their blog as a communication tool or a place showing themselves.
But, in my case I just write very personal thing, just telling daily life or my thought.
As blogging, I can see myself.
I've believed that wrinting has good effect as a therapy, especially for people pour out their worriesin front of others, like me.
Well, I guess that nurcing plants or painting or making something have also good effect on people relaxed. They are a sense of success in works.

In the end, "pain is forgotten where gain follows."
I don't like such a thinking, want to put something back. But I should change my mind, for reducing my stresses.

Worries

2009-09-18T00:15:00.004+09:00

I got depressed today.
My cheif someteimes advise me about management of children. That is not really a bad thing. However, she said it in front of a lot of my colleagues, especially the principal.
When I hear her advices, I come down off a high, even I really know some children's bad conduct. I get to suffer serious guilt trips, like I feel I am denied.
Maybe, parents nurseing difficult child always feel like me!

Maybe, even for children I couldn't keep a suitable distance with children.
I should leave from children, and see them objectively, and advise them acting on their own initiative.

Well, moreover, I have an another problem.
Though I wish to settle down at least, I'm prone to problems.

Diary

2009-09-16T22:21:00.006+09:00

Every weekends, I give children kepping a dairy as a homework.
Last week's topic was "the chores".

(A boy's diary)
I do one thing for helping my family.
It's that bringing a newspaper.
I do it everyday.
When I did it, I got 10Yen from my father.
I'm really happy it.

You might ask me, "And then?"
I just couldn't help smiling with pleasure.
But I think, his diary offers a glimpse into a lot of things, about his family, his parent's sense of values and understanding of his personality.
He is the first boy of 3 siblings. He has 2 yongersisters.
Both his parents are working all day.
He is earnest and well-organaized and concentrates his favorite things and has his pace.
Plobably, his parents try to teach forming habit or money sense to him.
Surely, I feel he is influenced by it.

Ring bells for me.
I grow up just like my mother, loving sowing and knitting and cooking and plants.
My friends were also really like me.
Only school was what it's an another world for me.

I believe the human being is formed by experiences, including the enviornment and social position.
If Children have the ability which read other's mind, they would live up to their parent's expectation. If parents often read books, their children would be interested in, and get to like books. If you hope something to your children, you just should do it in front of them.
I think, the most important thing is to have faith in yourself.

Happening again

2009-09-15T22:06:00.007+09:00

It was cloudy today, so I could feel good, even 3 PE classes and after school field tarainig.
Today, there was a happening in school. Around 6:30pm, a colleague found a fallen colleague at her classroom, and she was transported by ambulance to SHIKOKUTYUUOU hospital. Well, she wasn't as seriously ill as we thought.
It was an exhaustion. Hospital wasn't so crowded, I saw 3 docters and 2 nurses. We had to wait over 1 hour before treatment. During waiting, I saw some patients who were receiving intravenous fluids.
Maybe, they were not severe patients in the eyes of a docter. But it was a big problem for them.
I also know docter's severe work environment and dificulties. They were required a lot of things such as night duty and good judgment and responsibility. They also need feelings of comfort.
I think the cause which is distructive to the doctor-patient relationship comes from such matters.
After all, I feel again it is important to try to help each other understand.

Well, there was a happy occasion. It was that I ran across an Engllish classmate at the hospital.

Ps. In the end, she needed to be admitted to hospital for a while.
She is one of my close colleagues. I really hope her recover.

Momordica charantia

2009-09-14T23:07:00.008+09:00

Tonight, I cooked "Okinawan gōyā chanpuru stirfry", fried pork and toufu and egg. It's Momordica charantia, usually we say "Bitter melon". Momordica charantia is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitacease, widely grown for edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all vegetables. It contains rich Vitetnamine C and momordicim. Momordicim that is said to be effective in removing fatigue and have a stomachic effect.

It produces a lot of fruits with rapidity. We eat unripen fruits.

Well, we grow a lot of vegitables in school, for Sience education and promoting love for nature and ecological education.

Now, we make a big green curtain by Momordica charantia. It block sunlight and must be cooled our class rooms. But, in fact, I feel a bit humid by it.

Today, I got a Momordica for dinner.

But, my dinner time was too late, and it contains rich nutritions. Maybe, it's so effective that I would put on weight.

Any way, I need it. Tomorrow would be a hard day. I have 3 FE classes of a day, and I have to look after training for track &field after school, besides, I have a meeting at night.

Special weekend

2009-09-13T20:58:00.010+09:00

Even today, I stayed in almost day.

But, today, I could work a lot , planing of classes or checking an enormous amount of prints and tests.

Tomorrow is school starting! I understand the feelings of school truants.

I've noticed one thing from this weekend. Usually I go to school to work even in weekend. But In this weekend, I've done without going to school. In the furture, I' d like to do.

Well, I decided to make a cake for school. I went to JUSCO to buy ingredients in the evening.

JUSCO was so crowded as I thought. Usually, I drop at there around 8 or 8pm, and see few people. I was a bit glad, because I've been supporting EON's ECO activities.

Cranberry and whitechocolatecake

5×5×4　cup 10 　 (18×18㎝　pan)

butter 90ｇ　(180)

gra sugar 75ｇ　(150)

milk 15ml　(30)

whitechoco 30ｇ　(60)

egg 2　　(4)

flour 100ｇ　(200)

p-powder 2g (4)

lemon 15ｍｌ　(30)

cranberry 80ｇ　(160)

１　In a bowl combine butter and sugar and whisk

2 Put melt whitechoco and milk to 1

3 Combine egg

4 Add to flour mixture.

5 Add to lemon and cranberry mixture.

Stir just until moistened.

6 filing pan

7 Preheat oven to 160 ℃　and bake for 25 mini.

It burnt a bit, with not too sweet taste, and it's like a financier.

In next week I have to attend 4 meetings at night, almost everyday! It's awful.

I'll be looking forward to 5 days holidays.

Saturday morning

2009-09-12T11:54:00.011+09:00

Saturday morning is my most favorite time.
I get up around 6:30 am, usually 5:30, and I make a breakfast as thinking about nutritional balance and color. Today, there are a organic hot cake made from okara and pear of 1/3 and a yogurt and a cup of cafe au lait. You might ask me, why are you thinking of color? I believe that color is a very useful item to stimulus to us. Good for our feeling and stimulus our appetites.
And I enjoy reading a newspaper as having breakfast, over 1 hour.

The other reason of what I love Saturday morning is that I don't need make up. Usually, I'm light makeup. Even it, I feel some worked for me. When I'm no make up, I can be natural and experience my body relaxing.
My mother and younger sister often advise me to buy more good and much clothes. Sometimes I feel it annoying. Having a lot of clothes is tough for me, because I get to have to think more about my appearance and manage those. I don't attach much importance to appearance.
But recentlly, I've realized, so much people attach much importance to appearance, through discussing at English conversation school, for getting job or good impression and etc.
According to classmate's thought, a lot of people compare themselves to what they see on TV or magagines. I was surprised that they might be helpful for chosing my fashion, but they weren't real life for me.

We say, " Can't be judged by their appearances", but on other front, " Can judge someone based on looks only".

Many Japanese make a lot of efforts to improve their appearance, especially among young generation.
Actually, a talk about a fasion might take a role as making a relationship with friends and establishing theirselves. And they might just enjoy it. More than anything, if you look good, you might feel good by itself. Being improved cosmetically might affect to more wide areas as I thought.
I know, it depends on sense of values. So, I don't need to care about my appearance so much. But, in a sense, If I live in such an image-conscious society, I should be more concerned about my appearance.

9.11

2009-09-11T21:09:00.014+09:00

Today was the eight anniversary of the US terror attacks.
I've remembered "2001.9.11" in Besshi, it's located in mountain area. An ALT teacher who lived nearby came to my appartment for getting more informations. She was just as scared. For a while, we are talking about it. In fact, I'd felt a slight strangeness like another world.
But, it was a real life for her, because, at that time, her aunt lived in New York.

Now, in what kind of situations are New York?
From what I heard, deep sorrows still exist.
I think that "9.11" will seriously continue to affect people's lives, for a while.
" 9.11" was originally formed by invasion of Iraq. I whish they cut the cahin of hatred.

People say, "Feelings of forgiveness are important. Hatred only brings about hatred."

Obama presents "dialogue" as a foreign policy.
He shows his attitude to Middle East, he would try to have a dialogue and understand Mid East and Islamism.
I agree with his policy, I belive it is helpful to solve the issues through dialogue and negotiation.

We know, the opposite meaning word of" love" is "uninterest".
So, I believe that the terrorist would not attack to US if he doesn't change his policy.

It's inevitable we have defferent sense of values, because we have been brought up with different environments, languages, and customs. So, US should try to understand their point of views, and express your different sense of values and ask for understanding from them with different cultural backgrounds and customs.

I'm convinced it would come down to a difference in values.

Well, I'm wondering why US attach importance to the international contributions.
I just hope people around me would be happy.

I guess it comes from their religion or education, and they who are standing a high social position have more great ideals.
Next time, I want to think about it.

Turbulent days

2009-09-06T09:08:00.004+09:00

Now, I face trouble in school, with one of my student's mother.
I have been given priority to my job over my private life. So, when I loose confidence about it, I'm wondering what I should rely on.
I'm going to die!
In such a turbulent day's, Even the severe principal and subprincipal advise me as to handle of the clisis, very kindly.
I've really realized that it is too dificult to understand my thought.
I hope it'll go good direction.

An unexpected present

2009-09-03T23:04:00.010+09:00

We are still wearing a mask. I'm getting to used to it.

I'm afraid of falling into the habit.

Well, today, I got an unexpected present from a colleague.

Recently, I had been in the blues. And, It makes me happy.

There are some people who keep company on a give and take principle.

When we do something for others, we might expect some kind of returns, like good impression or

making good relationship.

So, unexpected return makes us happier than expected one. Joy will be dobbled.

Well, I would like to give unexpected gifts to loving people.

Trust

2009-08-31T19:22:00.006+09:00

Today I came back to home at 7 pm.

My summer vacation was over!

Tomorrow, the new term starts.

I've done my works, making next year's teaching guidelines and purchasing books to the library and a lot of training, perfectly.

But I didn't to give myself enough time for myself.

I want to make time for myself in week day. At least, I want to keep workers hours below the full-time 12-hours-a-day level, and don't go to school on weekends, as possible.

Well, I've thought what I want to do.

1 Keep on writing blog.(I'm afraid that the next term would be more busy. )

2 Update my HP.(Some time ago, I updated my HP of the Kato's labo after a long interval. So I took a long time to remember the operating "FFTP", it's a HP software. Since now, I should do more often.)

3 Get prepared ahead of time in everything.

Anyway, I know, I have to think about myself.

Today, I've finished "rebuilding TRUST" from Harvard Business review, I got it fromJohn. It took very long time to read, because the words were so dificult for me.

My impression is that there is no wonder!

I'd really like to know why it is so difficult for people to win the confidence.

People say, "Trust! t's hard to earn and easy to lose."

Well, how should we gain people's trust?

I think,

first, it's important to believe in others no matter what happens. If you don't trust, they also don't trust you.

Second, it's important to respect others. Recently, I've realized it's not too easy to understand others. Everyone has everyone's reason. We should respect everyone's point of view.

Third, it's important to communicate to others. Many misunderstandings arise when we do not understand others and to avoid this, it is important for us to express our views and other information to others.

I'm sure thatI would get other's trust, but, I often hear that it 's difficult to see me by myself.

So I should be sorry for my actions.

Coincidently, today, the government has overturned, because of loose public confidnce.

I hope the times would change dramatically.

Last day of my summer vacation

2009-08-30T20:04:00.008+09:00

Today is a last holiday. I'm really depressed.

So, I've decided to enjoy sewing for a change.

I made a small bag for my wallet and cell phone.

Making bag is very simple and not too difficult.

Usually, I use 100% cotton bags, it's eco-friendly.

But, in fact, I have a popular brand bag.

Over 10 years ago, Louis Vuitton became so popular.

Almost young Japanese women owned brand products from famous names such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel.

I was prompted to buy Louis Vuitton by my yonger sister, because everyone had it.

The interior of Louis Vuitton was quite expensive-looking.

And it was true that bags were high quality.

In the event, I bought a new style shoulder bag.

But that bag has been out of use for ten years.

If I had Lois Vuitton, a lot of women looked at me.

I was sure it felt as strange to me.

I'd realized that it was not what I really wanted.

From that time, it became a lesson not to buy unneeded thing.

I think that some people just enjoy the fashion, but some people need designer bags and things to feel confident, like the feeling of safety or superiority.

I would like to buy only the essential thing.

Mask, because the swine flu

2009-08-29T20:34:00.009+09:00

Yesterday, I made emergency calls to my students.

1 Please check children's temperature in everymonrning and everyevening.

2 If you feel sick, please go to the hospital and don't come to school.

3 If you are infected with the new flu, let us know as soon as possible.

4 When you come to school, please wear a mask.

We should wear a mask even good health.

I can't believe it. Right now, it's still so humid and hot. Besides the exercise for a field day will start soon! I will come out in my face.

Well, I went to the EON to buy masks.

There were many masks.

I got some masks.

After coming back to home, I 'd realized that these masks would throw out, after using.

What a waste!

And what a bad for the environment!

So, I tryed to make a mask from a small cotton gauze.

Making by hand, it gets to be very soft.

I would like to wear it , if the principal doesn't warn me.

My favorite cafe

2009-08-29T19:50:00.006+09:00

Today I had lunch with friends at my favorite cafe, "cafe la meal",

which is a very stylish and artistic cafe.

I picked "LOCO MOCOLUNCH" from lunch menues.

It have a hamberg and rice and a cup of cold pumpkin soup and a salad and a cup of coffe and a gateau chocolat.

Well, the charge for this is ¥1,250 , it's around 11$, of course including a tax.

Don't you think it's really cheap?

I think that Japanese price, especially stock price and foods and houses and salary, is cheaper than US.

Maybe, we make a lot of efforts against riging prices.

In US, I was surprised that the expensive rent for the apartment and the astronomical house prices. It's too far removed from a real life of ordinary people.

I think there is an investment culture in US.

In Japan, usually, we think the house value starts to decline from the new.

But American believe the house is not a necessity for living, but one of the safety asset, and it's never declining.

I felt the difference in culture.

Any way, I'm sure that the Yen is getting stronger.

PS. The population growth is US's strength. I feel the American dream still exist today.

Beads

2009-08-28T21:27:00.014+09:00

Recently, I've been feeling down, so today I organized my favorites.
It's a lot of beads!

They heal my heart.

When I was a univercity student, I found nice shopes in Kyoto sanjou and at the Koube international center. Since then, I had been collecting beautiful beads.

Usually, I don't wear accessories. I like just to look and make something and present to friends. If an accessory is broken, don't throw it. If you accumulate those, you might be able to repair or make new one with broken materials.
Don't you think the creation is really fun? Besides, it's better for the environment!
Why not try an eco friendly lifestyle?

swine flue in Japan

2009-08-27T23:34:00.003+09:00

Today, one of my colleagues got to be infected with the swine flue!
The principal was very upset. Because, we had some extra classes for developing children in this week. Some childen and colleagues would be infected with the swine flu.
Well, she is living alone, so, for a while, I and some colleagues are going to bring foods to her in relay. It's a secret from the principal.
Any way, I realized that the virus has spread into every corner of the world.

Let's try handmade

2009-08-26T19:47:00.008+09:00

During summer vacation,

I had been coming home by 6 pm.

Though I got enough time suddenly,

I couldn't use well.

It's really shame!

So, I've decided to use well the rest of the relaxing after5.

For now, today, I made a pencase from the new fabric.

It takes only 30 minis, very simple, so very easy.

Well, recently I realize, If I try, I would make almost of things, like dishes or clothes or bag or hat or even shoes. But I know that handmade is the greatest luxury. we all don't have time to enjoy such a thing.

I would like to cherish every morment or everythings.

春ランチ

2008-05-18T17:47:00.002+09:00

今日は久しぶりののんびりした休みです。

畑に行ってみると、ブロッコリーやそらまめがありました。

ちょうど家にいいサーモンがあったので、昼はそらまめとサーモンのパスタです。初組み合わせでしたが、けっこういい感じでした。

遅咲き

2008-05-17T12:16:00.002+09:00

久しぶりのゆったりとした週末です。たまっている本も読むことができると思います。

家に帰っての一番の楽しみは植物を育てる楽しみでしょう。

毎朝少し水やりをしただけで、かなり癒されます。

先日、枯れたと思っていたアネモネが咲きました。ずいぶん遅咲きです。

のんびりしているところは私に似ています。

ちょっとした心のもちようで、ずいぶん楽しくなります。

母の日

2008-05-12T18:35:00.002+09:00

母の日は、最近、我が家でビッグイベントの一つとなっています。

この時期、町を歩いても、スーパーに行っても、カーネーションが飾られ、母になにか贈りたい気分になります。

プレゼントを選ぶのも楽しいし、買って帰ると、自分もなんだか幸せな気分になります。

母の日は、結婚した兄弟たちも花やプレゼントを持って帰ってくるので、かえって忙しくなります。

今年は、姉夫婦と妹夫婦が同時に来たので大忙しです。

みんなでわいわいできるので、手巻き寿司にしました。

片付けは結局母がして、なんのための母の日か？

と思いましたが、母が喜んでいたので、よしとしよう！

ゴールデンウィーク

2008-05-06T11:09:00.003+09:00

嵐の４月が終わりました。

学校というところは、始めと終わりがめちゃくちゃ忙しいです。

あまりの忙しさになんとか乗り切れるのですが、１ヶ月限界なのでしょう。

ｺﾞｰﾙﾃﾞﾝｳｨｰｸは、いい時期にあります。

ほんとうに、ゴールデンウィークがなければ死んでしまいます。

仕事をし始めて、ゴールデンウィークは、「休むもの」と、なってしまいましたが、今年は、大阪の友達が、高槻ジャズストリートというイベントに出るということを聞いて、会いに行きました。

５月３，４日を通して、町中様々な会場でジャズや演奏が響き、人で溢れていました。

友達は同じ名前の智子さんです。同じ名前ですが、しっかりしていて、smarｔなあこがれのfriendです。とっても忙しい仕事なのに、ゴスペルを本格的にしています。

智子さんやいろいろな人のステージをみて、感想は、「かっこいいな」です。

私もトランペットやフルートを持っていますが、人前で披露できません。

人前でも堂々とできるように、趣味を絞りたいです。

４日は智子さんとダーリンの聡さんと日野てるまさのコンサートを見て、食事をして帰りました。「合うところがあまりない」と、いいながらも仲がいい二人です。

私から見れば、似ている部分も、長く一緒にいることで、作られるものってあるんでしょうね。

智子さんと私も考えたら長いんですよ。１６年くらいかな？すごいね。

５日は梅田で買い物をして帰りました。

大阪駅も岡山駅もすごくかわってて、時々出かけないといけないですね。

今度は、神戸のベルバラか、奈良のキトラか、京都のルノワールか？

今年は、short trips をたくさん楽しみたいです。

最後のお別れパーティー

2008-04-20T21:15:00.002+09:00

松山の引越しも順調に進んでいます。

今日は野崎先生ファミリーが招待してくれました。

ソフィアさんは、生春巻き、私はサラダを

野崎家では、レモンとたけのこの春メニューでした。

ライトテイストで、自分の味つけって、濃いな。

と、反省しました。

最近の自然ブームを少し研究したいです。

とにかく、すべてはゴールデンウィークですね。

春

2008-04-13T19:43:00.008+09:00

イチゴのおいしい季節になりました。
コープで見つけました。
100円！感動です。
田舎もいいことがあります。
来週友達の家に御呼ばれするので、パイを作りたいけれど、
まだあればうれしいな！

別れ

2008-04-08T19:16:00.002+09:00

４月は歓迎会と送別会で、混乱しています。
もう新しい生活が始まっているのに、送別会も・・・。
私の場合は別れではなく、これからも・・。
という付き合いが多いのですが、悲しみの方が大きくなってきています。
いい傾向ではあります。
ただ、家では仕事ははかどるし、母との二人暮しになんとなく落ち着いてしまって・・・。

うーん、また、後退しているので、ひきこもりにならないように気をつけよう！！

花

2008-04-02T09:42:00.004+09:00

松山と三島を行ったりきたりの生活です。

引っ越しって本当に大変ですね。

まだ、部屋には花や贈り物が山積みです。

実家でも、アネモネや水仙、ヒヤシンスがたくさん咲いています。

桜も今が見頃ですね。

本当に花の命は短い・・・、だからこそいとおしいのかもしれません。

なんだか自分の存在もはかなく思えます・・・。

これも引っ越し疲れのせいかな？

離任式

2008-03-30T08:24:00.002+09:00

子ども達とのお別れの式、本当に苦しいばかりの１年間でした。

でも、これで、６学年を経験できたことになります。

苦しかったことも後ではいい思い出に変わることでしょう。

子ども達は、８年後に会いましょう！

と、盛り上がっていますが、本当に呼んでくれるでしょうか？

期待せずに待ちます。

しかし、学校や家の引っ越しに半ば嫌気がさしかかっています。

新学期に疲れを持ち越さないようにしたいものです。

ブランチ

2008-03-08T13:56:00.004+09:00

久しぶりに布団で寝て、気持ちの良い週末です。
朝からふとんを干して、掃除選択をしたら、昼近くになってしまいました。
少し時間をかけてベーグルブランチを作りました。
成績を早くつけないといけないのですが、家事をしただけでずいぶん気分転換になり、仕事をしたい気分になりました。
食事や生活リズム、住環境とか、自分の生活をきちんとするってことって、体にもこころにも大事なことじゃないかなって思います。
文部科学省がいう、「早ね　早起き　朝ごはん」って、授業負担が増えてめんどくさいと思っていたけど、案外的を射ているかもしれません。
たまには近所を散歩したいです。

それとWEEK　DAYの食生活も、まともにしたいものです。

うーん、１９までは難しいですね。

13回忌

2008-03-03T19:58:00.002+09:00

早いもので、父の１３回忌を無事終えることができました。

いろいろあったけれど、母も元気になったし、なにより弟がしっかりしてくれるようになったので、ずいぶん楽になりました。今は私が一番へ込んでいるくらいです。

久しぶりの親戚の集まりで花を添えたのがめいのゆいこちゃん。

我が家のアイドルです。

子どもがいるとすべて子ども中心に動きます。

子どもがいないと夫婦の仲は深まるし、人はいないところを誰かが補い合っているように思います。

家族ってそういう物なのですね。

でも、これで、一区切りつきました。

帰省

2008-03-02T20:59:00.002+09:00

実家は松山から車で１時間くらいのところですが、ずいぶん田舎です。そうはいっても、農地が駐車場になったり家が建ったり、農家が減っています。
後継者がいないんですね。
庭に出てみると、あちらこちらに球根の芽が見えます。春ですね。
私が買ったままベランダに出していたアネモネもちゃんと植わっていました。
春が楽しみです。

まちにまった週末

2008-03-01T09:31:00.002+09:00

今日も愛媛は快晴です。
先週は家に帰ってぼーっとするばかりの１週間でした。
本当に苦しいシーズンが始まりました。
とにかく、こたつがあるからいけないんだ。
気がつくと、２時間くらいたっています。
この週末は法事があるので、仕事ができません。
たまには親孝行をしないといけませんからね。

来週からはある程度、学校で仕事をして帰ろう！！！

梅

2008-02-26T05:53:00.002+09:00

暖かくなったり寒くなったり、一進一退です。

１月はいく

２月はにげる

３月はさる

と言いますが、ほんとに早いものです。もう３月・・・。

梅祭りに行って来ました。

寒かったけれど、天気も良く、いい気分転換になりました。

帰ってきて写真を加工していて、ペイントで、加工できることに感動！

これが、一番いい出来です。これから、技術を磨きます（＊＊）

ビビンバ

2008-02-24T08:03:00.003+09:00

物入れの奥にビビンバの食器セットを見つけ、ビビンバに挑戦しました。

買い物に行けなかったので、とりあえずある材料で作りました。

材料　所要時間30分

ごはん　　　　　１人分

ほうれん草　　適量（各30～50くらい）

大根　　　　　　適量

にんじん　　　　適量

もやし　　　　　適量

豚肉（牛）可　　適量

温泉たまご　　１個

ニンニク　　　　少々

ナムル

酢・醤油・ごま油・砂糖：すりおろしにんにく＝１：１：１：１：少々

肉＆たれ

コチュジャン：砂糖：醤油＝３：１：１

作り方

１　野菜の長さをそろえて細切りにする。

２　ほうれんそう・にんじん・もやしはゆで、大根は軽く塩でもんで洗い、ナムルを作る。

３　ニンニク少々と肉は炒めてたれで味付けをする。

４　なべ熱し、ごま油を塗る。

５　ごはんを入れ、野菜や肉を飾る。

６　中央に温泉たまごをのせ、たれをかける。

７　こげるにおいがしたら、テーブルに運ぶ。

思ったより簡単にできました。

パーティーメニューにいいかもしれません。

それに、にらとかキムチにしてもいいし、もしかしたら、海藻入れても大丈夫かもしれません。

セットとして、ワンタンワカメスープ、山芋、冷や奴です。

反省

冷や奴も韓国風かごまドレッシングで中華風にすればよかったです。

ほうれん草のナムルにごまがあったほうがよかったです。

温泉たまごの作り方は慎重に！

2008-02-23T15:59:00.001+09:00

休日

2008-02-23T15:45:00.003+09:00

今日は久しぶりに高校時代の友人の出産祝いに集まりました。
休日にこんなにのんびりするのも久しぶりです。
ほぼ一日おしゃべりしてしまいました。
指導要録そろそろはじめないといけないのに。

でも、気分転換になりました。

お母さんに似て、かわいい女の子です。
名前は凰華ちゃん。
美人ちゃんになりそうです。

赤ちゃんがほしいなあ、と、思いました。
しかし、その前に結婚しなくては・・・。

ねむい

2008-02-22T17:35:00.003+09:00

今日は春の日差しです。
いつも遅刻してくる子が今日は朝から元気にやってきました。

それだけですが、ちょっと気分がアップしました。
単純ですね。

昼から市内の先生達との話し合いがありましたが、睡魔との戦いでした。
昨日の卒業証書の準備で１０時帰宅がきつかったです。
でも、心配してくれる同僚がなにかと差し入れをくれます。

ありがたいですね。

あと、卒業まで２３日！
がんばろう！

落ち込み

2008-02-21T06:10:00.002+09:00

ちょっとしたことで浮いたり沈んだりします
なんかね。

気分の落ち込みの原因はわかっています。

そういうときはとりあえず仕事ですね。
今日は遅くまで仕事です。
ちょうどよかったです。

がんばろ！

育てる

2008-02-20T05:45:00.003+09:00

今、ベランダで、ケールとパセリを育てています。
かわいい双葉から、やっと、本葉が見え出しました。

毎日少しずつ大きくなるのが手に取るように分かり、小さな喜びを得られます。
植物は、手をかければ手をかけるほど、よく成長します。
でも、人間はこうはいかない。想っている事が素直に伝わらなかったり、相手にとっては迷惑だったり。
人間が真に成長するには自分自身の力が必要です。
そして、時に、距離を置くことも。

人は相手に求めるから苦しいのかもしれません。

求めなくても愛せる、そんな強い人になりたいです。

週末の楽しみ

2008-02-18T06:10:00.005+09:00

忙しい毎日ですね。
休みとはいえ、半分は仕事をしています。
そんな中楽しみは夕食に少し手をかけることでしょうか？

今日は餃子を作りました。
とっても簡単です。
材料（所要時間３０分）

ギョーザ
皮（３０枚）　　　１袋
豚ミンチ　　　　　250ｇ

にんにく　　　　　２かけ

ねぎ　　　　　　　野菜の１割

塩又は醤油　　　適量

胡椒　　　　　　　　適量
野菜（なんでも）
　キャベツ　　　４枚
　　白菜　　　　　４枚
　　にら　　　　　半袋

餃子ソース

　醤油：酢：ごま油＝１：１：１

　ネギ　　　　みじん切り

作り方

１　野菜を煮て、みじん切りにする。

２　にんにく・ねぎをみじん切りにする。

３　１、２、ミンチを混ぜ、塩、胡椒を入れる。

４　皮の真ん中にスプーン１杯分入れ、周りに水をつけてギャザーをよせながらふたをする。

５　ごま油で焼く。

６　ふたをして焼いたら仕上げにお湯を少し入れて蒸し焼きにする。

皿に盛る。

ホットプレートでするとパーティーみたいで楽しいですよ。

みかん

2008-02-16T08:31:00.003+09:00

あまりたくさん食べられない今日この頃。
みかんの１個買いにはまっています。
今、愛媛では、いろいろなみかんが生まれています。
スーパーでも、１個１個が主役の、きれいに飾られたみかんが並んでいます。
農家の人はがんばっているな、と、感心します。
せとか、はるか、まりひめ、紅マドンナ、天草・・・・まだまだ。
一つ一つが個性的な味で、どれが１番か、一概には決めかねます。
今日は疲れているので、甘い紅マドンナ、とか、気分で決めます。
高いので、友達と一緒に食べたり、半分ずつ食べたり。
幸せを分け合える楽しみもできます。

体の一部になるものです。
いいもの、自分にとって意味あるものを食べたいですね。

Diary Tomoko Ishikawa