Konbanwa from Japan

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T20:50:00.000+09:00

Merry Christmas!!
23th is national holiday so it's 3-day-off for me. If you had 3 days, what would you do? I was going to meet my friend but this severe weather made us cancel our meeting =( It's terrible weather right now here so I've been staying for 2 days all the time =P I always say I'm busy, busy and busy so now is the chance to relax myself. Still, I feel like going outside to do something.....lol such a selfish!!
I just went out to see Christmas lights near my home. This is a preschool, cute isn't it?? The first picture is one of decorations at my home.
I wish you have good time!! Happy holidays!!

I almost turned off my PC but

2011-10-13T23:00:00.000+09:00

...I realized I've got more followers since the last posting. Honestly, I was really surprised to see it!! I haven't posted anything for more than one month but many people check my blog. Oh my goodness, I really appreciate it.
Here, it's getting cold and I've got a cold=( When seasons have changed, I got cold this year...why am I so weak?? Now, I'm getting better though. Everyone, take care of yourself (you might live in hot places though=p).
Next week, I'll take belated summer holidays and go travel. I'm so excited with this! I'm not ready for it at all though, haha!!

Lastly, thank you for coming from all over the world. Feel free to leave comments, please=)

Calm night

2011-08-24T20:22:00.000+09:00

Hi there. I haven't posted for a long time. I appreciate you who visit my blog all the time. Currently, I've been busy for my work. I haven't taken summer holidays yet...Since the earthquake, I have been working hard and maybe I'm tired...These days, earthquakes happen so often (it's not big though). I heard it happened in the eastern coast of the states. I can see them feel awful. We're kind of used to the environment where earthquakes occur but it may the first time for many of you to experience the earthquake. When it happens, calm down first. The panic will cause the another disaster.

How are you doing? Hope you're fine!!

Appreciation

2011-05-27T21:31:00.000+09:00

Every day, the newspaper reports the number of dead people, missing people and refugees. Just recently, the number of missing people exceeded the one of dead people. As you know, this earthquake happened with big tsunami. Many people were rushed in a matter of seconds.

15,217 were killed. 8666 people are missing and there're 103,021 are living in shelters.

3 months has passed since 3.11, the earthquake and tsunami. I live in Tohoku regions where the tragedy happened. My city faces the sea but tsunami hit cities on opposite side.

I want to write down what happened and how I felt theoretically...but, my English is not enough to do that within short time now. So, I'll jot down what happened randomly.

At first, we suffered from blackout. Because of blackout, the water pump didn't work at home. Traffic signals didn't work so policemen worked at big intersections even though it's raining heavily. In some city, because trafffic signals tuned off, cars crashed and people were killed. TV didn't work. The only information we can get is radio. Many people have cellphone which has TV or radio but this didn't work at last after the battery went dead. Without electricity, we couldn't do anything.

Plants tsunami hit were forced to stop working and not only disaster area but also entire Japan suffered from the lack of things and foods. Around noon, I went to buy lunch at convenience stores but there's nothing. After 5, many stores were closed because they didn't have enough stocks to sell.

These day, there's almost no aftershock we feel but it happned almost every day during one month since that day. It's like it's always somehow shaking.

From our hospital, the rescue team help people in devasted area. I believe they did good job. Our male coworkers and bosses went there as a staff for logistics. Our hospital didn't send female staffs like me so we worked regular jobs male staff left. After the rescue team retured to the hospital, we welcomed in the entrance and we cleaned their clothes and boots. The team member looked tired but also satisfied with their efforts. We, female staffs, are proud of them but we somehow feel frustrated with this situation. That is, we can't do anything directly for the refugees.

This feeling has covered entire Japan. Most people just watched TV and we felt sorry. We wanted to do something but we couldn't do anything except donation. Donation helps refugees right now? What do they need now? Many people cried for the loss of their families. Houses are gone to somewhere. What can we do now? It seems many festivals or cerebrations such as wedding were postponed everywhere in Japan.People didn't feel like going out. This emergency forced all people stay calm at home.

Personally, I sometimes worked on weekend and as of April, my duties have changed. A coworker is mentally down and taking off from office. We worked so much hard and came back to home in the midnight. One day, I burnout. Suddenly, I started to cry and couldn't stop crying. I'm getting better but I'm not so ok actually.

Well, while I was apart from my blog, many people gave me cheeriings. Roopali, irfan Muhanmad younnus, Alpha Bug, Anrield, Longstride, Todd Bedo, Singing pilgrim, Joy, Briand and....you who are reading this post right now, I really appreciate for your support. Your countries sent rescue teams and foods for us.

I heard medias overseas reported politeness of Japanese there. Even though it's hard time, refugees didn't rush to the food. They waited in the line. For us, it's usual but some of medias reported with this situation. On the other hand, because we looked calm, some feel the damage was not so big. It's not true. This is the biggest disaster since the WW2. Still over 100,000 people live shlters such as sym in school.

I wish you keep attention to our country. I strongly believe we'll get their normal life back but we can't do without your support.

Pray for us

2011-03-12T20:38:00.002+09:00

I didn't expect such a big earthquake when I wrote the previous post. It is said it's the biggest one ever in Japan.

My place finally got the power back 26 hours after the earthquake happened. Now, it's 20:40 and prime minister talks on the TV. He's giving us the message.

Pray for us, people in Japan, please.

Earthquake!

2011-03-09T20:14:00.003+09:00

Before noon today, earthquake happned. It lasted for a minute and it's big one. Even after the earthquake stopped, we felt our building were still shaking.
Luckly enough, there's no bad news at all.

Have you ever experienced earthquakes? Does earthquake happen in your places?

100 countries!!

2011-02-28T22:14:00.003+09:00

Konbanwa, good evening, my friends.

I just realized that flag counter on left side said 100 different countries had visited my blog! The 100th guest was from Cyprus.

I want to say thank you, who visited my blog so far. Even though my blog doesn't have many interesting info at all (I always say 'oh I'm stressed out' lol), some of them come back to see my blog...It's really my pleasure. Thank you=)

I hope I can meet new people through my blog. Feel free to leave comments please=)

March, one of the busiest month is coming soon. When it comes to March, commencements are held everywhere. Especially, in my place, tomorrow, many high schools have them. Then, they start their new ways from April!!
March is the end of academic/fiscal year in Japan. That's why it's one of the busiest! Wish me good luck!!

Have a good night~~!!

Not good now=(

2011-02-26T12:31:00.003+09:00

Hi my friends, how are you doing? I'm safely back from business trip and already 2 weeks past since the trip. Snow on the road already melt but it started snowing today. I think it's not gonna be heavy snow.

After business trip, my condition has been not good=( I was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. It's like gastric acid is going up. Especially, it easily happens when I lie down so it is said it's good to put my head a little bit higher. Yes, I did and I 'cricked' (I'm not sure if this 'crick' says my condition right now).

In NZ, earthquake happened and still many people have been trapped in collapsed building. Around 30 Japanese students are said to be in that. They're studying at language institution for just short term and it happened a few days after their arrival.
Whenever I see news, my heart hurts. Pray for people in NZ...

This weekend, I'll just stay at home and relax. Have a good weekend!!

Business trip to Tokyo

2011-02-08T22:20:00.002+09:00

I'm going to Tokyo for my business trip tomorrow and will stay there until 12th. I need to attend the workshop on 10th in head office. Then, it turns just 'fun trip'. Because Friday is holiday, I'll keep stay there until Saturday.
Unfortunately, it'll snow this weekend even in Tokyo...Why is it cold anytime I'm in Tokyo??? Anyway, I'll post if I find something fun there!

Snowy weekend

2011-01-30T22:27:00.002+09:00

Japan won Asian cup with 1-0 over Australia on Saturday midnight. We call them 'samurai blue' or 'Zacche Japan' (zacche is coach) and their play was really great.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110122/sp_soccer_afp/fblasia2011jpnplayers_20110122084608

But, I've been somehow frustrated and feeling down so much this weekend. I think there's no specific reason for it though=(
How do you manage stressors? What do you do to relax yourself?

Overwork and Snow make me crazy!!

2011-01-07T23:44:00.004+09:00

Did you spend good new year? Here, holidays lasted until 3rd and I started to work from 4th. From 4th to today 7th, my coworkers and I overworked every day until 9pm...Since the year end, it kept snowing and roads freeze when I go back to home. It may be more stressful to wake up earlier than usual (because it takes so much time to get to the office because of snowing) and drive on the slippery roads. Seriously, I thought I would die when I kinda slipped. Pretty stressful!!

I'm so happy I could come back to home safely and have weekends! Coming Age day falls on Jan 10th, on Monday, we've got 3-day holidays yay!!!

Have a good weekend!!

Look back over 2010

2010-12-31T21:07:00.007+09:00

Time flies...I say this phrase every year haha. Less than 3 hours till new year in Japan. I want to look over 2010 quickly here.

Jan---Korean drama, IRIS, on air in Japan

This korean drama was on air in Japan and my place Akita was used for the drama locations. Many places- from famous sightseeing spots to places we visited daily- were shown in the drama.

Feb
My presentation was chosen one of best presentations in workshop for freshmen held by the head office. I prepared for it, listening to MJ's Thriller. After workshop, I met my friends in Tokyo and had good time.

Mar
My friend came to Japan. For me, it's really sudden. Right after that workshop on Feb, he said he might come here.
When almost all passengers came out from the security area and still he didn't come, I thought he missed the plane and I almost gave up lol. I hadn't seen you for 2 years but I felt like as if I saw my friend just yesterday when I met you. Everything is just natural.
It's pretty much cold in Tokyo during that days. Ooedo-Onsen, maid-cafe...These were first time also for me. Did you enjoy them?
This is the first time for me to welcome foreign friends in Japan so my guide was pretty poor =( Now, I have many ideas like places and food I should've introduced to them. Next time, I will be better guide for sure, so come again sometimes=)
You're one of my friends I really wanted to welcome so I was really glad!! Thanks=)

April
One year has past since I started to work. I've got more jobs from April and got tired especially mentally.

May
I joined English school. I wanted to start something so I signed up it. I join the discussion class once a week Thursday or Saturday. I usually go there on Saturday. It's good chance to go out and communicate with people outside office (otherwise, I will stay at home on weekend, saying 'ah~~~I'm tired!!).

June
I dropped my celly in ramen. Shocking. Oh yeah, Japan soccer team did great this month. The sad thing is I couldn't meet Exter who came to Tokyo for business trip. Did you enjoy staying in Tokyo?

July
For the beer party, our band practiced once a week. I played the sax...I hadn't played it for a long time so my lips hurt the first time.

August
I met some friends who came back to home during summer. Later, my diary says I was not good. Why? don't know...

Sep

The biggest news in this year...I went to Paris with my cousin. This is the first time for me to go to Europe. I wanted to post pictures more here but didn't...Most impressive thing is actually not famous sightseeing spots. Of course, they're great but a small village called Beuvron village. This atmosphere was really calm and peaceful.

Oct to Dec
Unfortunately, I just took rest on weekends. Because I spent money for paris trip, I just spent my time at home. On November, I suddenly wonder how I should live from now, I went to fortunetellers with my friend (It seems I really worried about myself). Her advice was just normal, not special at all.
I cleared my room and throw away old things. I felt good and I could blow away the cobwebs. At the end-year party, I played the keyboard. Next year, I wanted to focus on the bass!!!!!

The biggest events in 2010 were going to France and my friend's coming to Japan (including friends I couldn't meet). After all, in my great moments, there's always people there. From my great friends to just people I happened to meet on the street in paris, they made my days in 2010!
Thank you so much. I hope I could have such a great time also in 2011.

私の良い思い出には、いつも人がそこにいます。
海外にいる私の親友や、フランスの普通の通りですれ違っただけの人。
2011年もそんな出会いがありますように。
2011年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

9 days in Paris

2010-09-28T20:23:00.003+09:00

Bonjour!! I visited Paris from Sep 11th to 19th with my cousin. I really didn't expect I could take such a "long holiday" (yes, for Japanese, 1 week off is really long, different from people in Paris...) My boss said we could take 2 paid holidays after or before 3 summer break holidays. That means we could get 5 weekdays off plus weekends. In total, 9 days holidays (Saturday to next Sunday)!!
It's beautiful, isn't it? I'll upload pictures more later when I have time...(you know, there's tons of jobs left on my desk at office after my holidays lol)

I'm good here~~~

2010-08-16T19:58:00.003+09:00

hey my friends, how are you guys doing there? Here, it's incredibly hot and HUMID!! News says almost everyday that some elderly people died of this hot weather, dehydration. We haven't seen such a long hot days for the last decade. We have kept the air-conditioner on except early morning.
The picture, tomato pasta in a french restaurant near my home. I strongly believe this restaurant is one of best restaurants in Japan!! haha~

The first 2 weeks on August, I needed to go to office, no weekends at all. Therefore, I could take days off on upcoming Friday. I will prepare for the trip to Paris. I gotta change moneys, book the domestic trains to get to Narita intl airport...Many things to be done!!

However, actually, I'm not motivated enough to do anything. How can I free from this lazy feeling =( ??

Around 3a.m., Japan was sooooooo excited!!!

2010-06-25T22:02:00.007+09:00

We celebrated Japan win with Maguro!!

Yes, yes, yes...Our soccer team called 'samurai blue' won the game vs. Denmark on June 25th, past 4a.m. in Japan time.

Several hours before the game, not only I but also many people were wondering if we should wake up to watch the game...Luckily, I've got half-day off from Friday afternoon (it's totally coincidence!!) so waking up at 3 a.m. was not so hard.

Our team did a great job. Who could expect this result? Before the world cup, we're really disappointed with the results of pre-games...lost, lost, lost and lost. No wins at all. Some people insisted on replacing the couches. We're not excited of the world cup for this year.

The things has changed since Japan won against Cameroon.

Today, everyone was talking about the game and TV featured the game again and again. Many people are suffering from the sleep shortage including me!!
My family went to an Izakaya to have dinner where many people are still excited of the result of our team. See, in the first picture, there's a mini-samurai blue there!!

p.s. My favorite player is Nakazawa, definitely!!

Can't believe

2010-06-03T22:22:00.002+09:00

Sooo sleepy all the time these days. For sure my sleeping time got little bit shorter rather than before because I come back to home later than before.
One more day to go, go for it myself!!!

0:30am on Sun

2010-04-18T00:32:00.003+09:00

Today, as I planned yesterday, I was just taking a rest at home. I feel a little bit worried about my health this time. It may be necessary to go to see a doctor. Actually, this season every year, my condition gets worse...Maybe because it's the time the environment around me changes?
Last year, I started to work and probably felt nervous so my condition was different from usual. This year? Nothing big changed though...

One of factors I can come up with is pollen from pine trees. Many people are suffering from pollen allergy around this time. Almost all of them have symptoms of sneezing, running nose. But, some people have headache and dull pain. This may make me down??

Alright, good night~=)

1am on Sat

2010-04-17T01:00:00.002+09:00

1am on Saturday...Wow, finally I reached to Saturday!! This past week was really hard. I've been dizzy and had headache all the time. I'm a type of person who easily get headache but it's so harsh to deal with it this week. I'm seriously hoping this is not a symptom of any disease.
I've got much more jobs from this week. I think I will just take a rest this weekend, not thinking about anything... good night~

McFlurry plus Friday evening=?

2010-04-11T21:36:00.003+09:00

McFlurry in the Friday evening.

That means I'm exhausted---I realized that unhappy formula=(haha

I've been deadly busy for past 2 weeks. I always came back to home after 11pm. Of course, no dinner at all. It's because April is the beginning of fiscal/academic year in Japan. Personnel changes took place and we've got a new boss.

Friday evening, after coming back to home, I went to Mcdonald almost next to my home and got this McFlurry which is ice cream with Oreo (btw, do you guys have this in your countries' McDonald?). Super tiredness drive me have this super sweet McFlurry.

I hope I don't have to overwork so much this week, please~~~~~!!

Shibuya, Tokyo

2010-02-28T20:53:00.006+09:00

I stayed from Feb 16th to 21th in Tokyo. It's business trip until 19th. Then, I stayed weekend just for fun.
People, people and people everywhere. That's Tokyo.
(This one was taken in Shibuya)
I was shopping, met one of my friends, walked around the place where I used to live...It was nice weekend.
When I have time, I want to share more pic and info here~~

Happy Valentine!!

2010-02-14T19:31:00.009+09:00

These are Mary's, a Japanese well-known sweets company, chocolates for Valentine day. The pink and yellow ones are called Sunshine days series. The motif is elementary school and it's so cute one. The green one is inspired by New York. It's really cool style. Which do you prefer?

Who got these chocolates?
-----my family XD. My mom just bought them cuz it looks so cute and it must be delicious. Yep, it's really yummy. Because they're so good, we ate all of them before Feb 14th!!

Did you give chocolates to someone?
Did you get chocolates from someone?

A busy month has come

2010-01-31T22:21:00.003+09:00

Wow, January has past so fast and February has come...In the beginning of each month, I'm pretty busy and I can't come back to home right after 5pm. I'm getting hungry and want to eat something. Then, I start to wonder...Here, I've got some chocolates. Can I eat them? High calories stuff in the evening? If I wait a little bit more, I can go back and I eat dinner. Yeah, I should not eat here.....But, well, if I don't eat anything, I will be incredibly hungry when I get home and I will eat a lot.....
(I think I should work on my job rather than thinking those things lol.)

Here, I've got a good solution. Yes, SOYJOY, nutrition bars whole soy and real fruit. One bar is like 140kcal. I had thought it's high calorie but it's called low-GI(Glycemic index)-food and it help keep my blood sugar steady...Anyway, it seems alright to have SOYJOY between meals.
I bought many SOYJOYs for February, busy month. It's around 100JPN (1.1USD) in some discount grocery stores. In addition to them, I bought some drinks to bring them to office...Sunday is grocery shopping day.
I saw SOYJOYs in the States several times so check it out=)
http://www.soyjoy.com/index.aspx

February, it's gonna be busy month. I will have business trip to Tokyo from 17th to attend 09 freshmen seminar where stuff who started to work from April 2009 gather. Attendants have to give presentations there so I was preparing for them.

I wish I could get over this busy month...Pray for me!!

Just updated

2010-01-27T21:30:00.004+09:00

Hi there=) I haven't posted anything since the end of 2009. I've been busy these days. I just came back to home 1 hour ago today. After working overtime, I don't feel like doing quite anything. I just want to stay calm...should I act more cheerfully? haha.
Anyway! I'm not so bad. Thank you, who frequently drop by my blogXD I wish I can keep in touch with you through this blog also this year. That's one of my resolutions.

Near my office...I really have to drive carefully otherwise my car will slip easily (my coworker did)...I saw some cars stuck on the snow after waiting for a traffic light. In that case, even though we try to go forward by stepping on the accelerator, tires will just spin...awful... This is one of stressors for my working life~~

2009 Closing ceremony

2009-12-31T23:45:00.004+09:00

15mins left until 2010 starts.
Time flies...It's well known phrase which I hear around the end of year. Actually, I didn't feel like that this year in 2009. The first two months, I was struggling with my dissertation all the time. Then, I visited S.Korea and stayed for 12 days!! I met many Korean friends=)
After commencement, my job started from April. Around August, it's so hard time for me. As I wrote down here, I burned out and I really didn't have any idea how to recover from it. I went out to S.Korea again in September during my summer holidays. My friends made me happy there.

Thank you my friends who gave me much support.
As I said above, I could meet many of my Korean friends this year.
Next year, I want to see other friends too.
Hope you have great 2010!!

One of my favorite songs for you=)
はつ恋 by 福山雅治
Hatsukoi by Masaharu Fukuyama

Finished!!!!!

2009-12-30T22:02:00.002+09:00

Today is the last working day in 2009!!!!! Yeah~~I'm so happy=)
After work, I went to a shopping mall by myself and enjoyed shopping.
I happened to meet one of friends from college. She's working hard on her master's thesis. Good luck!!

I got some clothes and a calendar for my office desk. I also wanted to get Alicia Keys' latest album but I will buy it at Amazon. I'll get big saving if I buy it there.
My short break lasts until Jan 3rd. So happy la~~~=)

How did you spend Christmas?

2009-12-26T21:34:00.005+09:00

Nothing special except eating this cake. Yummy!!

28th is the final working day in 2009. After that, we'll have big end-year party and my band members will play songs there so we're practicing them. Today, we had practice from 5 to 7pm. Tomorrow, on Sunday, 4 to 7pm...So busy!!

Just a little thing though

2009-12-12T23:09:00.002+09:00

Yesterday, staffs in my office had a year-end party in Japanese style bar, so called "izakaya". I talked a boss (around 55 year-old?) in other sections so much. I didn't know he had so much interests in many kinds of things like music, PCs, travel (especially to the States), Christmas decoration in his house...He said that I should cherish my time out of office. Yep, I will do and I'm doing so right now. Usually, even though it's called 'party', freshmen like me have to serve Sake for bosses, which make us just tired. Yesterday, however, it was really good to hear his story.

After that, we moved to another bar to have another party. When it just started, I talked with one of my coworkers. Actually, I was hurt what he's saying. It didn't mean he offended me strongly but I couldn't help being angry. I just thought I didn't want to stay there anymore. It's really blame to leave there if I assume this is party related to office though.
I don't know if he noticed about it but he followed me. It's like he's waiting for my words. I just said totally different things and left there.
I haven't have such a feeling for a long time.

It's showering outside. I didn't have an umbrella but it didn't matter at all. Rather, it felt good. I walked down the street with many bars and izakayas, listening to some music with my iPod. It's 10:30pm.

Luckily, buses were still available. I found a bas stop and I waited for a bus. It's still showering. I was thinking of many things. I didn't think what he said. I felt I wanted to meet friends outside Japan.

Then, one guy talked to me. He asked me to come under his umbrella. He was also waiting for a bus. I was happy to hear that and said thanks. There's some place which is under roof in a closed shop so I said I would be there.

The bus came. Before getting on the bus, I appreciated him again and he said 'no, I didn't do anything'. I didn't remember his face at all. I didn't even know where he got off the bus.

Just some words hurt people. Just some words make people happy.

H1N1!?

2009-12-03T22:27:00.003+09:00

I caught a cold and I took one day off for sick leave yesterday. Today, I went to office because I had some important meeting. If I could have a rest also today, I would have feel better.....Now, I'm suffering from cold.

At first, I was wondering if I had H1N1 because I met two persons who got H1N1 the day before yesterday...I'm working for a general hospital.

I have bad sore throat and headache.....I just hope I could come back home from office tomorrow then take a plenty of rest!!!!!

Studying Monday

2009-11-23T12:25:00.003+09:00

It's Monday, national holiday and I'm staying at home. Next Sunday, I will take TOEIC exam. I haven't taken it since May 2007. You may more familiar to TOEFL test than TOEIC. TOEFL is much more popular because this may be one of requirements for applying for universities or some learning institutions. Here, TOEIC is absolutely major test rather than TOEFL. When you do job-hunting in Japan, your English ability will be check by the TOEIC score even though you have good TOEFL score and TOEFL is more well-known over the world. This happens also in South Korea.

My score was already expired so I have wanted to take it. Today, I'm studying for TOEIC. Luckily, it's much easier that TOEFL.

Thelma,テルマ, you so nice!!

2009-11-04T20:00:00.005+09:00

Yesterday, it's one of national holidays. It's exceptionally cold. Winter is coming soon. I felt like getting new music and went out to a CD rental shop. As I said before here, we can rent CDs. It's surprising for some of you right?
These day, I'm into music outside Japan. But, this is one of exceptions. Yes, she's Aoyama Thelma(青山テルマ). I'm not big fan of her but I have really wanted to try her latest album titled 'Emotions'.

AWESOME!!!!!

Usually, I don't listen to every song in one album but any song is great in her album. I'm even thinking of BUYing this album. It's worth doing so. Yeah, seems I'm really fan of her now.

I see she's so popular overseas. For example, her songs have high ranking in Yahoo Taiwan. Now, somehow because she doesn't release new music, her name doesn't come up in TV and media. It's like she wins wide popularity here.

I recommended her songs to my friend then talked about music etc...It's comfortable holiday.

Shopping at UNIQLO

2009-10-25T21:03:00.005+09:00

It's getting cold here.
I went out to prepare for the winter!!

I was really surprised to see around shops because they're decorating stores with CHRISTMAS STUFFs!!!!!!!
Neither Halloween nor Thanksgiving hasn't come yet but here, in Japan, Christmas goods are already available. We don't enjoy Halloween so much but Halloween goods are filled with the stores just for decorations. In case of thanksgiving, many Japanese don't know what it is. As a result, Christmas decorations is coming up right after Halloween here.

I went to UNIQLO to get a fleece and some T-shirts (Speaking of UNIQLO, the store opened in Paris right?). These Heattech T-shirts were sold so much last year and it's still popular this year. The size I got is XL but I want to insist that this XL is totally different from the one in the States!! This XL size in Japan is like M size in the States.
UNIQLO used to have a image of reasonable stuffs. Now, it's not like that. This Heattech T-shirt cost 1,000 JPN (10USD). It's getting colder and colder. Don't catch a cold, don't catch a flu~~.

Too much!!

2009-10-20T20:15:00.006+09:00

Hi my friends=) I'm good~Past 2 weeks, many events took place and I want to share this with you here. But, after coming back to home from work, my eyes are already tired then I cannot keep seeing the screen lol. I'm too old?

Last Friday night, my coworkers and I had fun. At first, we just cook some stuff then went out kinda amusement park called 'Round 1' where we can play many sports, bowling, karaoke. We stayed at all night from 11pm to 6 am!!!!! (1,300JPN but it cost 1,500JPN to play bowling 2 times.)

Playing Futsal.

I haven't excersice so much like this so I felt so fine!!

After leaving round 1, we dropped at one of our coworkers' high school. It's 6 am. No one but us was there.We just wanted to do something unusual lol. We just wandered there. Next, we dropped at my high school. The secenery from my high school is awesome. The reality is far better though...

Then, we went back to one of our corworkers' home. Even though we're so sleepy, we were still chatting---how we feel about jobs now, how we want to live from now...kinda serious one. At last, we noticed we're hungry and went out again to have lunch. As a result, we're together for 18 hours from 6pm to 2pm next day!!! Needless to say, I went to bed right after coming back to my home=)

Beautiful sunset

2009-10-03T11:52:00.003+09:00

Beautiful sunset, isn't it? It's when I left the office. I feel lucky if I can see awesome sunset. Also, that means I finish my job right after 5pm. If I need to work overtime, I miss this scenery and all I can see is black midnight scenery.

This week, I have been busy but meetings with other staffs in other sections were really meaningful.

It seems I've got more visitors from all over the world for this blog. Thank you! Feel free to leave comment, please~Have a good weekend=)

Sunday lunch

2009-09-27T16:34:00.003+09:00

Today's lunch. It's pretty much healthy Japanese food, a little bit expensive though.
Yesterday, I was working all day. I'm still so tired~~~~~Have a good rest of weekend=)

Sliver Week has come!!

2009-09-19T12:06:00.003+09:00

Hi there~~I'm good, not deadly tired now. Some friends have concerned about me and gave warm words to me. I really appreciate it=)

From today, 19th, so-called Sliver Week started!...You have never heard this word? Actually, I knew this word a few week ago.
Some of you already know 'Golden week', a string of national holidays on May (see http://ilovegrapefrui2.blogspot.com/2009/05/day1-in-gw.html)
Then, what's sliver week?? This is also long string of holidays from today Sep 19th~23th. This is the first time to get such a long holidays on Sep in my life. Because national holidays fall on from Monday through Wednesday THIS YEAR, we've got 5 days holidays including Sat and Sun...

You may see Japanese around your place...If you see them, you can just say 'what's your sliver week going?' haha.

Next time, this sliver week will come in 6 year...I want to upload blog so much as I can during sliver week!

ps. Today's drink---メープルティーラテ＝Maple tea Latte.

Burnout

2009-09-04T21:59:00.004+09:00

Today, I took a paid day-off for the first time. Strictly speaking, I decided to use a paid half-day off while I was working. It's before noon. I felt somehow sick, feverish, difficult to keep working until 5pm. It's 1:30pm when I came back to home.

I don't think I got new influenza. I'm just 'burned out' because of working so hard on Aug. I couldn't believe I'm so exhausted.

I even didn't have time to play the piano after work these day. Today, I played a little. Playing the piano is one of my ways to de-stress tired. However, my piano skill got worse so much, which disappoint me. It's vicious circle...

Well, what I need to do now is to relax myself. I'll cherish my personal time.

Super busy weekS past

2009-08-29T10:38:00.003+09:00

I slept tight...I just finished my Saturday breakfast now. I feel comfortable so much because my super busy weeks have past. I did work so much in August. My summer break will come from Sep 10th so I will think how to spend only 5 days break from now. Oh, I need to go to take my new glasses I bought last Saturday. I also want to renovate my room...Too many things!

It's really nice weather today. Have a nice weekend=)

Yumyum

2009-08-27T23:42:00.002+09:00

Ah~yummy.

Salt-vanila Lassi, available at Family Mart (convenience store)

Family Mart( we call it FamiMa) has many kinds of drinks. I gotta try others.

One more day to weekend! Cheer up, myself!!!

Exhausted

2009-08-25T22:07:00.007+09:00

It's 10:10pm now here in Japan. I came back just 50 mins ago from office. It happened also yesterday. I don't want to overwork from the beginning of the week but I need to do because of big project I'm dealing with now.
Through working on this project, I learned many things no matter whether they're good or not. Actually, I'm still surprised to see my boss's irresponsibility! lol. I can't believe my boss depends on me so much even though I'm still pretty freshman here...

Headache and my ears hurt...buzzing...I may be tired physically and mentally...

I had lunch outside. I usually eat my lunch at cafe for staff or on my desk. I wanted to leave my desk (otherwise, I keep thinking of the project, you know) so I came outside. It's a little garden on 3rd floor (don't know how to express this place...). The sky is not summer sky anymore. Autumn has already come here...read English book a little.....it's important refreshing time.

Saturday afternoon

2009-08-15T12:53:00.003+09:00

It's 1pm in Japan time. I'm watching high school baseball game now. It's so exciting game, you know!!!!!

Summer, summer, summer

2009-08-11T21:32:00.007+09:00

As I mentioned before, I had been working from July 27th to August 7th, for 12 days in a row. It must have felt better if I didn't have to overwork. Actually, I got "a big project" so that I stayed until late in my office during that days. That made me tired so much. In the end of 12 days, I was always yawning. It seemed my face implied my excessive tiredness. This past weekend, I just relaxed myself...shopping, reading books, taking nap...

The biggest festival in Akita was already over while I was into my job. That is, Kanto festival from August 3th through 6th. Refer to the posting I put last year http://ilovegrapefrui2.blogspot.com/2008/08/kanto-festival_06.html

I didn't have chance to go to the venue to watch this festival this year but I could see the performance. The performance team from one of local companies played Kanto in front of my office. Actually, I work for a general hospital and that team performed Kanto to have patients in hospital see it. You can hardly tell many patients in the right side of this picture.

Now, students are in the summer break. It's crowded everywhere I go.

Here, it's really summer right now.

I know this summer sky will go quickly and autumn will come soon. Then, loooong winter will follow.....Nope, I should not think about it lol. I should just enjoy summer now! (nothing special, though kk.)

When I'm exhausted---with Snoopy

2009-08-02T20:31:00.008+09:00

ohhhh~~~~I'm sooooo tired. Did you read the previous posting? I needed to go work this weekend. It was so hard. I was really happy to come back to home at 1pm today. I took a nap for more than 2 hours...

I don't know why but I want this 'combination' when I'm exhausted.

Comic 'peanuts' and some drink which is a little bit expensive (for me haha), available in convenience store. I feel happy while reading peanuts, drinking this.

The author of Peanuts, Charles M.Schulz, was born in St.Paul, Minnesota. I was really expecting to seeing something related to Peanuts and to buy some cute Peanuts stuff while I was in Minnesota. However, unfortunately, I didn't see them at all...I heard some monuments were in St.Paul though...oh, I had one shown in the following.

You can meet this snoopy in security area of Minneapolis International Airport.

If you see some monuments in St.Paul, take pictures and show me please=)

(※ps. Thank you for your warm message on my postings. I'm sorry I didn't reply them quickly. I put comments on your messages. Check them out=))

Goodbye my weekend

2009-07-30T23:12:00.003+09:00

Now, 11:15pm on Thursday...I'm pretty tired and sleepy. Usually, I'm supposed to work one more day then I will have weekends. This weekend, I have to go to work on both Sat and Sun. That means, I need to work for 12 successive days until next Fri!! I'm already so tired...Moreover, especially in the beginning of each month, we have tons of things to do, which make us to work overtime. Whew, it's gonna be so hard...

I'm getting ready to talk about my job here. I mean, I started to understand my job enough to tell you. From today, I began to be involved with kinda big project. It's gonna be time-consuming actually. But, I was so happy today because my opinion seemed to be reasonable for processing this project. August will be busy month but I will try to do my best, taking care of my health.
Details on my job will be released later, I hope.
Well.....I'm going to bed. I hope I have good dream, not one related to my job haha.

It happens

2009-07-17T22:47:00.003+09:00

Oh my gosh, the posting I just finished writing here was gone right now!!!
I'm not so fine enough to reconstruct this posting. Well, I should go to bed haha.
Good night~~

Twilight

2009-07-14T20:15:00.005+09:00

I've been listening to this song on the way to my workplace lately. When I was junior, I listened to their songs often.

Twilight by going under ground

I'm looking for some nice songs to listen while commuting. Give me your recommendation=)

Chat with my roommate

2009-07-01T00:11:00.004+09:00

It's 12:11am. Today, it's a holiday so I'm still awake. Usually, I go to bed around 10:30am. Otherwise, I will feel sleepy all the time in the daytime.

I just had chat with one of friends in the States. She's my roommate when I was in the States. The happy thing is we still remember something we shared...I mean, I love fountains and I bought mini-fountain one day. It's just around 10 USD stuff. I put it on the desk. In the night, we turned off the light in the room and we enjoyed with this mini-fountain.

This picture is in our room when I was in the states. There's a light inside of this fountain. It's like the fire is flaming. The water comes out from the top. Don't think it worth more than 10 USD??

Moreover, we talked how hard she's studying until the midnight in the library (I also worked hard, just in case lol). I joked that she must have been hanging out, not studying...We just joked and joked, which reminds me of days we shared. I really think I've got good roommate. Even though we're apart, she's still my roommate.

Oh yeah, when we moved out from the dorm, our CAs said our room was the cleanest in all of other rooms.

I can keep going more and more but...it's time to sleep. I think I will have dream related to this story tonight.
Have a good night~!

Peaceful moment

2009-06-28T15:01:00.005+09:00

Almost 3 months has passed since I started to work. I'm really getting used to working. When I had many things to do, I was really thinking of them even after I came back to home. It's like my mind was still in the workplace. This made me feel tired so much. Then, I realized I should not bring jobs into my private time. That is, I should enjoy my time outside workplace more. Actually, that's the one of my resolutions I made before I started to work. Now, things are going well.

On 23th, I got my bonus. My dictionary says everyone cannot get bonus in the states usually. Here, even freshmen like me can get bonus. Because of economical crisis, some company cuts bonus. I'm lucky to get bonus in this situation.

I decided to give some of bonus to my grandparents, who helped me much so far. Yesterday, I went to see them. My grandparents were pleased to get it, which made me happy. It doesn't matter how much I can give them. It was my pleasure to show gratitude to my grandparents.

We talked on the spot we can see the backyard. It breezed. It was really good time. Can you see two chairs and tables which are made of rattan? My parents gave them to my grandparents 24 years ago. It's right before I was born. These chairs and I were same ages!!

Chatting, eating cherries, drinking tea...It was pretty peaceful moment.

Number 1

2009-06-22T21:04:00.010+09:00

When I want to recommend something to someone, I hardly use such as 'absolutely great!'. It's because someone doesn't like things I recommend even though I like it.

This is an exception.

I strongly believe that this grilled squid is the best in the world!!!!! It tastes salty. It's very tender!!

350 JPN

I like to eat grilled squids especially in a restaurant on the boundary between Akita where I live and Aomori where it's located to the north of Akita. It's 2 hour drive. That shop is on the cliff.

I haven't come here for 3 years. Staffs are really kind as usual. If there's a world grilled squids competition, I'm sure this restaurant will win! lol.

Yesterday, as these pictures say, it's good weather. Now, it's pouring. Here, it's rainy season. We'll have rainy days from today...I don't hate rainy weather but I can't stand with humid one~~!!

Nightmare in the library

2009-05-30T22:27:00.002+09:00

I went to the library by my car. I just wanted to have relaxing time, browsing some books. I spent around two hours there and I was really satisfied with it.

On the way back to the parking lot, I started to notice it would be a little bit difficult to get out of that parking lot because it's really nallow space. Usually, I back the car up into the parking place so that I can easily drive out of there. Today, that parking lot didn't allow me to do that. That is, I had to back my car out of that parking place.

Oh my gosh...I couldn't.....as I anticipated.

I tried again and again, back and forth. My car almost rubbed against the wall.

What should I do.....??

I came up with one idea. I looked for someone who APPEARs to have super-driving skill and asked them to back my car out of the parking lot.

But, I also thought if that person hit my car into the wall?? I would regret doing that. That person would also feel bad.

Therefore, I decided to get help from my family. When I called my home, there's only my mom. She has also driving license.

But, I had still one more concern...
It's because my mom hit out family car into the wall.....IN THIS LIBRARY.

Because my father was out of home, my mom came to the library by family car. She rode in my car and started to back my car. I was standing near the car, giving her advice...my car almost rubbed the car again and again...Finally, my mom made it!!

~result~

My trial (fail) 5 mins
The time I was waiting for the rescue(=my mom) 20mins
My mom's trial (success) 10mins

Haaaa.......tired.
I need to be relaxed once again.

1 year

2009-05-23T22:36:00.004+09:00

???
=)

This sky leads to your sky

2009-05-10T15:55:00.006+09:00

Last Thursday (7th), at parking lot of my office.
Beautiful sunset makes me relaxed after work. Then, I go back to my home, listening to my favorite music unless I need to work overtime.
When I see the sky, I wonder how my friends in other countries are doing at that time under the same sky.
This sky leads to your sky. This gives me encouragement.

Day3 in GW

2009-05-04T23:15:00.005+09:00

Today, I met one of my friends. She's working apart from here and came back to her home from yesterday because, not to mention, it's Golden week now.

Her unexpected remarks inspired me.

She's not the sort who says her feelings or opinion. However, today, she suddenly started to say how happy she is because she stays friends with me . She remembered the day when we met for the first time and talked about it precisely... She said she thanked me...Oh, I don't deserve to be appreciated~~

I'm not awake enough to talk about today's story. Actually, today's story is deeply related to what I have really wanted to write down here. Later, let me introduce it again.

When I came back to my home after the gathering with my friend, my grandparents were there. Tomorrow, my family will take them to spa and stay for one night. On the way to spa, we will see my workplace...Well, it's better to go to bed soon. Good night~~

Day2 in GW

2009-05-03T23:47:00.002+09:00

On the corner of the little garden of cake shop.
I didn't know this has pretty name called "Lily of the Valley" in English (Suzuran in Japanese). It's really getting warm enough to see many flowers brooming.

Day1 in GW

2009-05-02T23:07:00.003+09:00

GW, the word I mentioned in the previous posting, stands for Golden Week(,not Ghost Week!)

May 3th, 4th and 5th are national holidays. Then, this year, 2nd is Saturday and 3th is Sunday. Therefore, many people enjoy 5 straight holidays! (Of course, there're many people who are working during GW like one of my coworkers) We call these holidays in the beginning of May Golden Week.

In fact, April 29th is also national holiday. If you are allowed to take paid holiday, you might be able to take successive holiday like...29th(natl' holiday), 30th and 31th(paid holiday), 1th-5th(holiday), 6th and 7th (paid holiday), 8th and 9th(weekend=holiday)...12 successive holidays!? It seldom happens though...

Usually, we cannot take such a long vacation until August as summer vacation or the end of year as new year holidays. TV News says lots of people went abroad for travel and Many people who live apart from their hometown went back to their home etc...

Well, my plan....rather, in my family's case, my grandparents will visit our home. It's been long since the last time they came here. My grandma somehow recovered from a decease so we want her (of course, grandpa too!) enjoy at my home. Now, my grandparents live a little bit far from here like for 2-hour by car but our city is the place where my grandma was born. Many things have changed as time goes by. Still, I think my grandma will be looking forward to coming and seeing 'her hometown'.

Today, I just went to hair salon to get a haircut. Then, I walked down to the library. This pic is on the way to the library. I should have come here earlier because cherry blossoms are gone. They are at their best last week but it's raining all the time, gosh...I borrowed some books and started to walk down to downtown...I swung by bookstore and CD stores...Now, surprisingly, the best selling CD is "carpenter's best" in Western music. I realized the charts of western music issued in America and in Japan are pretty different.

Tomorrow, what will I do? Any recommendation??

Overtime and GW is coming!

2009-05-02T00:41:00.004+09:00

Today, I worked over time for the first time. Strictly speaking, I finish my work around 5:40 recently so I already worked over time several times so far. But, this is not regarded as working over time.
My corworkers and I finished job around 10pm. In the beginning of each month, we have lots of things to do. I thought it would take more time...It's just 5-hour overworking.

By the way, from tomorrow, GW will start!! Do you know what GW stand for?

Let's talk about it tomorrow!! Have a nice GW!!haha

It's my treat!

2009-04-26T20:04:00.003+09:00

On 16th, I received my pay for the first time. To show my gratitude to my parents who gave me much support so far, my parents and I had BBQ dinner on me just now. We ordered a little bit expensive beef and anything we wanted to have. It was nice dinner. We also had Kimchi hotpot (we can't see it in this picture though). It reminds me of nice dishes when I visited Korea. (Oh, I didn't have time to show you guys how great my trip to South Korea was.)

I may had have a cold. These day, it's pretty cold here. Even though cherry blossom bloomed beautifully, it's gone because of strong wind and rain... I wanted to take picture of cherry blossom and put it in the header picture~~~. Anyway, I gotta go to sleep earlier than usual to recover from cold!!

I'm fine!!

2009-04-13T22:07:00.003+09:00

2 weeks have past since I started to work...1st week of April, I went to head office in Tokyo (business trip for the first time!) and took induction courses with my coworkers who came from various parts in Japan. We moved to other place to stay 3 nights near Mt. Fuji. We studied for 3 days there. On 5th, Sunday, my 3 corworkers and I came back to our place. Very next day, on Monday, we went to our office and started to work. Therefore, this weekend (11th and 12th) was kinda first "weekend" where I could take a rest since I began working.

So far...I'm pretty enjoying my job and life. I didn't expect I could feel happy with my job like this. My bosses are really nice and my corworkers are also helpful. We, freshmen, are working in different section but having corworkers is really encouraging.

I'm not good at waking up in the early morning but I'm getting used to do. I wake up around 6:15am and leave my home at 7:30. I drive a car to my office. It takes 30 mins and I work from 8:30.

While driving, I'm listening to music and sometimes singing with them kk. Especially, I really like to do when I go back to home. What am I listening to? Last week, I always listened to music by Big Bang, Korean group. I bought their CD in S.Korea and got much fan of them=)

I'm too tired to open my PC on weekday haha. Still, I'm really fine and feel happy with my job and this life.

Commencement

2009-03-28T20:56:00.005+09:00

I didn't log in my blog for a long time...

At first, last Sunday, I graduated from my university.

In Japan, females like to wear kimono (strictly speaking, this is called hakama. We wear kimono and put 'hakama' which look like skirt on kimono) for commencement. I also weared it. This is my own kimono.

(This is the first time to show my picture on the blog.)

I studied in my home university for 4 years and in St. Cloud state university as an exchange student for 1 year. In total, I stayed in 2 universities for 5 years, graduated with 186 credits.

I thank my parents, who gave me chance to study in Japan and in the States, and my friends for their friendship=)

I will start to work from April 1st as a member of society, not student anymore.

I will have many difficulities after I start to work. It'll take time to get used to my job but I want to enjoy with them. I want to be a person who tries to enjoy even if it's difficult time.

안녕 from Seoul, South Korea

2009-03-08T08:28:00.002+09:00

Today is the 7th day of my staying in South Korea. So far, I met many Korean friends and made new friends from other countries in hostels.

I will write my travel diary later here.

Today, I'm staying in the 6-bed room in hostel. Other travelers, three Japanese senior students, already left this room to go back to Japan. Now, I'm alone in this room. I remember how fun it was to spend time with my Korean friends so far...I feel even kind of nostalgic...(I don't know how to say this feeling in English.) ah, maybe, I should just say "I'm really missing you guys".

I've got 4 more days left including today. I'm gonna make myself enjoy more!!

At last but not least, I really thank you, my Korean friends, who gave me many good memories!!

The last month as a student

2009-03-01T16:07:00.003+09:00

It's already March...Today, many high schools have commencement. One of my cousins graduates from high school today.

Here, March is the end of academic year. Many students graduate from their school and enter new world.

I'm also graduating from university on March 22th. From April, I will start to work.

As I wrote here before, I was working on my dissertation from last August to Feb 2nd. You can see my grad thesis next to books.

During working on dissertation, I read many books and papers again and again. Furthermore, I could not have finished my thesis without you guys' help and encouragements. If you gave me some help for my research your names are on my acknowledgement page in my dissertation. I sent my paper to my prof at St.Cloud state university where I studied. Information she gave me deepened my research.

Again, thank you so much to everyone who gave me much help and encouragement.

After submitting my paper, I decided to throw away books and handouts used in classes. Now, I've got some spaces on bookshelf.

Tada~~~These are the books and handouts I threw away. So many!!

Finishing the last paper remarks the end of my studying in university. Then, many students are enjoying their long free time before they start to work. Most of them go to travel (we call 'graduation trip' in Japanese).

Many students like to travel with their close friends. But, in my case, my friends already graduated from university last March while I was studying in the U.S. So, I decided to travel alone.

I was really wondering which country I should go---Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore.....After long thinking, I chose South Korea. The direct flight from Akita to Seoul is available. Now, Japanese yen is strong against Korean won.

From tomorrow, 2nd, to 12th, I'll be in South Korea. I know it's really long stay but I won't get such a long holidays after starting to work. Therefore, I'm gonna enjoy staying in South Korea as much as I can.

Of course, I wanna go some sightseeing spots but I'm also interested in places Korean people use in their life such as supermarkets.

I wish I can have safe trip=)

For the first time!!

2009-02-23T11:22:00.003+09:00

I have a meeting from 1:30pm in my workplace for the first time. It'll be like a orientation before I start to work from April. I'll meet my coworkers for the first time...it's a little bit exciting.

Well, I got to prepare for it!

Dangerous driving

2009-02-19T22:44:00.005+09:00

My dad had a business trip to Tokyo. He went there by shinkansen and needed to go to the station early in the morning. Usually, my mom takes him to the station by car. Today, I decided to drive to the station.

I took driver's license when I was freshman, almost 5 years ago. Actually, I don't drive frequently. I always feel nervous especially when I go to places where I have never been. Still, it's ok if someone sits next to me.

From April, I start to work and need to go the workplace by car. I have to be used to drive by myself.

The problem is I'm not used to drive in the snow. I really have to pay attention to driving during winter. When the road is flat, I can just step on the brake earlier than usual. (If I do suddenly, my car will not stop and crash into the preceding car!!).

When the road is rough with snow, cars may stuck in the pocket (especially, it happens after stopping and waiting the signal to change to green). No matter how strong I step on the gas, it doesn't work. Tires just roll at the same place.

The only way to go forward is...to push the car. Someone other than the driver gets out of the car and put the car forward. When they're pushing the car, the driver step on the gas. Then, I can get out of the spot.

Can you understand what I'm concerning about? What if I drop in such a pocket? I'll need to ask someone walking on the road. What if it happens in big streets? It may cause a traffic jam.

I didn't have any trouble today but it took much time to go to the workplace. It's because everyone drives so slowly.

The picture is taken near the workplace. This intersection is famous for dangerous place...many cars slip. One of friends also had car accident. I call this intersection 'T.I'. I stands for intersection and T comes from the first letter of my friend's name. It's like famous singer T.I. haha.

Until last week, there's no snow. It's pretty warm in this winter. From this week, it started to snow. I have to practice driving on the snow!!

Soup curry

2009-02-13T12:23:00.005+09:00

On Wednesday, national holiday, I had lunch with my friend. We ate 'soup curry'.

We usually eat sticky(?) curry sauce (not soup one). This soup curry is famous in Sapporo, Hokkaido, the northern part of Japan. It started to become popular several years ago in entire Japan. There're not so many restaurants we can eat soup curry.

This soup curry includes boiled egg, 'Kakuni' which is braised pork dish, eggplant and green pepper...We soak white rice in this soup and eat it. It made us feel warm...We're convinced that people in Hokkaido, a cold place, like this soup curry.

For some of you guys, it may be familiar to this type of curry. What's curry like in your place??

haaarrrrd!!

2009-02-10T00:21:00.003+09:00

Now, I'm writing kinda paper to submit to my university. In that paper, I have to tell how I spent my days in the States as an exchange student. It's been 8 monthes since I came back to my home university though...How come they ask me to write a paper NOW?? Well, that's my home univerisity haha.

That doesn't mean I forgot how I lived in the States. I'm still clearly remembering my days in the States. The problem is...I haven't written papers in Japanese for a long time. I can't write a paper in the same way I used to do it. Academic writing is really tough work no matter what language we use. But, I have never felt such a difficulty for composing papers in Japanese!! It's pretty stressful...

Dining outside

2009-02-06T21:49:00.003+09:00

I finished my last biggest paper in my college life on Monday, so my dad planned to conguratulate for it by having dinner. My family dined at an 'izakaya' (Japanese style bars which serve alcohol and food).

In bar counter, many bottles are displayed.Sushi role, sea food salad and fried chicken. This salad contains tuna, salmon, octopus.

Sashimi/Sliced raw fish

Potato with cheese and bacon...It's like pizza.

Tsukune/meatball. This is Hinai-dori(chicken). Hinai-dori is a specialty of Akita. It's one of big three chickens in Japan. This egg comes from Hinai-dori. We put this Tsukune in the egg. It's delicious! I didn't drink alcohol cuz I needed to drive a car. This Tsukune made me feel drinking pretty much!!We ordered too much...Everything was pretty nice!!

Ah~~~It was nice time to have delicious food...Thanks dad!!

Encouragement from Malaysia

2009-02-03T17:14:00.010+09:00

I didn't log in my blog recently because I was working on my thesis all the time...literally all the time. Yesterday, finally, I finished my thesis. I will talk about it later.

During the hard time, I got a new year greeting from Exter, Malaysia.

Usually, we communicate by visiting blogs each other and leaving some comments...so, it feels special to get a letter.

In addition to her sincere letter, even seeing stamps of other countries makes me feel happy. She put this special envelop she got in Macao. I will cherish all of them.

Exter, thank you for your greeting card. I'm sorry my reply is late. Without your encouragement, I couldn't finish my thesis. I really appreciate your kindness!!

Headache---usual thing

2009-01-22T01:35:00.003+09:00

I didn't upload this blog these days. That doesn't mean I don't browse the Internet nor use my PC. Actually, I'm almost always in front of my PC.

The due date for my the last and biggest paper, that is, dissertation, is coming soon. I have more two weeks to go. I started to work on it from last Aug and it'll be finished finally.

As the title says, I have a strong headache almost every day. It may be because using PC for a long time tire me. I also got stuff shoulders. Besides, it's definitely because of feeling stressed. I always wonder how I should go on the discussion or something. I have to submit the paper but I'm not really sure if I can finish writing good one. I started to feel stressed unconsciously.

Plus! I'm a type of getting headache easily. It's called "migraine". When I feel I'll get a headache, I always take a medicine. I have suffered from migraine since I was a kid. Migraine follows me in my life---oh my!!!

Anyway, I'm working hard, fighting against headache...It'll be the last time to concentrate on studying literally all day in my life. I have to appreciate the joy I can study even though I get headache.

But...the headache is headache. Ahh~~~~~hate it!!!!!

Blueman!?

2009-01-10T21:57:00.005+09:00

I was really surprised to see my hand. You too? Thank you for sharing the surprise with me=p
Last month, the printer got out of order and we had it repaired. After I took my printer back to my home from the shop, I didn't notice the ink (only blue one) was leaking!
Luckly, the ink didn't spread out any place except my hands. It took much time the ink was gone rather than I thought. Everytime I saw my hands, I was surprised with myself only a little bit haha.

(cf. The title 'blueman' comes from here http://www.blueman.com/)

Thank you!!~New Year's card from South Korea

2009-01-07T20:45:00.003+09:00

I got such a nice greeting card on the first day of this year from my friend, South Korea. This year will be nice!!

We exchange New Year's cards in the beginning of Jan. We usually start to prepare for cards from Dec. At first, many people buy blank New Year's cards in post office. We make cards the way we like. If you're good at drawing, you can do. Cards reflect each person's characteristic.

Then, we drop them into mailbox. Mailmen start to deliver them from Jan 1st. If we mail them until Dec 25th, cards will be sent on Jan 1st. (I always drop my New Year's cards around Dec31st. That means, my friends cannot get my cards on Jan 1st. Well, we celebrate New Year not only on Jan 1st also until 3rd. I hope it's not so problem my friends cannot get cards on exactly New Year's day hehe. )

I hope my friends both in Japan and abroad enjoy my New Year's cards. They're not so special but I wrote down messages, remembering friends' faces.

Back to normal life

2009-01-05T12:41:00.005+09:00

Are you guys already back to normal life? Here, many people finished cerebrating New Year and started to work from today. My father also finished new year's break and went to office.

In our university, classes will start from 13th, next Tuesday. This is not the beginning of the semester. The semester started from last Oct and will last until the middle of Feb.

In my case, I'm taking only one class for writing grad thesis. Basically, from Jan, I just need to concentrate on writing grad thesis by myself. So, I decided to start working on the thesis from today.

Well, during new year's break, my family stayed at home, having delicious food and relaxing.

My family visited a shrine to pray for new year on Jan 2nd. This is called Hatsumode (はつもうで・初詣). We make wishes for the new year.

This year, we went to a shrine we had never been. It's smaller than the shrine we usually go. Many people visited this shrine.

May 2009 will be fruitful!

Thanks goodbye 2008

2008-12-31T22:54:00.006+09:00

2008 is almost gone.

I'm watching Kohaku uta gassen(紅白歌合戦), annual famous music show on TV.

We'll go to new year in 15 mins after this music program.

2008.

I started this year in MN, USA.

(I never forget the temperature on that day. minus28℃!)

I visited many places---San Francisco, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Minneapolis, Chicago (twice!), Beijing China---

I met many people---I don't say their names here. When I had hard time, you guys helped me a lot.

2008 is almost gone.

I really thank you guys.

I will give you one of favorite songs this year, GIFT by Mr.Children. I listened this song and played it with piano often. (Right now, Mr.Children appeared on music show to sing this song!)

GIFT by Mr.Children

May the new year bring happiness to you guys, my 'sisters and brothers' all over the world!!
来年もあなたにとってよい1年になりますように!!

JP-standard Christmas song

2008-12-24T19:57:00.003+09:00

How do you spend Christmas Eve? I'm preparing for tomorrow's class..gosh. haha

I already had Christmas dinner with my family yesterday because 23th, yesterday, is one of national holidays. I guess some people did enjoy Christmas dinner or party like me yesterday.

On TV, many Christmas songs are aired like All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Last Christmas by Wham and Happy Christmas by John Lennon...

Let me introduce a Japanese standard Christmas song here.

Christmas Eve by Tatsuro Yamashita (1983)

Can you feel a little bit solitary atmosphere? The motif of this song is lonely Christmas. It seems he also sings this song in English. You might feel it from lyrics http://www.uta-net.com/user/phplib/Link.php?ID=31317.

My new 'enemy'

2008-12-22T21:59:00.008+09:00

Christmas is coming.....I think you feel the Christmas mood wherever you are.

BUT! This posting is TOTALLY unrelated to Christmas.

I may have found 'new enemy'.

That is, Chinese yam!

(山芋(Yamaimo) in Japanese)

Actually, I love Chinese yam pretty much. We ground yam, put it in hot pot and had it for dinner tonight.

The incident happened last time I was grinding it.

I started to feel itchy on my hands.

My hands were getting red!

I guess it's kinda allergy.

Today, I was trying to 'revenge'.

My mom recommended me to put a glove on my hands but I declined it!

Well, I didn't feel itchy this time.

Um...itchy a little bit?

Anyway, it's only clear there's no problem about EATING Chinese yam. haha

Sparkling night

2008-12-13T20:46:00.013+09:00

The moon between the Chiristmas illuninations

Last Friday, my mom and I joined one-day bas tour to go to Sendai city, Miyagi prefecture.

Before seeing the illminations, we visited a brand-new outlet mall. It's like typical malls in America. There're many stores to see...but, we had only 3 hours to enjoy there. I bought a sweater. The tag price was almost 100 USD but I could buy it for around $30! Good deal.

After leaving that mall, we headed for downtown in Sendai. My mom visited a department store and I wandered around the downtown and saw some shops. Pictures below were taken around Sendai station.

Flower shop

After shopping, we went to the main street which was decorated with illuminations.

It's really fantastic....but, I'm not sure if you guys can feel it from these pictures...It's really hard to take these illumination beautifully...Last Friday, this illumination event started so many people were gathering this place. You can see this until the end of December.

Official homepage for this event called 'Sendai Pageant of Starlight'. It's Japanese only but you can see more beautiful pictures there.

'http://www.sendaihikape.jp/index.html

Mission completed!?

2008-12-10T15:35:00.004+09:00

Almost 7 months have already passed since I came back to my home after finishing 1-year exchange program in the States.

I established some goals before going to the States.

Just YESTERDAY, one of my goals was finally accomplished! Yea!!

That is, I wanted someone to admit my English was Americanized! I thought it would be a positive proof of studying in the States haha. So simple.

In my seminar for grad thesis yesterday, my prof pointed out an expression in my handout and said 'it's totally American usage.'

It's about the verb 'get'. I always pay attention to make academic English sentences in my thesis. But, unconsciously, I used 'get' in a casual way. I reviewed my handouts several times before that class though.....Seems I wasn't able to notice it.

My prof told me not to use that 'get' in academic situation. Still, somehow, I felt satisfied as if I finished mission. (Is it a little bit exaggeration? haha)

This reminds...that reminds...

2008-12-08T00:01:00.006+09:00

I have a cousin, who is in her 12 grade student. Now, she's studying so hard to take an entrance exam for university. If you wanna enter the national university, you have to take two exams. One is held in the middle of Jan. The other is given at the end of Feb.

The first one is called national center test for university admissions. After this test, each applicant takes second one in the university they wanna enter. Each university has different subjects and questions for test takers.

My cousin aims at entering a university which offers so-called most challenging exam. The other day, she asked me to correct her English answers.

I really paid attentions to all of aspects...whether grammar is correct (especially, it's difficult for us to decide whether a word she's using is countable or not), whether her argument is clear...Different from this blog, I really-frickin focus my mind on follow the prescriptive grammar. kkk

This time and whenever I wanna check something, I always rely on the book used especially in high school. I have lots memories with this book.

I had English grammar class after entering high school. The teacher in that class, elderly retired teacher hired as a temporary teacher, gave us lesson. Her class is really strict and I don't think almost all of my classmates had good feeling about her.

I asked so many questions to her after class. Actually, I don't think some of that questions were necessary for preparing for university entrance exam. But, I'm not the type I can ignore only slight, tiny questions. I'm so stubborn when it comes to studying. haha.

For instance, Japanese language doesn't have present perfect tense. The textbook can't explain about it clearly.Sometimes, the explanation was incoherent

The more I read some sentences using perfect tense, the more I understood. Still, if I go back to read the explanation in the textbook, somehow I felt awkward. Then, I asked her until I could understood what the textbook is telling us. . Whenever I asked her, she welcomed my questions.

It's only one year I learned English in her class. I have never seen such a strict and cooperative teacher. I appreciate her kindness.

I heard from a little bird that she passed away after I graduated from high school, that is, after I entered my university.

I guess she's around 68 year old.

If she saw my blog, she might scream because of my broken English. (sorry...)

Whenever I see my textbook, that reminds me of that memory with her.

Do you have that kind of stuff, scenery, sounds or smell/scent?

I do pretty much other than this textbook.

Lunch!

2008-12-05T00:28:00.004+09:00

Today's lunch~Pescatore. It's 1100 yen ( 12 USD)
I feel 1100yen is kinda expensive for lunch but it's really good.

Compared to restaurants in the States, it'll be reasonable I guess.

One of favorite points about Japan is that we can visit restaurants if we don't have so much money. In case of America, I feel I will need $20 dollar at least to eat such pasta stuff (Regarding to chained stores, it will be another story though) Oh! and also, we have to keep in mind that we have to give some tip in the States. In Japan, we don't have to think about a tip. If it's 1100 yen, it's the sum!

Super concentration

2008-12-04T00:11:00.005+09:00

I wanted to concentrate on reading some academic paper today, so I decided to go to the library near my home. It's 2km from here. That prefectural (=state in the U.S?) library is biggest one around here. When I'm getting bored of studying, I can read some books. It's good place.

I didn't notice it's closed today until I went to the library...why...? Usually, it's not open on Mondays.

Still, I could keep motivated, so I went to another library near the station. It's city library. I arrived there around 12:40pm and concentrated on reading for almost 4 hours. Too much concentration made me exhausted. The room for studying is prepared like in the picture.

Around 3, high school students came to study... A glance at textbooks they have reminds me of my high school times...

I thought "I don't wanna go back to that time anymore"...Studying or club activity (brass band). That's it. I really didn't hang out with my friends after school as typical students do...Actually, I didn't hate such a student life filled with studying but I just don't wanna experience it again haha.

Still, this concentration might have been acquired by studying hard at high school? If so, it's a nice fruit~!

Time flies!

2008-12-02T18:41:00.007+09:00

This year's thanksgiving day has past...Now, it's already December!!

December 1st, yesterday, let me down every year. On this day, I notice I have only 31 days left until next year starts. Then, I start to recollect some resolution I've got on Jan this year. I ask myself how much I could attain my goal. What did I learn this year? How much did I grow up? Rather, what did I do?---I always somehow regret for something undone every year haha.

Then, I notice I have STILL 31 days to try my resolution. Oh yeah, I can do it!! I say it to myself. That's my typical Dec 1st lol.

Well, there're many Christmas decoration outside now. Actually, we can see such decoration easily everywhere after Halloween. Our country enjoys events such as Chiristmas the U.S celebrates EXCEPT Thanksgiving. It's one of really important events for people in the States but Japanese don't know it. I was really surprised to know how much significant this event was. In Japan, malls and department stores decorate with Chiritmas stuff right after Halloween. I hope I can show some scenery to you through pictures later.

About this photo, It's not relevant to this article though...

this matcha latte was yummy. Available at convenience store. It's like 1.5 USD.

Ideas appreciated!!

2008-11-24T14:36:00.007+09:00

I'm working on my dissertation usually at home as I said before. I had a big presentation two weeks ago. I had to give a presentation how I will work on my paper. The preparation for this presentation was so tough. My seminarmates and I have worked pretty hard to have audiences understand as much as possible for almost 2 months. I revised my handouts again and again...more than 10 times. I think (and our prof said) we did quite good job.

I was working on the desk literally all the time until this presentation so that I feel like I used up all of my energy haha.

When I wasn't motivated for preparation, my options were listening to music with iPod (especially rock when I'm frustrated), browsing books and the Internet like in the picture. (If several friends on MSN were online, it made me feel I had to work hard! ) If they didn't work, I left from the desk and went to other room to play the piano, watched "Ugly Betty" and other TV programs. It's sort of my daily life.

Now that I've done with my presentation, I have to start working on my research again. I want to find other ways to take a short break. Any advise for me??

So many

2008-11-17T17:33:00.003+09:00

These days, many people have degital cameras and take pictures easily. Also, it is the fact not so many people develop pictures. I mean, they don't print them out. I like to see printed pics. I can share pics with my friends at the same time.

My mother asked me to order prints so I'm working on it now. Usually, I order them on the Internet and pictures are sent to my address. Payment is done by credit card.

Whew~~~I took soooooooooooo many pictures this year.....It's a dahlia at my grandma's yard taken some months ago.

THE autumn scenery

2008-11-12T20:36:00.007+09:00

Last week, I went to the spa on the mountain near my home. On my way to the spa, I found really good scenery!! I'm really confident I took superb pictures of Japanese autumn!!
As I said before, I guess these red leaves are characteristics of Japanese autumn. Enjoy!!

The best shot!!

This gradation reminds me of Hawaiian gradation??

Cute, isn't it??

I hope you could enjoy Japanese fall scenery through these pictures=)

Autumn Scenery 2

2008-11-07T21:05:00.004+09:00

I wish I had had my camera...I went to university. I was touched by this scenery and thought I wanted you to see it. I just took this pic with the cellphone-camera. um~~the real view was really fine though...

Who,Which,Who???

2008-11-04T23:05:00.005+09:00

On May, @Chicago

Many Japanese TV reporters flew to the U.S and report the election in every news.

The atmosphere during the election really looks like kind of festival...it's totally different from the one of Japanese some election.

I wish I could stay in the States now...I wanna also enjoy this atmosphere (I don't have the right to vote though...)

Autumn Scenery

2008-11-03T20:40:00.006+09:00

Autumn tints the mountains with beautiful colors. The trees turned red and yellow...(I didn't see red colored trees when I was in the States.) My family went to the mountains to enjoy the autumn leaves. Actually, the best time to see beautiful autumn scenery already passed in my place. I guess we should have been there last weekend (but it's raining at that time). Anyway, I enjoyed the Japanese autumn scenery. Can you see the trees reflected on the river??
Today, Nov 3rd falls on Cultural Day (文化の日 Bunka-no-hi) in Japan. One of holidays in November. Many cultural events like concerts were held everywhere (I was working on my thesis though...) Usually, it's sunny on Nov 3rd every year but it's not this year. I guess many leaves fell because of intense wind and rain.

Weather forecast says it's 10c tomorrow...woo~~Winter is coming!!??

Parttime job 2

2008-10-28T21:26:00.010+09:00

Well, I had temporal part time job last week and today again (cf. parttime job 1 http://ilovegrapefrui2.blogspot.com/2008/10/parttime-job-1.html l) Right after I finished part time job about traffic jam investigation, I found totally same job provided by another company. I didn't have any reason to miss it! I called the office and was assigned to work on it last Tuesday, Wednesday and today from 4pm through 7pm.

We had to put on that helmet...(picture)

Day 1 (last Tuesday)

After my class was done at 2:30pm, I rushed to the office. There're 4 more part time job workers (all guys!) Our boss took us to the place we would work.

This intersections is really famous for heavy traffic...but actually, the routes I was searching was not so crowded.

Day 2 (last Wednesday)

This is another intersection which is famous for the traffic jam....Yeah, I realized it pretty much. In this research, I have to find the last car which is on the line...Around 5:30pm, it started to be crowded...and the last car was far from this intersection...like 500m~600m away...

Also, I have to check how long that last car will take to go through this intersection. That is...when I found the last car which was far from 600m, I had to follow that car to check when the car would go through the intersection.

I ran back and forth...so tired...besides, it's so cold.

Day 3 (Today)

Oh my gosh~~~~~It started to rain!!!

It's not crowded here...so basically I didn't have to run as I did last Wednesday...I don't know if it's good or not. I mean, I started to get cold because basically I was standing almost at the same point for 3 hours in the rain. (The tempurature is around 13℃, I guess...)

Now, I finished to take a bath but I still feel cold....I hope I didn't catch a cold...ohhh, I'm tired than I think...

How do you say "what did you buy?" in your languages?

2008-10-26T11:09:00.005+09:00

It's rainy Sunday...What about your place?

I'm working on my dissertation and I just came up with a question. Is there any oral language which requires two interrogative words to make an interrogative sentence if we follow prescriptive grammar?

For instance...

What did you buy? (English)

Nani-wo anata-wa katta-no? (Japanese)
(What-acc you..........bought -Q ?)
"What did you buy?"

After all, my question will be like this: How do you say "what did you buy?" in your languages? Do sentences in your languages include more than two interrogatives?

I'm currently searching this now...
I would appreciate it if you could give me the way you express 'what did you buy?' in your languages=)

Parttime job 1

2008-10-22T20:52:00.006+09:00

I have looked for a part time job since I finished my job-hunting. I took some part time job interviews so far but I couldn't pass all of them!!!!!!!!

The reason they didn't hire me is easy and clear. Becuase of my personality.....NO WAY!!(I hope...) It's because I can't work for a lont time. They know I have to quit that job around my graduation in six monthes (and I will start to work as a member of society).

....and finally!! I could get a part time job last week. That's only one-day part time job (haha). They don't care what I'm like because I will work for just one day.

At that day, I went to the working place at 6:00am.

This is my working place.
(It's not sunset! It's rising sun!!)

Yep! one of INTERSECTIONS at down town!!

My task was about how much crowded the street with traffic was.

My working hour was 7am-10am and 5pm-7pm. During that hours, I was standing outside for this investigation.

You know.....it's really cold!!!

Actually, the road was not so crowded...Besides, I worked on it with one guy. So, it's not so tough work (it's just chilling) and I was bored...

Well...the guy who I was working with looked like university student.

"Is he student from my university...??"

When I was wondering like that, he introduced himself just quickly and I realized he's 35-year old!!

He said his occupation was spiderman(steeplejack). He has applied for some temporal part time jobs because he can't earn enough money in his regular work. He complained his company didn't get many requests he could work as a spiderman.

Usually, I don't have chance to meet this kinda people...also, it's rare to work as a blue-collar. Everything I experienced at that day was special.

To be continued...

Changed header pic!!

2008-10-18T23:47:00.003+09:00

I changed header pictures. It's halloween version~~~
As I wrote down on the right side, it's part of the greeting card I sent to my family last year at this time.

I always use pictures I took for the header. The pictures I used so far are listed on the right side. I hope my precious visitors can enjoy them=)

Nice 3-day weekend

2008-10-13T23:47:00.003+09:00

We had a three-day weekend. Today was a national holiday called "Health and Sports Day"(体育の日、taiiku-no-hi).

Actually, I didn't know why today became the day related to sports. I thought it's just because it's good season to play some sports. I knew that Tokyo Olympic Games was held on Oct 1oth, 1964. Today, Health and Sports Day falles on the 2nd Monday in Oct to make 3 holidays in a row but 10th was the holiday until some years ago.

Well, I enjoyed good autumn weather and events. I will show some pictures later....after I worked on the preparation for tomorrow's seminar.

Missing my friends

2008-10-05T23:53:00.003+09:00

(It's me @ the top of not so high mountain)

I was dreaming last night. It was really long story. The place was junior high school, maybe. I was one of students. I don't remember what we did exactly but I'm sure I enjoyed there pretty much. There're many students who I didn't know.
Usually I don't see such many people like this in my dream.

Right after I waked up, I felt empty.

These days, I'm always blue.

Seeing the clear autumn sky gives me nostalgia.

I realized one of reasons was I couldn't meet my friends these days after I saw the dream.

Now, my university friends already graduated from university while I was in the States. Even though I go to my university now, there's no my friends. Actually, it doesn't matter so much. Of course, I miss my friends but I'm still OK.

What about my friends in the States? I always miss them pretty much. No matter how much I miss them, I can't meet them.

Now that I finished my job hunting, I'm always working on my grad thesis in my home. Basically, I'm alone now.

Yeah, I'm missing my friends much more than I thought.

I was wondering how I should deal with this situation, reading books in the morning.

Suddenly, my friends called me. They are my Japanese friends we met while we're studying in the U.S. They're students in other university in my city.

They asked me to have lunch because they had something to do and would come near my home.

Actually, I already finished my lunch but I decieded to meet them.

I already met one of guys after returning to Japan. It's first time to see the other guy after I met him the last time in the States.

I had really good time with them. I could feel relaxed.

Afrer I came back to home, I realized I was satisfied to be able to meet my friends.

Besides, one of my friends talked to me on MSN. It was first time to talk after we went back from the States to each country. Our chat last for one hour. I felt good upon hearing her voice.

Today's my dream was kinda predictive dream? I could meet my friends in reality and on the web. It's a nice day. They soothed me to some extent.

Have to go to the dentist

2008-10-02T10:51:00.004+09:00

In 30 mins, I will go to the dentist. This is the first time to go there after I came back to Japan from the States.

Before going to the States, I went there to check if i had bad teeth or not. I guess I had only some. I had my teeth fixed completly because it's expensive to go to the dentists in the States.

After 3 months passed in the U.S, I started to feel pain in some of my teeth. When I ate something sweet, I slightly felt that. Only three months!!?? But, actually, no wonder cuz sweets in the States are really sweet!!

Finally, I will go to have my teeth examined.
How many bad teeth I have now??

To be continued...

Prime minister

2008-09-26T11:52:00.006+09:00

The day before yesterday, former prime minister Yasuo Fukuda resigned and Taro Aso started to work as the new prime minister.

This is the newspaper which was issued the day before Aso was chosen.

Ususally, there's a corner which introduces what the prime minister is doing all the day in the newspaper.

At that day, they mentioned how Fukuda spent his last day as a prime minister as usual. Furthermore, they also said about Aso because we could expect Aso would be next prime minister. They still called Aso "Mr.Aso", not " prime minister Aso"

They mention all of things the prime minister did. For example, it said Aso got a haircut at a hotel in Tokyo at 10:59am.

What about the newspaper in your country? Does it include this kind of section?

The prime minister changed once a year...Is our country all right?? I'm not good at politics but I can't help thinking like that.

Lastly, new prime minister Aso is well known for Otaku, anime/manga nerd.

Lunch

2008-09-24T12:04:00.005+09:00

This is my lunch I just ate.
I bought it for 250 yen (2.5 USD) in a supermarket.

Delicious=)

I'm getting sleepy...It's really nice weather for taking a nap...

But...I have to go to univ to attend the seminar...

Visit a grave

2008-09-22T17:52:00.002+09:00

Tomorrow is autumnal equinox day, one of national holidays in Japan.

It's the day to visit a grave and show respects to our ancestors.

My parents and I did that yesterday. The grave for my paternal ancestors is near my father's home. That's less than two hour drive.

The grave is located at the top of the hill. We can see the sky and the sea well. The picture is a little bit dark but can you see some black stones? Those are common graves in Japan.

We offered some sweets called Ohagi and flowers in front of the grave.

After autumnal equinox day, the weather will be autumn one more and more.

Update-Feel identity in your mother tongue?

2008-09-18T00:31:00.007+09:00

Right after I wrote down the previous article titled 'dissertation nerd', I got a message. Thank you very much. Let me talk about it.

I wrote down like this---is it possible for people all over the world to use only one language for communication? No. Not to mention, there are tons of languages over the world.

Actually,,,I should have said more precisely like---is it possible for us to use only one language? Can we imagine the world which has only one language?

As the person who gave me a message said, there's a language called Esperanto. This language was made for all of the people to communicate.

I have no idea how many people can speak Esperanto but there are not so many people, I guess.
That's the point. How come it's difficult to be familiar with Esperanto?

I can say two reasons.
One is that Esperanto is artificial language. It means it's not easy for human to learn it. I need Chomsky's theory to verify my opinion...I will just recommend those who are interested to read Universal Grammar theory by Noam Chomsky...Sorry, I can't tell well...

The other is related to the identity for their mother tongue. If there's only one common language, we don't have to have our mother tongue. If everyone speaks same language, we don't need our first language. Besides, as I mentioned above, it's quite convenient for communication.

However, in fact, we feel identity in our languages. Some people feel their language is one of their culture. I also felt that. I didn't notice that Japanese people tend to use 'sorry' so often until I came back to Japan.
I guess this represent though of Japanese pretty much. I don't think all people can reject their mother tongue to unify one language.

I don't think my explanation is clear enough to understand...ohh...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for some comments! I really appreciate it! This is the one of advantages blogs have. Even though I live in countryside in Japan, I can talk with people from other places. I thoroughly enjoy it now=)

Let me add some points based on comments I got today.

At first, I should clearly point out that Esperanto is constructed language, that is, artificial language, not natural language. It's also said international auxiliary language which aim at communication between people who have different mother tongue.

The discussion has started like this...some of my friends said 'Sign languages should be unified'. I thought it's nonsense. If we think this in spoken languages, it'll be good example. All spoken languages can be unified? I don't think so.

And here, I got an idea 'Esperanto.' However, originally, Esperanto is NOT for unifying one language. It's just international auxiliary language.

Difficult to make my opinion clear in English...Well, I want to write organized blog...

Thank you for reading. I hope you can come here again soon(^^)

←More blogs written by Japanese in English.

Dissertation nerd

2008-09-16T22:14:00.004+09:00

I was working at the desk in my room all day. Of course, this is for my dissertation. On Thursday, I'll have my prof's seminar. I have to introduce how I will proceed my dissertation on that day to my prof and other students in our seminar.

In the last seminar, my prof said I should focus on sign languages. At that time, I talked what my job-hunting was going. My prof was pleased to hear that I got a job in the hospital. Therefore, my prof recommended me to work on something related to sign languages. Besides, I took American sign language class last semester in the States.

Some people just think sign languages are just 'sign', not languages. It's absolutely not true, I hope. Sign languages are human languages as well as spoken languages.

I hear some people say that they should make universal sign language which enables the deaf to communicate easily. It's not practical at all.

I should take spoken language as an example. Is it possible for people all over the world to use only one language for communication? No. Not to mention, there are tons of languages over the world.

This applies to sign languages also. There're many sign languages like Japanese sign language, American sign language, etc...

In my dissertation, I want to insist that sign languages are human languages through analysis of each language, comparing the features.

So far, I'm thinking of focusing on the 'wh-doubling constructions' in American sign language. I hope it's gonna be good topic to develop my thesis.

It took all day to think about what I said above. I read some papers and went to the library...I borrowed some book there (picture).

I want to work on my thesis from the perspective of syntax, the analysis of sentences. I studied kind of latest theory called minimalist sintax before going to the States.

One year has passed....totally forgot about it....(=0=)

Though that theory was born in the States, I learned the old theory there. Actually, both theories are complicating pretty much. Even though I read them in Japanese, I can't get it well. Rather, it's more difficult to understand them in Japanese than in English. The techinacal terms are hard to get. It's driving me crazy~~

...Can I finish my preparation for seminar until 2:30pm on Thursday...? Haha...whatever...

←You can go and meet many blogs written by Japanese in English.

Respect for the aged day

2008-09-15T19:57:00.005+09:00

It was 3 holidays in a row this weekend. It's because today is respect for the aged day(Keirou no hi,敬老の日 in Japanese),one of national holidays.

I saw many elderly people walking like this picture. I guess...more than 200 people?? This event seemed to be related to the respect for the aged day.

Well...this weekend, I was looking for a car for commuting. I will need it when I start to work next spring. I will talk about this later.

Crows vs My father

2008-09-11T16:08:00.003+09:00

Well, I could hear two crows cawing.

These guys suddenly appear from somewhere every day. I don't care about that. The only problem is that these crows attack my father when he is walking.

My father walks to the bus stop to go to his office. While he was heading for it, he was attacked by them....maybe twice? I'm not sure because it happened while I was in the States.

I just went to the porch to pick up some clothes hung on the laundry pole there. One of guys was looking (down) to me...

Where are they in the night? Where do they sleep? What time do they leave from here?...Should I observe them all day? No way~~a little bit curious though.

←more English diary

Dissertation

2008-09-11T12:00:00.002+09:00

I'm wondering about my dissertation topic. No matter which topic I choose, that will be related to syntax.

My prof recommended me 2 topics and told me to choose one of these. The one is about ellipsis. The other is sign language...Now, I'm trying to find some papers about them.

Getting tired...