Life is Wonderful!

Yesterday

2008-08-07T01:45:05+02:00

It's very hot at the moment here in Japan. I am very tired.

This Monday, I paid a visit my father in the hospital. He had an operation last week. A tumor was removed in the stomach. The tumor is very beginning and small, it was not a cancer fortunately. He is 79 years old.

I had my haircut, then I went to the library. I borrowed a book there. "The Summer Isles" by Ian R MacLeod, Japanese version

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Stealth marketing

2008-05-14T10:29:00+02:00

I learned Stealth marketing. I was surprised with this advertising.

For example you might be in a café or a pub and you hear people talking about something, maybe it’s a new mobile phone or a new service of some kind. You think they are ordinary people so you might consider that what they are recommending to each other is an honest source of information. But, you could be wrong. Stealth marketing companies employ actors to go to places where people are and they act out a script which involves talking about particular products or services.

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The Great Fire of London

2008-05-13T06:38:40+02:00

I read and listened to The Great Fire of London to improve my English. It's interesting. Do you know any films or books about the fire? I'd like to know the dramatic story of ordinary people on the disaster.

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The Gathering Storm

2008-05-06T08:04:07+02:00

Our Golden Week is finishing.

I watched The Gathering Storm. I have not read Mr. Churchill's writings at all. From this film I could see he was the greatest leader of his day and perhaps in England's great history, and this is a movie that shows Winston as the human, both of a father and a husband.

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A letter from Kamakura 雪の鎌倉

2008-01-25T12:38:44+01:00

Now, the ground in Kamakura is covered with snow up to my ankle at the deepest parts. It's a little bit moist but I can hear the lovely sounds kyu-kyu in walking. The snow is flying for a while yet.

On my way back from Enkakuji, I followed the trail of the hillside. Now I'm standing on a hill with a full view of the town in the valley. Mist lies over the mountain, and it appears attractive all like snowy country.

It's spoilt by the fluorescent white lights in the station. I think the warm orange lights of incandescent
lamps would be better to shine softly upon snow scenery.

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New Year's holiday

2008-01-03T13:53:48+01:00

I spent the New Year's holiday at home. My elder son came back from Tokyo yesterday and went back today. He is going to be back here again the next weekend to attend ceremony of coming of age. He is twenty years old now.

お正月は家にいました。長男は東京から昨日戻ってきて、今日帰りました。でも、また来週末に帰ってきます。成人式を祝うためです。今20歳。

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Great Expectations 1998

2007-12-19T08:17:04+01:00

Based on Charles Dickens' 19th century novel, this updated version of Great Expectations is well cast but even more frustrating and irritating to me than the book was. The story quickly loses the plot. If you know nothing of the Charles Dickens novel you will enjoy this film but those not familiar with it will enjoy it.
I want to watch old version 1946, but it is not sold in Japan.

Great Expectations 1998 は Dickensの「大いなる遺産」の舞台を現代のアメリカに移しています。キャストはいいのですが、本を読んだことはある人にはフラストレーションが溜まるでしょう。読んでいなければ楽しめるかも。私は1946年に作られた古いバージョンが見たいのですが、日本ではその DVDは売られていません。

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Monday

2007-12-17T05:21:41+01:00

My husband is off at work today. We went to swimming pool and swam just for half an hour this morning, came back home and ate lunch. I'm glad to feel lighter a little. We are going to the neighboring mall soon.

夫は今日お休みだったので、午前中プールに泳ぎに行きました。30分ほど泳いだだけですが。その後家に帰って、お昼を食べました。少し気分が軽くなって嬉しいです。今から隣の町のショッピングモールに行ってきます。

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Sunday

2007-12-16T01:51:45+01:00

My husband is going to be back from US on his business trip this afternoon. My daughter stayed in her friend last night and hasn't come back. My son went to play handball in practice matches. I'm alone at home. Nice weather outside.

夫は今日の午後アメリカからの出張から帰ってきます。娘は昨日お友達の家に泊まって、まだ帰ってきていません。息子はハンドボールの練習試合に行きました。私は家にひとり。外はいい天気。

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Sorrow

2007-12-15T04:38:01+01:00

Last week, my close friend's son died by car accident very suddenly. It was a real shock to hear that. She has immeasurable suffering. It breaks my heart.

先週、大切なお友達の息子さんが交通事故で突然亡くなりました。非常にショックでした。彼女の悲しみは計り知れない。心を痛めています。

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A nice chat

2007-12-14T09:07:53+01:00

I chat with my blog friend menhir via skype this week. I really enjoyed chatting with her. My English is not good but we could communicate each other. She gave me a lot of information to me. I'm very glad to get friends in blog.uk. I don't work at the moment and sometimes in low spirits for being at home all the time. I think this place lets me clear my head.

今週skypeでブログフレンドのmenhirとお話しました。私は英語を上手に話すことができないのですが、彼女と楽しくお喋りして、たくさんの情報を得ました。blog.ukでお友達ができたことが、とても嬉しいです。私は今働いていないので、一日中家にいて暗い気持ちになることがあるのですが、ここで日記を書くことで気分が晴れるかもしれません。

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What makes the 60th birthday so special?

2007-12-05T01:03:36+01:00

I reported the live of Elton a week ago. I mentioned that he was in red tail coat and the 60-year-old person wears red clothes in the special coming-of-age celebration. It's a Japanese custom "Kanreki" or "end of the traditional sexagenary cycle". From the Chinese calender, but I'm not sure the custom like "Kanreki" is in China.　

Sorry I forgot to answer the question of MrFlighty.
See here for details.

1週間前に、Elton John がコンサートで赤い燕尾服を着ていたことを書きました。60歳のお祝いで赤いものを身に付けるのは、日本の習慣で「還暦」と言います。これは中国の暦から来ているのですが、中国でも同じ習慣があるのかは知りません。

MrFlightyのコメントに答えるのを忘れていました。ゴメンナサイ。
詳しくはこちらを読んでください。

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A birthday concert

2007-11-29T06:02:24+01:00

I went to the live concert of Elton John, who is now 60, in Budokan a week ago. The concert hall, which was good crowd, is in central Tokyo. I really enjoyed the live. It started with "Your Song". He was in red tail coat. We Japanese wear something red on our 60th birthday celebration.

11月21日にElton Johnの武道館ライブに行きました。彼は今年60歳になりました。武道館は東京の真ん中にあります。ホールは満員でした。素晴らしかったです。コンサートは"Your Song"で始まりました。彼は赤い燕尾服を着ていましたが、日本では、60歳のお祝いの席に、赤い祝い着を身に付ける習慣があります。

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BBC News

2007-11-28T02:29:41+01:00

It's past 10 o'clock am here. The weather is not good, covered with cloud.

I can watch BBC news just 10 minutes in the morning on Japanese TV NHK BS1. I like the anchor Huw Edwards. Excuse me but appearances of Nick Robinson make me smile every time.

今日本は朝の10時過ぎです。曇っていて、お天気はよくないです。

毎朝NHK BS1でBBCニュースを10分だけ見ることができます。私はキャスターのHuw Edwardsが好きです。Political EditorのHuw Edwardsが登場すると、その容貌から思わず笑ってしまいます。ゴメンナサイ。

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A love letter

2007-11-27T05:47:29+01:00

I'm learning French too, taking French lesson at the university. I took the class this morning. We read a letter from Simone de Beauvoir to Sartre. It was so difficult.

私はフランス語も勉強しています。大学でフランス語の授業を聴講しています。今日午前中に、その授業を受けてきました。文献購読の授業で、ボーボワールが書いたサルトルへの手紙を読みました。難しかったです。

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English and Japanese

2007-11-26T03:44:32+01:00

The computer which is not installed Japanese doesn't show properly the last half. It might be unsightly appearance. Excuse me. What I'm writing there is same things in Japanese which I'm writing here in English. I'm glad you (who are learning Japanese) read my blog. Of course I'm glad you (who are not learning Japanese) read it as well.

日本語をインストールしていないコンピューターだと、後半部分は正しく表示されませんね。見苦しいですね。ゴメンナサイ。後半は、同じ事を日本語で書いています。日本語を勉強している外国人の方が読んでくれたら嬉しいです。日本語を勉強していないあなたが読んでくれるのも、もちろん嬉しいです。

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weekend

2007-11-25T15:24:45+01:00

Yesterday I went swimming pool in the morning, and studied French in the class in the afternoon. I like swimming. I've been studying French many years but it's impatient with my slow progress in it.

Sunday, today hang out at home all day but shopping to the supermarket in the evening. It was too nice a day to stay inside. I regret.

昨日は、午前中プールで泳いで、午後はフランス語のクラスに行きました。泳ぐのが好きです。フランス語は長年勉強しているのですが、上達しません。

日曜の今日は、夕方買い物に行っただけで、家でダラダラしていました。お天気がよかったのにもったいなかったです。

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sleep trouble

2007-11-25T00:09:52+01:00

I was going to start blogging again from the beginning of next year like this style in English and Japanese.

I went to bed past 10pm and awoke at midnight. I've been felt low for three years. I can't sleep well. I decided to write in my diary here for a refreshing change of pace.

来年になったら、このような形でブログを再開しようと考えていました。昨夜は、10時過ぎに寝て、夜中1時過ぎに目が覚めました。3年ぐらい、精神的に調子が悪く、あまりよく眠れません。気分転換に日記を書くことにしました。

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The anniversary of Freddie Mercury

2007-11-23T18:34:27+01:00

I'm Japanese, living in Japan. My place is near Mt. Fuji.
I try to write in English and Japanese from today.

November 24th is the anniversary of Freddie Mercury's death.
I visited London last month and see the place where he used to live in Earls Court.

My friend is living so close there. I asked her to see the place. I'm just wondering, many fans still visit the place that Freddie had been on the anniversary.

私は、日本に住んでいる日本人です。今住んでいる所は、富士山の近くです。
今日から、日本語と英語で日記を書いてみようと思います。

11月24日はFreddie Mercuryの命日です。
私は先月Londonに旅行し、Earls CourtにあるFreddieが住んでいた家を
見てきました。

友人が、その近くに住んでいるので、どんな様子か見てきてくれないか？
と、頼みました。今だにたくさんのファンが命日に来るのでしょうか？

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Where and What to eat in London?

2007-10-07T06:22:07+02:00

I will visit London with friends from Japan this month.
I'm looking for lovely restaurants in central London.
Could you recommend it?
We are staying in Kensington.

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Quote of the day

2007-07-25T02:30:58+02:00

“When one door closes another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” -Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

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The Diary of a Young Girl

2007-06-12T13:17:27+02:00

"I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to confide in anyone, and I hope you will be a great source of comfort and support."
-Anne Frank's first diary entry, June 12, 1942

Anne Frank begins her diary with the hope that she will be able to reveal everything to it, since she feels that she has never truly been able to confide in anyone. She tells the story of how she acquired the diary on Friday, June 12, her thirteenth birthday. Anne wakes up at six in the morning and waits until seven to open her presents. One of the presents is the new diary. Afterward, Anne?s friend Hanneli picks her up for school. Anne goes to gym with the other students, although she is not able to participate because her shoulders and hips dislocate too easily. She returns home at five in the afternoon. She describes several of her friends?Hanneli, Sanne, and Jacqueline?whom she has met at the Jewish Lyceum, the local school for Jewish children. SPARKNOTES

The word 'Book' was written in Otto Frank's calendar on 25 June 1947. That day, the first edition of 1500 copies of 'Het Achterhuis' (The Secret Annex) was published. On 25 June 2007 it will be exactly 60 years since that original publication. The Anne Frank House and the Netherlands Institute for War Documentation are taking this opportunity to organize a symposium in which the importance of the diary is discussed from various viewpoints. Anne Frank House

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poppies

2007-05-30T21:57:23+02:00

People look at poppies at a cattle ranch in Minano town, northwest of Tokyo May 28, 2007. (Reuters)

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Meet something on net

2007-05-16T07:46:54+02:00

Internet is the place to explore various possibilities to get something.

Meeting people is important for our life. I think I can change myself only after meeting someone or something I treasure.

There are lots of chances to stretch out my real field via Internet. I can find something new or start a new.

I know I need to get enough information to try a new start not to regret later.

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To live alone

2007-05-09T01:40:40+02:00

The following words were said by a Japanese female professor who was born in 1948. She is single and living alone. I like the line of thought. I translated it from Japanese. Point out any mistakes in my English.

1. All of us end up alone finally.

You have to be aware that "we are alone in the end" regardless being married or single, with or without kids.

2. For you, not for others.

Find value in yourself living now, not just in benefiting for the world around us.

3. Value link with unrelated people you can choose.

Take relationship you can select as one of solutions. Friendship can be made anytime and anywhere.

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Do you see what I write?

2007-05-03T07:33:42+02:00

I wrote an essay on another blog one year ago. I looked back on what I have written and now I couldn't understand it. I'm always writing something with dictionary, and nearly always end up by obscure sentences. Maybe I wanted to say in it that it's good to write just what you want.

Here is it;

I know we shouldn't underestimate expressing something. However, I don't think you must practice hardly for expressing. we can get much better at writing (how to express) little by little.

It doesn't take a miracle to speak what you should say. To put it briefly, you are fascinated with the beautiful night view of somewhere and earnestly declare "Extremely lovely! Great!". It is established as expression.

I feel better to meet the primitive vocabulary with passion than skillful style without heart. No problem to write just what you understand and feel.

Those who are looking forward to this have already appeared. Although I thought first that it's OK no one know here for a while, I'm said "I'm looking forward to it." It dropped from the clouds. Neither "I was moved" nor "that's good!".

That's the first feeling of making "pleasure". I'm in a wonderful atmosphere like selling good daily dish.

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He was dubbed as Mr Noodle.

2007-04-29T09:10:25+02:00

Momofuku Ando, (March 5, 1910 – January 5, 2007) was the Taiwanese Japanese founder and chairman of Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd., and the inventor of world's first instant noodles and cup noodles.

The three saying of Mr Ando became a philosophy of life:

Peace will come when people have food.

Eating wisely will enhance beauty and health.

The creation of food will serve society.

(from obituary in The Economist)

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A tip from Alison Willcocks

2007-04-16T01:54:09+02:00

"If you love something, set it free."

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was. We do not possess anything in this world, least of all other people. We only imagine that we do. Our friends, our lovers, our spouses, even our children are not ours; they belong only to themselves. Possessive and controlling friendships and relationships can be as harmful as neglect.

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If it does not come back to you, it was never yours.

If it does come back to you, it was always yours.

If it had a bad day, you had a bad day.

If it was happy, you were happy.

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Listen to whatever someone said

2007-04-08T04:41:33+02:00

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." Jimmy Hendrix

It means that too much knowledge might trigger stay-awayness, wisdom attract a number of people?

I would not have thought that American says these words. They clearly express their own opinion, don't they? Japanese sometimes think "Silence is golden". That doesn't sound very good.

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The Phantom of the Opera

2007-04-04T07:22:42+02:00

I went to see The Phantom of the Opera by Japanese actors in Tokyo with my sister last month. I saw the musical twice in London. I feel strange that they sang in Japanese in the musical. Anyway I enjoyed it and that was a good chance for a switch. I've been at home for a year.

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