Happy New Year from Tokyo

The new year has just started!

This year, I plan to study abroad.

Now I'm preparing for it.

Reunion

I went to a reunion party of my university. It was a tenth anniversary since our graduation. I met many people there. I can't remember some people well even now, but it brought back many memories. I felt somewhat nostalgic.

Next party will be held in five years. I'm looking forward to meeting them again!

Life's failure

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

- Thomas A.Edison

I was encouraged by this words. When I give up, I can get nothing. But if I do not give up, I might be able to get something important.

Now I'm in a very severe situation. My TOEFL score is still below my goal. And the application deadlines are getting closer. Every day I feel much anxiety.

Sometimes I feel that I want to run away from this situation, although I hate to think like that.

I think it is very important time for me. All I have to do is keep trying hard until I reach to success.

Typhoon

Because of the typhoon, trains didn't move in the morning yesterday. So I had to ride on buses to reach my office. It took one more hour than usual.

Japan has a lot of natural disaster, such as earthquakes, typhoons, and so on. One of my co-worker from China is surprised at these disasters. According to him, Beijing doesn't suffer earthquakes or typhoons.

In that sense, this is Japan.

Fighters clinch Pacific League Title

My favorite baseball team, Fighters finally clinched Pacific League Title of 2009 on October 6. This is the third time in four years. I'm very excited with the result. Before the opening game of this year, Fighters was said to be fifth rank in six teams. It was sure that Fighters has fewer star players. But the result is quite different. Fighters got Pacific League Title.

Game does not end. Climax series, which means play-off, starts soon before Japan Series. I believe Fighters will won again.

future

Which is the image of my future?

It is sure that I'd like to have brighter one. No one want a future like an arid land.
However, it is true that there are many obstacles in front of us to get a bright future. Someone might deceive me. Or I might make some mistakes. Or I might become serious sick. In that sense, I can't predict my future correctly.

Still, I want to have a bright future. To achieve this, what should I do? First, I should make a goal clearly. And then, I should plan what to do. That must be a tough way. But it's worth a try. In other words, without trying, I will regret it.

Falling love makes us more creative

This is a very interesting research!!!

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=does-falling-in-love-make

When you are in love, you think things more creative. According to the article, there are several experiments that support this theory.

I'm looking forward to hearing this following researches report soon!

refresh

I haven't played tennis these 5 weeks because I go to a library or prep school every weekend. But I realize that without playing tennis, I can't concentrate on studying well. Also, the lower back or the knees are starting to pain as if they want to do some exercise.

Although I take part in a yoga lesson almost every week, it is not enough for my body. Actually, after playing tennis, I felt refreshed. And I can concentrate on studying, maybe.

Tomorrow is Monday. That means another stressful week starts soon. But I'll manage to do that, because I played tennis today.

the Sound of Nails on a Chalkboard

I found this article at the site of Scientific American.
The title of the article is 'the Sound of Nails on a Chalkboard.'

I suppose that everybody knows this sound. And I believe everybody hates it. Who likes such kind of sound?

But I'm very surprised with the fact that there are people who research this sound. The researchers have to hear this sound during experiments. If I were them, I couldn't bare at all.
Why do they choose to research this sound? There are many things they could choose. Their choices are really mysterious to me.

Last September

I clearly remember what I did last September.

First of all, I traveled to Finland and Estonia! I visited Helsinki, Tallinn, Rovaniemi, and Kilpisjarvi. Helsinki was a really beautiful city, with artistic buildings and trams. Tallinn was also a memorable town. It was the first time for me to walk such stone-paved streets. I felt pain in my ankle, though. In Rovaniemi, I met Santa Claus! To my surprise, he spoke Japanese. Honestly speaking, I don't want him to speak Japanese, because I thought he was fake... And in Kilpisjarvi, I trekked all the way to the three-country border. The atmosphere of Kilpisjarvi was so sacred that I thought of myself and many other things very seriously. I can say that it was a precious time.

Second, I visited some rural areas of Tokyo, such as Isumi, Koma, and so on. At that time, I worked hard to prepare for the photo exhibition with my fellows. We went to many places to take photos and also printed photos in the dark room. It was very tough but I'm satisfied with our work.

On the other hand, this year what am I doing?

Well, I took several tests, including TOEFL, TOEIC, and GMAT. I have a TOEFL test this weekend, too. What else? I often go to a library to study. I often go to the prep school to study.

Still, I enjoy something. For example, I met Swiss friend in Tokyo. I found an interesting second-hand bookshop. I eat tasty sweets.

What am I going to do next September? Let me see...

Love is

Today, I bought this book on impulse.



The title of the book is 'Love is walking hand in hand' written by Charles M. Schulz.

What would you say if you are asked what love is for you?

There may be a various of answers.
My favorite song, 'The Rose', says, '...Love, it is a flower(razor etc.).'

In this book, the author shows many answers.
They are all simple, but persuasive.
(When your love becomes complex, that means your love is on the edge.)
For example, 'Love is hating to say good-bye', 'Love is being happy just knowing that she's happy...but that isn't so easy.' When I'm falling in love, I feel like that.

But I also think 'Love is to be honest in all you do.' This sentence is derived from my experience. What kind of experience is that? It's a secret.

Novel

I had a fever today, so I studied at home. I couldn't go out.

Before dinner, I looked at my bookshelf, and found a novel, 'Ryusei wagon.' I read this novel when I traveled to Hakodate this February. It has passed 7 months since then. I realized that I haven't read any novel these 7 months. It's quite unusual for me, because reading novels is one of my hobbies and usually I read at least 6 novels in a year.

I wish I had enough time to read novels. The novel I wanted to read most is '1Q84' written by Haruki Murakami. I like his book!

Sky

When I'm sad, I look up at the sky.

When I have trouble, I look up at the sky to find something.

When I'm happy, I look up at the sky.


It seems that I always look up at the sky. Maybe it's true.
It's because the sky is so big that I can find something I want in the sky.

The sky of Tokyo, where I live, is not so big because there are many buildings that cover the sky, but still I can see something that is vital for me. I have no idea what it is exactly. But it must exist.

Surely, the skies in the mountains or country sides are more attractive since few things object the skies. Also, in the night I can see a lot of stars, which I can't see well in Tokyo. So when I travel or go to the mountain, I often look up at the night sky. I think of a lot of things while watching stars. That's a precious time.

One day, I'd like to live some town where I can see massive sky all day long.

Serious situation

It seems that I'm in a serious situation on work. Everything doesn't work well this week. What happened to me in the world?

From Monday, my cellphone rings at 6:00 in the morning because the batch of the system fails every morning. I can't find out the cause of this failure. Usually, I can detect bugs or something within one day at most. But this time, it has already passed four days!

I want to study English more. I want to have time to write essays. I want to sleep more in the morning.

There is a more serious problem that was revealed today. This is really a serious problem. I know why this problem happened. But I don't know how to solve it. What should I do? I have to think about seriously, anyway.

But someday I'll solve these problems. Tomorrow is another day...

Depression

Why are they so depressed?
Who doesn't have any worries?
Everybody has his or her own worries.

I have a lot of worries, too.
But worries make me think of myself seriously.
In that sense, we ought to have a few worries.

But it is time to start solving some of the troubles.
I think I have too many troubles now.

Then, I want to be like him!

Is it for a customer?

I opposed my co-worker's questionable proposal. It had no merit for a customer. It might bring only trouble.

He told that we had to propose a change of the business process. But I believe not every change brings a good change. In political world, a lot of changes cause unrest.

Maybe he wants to make a large profit. But customers are not so stupid to accept such a proposal. Why do they pay a lot of money for making trouble?

This ridiculous argument will continue for a while. This means I feel much more frustration in the following few days. I'd like to convince him as soon as possible.

Financial crisis

One year has passed since the global financial crisis began. Many people all over the world suffer from this crisis. And many governments insisted that they need strict regulations.

However, things don't work well. Some financial institutions have started money game again. Do they forget what happened a year ago? Does this mean another financial crisis will happen in the near future?

I believe we need something strong regulation to stop this trend. Otherwise, we fail again, and more and more people would suffer from more serious recession.

Invitation from Nicaragua

I got a letter from my foster child in Nicaragua.

In this letter she said,

"I would like to invite you to come to my country again and to my graduation because you are special friend to me..."

She is going to graduate from primary school this year.

I'd like to go and attend the graduation reception, but I haven't finished preparing to study abroad yet. When do I finish? Although I want to finish it as soon as possible, it will take a little more.

Where is the most attractive town in Japan?

According to the survey conducted by Brand Research Institute Inc., the most attractive town in Japan is Hakodate, Hokkaido Prefecture. The ranking is below.

No.1 Hakodate(Hokkaido)
No.2 Sapporo(Hokkaido)
No.3 Kyoto(Kyoto)
No.4 Yokohama(Kanagawa)
No.5 Kobe(Hyogo)
No.6 Otaru(Hokkaido)
No.7 Kamakura(Kanagawa)
No.8 Furano(Hokkaido)
No.9 Kanazawa(Ishikawa)
No.10Karuizawa(Nagano)

I'm not sure whether this survey is conducted fairly or not, but at least I agree with the ranking.

Sapporo is one of my favorite towns in Japan. I often visit there. Sometimes I go there to watch baseball games, because Sapporo is hometown of my favorite baseball team, Fighters. Also, Sapporo has a lot of things to see. For example, a zoo, parks, restaurants, and so on.

I like Hakodate, too. It was this February when I visit Hakodate last time. I enjoyed eating delicious food, and walking around the beautiful town.

And Otaru. Otaru is also my favorite town. I went there last October. Otaru is very cozy and nostalgic town. If you haven't visited there, you should.

Other than those Hokkaido towns, I love Yokohama, and Kobe. These two towns are port town. A lot of foreigners live in those towns for a long time. And I have to mention that these two towns have China Towns. I love China Town, because if I go China Town, I definitely eat something delicious. My most favorite food is egg tart.

I'm sure that there are so many attractive towns in Japan. When I finish preparing to study abroad, I want to visit some towns in Japan.

Nelke?

I got a letter from a company named Nelke Brains & Hearts inc.
I was not familiar with this company's name. Brains? Hearts? Some medical company?

As I opened it, I found this company is a production of GAMARJOBAT.

What's Garmarjobat? This is an explanation from their site.

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Ketch! -red mohican and HIRO-PON-yellow mohican both performed independently as mime soloists, and in 1999 they formed the duo that was meant to be- GAMARJOBAT, which means Hello in Georgian. Their performance transcends all cultural and language boundaries and they have created a great buzz wherever they performed, including invitations to more than 200 festivals in more than 25 countries around the world.
Their unique performance style is based on a dedication to well-crafted stage theatre works and hilariously energetic street performances.
GAMARJOBAT are highly regarded artists appreciated by audiences around the world and they spend half the year touring overseas. Also in Japan, their performances at events and on commercials and TV shows as well as various festivals and theatre shows have been highly praised and enjoyed by audiences of all generations.
They are selected as one of “100 respected Japanese in the world”from Newsweek Japan.
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I saw their performance this spring. It was amazing! And, anyone can understand their performance because they don't speak any language on the stage.

By the way, the letter announced their 10th anniversary event in Tokyo. The event is going to be held 26th of November and 27th of November. I'm surely going to the event. I've already booked the ticket!