Tsuchiura First High School Festival

Today I went to a school festival at Tsuchiura First High School. I'd never been to a school festival before so I didn't know what to expect.

The first thing we saw was an amazing gate! I guess they use it every year.

Each student was wearing a class T-shirt that they'd designed themselves, and as guests left they could vote for which was best.




And each class had planned, designed and created a different theme for their classrooms. They'd spent a lot of time decorating the outside class wall and inside, too.

Some were really interesting, but the funniest was a 'haunted house' - junior high school girls who were visiting were screaming but I couldn't stop laughing!




I also found that the school still has one of the original buildings dating from 1902. The design is lovely and is based on western architecture. It is only open to visitors a few times a year, and inside some rooms are used as a museum. If you have a chance, I really recommend you go and see it one festival day.















 

Creatures ...

A skink right by my front door.

A frog on a window.

(Actually I put it there for Dusty to look at but he wasn't interested in it at all.)

Shopping basket

Here is my shopping basket. Yes, Kuro is in it :(

Cats LOVE sitting in something. When I put a basket, box or bag on the floor, both cats immediately run and sit inside. Of course it is not very hygienic that he is sitting in it. But it's okay - I have alcohol wipes in the entrance and wipe out the basket before I take it shopping the next time.

A full tank of gasoline

One of the things I learned after the March 11 earthquake is that it is surely better to keep a full tank of gasoline.

Before then, I'd always let the tank run down to almost empty, and it was just pure luck that I'd filled the tank only three days before the disaster.

Since then, when the tank indicator drops to 3 bars from the top (so about 3/4 full) I drop by a gas stand on my way to work and fill it up again. It means I have to go every few weeks, and I dislike self service gas, but at least nowadays I never have to worry that I won't have gasoline if any trouble strikes in the future!

June 1st

Wow, it is unbelievable that today is June 1st! New Year's Day just seemed like yesterday.

The last few weeks have been so busy ...

First, I needed to keep catching up on my own work and clients' work that was postponed because of the disasters. Luckily it seems that the end of May brought and end to the backlog of tasks :)

Second, last Friday I had a board meeting to attend. I left home at 7:45am and got back at 11:45pm. Worked Saturday, then Sunday I was in Yokohama all day! Hmmmm, I think I'm getting old because nowadays the metropolis makes me tired, not excited :)

Third, I had a lovely time last Thursday catching up with old friends for lunch. We were trying to work out when it was that we met last. Maybe almost 4 years!

Things have been so busy that I decided not to make a reservation at my hair salon. If my hair looks a bit strange lately, it is because I cut it by myself. Scary.

I'm really sorry that this blog has taken a backseat to everything else. I'll try my best to post every day again :)

Rustling in the grass

On Monday morning I was watering my flowers when I heard something rustling in the grass. "カサカサ"

At first I saw a small lizard as it ran away. Next there was a louder sound  カサカサ.....

It was a young snake! Not a baby from this year, but maybe one born last year because it was only about 50cm long. It was a lovely color with chocolate brown spots. Just recently I had been saying to my husband that I hoped to find a baby snake. (Baby ones are very cute.)

I'm sorry, I couldn't take a picture because I didn't have my camera and it was very shy and slithered away quickly. I copied a picture from another person's blog, so please visit that page and look at it. 

Aodaishou 

It was an "aodaishou" NOT a viper! Vipers have triangular heads and flatter bodies. My snake was long and thin with a very slender head and was very shy. In English they are called "Japanese Rat Snakes". They live here and there in Tsukuba. You can probably find them in Doho Park or in the land around your institute, or surely in the university grounds. It is nice that these green spaces are like mini-wildlife parks and protect the native creatures.

Nice biscuits

On the weekend I went to Tsukuba Bagel and found that they are selling a new item - biscuits :)

I tried two types and they were really good. Especially the raisin ones were delicious. You should try them.

Left - Pumpkin and Raisin
Right - Spinach (sweet)

Map of location of Tsukuba Bagel

New class for young researchers

I'm opening a new class for young researchers (or even older researchers who don't have much confidence!).

Please see below for the details. Feel free to mention this class to your friends and colleagues if you think they might be interested. It is NOT suitable for office staff - in this class the students must make some presentations about their research sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

プレゼンテーション、ミーティング、ディスカッションクラス

英語を仕事に使うことのある研究者ですか? 新しいクラスは英語のプレゼンテーションとディスカッションにもっと自信をつけたい方が対象です。

時間：     火曜日の18：20～19：20                                  

メンバー ：　6人

内容:

リスニングと議論 –

ネイティブスピーカーのインタビューを聞き、グループでそのトピックについて議論します。リスニング、文法、議論、グループでのコミュニケーションに焦点をあてます。ミーティング、セミナーなどでのフリーディスカッション、質疑応答などに役立ちます。

さらに、

プレゼンテーション –

プレゼンテーション英語を学習します。仕事に関する短いプレゼンテーションを行い、他のメンバーのプレゼンテーションも聞きます。質疑応答をして、プレゼンテーション方法、パワーポイント等によるプレゼンテーション資料の作成に関するアドバイスなどを行います。プレゼンテーション方法、リスニング、質疑応答、文法、記述、デザインに焦点をあてます。

レベル: 中低級～中級。若い研究者、英語によるプレゼンテーション経験の多くない方、英語によるプレゼンテーションの自信のない方、英語によるプレゼンテーションスキルを向上させたい方を対象にしています。

お一人様あたり、月に￥7000。(￥1750×4) + ワークシート代 (￥1,000/半年)       入会金 8,000円

Click here to download a PDF flyer with the details and contact information.

BBQ season has arrived!

Golden Week usually brings good weather, and that means ..... BARBECUE season has arrived! We had one BBQ in the holidays, and then another yesterday. (Just my husband and I.)

I like BBQing food because the method of cooking usually means most foods taste better. Meat surely tastes best when cooked over real charcoal.

Here are the foods I cooked/made for the past two BBQs:

- ethnic lamb kebabs on bamboo skewers
- pork spareribs in honey and soy marinade
- pork steaks in honey and soy marinade
- herbed chicken wings
- tandori chicken

- roasted sliced onions in olive oil
- baked red onion
- baked zucchini
- grilled eggplants
- grilled mushrooms
- grilled fresh pineapple

- fresh pineapple and red onion salad

You can find the recipes on my food blog :)

Tsukuba International Exchange Fair 2011

This weekend the Tsukuba International Exchange Fair 2011 is being held in Tsukuba Center, on the pedestrian walkway and open space between Nova Hall and Right On. 

Lucky the weather is perfect this year - for the past 3 or 4 years it rained or was cold and cloudy. 

You can find all types of international food and some booths selling ethnic crafts. The Tsukuba City International Division also has a booth with the city newsletter in different languages, and please take a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire they have regarding the earthquake. If you need help with any language barriers, the Organizers' Tent has some volunteer interpreters who can help you. 

This year a percentage of the sales of each tent will be given to the victims of the Tohoku disaster, so it is even more worthwhile to buy some delicious foods, enjoy them and know you are also helping out those in need. 

Have fun! 

Messages of encouragement from Tsukuba's sister cities, etc.

Sorry for my silence

Hi,

Sorry I haven't posted for a week. First of all, I was really busy, and secondly, the blog provider "Blogger" was closed for a few days for maintenance. We could read blogs, but not write on them.

Actually, for blogs or websites, we don't use the word "closed". If an internet site is not working we use the word "down". So ...

The Blogger log-in page for bloggers (blog writers) was down for a few days and I couldn't log in.

Today's talk about Uganda

Today we listened to Josephine speak about Uganda and herself. It was really interesting to hear about her country, culture and life.

It was amazing to hear that a bride's family is very strong in the negotiations for their daughter to be married!

If you would like to read about Uganda, please go to Wikipedia.

Pleeeeeeease open the door!

Dusty was asking my husband to open the toilet door. I have no idea why he wanted to go in there; no-one was inside!

I told you he was smart. He tries the handle, he even looks at the bottom hinge, and under the door. This time finally he gives up.

BUT he learned how to open it! Again, this door opens outwards, so that means he first must pull down the handle to unlock it, then pull the door from the bottom.

It is very surprising to be in the toilet and suddenly the door handle turns and he comes in! It is like having a small child - there is no privacy in my house any more :(

Special guest - Wednesday (reminder)

Remember, the special guest is coming tomorrow. If you would like to attend, please send me an email tonight or tomorrow morning :)

The royal wedding

Did you watch the British royal wedding last Friday night? It was really good timing with the public holiday in Japan. (There was a special public holiday in the United Kingdom for the wedding, so many people could watch it.)

I thought Catherine looked very lovely and elegant, and her dress was beautiful. The dress reminded me of Princess Grace of Monaco. It seems the couple are truly happy and Catherine's face looked radiant.

Do you remember Diana's wedding 30 years ago? I have some memories of it because my family all sat together in the living room of our house in Australia and watched a live broadcast. One thing I do remember is that Diana looked shy and nervous. I think that made an impression on me because of many fairy tales I had read. Princesses should be happy, not nervous! :)   Well, Catherine looked like a happy princess. (She isn't called a princess - her official title is the Duchess of Cambridge.)

By the way, a newspaper in Australia said that 6,000,000 (six million) Australians watched the wedding on TV. Wow! That is almost one quarter of Australia's whole population. (22,000,000).

Best of luck to the newlyweds and I hope they can live happily ever after!

* newlywed is not used for such a long time in English. I don't know how long is okay, but maybe for 6 months? In Japan the word can be used for several years?!

Farewell to my fish

After 6 years of keeping this tropical tank, I've decided (for several reasons) that I must find my fish a new home. It is very sad and I don't want to think about it, but it is the best thing right now. So this blog post is both and introduction and a "farewell". 

Yamato Numa Ebi x 1 (Caridina japonica)

Three-stripe Corydoras catfish x 3 (Corydoras trilineatus)

Pygmy Corydoras x 4 (Corydoras pygmaeus)

Peppered Corydoras x 3 (Corydoras paleatus)

Golden Angelfish x 3 (Pterophyllum scalare)

Black Neon Tetra x 7 (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi)

Plants

Anubias Nana  (Anubias barteri var. nana petite) {right side with small leaves)

Dracaena (Dracaena compacta) {left side with long leaves)

The tank (60cm x 45cm x 35cm)

The water level is very low right now because I don't want water to come out again if there is another big earthquake. Usually the water would be about 3cm down from the top. Actually, the tank is not at all beautiful right now. Last year I had more free time and it looked like a lovely garden. Now it is very simple with no design at all. 

Makurokurosuke Cat x 1

My favorite singer

For the past few years I haven't listened to much music. I don't really have any reason for not listening, just not in a music phase :)

But this is a video of my favorite singer. I bought 3 of her CDs when I lived in Tokyo 11 years ago. Her name is Sissel.

WHO??? is what most people ask me. But even if you don't know her name, I'm positive you've heard her voice. This video is of the song I like the most - but at the beginning and at the end, you'll hear the music she is most famous for. The producer of that music first heard her singing this folk song and wanted her to sing for the movie. The Norwegian folk song is called "I know in heaven there is a castle".

She sings a very wide range of songs - from this folk song which is a prayer, to pop music. Please search on Youtube and listen to some more of her music.





And this next video is the full length of the Titanic Overture. Many people think Celine Dion also did this, but Celine only sang the main song.




I think that if angels do exist, then this is the type of voice they surely have :)



Finally, please listen to this really interesting song that is called a wedding march, but is just "dum de dah" :)

Battle?

In Japan, the world "battle" is often used for some kind of disagreement with someone.

E.g. My sister and I had a battle.

But in English, "battle" isn't used in that way so often. Here are the common uses:

MAIN USE: one fight in a war 戦い
a bloody battle  血戦
a decisive battle　 決戦
the battle field  戦場


ANOTHER USE: struggle against = fight
a battle of wits　 知恵くらべ


a battle of words　 論戦, 舌戦


fight a losing battle 勝ち目のない戦いをする


a battle/fight for justice  正義のために戦う.
a battle/fight for first place　 首位をめざして戦う.


battle/fight against poverty　 貧困と戦う
a battle/fight for existence　 生存競争
die after a long battle/fight with cancer (sickness)　 がんとの長い闘いののち死ぬ



So how about a "battle" with your sister???
My sister and I had a disagreement.
My sister and I quarreled.
My sister and I had a fight.
My sister and I don't see eye to eye about ......

Dusty having fun!

I told you Dusty is smart, but he is also strange. He likes to roll around on the chair, putting his head through the arm, and go around and around :)

He'll keep doing this until I get tired of pushing the chair, and I give up.

Hey, look a spider!

.

Dusty: Hey, look a spider! Let's get it.

Kuro: No, look at ME!
             Take a picture of ME!