My favorite character of "The Lady in the Lake"

 My favorite character in this story is Philip Marlowe. He is main character of “The Lady in the Lake”.

I think that he is very clever, cool and strong. Also, he is good looking guy. (I hope!) 

In the beginning, the request was seemed a usual case that a detective looks for a client’s wife (her name is Crystal). 

As Marlowe followed her shadow more, he knows there are a lot of mysteries. He went to many places to find answer by himself. He met some people who had communicated with Crystal. People told anything related with her to Marlowe. He could get some clues and made inferences. He could derive a conclusion based on his long experience. That’s why he was known that he was one of the best detectives in Los Angeles!!! So, he could solve the mystery brilliantly in the end as rumors say.

He meets dangerous situation sometimes, but he survives with a lot of luck. His character is hard-boiled in work, meanwhile, he could remember women’s legs only one time seen! I think there is a big difference between his appearance and personality. I like person like Marlowe who has the difference because I can see his humaneness at the efficient personality.

A letter from Julia to her farther

 Dear Farther, 

I hope you are doing well.

I’ve worked hard since I take over from you. 

First, I brought the Project Omega to a stop because this project was an evil plan. 

Fortunately, Miss Harper had made a copy of the Omega files, so I submitted it to police, many presses. The policed worked quickly and they chased related person. They could catch criminals. After that, I have not gotten up in trouble, I live safely now. I get in the lift without any concerns😊. 

As we talked before, our company “Hatfield International” was disappeared but a lot of money was left. After I solved the Project Omega, I created a Nonprofit Organization because I wanted to use our money for good projects, so that we can help people in New York. The organization gives them better homes, more jobs. I hope people can spend happier life. In addition, I want use money for developing countries, such as building school, arranging employment situation.  

There’s just one more thing, I have to inform you that I have been going steady with Edward. He helped me a lot not only work but also my private life. I hope you admit our relationship!

I will go to Florida soon with him. Looking forward to seeing you.

With love,

Julia

Where are you, dad?

It has passed 1 year since you disappeared. I believe that you live safely somewhere.  How have you been?  I’m thinking about you every day and miss you. I really hope that I can see you and talk to you again.

If you have a chance to write a letter, I have a lot of questions which want to know. What did happen to you 1 year ago? Did you get in danger at that day?  Did you get injured? Where do you live now? What are you doing now?

After you disappeared, I learned a lot about Hatfield International, economy and account etc. Now, I am working with well-experienced directors to develop Hatfield International well. All of us are thinking about our company where to go. When you return to home and Hatfield International, I want to tell you firstly what happened in the past 1 year. I lived lonely after you disappeared, so I have a lot of things which want to tell you. After you recover completely, I want you to discuss with directors about future of our company.

I miss you every day and really hope that you live safely and are back to home soon.

Life of country people before WW2

Before WW2, Japan was unequal society. The urban people had convenience life, but the country people’s life was not easy. Most of the country people had no running water and gas, and water drawing was daily hard work. The half of population was engaged in agriculture, but the lands suited to agriculture were limited in Japan. The half of farmers had their own lands, but another half rent the lands. It was quite hard to rent the lands because they could not harvest well due to unseasonable weather and natural disaster. In 1930’, some of country people sold their daughter into prostitution to rend the lands, and it was social problem.

Before WW2, women could not get same chance for education as men. After graduating elementary school, most of women had no chance for further education and only wealthy women could go to an upper secondary school, but it was school to learn sewing etc. to dutiful wife and devoted mother. Up to WW2 was over, a good wife and wise mother was the ideal image of a woman in Japan. In 1913, 3 women joined Tohoku university for the first time. I would like to thank various innovative step and hard challenge which people in Japan before WW2 took to improve life and chance for education.

The City in the Deep Sea - Yuming Matsutoya gig review

Yumi Matsutoya, Yuming's concert tour 'The city in the deep sea' will be performed on sixty-three stages, in thirty different cities from September 2021 to July 2022. Fortunately, I have had several opportunities to see the show, and the latest one was on 23rd April at Tokyo International Forum.

This time my seat was at the very center of the concert hall, which was not close enough to the stage to be excited but I could see the whole stage at one sight and enjoyed the stage-setting, and the lighting effects such as her avatar dancing, and the famous huge mirror ball, which provides a full of lighting shower as if from the heaven.

The set looked like a room of a submarine and there was a big window with a big screen at the center of the stage background, and a woman wearing diving gear sinking down to the bottom of the deep sea… and we were in her dream.

The sound of a pipe organ echoed solemnly. The concert started with my most favourite tune that I knew so well that my eyes were full of tears already, just hearing the introduction.

Yuming wore a Captain Nemo (of the Undersea Adventures) costume, and the members of the band were the crew, all sailing together in the deep sea.

As I knew the setlist quite well, I was ready for the next song and relaxed to be seated or to stand up for dancing. The audience was quite good and they seemed to get used to seeing a concert, they enjoyed themselves in their own way, so I enjoyed myself very much as well.

This concert is based on Yuming's 39th original album released in December 2020, which included the music about this world crisis, the pandemic and the fire of the Notre-Dame. When I saw the first concert, I was just happy to be able to attend such a big event in October 2021 when the pandemic seemed to be quite settled but this time we are still in the middle of the sixth wave of the pandemic and witnesses to the Ukraine War. Eventually and unexpectedly her album and this concert represent or even predict this uncertain world itself : the endless pandemic, unpeaceful world.

I enjoyed the concert very much as the perfect entertainment and also I was touched with the deep meaning of her rather prophetic music with no political messages but in style. I am going to see the same concert two more times again and am looking forward to it very much. I will never get bored no matter how many times I see the same stage, which always gives me a lot of hope and strength

Posted for super-fan Sayuri!

Talking Heads - young learners introducing themselves confidently

 

 With the new school year, we've found a few new classmates to get to know, and new books to get used to. Great opportunity to brush off an old favourite, Chatterkids app, to record our voices over our super cute self-portraits. Very easily done, and learners keen to 'bling' their pictures and rehearse their output, and willing to speak up with the anonymity cloak! 

Tundra Biome project - taking a text book project home

 

Check out this original work from three of our junior high school students, as a project extension to our class studies in Everybody Up 5. Class one = collecting ideas & googling for images, making notes, with my initial visualisation being a copy & paste job. However, as everyone was already using the PC in my classroom, I decided to let go of the mouse & keyboard & assist from the back of the room, leaving them with a Jamboard canves to populate instead. Two lads in class, sharing typing duties with a third collaborator online chirping in with editing ideas etc. I'm not 100% sure about their animal identification skills!

Biome research - googling!

There is not as much English content as I would have liked, but the task got the boys working together & thinking creatively, adding sticky notes & checking spelling, and learning how to collaborate with this online whiteboard tool. Class two: learning PC skills never did anyone any harm - it always dismays me how little Japanese students can do with tech. Regardless, this output was a personal mission for them & I am sure will settle the 'biome' concept into their memories.

Well done lads!

Expanded horizons - biome take away

Getting older – does it mean your life is getting worse?

Some people say that the childhood is the best time of your life, and that the older you become, the worse your life is. However, there are many older people who look live happily. 

 There might be some advantages for old ages, as well as disadvantages. On the minus side, you have many troubles with your health when you get old. For example, farsightedness or blurry sight from cataract, hearing loss, weaken legs, diabetes or even a serious disease such as cancer will be revealed. However, there are good solutions for your weakness today. 

For aged eyes, glasses for farsightedness or you can regain good visions with only one-day surgery. In most regions, older people can take their health check for free or cheaper and they can reach health service easily so that disease is found early enough to expect good prognosis. When you get worried about your health or any other problem, your friend will help you whom you’ve met through life. In younger ages, people move so fast and so often, only true reliable friends will remain as your friends when you become old.

To sum up, despite the weakness of old ages, I believe that old people can live stronger and happier than we think, with a little help of families, friends and the and the development of science and medicine.

Reiko’s best buddy

His name is H.He's from Japan and he lives at home with his parents and two sisters. He's 14 years old and he's a junior high school student.

He's short and he has curly black hair.He usually wears glasses.

He's shy and quiet, but he's talkative when he is with good friends. I think he's kind but a bit stubborn.

He likes reading books and newspapers. He reads a book whenever he gets free time.He's interested in many things, especially science and mathmatics. He belongs to the Science Club at school and he enjyoys it's activities.

Kaoru's best friend

 My best friend

My best friend is Mitsutoshi. We met for the first time at our elementary school. We went to different high schools and met again in the toy department of Aeon when we were university students.

He is as tall as me, but he is well built. We are the same age, so he is also going grey.

He is an employee of GP, and works in beverage sales. He is very kind. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, when my family was living in Tokyo, he sent us a box of bottled water. We were very grateful to him because we could not buy water at stores at that time.

He was a member of the modeling club during his university days, so he is very good at making plastic models. He taught me the technique of plastic model making.

During the pandemic of COVID-19, we have not seen for about two years.

You may not be able to help laughing at Box Cart Race

It has been decided that the event “Red Bull Box Cart Race” will be held in Matsumoto next year.

The original name is “Soapbox race”. It is said to have begun when American children enjoyed race using a soapbox with wheels. This race is called as below. “Box Cart Race in South Africa and Japan because soap box is less familiar with in Japan. “Red Bull Billy Cart Grand Prix” in Australia. “Red Bull Carros Locos” in Peru which means “Crazy race” in Spanish. “Red Bull Caisses a Savon” in France. “Red Bull Ladeira Abaixo” in Brazil which means “to the bottom” in Portuguese. “Red Bul Trolley Grand Prix” in New Zealand. “Red Bull Zeepkisten Race in Netherland.

This race started in 2000 at Brussels. More than 110 races have been held in the worldwide. At the race held in London in 2019, more than 20,000 people visited. Racer can ride a handmade car without engine. All teams are scored in some points of Creativity, Performance, and Time to goal. External design including costume, Car performance etc. are very important to laugh audiences much and to win the race. All teams drive the funniest handmade cars at full power and play it straight.

Due to COVID-19, we had to stay at home almost 2 years and this race will be an unforgettable event for audiences. I recommend our company to sponsor this event.

 

My friend

Her name is S. She is 24 years old. She's an esthetician.  She's from Matsumoto city and live with her boyfriend. She has black hair and is medium height. She is an extrovert and clever but she is a little stubborn... She likes studying nutrition for good health and beauty.

Report about Golden Gate Park

Summary:

There are a couple of theme areas in Golden Gate Park, the Conservatory of Flowers, the de Young Museum of Art, and the Japanese Tea Garden.

Now, each area requires special restriction for COVID-19. You need to check the rule before you visit all areas.

1. The Conservatory of Flowers

This place is highly recommended to whom is true horticulturists. The Conservatory of Flowers is botanical garden opened in 1879. The place has historical and symbolic attraction.

2. The De Young Museum

You can see art displayed in showcase, photograph, and costume from the world. De Young Museum has been a good place to explore in San Francisco for five centuries. Now, following special exhibitions are held. 

1. Frida Kahlo : Appearances Can Be Deceiving

You can see a treasure trove of Kahlo like jewelry, clothing and prosthetics.

2. Uncanny Valley : Being Human In The Age of AI

Contemporary art to ask what it means to be human in age of data.

3. The Turkmen Storage Bag

Some of museum's most prized pieces of Turkish textiles.

3. The Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is an oasis in San Francisco.

The garden was produced by a Midwinter International Exposition in 1894.

After the fair, Makoto Hagiware, a Japanese landscape architect was in charge of maintaining the garden as a permanent garden. With his passion, the garden grew from one acre to five acres and some of the trees are more than one hundred years old.

Now, the garden gives you quiet and peaceful time away from noisy city, and you can enjoy Japanese sweets in a tea room.

The Japanese Tea Garden will be only open Wednesday through Sunday each week, from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.. Bathrooms will be closed for COVID-19.

A best friend

What’s the definition of a best friend? How long we have known each other? How close we are to each other? How many secrets have we shared with each other? I’m 28 years old,but I’m still not quite sure.

T and M were my best friends, I believe. We met at university, and we lived in the same student dormitory.

I spoke to them for the first time, I was a second year student. We were elected as supervisors at the dormitory. We had spent time together in hard ship, and were closer than anyone else. I thought that we would keep in touch and get on well after graduation.

For some reason, we have suddenly stopped keeping in touch recently. It could be because M is getting married, or maybe it’s because I deleted my instagram account. I’m not sure that we’ll continue to be estranged from each other or not.

Posted for Anna K.

My favorite Knight of the Round Table - Sir Gawain

There are a lot of knights in this story. Among them, Sir Gawain was especially attractive to me.

Sir Gawain was generally said to be the nephew of King Arthur. Gawain’s parents were King Lot of Orkney and Morgause. When King Lot  died, Gawain became the head of the Orkney clan, which includes his brothers Agravain, Gaheris, and Gareth, and his half-brother Mordred.

Though Lancelot is often referred to as the greatest knight, Gawain is also referred to as the greatest knight of the Round Table. He was most recognized from story of “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”.

“Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” is one of the King Arthur legends.

During a New Year’s Eve feast at King Arthur’s court, an unexpected visited. The knight’s belongings were green, even a horse. The Green Knight approached about the game that he will allow whomever accepts the challenge to strike him with his own axe, on the condition that the challenger find him in exactly one year to receive a blow in return. Sir Gawain took his challenge instead of King Arthur. One year later, he fulfilled the Green knight’s promises. In addition, he met some challenges and coped well it.

According to the story, I can imagine that Sir Gawain had loyalty but also nobility. So, I understood that King Arthur put him trust.

The Cable Car Museum

 The Cable Car Museum in San Francisco was established in 1974. It is operated by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum as a nonprofit educational facility.

Open 10am to 4pm from Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm from Friday to Sunday and closed on Monday. 

Admission fee is free.

Located in the Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse.

There are various mechanical devices - grips, track, cable, tools and a huge collection of historic photographs. You can see the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables from the museum deck. 

Three antique cable cars are also famous. The Sutter Street Railway No. 46 grip car and No. 54 trailer and the Clay Street Hill Railroad No.8 grip car which is only car from the first cable car company.

At the museum store, books, clothing, cards and even real cable car bells are available. 

http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

© 2004 - 2021 Friends of the Cable Car Museum

Bus man's holiday - examining at Ueda Nishi High School

I had the pleasure a couple of weeks ago to conduct the speaking exams for students at Ueda Nishi High School (Nagano prefecture) at CEFR B1:Preliminary for Schools level, for our centre (JP004). I teamed up with a new colleague (John) who was good enough to drive (heavy snow the night before prevented me from doing the honours).

It was obvious that the students at this school had prepared themselves to exchange ideas and collaborate in their conversations, making our jobs relatively easy! The only disappointment for us was that there were so few candidates (from the English conversation club) when in fact the entire school studies English with a couple of full-time ALTs backing up the very competent and enthusiatic Japanese teachers. 

Maybe next year?!

William Tell & other stories - Nanaha's choice

 

Waving at the International Space Station

As regular readers will know, we are really keen to get our students at Luna into the reading habit, and creating independent thinkers & travellers of the mind. I think it is really important to enjoy what you are reading, and that it means something to you.                                                                                                                I was thrilled we managed a stellar "Eureka" moment last night with a group of extremely chuffed Eigonauts! Having finished their first choice readers (action packed stories) the last one in the bag was "In the Sky". Potentially a bit dull & flat - except we have an incredible resource just outside the front door!                                                                                                                                        During our previous lesson we'd talked about planets & stars, constellations too; we'd spotted Orion easily and noticed the half moon from the car park. Tonight's mission was time critical (and weather). My satellite tracking app told me it'd appear on the southern horizon at 18:32, giving us 8 minutes before the end of class to spot the International Space Station. My girls were watching the countdown while we did a few other tasks, and coordinated with our classmate in Nagano - via Zoom - what we were going to do & how (needed to use my iPad to "take the class for a walk!").                                                                                                                                                                                                            First of all we found Orion again, and tried to spot Gemini. We had watched a short NASA video

constellation identification

explaining the constellations in view in March, but we could not see Castor or Pollux. The moon was hiding brightly, behind BigBoy (restaurant next door) which was also very lit up, making our view west & south somewhat obscured. Next, we realised the buildings in front of us hid the horizon, and from the app we could see the ISS was going to keep fairly low as it tracked westwards over Utsugushigahara.                                                                                            We dashed upstairs and turned all the lights off, stepped onto the roof (safely!) and were immediately able to see the bright white dot moving across the dark sky exactly where the teacher said it would be! The girls realised that if they might be able to see it again in an hour & a half, it must be going very fast indeed! I asked them if they thought the seven astronauts would be waving back ("probably not, it's dinner time" they decided!)...but they kept waving frantically anyway :)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        And that was about all we had time for, though homework is to draw a picture of the night sky (I found them in the waiting room with the lights off, being very diligent, later!). "Happy?" I asked them. Far from it - they were deliriously chuffed to bits...and so, therefore, is the teacher.

Tracking satellites 

The "AHA!" moment :)

A lovely city, Florence in Italy

 

I have just read “Death of an English man”, written by Magdalen Nabb who was born in England in1947, and lived in Florence as well as Italy since 1975. The story is a murder mystery, set in Florence.

 

Florence is my favorite city! I have been there half a dozen times, and every time I visit, I feel excited again and recognize that I love the city passionately.

 

I think you must visit the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore which is the symbol of the city it is amazingly beautiful. The exterior of white, green, and pink marble is stunning, hence the name “Cathedral of Flower”. You will be overwhelmed by the magnificent construction.

"Primavera" Uffizi Art Museum

 

Next you shouldn’t miss going to the Uffizi Art Museum (Galleria degli Uffizi). “Uffizi” means “offices” in Italian. This huge Renaissance style building used to be the municipal office of the House of Medici, who were the political dynasty in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century and collected numerous Renaissance art. Well known paintings such as “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera” (Spring) by Botticelli , as well as amazing works by Leonard da Vinci are also parts of the collection. When I stood in front of the “Primavera” I was so impressed and couldn’t move for a while. You can appreciate many of the important art works there. There are many important artworks you should appreciate there.

 

Rivoire

If you feel tired, it’s a good idea to have a break at the cafe on the rooftop of the department store “Rinascente”. You can enjoy an espresso with a lovely city view. If you prefer a more elegant one, try “Rivoire”. It is an historical fancy cafe, facing the Signoria square. You can savour traditional chocolate and cakes with a fascinating atmosphere inside. They also have terrace seats. Their chocolate will be a special souvenir.

 

Santa Maria Novella Firenze

I would like to tell you one more place that I go every time I visit the city. It is an ancient pharmacy “Santa Maria Novella Firenze”. The history of it goes back in 1221. Dominican friars of the convent of Santa Maria Novella, started to grow herbs in the garden and created natural preparations. Now we can buy their original skin care cosmetics, with fragrances based on essential principles of aromatic plants. Their products are fantastic! You can find the shops in some Italian cities but Florence is the original, and inside the store is marvelous.

 

Teruki