Postcard from Suomi (Finland)

 

Dear Jim & Yukari

Hi!

It's been 4 weeks since I came to Finland and I finished my mission.

Time passes quickly!!!

It's frustrating day when I can't say what I want to say, but what you taught me is so useful :)

I think that I shold keep learning English.

Best wishes,

Makiko

Letter to Holmes

Hi Mr. Homes. How have you been well? I’m Glichrist. I’m working as a policeman in South Africa, and I’m doing good here.

I still regret that I shouldn’t have made the mistake. Although it may be a selfish, I feel thank you as I would live with a guilt feeling forever if I took the exam. In addition, my parents are glad me to become a police officer, and I think I could repay them. My parents would feel disappointed if I passed the exam and didn’t go back my country.

Every time I face criminals, I recall you. You hold me kindly when I cried, and I could tell you everything honestly. Sometimes, I do the same thing to people who commit crimes, and they open their mind to me. I learned importance to forgive people when they make mistakes. Of course, I shouldn’t do that for everyone as I have a responsibility to save safety of the citizens.

I learned a lesson from the past mistake, and I will make best effort to be a good police officer who can consider how people are feeling. Please let me know when you come to my country.

Letter from Miss Sutherland to Sherlock Holmes

Dear Mr. Holmes,

I had been waiting couple of months for Mr. Hosmer Angel after I visited your office. Previously, Mr. Angel visited my home when my farther went to France, but he never showed up at my house. I couldn’t forget about him easily and I wanted to know the reason why he left me. I believed he married with me. I put an advertisement on newspaper again to find him, however, I couldn’t see him. I had to take an absence for typing work due terrible feeling. 

My parents worried about me. They provided me with a ticket for dance party to get chance to meet another man. In the beginning, I didn’t want to go but I understood that I should forget Mr. Angel, so I went to the party. Then I met my future husband at the party. We talked and walked around. I concerned myself about him because I didn’t want to make a mistake again like Mr. Angel. Fortunately, as I spent with him, my worries were gone away. He will never disappear from me. I can trust him, and my parents like him. 

I’ve got engaged now. I’m happy now and I forget Mr. Angel completely. 

Anyway, you really helped me out last time. Thank you so much.

Best regards,

Sutherland

About ignored advise from others

Dear Mother,

Hope you are doing well. 

Can you imagine where I’m now? As you know, I have been traveling different place. When I’m writing this letter, I’m in Italy. I enjoy staying here. The weather is nice, people is kind and foods are delicious. I’m going to stay Italy for couple of months. 

When I’m writing this letter, I remember our worst time. We suffered a great sense of loss at my father’s death, but we didn’t have time to be depressed. I imagined you had hard time in England. For me, it was not as hard as I thought.

To be honest, I liked the life with you in England. I enjoyed playing with many friends. Because they didn’t know who I was. They didn’t care about my birth and my farther. When I was in Boston, we were lived lonely. People hate us and they were not kind for us. I pretended not to care about other people. 

After moved to England, I felt what nice world outside of Boston! So, I wanted to spend my life freely without any worries. 

I heard you help poor women and children in Boston. It’s really great things! It’s difficult for me to support together with you there, but I’ll send you beautiful clothes, foods, etc. Please let me know if there are anything to help. 

Take care.

Best regards,

Pearl

A letter from Pearl to her mother

Dear Mother,

Hope you are doing well. 

Can you imagine where I’m now? As you know, I have been traveling different place. When I’m writing this letter, I’m in Italy. I enjoy staying here. The weather is nice, people is kind and foods are delicious. I’m going to stay Italy for couple of months. 

When I’m writing this letter, I remember our worst time. We suffered a great sense of loss at my father’s death, but we didn’t have time to be depressed. I imagined you had hard time in England. For me, it was not as hard as I thought.

To be honest, I liked the life with you in England. I enjoyed playing with many friends. Because they didn’t know who I was. They didn’t care about my birth and my farther. When I was in Boston, we were lived lonely. People hate us and they were not kind for us. I pretended not to care about other people. 

After moved to England, I felt what nice world outside of Boston! So, I wanted to spend my life freely without any worries. 

I heard you help poor women and children in Boston. It’s really great things! It’s difficult for me to support together with you there, but I’ll send you beautiful clothes, foods, etc. Please let me know if there are anything to help. 

Take care.

Best regards,

Pearl

What did George use his money?

I hope he used to buy land for because he had promised with Lennie. The land was big, and there was a river. He made his farm, and plantation. As it was hard to manage his farm by himself, he hired some workers. 

He kept a black dog as a pet. A dog was named “Lennie” because the dog was big and kind like “Lennie”. When George played with the dog, he recalled a tragedy that happened in Lennie. He felt bad about what he did. He took care of a dog very much as if he asked forgiveness for the past sins.

As his job was succussed, he earned a lot of money from his farm. He was engaged in expanding his land more and more. When he was a worker, his goal that getting much money to buy farm or marry beautiful lady. However, his mind had been changed while his farm was bigger. He noticed that it is not important to earn money. He　understood that it is more important what he use the money for. After recognized, he spent the money for good things, like dotation for non-profit organization. 

As time goes by, a tragedy of Lennie fades away, but he suddenly remembered him, unexpectedly. George wanted to forget Lennie, but he couldn’t until his life end.

Letter from Brown to his doll

 Hi, my doll

I found you in a small shop when I took a walk in the warm sun. I was sometimes sad and often bored because I don’t have many friends, and usually don’t talk to many people. I didn’t have any definitive reason to buy you, but it might be one reason to buy you that I wanted someone to talk to even though you had never talked to me.

After I bought you, there were some strange incidents. For example, when I was taking a bus to go to an office, I heard that someone abused an old lady verbally, but all passengers including the Old lay thought I said it to the old lady. As this example shows, the strange incidents caused bad impact for me. Were the strange incidents caused by you? What is your purpose? Do you have something against me that you hold grudges? I do not understand at all why you caused me some troubles. If I am with you continuously, some bad incidents will happen to me continuously and you will break my life. It is much better for me to lead a boring life than having some troubles.

I am really sorry, but I have decided to say goodbye to you. And I hope that someone you love takes you new home.

Best regards, Brown

Postcard from...Bologna, Italy.

 

Ciao, Tutti!!

From Bologna

It has been 10 days since I came here in Bologna. Taking Italian lesson is not easy, but I am enjoying life here. I found good small restaurants and a lovely bakery, market. Basically Italian people are nice, cheerful and very kind. After staying few more days, I am going to travel to Puglia southern part of Italy.

with love, Teruki

My dog

I have a dog, which performs as a duck hunting dog originally, from last year.

Although this type of dog was the duck hunting dog, they did not hunt ducks directly. There were traps around pond to catch ducks and the dogs tried to get attention of the ducks by wagging their tails. The ducks were interested in the wagging tails and chased them. The dogs just leaded the ducks to traps to help people for hunting. Therefore, there is no ferocity, and they are calm and friendly.

However, they need a lot of exercise. My dog acts up by much stress if exercise is not enough. Since it is not enough just walk, I go jogging with my dog every day. Since she likes a ball playing, she repeats to catch a ball and bring it to me forever until I finish.

She sometimes becomes a spoiled child. She tries to get in the way of my use of smartphone by getting in between me and it. She is also cunningly clever. She sets chin, have a hand on me, or turn over on her side when she wants my attention. She knows people feel it is cute if she does it.

This dog is also good for training. She enters to crate by herself when I go out or she goes to bed.

I am glad to feel her growing.

What's Mr. Windibanks like?

Please let me introduce Mr. Windibanks. Mr. Windibanks is stepfather of Miss Sutherland. Mr. Windibanks was nearly fifteen years younger than mother of Miss Sutherland and they were married after Miss Sutherland’s father died. He works for a wine company.

Miss Sutherland received one hundred pounds a year from her Uncle Ned in New Zealand after her father died. She gave her mother and Mr. Windibanks the hundreds pounds, and he got it from Miss Sutherland’s bank and gave his wife it.

Mr. Windibanks had tickets for a dance every year, but he didn’t want her daughter to go to the dance because he though “They’re not very nice people”. Mr. Windibanks often goes to France for two or three days. During he was　there, Miss Sutherlands could get to the dance with her mother. After Miss Sutherland met Mr. Angel, he could visit her house during Mr. Windibanks were in France. After he came back to home, Mr. Angel wrote a letter to his girlfriend.

Mr. Windibanks was interested in his wife’s money. As well as the money of his wife, he was interested in Miss Sutherland’s money which receive from her uncle. If Miss Sutherland marries anyone, Mr. Windibanks may not be able to receive Miss Sutherland’s money. Thus, Mr. Sutherland did not want Miss Sutherland to marry.

 

How to make Amazake of Sakekasu

- Sakekasu: leas from making sake

- Amazake: traditional New Year hot (cloudy) sake (rice wine) drink. Often drunk when you visit a shrine after New Year; you can buy it from a stall there.

 

Do you know you can make Amazake from Sakekasu?

You may think Amazake is made of Komekoji, but you can also make Amazake from Sakekasu.

First, I’d like to the introduce ingredients.

The ingredients are for two people.

 

Sakekasu 50g

Sugar 2 tablespoons

Water 400cc

That's all you need.

Now, let’s see each step to make Amazake.

First, I will use Itakasu. you need to tear Itakasu into pieces before you use it.

 

Second step is boiling the water.

After the water is boiled, you need to turn down to a low flame and put Sakekasu into the water.

It’s ready to go to next step when the Sakekasu has dissolved at sugar.

 

Third step is adding sugar.

You turn up to a high flame

The drink is ready when the sugar has completely dissolved.

You can just serve the Amazake to your favorite teacup and enjoy it.

Amazake made of Sakekasu gives you gentle flavors of sake.

If you like, you can add ginger.

So far, I wrote about how to make Amazake on a stove.

Actually, there is an easier way to make it by using a microwave.

If you just want one cup of Amazake, microwave is very convenient.

You put about 30g of Sakekasu and a little hot water into a teacup and microwave it for 10 to 20 sec.

Then, you add sugar and hot water after you mix sakekasu in the cup.

It’s very easy for you to enjoy a cup of Amazake.

I hope you can have some peace and calm time with rich Amazake.

Super-easy recipe to make a chocolate cake

 I would like to introduce a super-easy recipe to make a chocolate cake.  I myself haven’t tried yet but will try before Valentine’s Day:)

You only need to prepare four ingredients; Oreo cookies, milk, chocolate chip, and whipping cream.

First, put 12 pcs of Oreo cookies in a zip-lock and crush the cookies.

Next, put the crushed cookies in a bowl and blend with 150ml of milk until you have a smooth batter.

Then, put it in a cake pan and place it into the microwave and cook at 500W for 5-6 minutes.

After that, put the baked cake in the fridge for 1 hour.

While you are waiting, prepare the chocolate cream.  Put chocolate chips and whipping cream in a bowl and place it into the microwave.  Cook it at 600W for 50 seconds.

Then, pour the chocolate cream on top of the cake.  Again, put it in a fridge for 3 hours.

Jainism and Hinduism

 Jainism:

Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the way to liberation and bliss is to live a life of harmlessness and renunciation. The aim of Jain life is to achieve the liberation of the soul.

Jains believe that animals and plants, as well as human beings, contain living souls. Each of these souls is considered of equal value and should be treated with respect and compassion. Jains practice vegetarianism strictly and live in a way that minimizes their use of the world's resources.

Jains believe in reincarnation and seek to attain ultimate liberation - which means escaping the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth so that the immortal soul lives forever in a state of bliss.

There are no gods or spiritual beings that will help human beings. The three guiding principles of Jainism, the 'three jewels', are right belief, right knowledge, and right conduct. The supreme principle of Jain living is non-violence (ahimsa). This is one of the 5 mahavratas (the 5 great vows). The other mahavratas are non-attachment to possessions, not lying, not stealing, and sexual restraint. Mahavira is regarded as the man who gave Jainism its present-day form. The texts containing the teachings of Mahavira are called the Agamas. Jains are divided into two major sects; the Digambara (meaning "sky clad") sect and the Svetambara (meaning "white clad") sect. Jainism has no priests. Its professional religious people are monks and nuns, who lead strict and ascetic lives.

Hinduism:

Hinduism is a religion with various Gods and Goddesses. According to Hinduism, three Gods rule the world. Brahma: the creator; Vishnu: the preserver and Shiva: the destroyer. The Hindu Trimurti consists of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. Most Hindus are principally devoted to the god Vishnu, the god Shiva, or the Goddess.

The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism.

Hindus consider the Vedas to be timeless revelation, apauruṣeya, which means "not of a man, superhuman" and "impersonal, authorless". The knowledge in the Vedas is believed in Hinduism to be eternal, uncreated, neither authored by human nor by divine source, but seen, heard and transmitted by sages.

Diwali is the festival of lights for Hindus and Sikhs. The celebration lasts for five days and is marked by sweets, fireworks and lights. It celebrates the triumph of good, light and knowledge over evil, darkness and ignorance. Diwali celebrates a good year of harvesting and honors the Goddess of Wealth.

Posted for Reiko

My lovely dogs

My family had two dogs. The first dog was sheltie and lived for 4 years. The second dog was beagle and lived for 15 years. The first dog called “BAU” liked to look for animals in the ground. When she winded a mole, she spent long time to dig a hole, and my family surprised much when she hunted animals.

The second dog called “ARAN” was very active and liked humans. When she went to a park only for dog, she did not play with other dogs and was always near other dogs’ owners.

They make us happy and taught us how tough we have a dog. We went walk a dog every day and sometimes went to big park on weekends. However, after they left, we think that we wanted to give them happiness more. We should have talked with them more because they could understand what we said thought they could not answer.　Also, we should have made more time to play with them because they have no one to play other than my family.

We have regrets a little for the two dog’s life, so we often recall the life with two dogs. The memories with our dogs make us happy again. 

Christmas Party photographs

Apologies that it has taken me a long time to edit the Christmas party photographs & post them to Flickr 

We had a super gathering and were thrilled especially to see Santa looking fit & well after a couple of years 'off''. Rinka & Yukari worked really hard to get our venue & food sorted out; Eleanor & Hinata really stepped up as big sisters and ran two of our crafts stations, and Naomi was a star getting the koinobori painting station sorted out! Thank you Miriam, and unfortunate Simon missed out having to isolate before his trip home to family.

A postcard from...Bath, England

Hi everyone,

I'm having a great time!

Wish you were here!

See you soon!
 

Simon

Hinata's country guide to - The UK

 

Hinata's travel guide to - The Vatican

 

Hazuki's pizza presentation

 

Taisei's quick guide to: France