当時、美容学生だった教え子（現在は、美容師）に、「先生、化粧水を使うことと、保湿すること、いまからしっかりやっておいた方がいいよ。いつまでも若い感じでいられるから」「高い化粧水でなくてもいいからね。ハトムギ化粧水をたくさん使ってみて」と。

それから私は、今日まで、1日も欠かさず、ハトムギ化粧水を使ってきました。それからハトムギの保湿クリームも。

自分で言うのも変ですが、同世代の皆さんよりも、肌の見た目が若い気がします。

教え子に感謝。

しかし、ここへ来て、向上心が出てきました。

まだまだやれる！

化粧水について詳しくない私ですが、昨日、薬局で目に入ったマニョの化粧水を購入、使い始めることにしました。

スポイトのようなキャップ。

これからしばらく使ってみます。

また感想を書きたいと思います。

こちらの化粧水に関する詳しい情報、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

https://manyo-japanese.com/Product/Detail/view/pid/304/cid/101

実は、この日の朝、お店が今月いっぱいで終わりになるとの情報が入ってきました。（のちに、他の店舗の情報だとわかります。）

急にどうしたのか、心配になったのと、久しぶりに行ってみたいという気持ちが高まりまして、仕事終わりで行ってきました。

お店に到着して、藤麺を注文し、カウンターでご主人に、真相を伺おうと思っていたら、LINEが入りました。

今朝情報を教えてくれた職場の同僚の方からでした。「今月でお店が閉まってしまうのは、龍ケ崎のお店でした！」と。

いつも行っているつくば市上横場のお店ではなく龍ケ崎のお店の情報でした。

そちらのお店には行ったことがないのですが、龍ケ崎のお店をこよなく愛していたお客さんにとっては、ショックな情報だったのではないでしょうか。

今度は、ぜひ、つくば市上横場の本店に行ってみてくださいね。

今回もとても満足しました。

この頃、ダイエットをしていて、食に気をつけています。我慢する場面も多いのですが、時々、頑張った自分を褒める意味も込めて、角ふじ行かせていただきます！

もちろん、焼肉の時にも牛タンを食べています。

というか、大好きです。

が、これは、それとは違います。

仙台の牛タン、定食になっている牛タン。

このタイプ、これまでも何度か食べたことがあります。

どのお店もそれぞれに個性があって、美味しかったです。

こちらのお店も美味しかったです。

なんといいますか、ぷりぷりしている牛タンを食べたい方におすすめです。

店の前には、待っているお客様がたくさんいました。

こちらのお店に関する情報、リンクを貼らせていただきました。

https://gyutankaku.in/

ここのおはぎがとにかく美味しいと、知り合いの方に教えていただきましたので、秋保神社に行く前に立ち寄って、3種類のおはぎを食べました。

あんこ、きなこ、ごま。

どれも美味しかったのですが、個人的にはきなこが一番美味しかったです。

その後、秋保神社へ。ここは勝負の神の神社として有名です。

この日は、悪運斬り勝運祈祷が行われていました。

御朱印もいただいてきました。

こちらを訪れに、心が透き通るようになった気がしています。

そして、前向きに、頑張っていこうという気持ちが高まりました。

秋保神社のホームページ、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

https://akiu.org/index.html

素敵な空間、おいしいご飯で、リフレッシュすることができました。

私たちが宿泊した部屋はリニューアルしたばかりの西感。シモンズのベッドも入っていてとても快適でした。

夕食、朝食のテーブルの写真を掲載いたします。ここからも感じられるかと思いますが、とても充実していましたし、何よりも美味しかったです。夕食はこの後、次々に料理が運ばれてきました。山形の牛肉のしゃぶしゃぶがとても美味しかったです。

夜の時間帯はラウンジバーがオープン。スパークリングワインが飲み放題になります。

朝食は宮城県産のお米「つやひめ」がとてもおいしくて、3杯も食べてしまいました。

お米も美味しいのに加えて、炊き方もとてもよかったと思います。

こちらの旅館、個人的な感想なのですが、親孝行でご両親を招待して差し上げれば、とても喜ばれると思います。

食事も温泉も嬉しいと思いますよ。

特に、食事は喜ばれると思います。

こちらの旅館に関する情報、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

https://www.sanjirou.co.jp/

またブログに投稿したくなってきました。

よろしくお願いします。

ここ1年くらい「お寿司屋さん一人デビューをしてみたい！」と考えていました。やっと実現することができました。

日本酒（高清水）、おまかせ刺身盛り合わせ、冷やっこ、本日の煮魚。

おいしく素敵な時間を過ごすことができました。

とにかく、新鮮なお刺身、ボリュームがすごいです！

大満足すること間違いなしです！

こちらのお店に関する詳しい情報、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

https://tabelog.com/ibaraki/A0806/A080603/8024690/

今回は、天せいろにしました。太いお蕎麦にサクサクの天ぷら。美味しかったです。

蕎麦湯もいただき、大満足で帰ってきました。

時々、食べたくなるんです。お蕎麦の食べ応えがあるんです。そして、サクサクの天ぷら。最高です。

こちらのお店に関する詳しい情報、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

https://tabelog.com/ibaraki/A0802/A080201/8000199/

「ブロンコビリー」さんです。

先日、行ってきました！

美味しかった！

ハンバーグはもちろん、ご飯も美味しかったんですよ！

新潟県の魚沼産コシヒカリを大かまどで炊いてくれています。

最高でした！

「Sophisticated Life ――洗練と探究のある暮らし――」

「Sophisticated」とは、ただ単に表面的な洗練や高級感を指すのではなく、深い洞察力、洗練された知恵、成熟した心を持ち、物事を深く理解し、感じ取る力を意味します。それは、外見や行動に現れるだけでなく、内面の成長と探究心から生まれるものです。この一年、洗練された視点と深い探究心を持ちながら、日々の暮らしに新たな価値を見出し、成長を追究していきます。

●仕事：Sophisticatedな挑戦と探究

洗練された視点を持ちつつ、新しいことに果敢にチャレンジし、今までにない発想やアイデアを生み出す。良質なビジネス書に触れ、斬新な発想、取り組みに着目しながら、自分なりのアイディアを創り出す。英語力のさらなる向上と授業力アップを目指す。

●趣味：Sophisticatedな発信と旅

ブログやソーシャルメディア、ポッドキャストを通じて、上品かつ効果的に、時にユーモアを交えながら発信する。また、国内外を旅し、さまざまな文化や価値観に触れることで自分自身を磨き、豊かな感性を養う。その経験を発信にも活かしていく。

●日常：Sophisticatedな環境づくり

先祖代々受け継がれてきた土地や庭を大切にし、心を込めて掃除や整備を行いながら、心が安らぐ洗練された生活空間を作り上げる。日々の暮らしに品格と落ち着きをもたらすことを意識する。

●自分磨き：Sophisticatedなスタイル

「見た目マイナス10歳」をテーマに、ファッションや美容にこだわりを持ち続ける。外見だけでなく、姿勢や表情、所作にも気を配り、内面からも輝く自分を目指す。日々の小さな積み重ねが、自信と魅力を育てていく。良質な自己啓発をテーマにした書物にも触れてみたい。


2025 Theme (Goal):
"Sophisticated Life — A Life of Refinement and Exploration"

The term "sophisticated" refers not only to superficial refinement or luxury but also to deep insight, refined wisdom, and a mature mind. It signifies the ability to deeply understand and feel things, not just in appearance and behavior, but through inner growth and a spirit of exploration. This year, I will strive to find new value in my daily life while maintaining a refined perspective and deep curiosity, constantly pursuing growth.

●Work: Sophisticated Challenges and Exploration
With a refined perspective, I will bravely take on new challenges and generate innovative ideas and concepts. I will engage with high-quality business books, focusing on creative approaches and initiatives, and create my own ideas. I aim to further improve my English skills and teaching abilities.

●Hobbies: Sophisticated Communication and Travel
Through blogging, social media, and podcasts, I will communicate elegantly and effectively, sometimes with a touch of humor. I will also travel both domestically and internationally to immerse myself in various cultures and perspectives, which will help me grow personally and nurture a rich sensitivity. I will apply these experiences to my communication as well.

●Daily Life: Sophisticated Environment Creation
I will value the land and garden that have been passed down from my ancestors and work thoughtfully on cleaning and maintaining them, creating a refined living space that brings peace to the mind. I will be mindful of bringing grace and calm to my daily life.

●Self-Improvement: Sophisticated Style
With the theme of "looking 10 years younger," I will continue to focus on fashion and beauty. I will pay attention not only to my appearance but also to my posture, expressions, and manners, aiming to shine from within. I believe that small daily efforts will foster self-confidence and charm. I also wish to explore self-development books focused on personal growth.

AIに聞いてみたら、「農家の方は、普段忙しくしているから、お正月はゆっくりしたいと思います。ですから、機械で田畑の作業をしては、せっかくのお正月が台無しになってしまいます。配慮した方が良いですよ」とのアドバイス。

時間があるときに、雑地を綺麗にしたいと思いましたが、今日も断念しました。代わりに、本当に農家の方がこの期間に作業をしていないのか、車であちらこちら回ってみました。トラクターで田んぼ耕していた方、元日に1名発見、 1月2日に1名発見。以上でした。

やはり、AIのアドバイスは正しいのかな。

それにしても私が暮らしているエリア、田舎すぎる！あらためて、そう思います。（笑）

"Farmers are usually very busy, so they probably want to take it easy during the New Year holidays. Therefore, if you work in the fields with machines during this time, it might spoil the special atmosphere of the New Year. It's better to be considerate," was the advice I received from the AI.

I wanted to tidy up some overgrown land when I had time, but I decided against it again today. Instead, I drove around to see if farmers were really refraining from working during this period.

As a result, I found one person plowing a rice field with a tractor on New Year's Day, and another on January 2nd. That was all.

It seems the AI's advice might have been correct after all.

元旦の朝、都祇園「岩元」監修おせち 匠を食べてスタート。京都府京都市に37,000円のふるさと納税で注文したものです。美味しかったです。

昨年のお正月も注文していたのですが、昨年のお正月、私はロンドンに行っていたため食べることができませんでした。今回、食べられてよかったです。

ふるさと納税ではなく通常の購入の場合は、18,000円くらいだと思います。

https://www.satofull.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=3112819

Happy New Year!
Wishing all my friends around the world a wonderful year ahead!

We started the first morning of the year with OSECHI. We ordered it online from a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kyoto. It’s about 20,000 yen.

Osechi is a traditional Japanese New Year’s meal, carefully prepared and beautifully arranged in special multi-tiered lacquer boxes. Each dish has a symbolic meaning, representing wishes for health, happiness, prosperity, and long life in the coming year.

さて、この日は月曜日ということで、見学したかった五浦美術文化研究所がおやすみ。そのため、六角堂を間近で見ることができませんでした。
岡倉天心が愛したこの地。当時、天心はどんな思いで過ごしていたのか、思いを馳せました。

途中、中郷サービスエリアで喜多方ラーメンを食べました。これが美味しかった！

お店の名前であるキャンディ（Kandy）は、スリランカの地名のようです。

つくば市内で本格的なスープカレーを楽しむなら、ここ！

スープカレーのお店に行くのが初めて！という方のいらっしゃるかと思いますが、メニューにはオーダーの手順が書かれている上、わかりやすい解説付きです。加えて、店員さんがとても親切な ので、安心して行ってみてください。私も初めてでしたが、うまくオーダーすることができました。

まず、スープを選びます。

私は、初めてだったということもあり、オリジナルスープをチョイス。

10時間煮込んだスープだそうです。

スープの中には、さまざまな野菜に加えてゆで卵が入っていました。

個人的には、ジャガイモがとても気に入りました。

The name of the restaurant, Kandy, seems to be a place name in Sri Lanka.

If you want to enjoy authentic soup curry in Tsukuba City, this is the place to go!

It is the first time for me to go to a soup curry restaurant! I understand that it may be your first time to visit a soup curry restaurant, but the menu includes instructions for ordering and easy-to-understand explanations. In addition, the staffs are very kind, so you can go there without any worries. It was my first time, but I was able to place my order successfully.

First, you choose your soup.

Since it was my first time, I chose the original soup.

The soup is said to have been simmered for 10 hours.

In the soup, there were boiled eggs in addition to various vegetables.

Personally, I really liked the potatoes.

次に、具材を選びます。

皮パリチキンを選びました。

これが、ラーメリックライスの上に乗って来るんです。

お肉が苦手という方のために、たっぷり野菜、シーフードといったスープも選ぶことができます。

私は、次回、チーズハンバーグにしてみたいと思います。

Next, choose your ingredients.

I chose the skin-crispy chicken.

This comes on a bed of ramen rice.

For those who don't like meat, you can also choose soups such as plenty of vegetables and seafood.

I would like to try the cheese hamburger next time.

お次は、辛さ。

店員さんに「少し辛さも楽しみたいんです」と伝えると、「③か④が良いかと思います！」とのアドバイス。

今回は③を選びましたが、④でもいけたかなと思いました。

次は④にしてみます！

美味しかったですよ。

続いて、トッピング。

私は何も選びませんでした。

最後に、ライスを選びます。

ターメリックライスを選びました。

本格的なスープカレー、とても美味しかったです。

スープをもっと味わっていたかったです。

ターメリックライスとの相性も抜群でした。

上品な感じもしました。

Next, the spiciness.

When I told the waiter that I wanted to enjoy a little spiciness, he advised, “I think either Level3 or Level4 would be good! I chose (3), but I thought Level4 would also be good.

I chose Level3 this time, but I thought Level4 would have been fine too.

Next time, I will try Level4!

It was delicious.

Next, the toppings.

I did not choose any.

Finally, choose your rice.

I chose turmeric rice.

こちらのお店についての詳しい情報、リンクを貼らせていただきます。

I will be happy to provide more information and links about this store.

https://kandy-spice.com/

これから、機会を見て、カフェやグルメのお店などの記事をアップしていきます。

よろしくお願いします。

The English article is below.

土曜日の午後、1人で食べて来ました。13:30に到着し、それから45分くらい待ち、食べて来ました。

あんだ堂さん。

https://kurihara-seimen.co.jp/pages/38/

こちらは、麺が大好きな地元の方にも知られていますし、遠方から噂を聞いて駆けつけてくる人もいるお店です。

天ぷらうどん大盛りを頼みました。海老天、ナス天、それにオプションでまいたけ天も追加しました。

おいしかったです。スープも美味しいです！

  

本日は、ソフト麺の提供がなかったのですが、個人的にはソフト麺派です。

蕎麦、細麺、太麺もありまたし、ラーメンも提供されている時があります。

美味しいですよ！！

日頃の疲れが癒えました！

(The article in English)

Yesterday, I ate alone in the afternoon; I arrived at 13:30 and then waited for about 45 minutes to eat.

Anda-do.

https://kurihara-seimen.co.jp/pages/38/

This restaurant is well known among noodle-loving locals, and some peo ple come from far away because they have heard rumours.

I ordered a large bowl of tempura udon. I added prawn tempura, aubergine tempura and, as an option, maitake tempura.

It was delicious. The soup is also delicious!

Soft noodles were not offered today, but I personally prefer soft noodles.

Soba, thin and thick noodles were also available, and sometimes ramen noodles are also offered.

Delicious!

It helped me recover from my daily fatigue!

（詳しい情報は、「あんだ堂」さんのホームページからどうぞ。リンクを貼らせていただきました。）

今朝、ファンのポッドキャスターの方のサイトを開いたら、ブログも書いているこがわかりました。

そのブログ、とても面白かったのです。

あらためて、ブログって良いなと思いました。

画面に問題文を表示してありますので、紙がなくても見るだけで理解できるようにしてあります。

再生リストはこちらからどうぞ。

第１問

Aはスマートフォンに届いたメール。どのように返事を書くかがポイントでした。

Bはミュージシャンのファンクラブのウェブサイトを見て答える問題でした。

どれだけ素早く答えの根拠を見つけることができるかがポイントです。

第２問A

音楽祭のバンドコンクールの審査結果を基に順位を決めていく話です。

どれだけ素早く答えの根拠を見つけることができるかがポイントです。

第２問B

新しく赴任した教頭先生と生徒会長とのメールのやり取りです。

双方の主張をしっかり把握していくことが大切です。

第３問A

旅行サイトのQ&Aのところを見て、旅行の計画を立ててる内容です。

空港からホテルまで、どの交通手段を利用すれば効率よく移動できるか、時間を計算するところがポイントです。

第３問B

学校の広報誌に出ていたボランティア募集の記事を読む問題です。

時間軸を把握しながら読み進めていくことがポイントになります。

第４問

シスタースクールの生徒を１日、受け入れる計画を立てる内容です。

メールのやり取り、水族館の混雑時間に関するグラフ、電車の時刻表といくつもの情報を整理しながら読んでいくことが大切です。

第５問

ニュースリポートを読んで内容に答える問題です。

時間軸と登場人物を常におさえながら読んでいくことが鍵となります。

第６問A

アイスホッケーの安全性に関するポスタープレゼンテーションの準備をしていく内容です。

文章を読む前にポスターの空欄をチェックしておくことで、ポイントを絞って読んでいくことができると思います。

第６問B

甘味料に関する文を読んで問題に答えるタイプです。

難しい表現の甘味料がたくさん出てきます。そして、それぞれの甘味料が、白い砂糖の何倍の甘さがあるのかを理解していくことがポイントになります。甘味料を囲んだり、倍率が出てくるところを目立つようにアンダーラインを引いたりしながら読んでいくことがポイントだと思います。

【全体を通しての感想】

施行テストを基に、様々な出版社は問題集を販売しました。全国の受験生はそれを使って勉強してきたと思います。施行テストでは、伝記的な内容があり、それに手こずっていた受験生が多かったかと思います。それを克服しようと努力して来た受験生にとっては、肩透かしを食らったような気持ちになったかと思います。

また、全体的に文章自体は易しめだったかと思います。しかし、複雑な情報が多く、それを整理したり、答えの根拠を見つけるのに時間がかかってしまい、最後まで終わらなかった受験生も多くいたことと思います。

語彙力や文法・語法の力を上げていくことも大事ですが、同時に、英文での情報処理能力を高めていかないといけないと感じました。

At 11 am, we finished working in the new hall, and Seiji and I took a taxi to a restaurant where we had lunch and a couple of drinks. The restaurant was my favorite. The food was nice, and the atmosphere was nice as well. Besides, the restaurant's protective measure against the coronavirus spread was perfect. We enjoyed the meal in a private room and the entire staff wore face shields.

We spent a very long time eating and drinking. So far, I have had very busy days. Today was very special because I had a very relaxing time with my friend. I will start working hard again.

We have cold and windy days. Everyone, please take care of yourselves.

After lunch, I put fallen leaves together with a blower and burned them in the backyard. In the middle of the work, I had a coffee break under the maple tree. I enjoyed coffee and seeing colored leaves. It was relaxing me.

The second half of the afternoon, I went to a sports gym. I like to go there at least twice a week. However, for the last 2 months, my job was very hard and I didn’t work out at the gym often; therefore, I gained weight.

After the gym, I went to a watch shop to take the watch I had handed in to get a quote. I learned that the repair fee would be 8,000 yen and I gave up having my watch repaired.

Day by day, it is getting colder. Everybody, please take care of yourself.

I love the application called Fitness. It is so clever that I know visually how I burn calories, how much I exercise and how many times I stand up.

I realized that I have been walking over 10000steps everyday between 8 km to 9 km daily, it is equivalent to climbing to the 11th floor everyday and I have been sleeping for just 6 hours .

I will enjoy spending my time with the Apple watch.

On the first day, we reserved the big sports gym next to the city and carried out the big sports event. It was very successful from the opening event.

On the second day, we carried out other events within the school building and ground such as; a Christmas tree decoration contest, displaying the arts and craftwork that each class created by imagining themselves in the UK, and BBQ parties.

On the third day, each class chartered 2 buses as a precautionary measure (because we had to maintain social distance during the trip) due to coronavirus and went to a lot of places in Ibaraki prefecture.

We had heartwarming comments from many students. “At first I got very disappointed when we heard the news that our school trip had been canceled. However, through the 3 days, I enjoyed myself with my classmates and made a lot of memories.” “Through this bus tour, I rediscovered a lot of attractions in Ibaraki prefecture.” “Next year, I will be a 3rd-year student. I will study harder during this period.”

Nobody could predict the pandemic when the students entered our school. Actually, everyone seems to be confused and anxious. However, we will have to work positively as “One team.” Let’s go together with us.

The busy 2 months will be over soon.  For this period, I have been working without holidays.  Yesterday, I got a full body massage as a reward for myself. I felt very painful on every part of my body such as the neck, shoulder, waist, feet and temple. The therapist said to me, “You are worn out.”

There are many Christmas trees decorated  in our school.  The second grade students decorated them as an ornament contest.  They are very fantastic and making us feel Christmas.

Next week, I am going to make a speech for the parents.  I have already finished making a powerpoint.  It is a rare opportunity so I will try to make them feel fun and give them helpful knowledge and information.

We went to an authentic hamburger restaurant called Freshness Burger. She ate an avocado burger and I ate a classic burger. It was so awesome and everytime I bit, I said to her, “It is more delicious than McDonald'.” Soon after I said it to her, she repeatedly replied to me, “ McDonald' staff will get angry with you.”

We laughed and laughed, and had a great time.

Japanese people are used to wearing masks. But still, it is hard for us to wear masks all through the year. I am an English teacher. When I am teaching pronunciation, I need to show the movements of the mouth but I can not do this as it is a challenge while wearing a mask.

However, for this season we need to wear our masks strictly. I hope that the vaccine will be a success and becomes accessible to everyone soon.

The Photo is a facial mask my coworker gave me.. It is not related to the article.

The job interview dates have been scheduled. It will take place in two days. I have been communicating with the applicants on the phone calls and emails.  All of them have strong desires to teach English to our students.  I am looking forward to meeting them.

They appreciate my correspondence.  They said my correspondence was gentle.

I have one thing that I would like to ask them.  Our school is thinking of active learning.  Therefore, I would like to ask them their idea of how to make students learn actively.

I cannot wait to meet them.

I have been thinking about how to publicize our school effectively. So far, we mainly printed some posters for distribution to junior high schools.  This way was very traditional.  However it seemed to be quite old-fashioned

Last week, there was a city council election near my city.  Many new candidates were elected.  It turned out that they made full use of SNS in campaigning.

It might be true that the era of using flyers and posters is over. I think the time has come to make use of SNS like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for publicity and campaigning. 

We are now making an effort to invite foreign people to our school as English teachers. And I learned there were a wide variety of challenges to overcome in order to fulfill the dream.

First, we have to support them to get a temporary teaching license.  Some of the applicants already have international licenses such as TEFL and TESOL.  These licenses enable them to teach English internationally.  I heard that the applicants with licenses may be able to get temporary licenses easier than the ones without them. 

Others have experiences of teaching English in their own counties.  Others have a bachelor of Education.  In this case, whether they get a temporary teaching license will be different from each case.

Moreover, we will have to be a sponsor for changing their visa from student visa to working visa.

There are  a lot of hurdles to overcome .  But I will do my best for our dream.

The photo is a ramen noodle. I went to the ramen restaurant with Kazu. Kazu is a co-worker working together on accepting foreign teachers.

The photo is ramen noodle.  I went to the ramen restaurant with Kazu.  He is a co-worker working togther on accepting foreign teachers.

Last week, I posted the job opportunity at our school on Facebook.  Thanks to this site, we have already received too many applications. Therefore, we have decided not to accept any more applications.

Many of the applicants are either bachelor or PHD graduates.  Until today, I communicated with the applicants on the telephone or through the email.  Every applicant has a strong desire to teach English to our students.

We are going to decide the job interview date. However, I already feel terrible because we will have to choose 2 or 3 persons out of 15 applicants.

We have the most applicants than we have ever had. I feel Facebook is an effective recruitment tool.

Today I had a very happy experience.  One of my favorite students passed the first stage of EiIKEN 2nd grade.

I watched a YouTube video titled “The reason why most Japanese people cannot speak English.”  One of my favorite students introduced it to me.

The movie was produced by Atsuhiko Nakata, a popular comedian. In the video, he suggested that we should reverse the order to learn English. That is, speaking first, talking second, reading third, writing fourth and memorizing new words finally.  He explained the new order to learn is very important.

His explanation is so convincing, and I am actually learning this way.  However I have been making our students learn in the traditional order; memorizing new words first, reading second, writing third, listening fourth and talking finally. I will recommend my students should learn English in the same way as mine.

I relaxed because I was freed from the busy daily life. After reading it, I felt I was refreshed.
The anthology is so nice. He is a teacher teaching Japanese. In his work, he expressed his unique world by using his techniques. I will keep it and sometimes open it one by one.

This week was so hectic I barely had time to relax. I had been thinking about  the design and catch phrase for an advertisement in a newspaper which will appear on Nov 1sr.  The catch phrase I created is

Go to the next “Exciting” as One Team

The phrase “One Team” means working together as a team.

The HS where I work will start  an authentic ICT education.  Our students and teachers are supposed to introduce active learning, which enables effective interaction between students to teachers and student to student.  We would like to propose a wonderful and active learning with ICT system.

Our school is going to introduce iPads for all students. It will not be  just a tool for research, but it will  be the main device for lessons and homework that our students will have to work with.

I will prepare hard for next year.

Yesterday, I made a reservation for iPhone12 Pro.  I have been using iPhone X for the last two years.  It has a lot of wonderful functions and I like it very much.  However, When I saw the commercial on TV, I loved it at first sight.

I have been updating the video on my YouTube Channel since this spring.  I am feeling a strong attraction to the camera performance. I think if I use it, my video will be better than now.

I reserved it online.  It will be delivered home after they release the new item.  I wonder when I will get it, for I received the rumor that it will be difficult to get it soon unless we reserve it on the very first day.

Yesterday was the 5th day since the reservation began. 

Last Saturday, I went out to eat Mutton at a 120-minute all-you-can-eat restaurant with my co-workers.  After that, we enjoyed karaoke together.  Finally, we drank again at a Gyoza restaurant.  Gyoza are fried dumplings with vegetable and meat ingredients in flour wrappings.  The filling usually consists of a variety of vegetables and meat.

And Today I went out to eat ramen noodles at Kadofuji, which I wrote about in the diary.  The ramen noodles restaurant is addictive.  Whenever I feel hungry, I always have the urge to eat at that restaurant.

These days I have been quite busy but fun. I try to be careful about how long I work so as not to overstress my body.

Since long time ago, whenever I am too busy, I always get pain in one part of my body This time, I have a pain on the right side of my neck, in particular at the end of the neck. It is so painful that I cannot get up from the bed smoothly. I take a painkiller and go to work everyday.

Today I went to an osteopathic clinic and had a treatment on my neck. I am feeling better but I am a bit worried about how my neck will feel tomorrow.

I became an Executive Director this April. However, we are facing a difficult situation because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We had to call out both the spring and summer exchange program to Australia. Yesterday we managed to hold the board meeting for the first time since this spring. We used the platform Zoom.

However, as a Chairperson, it was difficult to limit the duration of the meeting. For such Meeting, we finished after more than an hour, which is quite long. Thinking about the participants’ points of view on the matter, I had to choose the speakers in the flow of discussion. However, at the end of the discussion, we came up with an agreement. The consensus of the group is below.

We are going to stop planning for the next spring program. And early January, we are going to judge whether we can carry out the next summer program. When we judge the program, we are going to consider three aspects. First, the Infectious Disease Warning level from Japanese government turns level 1. Second, Qantas Airways flights from Tokyo to Sydney and Brisbane reoperate. And finally, the schools are acceptable for Japanese students.

I wish students could interact freely as before soon.

About one year ago, when I was collecting fallen leaves with a leaf blower, a small stone blew and it hit a glass window, which made a small crack in the center of the glass. I left it as it was.

And then just the other day, I noticed there was a long line crack starting from the original one.

A few days ago, I called a house builder and told him about it.  He told me that I would have to change the whole glass itself.  Today, an estimate was delivered from him.  It said that it would cost about 65,000 yen. I wonder if it is expensive or reasonable.

I don’t have a sense of price for the things like that and I can’t tell if it is expensive or reasonable.

I harvested persimmons in my backyard and brought them to my school.  I served them to co-teachers.  They ate the persimmons, saying repeatedly “Yammy.”  I was very glad to see their smile.  However, they were not ripe enough. I had to wait for a few days.  I will grow the rest of persimmons in the tree.

At the end of the busy day, I came back to my desk to find there was a memo, which said,” a lady cleaner left Tsukudani for you.” Tsukudani is a traditional food, The one she gave me was ginger boiled in soy sauce.” Opening the bag on the desk, I found the Tsukudani in it.  On coming back home, I tried eating it.  It was very delicious.  I will eat it again with rice tomorrow morning.  She always gives me delicious food.  I appreciate it.

The photo is Tsukudani which she gave me.

First is that speed is the key to reform something. Of course, doing something in a feudal manner may create stability, but I think this method cannot reform anything in today's society. Today, a president from a college sent me an email and asked me to give him a chance to have a presentation for the students at my high school. He wanted to give a speech as soon as possible. It was really out of the blue, so I am a little concerned if the presentation will be successful. However, I will support his will.

The other is our principal's words; The pinch and chance are two sides of the same coin. It is important for us to change our pinch into our chance. He said it to the students in June, when we were under Covid-19 pandemic. I was impressed at his words. Whenever I recall his words, I always get encouraged and feel better. His words serve as a source of motivation for me to stay focused during the days ahead.

The photo is a salmon set meal at Sukiya, which has nothing to do with the article.

I mowed the lawn in my garden from morning to early afternoon. The amount of the lawn I did was equivalent to one small truck. 

While I was mowing, I sometimes smelled the aroma of the fragrant olives.  Every year, I enjoyed the fragrance and realized firmly that autumn had come to Japan. 

The persimmon has grown a lot in my backyard, on the other hand, mandarin oranges began to grow in my entrance garden. I will be able to harvest more this year compared to last year.  Although the skin was still green, I tried eating one of the oranges.  As I had expected, it was very hard and the taste was so sour. I could not wait to eat because I love Japanese mandarin orange very much. However I will wait for the oranges to grow ripe from now on.

I went to an authentic Japanese restaurant with my former student this week.  One afternoon this week, I received a message from him. It said that he had passed the final examination for a teacher recruitment.  

He had been studying very hard for nearly 4 years to become a teacher.  He studied English even when he was commuting by train every day.  

After he passed the first exam, he showed me an essay he wrote, which was answered for the past exam.  I strongly said to him,  “ You have not prepared well yet.  You should prepare more.”  I thought I said too much and I wanted to apologize to him for it.  However, he successfully passed the exam.  I was relieved.

I invited him to an authentic Japanese restaurant where my family often goes to for a long time.  Although I made same-day reservation, they welcomed and served a lot of kinds of dishes.  Also they said to him with smiles, “ Congratulations.”  Not only he but also I was very happy.

He said, “I am so excited, because it was the first time for me to go to a lovely restaurant like this.  Every food is delicious.”

Two weeks later, he is going to come to our high school to do his practice teaching /OJT (on the job training).  I am going to be his mentor.  I will be a strict mentor for him.

Today’s presentation was successful. In the questionnaire, a lot of participants wrote the messages to me. Such as; “ It was very nice.”, “Your voice is soothing to listen to.” and “It was easy to understand what you mean.” Besides, one of the participants drew a gold star on it. Also, one gentleman came to me and said, “ Your presentation was excellent. I will support you and your school. Please do your best.” He warmly said to me.

I am very glad and relieved. At the same time, I am very exhausted now. Actually, my mind went blank and I got speechless during the rehearsal yesterday afternoon. Until then, I had been proud of my speech. Whenever I made a speech, I spoke ad-lib. So, it was the first time for me to get speechless.

Last night, after I came back home, I remade my presentation sheets and typed what to say into each comment field on the powerpoint.

I became a bit humble due to some of those experiences. Also, I learned the lesson that preparing enough is very important.

The photo is my lunch my boss paid for after the presentation. It was awesome. Thank you very much.

I conducted a questionnaire for the students and compiled the results today. I clearly realized, the advantages of using iPads as I assessed the results.

Many of them replied that it was very helpful, because they could easily check the words that they didn’t know. Also it was convenient because, they didn’t have to carry a lot of notebooks.

On the other hand, some students pointed out a few disadvantages such as: the battery drains and the negative influence on their eyes

I will work on the disadvantages and assist on helping their academic development. I got good responses as a starting point.

They are going to create a new course specific to English. In the course, the students will have to take lectures and communicate with the professors only in English. Also, English will be used in the faculty meetings. It will be a very drastic reform.

According to the president, at first, people concerned with the reputation of the college could not agree with the plan, but he didn’t give up trying to make them understand the concept. They have finally supported his idea and agreed to open the new course next year.

After listening to his explanations, I said to him, “ I am very glad and excited to see both of you today. I can understand your enthusiasm and I would like to root for your cause.” After i had told him this, the president smiled for a moment and then he had tears in his eyes, saying to me, “I am very glad to hear that.”

I became attached to the college over the years and I would like to pay greatly support it. Also,a staff member of the public relations office of the college came to our school to meet me.