Flu Season

From three days ago, my father got flu… He had very high fever and strong pain all of his body. He looks very tired. He is on vacation now, so I don’t know it is good or bad. From yesterday, my mother said that she had a headache… maybe she’s going to get my father’s flu. My sister is always at home, so she is also in dangerous…. I am still ok, but I am really afraid of coming home and I can’t tell my family’s body conditions to my friends and co-workers! Should I tell them!?

Please be careful not to get flu!

Ijinnkan

On Christmas day, I visit Kobe Ijinnkan for the first time in my memory. My mother said that I have been there when I was very young with my family. However it was first time for me. There were many sloping road, so it was a little bit tiring. We went to Trick art museum. There were a lot of trick art in the museum for the name of building. I was very surprised and enjoyed looking them. After that we ate crape. Surprisingly, the shop existed more than 10 years ago. I became full by eating the crape. It was delicious. After that, we went china town and mosaic. I really enjoyed the day and I’ll never forget.

 

Nice Present♪

 

I got nice Christmas card from friend lives in America! She was 17 years old and she was used to study abroad in Japan and came to my high school about a month. When I was a high school student, I met a lot of foreign people. It was my high school’s good point and opportunity. She was really good speaker of Japanese. Although She visited Japan for the first time, she could do self-introduce, conversation and even read Chinese character. She joined our normal class such as world history and Japanese. My classmates were all surprised her ability. Our teachers were also surprised. She was very hard working and a little bit shy. She is Chinese American, so she could speak English, Japanese and Chinese. I know she can live everywhere in the world. Her dream is to be a doctor and I know her dream will come true.

 

 

 

Happy Friend ;)

 

Last week I met one of my friends from high school. She lives in Tokyo now, so I was very looking forward to seeing her. I hadn’t seen her about a month, but I met her as we met yesterday.  We went to Mexican food restaurant. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed talking about university lives, live in dormitory and family each other. AND, she got a boyfriend in a month!!! I super enjoyed listening her stories. After we ate lunch, we went Starbucks to have a cup of coffee. I enjoyed her story again. She looked so happy. Her happiness is also my happiness, so I was also very happy. She said that she is going to buy Christmas present for her boyfriend. I hope she chose nice one and he’ll like it ;)

 

 

20th Luminarie

 

I visited Luminarie with my friends the last day of Luminarie. 20 years have passed since Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, so this year was special year. The last day of Luminarie, there was special ceremony called ‘Syoutousiki’, many enemies walk together and sing Shiawasehakoberuyouni, which is song for the earthquake, after that, the light were all turned off. I saw the ceremony for the first time and I was very moved. Luinarie is very famous for one of illumination spot and dating spot. However, in fact, there are many old couple, single man and women and families. I mean so many people visit there to remain or not to forget the day, 17^th January 1995.

After I became a university student, I met a lot of people who are from various areas. In addition I noticed that the huge earthquake happened in Kobe is just its history. I was surprised and shocked. Then I decided to tell about that. I want everyone to be interested in the day.

 

 

Dinner with my teacher from high school

I ate out with my teacher from high school yesterday. She is a Spanish teacher. She works many high schools and universities. She also works at this university, so we could meet!

She has a Spanish boyfriend named Emilio. They met when she were in Spain as a Japanese teacher. He is very kind and always care about my teacher. I have never met him, but I saw him in the picture many times. They visit their each country many times. My teacher is very nice, funny and kind. I consulted with her many things such as long distance love and associating with foreigner. We had very good time eating Yakiniku. However, we ordered too much. We didn’t think the limit time. When the shop stuff came to us to say the finish time, there were still many meat. We were very surprised and ate in one sitting. Because of that, we had a stomachache and felt bad. I don’t want to eat yakiniku anymore for a long time. We also enjoyed talking in the train. She also lives in Kobe, so we could talk all the time. I was really happy being with her. I’m looking forward to meeting her again!

During the consecutive holidays

I went to Universal Studio Japan last Friday with my friends from kendo club. I visited there after a long time, so I felt something strange. I went there by myself and I found USJ is very near from my house! When I visited last time, about 4 years ago, I felt USJ is very far from Kobe. I think I grew up. ;)

 

We could ride a lot of attractions quite smoothly. It was great and we enjoyed talking while we were waiting. I rode Harry Potter for the first time and I was very surprised at the atmosphere of the area. They remained me of the scene which I saw in the movie.

 

In fact, I found myself that I am not very good at riding attractions, because I felt a little bit bad after I rode something…but I really enjoyed!!

 

We saw a kind of parade. The illumination was awesome! I couldn’t say anything. It was really gorgeous. I want everyone to see the show.

 

I really enjoyed the day, but unfortunately I caught a cold again. I have a sore throat and runny nose. It gets more cold day by day, so please take care!

Kobe Luminarie

Have you ever been to Kobe Luminarie? I hope you have heard the name. This is famous for its illumination. They are so beautiful. It is also famous for dating spot, but the purpose of this festival is not to forget 1.17: Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Kobe Luminarie is held in December every year since the huge earthquake happened. I visit this festival almost every year and I am moved by the illumination every year. I like the moment when the switch on a light. The view is amazing. Their design changes every year, it is one of surprising facts, isn’t it? When we are wrapped in the light, we can hear a song, Shiawase Hakoberuyouni. The song was made as revival of Kobe. All of students in Kobe city can sing this song. There are so many people in the festival every year, but in fact, it is endangered. To save this festival, stuffs try to collect donation called ‘100yen Bokinn’. If each visitor donates 100yen, Luminarie will be able to continue.

I really want you to visit Kobe Luminarie!

 

 

 

How to Buy Happiness

These days, I’m interested in reading books. I read books when I commute, so I’m not bored in the train. I have read several books and I found very interesting article; How to buy happiness. I want to explain what I read about.

 Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton are psychologists and they study how the choices people make with their money affect our happiness. Most people dream of being rich, and those dreams tend to involve expensive status symbols like trophy homes and luxury cars. However these types of purchases don’t fulfill us in the long term. According to their research, there are two ways we can use our money to buy more happiness. The first is to spend money on experiences rather than possessions. Even though you buy something very expensive, it will no longer be a source of happiness. However we can always remember the days when we spent the experience. We will cherish these memories forever. The second finding was that we should spend money for people who we care about or people we like. If you buy someone a present or donate to charity, it is often more enjoyable than spending money on yourself. Buying dinner for your friends will give you pleasure.

This is very interesting, isn’t it? I decided to spend money for my experiences and person I like. So let’s go dinner with me. ;)

I am Sam

 

                        

 

 

           Have you ever seen a movie, I am Sam? I think this is very famous movie and I watched it in class when I was a high school student.

          The main character, Sam is a mentally retarded person. His mental age was only 7. In fact, he has a daughter. He had to raise his daughter by himself because his partner escaped after she gave birth. He managed raising his daughter with a lot of people although there were many problem. However when his daughter reached 7 years old, he was judged by the government that he has no ability to raise his daughter any more. Because of this judgment, his daughter was kept by the place run by government. To get back his lovely daughter, he fight various way.

          This is really wonderful story and you can’t watch this movie without crying. This is also focus on social problem, so this is good opportunity to know them.

 

   

The next day I visit Kobe

The next day I visit Kobe, I caught a cold. I had a terrible sore throat and headache in the morning. However I had to go to part time job, so I didn’t tell my condition to my mother. While I was working, things went worse and worse. I couldn’t stand right way, but I couldn’t tell anyone because we were very busy because of Halloween campaign. There were so many customers who wait eating ice cream and I had to keep my face smiling even though my eyes were almost close.

After few hours, I fell down finally when I pick up big, heavy ice cream. One of my co-workers helped me and she passed me a clinical thermometer to check my body temperature. My body temperature was 38.5 degree then. I was very surprised and I decided to go back to home early.

From the next day, I lost my voice. Actually it was old man voice. My condition was very bad for a week. I became also conjunctivitis, so my eyes were pure red and very painful. Because of my terrible body condition, I couldn’t attend Kendo game. I really regret it.

 

I almost recover now. I could know how important my health is. I don’t want to catch a cold anymore. It’s getting cold every day, so be careful not to catch a cold.   

Visit Kobe

Last Saturday, I visited Kobe with my Kendo club friends. We visited there after we practiced Kendo at my university. It took almost 2 hours, so both of my friends looked very tired. Especially, Miko who is in our class, lost all the power to live. She looked sad rather than tired when we were sitting in the train. However, she became very powerful as soon as we arrived at Kobe. I was really surprised at her changing. 

First, we went to Kannonnya which is famous for its hot cheese cake. I have wanted them to eat the cheese cake, so I was happy to see them eating the cake. After we ate the cake, we hung out around Kobe. I felt really strange to show around my hometown.

After we hung out few hours, we went to harbor. Miko was very excited seeing port tower which is red. We saw the night view of Kobe. I like the view even though I have seen many times and I work there.

I was very happy, because both of my friends seemed enjoy visiting my town. I hope many people visit Kobe!  Please do not get angry with me, I know Kobe city is parts of Hyogo-prefecture. I should keep this thing by my heart all the time.

 

 

Happy Sunday;)

I worked part time yesterday. We are Halloween season now, so it was very busy day. We have to make many kinds of sundaes and they are very difficult. I didn’t still remember the way of making, so it took a time. I should make more and more sundaes and practice a lot. First, I was not looking forward to working during this season, but Halloween campaign is very fun!!! We paint pictures on our face and we put Halloween badges on our hut. They are so cute and I like them ;) We also do draw lots. You can draw lots per 300yen. If you are lucky, you can get nice Halloween goods.

All things you have to do is………..Go to Baskin Robbins lol

After my part time job, I met two of my friends from high school. They are my best friends. We ate dinner at Bikkuri Donki. I was very hungry, so I ate a lot. We haven’t seen for a month, but we talked as if we met yesterday. We laughed a lot. I really enjoyed with them. Before we say good-bye, they gave me birthday present. I was very surprised because their present was so nice! I got small bag that very cool bear on it, Kumamon towel, Asai-chocolate which is very delicious and a muffler. I like all of them! I’m very looking forward to wearing that muffler, so I hope it get colder soon.

I had a very great Sunday! I can hang on everything!

 

 

Trip to KYOTO

The last day of my summer vacation, I went on a trip with one of my friends from high school. We visited Kyoto! Although I go to Kyoto everyday, it isn’t familiar place with people who live in Hyogo-prefecture. My friend was very looking forward to going to Kyoto very much.

The purpose of our visit was to eat green tea parfait. I know the best place to eat it, so I took her to the shop. It was so delicious. I want everyone to eat the parfait.

We also visited many places. Especially, Tenryu temple was great! I was so surprised at the dragon on the ceiling. The dragon runs after me all the time. It was so great picture.

 

After we through Tikurin, we found a small shop famous for its eggs. They sold boiled egg, pudding and raw egg with rice. We ate boiled egg then. It was actually soft boiled egg, so it was very flabby and delicious. We ate them with only salt, but it was enough.

 

 

While we were eating, we found a strange man. He bought boiled egg many times and he ate them continuously. He ate at least 5 boiled egg, so we named him Yudetamago-Ojisan. He is so strange and funny.  

 

 

We really enjoyed the day. She goes to university in Kobe, so she expected me to explain about Kyoto, but I couldn’t. So I decided to study more about Kyoto! And I’ll take her to Kyoto again;)

Volunteer Work!!

During summer vacation, I did volunteer work. I taught English to children aged 2 to 10.

In fact, I held 'Summer Festival' with some of my friends from high school. We had a meeting once a week and we had to think all of schedule. We also had to think the budget, so it was very difficult for us. We were helped by English teacher who teaches English at English school and people who experienced this volunteer work last year. They advised us a lot. Thanks to their help, we could think clearly little by little.

We played many kinds of games and dances. We had two classes depends on students level, so we had to think a lot. The preparation was really hard, but we enjoyed making something very cute equipment. 

Students were very good English speaker, so I was very surprised. I was also surprised at their passion. They always tried to their best, so I respect them. I was nervous at first, but students' smile made me relieved.

From this experience, I learned a lot of things. I really felt the difficulty of teaching something. I have to study how to teach more. I also learned the strong power of stickers. All of children became happy when I gave stickers. Finally, I really felt teacher doesn't just teach something. Teacher has to scold children, praise children and grow children. I believe teacher is very challenging job.

2nd semester was started this week and teacher training also started.

I am really looking forward to studying this semester!

Shiawase Hakoberuyouni

Shiawase Hakoberuyouni is a song which is made by one music teacher in 1995. In this year, huge earthquake happened in Kobe. Everyone knows that is Hanshin Awaji earthquake. The place I live in now got the biggest damage then. It was said that earthquake won’t happen around Kobe. So most of people didn’t do any protection or measures. It made damage bigger and bigger.  

Everyone lost their house. My grandfather’s house was also crashed. I heard that it cost 100000000yen to build a new house.

To make people positive, this song is made. Not to forget this sad history and to take over, we had fire drills at least twice a year. We also sang this song then.  

Many people must know Kobe Luminarie. This is actually the symbol of revival from the earthquake. Luminarie is really beautiful, so I visit there every year. When I visit Luminarie, this song is played.

 

Please listen to the song!

Trial Week

I am going to introduce a special week for 14years old students around Kobe.

The week is called ‘Trial week’. We experience occupations during the week. It makes opportunity to know about social, so I had been really looking forward to this week since I was an elementary school student.

I worked at Uozaki elementary school which I graduated from and this school is the biggest elementary school in Japan. Although we submit our wish, our junior high school teachers decide the place we work for a week, but many teachers knew that I want to be a teacher, so I could go there.

I was a teacher of 2^nd grade students. They were so powerful and joyful. Before I met them, I was really nervous, but I relieved when I saw my students’ faces. They were really kind to me, so we could have good relationship soon. I played many games and I taught their studies, but it was very difficult to teach.

The week was very special for me. I’ll never forget the week. The week made my dream stronger. I really want to be a teacher.

The last day, I got letters from students. I was so happy that I cried a lot. Now, these are my treasures!

 

 

 

 

 

Paiyama

 

I’m going to introduce famous place among young people in Kobe. The place is called ‘Paiyama’. In fact the true name is the public square of Sankitaamore, but most of people don’t know this true name. When we hang out around Kobe with my friends, we usually meet here.  The reason why this place is called Paiyama is that the stone of this place looks like chest.

This place is also famous for street live. I visited here few weeks ago to meet my friends. While I was waiting, a young man started playing the guitar and singing. A long time ago, Kobukuro and Non-style use to do street live here.

However here is a little bit dangerous place. Sometimes there are many drunken men and Yankees although it is daytime. Nighttime is more dangerous so I don’t go here at nighttime. So if you want to go to paiyama, you should go with your friends!  

OKAMOTO

Today, I am going to introduce my neighborhood and my part time job.

 

 

 I live in the eastern parts of Kobe city and my nearest hankyu station is Okamoto station. Okamoto is famous for stone pavements. So there are many stone pavements around Okamoto station. Here is also famous for Ume. We have Ume festival once a year. Ume is our ward’s tree too. Near Okamoto station, there are many shops; 3 famous convenience stores, Tully’s coffee, Starbucks, Matsuya, Sukiya, Osyo, drug store, Tsutaya, RyuRyu, Masaya, MacDonald and 31 ice cream and so on. It is difficult for me to decide what to eat every time.

 

 

I work at 31 ice cream near Okamoto station. I work there because I like ice cream except mint taste. I always think I want to eat these ice creams while I scoop ice creams. It is difficult for me to remember the name of ice cream and customers’ order. We are conducting a campaign called ‘Happy 4 you’ now. You can eat 4 kinds of ice creams at 3 ice cream’s price, so I have to remember 4 kinds of ice creams. It’s not happy for me actually, but I want you to enjoy 4 kinds of ice creams! If you have any questions about ice creams’ taste, I can answer you. My recommend one is strawberry short cake, but it’s limited taste. So all things you have to do now is go to 31!

 

YUZURUHA Shrine

 

I went to Yuzuruha shrine today by bicycle. It took 20 minutes from my house. In Chinese character, this shrine is written “弓弦羽”. Haven’t you ever seen this name? You must know his name, Yuzuru Hanyuu. He is a champion of Sochi Olympic. This shrine became really famous when the Olympic began. Many people visited this shrine to pray for his performance. Mr.Hanyu also has been to this shrine before and he wrote a votive picture tablet then. I tried to find his one, but I wasn’t able to find it. However, I found many people wrote support massage for him.

 

 

I also found very tall, big and old tree. I was really surprised when I found it. I heard this tree is designated as Kobe city’s protection, so this tree must be amazing.

 

 

 

            After I went to Yuzuruha shrine, I enjoyed cycling after a long time. I didn’t apply sunscreen to my skin, so I got sunburned. However I had a great time. I want to play any kinds of sports more and more. I like sports both playing and watching. I’m planning to watch Kendo game of Hyogo prefecture in Jun, so I’m looking forward to seeing Kendo game!

Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge

 

 

     I'm going to write about Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge today. Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge ties up between Tarumi-ward and Awaji-Island. The length is 3911m, but plan of the length was 3910m. When Hanshin-Awaji earthquake happened, the ground moved 1m. This is the longest suspension bridge in the world. It costed 50 billion yen and it took 12 years to build this bridge. Only cars can pass this bridge, so we cannot walk or ride a bicycle on this bridge.

     When I was a junior high school student, I went to Awaji Island via this bridge for the first time. When I saw the front, there was just road, but when I saw the side of bridge, I could see sea. So I felt scary a little bit, but I enjoyed passing there. When I was a elementary school student, I rode a helicopter. Then I saw it from sky. I felt that modern technology is amazing. This bridge shine at night time, and the light design change every season. There is a park named Maiko Park and many people enjoy fishing there. 

KANNONYA

　　　　　　Have you ever eaten cheese cake of Kannonnya? "Kannonya" is a cheese cake and cheese shop in Kobe. Their cheese cake is really good! I like it very much.
　　　　　　The name of "Kannonya" came from the Goddess of Mercy. The founder of Kannonya worshipped the Kannon, and he wanted people to get happiness by coming the store.

Kannonya's cheese cake is hot. They are also very popular as a souvenir of Kobe. When we eat the cheese cake at home, we make it hot by using a microwave. This is the way to eat them better.
　　　　　Their cheese fondu is also famous. I have eaten that, but I don't like it very much. It was OK at first, but there were too much. So I felt bad finally...

　　　　　When I went there before, they had lunch menu like pasta or rice. I saw them for the first time at Kannonya, so I was surprised. Then I decided to eat pasta. It was good.

                                        I want you to eat Kannonya's hot cheese cake!

Ikuta Shrine

          I went to Ikuta shrine yesterday, so I am going to write about it today.
          Ikuta shrine is located in Tyuou-ward, Kobe-city. This is the shrine that Tomonori Jinnai who is a comedian and Norika Fujiwara who is an actress held a wedding ceremony although they got a divorce only two years later. The name of "KOBE" actually came from this shrine, so it represents Kobe. This shrine is a very old one, so it encountered Kobe-big floods in1938, Kobe-big air raids in 1945 and Hanshin-awaji big earthquake in 1995. Although it got huge damage everytime, it revived everytime. So this shrine is also called "Revived Shrine".

          This shrine is also famous as "Love fulfill shrine", so many couples hold a wedding ceremony every year. And there is a legend that if a man buy a white lucky charm and a woman buy a red one after they worship together, they will marry in the future.
          In conclusion, I want to visit Ikuta shrine again with my future husband!

Symbol Mark in Kobe

 

Kobe city's symbol shows the shape of fan and it also relate with history of Kobe. This is designed in 1907.

          Kobe is one of the most famous port towns. In the old days, harbors of Hakodate, Niigata, Nagasaki and Kobe were opened by Perry who came to Japan by black ship. Kobe port used to be said "Fan port", because the shape of Hyogo bay and Kobe bay look fan. So each of semicircle shows each port.

          There are one more reason. Kobe was used to be said "Kaube". To take over the old name, this symbol look like the word "Ka" in Hiragana.

          Although there are so many transportation such as plane, bullet train or bus, port of Kobe is still working. Big gorgeos cruises often come to Kobe. Both visiters and people around Kobe visit Kobe port to see these ships. International and historical city: Kobe is loved by people all over the world.

          So the symbol of kobe shows its history and now in Kobe.

 

The Night View of Kobe

     Kobe's night view is really nice. I'm going to introduce about it. Today, I went to Kobe Harborland to work part time. After my working, I ate dinner with my friend and we enjoyed a night view.
     One of the best night view spots is around Kobe Port Tower. This is a red tower in the picture. There were so many couples who enjoy a night view, so here is the one of their dating spots. Kobe Port tower was built in 1963 and the height is 108m. There are some restaurants in this tower, but I've never been to. 
     We can enjoy not only the night view but also shopping. There is a big shopping mall named UMIE. More than 200 shops in this mall. So we can go shopping in day time and and after sunset, we can enjoy a night view! Moreover UMIE is 1st anniversary now, so many shops are having an anniversary sale. 
     I really enjoyed  Kobe's night view today. I hope you'll visit Kobe and enjoy the view!

First contribute

I started blog just now! I'm going to write about Kobe.
I hope you'll like Kobe by reading my blog!