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.