Japanese first medal in the London Olymoics

Men's Judo - 60kg, a Japanese guy, Hiroaki Hiraoka won a silver medal, which is the Japanese first medal in the London Olympics.

He aimed at only a gold medal, and Japanese people expected him to get a gold medal, so he couldn't hide his shock.

Disappointed Hiroaki Hiraoka gives an interview

Getting a silver medal is really really great achievement, isn't it?

I saw a person who showed incredibly terrible behavior.
In the consolation match, an Armenian, Hovhannes Davtyan was being very exhausted. So he tied his obi (belt) loosely and whenever it came untied, he tried taking as much time as possible to retie it. Many times. Also, whenever a refree stoped the game, he lay down and slowed to stand up.
Hard to believe!! At least Japanese judo players never do such abject thing!

Of course, there were many booing in the competition site.

Judo put premium on spirit that technique. Learn the spirit first! The Armenian Judo federation doesn't know what judo is?
Shame on you!!


On the other hand, his opponent, a Frenchman, Sofiane Milous was commended for his refreshing by a commentator.
Although Hovhannes Davtyan showed such terrible behavior over and over again during the match, Sofiane Milous never showed any angry or upset look. He appeared to just concentrate on the match.

So I rooted for Sofiane Milous and he defeated Hovhannes Davtyan. Goody!

Unfortunately, he lost in the bronze medal match and couldn't get a medal. But he is still 24 years old. He is a promising young player.

The London Olympics has started.

Finally it has started.

I've always thought I should go to see an Olympics opening ceremony. And I pledged to go see the London Olympics opening ceremony when the Vancouver Olympics was held two years ago.

My article at that time
http://sandfriend.blogspot.jp/2010/04/im-going-to-see-opening-ceremony-of.html

I thought the same thing even four years ago when the Beijing Olympics.

http://sandfriend.blogspot.jp/2008/08/evaluation-of-beijing-olympics-by-other.html

However, I'm here in Japan now. haha...

Hopefully, Tokyo will be selected the host country for the 2020 Olympics and I will go!

One of the most impressed parts was the national anthem by the deaf and hard of hearing children.

It may be the greatest moment of a boy's life.

According to an article, a photo booth was set up in a shopping center in front of the Olympics center in the UK, and a surprise was prepared.

When people are taking pictures in the booth, a soccer player David Beckham pops his face round the corner and ask "Can I jump in?"

Everybody was VE----RY surprised. I realized that David Beckham is really the hero for all British.

The following video shows how they are surprised when they saw David. What impressed me the most was that a boy bust into tears!

The following article says about more about the boy. Cute!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2177896/London-2012-Surprise-young-football-fan-poses-Adidas-picture-shocked-appearance-David-Beckham.html

The London Olympics Games is starting soon!

Exercising an emotional muscle "Gratitude"

It is often said that "gratitude" is very important for relationship in many kind of self-help books. I try to keep it mind but often forget.

I found an article, which says that  if you want to be successful, you need to feel more gratitude, and you can exercise your sense of gratitude like a muscle.

The article is here;

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/gratitude-true-secret-to-success.html


It seems to be how to develop positive thinking rather than how to develop gratitude.

Anyway, I try doing it.

The situation of orphans in Russia

I saw one article aobut Russian orphans. It showed their facial expressions, the difference between their facial expressions shortly after being taken care of their foster parents and ones several years after being in those family.


http://bigpicture.ru/?p=281292#more-281292
(Russian site)

The circumstance of the most orphans' homes is very bad. Most important of all, being loved is definitely necessary for children.



I've known that the situation of orphans' homes in Russia and countries of CIS is terrible. So after reading the article, I checked it again.

One article says that the number of orphans in Russia doesn't reduces at all, and the main reason is destruction of families. I think it's caused by immature country's measures.

In spite of that, Russia is planning to reduce the number of orphans' homes in the country dramatically, and provide foster parents with the many which was used for the orphans' homes. However, it's often the case that people become foster parents for money. Also some children are abused by foster parents.

The following photo is taken by TASS. I'm not sure but probably they are kids in an orphans' home in Russia.
Whenever I see children with such bright smile, I feel a pain, and I can't help hoping that they are happy and something which makes them unhappy never happens.

What is it I can do?

Speech by the minister of Central Tibetan Administration

A small speech by Ms. Dicki Chhoyang, who is the minister of Central Tibetan Administration (aka Tibetan Government in Exile), was held in a temple in my neighborhood.

The main topic is about the current situation of Tibet. There was nothing new for me. But what impressed me was her atmosphere. She looked peaceful, cheerful and calm, but she also looked dignified, like Dalai Lama.

EURO 2012 - too strong Spain

Spain won the EURO 2012.
The final game, vs. Italy was 4 - 0!!

Spain won the cup  three times in a row, EURO 2010, World Cup 2010 and EURO 2012. Incredibly strong--!!

I wonder what the reason is why Spain is so strong. What is the difference between Spain and England?

Spain team celebrating in the dressing room

Movie: The Dark Knight

I have no idea why this movie made a big hit.
I dozed off during watching it.

EURO 2012 - Knockout Phase

EURO 2012 has moved to the knockout phase.

Surprisingly, Netherlands couldn't advance to the knockout phase. They couldn't win even one game.
Most people say Spain and Germany are the favorites in this EURO 2012.
Go for it, England!!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some Topics which are not associated with games.


One of the hot topics is an England player Wayne Rooney's hair transplantation.
He himself announced it on his Twitter.

Old Rooney

Current Rooney

When he scored a goal, he showed a performance which was pretending to spray hair spray in his head. haha!

He is such a cheerful funny guy!


UEFA imposed a fine of 100.000 euro on an Denmark player, Nicklas Bendtner, because he showed an underwear with an company's name.
Of course, the problem wasn't showing an underwear, but showing a company name.

100.000 euro!?!?!?!? It seems that UEFA is all too strict about advertisement.

No motivation

Somehow, I don't feel motivated whatever I do recently...

Develop willpower!!

EURO 2012 - Denmark lost in the Group Stage

Pity...

Denmark was defeated by Germany, and couldn't advance to the knockout Phase.

Really pity...

EURO 2012 - Wow, wow wow! Denmark! Almost!!

In the first game, Denmark defeated Netherlands, as I wrote before.

The second game, vs. Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo, finished just now.

In the first half, Portugal scored two goals. Ah... I almost gave up, but soon, Denmark scored a goal!
In the second half, Denmark equalized with a goal!!!!! I was so------ excited!

However, only 10 minutes before finishing the game, Portugal scored a goal. AH------! I was shocked!

I think, as a team, Denmark was much greater than Portugal. Portugal didn't function as a team, in my opinion. They just relied on some talents. (There was nothing good about Cristiano Ronaldo though.)

I have been keeping an eye on Denmark defender, Simon Kjær since the last World Cup. I think he is a capable defender.

Whenever I see him, I say in my head, "Cut your hair, delete your tatoo." haha

In this game, I found one more talented Danish player, who is Tobias Mikkelsen.
He entered the game midway, and as soon as he entered, he was showing good performance.

The difference between "up until" and "until"

I saw a sentence with the "up until."

I wonder if it is completely same as "until."
There might be subtle difference. I wonder what it is.

EURO 2012 - Shevchenko is still great.

I know Andriy Shevchenko is a great player, but actually I thought he had retired.

But he is still playing!
In the game Ukraine vs. Sweden, he got 2 goals and won by 2 -1.

I didn't watch the game, but he is still a great player!!

According to an article, He announced that he will retire just after EURO 2012. EURO 2012 is taking place in his native country Ukraine with Poland. It must be the best final scene for his soccer career.
Surprisingly, the article also says that he will make a career switch to a golfer and aim the 2016 Summer Olympics. I wonder if it's true.

EURO 2012 - Lampard missed EURO 2012!?

My favorite team, England is about to start a game against France.

I didn't know!! Frank Lampard, who is my most favorite player, missed EURO 2012 due to a injury.
Oh my gosh!! I'm shocked!! It's a great blow to England team.

Frank Lampard

Anyway, go for it, England!!

Oh, the game is starting. I'll come back to this article after the game finishes.

-------------------------------------------------

The game finished just now. 1 - 1. It was not a exciting game so much. England seemed to be focused on defense. In fact, their defense was almost perfect and France couldn't break it.

I felt that France's playing style has changed a lot compared to the time Zidane was playing.

It's 3pmam now. Good night.

EURO 2012 - It has begun.

EURO 2012 has already begun.
It is co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

The opening game, Poland vs. Greece was very exciting and eventful!!
European soccer is really fun!

I cheer for England and Denmark as usual.
This time, Denmark belongs to Pot B, which is called ”Group of Death."
But Denmark defeated Netherlands! Great!!

Japan is now full of the 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying round fever, but I'm not interested in Japanese soccer. It's boring because of their low level. When seeing Japanese soccer after watching European soccer, Japanese soccer looks like kids' soccer.

I can't say "likely to"

In a vignette I'm using this week for learning English, the idiom "be more likely to" appears many time.
As I was doing shadowing and overlapping, I found that I can't say "likely to" well. Apparently, (<-- I used it on purpose.) it's difficult for me to pronounce LY + T. My tongue can't keep up with normal speed.

I don't mind. I'm not a native speaker. haha.

Meaning of the word "apparently"

I just found that I'd used the word "Apparently" wrongly.

I've thought that the meaning of "apparently" was almost the same as "obviously" but I found it wrong, completely different.

However, when you say "It is apparent that ---",  it means something like "it is obvious", right?

Hmm... difficult.

Movie: We Bought a Zoo

It was a pretty good movie.

The story goes on calmly. Almost all are good people. No villain appears. No all too dramatic thing happens. Of course no action scene, no car chase scene, not fighting scene. Some people might feel bored. But for me, it's a good movie.

It was sprinkled with humor. It often made audiences laugh. Also there were many scenes which I was moved to tears at.

I think this movie can make people feel happy and warm.

Book: "Lincoln the Unknown" by Dale Carnegie

I read the famous Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" some times. In the book, Carnegie often mentions about Lincoln. That's why I thought I read this book.

Hmm...
Abraham Lincoln was surprisingly depressed person, surprisingly. And his wife was surprisingly a terrible horrible person, morbid hysteric. It is said that Lincoln's unhappiest thing was not the assassination but marriage.

The God gave him the gift, which was his great talent for speech in public. I couldn't find any other reason that he could be the president.

I could know more details about the America Civil War as well as about Lincoln.
Horrible. Incredibly amount of people were killed. Yes, war is always horrible.
Ｗａｒ is always conducted on a surface cause. In the case of the American Civil War, it was conducted on the pretext of the emancipation of slaves. However, it was apparent that even Lincoln didn't fight this war in order to emancipate slaves. In fact, he himself said it. The real purpose of this war was completely different from the the emancipation of slaves.

In despite of the fact that it was not Lincoln's intention,  eventually, the emancipation of slaves was his biggest achievement.
However, while I was reading the book, I was wondering where this war was going and felt scared.

Kill-THREE-birds-with-one-stone website

A TV station started this April broadcasting presentations in TED, and I decided to watch it because I thought it's useful to see presentations in English.


I didn't know of TED. It's good to know!!
You can see many GREAT presentations!!

The TV station shows the presentation with just Japanese subtitles. But I found the website of TED and you can chose subtitles from various languages.
http://www.ted.com

It's very useful for improving my English listening skill. But above all, you can know various knowledge, and learn effective presentation ways.

It's exactly killing THREE birds with one stone.

Movie: Clash of the Titans

 
"Wrath of the Titans" has been just released, so before that, "Clash of the Titans" was broadcasted on TV.


I like Greek mythology. But some situations were changed in the movie. It can't be helped, because it's a "Hollywood movie."

In Hollywood, not only mythology but also highbrow literature works are always converted into just "entertainment."

I like Hollywood movies and often watch them, but I sometimes feel that some of them are somehow shallow.

I wonder if some of Americans who grew up amid such shallow entertainment can understand something deeper works, like French movies, or even Japanese movies.

By the way, the movie used many great actors, such as Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.

Ralph Fiennes as Hades and Liam Neeson as Zeus

Bombing low pressure

Incredibly strong wind and rain are hitting Japan today.
News are full with this topic all day today. There are many damages across Japan. It's as if huge typhoon hit Japan. But it's not a typhoon, but storm wind.

Many people had trouble to get home. It reminds us of 3.11 last year.

Don't watch TV in Japanese!

Prior to planning the strategy of the Operation Listening-improvement (OLI), I've started watching all TV programs in English. If a program is provided only in Japanese, I wouldn't watch it.

Actually I've always thought I should have been doing that, but I wasn't able to resist watching Japanese TV programs...

It has been a few days since I started doing that, and I somehow feel my listening skills are improving a bit. (No way! haha)

However, I'm allowing myself to watch morning news in Japanese, because if I watched both morning and evening news in English, I couldn't understand details of important affairs in Japan and in the world.

By the way, I wonder why English in news is much easier to understand than in dramas and movies. Although I watch one drama several times, I understand just its outline. I'm sad that I always miss something subtleties. It can't be helped.

Anyway, my motivation is high at the moment. I'm sure that it will be up and down. haha.

Finally spring?

This winter was really cold. During the winter, greetings among people were "this winter is very cold." And recent greetings are "spring is slow to come this year."

But it seems spring is finally coming. I felt something spring smell today. Finally!

Operation Listening-improvement

Tim was kind enough to provide me with great information about sites on the comment column of the previous article, which can help improve English listening skills. Awesome!

Seeing those sites, I realized that listening English with seeing English subtitles is very useful to improve listening skills.

I think I should strategize how to improve my listening skills using those sites. It is called "Operation Listening-improvement." (Sorry for the exaggerated expression.)

Listening, listening, listening

My worst part about English has been listening skill. I can't improve it at all.

How can I improve my listening?

What should I do?

Movie: Sarah's Key

Before I watched the movie "Sarah's Key", I thought it was a war movie. But I was wrong.

Although it covers Vel' d'Hiv Roundup and Auschwitz, the theme is... hmm... about life, or more like decision or choice in the course of each life. Anyway, the theme is really really deep.

However, I tend to be focused on war-related parts. Whenever I see something about war, I wonder why human beings can be so cruel. I didn't know about Vel' d'Hiv Roundup. I planning to watch the movie "The Round Up." Both "Sarah's Key" and "The Round Up" are French movies.

3.11

It's been a year since the horrible earthquake and tsunami hit Japan.

About 340,000 people are in refuge life. And I realize many people still have a deep hurt.

Every TV station is broadcasting TV programs about the disaster almost all day. I got fed up with some of them, because they show the programs as if it's something like entertainment. The leading character is exactly famous reporters or newscasters and the stories were created too dramatically putting the casters at the center. Shame on you! (Especially Fuji TV!)

A couple days ago, I watched a documentary, which showed just videos that showed the real scenes. No too much narration, no any casters. It showed just facts. Because just after seeing it, the entertainment-like programs look a farce.

I'm now watching a TV program which features help by the US armies. As I wrote here about a year ago, their help was tremendously worthful and helpful. Thank you very much.

Prerogative vs. Presumptuous

Although meanings of "prerogative" and "presumptuous" are different at all, I often mix up them... Probably because I learned them almost the same time...

Movie: 50/50

Although it's a movie about a cancer patient, it's like a comedy movie. However, the movie is based on the real story of the movie director, and it includes deep issues behind the comedy.

One article says that Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the leading actor, is the best when it comes to playing an ordinary guy. It might be true, but the first time I saw him was when he played in the movie, Inception, in which he played a character far from an ordinary person. So my impression of him was different from "ordinary."

  Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "Iception"

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was great in the movie, but the best for me is Seth Rogen!

 Seth and Joseph

I can't believe Seth is 20's!!

It's snowing!!

It's snowing in Tokyo, which is the first time in this winter.

It rarely snow in Tokyo, but I've been feeling that it's colder this winter than usual, and I found that it was true seeing the snow.


I miss spring!

A Japanese won Ballon d'Or!!

A Japanese soccer player Miss. Homare Sawa got FIFA Ballon d'Or!!
Terrific!! Incredibly great!!!!!

After women's national soccer team won the World Cup last year, "Nadeshio", which is the nickname of the women's national soccer team, has been the thing in Japan. Then this wonnderful news of captain Sawa.

Many people in Japan must be encouraged by their brilliant achievements.

The National team's coach Norio Sasaki was also awarded the Women's Coach of the Year prize.

Sasaki and Sawa with their trophies

Men's Ballon d'Or is Lionel Messi. He is awarded for the Third consecutive year!!

Messhi, you are unbelievably a great player!!!!!

Sawa and Messi shaking hands

Happy New Year 2012

As usual New Year's day, I visited a shrine, praying and drinking amazake.

Although New Year's day is always fine whether with clear blue sky in Tokyo, it was cloudy this year.

Unlike other women, I seldom see any fortune-telling, but there is one I always check. According to that, the important thing for me this year is to gain the trust of people around me.

The word of this year:

Gaining Trust

I hope all of you have a great year.

My Smart Phone! Hooray!

Finally, I got my smart phone!!

Unfortunately, I've got a lot to do today so I can't use it to check its various functions.
I'll do after I come back home tomorrow.

Bye bye, my cell phone life, and hello, my smart phone life!

Finding a smart phone, which is the last one!

I think I wrote in October that I would buy a smart phone for my birthday.
Its release date had been postponed, and finally it was on sale the other day!!

However, it's a very very popular model and it was sold out as soon as it was released.
I was almost giving up and thinking about buying another model. As the last try, I called from shop to shop just now.

And one shop has one!! It's the last one. Ve--ry lucky!!!!!

I'm going to the shop this evening!

I can't get over a cold.

I think I've been having a cold over 2 weeks. Whew... I even don't see a sign of recovery.

Improper use of the word "Possibly"

I found that I had used the word "possibly" incorrectly for a long time.

When I want to say something like "Hopefully" or "If possible", I've always said "Possibly."

For example, when a recruit agent introduce a new position to me and ask my salary expectation, I say "possibly ----- yen" instead of "hopefully --- yen."

Hmm... I wonder how they interpret what I said...

Guests from the world's happiest country

The king and queen of Bhutan returned to their country yesterday after 6-day staying in Japan.

Bhutan is known as the world's happiest country. It uses the concept of GNH (Gross National Happiness) instead of GDP.

The king projects kind, gentle and warm atmosphere.

Although Bhutan is called the happiest country, it has a lot of problems like other countries, for example, against China. But I think most of Japanese people were convinced that Bhutan must be a happy country from the king's character.

I'm not so interested in countries in Asia, but I thought I want to visit Bhutan sometime in the future.  It's also an interesting point for me that its established religion is Tibetan Buddhism.

An eye or eyes

For Japanese people, I think plural is one of the most difficulties regarding English. In Japanese language, we rarely use plural. Even if you ate two apples, you should say "I ate apple." in Japanese. Even if you see many flowers in a garden, you should say "What beautiful flower."
(By the way, an article doesn't exist in Japanese.)

I felt strange when I saw some English idiom using "eye."
For example;

"Her beautiful hair caught my eye."
 Catching only one eye, not both eyes?

"Keep your eyes peeled for new information."
"Keep an eye out for new information."

Both are almost the same meaning, but the first sentence uses "one's eye" and the second one uses "an eye."

I think that it's much better to use both eyes when you try to pay attention something. haha.

IC-embedded driver's license card

I went to the department of motor vehicles to renew my driver's license. I didn't know but driver's licenses has become IC-embedded cards.

I wonder when it has changed.


It requires us to have two PINs. Those are surely not used. So I think many people would forget their PINs. haha.

New PC VAIO and WIMX

I wrote in the previous article that I was going to buy a smart phone. Before that, I bought a PC last month. It's better to say that I HAD TO buy it, because my PC was almost dying.

It's been four years since I bought my old PC.
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-pc-finally.html

In this time, I bought VAIO.

It's not like I'm a VAIO fan. It's just because it was on sale.
I wanted  white one but it was sold out, so I bought black one.

Also I signed up for WIMAX!
So I no longer need a cable to access the Internet in my place. Also I can access the Internet any place. It's every convenient!

Movie: Source Code

The movie blurb in Japan set up an expectation that the ending was very surprising like never before. So I was looking forward to seeing it. However, I was a bit disappointed.


Hmm... The move itself wasn't so bad, but was it surprise ending?

By the way, the leading character was acted by Jake Gyllenhaal.

 He acted a high school student in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow." He has grown up so fast?!?! So I checked. When he acted the high school student, he was already 24 years old!!
Look at this pic. He looks exactly a high school student, not 24 years old guy!

And next year, he appeared in the movie "Brokeback Mountain" as a gay guy.

It's always surprising that actors role various generations!

Happy Birthday to me, 2011

I'm going to buy a smart phone for my birthday!

New cheese

I like cheeses. My favorite ones are camembert and mozzarella.

I bought assorted cheeses today.
I found very delicious one which I've never eaten before. It's "boursin - garlic and herb."
http://www.boursincheese.com/products/boursin.htm

It doesn't seems that it's old traditional cheeses. It's tasty! But be careful. The garlic taste is strong.
There is plain type too, so I'll try it.

Movie: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

http://www.apeswillrise.com/

It's the first time for me to go to see the movie on the day of the premiere. I was really looking forward to seeing it and couldn't wait.

It's just what I expected. I was quite satisfied.


Especially, psychological descriptions of the ape Cesar was great.

CGI is... CGI is CGI, not real. It can't be helped. I don't like CGI movie so much. But in this movie, Cesar's facial expression was interesting. He's gotten incredibly high intelligence. So his face sometimes looked like a human.

Look at his face. It's almost not an ape, but a human.

Even though the credits start appearing, don't leave the theater. Otherwise, you will miss one scene.

I felt scared a bit. The story is about why and how apes acquired enough to conquer the world. But the last scene indicates why and how the human perish.
 

Dentist

I went to the dentist for the first time in a very long time to fix cavities. Probably It's been over 20 years since I last went to the dentist.

The situation of my cavities was terrible, so the nerve was removed.

Now, the anesthesia has started wearing, so it hurt!! Pain, pain pain!!

torture

The second day of the schooling class is finishing in an hour. Following yesterday, it's boring. His speaking is very redundant. It's almost torture!

Boring class!

I'm now attending a schooling class of my university.

Boring!!
The subject is "Management Organization" which is definitely an interesting topic for me.
The reason I'm bored must be the professor's way to explain.

He should acquire decent skills of instruction, facilitation or presentation!
I have to be patient for 3 days... terrible...

Glasses debut!

Finally, I started using my glasses.
It's the first time I've worn glasses with degree.  So it's hard for me to keep waring them. It's as if I get carsick. I call it "Glasses-sick."
I think that it will take time to get used to them. Whew.

Today, I'm going to take my glasses after work.

I can't wait!!

I wasn't able to come back to Tokyo.

Terrible typhoon hit Japan yesterday and caused great damage.

I was in Osaka on business and I was going to come back to Tokyo yesterday. However the trains were all stopped due to the typhoon and I had to stay in Osaka one more night. I had meeting early this morning so I had to take the first train to come back to Tokyo. Whew... Tired...

October is Building up English month.

I'm supposed to go to headquarters in the US in November. I need to have meeting with a lot of counterparts.

I'm worried about my poor English. So I've decided that I have building up English month next month!

Finally glasses!

I went to a glasses shop to order glasses. Finally, I need to have glasses in my life. Although I sometimes wear fashion glasses, it's first time I've had real glasses. (Real glasses?)

First, a shop staff checked my eye sight etc. Then I tried various lenses. It was hard to decide, I took much time making decision. Then, the next was choosing frames. It was more difficult because there were many fashionable frames. I tried wearing many frames. Many times. Whew...

My new glasses will be ready a week ago. I'll put the photo of the glasses then.

Lo----ng time no see!!

I haven't wirte for more than 3 months! Long time no see. I've been so busy, and negative things happned. I've found that my direct boss always thinks about only himself and his career. So he always plays dirty pools, more like he makes underhanded deals even against subordinates. Terrible. Really terrible. But I'm fine and I'm looking toward a bright future!!

Going to Osaka

I'm going to Osaka on business tomorrow and coming back to Tokyo on Friday night.

I think it's been a long time since I went to Osaka last time.

A new environment in my work has started.

In my work, I'm in a new environment from this month.

Because I'm surrounded by a lot of things to learn, a lot of people to meet etc, I'm a bit tired. Of course, there are difficulties I have to cope with, but I think it's often the case in any workplaces. I'm very thankful that I'm in this great environment.

I do my best so that I can make the best use of this great opportunity.

Movie: Unkown

The other movie which I watched recently is "Unknown."
When I saw the trailer, I thought I wanted to watched it.

This is what you could call a movie with a surprising ending.
Unfortunately, I could roughly predict the ending. It's often the case for me. I don't know why, but I'm often able to predict endings in the relatively beginning of movies or dramas. it definitely ruins the most enjoyable part of movies and dramas.

Anyway, the leading character, Liam Neeson is a great actor as usual.

Movie: The King's Speech

I watched two movies recently. One of them is "The King's Speech."
I was going to watch it in March, but due to a bit of chaotic situation after the earthquake, I missed a chance to watch it.

Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush, all of them were great actors! And the story was quite interesting. Especially I was moved by the mind movement of the king acted by Colin Firth, and the relationship between the king and the person acted by Geoffrey Rush.

I thought that Geoffrey Rush brought out good taste in the movie.

I wasn't aware of it during watching the movie, but he is Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean!

He plays completely different characters!!

Long time no see!

I haven't written articles for a while.
During that, Japan is going toward recovery step by step, there are still many problems though.
However, the situation of the nuclear power plants seems to get worse.

The position of the Prime Minister Kan is shaky, obviously. Even the people in his party are criticizing him.

As for me, my life started to go quite well! One thing which isn't going well is that my English doesn't improve at all as usual. haha.

One month after the earthquake

Although it's been one month since the earthquake hit, aftershocks are still following. Quite big aftershocks hit a couple of days ago and today. Scary. People in the disaster areas must be very scared.

In terms of the earthquake and tsunami disaster, Japan has started moving toward the reconstruction. It is going to take a long time, but I believe that Japanese people can make it.
World War II aftermath, Tokyo was burnt to the ground, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki disappeared by atomic bombs. However, Japan achieved miraculous recovery. I think Japanese people have such ability.

In terms of the nuclear accident, we are not"after-accident" phase yet, we are still in the midst of the accident.

Both as to the reconstruction and as to the nuclear accident, criticism of the Japanese government has been increasing more and more.

Just after the disaster, foreign media commended Japanese people for their orderly manner, but now, their articles are mostly criticism of the Japanese government's terrible reactions.

In fact, the nationwide local elections were held yesterday and The Democratic Party (the current ruling party) suffered a crushing defeat.

In spite of the fact that many countries, people in the disaster areas, many experts and many of Japanese people criticize the Japanese government, Prime Minister Kan doesn't realize. When an expert who is a professor visited Kan to advise, Kan said about criticism of the Japanese government reactions, "I'm doing best though..." When the expert pointed out that the government's chain of command was breaking up, Kan said with a discontent look, "It's not as bad as people say." sigh... He is not only incapable and dull, but also stupid.

2 weeks after the earthquake

It's been 2 weeks since the earthquake hit.
Aftershocks are still following.

About the situation of the nuclear plants, it's uncertain about the future.
The dull Japanese government's attitude worries Japanese people and throws our life into confusion.

On the other hand, the victims and other many people are trying hard to achieve the recovery. The SDF, the Fire Department, nuclear experts and many other people are trying hard to fix the nuclear plants at the site fighting against the fear of radiation. Japanese people are such strong.

I feel ill.

There has been something wrong with me physically recently. I think it's due to my irregular living habits.

Live a regular life!

Highly incapable Japanese government

I read an article about the earthquake in Japan reported by media of Taiwan. It's exactly what I want to say.

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It says;

While the high cultural level of the Japanese people was highlighted, the Japanese government's incompetence stood out.

Although the Japanese government is incompetent, Japanese people are patient, addressing the catastrophe orderly and have gained international respect.
On the other hand, the Japanese government's incompetence is becoming a "a good lesson from a bad example" in many countries.

The Prim Minister Kan is just trying to extend life of his administration using the catastrophe and isn't fulfilling duties as a leader of a country. Other ministers and bureaucrats are very slow to react to anything. Especially their reactions to the nuclear plants accidents were terrible and......

The operation of the planned blackouts was the most serious mistake. It made Tokyo fall into chaos and paralyzed Japanese economy.

Japanese people who have the high cultural level are being inflicted by the incompetent Japanese government.
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You are exactly right!!

Highly capable Hyper Rescue squads

I mentioned about the Hyper Rescue squads of the Tokyo Fire Department yesterday.
Their operations were incredibly efficient and effective.

They closely and precisely analyzed and developed workable strategy before the operations. Although they faced unexpected situations at he site, their handling them was great. They immediately considered countermeasures against the unexpected situations and took actions.
It was excellent!

Compared with them, how dull the Japanese government is.

Deadly operation

Discharging water to the nuclear plants is being conducted in order to cool reactors and spent nuclear fuel.

At first, the Japanese government asked the Self Defense Force to water the plants from the air, but the SDF put it on hold because of radiation. However, the situation of the plants reached a breaking point. The top of the SDF had to make a painful choice. Then the SDF started watering from the air.
Following it, the Japanese government asked the police (the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department) to water by high-pressure water cannon trucks. They were reluctant to do it at first, but the riot police did.
The next was the Tokyo Fire Department. They use fire trucks, of course.

Watering by the SDF and the Hyper Rescue squad of the Tokyo Fire Department using fire trucks is going on.

I saw a press conference of the 3 leaders of the Hyper Rescue squads today. One of them said "the squad members' morale was very high and they put forth their best efforts to it. Their families are... I'm really sorry for their families. I want to take this opportunity to apologize to and thank them". He, who is one of the tough guys of the Hyper Rescue squad, choked up with tears.

The SDF, the Fire Department, the police, technicians of nuclear, they are literally doing deadly operations for all of Japanese and Japan.

A nasty mail from a friend

A friend of mine sent us VERY NASTY mail.

She is Japanese but lives out of Japan. The mail is incredibly long. To sum up;

Most Japanese people are carefree and idle spectators although they are under terrible situation.
The Japanese government are implementing press restraints and never tell any facts to Japanese people, but the nuclear plants will explode within 48 hours.
After the explosion, radiation will spread 600 km radius, and it would be stronger than the Chernobyl accident.
Even now, radiation spreads even in Tokyo, so people should escape as soon as possible.
Media in countries other than Japan say that why the Japanese government tell people the facts.

She went on and on about those in her lo---ng mail.

Can you believe that someone do such a nasty thing?

Although she doesn't live in Japan, how does she know Japanese people are carefree and idle spectators? Even people in Tokyo are affected by the events in this time and under harsh situation. But many of them say that they have to be patient considering the victims. At least, there are no people around me, who are carefree and idle spectators.

She sent the mail to dozens of people.
What is her intention? Does she want to make Japanese panic? Does she make people angry?
In the former case, we Japanese are not so stupid. In the latter case, her intention was successful.
Anyway, it's certain that she has lost many friends.

I have deleted her from my address book.

One week after the earthquake

2:46pm today, a silence prayer was offered around Japan because it has been one week since the unprecedented earthquake hit.

TV is starting broadcasting some programs other than news programs, and the news programs are starting presenting news other than earthquake-related matters little by little.
However, situations, which are such as evacuees' terrible lives, nuclear power-generation plants, mess by the planned blackouts etc. aren't getting better, are even getting worse.

The evacuees' lives are cruel. Many relief goods aren't able to reach evacuate sites.

All I can do for now is just saving electricity and donation...

I'm really warried about th victims.

As rescue operations are progressing a little by little, the damages are getting apparent a little by little.

Many villages and settlements were completely submerged under water and lost entirely. Yesterday, I often heard the news which said that 1 -2 hundreds bodies were found in --- area, 2 - 3 hundreds bodies were found in --- village etc. And finally the news said a thousand bodies were found at a beach. I was at a loss for words.

Evacuees are starting to talk about the situation of when tsunami attacked. Horrible. They lost their family and friends, and experienced such a horrible event. Relief goods are most necessary things for now, but I think it's also necessary to provide psychological support to them when things calm down.

Many rescue teams and experts came to Japan from other countries.
Thank you very much for all of your help!!

The nuclear plants problem have to be solved no matter what.

The situation of the nuclear power-generating plants is getting worse and worse. I can't help thinking that things are getting out of hand.
That should never happen! Hang in there!

The planned blackouts turned out unplanned blackouts

It was only 10 hours before the implementation of the blackouts when the electric power company (Tokyo Electric Power Company = TEPCO) announced the schedule of the blackouts. TOO late. So panic in cities was bound of arise.

Railroad companies had to cancel some of trains during a certain period of time, so they announced their cancellation schedule early this morning according to the blackouts schedule. But many people didn't know because TEPCO's announcement was too late.
Traffic lights would stop, so police had to dispatched many police officers to intersections but of course they don't have enough police officers for that.
Many shops and restaurants decided to close during a certain period of time according to the blackouts schedule.
Hospitals also had to prepare for that.
In spite of TEPCO's too late announcement, all establishments tried hard to handle.
In this situation, panic wouldn't be avoidable. However!! to make matters worse, TEPCO canceled the blackout for the 1st group areas at the very last minute! They also canceled it for the 2nd group. And they said they were not sure if they conducted the blackouts for 3rd - 5th groups. What?!?!?!?!
One more surprising thing is, one part of disaster area was included in the areas in which the blackouts were conducted and power went out at one evacuation center. Terrible.

I think people in the areas in which blackouts are conducted wouldn't complain against the blackouts. Although it's very inconvenient and panic occurs, given people in the Northeastern area, it's small thing. However, TEPCO's dull operations were terrible. Of course, TEPCO is facing a storm of criticism.
The chief Cabinet secretary criticized those TEPCO's terrible operations and TEPCO apologized the Japanese government.

The dull Japanese government and dull TEPCO are coping with the disaster in Japan now. What a horrible situation!!

TEPCO'S most important task now is to overcome the problems of nuclear power-generating plants. I mentioned the explosion in the previous article. That's the plant 1. Today, the plant 3 exploded. And the plant 2 fell into critical condition.
Even though TEPCO's employees who are doing operations are terribly dull, employees who are coping with the nuclear plants problems are experts of nuclear and plants, right? Please overcome it! No, You have to do!

I'm proud of Japanese people.

Compared with the Northeastern area, the damage in Tokyo was very few. Nevertheless, it was terrible situation in Tokyo. However, people really calmed down and orderly.

I think that it's the first time that all trains and subways have stopped in Tokyo. Streets and roads were full of people who had to get home on foot spending 3 hours, 4 hours or much more. But they were just walking orderly.
All food in every convenience store were sold out, but still there were many people in each store. However, store's staff were working as usual and there was not any trouble.
Main stations were full of people who were not able to get home and so stayed there. They also calmed down and orderly, and sat down the side of streets or halls to get out of the way of people passing. (There were some people who complained against station staff though.)

Some countries complimented Japanese people's orderly behaviors.
I'm very proud of such Japanese culture and character! I also think that it was good that I was born and grew up in this country!

Planned backouts

Although aftershocks don't stop, tsunami warnings are finally called off. But other than it, it seems that nothing gets better. About the situation of nuclear power-generating plants even get worse.

Due to nuclear power-generating plants problem, Japan is facing electricity shortage. So it was decided that planned blackouts will be conducted from tomorrow. Tokyo and 8 prefectures around Tokyo are divided into 5 areas and power will go off in each area for 3 hours in turns.
But!! I can't get any information about planned blackouts schedule!! I had no idea when power goes off in my area. Any TV news don't mention the schedule. It's impossible to access the website of a electric power company. I finally got the information that center of Tokyo where I live will be excluded from the planned blackouts coverage areas on the first day. But people in other areas must be worried.

The Japanese government is undependable. Especially Prim Minister Kan lacks ability in leadership. He made a speech today. It's hard to think that it's the speech of a leader of one nation. He is really dull.

Dull Kan is making a speech

A nuclear power-generating plant is in critical condition.

Although it's about 31 hours after the earthquake, aftershocks are still following.

Many terrible damages are becoming apparent. Everything disappeared in areas where tsunami attacked. It is as if Hiroshima and Nagasaki just after atomic bombing.

Trains broken by tsunami

Most houses disappeared and became just woods due to tsunami.

A vessel was swept into the middle of town.

Now, one of the biggest issues is one of nuclear power-generating plants which is in critical condition. At first, the Japanese government ordered people living within a 3-kilometer radius to evacuate. Then it expanded to 10-kilometer radius, and then, now 20-kilometer radius. I hope nothing happens.

The places around the epicenter are very cold area. I wonder if all evacuees can keep warm.

Oh---, now, it's shaking. Quite big for aftershock.


Moment of the explosion of the nuclear power-generating plant

The biggest erthquake which I've ever experience

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Japan around 3pm today. Although the epicenter is the northeastern region where is far from Tokyo, the shaking was incredibly strong. It's the biggest earthquake which I've ever experienced. And many aftershocks are still following. It's also the first time that I experienced such long-continued aftershocks.

The quake damage in Tokyo is not so big. Most building and houses in Tokyo are fine. However, infrastructure completely stopped. All trains and subways stopped. All highways were closed. Cars and buses can't move in roads due to traffic congestion. So people can't go home. I can see wave of people who are walking in roads to get home. All food in every convenience stores are sold out. Cell phones don't work. I felt scared seeing those scene.
Most building in Japan, especially new ones, have earthquake-proof structure, but how weak the infrastructure is.

The damage in the northeastern area where is around the epicenter is terrible. Especially, the damage of Tsunami is larger than the damage of earthquake. Tsunami took part many houses and swept away them which weren't damaged by earthquake.

TV news just announced one of the terrible damages, which is that 2 - 3 hundreds bodies were found on the road in an area. who seems to have been swept up by the tsunami.

Formal or Informal Expressions

The theme of an English workshop which I attended the other day was "Conversations in the Office."
One of topics is "Formal or Informal expressions."

Some expressions that I thought is formal were informal, and vice versa. It's quite difficult.

The followings are some of the expressions which I thought are formal but actually informal.

make a plan

Police are looking into the crime.
I think you should try this restaurant.
turn in a report
Excuse me, do you have a few minutes?

But polite expressions in Japanese are MUCH more difficult. I'm sure there are many learners of Japanese language struggle with Japanese polite expressions. It might be good that I'm a learner of English, not Japanese. haha.

Which do you use "like" or "unlike"?

I have been wondering which I should use "like" or "unlike" in negative sentences.

For example, I came across the following sentence.

One woman whose desk is very cluttered says;
His desk isn't covered by stacks of paper like mine.

When I heard the sentence, I thought her desk was also neat (like him). If her desk was very messy, I think she should have said, "His desk isn't covered by stacks of paper unlike mine."

If somebody says, "He doesn't like animals like John.", I wonder if John likes animals or not.

Take action! --- knowing Beer or Books and Room to Read

I encountered a person who organize "Beer for Books" which raises money for childhood literacy in developing countries.
I told him that I've wanted to help all children in the wold receive education, and got his business card.

Beer for Books raises money for "Room to Read." You may know Room to Read because it's famous. I read the book "Leave Microsoft to challenge the world" written by the Room to Read's founder John Wood.

I'm really impressed both by John Wood and the organizer of Beer for Books, especially their energy. In contrast, I've just thought that I don't know where to begin.
Take action like them!

Desks go?

One of the new English words I learned recently is "desks go." But actually I'm not sure what case it is used. In the context, it means a desk itself.

A person compliments her boss's desk because he keeps his desk very neat.
"I'm very impressed by your desk."

But her boss misunderstands.
"As desks go, It's nothing special. I'm not one of those power-tripping executives who think they need a desk the size of a football field to make themselves feel important."

I wonder if what "desks go" exactly means and it's used so often.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year, everybody!
I wish all of you good luck for this year.

For New Year's visit to a shrine this year, I chose Yoyogi Hachimangu. That's because the lucky direction this year for me is the South and the South-Southwest, and Yoyogi Hachimangu is in the direction from my place.

It's not so big shrine, so it was not so crowded unlike other famous and popular shrines, although I had to stand in line for about an hour.

I want to make this year the significant breakthrough year for me. I'll definitely do that.

Yoyogi Hachimangu

Golden years

I just learned the word, "golden years."
I feel that it's a bit strange, because in Japan, "silver" is used for something old ages. For example, priority seats for old folks is called "silver seats", and the word "silver age" is used for old generation.

The reason "silver" is used in Japanese is, I guess that it comes from gray hair. But
I wonder why "golden" is used in English.

Tokyo Sinfornia concert - Sibelius Serenade

As I wrote the previous article, I attended the classical concert tonight. The reason of why I who are not familiar with classical music went there is,

A music director contacted me through LinkedIn and introduced his orchestra Tokyo Sinfonia to me. The orchestra is quite unique. Here is detailed information.
http://www.tokyosinfonia.com/index.html

Somehow, I thought I would go. I don't know why.

I'd never attended classical concert. Surprisingly, live performance was much different from listening to CD or from on TV. It was something like... it was as if sound rushed toward the audiences, it was very grand and sometimes magical, it was as if it had a story (actually it had)... Amazing.

Tokyo Sinfonia does concerts about once a month. I'd like to attend as many of them as possible. I think I should never attended with lack of sleep though.

Listenning to clasical music with lack of sleep?!

I'm attending a classical orchestra concert tonight. However, I'm undersleeping and although it's still 1pm, I'm terribly sleepy!
I need to drink a lot of coffee before going to the concert. I think sleepiness win caffeine though...

I have been busy.

I've been very busy with work, so I can't have time to write my blog, there were lots of things I wanted to write.
But it seems that my work is going to calm down a little bit. I hope so.
I shouldn't let work control my life.

Happy Birthday to me, 2010!!

I haven't written on my blog for about a month. I started my new job at he end of the last month and I've been incredibly busy.

My new job is... hmm... there are a lot of issues I have to solve. That's OK. That's why I'm in the company. The matter I hate most is that there are some people whose attitudes is annoying and disgusting. I should ignore them. Concentrate my tasks and missions to achieve my vision.

Today is my birthday, and I went to a nail salon. I had been doing nail art myself, but I'm going to have my nails cared in the nail salon. A small splurge. hehe.

Impossible to pronounce

Long time ago, I wrote on this blog that I was bad at pronouncing "S" sound. Especially it's hard for me to pronounce "insist" and "expect."
http://sandfriend.blogspot.com/2008/07/hard-to-pronounce.html

I found harder words for me to pronounce. "Seriously" and "uncharacteristic."
About "seriously", there are two "S" sounds I'm bad at in the word.
"Uncharacteristic" is... it's rather "impossible to say" than "hard to pronounce." So I'm going to say "That's unlike him" instead of "That's uncharacteristic of him." I hope both of them are completely the same meaning.

Finally I signed the contract.

Today, I went to sign the contract. I'm starting new job the week after next. It took only one month since an agent introduced me to this position. Very fast!

I'm very interested in the roles of the position, I'm satisfied with the salary, the people I'll work with seem nice, the working environment seems good because many employees work for a long time. Everything seems great except for the social company reputation which I have mentioned on this blog before.

So I understand that one of my roles is improving the company reputation. I'll make the company famous as one of the excellent companies in the world in 5 years!

Lunch with future colleagues?

As I wrote, I'm in the screening process of one company. After I had the 2nd interview on 3rd, I met HR manager on the agent office on 7th. According to the agent, they consider me favorably, but HR director is now in the US so they can't finalize until he comes back later in this week. Meanwhile, they arrange casual lunch for me with the team members who would be my subordinates. I haven't gotten the official offer though.

I went for the lunch and met the people.
They were all nice people. I enjoyed the conversation with them.

Two of them have worked for the company for more 10 years. It seems that many employees of the company work for a long time. The job-retention rate is high. It's quite rare for foreign companies.

Movie: Vantage Point

Vantage Point was one of the movies I wanted to see. It was carried on TV yesterday, so I watched it.

Hmm... it's a bit disappointing. The story is a bit boring. My impression of the movie is only too long a car chase scene. It's just the filmmaker's self-satisfaction like many other movies.
Some people commend this movie for its element of surprise. But, at least for me, there wasn't any element of surprise. It was somehow predictable.

The high school reunion

I attended the high school reunion yesterday.

It was great!
Over 100 people gathered and we enjoyed meeting each other for the first time in a long time. It brought back the good memories of the past.

Some of the people didn't change, and some has changed too much to recognize them. haha.

Many of us attended the follow-up party.

I hope this kind of gathering is held sometime again.

Lethal Weapon??

Whenever I study a new English dialogue, I learn a lot of new words and idioms.

I learned a new word "lethal" the other day. I thought I've never heard this word before and it was completely new for me.

However, I suddenly noticed, oh, it's lethal of the movie "Lethal Weapon" by any chance?
I see!

I got a quick response again.

I had the 2nd interview today. First, I had an interview with a Japanese for an hour. Then I had an interview with HR director who is American, which means the interview was in English.
Two hours interview was a bit tough, but it went quite well. The English interview too, because mostly the interviewer spoke. haha.

And, once gain, I got an incredibly quick feedback, just 3 hours after the interview. I can advance to the next step. Next week, I am visiting the agent office to talk with the agent and a person of the company I had the interview with. So far, so good.