I read an interesting article in the newspaper. These days people who can't scold not only kids but also subordinates are increasing. If a boss scolded his or her subordinate, he or she might be accused of power harassment. So many managers take coaching lesson how to scold gently.
In my generation it used to be usual to be scolded by someone (parents, teachers, managers), but these days here and there we hear "Before scolding you should praise. It is a good way to raise kids. Don't scold them." And these days people who are not used to be scolded seem to increase.
While these days people are not good at scolding someone. Sometimes they confuse with these words, scold, yell, and warn.
Anyway I'm not good at praising and scolding someone. I'd like to take such a coaching lesson if I had a chance.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Festivals in Utsumoniya
Next week school will start, so this weekend is the last summer vacation for kids.
Yesterday in Utsunomiya there were many but small events in the evening.
Yuki and I went out to the main street by bus.
In front of a big department store, BON-ODORI dance party was held.
And at some art galleries, they open night gallery with candles.
We enjoyed browsing holding a glass of beer (Yuki) or a glass of iced coffee (Mieko) in one hand. And we came back our home by bus at night.
Yesterday in Utsunomiya there were many but small events in the evening.
Yuki and I went out to the main street by bus.
In front of a big department store, BON-ODORI dance party was held.
In the main shopping street, there was a big Jazz concert for free. (Do you know that Utsunomiya has a catch phrase of "a town of Jazz", and of course another catch phrase is "a town of GYOZA".)
And along the river there was a "marche", which was temporary markets corner. And a small concert was also held.
We enjoyed browsing holding a glass of beer (Yuki) or a glass of iced coffee (Mieko) in one hand. And we came back our home by bus at night.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Summer vacation with Leah
Leah, who is a French girl, and had stayed with us for a while two years ago as an exchange student, came to Utsunomiya to enjoy her summer vacation. This time she stayed with us for four days. First she came to Japan, she couldn't speak Japanese. After one year passed, her Japanese improved very well. Now she is studying Japanese and French to become a French teacher in Japan at college in France. So her Japanese is getting better. This time we talked each other in Japanese.
I took her to take a work shop to make TONBO-DAMA , which is a big glass ball, and we make through lamp work.
Then I took her to a house of my friend, who is art teacher, drew this.
I took her to take a work shop to make TONBO-DAMA , which is a big glass ball, and we make through lamp work.Then I took her to a house of my friend, who is art teacher, drew this.
And the final is "here it is"---- the most suitable seasonal sweet "KAKIGORI".
This ice is not usual ice, it is NIKKO (it is the name of a place) natural ice, which means the ice is frozen spring water naturally.
We enjoyed this summer in UTSUNOMIYA together.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Summer vacation in Korea
How was your summer vacation? Now every thing has returned usual.
Yuki, our elder daughter T and I went to Korea, unfortunately our younger daughter didn't take days-off in this season.
When we arrived in Korea, the scenery looked like Japan except characters.
We had BIBINPA and REIMEN , which are typical Korean food , for lunch.
And we visited a Korean town where there were lots of art galleries and cafes. T seemed really enjoyed visiting galleries, and of course I enjoyed visiting a cafe though I only visited one cafe.
and of course we had Korean YAKINIKU for dinner, which was a purpose of Yuki.
After dinner we climbed up Soul tower.
And on the way back to hotel we got Korea massage.
It was a busy tour. Next morning we went back to Tokyo.
Yuki, our elder daughter T and I went to Korea, unfortunately our younger daughter didn't take days-off in this season.
When we arrived in Korea, the scenery looked like Japan except characters.
Anyway our busy tour started, because our free day was only one day.
First we visited a palace where Korea king's family used to live.
and of course we had Korean YAKINIKU for dinner, which was a purpose of Yuki.
After dinner we climbed up Soul tower.
And on the way back to hotel we got Korea massage.
It was a busy tour. Next morning we went back to Tokyo.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Summer vacation has started -2-
Everybody knows Yuki is into playing golf.
Well, well, it's good to do something with him sometimes. So I challenged playing golf. I just only hit a ball, but it doesn't fly far, so playing golf is for me walking golf course. Walking 18 halls is too much, so we did 9 halls.
Well, well, it's good to do something with him sometimes. So I challenged playing golf. I just only hit a ball, but it doesn't fly far, so playing golf is for me walking golf course. Walking 18 halls is too much, so we did 9 halls.
After playing golf, main events were waiting for us. We went to a hot spring nearby, and had SOBA-lunch.
It was a perfect day.
Now I'm at home alone. Yuki wasn't satisfied 9 hall golf, so he went out to play golf again. I cleaned the rooms and from now I'll prepare for going to TOKYO and KOREA.
P.S
I met Mr. HIROSHI, who is a monkey. Have you ever seen a monkey performance?
Summer vacation has started -1-
Ten-day summer vacation has started.
Yuki and I are in Utsunomiya the first half of the week, then we'll go to Tokyo and Korea. Unfortunately our younger daughter couldn't take summer vacation, so we won't able to see her, but we'll to go Korea with our elder daughter.
Well on Sunday a big tea event was hold in Utsunomiya. Of course I went there. We could taste more than 50 kinds of tea. Lots of tasting made me satisfied and my stomach "TAPOTAPO", which is an onomatopoeia and sounds like tapping a soft belly.
We also got tea-smoothie.
I learnt something about tea there.
So I tried to make "plum tea" at home. Probably raspberry tea is popular. I kept frozen plum in the fridge, so instead of raspberries I used plums. "Perfect".
Yuki and I are in Utsunomiya the first half of the week, then we'll go to Tokyo and Korea. Unfortunately our younger daughter couldn't take summer vacation, so we won't able to see her, but we'll to go Korea with our elder daughter.
Well on Sunday a big tea event was hold in Utsunomiya. Of course I went there. We could taste more than 50 kinds of tea. Lots of tasting made me satisfied and my stomach "TAPOTAPO", which is an onomatopoeia and sounds like tapping a soft belly.
So I tried to make "plum tea" at home. Probably raspberry tea is popular. I kept frozen plum in the fridge, so instead of raspberries I used plums. "Perfect".
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Lateral thinking
Yesterday I went to a workshop in UTSUNOMIYA, and there I took four seminars.
The first one is about children English education. The theme was "follow your dream".
The second one is a conversation seminar. More than 10 English native speakers were there, so participants enjoyed talking in English.
I had lunch for free.
The third one is "no arts, no life". I learned the word "lateral thinking" which is the way to think out side of the box.
Do you know the word? For me it was the first time. Lecturer showed us some lateral thinking puzzles. I gave up! What a stubborn brain I have! Classical Lateral Thinking exercise is here.
For example
There is a man who lives on the top floor of a very tall building. Everyday he gets the elevator down to the ground floor to leave the building to go to work. Upon returning from work though, he can only travel half way up in the lift and has to walk the rest of the way unless it's raining! Why?
The answer is
The man is very, very short and can only reach halfway up the elevator buttons. However, if it is raining then he will have his umbrella with him and can press the higher buttons with it.
(I wrote the text in white. please trace two lines, so you can see the answer.)
At the workshop, a site of Gregory Colbert was introduced.
The last one is Japanese short story in English, which is called RAKUGO.
I'll introduce a short story, I don't know whether you understand Japanese joke. But I hope you enjoy it.
At home
Father; What? our neigbor didn't led you his hammer?
Son; No, He said it would chip.
Father; Oh, he is so mean. A hammer never chips. It's made of steel. Well, let's use ours.
The first one is about children English education. The theme was "follow your dream". The second one is a conversation seminar. More than 10 English native speakers were there, so participants enjoyed talking in English.
I had lunch for free.
The third one is "no arts, no life". I learned the word "lateral thinking" which is the way to think out side of the box.
Do you know the word? For me it was the first time. Lecturer showed us some lateral thinking puzzles. I gave up! What a stubborn brain I have! Classical Lateral Thinking exercise is here.
For example
There is a man who lives on the top floor of a very tall building. Everyday he gets the elevator down to the ground floor to leave the building to go to work. Upon returning from work though, he can only travel half way up in the lift and has to walk the rest of the way unless it's raining! Why?
The answer is
The man is very, very short and can only reach halfway up the elevator buttons. However, if it is raining then he will have his umbrella with him and can press the higher buttons with it.
(I wrote the text in white. please trace two lines, so you can see the answer.)
At the workshop, a site of Gregory Colbert was introduced.
The last one is Japanese short story in English, which is called RAKUGO.
I'll introduce a short story, I don't know whether you understand Japanese joke. But I hope you enjoy it.
At home
Father; What? our neigbor didn't led you his hammer?
Son; No, He said it would chip.
Father; Oh, he is so mean. A hammer never chips. It's made of steel. Well, let's use ours.
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Sunday
Since I updated this blog, one week has already pasted. Last week twice I went to nursery schools to read picture books. It's really fun to read books to kids. They show their emotion straightly, when they feel fun they laugh loudly, when they feel bored they start yawning naturally.
Except going there I was almost at home this week, though I went to workout three times a week. Some students came in turn to take extra lessons. Some had to brush up, some needed help for their summer homework. Sometimes I went out to have lunch with students to take a lunch break. It was interesting to talk with them at a RAMEN-noodle shop.
Today electrical workers come to put an air conditioner in Yuki's room. Yesterday we reorganized his room, and threw away a bookshelf and a desk. It was a big jog. Did I tell you? These days I try to throw away ten things (including a little thing like a sticker) to seek simple life. My kitchen seems to be getting more simple. And this time instead of ten things, we threw away ten big bags of garbage,so Yuki's room also seemed to get simple. Now "I" am waiting for their coming, (Yuki went to play golf already.)
For Yuki and me, recently we that that "space" is the most valuable thing in our house.
A few years ago in Japan a phrase of "DAN-SHA-RI" became a big thing. Lots of books came out.
"DAN" means to refuse getting things, "SHA" means to throw things away, and "RI" means not to stick things. We tend to keep lots of things thinking sometime we might use. Of course we need "some" extra batteries, "some" extra tissues, "some" extra plates, but we don't need "a lot". It's difficult to draw a line between "some" and "a lot". Anyway I try to do "DANSHARI" little by little.
Jan, when you come to my house again, you must shout "Mieko, you did a good job, what an organized kitchen it is"! I'd like to hear this phrase, so I try to throw away ten things every day.
Well, well, for me, it is one thing to organize the kitchen, and it is another thing to keep the kitchen clean. I'm not good at cleaning.
Except going there I was almost at home this week, though I went to workout three times a week. Some students came in turn to take extra lessons. Some had to brush up, some needed help for their summer homework. Sometimes I went out to have lunch with students to take a lunch break. It was interesting to talk with them at a RAMEN-noodle shop.
Today electrical workers come to put an air conditioner in Yuki's room. Yesterday we reorganized his room, and threw away a bookshelf and a desk. It was a big jog. Did I tell you? These days I try to throw away ten things (including a little thing like a sticker) to seek simple life. My kitchen seems to be getting more simple. And this time instead of ten things, we threw away ten big bags of garbage,so Yuki's room also seemed to get simple. Now "I" am waiting for their coming, (Yuki went to play golf already.)
For Yuki and me, recently we that that "space" is the most valuable thing in our house.
A few years ago in Japan a phrase of "DAN-SHA-RI" became a big thing. Lots of books came out.
"DAN" means to refuse getting things, "SHA" means to throw things away, and "RI" means not to stick things. We tend to keep lots of things thinking sometime we might use. Of course we need "some" extra batteries, "some" extra tissues, "some" extra plates, but we don't need "a lot". It's difficult to draw a line between "some" and "a lot". Anyway I try to do "DANSHARI" little by little.
Jan, when you come to my house again, you must shout "Mieko, you did a good job, what an organized kitchen it is"! I'd like to hear this phrase, so I try to throw away ten things every day.
Well, well, for me, it is one thing to organize the kitchen, and it is another thing to keep the kitchen clean. I'm not good at cleaning.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
How was your weekend?
Today it is the last day of July. How was your weekend?On Saturday, Some of my students came to take extra lessons in turn in the daytime, on the other hand Yuki went to practice golf, and play tennis. In the evening Yuki and I went to an electronics store, and finally "bought" an air conditioner for Yuki's room. Though you might not believe, "finally" an air conditioner will come to Yuki's room next week. Every room of our house will have an air conditioner from next week, but "unfortunately" we don't turn on all the air conditioners at once, because we don't have enough electrical capacity. If we turn on three air conditioners at once, our breaker trips.
At the night we had a heavy thunder and lightning and storm. So the power was out three times on and off.
On Sunday, Yuki went to play golf. I also went out with ERI-chan who is a lady living in the next door. We really enjoyed "Utsunomiya".
First we went to eat morning sweets. A cafe opened on the day specially as "July Morning Market".
Then we had lunch at a Korean restaurant.
.
Then we went to another small march. This day here and there a small march was opening. I bought a bag for a song.
At the night we had a heavy thunder and lightning and storm. So the power was out three times on and off.
On Sunday, Yuki went to play golf. I also went out with ERI-chan who is a lady living in the next door. We really enjoyed "Utsunomiya".
First we went to eat morning sweets. A cafe opened on the day specially as "July Morning Market".
Then we went to another cafe where a small march opened on the day.
Then we went to a bagel shop, and bought some bagels. These days I prefer bagels than usual buns.Then we had lunch at a Korean restaurant.
.
And, we went to an art museum to an exhibition "Light and Dark". It was really interesting. Some works were difficult to understand, some arts were interesting, some arts were "Awesome". Seeing various types of works are really interesting.
And yesterday it was a official holiday for Yuki. So he took me to play a golf. I play golf about twice a year with him. It was the first time to play golf at a golf course this year for me.
This is the golf course and our lunch there. It was a week day for usual people, so we could play at really reasonable price.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tomato herb comport
Yesterday I got a big tomato in the evening. I thought it would be difficult to eat whole of it at once with Yuki and me. So I tried to make tomato comport, but unfortunately I didn't have white wine. I thought SAKE might be used instead of white wine--- but before doing it I started browse the Internet. I found an interesting recipe, which is "tomato herb comport".
The ingredients are like this.
water about 2 or 3 cups
honey 1/2 cup
fresh spear mint 10 stalks
fresh lemon grass 5 stalks
fresh oregano 6 stalks
Fortunately I grow spearmint, and lemon grass, but unfortunately I don't have oregano, so I use dried oregano, and use fresh SHISO-leaves which is in the same SHISO group as oregano plant.
Put all ingredients in the pot, and boil them. On the other hand, I soaked a tomato in the hot water, and peel its skin. After that I put it in the comport liquid pot and simmer for a few minutes.
I keep the pot cool in the fridge at night.
What a wonderful breakfast is, today! Additionally this bagel was baked by my friend "HATOKO-san". Thanks HATOKO-san.
I hope Jan and Tracey see this blog. And Now I'm making jelly with the rest of comport liquid.
P.S
This is the jelly I made.
The ingredients are like this.
water about 2 or 3 cups
honey 1/2 cup
fresh spear mint 10 stalks
fresh lemon grass 5 stalks
fresh oregano 6 stalks
Fortunately I grow spearmint, and lemon grass, but unfortunately I don't have oregano, so I use dried oregano, and use fresh SHISO-leaves which is in the same SHISO group as oregano plant.
Put all ingredients in the pot, and boil them. On the other hand, I soaked a tomato in the hot water, and peel its skin. After that I put it in the comport liquid pot and simmer for a few minutes.
I keep the pot cool in the fridge at night.
What a wonderful breakfast is, today! Additionally this bagel was baked by my friend "HATOKO-san". Thanks HATOKO-san.
I hope Jan and Tracey see this blog. And Now I'm making jelly with the rest of comport liquid.
P.S
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Oxytocin
Yuki came back from America. He bought many energy bars for my students to survive this humid and hot summer. Thanks Yuki, they are wonderful souvenirs. And our usual week has started.
Have you ever heard of "oxytocin"? It is a kind of hormone, and it is called a happy hormone.
These days it is clear that oxytocin is secreted when you do somethings for someone from other people's points of view.
Dr. KAMATA , who is also a famous writer, said "Now in Japan it is important to be moved by a little thing, and to do a little thing for someone to live vital."
I heard another interesting thing. A principal of a nursery school said "these days kids are more childish than their age. BECAUSE they have less every-day experience. Even in the past working mothers were busy, and now working mothers are also busy. It is the same situation, but these days mothers want to enjoy themselves more. So whey they are free, they often play with their cell phones instead of talking with their kids. It means these days kids spend alone even with being with their mother."
Though it sounds easy, it is difficult to do a little something for others.
Well, well, finally I had the pretzel. Auntie Auntie's pretzel. In Utsunomiya unfortunately we don't have them. My neighbor went to TOKYO and bought them. This is today's breakfast. It's cool. so I made hot pumpkin soup. ( I didn't peel the green skin, so it looks green.) Not having breakfast alone is fun.
Have you ever heard of "oxytocin"? It is a kind of hormone, and it is called a happy hormone.
These days it is clear that oxytocin is secreted when you do somethings for someone from other people's points of view.
Dr. KAMATA , who is also a famous writer, said "Now in Japan it is important to be moved by a little thing, and to do a little thing for someone to live vital."
I heard another interesting thing. A principal of a nursery school said "these days kids are more childish than their age. BECAUSE they have less every-day experience. Even in the past working mothers were busy, and now working mothers are also busy. It is the same situation, but these days mothers want to enjoy themselves more. So whey they are free, they often play with their cell phones instead of talking with their kids. It means these days kids spend alone even with being with their mother."
Though it sounds easy, it is difficult to do a little something for others.
Well, well, finally I had the pretzel. Auntie Auntie's pretzel. In Utsunomiya unfortunately we don't have them. My neighbor went to TOKYO and bought them. This is today's breakfast. It's cool. so I made hot pumpkin soup. ( I didn't peel the green skin, so it looks green.) Not having breakfast alone is fun.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday
I'm really surprised, because a week has already passed since I updated this blog. This week the temperature changed a lot. It was a scorching hot day with temperatures over 35 degrees C, on the other hand, these two days it is under 20 degrees C. I'm busy to wear a sleeveless T-shirt, or to wear a little bit thick sweater.
This week fortunately I had lots of things to do, and now I'm really happy to have done all of them without trouble.
Yesterday (on Saturday), I went to TOKYO to meet my mother. We met at TOKYO station and went to a department. We browsed through the department and had a good lunch.
On Thursday and Friday, I went to nursery schools to read English picture books. All kids seem to have enjoyed with me. The nursery school I went on Friday, was the first visit for me. So I was a little bit nervous before going there. Both jobs are non-paying jobs, they are volunteer work. But I'm happy to see smile of kids and teachers. And I also happy to be asked to do such a work.
To tell the truth, I sometimes think whether such a volunteer work is my hobby or my job. I sometimes think what is volunteer work. Actually I earn some money to teach English at home, and for me reading English picture books is one way to teach English. So it's difficult to draw a line between a job and a volunteer work. But anyway I enjoy reading English picture books to others, and through this activity I got to know a lot of people in different areas.
On Wednesday I had lessons all day long.
On Tuesday I did a workshop.The thema was " Sweets and English picture books for adults". My friend made sweets that suited the picture books I selected.About 15 people came, who were interested Enlighs picture books or my volunteer activity.
Today I have nothing to do special, just clean the rooms (or you can say it is the most important thing I have to do), and go groserly shooping. And tonight Yuki will come back from America. (Now he is on the airplane.)
So I said "I'm happy to spend last week without troubles."
P.S A blog friend told me that she was not able to put any comments here. Is it true? Luckly some friends gave some comments on this blog. I don't change any setting of this blog. I'm glad to get some comments.
This week fortunately I had lots of things to do, and now I'm really happy to have done all of them without trouble.
Yesterday (on Saturday), I went to TOKYO to meet my mother. We met at TOKYO station and went to a department. We browsed through the department and had a good lunch.
To tell the truth, I sometimes think whether such a volunteer work is my hobby or my job. I sometimes think what is volunteer work. Actually I earn some money to teach English at home, and for me reading English picture books is one way to teach English. So it's difficult to draw a line between a job and a volunteer work. But anyway I enjoy reading English picture books to others, and through this activity I got to know a lot of people in different areas.
On Wednesday I had lessons all day long.
On Tuesday I did a workshop.The thema was " Sweets and English picture books for adults". My friend made sweets that suited the picture books I selected.About 15 people came, who were interested Enlighs picture books or my volunteer activity.
Today I have nothing to do special, just clean the rooms (or you can say it is the most important thing I have to do), and go groserly shooping. And tonight Yuki will come back from America. (Now he is on the airplane.)
So I said "I'm happy to spend last week without troubles."
P.S A blog friend told me that she was not able to put any comments here. Is it true? Luckly some friends gave some comments on this blog. I don't change any setting of this blog. I'm glad to get some comments.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday
Even though the end of rainy season is not announced yet, it is actually summer. It's really hot, today.
Hydrangeas have gone, instead of them, vine of morning glory and GOYA is growing. They make green curtain.
This weekend I went to NIKKO to work. I dropped by a popular tea room. For a while I relaxed alone seeing the outside from the window. There I saw SYUKAIDOU and some ferns. I was giggling. The ferns made a good scenery there, on the other hand I'm fighting to weed them in my garden.
A few minutes ago, a deliver man came with this --- a bottle of pickled RAKKYO (kind of shallots)
My friend made it. She makes it every year to present to her friends. To tell the truth, I don't care for RAKKO, but I love "her" RAKKO. I don't know why, but anyway I love "her" taste. I'm really happy to have such a wonderful friend like her.
Coming her RAKKOY tells me summer coming.
Hydrangeas have gone, instead of them, vine of morning glory and GOYA is growing. They make green curtain.
This weekend I went to NIKKO to work. I dropped by a popular tea room. For a while I relaxed alone seeing the outside from the window. There I saw SYUKAIDOU and some ferns. I was giggling. The ferns made a good scenery there, on the other hand I'm fighting to weed them in my garden.
A few minutes ago, a deliver man came with this --- a bottle of pickled RAKKYO (kind of shallots)
My friend made it. She makes it every year to present to her friends. To tell the truth, I don't care for RAKKO, but I love "her" RAKKO. I don't know why, but anyway I love "her" taste. I'm really happy to have such a wonderful friend like her.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Thursday
Today, it's rainy. Sometimes it gets a driving rain. So the windows are getting dirtier and dirtier. I decide that during a rainy season I don't clean the windows. (though, I seldom clean the windows.)
Yesterday it was hot. And this sudden coolness and rain cause me a slight headache. What a bummer! Anyway in one hour I have to go out.
Last Tuesday it was the day for KARAKU, where I play the piano once a month. Coincidentally a chorus women's group were there. As soon as I started playing some Japanese classical songs, they started singing together. Other two single guests were also there, and they were smiling to listen to them. Thanks to the group, everybody there must have felt connected through our music. I was really happy to share that moment.
Having sweets after my performance is one of my happiest moments.
This is a set of boiled food. The dish is like this.
My friend went to Korea recently. To tell the truth Yuki and I are thinking about travel to Korea. So her talking was really useful to me. Have you ever been to Korea?
If you have bee to Korea, or live in Korea, I'd like to hear your suggestion.
Yesterday it was hot. And this sudden coolness and rain cause me a slight headache. What a bummer! Anyway in one hour I have to go out.
Last Tuesday it was the day for KARAKU, where I play the piano once a month. Coincidentally a chorus women's group were there. As soon as I started playing some Japanese classical songs, they started singing together. Other two single guests were also there, and they were smiling to listen to them. Thanks to the group, everybody there must have felt connected through our music. I was really happy to share that moment.
Having sweets after my performance is one of my happiest moments.
Yesterday my adult lesson was canceled, so I went out for lunch with my friend. The owner renovated her house into a restaurant. The menu was illustrated by herself. How cute!
If you have bee to Korea, or live in Korea, I'd like to hear your suggestion.
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