Sunday, September 30, 2018

Puzzler HInts

Is it raining? Is it sunny? I don't know but, it doesn't matter! It's great to be alive! Puzzler Hints: CLICK HERE.

October HPは、“little, less, least”です。
littlelessleast
一般的な比較級、最上級より難易度が高い比較表現です。
little = すこししかない   少ししかない
Weve had little snow this year. この冬は殆んど雪が降っていない
There is little work to do. すべて仕事はほとんどなかった。
less = より少ない、より少なく より少ない、より少なく(比較級)
You need to spend less time playing video games. テレビゲームをする時間を減らしなさい。
Id better eat less and exercise more. 私は食べる量を減らしてもっと運動しないといけない。
least  (量や程度が)もっとも少ない;最小の。(量や程度が)最も少ない;最小の
My least favorite subject is math. 最もすきではない科目は数学です。→好きではない
I have the least money of all. 私はほかのみんなよりお金は最も少ない。
これらの、little, less, leastを使って、会話をしてみましょう。 Good luck!

ADOMONI dessert

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Puzzler

It's another weekend. I won't drink this Saturday and Sunday again. Maybe next weekend? We shall see. Puzzler: CLICK HERE.

October HPは、“little, less, least”です。
littlelessleast
一般的な比較級、最上級より難易度が高い比較表現です。
little = すこししかない   少ししかない
Weve had little snow this year. この冬は殆んど雪が降っていない
There is little work to do. すべて仕事はほとんどなかった。
less = より少ない、より少なく より少ない、より少なく(比較級)
You need to spend less time playing video games. テレビゲームをする時間を減らしなさい。
Id better eat less and exercise more. 私は食べる量を減らしてもっと運動しないといけない。
least  (量や程度が)もっとも少ない;最小の。(量や程度が)最も少ない;最小の
My least favorite subject is math. 最もすきではない科目は数学です。→好きではない
I have the least money of all. 私はほかのみんなよりお金は最も少ない。
これらの、little, less, leastを使って、会話をしてみましょう。 Good luck!


ADOMONI dinner




Friday, September 28, 2018

Adomani

Do you know the restaurant "Adomani"? There are two. One is in Kitamoto. The other is in Kitakounosu. We have been to the one in KitaMoto more than a several times. The food is very good. It is Italian; pasta and pizza. The desserts are also very tasty. The Adomani in Kitakounosu is the same. And they also have excellent desserts. you can search it on the Internet. You will find both locations. The one in Kitamoto is not easy to get to. On the other hand, the one in Kitakounosu is easy. I checked hte Internet for the meaning of ADOMONI. The only thing I fond was DOMONI. DOMONI means tomorrow in Italian. So, I have almost no idea why the restaurant is called ADOMONI. But, as I said, it is delicious. The price is also reasonable. I highly recommend ADOMONI for lunch or dinner with family or friends. By the way, do you know of any nice, local restaurants. If so, please tell us at our next lesson. Graci.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

CPR training

There was a CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) training course at the Higashi Kindergarten two Sundays ago. The course was for teachers, moms, dads and anyone who wanted to attend. It was free. I wanted to attend. So, I went there at 9 AM on September 16th. This training was how to help a child or infant (baby) who has stopped breathing. The mouth to mouth technique helps get oxygen back to the brain. And the chest compressions help get oxygen to the brain. There were three professionals from the emergency care unit. They showed us how to do CPR. They also showed us how to use an AED machine. There were 4 kindergarten teachers. There were 2 kindergarten staff members. There were 7 moms and 1 dad and me. There were dummies that we used to practice. It was hard work and a little difficult at first. I took part in a similar course maybe 15 years ago that helped kids and adults. That was all day. This time was only 3 hours in the morning. I got a certificate when it was over. I'm glad I went.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Tiger Woods

Congratulations to Tiger Woods. He won the FedExCup Championship last weekend. It was played in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Do you know Tiger Woods? He is a professional golfer. Five years ago his golfing career was almost over. He had terrible back pains and needed many surgeries to try to correct it (try to make it better.) He said that he could not walk. He is considered to be one of the greatest golfers of all time. He started his professional golfing career when he was 20 years old in 1996. He ended in 2014 when he was 38 years old. He made a comeback this year and finally won a major event. I watched the final two days on TV. That was Sunday morning and again Monday morning. Monday was a holiday so I was off. I stayed dry this weekend so I was up before dawn every day. I saw Tiger play from about the 10th hole on. (There are 18 holes in a golf round.) He was great. But, the other players were great, too! There were many good shots and great putts. There was also some drama with bad shots, too. I'm glad I watched it. 

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

September Equinox

There are two equinoxes every year. One is in March and the other is in September. This is interesting: At the At the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. I like the September equinox better than the March equinox. Why? Because the days are getting shorter. On June 21st, at the summer solstice, the sun was rising before 4AM! And it was hot every day for about two months. I don't like that much heat very much. So now, the sun will be rising later and later. I look forward to seeing the sunrise at 6AM or so, this winter. I also look forward to sleeping in when it is cold outside. I am also happy because the weeds stop growing in the winter. That means that I don't have to pick weeds. I can look at the vacant lot next door and smile. Also, t is also almost time for the leaves to start changing colors. Actually we don't make any efforts to go an see the beautiful colored leaves here in Japan. Perhaps we will this year. How about you? Do you like the autumn?

Monday, September 24, 2018

Puzzler Answers

Another day off. And I'm as dry as a bone. it's almost time to drink. Puzzler Answers: CLICK HERE.

以下はスーパースクラブルパズルです。よく見ると、4つの空白のタイルが見つかります。 空白のタイルとは、何も書かれていないタイルのことです。それら空白のタイルは、ある単語の一部です。空白のタイルに、どの文字があてはまるかを考えてください。おわかりですか?答えは、ページを下にスクロールして下さい。GOOD LUCK

Below is a Super Scrabble Puzzle. If you search carefully you will find four blank tiles on it. BLANK means that nothing is written on it. But, they are part of the word. Try to determine what letter the BLANK tiles are. After you have your guess you can scroll down the page to find the answers. As always, GOOD LUCK.






































FASTER                    STEM                       COUNTY                  JOINT/JOIST

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Puzzler Hints

It's Sunday and we just might take a drive this lovely day. Puzzler Hints: CLICK HERE.

今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 


This ambulance was at the kindergarten for he CPR training last weekend.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Puzzler

The Answers to the September 2018 Special Puzzle: CLICK HERE.

I pulled almost all of the weeds next door last week so I don't have to touch them today. Hooray! Puzzler: CLICK HERE.

今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。




 

Friday, September 21, 2018

yard work

I had a nice little vacation last weekend. I was off from Saturday at noon to Tuesday morning at 10:00. So, what did I do?  First and foremost (most importantly) I DID NOT DRINK! I almost always drink on the weekends. But, I am on the wagon for a month or so. I went to the gym twice. I attended a CPR for kids training session at the neighborhood kindergarten (story next week). I read a book. I went out to dinner with Miwako. I watched some movies on TV. And I picked weeds in the vacant lot next door as well as around our house. As a matter of fact, I picked almost all the weeds. I picked them twice. The first time was on Saturday from 4 PM to 5:30 PM. The mosquitoes finally arrived. Then from 6 AM to 8 AM Monday morning. However, I did not pick those right in front of our house though. I also didn't shave twice. It was a very relaxing time. And now there is another 3 day weekend starting tomorrow. I am sure that I will enjoy it because I do n8ot have to pick weeds! 

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Tennis Part 3 Serena Williams

This Part 3 BLOG is about Serena Williams. She is from my home state of Michigan. She was born in Saginaw. I have been there a couple of times. She is a great tennis player. Well, maybe she used to be a great tennis payer. She has 23 Grand Slam tournament victories. Margaret Court has 24 Grand Slam tournament victories. So, Serena was trying to win her 24th Grand Slam tournament. Then she would be tied for the most. And if possible, she could win one more and then she would have the most (Margaret Court no longer plays tennis). So, she really wanted to win. BUT, I think it is too late for her to win again. She is S-T-R-O-N-G! But she is 36 years old. I think that is old for tennis. Ms. Osaka is so much younger and quicker. She is also strong. So, Serena was losing the match and then she lost her cool (she got angry). Then she complained. Then she broke her racket. Then she called the umpire a thief. She was crying like a baby. Poor Serena. Good luck making commercials maybe. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Tennis Part 2 Naomi Osaka

In the 2018 US Open Tennis Tournament, Naomi Osaka of Japan defeated (beat) Serena Williams of the USA. The tournament was held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NYC. I did not know who Naomi Osaka was. She was the first Japanese to play in a tennis finals. So, there was much excitement here in Japan and in our house. But she is not really Japanese, I think. Her mother is Japanese. So, her nationality is Japanese. Her father is from Haiti. She was born in Osaka, Japan and her family moved to the US when she was 3 years old. She has duel Japanese and American citizenship. In my opinion, she is cute. And she played liked a champion in the finals against Serena. She showed a lot of poise, character and maturity. I saw some times when she looked like (as if) she would get angry. But, she controlled her temper, relaxed and continued to dominate (completely control) Serena and the match. Eventually (finally/in the end) she won the match quite easily. Then, on the podium, where they receive the trophies, she was so cool. She cried a lot, and she also apologized (said "I'm sorry) for winning. After all, Serena is her idol. Naomi is Japanese. 

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Tennis Part 1 WOWOW

I am not a big tennis fan. When I was young, I watched baseball, football and ice hockey in America. By the time I got to Hawaii, I almost completely quit watching sports. Then, in Japan, I got interested in Japanese baseball and soccer. I still followed the US pro sports but not closely. Now, I only like soccer, especially from the European leagues. I never watch tennis and occasionally golf. WOWOW is a private satellite broadcasting and premium satellite television station in Japan. You have to pay for it. They offered a special deal this month. If you sign up now, you can watch the US Open final match between Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams. Of course, you will also get a discount. Well, we signed up for this service. (You can also see movies and other specials on WOWOW, so it may be worth it.) Anyway, the match stared early in the morning so I couldn't see it. But I did see the results on the news. Later we saw the entire (whole) match. And I was very surprised to see that Osaka beat (defeated) Williams. Furthermore, I was dismayed (unhappy) to see how Williams reacted to her defeat. continued tomorrow.


Monday, September 17, 2018

Puzzler Answers

I have the whole day off. Hooray! I will read some more of my book...and relax. Puzzler Answers: CLICK HERE.

以下はスーパースクラブルパズルです。よく見ると、4つの空白のタイルが見つかります。 空白のタイルとは、何も書かれていないタイルのことです。それら空白のタイルは、ある単語の一部です。空白のタイルに、どの文字があてはまるかを考えてください。おわかりですか?答えは、ページを下にスクロールして下さい。GOOD LUCK

Below is a Super Scrabble Puzzle. If you search carefully you will find four blank tiles on it. BLANK means that nothing is written on it. But, they are part of the word. Try to determine what letter the BLANK tiles are. After you have your guess you can scroll down the page to find the answers. As always, GOOD LUCK.






































ICEBERG                          MOTTO                    ZEBRAS                   GRUFF

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Puzzler Hints

It's almost autumn. That will come next weekend. The weather is getting cooler. I'm luvin' this, too.  Puzzler Hints: CLICK HERE.

今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Puzzler

Ah, another weekend. I have no Kenkatsu lesson this day so I will go the gym early. Then I will work at home. Then, Monday is a holiday. I'm luvin' it! Puzzler: CLICK HERE.

今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Friday, September 14, 2018

Special guests

It was a Wednesday. I teach in Omiya on Wednesdays. It is an adult group and currently there are 6 students in the class. The lesson is at the Uchino Kominkan in Omiya. So, last week Wednesday I went to teach there after having lunch at Aeon. As I entered he Kominkan, four junior high school kids were standing in front of the office. They said "Good afternoon" in Japanese as I entered. I was a bit surprised but I replied (answered) "Hi." It was almost time for the lesson so I hurried upstairs and started the ball rolling (I started the lesson). Suddenly the Kominkan director came in to ask us if it was OK for those kids to watch our lesson. We all said "Sure." Those kids came in. They introduced themselves in English. I introduced myself in English. Then we continued the lesson with some listening practice. I used one of my CDs and were practiced listening to three sentences.  Our members did pretty good in understanding the sentences and so did the kids. They really worked hard and they discussed what they heard. It was a very refreshing lesson with those youngsters there. I hope they come again next year. (The pic is NOT those kids)

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Typhoon Jebi

Last week Tuesday Typhoon Jebi hit Japan. It caused a lot damage in the south and west of Japan. However here was also some effects in our area. On that day I had a lesson at the nearby Kindergarten near RAM English. I walked there instead of taking my bicycle because it might rain. I was back at my school at noon. After lunch the ladies came. It was fine weather when they arrived. But it started to rain heavily almost as soon as the lesson started. The good news is that the rain stopped just before they left. Whew! But then during my kids lessons from 5 PM we had a lot of rain. And then there was a lot of thunder. And then suddenly during the lesson the lights almost went out. They stopped but only for a split second. Then the thunder roared! It was loud and strong. I became a bit (little) concerned. The kids didn't seem to mind. The lessons ended at 8 PM. Half the students didn't come because they were afraid of (concerned about) the storm. In the end it wasn't so bad. Miwako came to pick me up by car. I didn't need my bicycle until the afternoon the next day so it worked out. As Shakespeare said "All's well that ends well."

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Our summer vacation by Michiko

Kenji Miyazawa
I had a plan for the final week of August. My husband and I planned a trip to "Iihatoubu". Kenji Miyazawa (he is a writer of fairy tales) named Iwate prefecture "Iihatoubu". That means "dream land". He was born in Hanamaki City, Iwate, and he was looking for a Utopia all his life. He was 37 years old when he passed away. He composed many fantastic fairy tales. For example, "Yamanashi (The Wild Pear)", "Yodaka-no-hashi (The Star of Yodaka)" and "Gingatetsudo-no-Yoru (The Night of Milky Way Train)". These tales have beautiful nature and innocent spirit. So,I hoped to visit his hometown and experience "Iihatoubu". We were planning to go to Morioka by Touhoku Shinkansen and to rent a car there. It would be two night and three days. I am a bad driver but my husband is a good driver. I couldn't wait for our summer vacation. HOWEVER! Suddenly my father went to the hospital because he became seriously ill. So I cancelled our trip to Iwate this summer. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Saturday night party

Last Saturday, September 9th, I did the final lessons at Kenkatsu. They start up again (resume) in October. There are twenty lessons each term. There are two groups. The first group is a beginner/intermediate group. Most of them have been continuing for two years now so they are getting better, little by little. The second group are all very good speakers of English. They also have a good understanding of grammar. Their listening level is quite high, too. They also like to party. So, after the final lesson we went to Omiya for a dinner party. There were nine of us. But first, one student and I made a stop at a Standing/drinking shop. We had some primers (drinks) and then walked to the party. That was a good time. Every one was talkative and the food was good and we had some very delicious Japanese sake. When the party ended, my drinking partner and I went to one of his favorite waterholes. Then we went to the station  about 11 PM. I remember going home on the train and Miwako picked me up at Okegawa station. Then I don't remember anything. Thanks everyone. 

Monday, September 10, 2018

Puzzler Answers

It's back to work full time. I am busier but it feels good to get into this mode. Puzzler Answers: CLICK HERE.

以下はスーパースクラブルパズルです。よく見ると、4つの空白のタイルが見つかります。 空白のタイルとは、何も書かれていないタイルのことです。それら空白のタイルは、ある単語の一部です。空白のタイルに、どの文字があてはまるかを考えてください。おわかりですか?答えは、ページを下にスクロールして下さい。GOOD LUCK

Below is a Super Scrabble Puzzle. If you search carefully you will find four blank tiles on it. BLANK means that nothing is written on it. But, they are part of the word. Try to determine what letter the BLANK tiles are. After you have your guess you can scroll down the page to find the answers. As always, GOOD LUCK.








































QUIPS                     CAME/DAME/FAME/GAME/LAME/NAME/SAME/TAME  
                      BABEL                 EXTEND/EXTENT

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Puzzler Hints

And now we can start getting ready for the fall colors. After all, it is almost autumn. Puzzler Hints: CLICK HERE.
今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Puzzler

My Saturday lessons end this day. They resume in October. So, tonight we party. Puzzler: CLICK HERE. 
今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Friday, September 7, 2018

Hokkaido Earthquake


   A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Hokkaido at approximately 3:08 am Japan Standard Time (JST).  Train lines in the area are currently suspended, and all flights at Chitose International Airport have been canceled.  No tsunami warning has been issued.  The region continues to experience aftershocks and landslides, which may continue over the coming week.  U.S. citizens should notify their friends and family that they are safe.
    Major power outages have occurred and continue across the Hokkaido prefecture. U.S. citizens in the area should monitor local news and follow directions from local officials.  At this time the American Embassy is not aware of reports of injured U.S. citizens.  Information on affected areas is available in English from the Japan Meteorological Agency: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/.

    The City of Sapporo as well as other municipalities in Hokkaido have reported areas where water service is not functioning.  We recommend that citizens conserve water where possible.  Citizens may also wish to maintain a backup supply of water by filling bathtubs, sinks or other containers.  If citizens are without water, contact local authorities to find the locations of emergency water supply points or evacuation centers.





Thursday, September 6, 2018

Matterhorn in the morning glow by Eiko

The most impressive thing in Switzerland was the Matterhorn in the morning glow. We stayed at Zermatt. One morning we got up early and we went to Sunnegga observatory by cable car. There was a lake. We saw inverted Matterhorn in the morning sun. That was so beautiful.
 Zermatt is the base to climb Matterhorn. There is a bridge named Nihonbashi.
It is said that Japanese gathered at the bridge to see Matterhorn in the morning glow from long ago. It seems that foreigners didn’t have a habit of seeing the mountains of the morning glow. They noticed the beauty now as well.
 Zermatt and Myokokogen, Fujiyoshida, Kyoto are sister cities. I was pleased to know that.
 Our trip was a group trip. There were 26 people. There were a couple of handicapped people in our group. They naturally traveled with us. We climbed the observation platform by train or cable car. We also used borrow bus. Our bus driver told us he never been to the observation platform in Interlaken. He told the cable car fare was very expensive. We realized that we had a luxurious trip. All of us in our group wanted to climb with him together. We donated the money for his cable car fare little by little. And we could see the view of marvelous mountains together. We reaffirmed that this trip was very valuable and wonderful.


Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Labor Day

We have a holiday in America called "Labor Day". From Wikipedia:
Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is considered the unofficial end of summer in the United States. It is recognized as a federal holiday.
So, Labor was yesterday in the US of A. The schools start in September in America.The end of August is the "Back to School" season for many businesses. Also, the school year ends in June. So, we have no Homework during summer vacation. The Japanese school year starts in April. I think they match the beginning of the school year here with the cherry blossoms blooming. So, Japanese kids have much homework during "summer vacation". I think it is almost impossible for American kids to do Homework during summer vacation. At least, it would be impossible for me.

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Typhoon Jebi

U.S. Embassy Tokyo                                                                          September 3, 2018

Alert: Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon No. 21)
Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon Number 21) is expected to make landfall near Tokushima and Wakayama prefectures the afternoon of Tuesday, September 4, as a Category 3 storm with highest sustained winds at 110-130 mph and pass over the Kansai region including Osaka and Kyoto.  Jebi is then anticipated to continue north along Honshu and arrive in the Hokkaido region on September 5.  In conjunction with this storm, the Japan Meteorological Agency may issue a High Wave and Thunderstorm advisory for the affected areas.  Expect extremely high winds, dangerous storm tides, heavy rainfall, and possible flooding to occur.

Temporary Closure of U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe.

Please note that the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, due to Typhoon Jebi (Typhoon Number 21), which is forecast to hit the Kansai region around 12:00 p.m. that day.

The Japan Meteorological Service’s Typhoon tracking information may be found in English at this webpage:  http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/.  

Information about Jebi is also available from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center at http://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html.

Note that the current Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) for U.S. military installations on Okinawa may be found at http://www.kadena.af.mil/Agencies/Local-Weather/

All U.S. citizens living in or traveling to the area should monitor local weather reports, follow directions from local officials, and take other appropriate actions as needed. 


Monday, September 3, 2018

Puzzler Answers

As I wrote yesterday, it's a holiday in the US. Tomorrow the students, from age 6 to 86, go back to schools and universities. Puzzler Answers: CLICK HERE.

以下はスーパースクラブルパズルです。よく見ると、4つの空白のタイルが見つかります。 空白のタイルとは、何も書かれていないタイルのことです。それら空白のタイルは、ある単語の一部です。空白のタイルに、どの文字があてはまるかを考えてください。おわかりですか?答えは、ページを下にスクロールして下さい。GOOD LUCK

Below is a Super Scrabble Puzzle. If you search carefully you will find four blank tiles on it. BLANK means that nothing is written on it. But, they are part of the word. Try to determine what letter the BLANK tiles are. After you have your guess you can scroll down the page to find the answers. As always, GOOD LUCK.





































TOKEN/RATION            SNATCH           GRAVER/JARRING        ORDER

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Puzzler HInts

Tomorrow is Labor Day in the USA. I wonder if Donald J. Trump is working this day. Puzzler Hints: CLICK HERE.

HP for September   almost 
今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。) 
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4. I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Watch my BLOG for almostI hope to use it often. And, you can try it in your conversation and essays.


Saturday, September 1, 2018

Puzzler

It's September! Are you happy? Me, too! I hope that it gets cooler. But, who knows? Puzzler: CLICK HERE.
HP for September   almost 
今月のHPは almost です。
Almost は、もう少しのところである状態に達していない、という否定的なニュアンスがあります。「ほとんど、もう少しで・・・することろ」という意味です。また、時間や期限を示す場合にもも使われます。
Ex 1. It is almost 10PM. (It is about 9:55) もう少しで10時です。(9時55分ごろです。)
Ex 2. It is almost time for lunch. (It is NOT lunchtime, but very near.)
もうすぐランチの時間です。(まだランチタイムではありませんが、そろそろです。)
Ex 3. It is almost July (It is June 29th). もうすぐ7月です。(7月29日か30日です。)
Ex 4 I am almost 50 years old. (I am 48 or 49 years old.) 私は、もうすぐ50歳です。(私は48、9歳です。)
Almostは、しばしば never alwaysと一緒に使われます。
Ex 1. He almost never comes to see me. 彼は、ほとんど私と会わないです。
Ex 2. Our team almost always loses.私たちのチームは、たいていいつも負けます。
Ex 3. I almost never drink these days.私は、最近ほとんど飲まないです。
Ex 4. We almost never disagree私たちは、ほとんどもめることはないです。 

Watch my BLOG for almost. I hope to use it often. And, you can try it in your conversation and essays.
Noto Peninsula Suzu City, Beach