cherry blossoms

cherry blossoms
Originally uploaded by whitecrow.49

snow fall

Originally uploaded by whitecrow.49

This year we have snow frequently.
I wish I could have been to ski resort...

fight against STRESS

Much stress is jumping at me.
Many Japanese tend to feel stress in work, relationships.
And also, this problem becomes a social trouble.
As for me, the boss is my father so it's more complicated...

The most important thing for me is to learn how to move on.
After work, I have to switch my mind from job mode to pleasure mode.

My hobby is movie, and music and playing soccer or futsal. But almost all of these enjoyments make me happy on only weekend and holiday.
So I should find easier and quickly interest I can enjoy even weekday.
What is that? uh... It's not easy to find. That causes new stress? hahaha.

Anyway, now I need exercise. So at least twice a week, I'm gonna work out in the gym. In addition, I try to spend more time to use English like this blog.

coexistence

I found tree stump at one corner in shrine.
That can't grow up any more.
That body is already decayed.

But the moss growing around that stump needs this decayed body.
Without poor stubbed, the moss doesn't have place to live.

keep growing

Our second daughter, Yukiha, is three month-old. And now she seems to be able to realize some stuff. And sometime she plays with some object that is invisible for us. So my wife is scared, hahaha. Anyway she will understand our face soon, and I'm waiting for the day to come.

For cherry-blossom? or for drink?

Today, about noon, we're gonna have a party about viewing cherry-blossom. This is Japanese age-old tradition. At this party, 3 families are supposed to join include mine. We are old and best friend from childhood. Each will prepare some drink (this is most important stuff), food, chair and desk. The place is Sunagawa-park. We hope cherry blooms beautifully! But we will keep on drinking not gaizing bloomed tree... hahaha.

New Comer 雪羽 (Yukiha)

Last month, Jan. 3rd, we've got a new baby! A baby is 2,990g and 47cm girl. She and my wife are fine. I stayed with my wife during birth and this was a first time for me so I felt more nervous than my wife.

But, needless to say, that was a great moment and I was so moved!!! A new life comes out our life. She looks so weak, fragile but she make a tight fist.

Our first daughter's name is Mitsuki (美月) means beautiful moon, and second daughters' is Yukiha (雪羽) means snow feather. We wanted to give a nature-related name to them.

Anyway, the day will come that children keep growing independently of our hope and felt. So while I and my wife have a chance, we kiss them and hold them and hug them independently of their thought, hahaha!

rose

X'mas at Tivoli Park in Kurashiki

X'mas at Tivoli Park in Kurashiki 8, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Swimming pool!!!

IMG_5627.JPG, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Beach in Kurashiki

Today, We went to the Sami-beach in Kurashiki. This is the first swim in the sea this year except Guam beach. However, my daughter was scared of wave of ocean so we seldom swam in the sea. Almost all time, we spent on the beach not in the sea... Because of that I got a tan very much and now I have pain on my skin. I think the wave in Japan, especially in Kurashiki, is small and tiny and low so lots of children could play in the sea and enjoy the swim. I wonder why she's scared and she couldn't get into the sea... Next time I'm going to take her to the swimming pool that never create the wave, hahaha.

in front of the sprit of tree

Spiritual!!!, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Golden Week

From tomorrow to next Sunday I can take 5-day holiday. This time every year there is consecutive holiday in Japan and people say it Golden Week. And the same as other company, we take 5 days off. Some company in Japan suspend their business for 9 days in this week and my brother also take 9 days off. Very long vacation!

We already planed how to spend G.W. so we must be busy doing something such as clean up the house and invite friends from Hiroshima and visit my aunt house... I guess time will go by rapidly. I wonder if I can wake up early in next Monday morning...

Lucent

Travel to Guam, originally uploaded by takashi13.

momentary single life

From yesterday to Friday, my wife and kid stayed at friend's home in Hiroshima. So now I'm alone in my house.

At the beginning of this month we left Hiroshima and moved here, Kurashiki city for my job. And this means we had to say good-bye to our friends. But it takes about 2 hours by car on high-way to Hiroshima so they invited us to their home for short trip. Of course I started new job and I can't visit, therefore, she decided to go by themselves.

At first, I thought I could get my private time. But actually, after I became temporal single, I found I had nothing to do!!! Too quiet my home! So now I'm looking forward to tomorrow that is the day when they return.

The first day at new work

Tomorrow is the first day at new work so now I feel a little bit nervous. You know, new boss is my father and this could sometimes make it complicated and sometimes make it easy for me. Anyway I must do my best work for my family!

Travel to Guam

Travel to Guam, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Travel to Guam, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Travel to Guam, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Travel to Guam, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Moving to Kurashiki-city

Finally, we left from Hiroshima and moved to Kurashiki-city. I quit the job at the end of March and I'm supposed to enter my father's company. But I'm gonna have a vacation and take a trip to Guam for 5 days!!! The reason why we decide to trip to Guam is that we can get there for 3 hours by flight and I won't be able to get a chance to trip to overseas for a few days on weekdays.

However, moving is very hard work more than we expect. There are still lots of cardboard boxes however hard we manage to unpack and clear up our stuff. Actually, we relocate to the next door to my parents, so we make use of utilities at my parents house in recent days. We might exhaust before we travel to Guam...

As we're supposed to set out on this Saturday, I guess we have time to unpack our stuff and pack for trip again, maybe...

amazing score...

I took a TOEIC test in my company this January. And this year, I can get 740 score! It's amazing!!! My company encourages us to improve English skill same as other company. And we workers are supposed to take a TOEIC test every January. Last year I was supposed to go to SIUC as study abroad, so I had studied English. As the result, I could get 695 score and I thought that was the best score in my life. But after that I can improve English skill moreover. I'm very surprised and happy.

But this is the last test in current company because I'm gonna switch the job. Unfortunately, I will get less opportunity of speaking English in the next work... I wonder if I should travel some country for English, ha ha ha.

Final 3 weeks

I decided several months ago that I quit the job at the end of this month and take over my father's job. Now that I think about it, it's very fast that the time goes by. The rest is only 3 weeks and now I'm a little bit confused. I mean, I miss my friends, colleages, senior and junior workers, even as I feel nervous because new unknown job will start at next month. But all I have to do is to hang in there and get better skills with making use of my experience of current work. Anyway, after leaving Hiroshima and away from current job, I'm gonna take couple of weeks off. And I will get ready for the future!

Just as I expected...

Last Friday, during soccer practice I got hurt on my foot. And as I expected it's difficult to walk and everyone asks me "What's wrong with your foot?" when they see me walking with limping. It's too uncomfortable... It usually takes 15 minutes by walk to my office, but now takes twice as much as usual. So every morning I ask my wife to take me to the office by car. I appreciate it, Yoshie!

My right ankle...

I join the soccer team that consists of my company's employees and we practice every Friday night. Last Friday only 6 members came to the ground so all we could do was to match 3 on 3, just mini-game. Since a few players on the pitch, all of us had to keep on running during the mini-game. So we were so tired and exhausted more than usual.

In the last couple of minutes, unfortunately I got hurt on my leg, to be exact I strained my right ankle and couldn't stand up by myself. Long time no pain such like this from high-school... Additionally, on Saturday we were supposed to join the futsal tournament. So I just only watched the game of our team and cheered.

I wonder if I can go to the office by walk... I'm a little anxious about it.

Win a match but...

Yesterday, we had a soccer match and 3 teams joined the game, so we played 2 games. Eventually, we won both games but personally, I don't get satisfied about yesterday's match because I couldn't play as I expected. Of course I know lack of my practice caused this result but I can't help but blame my age... Now that I'm thirty one-year-old. Phew...

Snow Garden

Snowboarding tour_10, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Tomorrow match of Soccer

Tomorrow, we'll have a match of soccer and it will be the first game in this year. Of course we don't watch the professional match but we actually play soccer. I wonder if our team can win or lose the match...

Untouched

Snowboarding tour_16, originally uploaded by takashi13.

In the Snowland

We went snowboarding and Japanese spa in north area of Hiroshima last weekend. This year, it has been so cold weather and we have much snowfall in north area. So last weekend was the right timing for tour of snowboarding. On our way to ski resort, the road was perfectly frozen and white. Of course my car has snow tires but they are no use on frozen road in high-speed. Therefore, I have to drive very slowly and carefully.

After having hard drive, we managed to get to ski resort and found the snow was perfect for snow-surfing. Because we have a daughter and come to let her see and touch snow, we couldn't do all day long and I and my wife did snowboarding in turn. During one was surfing on the snow, the other played with daughter on the snow. As we expected before, almost 2-year-old daughter was afraid snow and often say "So cold, freezing! ". I guess it was a little early for her playing on the snow...

For staying on night, I had made a reservation in advance and this Japanese inn was so nice place and clean! We were greatly delighted, moved and deeply impressed by the inn and hot-spa. My wife was so delighted that she took a hot spring bath three times!!! In addition, unfortunately for me, our daughter only had fun in this inn, not on snow...

For 2 days snowboarding and staying hot-spring inn made us refresh and happy so much. We think we want to have a tour like this at least once a year.

Playing in the snow

originally uploaded by takashi13.

Snowboarding

This weekend, we plan to go snowboarding and stay at Japanese inn. This is the first time for my daughter and I'm looking forward to seeing her reaction on snow. Actually, for me and my wife we'll go snowboarding after an interval of 2 years. So we worry about it and feel nervous a little bit. But we're also excited about the tour!!!

I wish...

I got a new friend who is Turkish and studies some technologies in Japan. I gave a lecture at my company to international trainees a few weeks ago. That's how we could get to be friends. And after that lecture he told me that he was willing to invite me and my family to his house if we could have time to travel Turkey. Wow! Turkey!? How far is it from Hiroshima?

That country is beyond my imaginations as well as Turkish thinks of Japan. But that invitation is great and awesome! And I hear that Turkey is such a beautiful country and have many beautiful places all over the country. I really want to go there some time!!! Even though that visit is in the distant future, I shall keep in touch with him.

Wait! ~ Until when?

"一期一会" ~meeting only once in a lifetime~

This title means that you should treat someone as if that meeting was only once in your lifetime. And also you should value your relationship with people.

In the past 3 days, I gave a lecture to the foreign trainees at my company. Every year we accept this kind of offer and in almost 3 days worker lectures about our products. This year, unfortunately, the person who takes charge every year was on the business trip so I must speak in front of them on behalf of him.

5 foreigners were there as trainee. 2 Mexican, 2 Indonesian, and 1 Turkish. They were very sincere and earnest because they were representatives of their own countries. I felt a little bit nervous but I had fun to speak in English with foreign people. Therefore, I felt sorrow when we closed the lecture and had to say good-bye even the period were only 3 days.

Last year I studied English at CESL in Southern Illinois Univ. at Carbondale and also I experienced this kind of farewell between the classmates come from all over the world. And now, I assure that the experience of meeting people and knowing each other even this opportunity comes about once is precious for everyone.

Fancy illumination in Hiroshima

Fancy illumination_2, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Sparkling White

Sparkling White, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Happy December

Now is happy December, this means we can get bonus in the beginning of this month. And also today is the first Sunday so I decided to go out to the downtown in Hiroshima and browsed through some shops.

Coming in front of the cosmetics section, I just remembered that I ran out of my fragrance. So I looked for my favorite one "Hugo BOSS" and bought it. I didn't hesitate to get bigger one. Because now is happy December!

After spending some hours and when I was just going home, I additionally remembered that tomorrow I'm supposed to go to Osaka for a business trip and I don't have a formal coat. Unfortunately, next few days it'll be getting colder and it might be snow. Therefore, I made up my mind to purchase a coat for tomorrow's trip. Because now is happy December!

Finally, I got a black and cool formal coat in the men's clothing section on my way home. It was cashmere coat and a little expensive so I hope I could wear it every winter for a long time to come. Tomorrow, it will make me warm physically and mentally.

"Million Dollar Baby"

(C) 2004 Lakeshore International. All rights reserved.

This film completely brew me away. I like the story about development and growing with much effort. From the beginning to the middle, the drama suited what I wanted so I was very excited and moved. As the story was moved on, however, heroine was in extreme trouble...

I learned it from this movie that we must consider how we have so much productive life. We are born and live and then die. Human life is not so long. So we should find and grasp our own real life.

Xmas is coming soon!

Xmas is coming soon 5, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Beautiful autumn color

Beautiful autumn color, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Switching Jobs...

Now I work in Hiroshima and design the industrial machines for 6 years. For around 2 years, however, I was thinking about changing the current job, actually. To tell the truth, I couldn't make up my mind whether I should continue present job or take over my father's job.

After having a conflict for a couple of years, I decided to go back to my hometown and take over my father's job in the near future. What makes me decide is, of course I made a decision by myself, that I should live near my parents and take care of them several years later, not right now. And also, I don't wanna break down my father's dream and his company and I wanna try to get more successful my own life by myself.

Leaving Hiroshima and my current job represents parting my friends and colleagues. Of course, so does my wife. I know she feels concerned about our future very much. So I must have much confidence in my ability and skills for work and encourage my wife. Moreover, I should try to make my family feel happier. Lastly, I'd like to appreciate that my wife allowed me to decide without saying anything.

Business trip with iPod

Today, November 1st, I went to Tokyo as the business trip. I waked up earlier than usual, 6 am, and got on the bullet train called Shinkansen wearing a suit and tie. But now I live in Hiroshima, west side of Japan so it takes over 4 hours to Tokyo even by Shinkansen.

As you may know, it's so hard to kill time in Shinkansen since there are no entertainments such as TV or radio service or newspaper in it. But in some cases, we can get some stuff like drinks and snacks inside Shinkansen. However, these stuffs are a little expensive. Therefore, I had to prepare some stuff for filling the time in Shinkansen.

Most of all, what helped me kill time was a music in iPod. Of course some magazines and books and some cans of beer were also helpful for me but iPod was the most useful tools. With music in iPod, I could enjoy this trip and have a good time in Shinkansen as if it had been 1 hour trip.

Happy Wedding, My Brother!

originally uploaded by takashi13

My younger brother "Katsushi" got married with cute and kind bride "Chiaki" who is nurse in Osaka. Until today, they've been going together for three and half years and also, Katsushi lived in Kyoto and Chiaki did in Osaka. I'm pretty glad to get a splendid sister. Starting today, I'm sure they will create a happy home! I'm looking forward to seeing your baby soon!

"Wicker Park ~White Lies~"

(C)2003 Lakeshore Entertainment. All rights reserved.

This love story was so painful and mysterious. If I remember right, this movie was remade of French movie, L'APPARTEMENT featuring Romane Bohringer, Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel.

Matthew who is young investment banker and has a beautiful fiance sees the woman who resembles Lisa in a cafe and the story begins. Lisa left him without saying anything around 2 years ago. And he finds the key of the hotel where Lisa is likely to stay. Getting her room, he finds weeping woman named Lisa but different person whom he expects to see.

In "Wicker Park", every character is lying and these lies are White Lies. Of course they don't attempt to rip apart somebody but all of them get hurt as a result. Matthew is concealing that he can't get Lisa out of his system. Lisa couldn't answer his proposal in a second. Luke who is friend of Matthew's and asking Alex for a date told a lie to Matthew as he already slept together. And Alex...

I could see in this movie that people can't help falling in love although they have trouble with it. Moreover, we might rip apart someone without knowing when we love someone.

and then...

Today, we carried out Walk-rally convention as planned. It was raining all day, but we have to make it because we arranged the foodstuff, a few drinks beforehand. The part of the course determined in advance was minimountain pass so we had to change and shorten the course as people didn't walk the dirt road.

Consequently, the time was shortened and the schedule was changed but all participants seemed to enjoy it and have fun. No one complained and felt satisfied, which gave me lots of pleasure. In any case, I was relieved as this event was finished without incident. I've felt tired too much...

Oh my...

Tomorrow, we are supposed to host Walk-rally & enjoy a BBQ and a few beers. Walk-rally is to walk a course which is determined beforehand with a map in hand. This is an annual event of our company. And every year, I planned the course and check-points where people answer the quiz or play the game and got ready the foodstuff and a few drinks for the BBQ.
But... It's been raining for several hours... And the forecast says that it's gonna rain tomorrow. I feel disappointed too much. Please somebody, stop raining! Don't let me down!

HOPE

HOPE, originally uploaded by takashi13.

on the street

Hiroshima, originally uploaded by takashi13.

North Park Univ., Chicago

North Park Univ., Chicago, originally uploaded by takashi13.

This is North Park University in Chicago. My friends are supposed to go there. But before entering this university, they have to study English because they are International students. Actually, I've never been to this university but I hope this is the best place for them to study a lot.

Speed

Chicago, originally uploaded by takashi13.

Words to live by...

For love,
to trust what she says completely
to respect what she has entirely
to understand what she thinks of totally
to love her with my body and soul

For life
never abandon
never excuse
never say die
to become somebody!

the end of the world/thee michelle gun elephant

"I thought you were the one at fault, I thought you were cracked"
I'm muttered by you like that, however I act deaf with gazing absently

you begin to giggle by fits and starts and say that
the end of the world is waiting there
I'm heard that that is the end when the moon with reddish cast rises

it's gonna change gradually, softly and certainly
you already realized it was likely to collapse, didn't you
you thought something weird was going on, didn't you

you are waiting quietly with red tea in your hand and say that
the end of the world is watching from there
you're looking forward to it baking the bread

by Yusuke Chiba/thee michelle gun elephant (1996)