kazanpo

Announcement of the CLOSING BLOG

2011-02-24T15:05:00.005+09:00

Now I'm a very lazy and laid-back blogger right now.
So I decided to close this.
From now on, I'd like to post my news mostly at wall pictures on Facebook.
In case you'd like to know my latest news.
Please visit on facebook and understand my comment.
Anyway, Thank you for visiting my blog so far.
Bye and see you on Facebook.

St Valentine's snow

2011-02-15T12:47:00.005+09:00

On the St Valentine's Day. Instead of a bunch of chocolate. I had a tremendously amount of heavy snow on that day. Because of this ,my schedule had to change a lot.

Anyway,take a look at the pics below.

Akashi ESS on Youtube

2010-10-27T11:36:00.010+09:00

Mr Fujiwara kindly posted our" Farewell Party for Anne" on the Youtube site again.It's so fun and good to see and you can easily go yourself back to those days.I'll give you the adress so you can enjoy yourself watching those.
明石ESS 　Anneとのお別れ会：　　 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BFaDOhy4eg

明石ESS　今からガブ飲みします： http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILgSXVrb4k0

明石ESS　通常レッスン１: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qnc1ukpXgqM　 明石ESS　7月27日 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU7N-MluTgg

2010-07-28T10:12:00.003+09:00

Again season of farewell and Summer party is come.
Anne is leaving Japan on 3rd of August to U.S.
and She is entering to Buffalo Graduate school to learn accounting possibly to get master of it.

On 21th of the July,MEC meeting had a summer party.
Anne have joined our meeting for couple of times.
So we invited her,we had a really valuable talk with her.

And on 28th of the July, AKASHI ESS set a party for her. it was fun as usual. we could enjoy ourselves with food and cool bevarage in WATAMI.
These are all I took pictures of our party.

Good-Bye Ryu

2010-05-19T08:26:00.002+09:00

On saturday noon(5/15). Finally, Ryu is dead in the age of 14years and 9months.
It was really sad to write this incident.

Ｐａｒｔｙ at 20th of April

2010-04-28T08:29:00.014+09:00

We had a welcoming party at the Izakaya in Akashi.
This time, we were going to welcome Anne's brother at first.
But very Unfortunately, Volcanic eruption in Iceland made many flights to be canceled to service
especially over in Europe.
So eventually, we changed our plan to welcome New member

Cherry

2010-04-07T15:34:00.003+09:00

These pictures were taken along the Igawadani River.

Craft zoo in the filed

2009-11-25T15:52:00.013+09:00

I found the craft animals in the paddy field again. Last year, I took the pictures of those.

This year just on the same filed, but little bit different. Four stuffs are displayed there.

I took pictures again. Yes, those works are so well created as if they were alive.

Two horses are galloping, and a deer stand still

Elephants walking

Camel mowing

Tom's Wed Reception

2009-10-26T16:26:00.010+09:00

人前結婚式
Happy smiles of both

Tom's Dad

With Mr Koike and me

Tom's Brother...(close to 2-meter-high. )

A Welcome Party

2009-10-19T09:56:00.007+09:00

We had a welcoming party for Anne and her dad. Since Anne became our new instructor,It has passed one month already. We enjoyed English lesson with her happily.
We heard that her dad was coming to Japan to see her using China's holidays. (In China Peopley enjoyed thier founding anniversary on and around Oct 1st). It is a good occasion to have a party and have a happy chat with them. After all, we enjoyed tremendaously.

Niece's Wedding

2009-10-08T17:43:00.004+09:00

I had a chance to attend my niece's wedding. she is a daughter of my sis. I went to Hukui city. It was a third time to visit there. Last time I was there is almost 30-years ago. I went there for my sister's wedding and " YUINOW":a ceremony among both relatives before the wedding reception. I found a Hukui city changed dramatically. JR Fukui Sta is now so beautiful and gorgeous. And my niece also becomes a beautiful and gorgeous,too.

NewComers From Canada In Akashi ESS

2009-08-31T10:37:00.005+09:00

Tom is leaving for UK after all,but we know he's coming back to Japan again and going to live in Sagamihara. Yes, he is going to marry this coming Octorber 24th in Tokyo,Aoyama．
　

Congratulations‼ Ｔｏｍ

And we have another happy news now. New teacher is coming from Canada. She comes from Lewiston, near Niagara Fall. It's is fun and stimulus to get acquaintance with new comers from abroad. Our energy to study must be accelerated and fueled.

Summer party season in 2009

2009-07-31T10:39:00.004+09:00

2009's Summer is little different from usual years. Now,the end of July, still we cannot hear the declaration of " The end of Rainy season" It is still cool and not so crazy hot. Sun is mostly covered with thick or light clouds. But summer is summer, it is hard to say comfortable to live.

So the party is nessesary stuff to escape from the wet uncomfortable weather.

And what I have to say is the Tom is going to leave for Yokohama. Couples of fairwell parties are held for him. Mec English Club. Akashi ESS....

These are photos I took over there.

Mec Meeting party on 24th July

Akashi ESS's party on 28th

Heat discussion?

Spanish food (very tasty‼)

A Small Trip

2009-05-30T14:53:00.018+09:00

On Wednesday 6/24, I took a substitute holiday, Usually ,My typical spending of a day-off is lying on a couch with a bite of some snacks and watching a TV monotonously. That's my typical way of spending of a day-off.
This time though,I decided to take a small and easy trip. I left home in the morning, and went west anyway without any map and secure object, It's a kind of objectless and no plan trip.

Along the Route 2, I found some attractive landmarks. When I crossed a hyogo Pref, and got into Wake-city in Okayama Pref. I found a historical landmark cite, named Une(une)-village.It was the ancient village,which is rebuilt and preserved as the those days of Jyoumon period.
I could enjoy very much, because I was the only one to visit there.

Yep, Take a look at the pictures.

And then I went to Sizutani -gakkou (閑谷学校）. It is a famous for the first public school.First state-run school in Japan established in 1630 during Edo-era. (Okayama-han or 岡山藩立学校） Mostly for samurai children.

Now,Okayama prefecture office offered as the world Heritage. It is well preserved and impressing.
.....Not completed, will write more later.....maybe?

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　sizutani-school

Une- mura hystrical monument

My Son's Debut on Teacher's World

2009-04-06T08:56:00.005+09:00

Since last time's update, it has passed 4 months already. And time has come for every thing starts-up. My son made a debut on teacher's world. He became a full-time instructor at Inami Junior High School. Inami is located rather a inconvenient place. It is located in a rural area, east of kobe city, and north of Kokogawa city. So he bought a second-hand car to commute there. Anyway, The day 1st of the April is the important day for his career and also in his life. Congratulations on his first trial.

He is going to debut just front of his car.

One more Pict of his departure.

Big Parties(Year-end party)

2008-12-13T11:03:00.012+09:00

The time of Year- end party has come. We had it on the 12th of December at the restrant "Saint George Japan" in Kitano, Sannomiya. The Dish we had was so nice to eat and beautiful to see that I could not help taking the pictures. Take a look at and imagine of how tasty those are..

Deep Autumn

2008-11-29T13:20:00.009+09:00

　Now season turned to the Deep Autumn, In Akashi ESS,we changed our plan to proceed,We have to speak a 5 minute-speech with each other. It is good to hear from members how they spend weekends. Most members speak their trip during holidays. Usually Kyoto,Arima for beautiful color leaves. Unfortunately, I have no chance to go seeing tour of leaves. So I picked some pictures from the computer web-site. I found many beautiful ones from wall-paper site.

Enjoy yourself.

kaki(Persimmon)

2008-10-06T11:40:00.011+09:00

Autumn Equinox day is already over. I become lazy to post and update a new blog.

Now November starts and the season going to deep autumn. Leaves are changing their color from green to red,yellow and brown. On the cultural holiday, I visited my parents house again,
Because,they told me on the phone to come and pick the kaki(Japanese-persimmon) fruits.and they told that this year, we had many fine and clear days. So each kaki-fruit is very big and turned good taste. Soon,I find they are quite right. Take a look at the pictures.

Herpes zoster

2008-09-10T17:33:00.006+09:00

Unfortunately, I suffered from the Herpes zoster,which is called as 帯状疱疹(taijyouhousin) in Japanese． This disease occurs only in people who had chickenpox, the majority of sufferers are more than 50 years old. And this suppression is more likely occur in people whose immune system is impaired due to aging,psychological stress, or many factors. This Summer break, as a charger of soft-tennis club (mostly I have worked as general manager) , I had to expose myself in the strong UV-light of the Summer. That's probably one of reasons I have suffered from this disease. Now it's almost cured.but in its prime time, I felt tremendous pain.I got a painkiller- pills,Anti-virus pills at the hospital. It was really troblesome days.
This Pict is from Wikipedia, not my case, but very close.

TRES BONNE(盆）

2008-08-21T15:39:00.004+09:00

August 15th, Here in Japan. We usually celebrate "Obon". It is a Buddhist religious "Memorial day for family- ancestors". Most Japanese go to the thier family grave yard or have a sutra session among hole family- relatives in their house or local . For our family,we are not so honest religious families, so we don't engage to any traditional ceremony but we enjoy it as a family reunion almost close to "a Little Osho-gatu". So, I visited my parents with Akira, my second son. Dad and Mom with a digital camera(souvenir from my sis)

Cicadas drive me CRAZZZZY‼

2008-08-04T13:27:00.005+09:00

Summer time is really heating up. And every morning, I wake up with the sound of crazy cicadas crying. Around 5'o clock in the morning,they start making a crazy sound singing.
When I was a child ,it was rare to see the Kumazemi, a big spices of cicadas, but take a look at the pictures.On a tree, I could see 5 or 6 of those over there.

Summer party season

2008-07-24T14:55:00.007+09:00

Summer breaks starts at school, this means farewell season comes again,usually ALT's contract is end this time. So Abel is going to leave Akashi ESS, he is not sure whether he will stay or go back Australia. It depends on his new company. He right now offer a job her in Japan.
But most likely,he will leave Kobe city. So we held Sayonara-party at Izakaya in akashi.
These are pictures of the party.

Tom(our new instructor) and Abel

And I had one more happy party just next day of the abel's farewell.

June Ends,July starts.

2008-07-03T10:47:00.004+09:00

Hydrangea at yard of my house.
JUNE ends and JULY starts. Again, I complain of the rapid time passing.
Rainy season starts already. I feel wet atmosphere here and there. Yes,I found moss around the sink of the kichen or the sanity room. Washing is so tough becase of the hardness of drying out. I don't like this rainy season.And after rainy season is over. there comes terrible hot days. I can't wait summer's end and cool season's visit.

ABEL'S WEDDING RECEPTION

2008-06-01T23:23:00.007+09:00

On 31th of May, I attended at the Yuko and Abel's happy wedding reception. It was quite a good to see the happy moment of them. They look extremely happy. Usually Japanese wedding reception is very formal. but the attendants from abroad looks very happy to see them even it was so routine. I took many pictures this time, because my finger automatically press the button of my camera over and over times.

And I met there many teachers who work at the Suzurandai High-School. Couples of them are I know very well.We could enjoy talking many stuff except new couples. I could enjoy myself very very much.

Maczy dedicated a cool song for them

Again my dad's house.

2008-05-05T22:28:00.013+09:00

The last time of the update was almost one month before. Yep, it was early April. and now almost Golden week is going to end. Season is almost early summer, temperature shows and is rising over 25 degree in Celsius for couple days.(The meterological agency defines it as a Summer day) During the golden week(holidays), I went to "Siawase-no- mura koen Tennis Court(Merry ville Park tennis resort) for Soft-tennis tournament as a Playing Manager. I got a heavy suntan there. You can see my extremely awesome suntanning face at my pic. The last day of the game,I visited my dad and mom's house again.Over there, I met my sis. maybe 5 or 6 years blank. She is 4 years younger than me. She lives now in Fukui pref with her Hus and two daughters. She looks still young. it's OK. but a shock I got from her is she needs a glasses for far eyesight.For her age (sorry),it is no wonder. but still I feel something hard to admit.

Anyway we could enjoyed ourselves the re encounter.

My Dad ,Mom Sis and Me.

During a one month long blank of this update, I took some pictures I was touched.Here are a couple of those.
Tutuji flowers alongside road

Twilight from the roof of my dad's house

Spring.In it's prime.

2008-04-21T09:47:00.011+09:00

Already,the Cherry blossom was falling from the trees. The Best time of the picnic for "ohanami" was over. But we can enjoy the prime time of the spring now. Today is a warm and clear day. Temperature rises over 20 degree of Celsius.Quite comfortable to have a hike around the country cite,of course even in the rural area. So I decided to bring my camera and hang around to take pictures.I could feel the springtime in it's prime.

Ikawadani

Dogwood tree at my house The park,front of my house

Rape blossoms(菜の花・Nanohana）　What a mean name for this beautiful flowers‼

New Start

2008-04-02T13:03:00.005+09:00

The 1st of the April, everything takes up here in Japan. And for my second son, This day is a very crucial one for his life. The starting day of his carrier as company employee. Yes,he is not the university student anymore. He works at Glory.co. as the system engineer. I hope for his success of work. Congratulations, Akira‼
He looks nervous

Here,WE GO‼

Teacher's Reunion

2008-03-05T10:49:00.010+09:00

On Tuesday night. I had a reunion party of Sumahigasi HS teachers. I could enjoyed myself very very much.
Iworked at the Sumahigshi highschool over 20years ago(23 years ago exactly) Yes, I worked there at the age of 29-33 years old. I was a HR teacher and in charge of 3-9 class.(there's 10 classes in total) After the Graduation Ceremony, We decided to have reunion gathering of our own. Somehow ,we could continue to hold reunion party every this season. Right now,No teacher work at the Sumahigashi. Everybody left there or met the his or her retirement.

I am the youngest among them, Yes our age is awesome. Year-Head teacher(学年主任) at that time, is now 69 years old.and two 65 years old guys, one 60.one 59, one 58, one 57 and me (56 yeas old) Take a look at the pictures. It's awesome. but it's exciting.

Who is 69,60,59........?

Suprises News

2008-03-03T11:07:00.002+09:00

I've got a happy surprise mail. It comes from yoshika-san who was once a member of Akashi ESS. and she has stayed in Canada for over one year using the working holiday.
I'd like to post a part of her mail, because I am so excited that I cannot keep it in my mail-box.
Haha..

Ampo san!
..........
..........
And also, I am going back to Japan in the end of this March for three weeks. Actually I have a news which I haven't told you.
I got married to a Japanese Canadian last year. I will go back to Japan with him and his parents this time. Hopefully I'd like to see you if you have some time or visit Akashi ESS on Tuesday?

What a nice suprise‼

Again,Again,it snows.

2008-02-19T15:09:00.006+09:00

Again,again, We had a snow day. It's a very different from Last year. This season, almost for two weeks,we are constantly suffered from a snow weather. It was not so heavy that I somehow could come to school with a feeling of very scary. Last year, we had a warm winter,so we feel this year very special. but truth is different. Take two or three years ago,I 've taken for three hours to reach school because of heavy snow three years ago.

I 've pulled over my car on the road shoulder and left there on the way of school because my car slipped again and again.That's the usual way of around Suzurandai.

Akashi Axtos(Gym)

2008-02-11T11:35:00.002+09:00

For couple of weeks, it snowed again and again in Suzurandai. So I hesitated to go Gym after school. I quit going there couple of times to afraid my car slipped and have a accidents on the snowy road. Usually even Saturday or Sunday, I used to go there and enjoy training and having chats with my associates. But cold weather and afraidness of the snow, I went to the Akashi Axtos this saturday and Sunday. Compared with the snowy stuation and teribble coldness in Suzurandai, Okuradani(Akashi) is a sort of heaven, No snow,mild weather and bright sunshine,It is almost Paradise. To go there,I had to spend five hundred yen.but it is worth enough. And we can enjoy a scenic view of Akashi bridge over there, Before getting into the gym, I took some pictures.
Before I start traing
After traing is over

Covered With Snow‼

2008-01-25T14:43:00.000+09:00

On Monday,21th. Finally,it snowed.The first snow here in Suzurandai. and School was totally covered with snow. About 10cm depth, so every thing at the school beautifully changed into White World.In the morning of that day,there's no snow around my house.,but the weather forecast of the day before,they crazily announced the coming of big amount of snow even in the south of Hyougo pref. So I decided to come to school by train just in case. It took one and half hours to arrive there from my house, but after reaching at the Kitasuzurandai St,I found out that I did quite a wise decision. When train passed the Suzurandai station, scenery changed so suddenly. It was the amazing snow covered world to see. Take look at the pictures at the white kouhoku High school.

Nice To See Again.

2008-01-19T10:19:00.000+09:00

On 14th January,I met Mike who is a former ALT at Kouhoku High School.And he had worked with us for one year. He left Japan in the summer of 2006,two years ago. Since then we couldn't meet. So I could enjoy to have a dinner with him and bowling game after that.
He used his holidays for visiting Japan this time. he is working as an English instructor for legal immigrants of there. At this moment he came with her girl- friend,Lisa. So Fujiike-sensei,Koike-sensei, Tom,Cassie and me had a happy together party with them. Since three guys are from Perth,Australia,conversationes over there was mostly Aussie English(Perthy-English?) in a rapid speed. It was quite a tough talk to follow or to catch up with,But to see again a friend far away after long blank was so fabulous and excitement. At the bowling game, I sored 140 points, it was a so nice result for me, This also made me very happy.

At bowling game,My mobile phone's battery was almost dead, so no Flash light.Sorry....

お正月　おめでとう

2008-01-05T11:39:00.000+09:00

A Happy New year to everybody.I hope all of you a happiness and prosperity of this year.
The other day,I was watching the youtube-site,and I found a very gorgeous video to see, It was gorgeous and beautiful, so that I decided to post in my blog. Open this URL and you can enjoy it.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=LHAsTF6DDr8

Anyway for me, New-year's days are so nice and special, I can enjoy all myself and from bottom of my heart,I can say,I love it. I visited my parent's house and enjoy a nice getting- together of my relatives. Take a look at the picture.

MEC Year-end party

2007-12-27T10:53:00.001+09:00

Again, Picts of the year-end party. This time I'd like to post the MEC's party, which holds annually at Izakaya in Sannnomiya.We had a new regular member named Bobby. He is a Korean-American and now he lives in Gakuentoshi. He stays as the missionary of church around there right now. And we also have three Taiwanese guests. They are Univ-students at Ryutu Univ.
we could enjoyed ourselves very much.

Bobby and three Taiwanese students

Regular members（they try to talk in English during party, What a insanity！）
P.S　My computer has some kind of trouble, so I could not update for a while because of this trouble. This party held almost one week ago.Sorry to be late to post.

The days of Year--end parties.

2007-12-10T14:59:00.000+09:00

In December, Usually everybody has busy time to attend the year-end parties. This week I already had three of it. School's party last week,Akashi ESS's party on Saturday and Myodani Time Reading(MTR)'s party on Sunday. And I have one more to join. These always give really hard times for our stomach. School's party(no pict) was a very gorgeous one. It was held at the beautiful FrencAh-style restrant in Shin-kobe, close to the KITANO club.We could enjoyed scenic night-view of Sannomiya from there.
At the Akashi's party, we held it at the Akashi Castle Hotel. They served us the shabu-shabu.(sliced meat bowl),And happily, we could enjoy it with All-We Can-Eat style. Take a look at the picture.You can see the beef,chiken and poke meat on the dishes . I actually struggled to eat as much as possible.

Myodani Time Reading's party on Sunday

They look happy (Akashi ESS Party)

　　　　　　 WOW！

My Elder Sib

2007-11-19T17:17:00.000+09:00

On last Sunday, my second son Akira and me visited my elder sibling' house.We have visited there once. And it was almost 20years ago when they bought their Condo. I found out still rooms are clean, neat and cozy. This time, my son and me visited them for asking of my son's guarantor. He has to pay back his scholarship's money from next April. For that,he needs two guarantors. Me and someone under 65 year-old relatives.He is not the only relative for us, but he lives Nishinomiya,Kotoen.And he is my elder brother. So we asked him to be his guarantor. He is 2 years older than me. (58 years old). My younger sister is living in Fukui pref to far to go.

Anyway I'd like to express my gratitude of his kindness for my son. Thank you very much.

Wind From the North

2007-11-12T17:02:00.000+09:00

Finally Kogarashi No1 came to here Suzurandai in Kobe. I heard students complain a lot. They say "めっちゃ　さむ！(It's extreamly cold)" 　I put a picture of the maple trees at Kouhoku HS. It has already changed color.Now youcan see the red leaves of them and they has started to fall. In Chemistry room, I started using the gas heater to warm up. At my house,I don't set it not yet. But Suzurandai is cool enough. Along the road to Kitasuzuranndai. Gingo trees turned beautifully yellow. Seasons always change in a rapid speed.

Scarecraw?

2007-10-31T12:10:00.000+09:00

Most of the paddle field around my house have finished their harvest.It is rare to see the paddle field around my house recently, but some of them still survive. Over there, Today, I found very impressive scarecrows. Take a look at pictures. These crafts are made of woods or straws. It was really coooool to see, coz they are so well created. As if they were alive.I don't know when those creatures were set in. But it was so impressive that I pulled over my car to the road shoulder and took pictures in the morning just on the way to the school. The weather was so clear and those creatures are very alive. It was really good start of the day.

Two horses

A Big Elephant

The Akashi Civic Center Festival

2007-10-19T08:43:00.000+09:00

Opening Ceremony

Maczy Demonstrated our class

We had a Circle Fes at the Civic center of Akashi.As usual, we ,Akashi ESS did a demonstration class. Most of attendants are our members, but a few attendants were guests. We could enjoy ourselves .

Sports Fes.

2007-09-28T10:55:00.000+09:00

On 27th September,We had a sports Festival (sports game day) at Kouhoku HS.
This time, I did a conductor of brass band club. Because members of the band were so small ,so the usual conductor had to play his musical instrument(Trombone) to make a bigger and finer sound. As a result, I conducted the band at the Opening Ceremony and sports-club team marching. I really enjoyed it. 26 years ago, I was in charge of Brass Band Club at Sumahigashi HS. So those days, I played a conductor. I don't feel any difficulty. Yes it was a happy experience after a long blank.

At the Sports club marching I Feel happy to conduct

Tom at Akashi ESS

2007-09-26T10:37:00.000+09:00

(Same topic is posted at Akashi ESS blog)

Today, we welcomed Tom.He came as a substitute instructor of Abel. Abel is now in Perth. He is taking a break after long stay here in Japan as JET. So his friend Tom came for us. Tom said to teach here is extremely happy because motivation of members is quite high.(Is it true?) Anyway, he enjoyed himself teaching at Akashi ESS. I 'm very glad to heat that.
Tom and Beginner's Class

He is explaining a Hammock sleep.

Middle and Advanced Class

Sorry, Ryu( Anxiety & Relief)

2007-09-18T12:16:00.000+09:00

I'd like to introduce my pet. But here in Japan, it's embarrassing to say I keep a pet,because he is mostly chained outside house. He is treated as the watchdog like many Japanese dogs treated,far from to say pet. But still I would like to say he is a one of my family members. Now he became 11years old. His delicacy of hearing is almost gone away. Even if I would come near him and call out loud, he never noticed me whatever I say when I was behind him.

He is always sitting besides my car in the morning ,very close to my car,so I always have to drive him away for his safety, but on Sunday, I was a little bit absent-mind and careless. When I started my car, I heard his screaming and roaring. I was in panic to hear his roaring, because I thought I accidentally ran over him. Fortunately he was not ran over,maybe he was snagged by my car, his left-hind leg is damaged and blooded. So I took him to the vet. It was not serious injured like bone fracture, but the doc said to be cured perfectly at least one week is required. He got a shot of painkiller and antibiotics. and I got a medicine for one week.

Today, he is fine and have no problem for walking. Sorry Ryu, I 'll take care and this will never happen again, I promise.

Poor Ryu
His injured leg

56 years old

2007-09-10T08:17:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I became a 56 years old. Hahaha.. What a age I gain！ When I still enjoyed youth,I felt a 50 years old guy was too old. Now becoming such an age, I feel a little bit dizzy. I know that it is embarrassing to say I am and feel still young. As a matter of fact, 56 years old is not young, it's too matured age. But honestly,I m not matured. I have to gain more and more knowledge, I should learn many unknown subjects. There's many ways to follow just front of me.Nothing has changed from 20years or 30years ago. Only outlooks has changed dramtically. Take a look at my pics of my younth and now. Of courese It has a big diffrence, But never BEFORE and AFTER.
It is going to be matured and Still going to be matured.
(pics wiil be soon posted)

Higashi-hachibuse Highland

2007-08-24T15:30:00.000+09:00

These are picts of the HIGASHI-HACHIBUSE HIGHLAND. The climate of there is so comfortable,especially night-time, It was cool enough to sleep,we had to shut the window to prevent from catching the cold. The most impressive one I have to mention is the beautiful night sky. So many stars we could see,I could follow the milky way.Compared with the day I was small,milky way is faint enough to see,but still I could follow it. Students were happy enough to not only touch the beauty of there but also did a lot of practice as much as they could.

Sports-Gym Addiction

2007-08-19T10:29:00.000+09:00

From tomorrow,I have to go to Higashi-Hachibuse Summer training Camp of Soft-Tennis club. It's 2-stay and 3-day small trip. I just go there as a chaperon. And club-students are very decent and enthusiastic in gaining tennis skill, So this training camp would not be a tough job to do. Rather I can enjoy being there and feel the cool air of high-land,see the beautiful stars in the night and touch the scenic landscape of there.
But for two days, I will not be able to go to Gym.This would be extremely tough for me right now. This summer Holidays ,I go Gym almost everyday,6 days a week pace,because no big plan to go out. For this long and constant excises of there, as a result, I finally fell into the addiction of the sweating and refreshing after running,biking and swimming. Yes, over there,I spend for around 2 and half hours each single time.This is rather addiction. I feel something dripping in my brain, maybe dopamine or something-else. I feel happiness and ecstasy. Hahaha......... Maybe I cannot escape for a while. But,happily I gain the decreasing of 5cm waist. Before going there, my waist-size was 81cm around,NOW 76cm． Incredible,Isn't it? I'd like to upgrade my naked and belly photo.(Maybe you'll reject it,so I won't. but it's yours choice. I'm ready .Hahahahahaha.........)

New Encounter

2007-08-10T14:59:00.000+09:00

After the farewell, there's always new encounter. In Akashi ESS, We welcomed Maczy . His real name is "Brendan Maguire" He is a Australian from Perth city. He came Japan four year ago( if my memory is correct).
Now, ALT in at Akashi HS. He likes sports and Music. Very attractive char actor and lifestyle.

Welcome Maczy. Let's keep a good friendship from now on.
Brendon and middle and advanced class

Party,party,and party.

2007-07-26T10:57:00.000+09:00

This week,Three parties were on schedule. Two of those were farewell parties and another was regular party of summer.

First Party (the 24th of July, Tuesday)
This is a Farewell party for kristin. She was a instructor of akashi ESS. The following pictures shows how it proceed. And you can catch the the atmosphere of it.
I have enjoyed myself so much her teaching (or maybe I can say I enjoyed her performing,sometimes her dancing during her class.) Last September, She came just after the graduation of UCLA, so she had a university student's atmosphere at that time , still she has it now. yes, I always felt from her a typical American Californian University student. That was amazingly happy and cheerful. It is a "Don't worry, Be happy" style character. I like the way she showed us in every moment. So, when I was informed that she was leaving Japan this summer, I tremendously shocked.
Again and again, I have to say Goodbye and plan the Farewell party. Just 3 month's before, We had a party for Neil 's farewell. Again We set it. But planning and organizing party had always saved me so far,Because during the party, I always busy enough , eventually I cannot have a time to be emotional. That saved me over and over times from having a feeling of cry.

とはいえ、別れは寂しいね。　Good-bye kristin. Keep your a happy and charming smile.
OK. enjoy yourself the following picts.

She plays a Violin with a amazing skill.

Beginner's and First class

Middle and Advanced class
With Abel...
Everybody is busy for eating
Anpo-sensei looks very happy
小学生？

Second party (the 25th of July,Wednesday)

This party is a Ｒegular Summer Party of MEC(Mukoh's English Club・向英語クラブ).Every year, we hold this party before the summer break. Since this club has almost 40 years history member's average age is around 65 years- old. Take a look at the member's head, Grey or partially or totally bold.(Wow.....) Happily this time,we could invite Kristin and Shu-san. Definitely two ladies encouraged old guys literally.

What a contrast！　Beasts and beauties. KristinThird Party(the 27th of July,Friday)

This is a Farewell party for Olen (Miss Kwek).

Talking about Olen, there are so many memories and stuffs to describe. Sports gym,Simanami-kaido,Shokusai-kan,MacDonald,Daiei. kakogawa-church.etc

Except Shimanami,most of stuffs are daily chores. In Shokusai-kan, she always bought Apples or Oranges. After shopping, each time she reported me how cheap or how expensive they were. In Daiey super market,she was always enthusiastic to buy salmon.Next day she always told me how it was delicious or how she loves salmon. In sports gym,she surprisingly ran almost 1.5 hours to lose weight and finally she succeeded. Now she is dramatically slim. In MacDonald,she always told me how she loves Jesus and talked a lot about Steve or her mother. and so on and on.(なつかしいね。）

Happily she will stay Japan for a while, but not school.

Tom and Olen at Umenohana -restaurant
Umenohana dishes
Attendants (mostly EL teachers)

Goodbye Olen. Take care。

Summer break starts

2007-07-20T12:48:00.000+09:00

Today,finally summer break starts. This gives me a great joy every year,Of course I have to go to school almost every day for the many school chores, but compared with usual days, summer break is extremely superb. because there is no class.Only I have most is couples of supplementary lessones and club chores. I can enjoy more free time.that's why I love summer break very very much.

But at the same time, Unhappy moment also comes. The contract of Jet program is expired during this summer vacation. And this year,Olen,one of our ALTs already decide to expire her contract by august from KOUHOKU HS. She is going to study Japanese Language for a while in Japan. So she will stay Japan as for one month. I 'll be able to see her if I try, but I will not see her everyday like today or yesterday.
So far I have experienced many partings with ALTs. And I wrote about that once in my blog before. Again, the time comes, it is so sad to say Goodbye again.

Olen,my son and me at Shimanami

One more parting, I have to mention. is Kristin. She is JA(Japanese American) and she was a instructor of Akashi ESS from last year. I enjoyed her American English and her cheerful teaching style very very much. Her English is so familiar to me. So her leaving is also very shocking to me.

Kristin and me at Akashi ESS

This Tuesday, we will have a farewell party for Kristin in Akashi ESS, and This Friday,We will have it for Olen in Sannnomiya. Yes , of course,I like a party very very much.(でも、ちょっと寂しいね。）
　

From Neil

2007-06-27T09:51:00.000+09:00

This is a mail from Neil,I got this mail after I send him congratulations mail to him. You can see the same mail at the AKASHI ESS Blog. But for the convenience of the ESS members, I put his mail in my blog. and you can read the translation of his mail at the AKASHI ESS blog. Enjoy reading！

Hello Mr Anpo!! (Please print and let the people at Akashi see this! Yoroshiku!) Thank you for your congratualtions!! I'm sorry that I haven't been in contact earlier - I've been extremely busy ... as you know! Here's my news since I got back to the UK. Please pass it on to the ladies and gents at Akashi ESS!!

My sister had her baby on April 4th. It was a girl and her name is Jennifer! She's beautiful (just like her uncle Neil!!!!) - I got a job! I secretly started to appply for it when I was still in Japan and got a first interview on April 4th (the day my niece, Jennifer, was born - good luck, hey!) I had two interviews for the job in London - the first one with two interviewers and the second one with five people inrterviewing me!!! Scary!!! And after I'd passed both of them I had to have a medical examination ... all together the interview process took about six weeks!! But, I made it and from June 5th I started the training course to be a JAL Cabin Crew! I was so happy that I got the job, because it was the first (and only) job I applied for! The training course consists of 5 weeks in London and then six weeks in Tokyo. At the moment I'm on week 3 in London. I go to Tokyo to train at the JAL Training Centre at Haneda Airport in July 13th. Still a long way to go, but I should be flying as a cabin crew from the end of August. I am in the 'London Base European Crew Department of Japan Airlines'. That means that I will fly between and , so somewhere in Europe to Japan and back - in many different combinations! I should be going to Japan at least three times each month!! It's the perfect job for me! Again, please tell everyone at ESS that I'm sorry that I haven't been in contact. Especially those people who sent me individual e-mails and letters - thank you, by the way! In May my father got quite sick and had to spend a while in hospital too. It was all very 'taihen' and although I wanted to send you all emails, I couldn't. I'll 'gambaru' from now on!! Please send my best wishes to everyone. I'll be in contact again soon - and, you never know, maybe I will serve one of the Akashi ESS members on a flight to Europe some day!! I'll try my best to get you into business class!!!!!!!!!!!

Dewa, yoroshiku onegaishimasu! Mata-ne! Neil \(^o^)/

Father's day(And my dad's history story)

2007-06-18T10:26:00.000+09:00

How beautiful I was！(The baby is me) My dad(when he was around 50 years old)

In his thirty's( Amano hashidate is same view)

Surprisingly,We pose in a same way,see up and below.(It's really a gene.)

Last Sunday was Father's Day,So I visited my parents home with a small souvenir for my dad. It was manjyu(お饅頭） and he likes it very very much.He likes something sweet, that helped his life, I’ll tell his story later. He is going to 88-years old on this coming birthday(25th November). It was very luck that Toshi came back to my home for fixing up his computer trouble, so we went together to visit them. Akira was busy for his thesis for Univ,this time he couldn't come with us.

Ok. I would like to tell about my Dad's story, He was born in kanzaki-tyou,hyogo pref in 1919. The year WWⅠ was over. From that age Japan started to put their foot for Mainland China to occupy and get some benefit from there. My dad had to go to Manchuria when he became 20 for the infantary army.　He stayed there(in Hokusi,北支、he said)　for a couple years. There was no tough fight for a while, but to prevent Russian invasion,they had to stay there.He said it was extreamly cold there in winter.

Anyway,when Japan's war stuatuion turned bad dramtically, his army had to go to Phillipine.So his army moved to Taiwan at first. Before shipping to Mindanao in phillipine, he suffered a crucial diareahh, probably because he ate lots of bananas there.(Since in manchuria, he had never eaten such tropical sweet fruits.)Eventually he was hospitalised. Then after a few months later,War was over with no conditional surrender of Japan. Then he heared his army which shipped to Mindanao was tortally destroyed and ended up almost no survivors from his army. he could survived because he ate many bananas.

He still said Banana saved his life. banana is a lifesaver for him. Yes , if Taiwan banana is not here on earth, my existence is not here either. I love bananas, too.

But after caming back to Japan, it was extrmly tough days for him. No food, No residence.But he could get a job in Gas Company somehow,and met my mother.....

Now he enjoys his days with my mother. I hope he could enjoy his life more and more.

Face Up To The Sunshine.

2007-06-09T11:24:00.000+09:00

My blog of last time was rather emotional,pessimistic and little bit negative. So this time, I 'd like to change a topic into a positive,affirmative and active one. Yes, I am a happy person by birth.

The other day, I was asked of writing a short introduction for the coulomb of PTA's publishing. I had to write my name,work,and a favorite saying or quotation. One phrase come to my mind firstly then was Helen Keller's quotation. So I wrote "Face up" as my favorite words.

Helen Keller is a famous lady who had conquered her three disabilities and a common person as a mostly respected great for our generation. Three disabilities means "blind, deaf and dumb". Probably these three words must be political incorrect, but I don't know good words to use on this occasion. Anyway, she overcame her three troubles and after the hard study and work, she graduated from University. Her story was featured in a film titled "Miracle Lady"(奇跡の人）. Naturally she became one of heroes for many Japanese boys and girls of those days.

"Face up to the sunshine, and you cannot have a shade"
When I 've read this by chance on some books, I deeply moved." She is totally blind, how she knew the brightness of the sunshine. " That's what I thought .A shade she could not see what it's like. It was amazing to be written such a quotation by her. Maybe she could see what we could not see. It was so so amazing story.

ちょっと、まじめに書きました。でも、これからもいろいろとがんばるぞ！

Crazy is Cool.

2007-05-23T13:04:00.001+09:00

Last Friday(18ｔh of the May),Olen,tom,Fujiike-sensei and me went kosien stadium to see the Yokohama Bay stars vs Hanshin Tigers baseball game.
We watched the Game at the right-outfield seats among the crazy cheer leading fans.

So far I have enjoyed myself in the Koshien game couple of times, When I was there,I seated year-reserved seats just behind home-base(what we call ネット裏)with my going ex-wife,( Haha... and とほほ... ) The ticket was presented by my friend for our marriage at that time. I could enjoyed each game crazily even if Tigers lost the game. I was a crazy fan of hanshin tigers in those days, because Bass(American-player)was still playing at the team.When Bass played a baseball, He always changed the baseball into the bass-ball.
Now I am not a big fan of Tigers.but still a steady and secure Hanshin fan. So the sitting among the crazy cheer-leading group was extremely happy time to spend. And every cheering for each player drived us really crazy and excitement. When the pitcher Fujikawa closed game 4-1 to the victory,the atmosphere around us turned real insane. but crazy is pretty cool. Insane was supreme and precious.
I phrased the crazy hansin fans very very much.

Last sunday, (2oth of May) I attended church service at the kakogawa Baptist Church. The people I met there were very very kind,gentle,calm and harmonious. Compared with people at the Kosien people,they were quite a decent. Honestly I have not ready to accept to be baptized and still I feel some kind of hesitation to believe everything about Bible story. In a way,I can say I have no- religious spirits right now. I doubt about God's existence, even if I have prayed for God over and over times to ask of help,when I feel a deep sorrow or a when I was in a trouble circumstance. I think it is contradiction which I have and many people bring. But when I sang gospels with them,I felt some kind of calmness and stillness of mind,not excitement. The atomosphere over there is a little bit unfamiliar to me because they are so 無我夢中, but I felt they were cool ,precious and supream.

Anyway, I hope God bless all those who read my blog.

Visiting Parents on Motether's Day

2007-05-15T14:53:00.000+09:00

I visited Parents' house on Mothers Day. The last time I visit them was on the early day of March to report my son's entry to Graduate School. My mother is 76-years old ,and my farther is 87-years old right now.So the next year,I have to celebrate Kijyu(喜寿）and beijyu(米寿）at the same time.

Happily,both are very fine and physically no problem except losing the hearing ability of my Dad. But still he enjoys a 10 to 20 minute-walk every morning and evening. My mother is also very very fine and still active to have a talk and chat with neighbours for hours and hours and hours.
For her,I'm still a child(actually I am). Every time I visit her she asks me of many many questions,like what did I eat today,yesterday, the day before yesterday,a week ago.........................(continues forever),if I ate a vegetables,meat,rice,........................(again,continues...... hahaha...), And my physical condition is best or better or worse or worst,or gain weight or lose weight.................. Many many questions continues to answer as if I was interrogated by police or investigated by the doctor in the hospital. Sometimes very bothering,I am bummed about that. It is really bugging me. But I know at this my age(over 50), the fact of having fine and active parents is really fabulous and marvelous. Couldn't be better. (いつまでも元気でね。）

Mom and Dad
my parents' house

A New Gadget

2007-05-09T17:33:00.000+09:00

The golden week is already over. For a decade, the Golden week does not mean any big thing to me. Actually,my golden weeks means just no class for almost a week. But still I feel very very happy even if my private time was almost occupied by club chores.

The Most exciting thing what I felt during holidays was a new gadget I got. The 5th of the May,my son and me went to the mobile phone shop together. Coz my son is staying at the dorm in Yashiro, where his old mobile phone was out of the range. And he really needed a regular and steady contact with his girlfriend, ......of course not me. (まあ、しかたないね。） Anyway he had to get a new one for his conveniences.And,In my case, I needed a new digital camera for this blog. So I decided to get a new phone with high quality camera. We both got a same one. I am so satisfied to new phone and 5 mega pixel camera. This gives us brilliant and superb pics compared with former one.

Cleaning Rooms.

2007-04-30T11:15:00.000+09:00

Here are pics of rooms of my house. It is embarrassing to show this messy and messy rooms. These two months, I couldn't clean up my rooms. Cos, many schedules I had encountered these two months. Usually I clean my room on Sunday afternoon. Honestly, this is the only chance to clean up my house , but From the April, Club chores like tournament,rehearsal game(練習試合) ,usual practice and many activities I had. I couldn't clean up my house until today. I did laundry mostly every day.but no time to ironing.Take a look at the pile of clothes waiting to be ironed.

Since me and my wife has been separated for four years, I actually get used to do the house chores like laundry,cleaning and sometimes cooking.Problem is that I don't have much time to do those. I know that is a sort of excuse. I spend for two or three hours to go to English meeting in the morning of Sunday, in the evening Tuesday,and in the evening of Wednesday. And I go to the sports gym on Monday,Thursday,Fridayand Saturday afternoon,and yes occasionally Sunday afternoon.(やっぱり、ちょっと遊びすぎ？）

If I have cut those activities, I could use many hours to do house chores and my house would be totally clean and neat. But Going to English speaking club and sports gym are so important and nourishment of my life. I cannot stand a life without those activities. It seems like complaint and excuse,but actually not.(と思う）

I am enjoying my life right now. From now I'm going to clean up my room. Take a look at what I 've done later.(さあ、やるぞ・・・）

The Review For Two Months.

2007-04-28T10:08:00.000+09:00

Since I have set up this blog, it has passed almost two months. At first, it was very tough for me to write in English fully. but I found it turned a little bit easier recently. I know that there's many funny parts in grammatically or rhetorically. But It's really amazing and pleasant to feel this way.

And ,So far I 've got many posts,comments and mails which gave me so much encouragement and motivation to keep writing. I 'd like to say each of them many thanks.
Let me introduce some of these warm and thoughtful responses to me.

I just saw your blog and am very impressed it is mostly in English! I think it is great you are doing it! I enjoyed it a lot. Keep it up!!! Jenn.

Thank you, Jenny. It's very glad to hear this. In Kouhoku, you taught me many English words.
It helps me now to write this blog. I hope you keep enjoining to teach in YOKOHAMA.

You have a blog! That's great! Now you can say you're a "man of the times". Matthew .Canada.

Wow, What a compliment！You must be a "man of compliment". Anyway, you gave me a much encouragement. Thank you soooo much.

Mr. Anpo Thank you very much for your information and the blog. It is very interesting! I enjoyed reading your story.

早速、新しいサイト見ました。It's a wonderful site, isn't it?

Thank you so much. 今井さん and 清水さん。I am always amazad at enthusiastic for English and deep knowledge and insightfulness of you.　これからもよろしく。

And I should say many thanks to Olenju. She Taught me a joy of blog and helped me to set up.
She gives me lots of comments mostly.　I can say she is not just a friend but a mentor of my English world. (これからは、師匠と呼ぼう）

and Kristin, My son. Thank you very much for your post. I' m going to keep writing as regulary as possible.

It was quite a tour.and I've done it.

2007-04-20T17:43:00.000+09:00

Already one week has passed since I have joined in the shimanami kaido bike campaign on 14th of the April. Still my memory of that is very very clear and vivid as if it would never vanish away from my mind. Because it was quite a fun and I really enjoyed myself very very much.

We gathered at the JR Onomichi St 8:30 in the morning.
We had to leave Kobe around 5'o clock. About two and half driving of the Sanyo expressway never gave me a troublesome or tiredness. Actually I did not get tired at all. Probably because I was so excited of having a unusual and first adventure of 77km biking tour. And my son Tosihiro decided to join us the day before our start ,this fact gave me lots of happiness and relieved my self very much.
Anyway it took almost 10 hours to reach Imabari from Onomichi.It was very slow biking. But,we had to bike many steep slopes to cross six bridges. it seems very tough tour to hear. Of coruse,it was not so easy. but still I never felt a tiredness during on the bike. Anywhere along the suimanami-kaido,the view of around there was extremely fantastic. It is worth to see. The beauty of scenic islands and shimmering sea overwhelmed my weariness.

and after 10 hours biking We stayed Matuyama YH. Very cozy and neat accommodation,needless to say it was very cheap(just 2,100yen for one night). And and and…From there,We could enjoy ourselves Dougo onsen(坊っちゃん温泉）. Ｉｔ　was so so soooo 気持ちよかったなあ。

Well,I can say it again.　It was quite a tour. I 've done it.

Is it crazy or insane?

2007-04-13T13:58:00.000+09:00

Usually I up-grade this blog on Saturday, but next Saturday,tomorrow,I'm not here in KOBE. I'll be on the Shimanami Kaido between Hiroshim and Shikoku. So I am writing now. Anyway I decided to attend the fundraising campaign to help the 2004 Tsunami victims of India to rebuild the village and homes. This campaign is set by the a group of JETs(ALTs),mainly in Nagoya or Gihu,After hearing this, Olenju(ALT at my school) decided to attend. When I heared this and was recommended to attend, I hesitated as usual. Because Usually April is quite busy. And main demonstration of this campaign is to ride through the 77km Shimanami kaido on bike wearing T-shirt printed about tunami suffering. Can you guess 77km on bike, 77km is probably from Kobe to kyoto or O- tu. Wow・・・・・・・, when I talk this to my friends, everybody said "なんと無謀な　安保さん、あんた大丈夫？”"What a reckless you are！Are you serious?”
OK.OK. I know how reckless I am. how stupid I am. Now,decision was made already, the project is underway,that's why I cannot be reversed.
Next blog will be my success story of accomplishing this campaign.　”お楽しみに”

My son. Congraturations！

2007-04-07T09:33:00.000+09:00

The １st of the April, Me and two sons went to the dormitory of the Hyogo educational University to sign up the entry of dormitory. Coz my first son,toshihiro,is going to the graduate course of there. The city of Yashiro, the Univ located, is very inconvenient and far from our home. That's why he decided to get into the Dom of there. He is very excited to the fact of living alone at the dom as his first experince. Second son,Akira,is very envious to him.

Since Toshi is going to be a English teacher, The Hyogo Univ is the best place to achieve his goal. Study hard and don't spend your time in useless. Anyway,my son. Congratulations！（がんばろうぜ）

The sign of the spring(春の兆し)

2007-03-31T14:45:00.000+09:00

The last week of the March was extremely busy for me, that's maybe excuse for delay of up-grading of this blog. Hahaha.....( I picked up this from olenju blog). Anyway From 28th to 30th, I stayed at siawaseno mura(しあわせの村）for a training camp , soft tennis club of Kouhoku HS . The camp was impressively good and well-organized for students or even for me. Student's skill is brushed up dramatically. That's why students satisfied at this camp very very much. Surprisingly they trained 6 to 8 hours on the court. It's really amazing.

Another thing which I was amazed at there is the sign of the Spring. Siawaseno mura is very huge space and many diversity of trees. I felt many plants are growing slightly but firmly to the spring. Whither days is going to whither.
Yukiyanagi(snow-willow) is at their best. and cherry blossoms at the park is begging to set to bloom. Temperature is quite comfortable, I got a suntan already.

Good bye Neil.(fair-well party)

2007-03-21T09:42:00.000+09:00

The final day came. It was so fun and so many things has packed within a hour. Neil played a piano and Kristin played a Violin. Two played a couple of famous tunes so impressively as the Duo.(Neil and kristin Duo band) and I played a solo piano for them. then eating,drinking,formal ceremony,taking pictures. It was so busy for me to organize everything that I couldn't have a chance to be emotional. But It was good for me,coz if there had been such moment,maybe I would have a feeling of cry. It was embarrassing for me to be seen such face.(まあ、忙しくて感傷的になれなかったけど、楽しかったからいいか。）
OK everybody, Enjoy yourself with pictures which I took.
I have a favor to ask members,Please send me your pics to kazanpo@hotmail.co.jp Then I will post them up.

Finally, do visit this link for more pictures. :)
http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/kazanpo/Akashi%20ESS%20farewell%20party/
(上のアドレスをコピーして、ウェブすれば、もっとたくさんの写真の載っているサイトにいけます。）

Congratulations！...谷上先生おめでとう。

2007-03-18T17:25:00.000+09:00

　It was exciting and very happy moment to see my former co-teachers and congratulate Mr tanigami. Tanigami sensei promoted to the Vice principal of HOJO high(nigｈｔ) school. It was very happy to know him of being promoted.

　昨日、久しぶりに三木の緑ヶ丘まで行くことになった。谷上先生が教頭先生となられたということでのお祝いの会だったけれど、なつかしい先生方に再び会えることができ、非常に楽しい時間をすごすことができた。谷上先生に連絡ができてなっかたというハプニングがあったものの　いい思い出になった。また夏のビールを飲む会が楽しみだ。
　谷上先生おめでとうございます。教頭先生になられたことでまたいろいろ大変なことも多いでしょうが、谷上先生なら他の先生方も安心して仕事に専任できることでしょう。これからのご活躍を期待しています。

楽しかった。けど

2007-03-15T11:12:00.000+09:00

Last Tuesday, I gave Neil a lift to the Akashi JR Station after Akashi ESS was over. Then he said "Good-bye and see you next tuesday. Our last time...." 　Wow,Finally The day will come. The last time that we will see together.

So far, I have had good associates with many English speakers( Instructors of Akashi ESS or assistant language teachers of school) . It was always good touch to talk with them. But, I found now and then. The better my English skill becomes,the more I feel of the pain of parting.
Two years ago, I had a farewell party for Matio at Akashi ESS. He was a instructor of Akashi ESS for two years. He came to Japan seven years ago as a ALT of high school where I worked before. He was so humorous and happy. ( His originality is Italian. Maybe that's why.) So, we and my co-teachers drank together couple of times, went to kinosaki Onsen together, and etc and etc. And he taught me many naughty American words which I believe still he likes to use it now. On the parting day, I founnd my self so sad I had never before.

Anyway I could make a good associates with many Alts or instructors. Jenny, Mike, Will, Scott, Anne, petra.........and I could brush up my English each time. But............
OK. It cannot be helped. From coming April , We'll wellcome Abel as a new instructor. He is Australian. It'll be a very good ocassion to know another culture.　(やっぱり　英語を勉強してて良かったわ。）

Sinjirarenaaaaaai！　(Unbelieeeevable！)

2007-03-08T17:39:00.000+09:00

This words got a fame after used by the championship manager of the Japanese baseball league last season. I feel almost the same.
" I am writing the blog, It's unbelieeevable(sinnjirarenaaaai)"
When I told my son that I set up my own blog. He was so surprised to hear my news.
Ａfter he confirmed my blog(he couldn't believe what I said,then),he posted to me my latest blog.(He used his blog name,) Anyway,Thank you my son for your thoughtful comment. But He didn't write the your first your claim. Still I remeber "Sinjirarenaaai, What's going on,Dad. Why are you so active?"( 信じられへん。どうしたん？おやじ、えらいやる気になってるやん。）
Hey, don't steal my words,my son. It's my words.
OK, I will tell you why I set up my blog. One reason is for my own English study,I have tried to write a journal in English couple of times so far, but soon I gave up cause of hardness to achieve. But I have keeping a wish to write something in English since I started to train myself in English.
The second reason is ALT(assistant language teacher)at my school. The Singapore lady(Her name is Olen) recommended to me to set up my blog. At first I hesitated, because it sounded tough enough to do. I have read her blog so often. I have read Mike's blog(former ALT) for a many times. It takes a few days to decide,of course.
But I decided to set up. To start something new sounds very attractive emotion to us,but still feel a sort of hesitation. If she will not suggest me, i will probably never start such a new act. Thank you Olen,you actually gave me courage to start new movement or act.

明石ＥＳＳ（Akasi ESS)

2007-03-05T17:03:00.000+09:00

One more english meeting,which I am attending is Akashi ESS. I have attended there for 13 years as amember of Advanced Class. but unfortunately, numbers of member is becoming less and less,From this year we should combine advanced class with middle class together because of lack of finace. We have to gurantee some money for the native speakers.So,we need at least 60 members to keep three classes,now we have 30 to 40. That's why we minimized.
Talking about instructors,Neil(British man) and kristin(Japanese-american) are teaching us now. Both two are actually good teacheres and good performeres.
But Neil is going to leave Japan this coming April. I feel very sad because we keep a good freindship for over 2 years. Thank you Neil and Goog luck.

MEC MEETING

2007-03-01T13:13:00.000+09:00

Every wednesday evening. from7:00p.m.to9:00p.m. I join myself with a English speaking club named MEC.
Ｔhis club was founded by Mr Muko（向　先生） over 30 years ago , who was a proffesor of Commerce and Distribute Sience University(流通科学大学） and alredy retired.
So now, Mr yamane and Mr Umeda succeed to him. Every attendants of there has high and well- organized speaking skill.
Whenever I attened this meeting,I am encouraged with their proficiency,word-power, and enthusiasm of learning English.
（ただし時々、彼らには、疲れます。）
I should put pictures of tis meeting,but still I am learning of putting pics in this blog. Maybe from next time.

First Message

2007-02-28T15:41:00.000+09:00

Hello. This is my first writing.
To write this in english is not so easy,rather very very tough,
but as a new challenge,I would like to start this.
It is embrassing for the old guy like me to write this.
まあ、いいか。とりあえず何か書いて見よう。
これから、よろしく。