I have been focusing on learning English language for the past few years. My favorite way is reading aloud! I try to read aloud, for example, news articles, the White house news conference scripts, all sort of textbooks and paperbacks. I can concentrate on the story more than I just do silent reading.
These days, I've been reading aloud texts from a book "No Momma's Boy" by Dominic Carter, a prominent newsman on NY1. I can learn not only how to tell your own story honestly or effectively, but also NY political news history!! Although he had such a tough time in his childhood, he's obtained great success! Now I've reached 205 pages and been impressed with his life story all the time!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Obama city and the Presidential Campaign in the US!
Have you heard of a city named "Obama" (小浜) in Japan?
In fact, it's become very popular now as the Presidential Election in the U.S. is getting heated up! Several local people even organized Barak Obama's fan club although no one in the group is eligible to vote in the election.
You can read news article about them here.
This fanaticism started from Mr. Obama's words; when he visited Japan in 2006, he mentioned that the immigration officer said to him "I'm from Obama!"
Now, several Japanese media have reported this news on TV, newspapers and so on. I think it's very interesting!
In fact, it's become very popular now as the Presidential Election in the U.S. is getting heated up! Several local people even organized Barak Obama's fan club although no one in the group is eligible to vote in the election.
You can read news article about them here.
This fanaticism started from Mr. Obama's words; when he visited Japan in 2006, he mentioned that the immigration officer said to him "I'm from Obama!"
Now, several Japanese media have reported this news on TV, newspapers and so on. I think it's very interesting!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The words I was given
We started to attend Sunday services at church in our neighborhood from the beginning of January. A few weeks ago, I was given the words and so impressed with them. I want to share them with you!
When we face obstacle in our path and the obstacle is so strong, we tend to give up our hope without trying to do our best. The words taught me I shouldn't give up anything, and just believe I have already received it!! Yes, I'll believe so!
For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for.
And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.(Mark 11:24-25)
When we face obstacle in our path and the obstacle is so strong, we tend to give up our hope without trying to do our best. The words taught me I shouldn't give up anything, and just believe I have already received it!! Yes, I'll believe so!
SNOW!!
It's been snowing this morning!!
Do you like snow? I love it. It's cold but what a romantic scene!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Primary elections are more important than 45 deaths?
It was Super Tuesday in the U.S. yesterday. So after the big event, all media talk about the results.
I was shocked to find an news article "Tornadoes Rip Through South, Killing at Least 45" !! At least 45 lives were lost by the tornadoes! But I can hardly see the big news on any TV, Radio or other media. Why? Super Tuesday is more important than the precious lives? Or I just missed to see the tornadoes coverages?
It made me think a lot and I feel very sorry for the lost victims and their family.
I was shocked to find an news article "Tornadoes Rip Through South, Killing at Least 45" !! At least 45 lives were lost by the tornadoes! But I can hardly see the big news on any TV, Radio or other media. Why? Super Tuesday is more important than the precious lives? Or I just missed to see the tornadoes coverages?
It made me think a lot and I feel very sorry for the lost victims and their family.
Monday, January 28, 2008
A shocking movie!
I saw a movie "An Inconvenient truth" yesterday. I was very shocked to see all the facts Al Gore presented. Also I couldn't help but think of how things are going if he had become the President of the United States! The Iraq war occurred? What about the current economy crisis? The relationship between our country and the US would be better? He seemed to be a very persuasive speaker.
I wonder how much a good leader means to a country. In my prefecture, Osaka, the new governor was elected yesterday. Honestly, I don't like him very much. But at least he is very young, 38 years old, currently the youngest governor in Japan. So I do hope he is wrestling with the difficult challenges and brings good results using his enthusiasm of youth!!!
I wonder how much a good leader means to a country. In my prefecture, Osaka, the new governor was elected yesterday. Honestly, I don't like him very much. But at least he is very young, 38 years old, currently the youngest governor in Japan. So I do hope he is wrestling with the difficult challenges and brings good results using his enthusiasm of youth!!!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Lots of things going around in my mind....
Last night, I talked with my husband about my possible future.
me: What do you think what I can do next with my English? If anything is possible, being a translator, an interpreter, or.... what? Do you think I can do something new for the rest of my life? I have to tell you there is one thing I want to do using my English. I want to just talk with people, listen to people's stories!! Especially, elderly people. For example, what if I go to NY again and work as a volunteer in a nursery home or something like that. I don't know if it's possible in the current circumstances, or if I could find an institution I can work, a place to live, get working visa or anything.... But it's not productive at all, I suppose. What do you think?
he: I think, among your picks, working as a volunteer at nursery home would be suitable for you because you are good at talking with people, you are doing the same thing now, look, you've been teaching music to elderly people, or in the past you taught challenged people singing also. Everybody loves you and you seem enjoying the time with them.
me: But.... it's not a business so I can't earn any money from it. Is it OK for you?
he: You do what you like to do as long as our financial situation allows. If you are happy, I feel happy, too.
me: Oh, you're so sweet.....
The conversation went on like this.
I don't know what I can do next, but I want to think about it seriously. Even if it seems silly to do, I should do what I want to do when my circumstances allow me to do.
I'm 45 years old now and will turn 46 this year, not so young, I have to admit. I don't know how many years are left in my life. I often question myself if I can do new things over the next few years or a decade. Sometimes I feel I can't do anything new or challenging any more. Other times, I feel I should try something because not much time might be left in my life.
What can I do? What do I want to do?
Lots of things were going around in my mind all day today, on the train, on the streets, even at home.
But, that's fine, thinking about my life is important, should be a good thing to do! I hope I can reach a good answer.
me: What do you think what I can do next with my English? If anything is possible, being a translator, an interpreter, or.... what? Do you think I can do something new for the rest of my life? I have to tell you there is one thing I want to do using my English. I want to just talk with people, listen to people's stories!! Especially, elderly people. For example, what if I go to NY again and work as a volunteer in a nursery home or something like that. I don't know if it's possible in the current circumstances, or if I could find an institution I can work, a place to live, get working visa or anything.... But it's not productive at all, I suppose. What do you think?
he: I think, among your picks, working as a volunteer at nursery home would be suitable for you because you are good at talking with people, you are doing the same thing now, look, you've been teaching music to elderly people, or in the past you taught challenged people singing also. Everybody loves you and you seem enjoying the time with them.
me: But.... it's not a business so I can't earn any money from it. Is it OK for you?
he: You do what you like to do as long as our financial situation allows. If you are happy, I feel happy, too.
me: Oh, you're so sweet.....
The conversation went on like this.
I don't know what I can do next, but I want to think about it seriously. Even if it seems silly to do, I should do what I want to do when my circumstances allow me to do.
I'm 45 years old now and will turn 46 this year, not so young, I have to admit. I don't know how many years are left in my life. I often question myself if I can do new things over the next few years or a decade. Sometimes I feel I can't do anything new or challenging any more. Other times, I feel I should try something because not much time might be left in my life.
What can I do? What do I want to do?
Lots of things were going around in my mind all day today, on the train, on the streets, even at home.
But, that's fine, thinking about my life is important, should be a good thing to do! I hope I can reach a good answer.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My appearance on the radio show!
I've been learning English language not because I want to get a good job, nor pass the major exams, but because I want to communicate more people in the world, understand other people in the world, and hopefully do something meaningful or helpful to others using my ability.
One of my motivations to continue to learn English is my favorite radio program, "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC, New York Public radio station in the US. One day around 5 years ago, I happened to find the program when I was surfing on the Internet. Although my English ability at that time was fairly poor, I loved the show somehow. I liked the atmosphere where newspaper reporters, politicians, scholars, any specialists appeared and at the same time ordinary people called in to join the conversation. At first, I just could understand the greeting expression like, hello, how are you, or how are you doing... It was fortunate for me that the station has archive system so I could listen to the segment again and again. It helped me improve to understand what they were talking about. Gradually, I understood more things on the topics and got more interested in the program. I started to e-mail them after a few months or so. And I called in for the first time in fall of 2004. It was totally exciting! I could communicate with my favorite host, Brian, even a little bit, I was very motivated that I wanted to improve my English more and more and someday to talk to him about more deep things.
To make long story short, I went to NY in 2005 and met them and even appeared on the show at the end of my stay. It became one of the most memorable events for my life. After coming home, I continue to listen to it on the net and e-mail them once in a while.
Yesterday, it was Martin Luther King Jr. day in the US. Every year, the program does a one-minute reading tribute by listeners where listeners call in and read some excerpt from any source about any ethnic group other than their own.
I CALLED IN!!! I read excerpts from the introduction of a book, "The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books). I got so nervous that I became tongue-tied!!! Anyway, I managed to do it, I hope.
I spent the whole weekend to choose what to read. I went to the Internet and read speeches, new articles, and went to the library, borrowed books about MLK, read a book in my bookshelf about other ethnic group.
After deciding what to read, I checked every word's pronunciation, stress, intonation. I put slashes, dots to help my reading. I recorded my reading again and again. First, I was disappointed with my poor reading but as I repeat it again and again, it seemed to be better.
Once I thought "Why I try to do it? Waste of time, My English is not good, cannot improve at all!!!" But it was not true! We can improve if we continue to practice! So it was a fruitful time after all! I feel grateful for the show's 17 year consecutive annual MLK day event!
This morning, I got an e-mail from my friend living in NY that said she happened to hear my voice live on the air!!! How wonderful!
Nowadays, I tend to lose my motivation to continue to learn English. But I got refreshed with this event and now feel I can be going on! I want to improve my English in all aspects and someday meet my friends in the world again and talk with them about more things!
If you are interested in my reading, you can visit here and push the play button. My appearance is around 36 minutes after the segment starts.
I read the following.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Excerpt from the introduction of “The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books)
When our history books do not mention the Negro, significant omissions result.
When he is mentioned solely with reference to problem areas, an incomplete, distorted picture emerges. In either case, a more balanced focus is desirable.
Such a proper perspective of Negro history would be of value to those well-meaning persons who believe that the colored man has an unworthy past, and hence has no strong claim to all the rights of other Americans. Books which seek to present an accurate picture of the Negro's past are, in effect, bridges to intergroup harmony--the Negro would be more readily accepted into the full promise of American life if his role in our history were better known.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I loved the expression "Bridges to intergroup harmony". I love music. When we make harmony with other musicians, we have to listen to others carefully. When you don't listen to others the music will be ruined even if you have excellent technique. So when we want to build a good relation ship with other group, ethnic group or religious group, whatever. We have to listen to what the other group is saying, understand their culture, their value, their religious.
The "Negro" can be Latino, Asian, or even Iraqi. For Japanese, it can be Korean or Chinese. Or how about women? The excerpts teaches me that ignorance is no good. I want to expand my knowledge about various things as long as I live in this world. And hopefully, I myself want be a bridge to intergroup harmony.
One of my motivations to continue to learn English is my favorite radio program, "The Brian Lehrer Show" on WNYC, New York Public radio station in the US. One day around 5 years ago, I happened to find the program when I was surfing on the Internet. Although my English ability at that time was fairly poor, I loved the show somehow. I liked the atmosphere where newspaper reporters, politicians, scholars, any specialists appeared and at the same time ordinary people called in to join the conversation. At first, I just could understand the greeting expression like, hello, how are you, or how are you doing... It was fortunate for me that the station has archive system so I could listen to the segment again and again. It helped me improve to understand what they were talking about. Gradually, I understood more things on the topics and got more interested in the program. I started to e-mail them after a few months or so. And I called in for the first time in fall of 2004. It was totally exciting! I could communicate with my favorite host, Brian, even a little bit, I was very motivated that I wanted to improve my English more and more and someday to talk to him about more deep things.
To make long story short, I went to NY in 2005 and met them and even appeared on the show at the end of my stay. It became one of the most memorable events for my life. After coming home, I continue to listen to it on the net and e-mail them once in a while.
Yesterday, it was Martin Luther King Jr. day in the US. Every year, the program does a one-minute reading tribute by listeners where listeners call in and read some excerpt from any source about any ethnic group other than their own.
I CALLED IN!!! I read excerpts from the introduction of a book, "The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books). I got so nervous that I became tongue-tied!!! Anyway, I managed to do it, I hope.
I spent the whole weekend to choose what to read. I went to the Internet and read speeches, new articles, and went to the library, borrowed books about MLK, read a book in my bookshelf about other ethnic group.
After deciding what to read, I checked every word's pronunciation, stress, intonation. I put slashes, dots to help my reading. I recorded my reading again and again. First, I was disappointed with my poor reading but as I repeat it again and again, it seemed to be better.
Once I thought "Why I try to do it? Waste of time, My English is not good, cannot improve at all!!!" But it was not true! We can improve if we continue to practice! So it was a fruitful time after all! I feel grateful for the show's 17 year consecutive annual MLK day event!
This morning, I got an e-mail from my friend living in NY that said she happened to hear my voice live on the air!!! How wonderful!
Nowadays, I tend to lose my motivation to continue to learn English. But I got refreshed with this event and now feel I can be going on! I want to improve my English in all aspects and someday meet my friends in the world again and talk with them about more things!
If you are interested in my reading, you can visit here and push the play button. My appearance is around 36 minutes after the segment starts.
I read the following.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Excerpt from the introduction of “The Negro In The Making Of America” by Benjamin Quarles (published in 1964, Collier Books)
When our history books do not mention the Negro, significant omissions result.
When he is mentioned solely with reference to problem areas, an incomplete, distorted picture emerges. In either case, a more balanced focus is desirable.
Such a proper perspective of Negro history would be of value to those well-meaning persons who believe that the colored man has an unworthy past, and hence has no strong claim to all the rights of other Americans. Books which seek to present an accurate picture of the Negro's past are, in effect, bridges to intergroup harmony--the Negro would be more readily accepted into the full promise of American life if his role in our history were better known.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I loved the expression "Bridges to intergroup harmony". I love music. When we make harmony with other musicians, we have to listen to others carefully. When you don't listen to others the music will be ruined even if you have excellent technique. So when we want to build a good relation ship with other group, ethnic group or religious group, whatever. We have to listen to what the other group is saying, understand their culture, their value, their religious.
The "Negro" can be Latino, Asian, or even Iraqi. For Japanese, it can be Korean or Chinese. Or how about women? The excerpts teaches me that ignorance is no good. I want to expand my knowledge about various things as long as I live in this world. And hopefully, I myself want be a bridge to intergroup harmony.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Hyogo -Kobe- earthquake memorial day.....
It was today 13 years ago.... the extremely sad event occurred.
I remember that morning.
The day before, several member of our chorus group came to our house and had a rehearsal for the concert which was supposed to be held in spring of the year. We said good bye and never knew what was going to happen next morning.
When it happened, I woke up in the bed, my husband was sleeping next to me. I woke up not because of the quake but because our cat, Buuko, was running around very nervously, and then I realized the huge shaking!
Fortunately, our house was OK. But I never forget the event. I never forget the faces of the children of the school where I later went to play with them as a volunteer after the quake.
My prayer for the victims and their families.
I remember that morning.
The day before, several member of our chorus group came to our house and had a rehearsal for the concert which was supposed to be held in spring of the year. We said good bye and never knew what was going to happen next morning.
When it happened, I woke up in the bed, my husband was sleeping next to me. I woke up not because of the quake but because our cat, Buuko, was running around very nervously, and then I realized the huge shaking!
Fortunately, our house was OK. But I never forget the event. I never forget the faces of the children of the school where I later went to play with them as a volunteer after the quake.
My prayer for the victims and their families.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Soymilk-Udon
We had Soymilk-Udon for tonight dinner at nearby Udon Restaurant!Ingredients were:
Udon
sesame
Welsh Onion(Negi)
Seaweed
Broccoli
Fish sausage
Soy-milk
Banana!!!!
It tasted like cream soup with fresh cream.
So yummy!!!!
Accompanied with the Udon, white rice, uncooked egg, salad, and pink pickle were served. We put the egg on the rice and add a little bit soy sauce, then just mixed it up. It became a egg rice!
On such a cold night, we often eat Udon. It warms us up!!
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