Exploring places, nature, and a life well-lived
You can enjoy scenic views of Lake Toya. On sunny days, you can see Mt. Yotei or Ezofuji (Mt. Fuji in Hokkaido) across the lake. You can enjoy strolling alongside the lake.
You can also take the boat called the Toyako Kisen to cruise around Nakanoshima Island. For a more playful option, you could take a swan boat ride!
Today, I hosted an English salon at home and had a great time. It was fun to discuss and delve into some topics in English. One of my students was so adjusted to the English-speaking environment that when my husband turned up, she greeted him in English, saying “Hello!” We all laughed.
I am very happy to have my students (who are also my friends!) at home. The English Salon is where the participants can be honest with themselves and express themselves freely. This is what I always want to cherish.
Edamame is young soybeans which are still in their pods. Unlike mature soybeans, they are moist and soft. Edamame beans are salt-boiled or steamed and served as an appetizer or a snack. Many Japanese like to eat them with beer. They are not only tasty but also nutritious.
On my birthday, I think how lucky I am to have been born into this world where my family, my friends, and my students are.
My resolution for the year ahead is to enjoy every moment. I am currently doing several kinds of jobs and studying a couple of languages. I also want to practice ballet and do household chores nicely. I have many things to do. From now on, I will free myself from the obsession with deadlines and concentrate on what I am doing at that moment.
This year, I met a person who had been born on the same day and in the same prefecture as me. We have the same blood type, too. (You know, Japanese people like blood type fortune telling.) Both of us were surprised! At first, I did not find any similarities between us; but I gradually realized we had a lot in common. I felt as if I had finally found my counterpart.
So, I will say, “Happy Birthday to both of us!” Let’s live a long, happy, and healthy life.
