DJ Kefir

Today I want to write about my super friend, DJ Kefir.

We have been friends for 1 year and almost 9 months.

He is a well-known DJ in Russia and has a radio show on Radio Record, the FM dance music station, which I used to love when I was living in St.Petersburg!!! Actually I didn't know him when I was there, we became friends AFTER I came back to Japan!

Now, people who are reading up till here will think, "How did the friendship start?" On vkontakte, the Russian social networking site. Let me say that he is not just a popular DJ, but also a person who is very positive, a person with lots of inspiration. Why I can write this is that he has saved me from the toughest time of my life. I don't want to recall what happened in the past, but a very positive Sakichan DID go through some bad times. And it was that time when I became friends with him. The words he gave me, the music he played on the radio show, really really brought me back to the same old Sakichan. Actually, got even better! Made a even powerful me!!!

So now it's my time to do something good, to show him my deepest appreciation. What I could do for him was to spread him in Japan, since hardly any people here know about the Russian dance music scene. I started making his page on MIXI, trying to make connections with the people in the club business. People started to respond and fans are gradually increasing. And now, I am in the process of promoting him. I think I see light to this path! I will let you know if something really happens. I am so excited! If this really works, I am going to be the first person in Japan to spread him!!! I sound like a crazy fan, don't I?))) But this is what a crazy fan can do!) Also, I have been related to Russia since I got into university. What I'm doing now is also good for me! I can improve my Russian) (Although I tend to run to English because this DJ understands Russian and there are many Russian people on vkontakte who know English well!))) I am now friends with his family and his friends! I have not met any one of them for real, but they really are my very good friends. They have made me love Russia even more! Thank u DJ, thank u my Russian friends! As a proof, I was participating in the video clip shooting of DJ Kefir's new track! Look!

He has so many fans but I am so honored that I have made a strong impression to them, made them think about me, to have me join their video clip shooting!!! 

I feel so special!!!

Well, here's his video clip! Check it out!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FARCw9alQR8

And here's some info on DJ Kefir:

http://www.radiorecord.ru/   (Radio Record website)

http://www.radiorecord.ru/record

http://djkefir.pdj.ru/　　　

(You can check out DJ Kefir's radio show, mixes, tracks, and videos)

http://vkontakte.ru/djkefir　(DJ Kefir's website on vkontakte)

http://soundcloud.com/dj-kefir  (DJ Kefir's soundcloud page)

http://twitter.com/djkefir　(DJ Kefir's twitter page)

http://mixi.jp/show_friend.pl?id=25946700  (DJ Kefir's mixi page)

http://www.radiorecord.ru/player/index.php?radio=radio_record　

(Radio Record online)

Tune in every Friday 1am-3am (Moscow Standard Time)

to listen to his radio show!

His radio show is my source of energy!

This is one of the fun activites I do in my everyday life;)



Day 46-77 Busy, BUsy, BUSy, BUSY!!!

Oh, wow! I can't believe a whole month has passed!!!
I have been SUPER busy...Finally I have time to sit and update my blog)))
Want to know what I have been doing?

Well, the whole October was dedicated to COP10. I was working at the Press Conference Room, assisting the NHK Int'l cameraman and staff if they needed some interpretation. Most of my time was to listen to the press conference. If I hadn't had the opportunity to be there, I would not have thought about biodiversity at all. It was also a good chance for me to listen to the simultaneous interpreters. It is a special technique they have! I tried to do it during the press conference, but gave up((( I admire them! Maybe I should brush up my interpretation skills. I would really like to become a super interpreter one day and impress the whole world! First I must speak beautiful Japanese though))) Never too late to learn and to try! I will keep on evolving!!!!

 One thing I thought I was really lucky was that I met Harisson Ford. It was freezing but as you can see from this photo, he didn't even show on his face. He was doing his work! And after the interview with CNN etc., I got a chance to shake hands with him and be in the same group photo! His hands were so big and warm. I would never forget this! I grew up with Star Wars and Indianna Jones so I still can't believe I shook hands with him!!!






After the COP10 work, I have been keeping myself busy in other English speaking work, meeting friends, and taking dance classes. As a dedicated Japanese housewife, she must be perfect in the housework, but unfortunately for me, there are so many things I want to do in my life. I'm a mother and a wife, but ALSO I am a woman! I want to dress up nicely, stay fit, and take care of myself! That's why I have so many activities to do in my everyday life, along with my housework and raising a daughter. I don't have to make myself THIS busy, but I want to enjoy this life I'm having. I don't want to regret and miss anything out)))
Am I being a bit greedy?)))

Oh, I must tell you about Asahi-chan! She's improving her Japanese! She can text me from her mobile phone in Japanese!!! Although I tend to speak English to her, I'm talking in Japanese too, at the same time, so I have become more talkative))) But I thank God for bringing her into our family because she gives us so much joy. And now she has made me want to teach Japanese to non-Japanese speakers now)))
I didn't think being a host family was THIS fun! Thanks to her, our everyday life is fulfilling! We will go on lots of short trips, go explore Nagoya more!!!!

My next blog is about my SUPER DJ friend!
I am trying to spread him in Japan! That's also one of my major activities!!!

Day 42-45 Finally Meeting Alex Foster!

Thursday, October 14th.

I don't think I will never forget this day.
I spent 8 hours with Alex Foster, vocals of the alternative / progressive rock band, Your Favorite Enemies, in Kyoto!!!
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Favorite_Enemies)

First I need to explain how this happened. About 2 years ago, Alex sent me a friend request on myspace. He is a Starbucks lover and at that time, my profile pic was my smiling face holding 2 Starbucks coffee in Ankara, Turkey. And he gave me a long message in Japanese (using a translating machine). His message impressed me and I listened to his band's music for the first time and thought it was pretty good so I accepted the friend request.
And our communication began.
The band was everywhere; on myspace, facebook, vkontakte, mixi, and even on skype. I gradually learned about them and found out that they were very close to their fans. They treat us if we were their family! And I've become to like their music too. Alex sings very well. I especially like "Little Sister." If you have a chance, please check it out.

Now, they (Alex and Jeff) are here in Japan for shooting their own film. It was my mission to see them. I just had to see Alex because we had been communicating time to time))) But unfortunately I was working for COP10 almost everyday. My best day was October 14th, when they were moving from Tokyo to Kyoto. I sent a message to Stephanie, who is always interviewing them on Q&As and updating what they are up to everyday. She was nice to give me a message that she was also eager to see me!!! She had heard from Alex that I love Starbucks))) She even said it would be nice if we met at Starbucks Kyoto for a coffee!!!

Stephanie mailed me that morning that she would call me. And after a few hours, I found out on twitter that they had left Tokyo so I decided to wait for her call at Kyoto station to save time.
And what a coincidence!!! I was about to go into the book store at Kyoto station when I heard Alex's voice from somewhere. I looked around and there he was, hugging his Japanese fan! I went up to them, losing my tongue, and Alex saw me and he said, "Hey! So good to see you!" It was so natural! As if we've met before) "Stephanie was just about to call you!" Wow, this couldn't be happening!!! It was real! Not a dream))) I was introduced to the crew, YB, Jonathan, Miriam, and Kim. Jeff had a meeting but would join later on.
They said it was their pleasure me coming with them rest of the day!!! Oh, wow!!! So it was me and Kosho, a Japanese guy who would take over his father's temple in Kyoto, that were their fans who were lucky to go around with them!!!

We went to Kinkakuji, the Golden Temple and to Gion. They were taking pictures and taking videos everywhere. I was becoming like their interpreter, which was an honor! Stephanie and I were talking about lots of things! Was it really our first time we've met????  And even Alex, too. For us fans, we've been seeing them through videos and on the Internet but they were actually right in front of us, actually talking, laughing, eating and drinking together!!! And I was so happy that I was drinking the same caramel macchiato with Alex at Starbucks!!! I was sitting between Stephanie and Alex!!! How exciting is that!!!

And at the soba restaurant, I was sitting next to Alex, Stephanie and YB right in front of me. It was such an unbelievable experience for me! They were so natural))) And I was explaining to all of them the whole menu of the restaurant and about Japanese food, how to eat soba noodles properly...YB was such a nice guy, with lots of sense of humor. YB and Jonathan, the Belgium photographer, were finally competing who would make the loudest sound when eating soba noodles))) The whole group, they were lacking sleep and I could really see that. But all through the time, they were smiling and making the others laugh and I really really thought they are a one big happy family. The bond they have is so strong.  It was also great to see Jeff at the end too. He had done a great job for the group!!! We respect him for what he had done!

There was no time to get one from Jeff, but I got everybody's message on my favorite Russian Starbucks matryoshka!!! I will treasure this!!!

They are traveling around Japan. I wish them good luck and I really hope I could see them again.

As this meeting that I wished for became true, I now really believe that wishes DO come true.
That's if you believe!!!

Day 41 A Long Day...

Woke up at 5am to do the laundry.
Then left home at 7am, commuting to Nagoya Congress Center.
(the pic u see on the left)
The rush hour...oh I hate it)))

Press Conference Briefing started from 9am. After that, what I did till 6pm...just wait,wait, WAIT!!! I am needed only when there is a press conference. I couldn't just go home coz you never know what's going to happen...

But I enjoyed my day because I was with Sano Eri san and Hiroshima Akiko san all day! Sano-san was an i-J of my favorite radio station Radio-i, and Hiroshima san was reading the news there too! I was a huge fan of Radio-i, that's why I was so happy to spend time with them!!! I just couldn't believe that I was actually talking with my favorite female i-J of Radio-i!!!

We had to do something to spend time effectively so we walked around the COP10 / MOP5 site and found these!!

The picture to your left is a dinosaur made from 650 pieces of garbage!!! Cans, toys, dolls, even mileage cards were stuck on to this dino))) So cool!
And to your right is a flower made from tsuru (crane) out of origami!!! Isn't this neat? All these little origami cranes are stuck together to make one flower!!!
Lost for words!!!

I think I really need to find what to do during the LONG WAITING time.
Do u have any good ideas?)))

Good night! Need to sleep now!
Oh, it's almost 2am)))

Day 40 Waiting is my job...:)

 "Biodiversity is Life"... (left is a Russian written poster I found today)

MOP5 started today in Nagoya!!! http://www.cbd.int/mop5/
My job is to work with the camera crew of NHK Int'l, to tell them in brief about the press conference, when the next press conference will be held. It was very interesting to watch how they really do the press conference. Today I saw the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries! So many SPs, security was so strict today! Even the press conference was closed to have it inspected by the police!)

This morning I kind of felt great because when they checked my ID tag on the bar code, the guard said through his walkie-talkie, "This person is a free-pass!", meaning no security check)))

I worked from 8am to 5pm today and there were only 2 press conference today...So most of the time I just had to sit somewhere and wait! WAITING WAS MY JOB))) That is, you know, a bit tiring...I had a book with me but that made me fall asleep) Went to the Cyber Cafe to do some research on COP10 / MOP5, listened to my mp3 player, explored the site...so much time and was so hard to spend time))) Maybe I should study something or really try and read a book!!! Because I am working everyday except Thursday and Sundays until the end of the month! I really CAN DO SOMETHING!!!

I have some interesting stories to share while I was exploring. There was a stand where you could by hotdogs, pizza, fried chicken and stuff and you know what? I found 2 huge spelling mistakes.
Instead of Smoked Turkey, it was Smoked Terkey,
instead of plain hotdog, it was PLANE hotdog!!!
It's an international conference!!!! How could they mispell them?))) And they wrote it SO BIG)))

And look at his photo to your left. You will see this all over the site. You can drink NAGOYA's water for free!
Yeah, it was a great promo, but once you taste it...I think I really cannot recommend this...Sorry, Mr.Mayor, but it was awful....
I see many ad and even on newspapers that NAGOYA water is recommendable and delicious but...there is a big question among the interpreting staff here))) We all tasted it and have the same question...
"Can we really promote this?"
If you have a chance, please try. When I tasted it, it was like I was in a swimming pool....Can't find the right word, nice word to explain but some strange flavor is left in my mouth...I would rather drink my own tap water at home...although I live in the same city...I'm sorry but I would go straight to the vending machine to buy mineral water instead)))

Day 39 It's only my first day but...

It's almost midnight and finally I can sit down...After I came back from my first day at the COP10 job, I cooked dinner for the family, with some help from Asahi-chan and Julie (making gyoza - pan-fried dumplings), washed all the dishes and frying pans, then after a quick shower, did all the ironing I had to do!
By the time I finished ironing, I felt a bit dizzy...Doing my housework straight after work is so exhausting than my workouts)))

It's only my first day but I don't think I can EVER be a full-time working person and a mother)))
After I come home and see all the housework I need to do, and miss the times I have with Julie, I feel like starting the day all over again!!! This was my decision. I thought it would be a great opportunity to be engaged in such a huge, global conference. And if I DO complain, or say I'm tired, I know my husband would say, "Sakichan, then why did you take the job? " I don't want to say that I'm too tired from work that I don't feel like cooking))) Sometimes I feel....if ONLY he can cook too...

I'm the one who is making myself too busy!
But there are so many things I want to do and try! No one can stop me!!!)
Born in the year of "boar" (inoshishi doshi), born as a Leo (August), and being a blood type B,
I think some people can understand what kind of character I am !!!;)

I'm so tired and sleepy and my mind's not working so I'll write again tomorrow!
Good night!

Day 38 Such a busy day today...

It rained like crazy today. It's okay...it HAS to rain, but don't want it when I have to do so many things outside like today!!!

Started my day doing the laundry. No time to hang the laundry because we were late for Julie's SADO (Japanese tea ceremony) class. Yes - Julie, 8 years old, she's learning Japanese culture! She saw me doing it and she got inspired by the movements and silence, and asked me & my husband if she can learn! We didn't believe that such a young girl would be SO interested in SADO, but she's been learning for a couple of months and she loves it! Yes, go on girl! Inherit the Japanese tradition!!! And she's a fast learner!

Quickly went home to hang the laundry, then off to the dentist. Did some grocery shopping for the weekend, came home, cooked lunch & dinner at the same time, munching a sandwich))) JUST SO BUSY to sit and eat! What made me so busy was that I had this interpreting job to do for a friend who is giving a wine seminar in the evening. Being a housewife and a mom is not so simple. Plus if you have work, who's going to cook and do housework? My husband doesn't cook, Julie's too young to cook for the family...which means that I need to do that. I am very thankful to my husband, for letting me do all kinds of work that I'm interested in, letting me do whatever I want to do...As an appreciation, or I can say, in return, I really must do all the housework and cooking!!! My responsibility is to keep my family happy. If Julie's happy, and if my husband is also happy and satisfied in the house, I feel great.

But...ABSOLUTELY I'm so grateful that Asahi-chan is here! She is helping me so much. She helps me prepare meals, do the dishes, and babysit Julie!!! Maybe that's why I could go out tonight to work...

It was my first time, actually interpreting for a wine seminar. Honestly speaking, I don't really know about wine because I can drink only a tiny bit...But I thought I should give it a shot and see how it goes. Even if I don't drink so much, it's always good to know new things. Always think positive! And I DID learn a lot and it was actually fun!!! My curiosity made me enjoy the event! I liked the people who came today too! And I loved the restaurant! 

Now...from tomorrow a big international conference will start in Nagoya. Have you heard of MOP5, COP10? From 190 countries, over 8000people are coming to the site. It's a big conference for biodiversity. And I'm going to take part. Interpretation at the press conference room!Working except for Thursdays and Sundays, from morning to evening. Just like a full-time worker!!!

What I worry is the communication with Julie and meals!!! I hope I could do everything smoothly...Asahi-chan is going to cooperate, which I reallly appreciate!!! She made chocolate mousse today! I'm so excited to eat it tomorrow!

Cheers!;)

Day 17-37 It's Already October!!! So quick!!!

I can't believe time flies so fast..
I was saying and writing to my friends that I will update my blog, and look! Almost 3 weeks have passed!!!
What have I been doing?)))
I have been too active! ...as usual. I sometimes wonder, where DOES all this energy come from?)))
I will try and write in brief what happened but that's the hardest part for me because I just LOVE to write!

YAKUSHIMA TRIP
This is what my husband and I had planned for my daughter's birthday and Asahi-chan's welcome trip.
We stayed in Yakushima for 2 nights and Kagoshima for 1 night. Sorry school teachers, the girls had to skip school because of the flight schedule)))

Yakushima, registered as UNESCO's World Heritage site, is said to be an island with lots and lots of rain. But we were SO LUCKY! No rain, but blue sky and strong sunshine!!! We arrived late in the afternoon on the first day. We didn't want to miss anything so we went to 白谷雲水峡(Shiratani Unsuikyo), the forest of  もののけ姫(Princess Mononoke). I've never seen such a forest in my life!!! How can I explain this in words? Everything was just perfect. So green, so quiet, and so relaxing. On the way back, we kind of had a spooky adventure. It got real dark))) We did not have a flashlight, only the moonlight, and the sound of water that made us get back to the entrance. I was scared myself because I hate the dark))) I REALLY DO!!! Even at this age, YES! But my daughter was crying...I could not say I was scared, I had to be a brave mom...

The following day, we enjoyed the river and the sea!
Just look at the photos!


We ended our Yakushima trip with another trekking. Again, we were deep in the forest! We really enjoyed the walk! I am definitely coming back to this island! There are more things to see, do, and enjoy!
After Yakushima, we kind of lost energy in sightseeing Kagoshima. But HAD to see Sakurajima, the active volcano) Unfortunately the top of Sakurajima was covered with clouds but the following early morning, we got to see a nice and clear one!

AFTER THE TRIP TILL TODAY!!!

My daughter, JULIE, she turned 8 on the 19th, so we went to HARD ROCK CAFE Nagoya to celebrate! I have been a huge fan of Hard Rock Cafe since when I was 18 years old, whereever I travel, it's a mission for me to go there and get at least one souvenir!!! And I LOVE going there on birthday months! You will get celebrated from the restaurant, get 10% discount coupon for the shop, and get your photo taken!!! So many treats!!! Actually, I couldn't go on my birthday month in August (which was a MUST thing to do every birthday), what a pity, so I kind of forced the family to go on Julie's birthday month))) I'm the only one in the family who is eager to get celebrated by a whole bunch of people! I wonder why my husband and Julie are so shy)))

←See!!!:)))) It was Asahi-chan's first time going to Hard Rock Cafe! She loved it! I made her become a Hard Rock Cafe fan)))  Yeahy!

On that weekend, we went to a huge toy shop to buy Julie's b-day present.
We got her HEELEY's. It was her dream to get one))) I wanted to buy her rollerblades so she and I could rollerblade together but she refused...
How come HEELEY's are much more expensive than rollerblades? Can anyone tell me? Oh, well. It's her b-day present! She can get what she wants)
So I think Julie had a great b-day this year!!! We celebrated all through the week!

And what have I been doing? I have been working out a lot!!! I took belly dance, body combat, "waist-shape" class, Zumba, Rusie Dutton, and my usual hip-hop dance class!!! I don't think I'm a real cool hip-hop dancer, but I love the music so much and love to dance to the music so I have been taking dancing lessons for over 4 years))) My body really changed since I started. I can move my neck side to side now! And able to keep my flat belly!) As you become older, it's easy to put on weight but it gets quite hard to lose weight. To stay young, healthy, and energetic, dancing really works for me. I've only tried belly dance twice but I think there is a connection to hip-hop dancing. So I think I must try this from now on. Zumba is so fun!!! I love this kind of dance! I need to learn more Latin dancing. Maybe I can learn how to dance more sexier!!))) But I am showing no one))) I'm never going to do body combat! Absolutely not for me! But I liked Tae Bo! Maybe because I loved the instructor!!!

Hmmm....other than dancing, I have been shopping for inexpensive clothes) Just can't stop searching for cool clothes and accessories that are not expensive!!! The happiness, excitement doubles, even triples when I find them!!!

Oh, and I went to a cooking & lunch at my friend's house. We get together once a month and share our recipes. We've done French, Italian, and Japanese food. This month we did some French dishes called Hachis Parmentier and Tarte Tatin!!! They were soooo good!!! I wonder what we will be doing next month. But one of my best friend is leaving...I hate good-byes...

And Asahi-chan, she's doing great!!! She is always studying Japanese hard, always writing a lot in her notebook, asking me so many questions which is kind of a test for me, whether I understand Japanese well! And I am realizing that Japanese has so many ways of expressing one thing!!! I'm learning too!
It's nice having her! She helps me a lot and we have fun together!!! We have a good relationship!

Hahaha, 20 days in brief!!! Will try and write everyday. I think no one believes me now;)

Day 10-16 One Week Report:)

I really need to write before I head off to Yakushima Island)))

Saturday, September 11th.
It was such a busy day! First we went to Asahi-chan's high school to see the school festival! Oh, high school kids! Full of power and energy...which I ALSO have))) I could just become one and go crazy with them))) It was surprising to see non-dyed hair school kids)

We wanted to take Asahi-chan to another festival, so we got permission from the school to take her out of school. Before going to the Setomono Festival, we stopped by at a second-hand shop, where I found this!!! (picture above) They were only 800yen altogether! I have quite a selection of this brand! JOHNSON BROTHERS entertain my dining table everyday:)

So, this is the Setomono Festival, the ceramics festival. Gosh, they were SO CHEAP!!!
It was so hard to choose from. But I got these!!! See the right photo above! Yes! Everything my color!)

And from 7pm I was at my friend's nice and huge house for a house concert. It was such a fabulous night to end the day. Asahi-chan enjoyed her first fireworks in Japan. It was a great day for her too!

Sunday, September 12th.
After a few hours sleep from yesterday, Asahi-chan and I headed off to the Pacific Ocean to see the sunrise! It was so peaceful, calm, relaxing, and beautiful...
Then our whole day was AGAIN, jumping from the rocks at Itatorigawa, Horado, Gifu Prefecture)

We've been here 3 weeks in a row, but I feel the water is becoming colder and colder...and deeper? Today it was so green and clear, I could just see the bottom of the river and see the fishes swimming! I tried jumping off from different rocks from last time. And...I was quite brave enough to do them!  When I jumped off from the rock, which the photo shows down below, my legs shook, when I saw how high it was...and besides, I had all the people watching me jump! Nowhere else to escape but to jump))) It felt really great after I did it.

Monday, September 13th

My daughter was so jealous that Asahi-chan had no school but she did) Asahi-chan slept until noon! She WAS tired alright))) I am too GENKI (energetic) to wake up early every day! I really wonder WHERE I get this energy from.

I feel I am getting more and more younger and active although I'm getting older and older...So, today was a bit of a resting day. Although my daughter had piano lesson!

Tuesday, September 14th

Today it was MY relaxation time. Sometimes I need that. I usually don't stay home though. Always keeping myself busy. There is a funny story that when I stay home all day and do nothing, I tend to catch cold)))

Wednesday, September 15th

At last we have rain! Quite a heavy one, it was...

There's nothing to write but I want to write the changes of my daughter since Asahi-chan came. I am trying my best to always keep an eye on her because she's the kind of child who wants attention from me. I think she has changed a bit because she would take me to another room where Asahi-chan is not looking, to tell me things she doesn't want to be heard) She's our only child so it is good of her to have a sister like Asahi-chan, to experience what it is like to have a sister. I like seeing my daughter and Asahi-chan communicating with their limited vocabulary))) My daughter would try and teach Japanese to Asahi-chan in English, and Asahi-chan will try to communicate with Julie in Japanese. And I'm like a supervisor to correct their English and Japanese! Such an international family we are!

Thursday, September 16th.

I felt like working out today so I went to the fitness club to try 2 classes. One was Body Combat and the other was Zumba. First time trying the 2. And I am never EVER doing Body Combat!!! I nearly fainted while I was doing it! It was a never-ending movement. The trainer wouldn't really give us a break. Absolutely not for me! But I loved ZUMBA!! It had some salsa movements so I think I'm going to enjoy this one. It was a fast and quick movement.

I am taking classes because for my own good. Maybe because I am watching too much of Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives but going into 40s (still have 1 more year to go!) is not bad at all! Even if I am married and I have a child, it doesn't mean that I am going to end up being just a wife and mother. I want to be ME! I want to enjoy my life, and be both a good wife and mother. I don't know if I am a good wife or a mother but it is always nice to dress up nice and look nice from the inside and the outside! I want to see how much I can evolve)

Friday, September 17th.

I went to my hip-hop dance class today. Yes, this is absolutely my way of dance)

People wonder why and ask me questions, "Why do you go so far for a dance class?" I take the bus and the train to get to my class. One hour trip one way. But it's worth the trip! I just LOVE this class. Everything I want is there. I don't think I am a great hip-hop dancer but the music my dance teacher plays and how he teaches us is just so cool! I don't feel any pressure when I'm taking the lesson. And I think this is very important. Besides, I love this 2-hour trip on the way and back. The only time when I can take a nap))) And I am so good at waking up at my stop! I don't know how I do it but I sense my stop)))

Asahi-chan forgot her mobile phone at school and poor her, she walked to school from our apartment because the bus wouldn't come for half an hour. Good that she got to school safely, without getting lost. Unfortunately the school was closed so she couldn't go find the phone. I'm sure she will find it when she goes back to school)

Yes, and from tomorrow we are off to YAKUSHIMA!

Day 7-9 Another Busy Week:)

I promised myself I would write my blog everyday but I could only keep that promise for 2 days)))
Oh, well...

Wednesday, September 8th
Typhoon No.9 hits Japan. The eye of the typhoon didn't pass Nagoya. Whew... But we had rain at last!!! Our summer here in Nagoya was so humid. We needed this rain. It was a blessing. It rained so hard in the morning but in the afternoon, the rain stopped. After the typhoon, it leaves peace...but it also leaves the hot weather...But I really like the sky after the typhoon. The quality is not really good but this is the sky of the sunset after the typhoon!

（台風9号が日本上陸。幸い、名古屋には直撃しなかったけど、やっと降ってくれた雨。雨の日はあまり好きじゃないけど、この夏ほとんど雨を見ることがなかったので、何となく嬉しい。恵みの雨とでも言っておきましょうか。台風が残してくれたものは、静けさと暑さ・・・。私は台風の後の空が大好き。雲もいつもと違う顔を見せてくれる。夕焼けが本当にきれくて、あさひちゃんと写真をバシバシ撮っていたけど、みなさんにはあまりよくこの感動は伝わらないかも。ごめんなさい。高感度のカメラではないんで・・・)








Thursday, September 9th.        
My Thursday begins with listening to my Russian DJ friend's radio show. It starts from 23:59pm, Moscow Standard Time, so in Japan, it's 4:49am! Maybe I'm crazy, waking up so early. And also it's not a live radio show so I can always download afterwards and listen. But listening to it when all the listeners are listening in Russia, I feel I am with them and what is more, I always get energy from his radio show. So it is a MUST thing I should do. And this is what I made:) I am trying to spread him in Japan:) Haha, I am not just a friend, but also a crazy fan:)


（木曜日はいつも超早起きしてDJ Kefirのラジオ番組を聴いています。彼はロシアでも人気のDJで、私の大親友でもあります。録音放送なので、いつでも聴けるのですが、ロシアで放送されてる正にその時間に聴くことに意義があって、5時の放送に合わせて毎週スタンばっています。そして、左のPRは私が作りました。日本に広めようと日々頑張っています。友達だけど、クレイジーなファンかもしれません）

Today I had sado (Japanese tea ceremony) and kado (ikebana - flower arrangement) class. I had a runny nose today so it was so hard to concentrate during the sado class. But this class is always my relaxation time!

（今日は茶道・華道教室がありました。最近夜が涼しい時があって、タンクトップで寝ていたせいで、朝、鼻水がズルズルと・・・。なので、レッスン中は大変でした。だけど、このレッスンは、私のリラックスできる時間でもあります。）






Friday, September 10th
Finally, I could go to my hip-hop dance class!!! I have been waiting for this for a month!  Today I took my American friend to the class! It would be great to have more friends! It takes an hour to get to the class, but it's really worth a trip. I like the music that my dance teacher is playing and what is more, he is a great teacher;)

（待ちに待ったダンスレッスンに行ってきました。1ヶ月くらいご無沙汰だったので、すごく嬉しかった。今日はアメリカ人の友達も一緒に参加。ちょっとインターナショナルになってきたダンスクラス。通うのに1時間かかるんだけど、通うだけ得るものがたくさんある。元気の源！レッスン中に流れる音楽は最高だし、先生も優しくて最高！）

That's it for the week! And Asahi-chan...she's absolutely great! She helps me a lot, always smiling, energetic, positive, and always trying so hard to learn Japanese. I thought she might not improve too much of her Japanese because I speak English but she told me that it would help her mentally because she can always ask me in English if she doesn't understand the Japanese. Well, I was relieved to hear that. But I will first talk to her in Japanese, then translate into English if she doesn't understand. My husband is learning French from her too! She would give a question when he rings the doorbell. If he could answer back in French, he is allowed to come inside!))) This was my idea! Our family is enjoying the life with Asahi-chan!

（今週はこんな感じ。＝もう先週になってしまったけど。あさひちゃんは最高！よくお手伝いしてくるし、いつも笑顔だし、いつもエネルギーに溢れているし、前向きだし、そして日本語をよく勉強してる。私が英語を話すので、彼女の日本語が上達しないのではちょっと気になるのですが、彼女は精神的にありがたいと言ってくれたので、良しとしよう。日本語で分からないところをとことん英語で教えれば、理解が深まるかもしれない。前向きにとらえよう。夫がフランス語を学ぼうとしているので、私のアイディアで、夫が帰宅して家に入る前に、彼女が出すフランス語の質問に答えなければいけないことにした！これが結構見ていて楽しい。）

Day 3-6 Busy Weekend!!!

Too busy over the weekend and lack of sleep, I just couldn't write everyday! Sorry)))
（週末あまりにも忙しく、眠気もあり、ブログを更新できませんでした！）

Saturday, September 4th.
We went to Itatori River, Horado, in Gifu prefecture.
We loved the river so much, we just had to come back!
I've never seen such a green, clear river in Japan in my life! So full of nature!
And what is more, you can jump off the rocks or if you're brave enough, jump of the bridge!
（岐阜県洞戸、板取川に行ってきました。2週連続です。こんなにも美しく、緑で、透明な川を日本で見たことない！ミソは、岩から川へ飛び込めるとういうこと、それと、勇気があるなら橋からも飛び下りることができるんですよ！）

Look how green it is!（こんなに緑！）

Lots of international friends got together. We swam, jumped, and had a nice BBQ! So nice to relax with friends and have a chat!
（この日は外国人の友達が大勢集まりました。
泳いだり、飛び込んだり、バーベキューしたり。
友達と楽しい時間が過ごせました！）

Look! And I really DID jump from a high rock!!!

It was just me jumping from my family.

My husband wouldn't dare do it!

Asahi-chan took this photo for me!

Once you do the jump, you get addicted to it!

I jumped 3 times!

（見てください！外国人の友達に交じって一緒に

飛び込みました！家族の中では私だけがジャンプ。

夫は「無理！」だって・・・。

一度飛び込むと、結構はまります。3回飛び込みました！）

We went for Chinese food for dinner!

Asahi-chan loved it!

（夕食は近くの中華を食べに行きました。

あさひちゃんの口にあって良かった）

Sunday, September 5th

My daughter and I had Sado (tea ceremony) and Kado (ikebana - flower arrangement) lessons in the morning. When we got back, Asahi-chan was studying Japanese!

（娘と私は午前中、茶道・華道のレッスンがあったので、夫とあさひちゃんをおいて出かけました。帰ってきたら、あさひちゃんは日本語を勉強してました！えらいねー）

We had somen noodles for lunch! Good for the hot, hot, summer.

Good that Asahi-chan liked it!

（暑いので昼食はソーメン。暑い時はこれに限る。あさひちゃんは、お箸でソーメンを取るのに苦労していましたが、楽しく食べてくれました。）

After preparing for school and tidying up things, my daughter and I took Asahi-chan to Daiei, the supermarket. She bought a pair of slippers for school (I still can't get used to the idea of wearing slippers in school. In our times, we had indoor shoes.) took "Purikula" (print-club - sticker photo. One of the Japanese culture that I love) altogether, and went to buy some food for our sushi party!

（家族それぞれ自分たちのことを済ませたあと、娘とあさひちゃんとでダイエーに行きました。

ユニクロで彼女は学校用のスリッパを購入。（今は上履きじゃなくて、スリッパを履くんだね。すごく違和感がある。）初のプリクラを撮り、そしてお好みずしの材料を買った。）

Monday, September 6th

We woke up at 6:30am and made ham/cheese and tuna sandwich for lunch.

I took Asahi-chan to the bus stop. I felt like her mother. Seeing a daughter off on her first day at school...

Good that there were some students taking the same bus.

After she left, it was my time again. Did my housework. I was supposed to go to the fitness club for a belly dance class. But my daughter was coming home early((( Couldn't go today. Well, maybe some free Monday...

Asahi-chan seemed to have a great time at school! I was relieved!

She had English homework. Had to translate some words and sentences into Japanese)))

（6時半に起き、ハムチーズサンド、ツナサンドを作った。初登校なので、バス停まで見送った。

娘を送る母の気分になってしまった。同じ学校の生徒がいたので少し安心。

彼女が学校へ行くと、普段の生活と変わりがない。ベリーダンスクラスに行こうと思ったけど、娘が早帰りということをコロッと忘れていた。また、いつかの月曜日に行こう。

あさひちゃんは、学校で相当楽しかったようだ。ホッとしたよー。

宿題は英語。テキストの単語や文を和訳する宿題。英和辞書を引きながら頑張っていたけど、

漢字が読めないので、少し手伝ってあげた。）

Asahi-chan is so curious in everything we do! She is always willing to help. She helped me cooking.

So we had a live cooking class in Japanese:) It's nice to have an assistant!

（あさひちゃんは、私たちのすること全てに興味あり。進んで手伝いをするし、料理も手伝ってくれる。料理に使う表現を教えながら一緒に作る。何か楽しい！）

Oh...French is so difficult to pronounce! Well, I have 10 months, don't I? Maybe I'll be good at French;)

（あー、フランス語はホントに発音するのが難しい。だけど、10カ月あるからもしかしたら、フランス語上手になってたりして？）

Tuesday, September 7th

I went to a friend's house this morning to meet a flute player and a violinist.

I played the electric piano, which I was not used to at all, and played together with them.

I might be playing with them at some cafe someday. It was like a get together & lunch.

It was my first experience. I was the only amateur player so I just had to do my best.

But it was nice playing to the flute and to the violin.

（友人宅でフルート奏者とバイオリニストに会い、私のピアノと一緒に合わせて演奏してみた。もしかすると近い将来、彼女たちと演奏するかもしれない。私だけ、アマチュアプレイヤーなので、私でいいのか不安が残るけど・・・。だけど、いいものだね。生のフルートとバイオリンを聴きながら演奏するのは。電子ピアノがちょっと慣れなかったけどね。）

Asahi-chan came back home by herself!!! Good girl!

She did her homework, went shopping with my daughter, helped me cook dinner, do the dishes, and had a origami lesson from my daughter!

（あさひちゃんは一人で家に帰ってきた！すごいじゃん。帰宅後も積極的にお手伝いをしてくれ、大助かり。娘から折り紙レッスンを受けたりと、すでに私たちの家族の一員！）

Day 2. High School!)

God, it was such a hot day today)
（ああ暑かった！）

We went to the ward office today, to apply for Asahi-chan's alien registration card.
Before going there, we went to a photo box where you can take self-photos.
700 yen for 1 sheet. She needed 2 photos for alien registration (passport size pic) and 4 photos for high school. (3.5cm ×4.5cm) And this machine had explanation in different languages, which was helpful for Asahi-chan.
The registration went quite smoothly. Actually she was the only visitor for the registration)


（区役所に行き、あさひちゃんの外国人登録を申請した。その前に、証明写真を学校用と、外国人登録用と2種類撮ったわけなんだけど、今の証明写真を撮るボックスっていろんな言語が入ってるんだね。それだけ日本に住む外国人が増えてるってことなのかな。まあ、私が知らなかっただけかもしれないんだけど。外国人登録は、私たちしかいなかったので、スムーズに終わりました。）

While walking back to the station, we went to see what they sold in "フランス菓子" (french sweets)
It was a cafe & cake shop. Asahi-chan said they only sold one thing that was French)))
Also said that "Cafe De Terrasse" is not correct. For people like me who don't understand French, it's okay, but she was smiling each time she saw some signs that said in French! Not many were correct)))
I wonder why they use the language wrong? No proofreaders?)))
Even I feel somebody must do something with the English you will see on signs and t-shirts here in Japan...

（駅に向かう途中、「フランス菓子」と書いてあるケーキ屋さんがあったので、窓から中をのぞいてみた。あさひちゃんは、「エクレアだけおんなじだ」とクスクス笑っていた。しかも、看板のフランス語が間違ってたみたい。そのあと、色々目につくフランス語で書いてある看板を見つけては、「うー、違う」を連発。面白いね。なんで、間違ったものを堂々と看板にできるのだろうか。英語で書いてあるt-shirtでさえそうだよ。国際社会になるなら、こういうことから直してほしいなー。）

Before going to her high school, I bought her a brand new pair of chopsticks!!!
And I couldn't stop buying some other things for myself, too)))
The shop "Afternoon Tea" has so many cute things)))

（あさひちゃんに、10ヶ月間使用してもらうお箸を一緒に買いに行って、プレゼントした！
その店にあまりにもかわいい雑貨が置いてあったので、自分の買い物までしてしまった・・・）

After a quick lunch, we took the bus to the high school!
This school has a special English course. That's why they accept exchange students. The students and teachers seemed to be really nice and friendly people.
I was enjoying myself, too) I really didn't have a great time at high school, so everything here seemed so fun!!! Asahi-chan needed complete translation and she was a bit nervous because she couldn't really speak out. But other exchange students came to visit her and the other Belgium boy, so she was enjoying the chatting with her new friends! One French exchange student was so desperate to talk in French, I understood nothing but could see that she needed to talk in her mother tongue))) We rented school uniforms and shoes. Good they had Asahi-chan's size. The Belgium boy is 197cm and his shoe size is 32cm!!! The school didn't have any size for him(((

（軽く昼食をとり、バスで高校へ行った。ここのM高校は、英語科があり、留学生の受け入れもしょっちゅうしているようだ。国際色豊か、しかも自由な校風は生徒を元気にさせ、楽しんで高校生活が送れるようになっている。チャラチャラした子がいなかった、珍しく。私の高校生活は勉強三昧で、いまいち弾けられなかったので、とっても楽しそうな雰囲気が、また私もやり直してみたくなった）））
すでに留学しているオーストラリア人とフランス人の女の子が、あさひちゃんと、ベルギーからきた男の子を大歓迎してくれた。特にフランス人の子は、あさひちゃんがフランス人と知って、大興奮。洪水のように、フランス語が出てくる、出てくる！母国語を話したくて仕方なかったんだろうね。制服合わせもしてみた。あさひちゃんのは全て学校から貸してもらえたけど、ベルギー人の子は、身長197cmの上に、靴が32cm!!!学校側も驚きの連発。）


We made gyoza today! It's fun making it together!

（夕食は餃子！娘とあさひちゃんもぎょうざを包むのに挑戦！）

Asahi-chan never stops studying Japanese) She wrote lots of katakana today.
She even made a special notebook for Japanese. And do u know what? Julie was teaching Japanese in English! I've never seen Julie talking so much in English!
It's nice to see them helping each other!!!

（あさひちゃんは、時間を見つけては日本語を勉強してる。今日はたくさんカタカナの練習をしてた。
日本語の勉強ノートまで作っていた。そして驚くことに娘が英語で一生懸命日本語を教えてた！こんなに話してるの見たことないくらいに。すごいねー。お互い教えあってるのを見ていてほのぼの。）

Asahi-chan is so adorable!

（あさひちゃんはかわいい！）

Day 1. Welcome to Nagoya!

2:51pm JR Nagoya Station. The Shinkansen door opened. And there she was, so full of excitement!
(In this blog, I'm going to call her "Asahi-chan". Her name means "dawn" in French. And it was very difficult to pronounce. So, might as well give her a Japanese name))) )

（名古屋駅の新幹線のホームで初顔合わせ。新幹線の扉が開いた瞬間、彼女が飛び出てきた。フランスを去る時も一番にセキュリティチェックに行ったくらいなので、相当楽しみにしてたんだろうね。彼女の名前を発音するのが非常に難しい。フランス人の友達に聞くと、英語ではdawnという意味らしいので、明け方、つまり「朝日ちゃん」という日本名を与えることにしました！本人も結構気に入っているので、このブログでは「あさひちゃん」と書きますね。）

My first question to her was..."Are you GENKI (energetic) enough?"
It was her very first day but we had a tight schedule! We had to go straight home and get ready for Julie's (my daughter) hip-hop dance class.

（まず、彼女に聞いたことは、「体力ある？」
というのもこの日はハードスケジュール。娘のダンスクラスがあるため、間に合うように家経由、ダンススクールに行かなければならなかったのです。）

By looking at Asahi-chan's facial expressions, by looking at how she would talk, I could see that she had been waiting for this day to come! She had so many questions about the Japanese language she wasn't sure about. And for me it was good also. How to teach Japanese properly and neatly) (Actually sometimes I am not sure of myself!))) ) It was good to see Julie trying so hard to explain things and show Asahi-chan in English!

（あさひちゃんの顔の表情や話し方を見るだけで、本当にこの日を待ってたんだなって思えるくらい、気持ちが伝わってきます。これまでに耳にした日本語が英語で言うと何て言うのか、次から次へ質問が飛びます。私にとっても正しい日本語をどのように外国人に伝えるか勉強できて、非常にありがたい。だけど、意外にそれが難しかったりします。娘も一生懸命、英語を使いながら教えようとする努力が伝わってきます。）

I was pretty much surprised that Asahi-chan seemed not tired at all!
She came shopping with me, she even had fun watching Julie's dance class)
Is this what you call YOUTH?)))
Anyways, it proved that she would get along well with my lifestyle!
I too, am such a busy lady!)

（あさひちゃんは初日から飛ばしまくり。全く疲れを見せない。普通に私と一緒に行動してる。
若いから？）））　だけど、これって私の生活スタイルに合せても平気ということだよね。私も娘以上に忙しい人なので）
She enjoyed settling down in her new room and would study Japanese while Julie was doing her homework! She would even help me go take the garbage outside, dry the dishes, etc....
It's her first day. I told her to relax and rest but she was just too excited)))

（家では、あさひちゃんはものすごく手伝ってくれるし、ひらがなを必死に書いてた。友達や親にメールすればというと、「先に勉強してからやります」だって。感心！）

As a welcoming party, we celebrated by making Takoyaki together!!!
Yeah, we are Kansaijin! Takoyaki is a MUST!!!
Good she loved it!

（歓迎の意を表して？もちろん関西人ですから、たこ焼きをみんなで作ったよ。
非常に喜んでくれました！）

I think I'm going to have a great time with Asahi-chan.

New Member of Our Family - Coming Real Soon!

Tomorrow, (oops it's already today) we are going to welcome a new member to our family!
A 17 year-old French girl is coming to stay with us for 10 months!
We are going to be her host family! It's our first experience! We are so excited!!!

(明日から我が家に家族が一人増えます！赤ちゃんではないですよ。17歳のフランス人の女の子。ホストファミリーになったのです。初めての経験で、期間は10カ月！長っ！と皆に言われましたが、
全然気にならない。むしろすごく楽しみ。）

Oh, first I must introduce myself. I have a great husband, and a cute 7 year old daughter.
My husband knows me since I was 18...so that means he knows quite a lot about me) By the way, I'm 39.
And me...I grew up in Melbourne, Australia. It was only for 4 years (from 6 to 10) but I think this 4 years
was everything. The life in Melbourne has created the ME now. I love mixing with people from all over the world. I am too energetic, never home, always searching for fun and exciting things to do. I feel I'm getting powerful and younger each year))) There are so many things I want to write about myself but you will get to know me more when you start reading my blog.

（自己紹介が遅れました。私は39歳の主婦です。フリーで通訳・翻訳をしてます。大学時代からの付き合いの夫と、7歳のかわいい娘がいます。私は6歳から10歳、オーストラリアのメルボルンで育ちました。この4年間が今の私を作り上げたと言っても過言ではありません。とにかく私は元気いっぱいで、楽しいことは何でもしたい、してしまう性格の人で、家にほとんどいません。インターナショナルにいろんな人と付き合っています。このブログを読んでいくうちに少しずつ私のことが分かって頂ければと思います。）

I've never missed writing a journal since my wedding day. But the life in St.Petersburg in 2008 was so fun and exciting I had no time to write anything. Only could send a monthly report to friends via e-mail. So since 2008, my journal is a complete blank. What a waste...And now, I think I will write again every day because from tomorrow we are welcoming this French girl. I want to write about the life with her.

（結婚式の日から欠かさずつけていた日記を、2008年のロシア・サンクトペテルブルグ生活が始まってから、ぷっつりやめてしまいました。忙しすぎて・・・。結婚して10年以上もつけていた日記をやめてしまうのはもったいない。なので、このフランス人の子をきっかけにさせてもらい、日記を、今度は手書きでなく、ブログにて書いていこうかと思います。）

So...I hope you keep reading my blog:) I need to sleep, to get ready for tomorrow!
My daughter and I will meet this French girl at Nagoya Station!!!

（とにかくこの夏休み、超多忙で、寝不足なので、お肌の為に寝ます。
明日、彼女を迎えに名古屋駅まで行ってきます。）