On TV Again

Since I moved to Japan, I have been on TV many times. Sometimes I appear on TV because I am at an event that is important. Sometimes I appear on TV because I am working at a special event. In these cases, I am not so important and they don’t mention my name.

Occasionally I appear on TV and they mention my name. Today ZTV came to our school and filmed our activities. We will appear on a program called ‘Schooljack’ in November. My class will appear for about one and a half minutes. They will mention my name.

I am worried because the children were very nervous. I tried to keep them relaxed and excited. I hope they look good on TV.

Have you been on TV? Did they mention your name? Did you enjoy it?

Wearing a Necktie

I almost never wear a necktie. Everyday at work: I kneel on a dirty floor, I lean against the chalkboard, and I jump around and dance with the children. It is best for me to wear casual clothing.

If I wear nice clothing, it will get dirty. If I wear nice clothing, I am usually too hot and sweaty.

Today was a special day. We had a special visitor from Halifax, a city in Canada. I wore a necktie to honor our guest.

This year, I wore a necktie to dinner on my honeymoon in Italy. Also, I wore a necktie to dinner on my honeymoon in Okinawa. At my wedding I wore a necktie. My family had a dinner party in Japan and I wore a necktie. When I took my wife’s parents to Seattle, we had a nice dinner and I wore a necktie.

How often do you wear a necktie? Do you like it?

Running

Running can be a very healthy sport. It exercises your legs. Also, it exercises your ‘core’ muscles: the muscles in your stomach area. Strong core muscles improve health. Also, they help you to feel good and look beautiful.

Some people think that running is bad for joints: especially, knees and hips. If you have high-quality running shoes, they will cushion the shock. Also, if you run with a smooth stride, it is easy on your joints.

I think it is possible to enjoy running and keep your joints healthy.

On long runs, I find that I can clear my mind. Running helps me to think clearly. I don’t run much now, but recently I bought new running shoes. I want to run more.

Do you run? Do you enjoy running?

Chance Meeting

I rode the train to work today. Last night I didn’t get enough sleep. Two nights ago I didn’t get enough sleep.

I slept on the train today. It was nice to get a little more rest.

About halfway to work, I opened my eyes a few times. I only opened them for a moment. I noticed there was a passenger standing very close to me, but I went back to sleep each time.

When I was close to my station I opened my eyes and the woman in front of me said, “Hello!” I was very surprised. She is a friend of mine. She wanted to say hello to me, but didn’t want to wake me up, so she waited patiently.

Have you ever met a friend by chance? Where were you?

Watching TV

Sometimes, when I am very tired, I like to watch TV. I like to sit and relax. It is nice if the shows are very simple. If the shows are very interesting or complex, then I think too hard and don’t relax.

Also, I don’t like it when the shows are all re-runs. I want to get a digital recorder so I can watch new shows. There are many shows at night that I want to watch, but that is when I am sleeping. If I record the shows, then I can watch them when I want.

How much TV do you watch? When do you like to watch?

Equinox

Tomorrow is a holiday in Japan. In English we call it the Autumnal Equinox. We consider it the first day of Autumn, but it is not a holiday in America.

My wife wants me to spend the day cleaning my library at home. It is messy right now.

Also, she wants me to visit a friend of hers. I have never met her friend so I’m a little nervous. In Japan when we meet a new person we are supposed to use special polite language. I am afraid I will forget and use normal language. I hope he doesn’t think I am rude. I want to leave a good impression.

Do you have trouble remembering when to use polite language?

My First Job

When I was a child I received an allowance for doing my chores. I had to take out the trash, scrub the toilets, wash the dishes, vacuum the floors, clean the roof, etc. It was nice to get an allowance, but it was a small amount of money.

I wanted to make more money so I could buy a nice bicycle. I decided to get a job. My first job was delivering newspapers. Only about one in five houses on my route subscribed to the newspaper.

Every month I had to go out at night and collect money from the customers. I decided to talk to people at every house while I was out. When I visited the houses who didn’t subscribe, I told them all about the newspaper and my good service; and I asked them to subscribe. It didn’t take much extra effort because I had to walk by their house anyway.

Each month more and more customers joined. Soon I had all but two houses on my route subscribing to the paper. Then I could walk the same distance and make five times as much money. I bought a very nice bicycle.

When was your first job? What did you buy?

Up Another Half Level

My hobby is Japanese calligraphy. Every month I practice writing with a brush and submit the best works to be judged. In July and December we write our works on very large paper.

Usually I do much better on the large works. This July, my work was good enough to advance to the next level. Really it is just a half level. Now I am pre-level 3. Level 8 is the top level. My goal is to reach level 5. I hope I can do it.

If I reach level three I will receive a license to teach high school students.

Do you have a hobby? Is it Japanese calligraphy?

Beautiful Summer Day

This summer the weather has been very hot and humid. It has been very hard to sleep.

This week the weather got a little cooler, but it was very rainy. It was hard to get exercise.

Today it is sunny and clear, but not too hot and not too humid. Finally we have a beautiful summer day. We waited until mid-September to get the good weather.

I came to work by train today and rode by bicycle to the school from the station. It feels good to get exercise in the sunshine. After school, I will ride my bike back to the station.

I’m happy.

How was your weather this summer?

Rocket Launch

I don’t have many classes in September, but I still have to go to work. Many days are very boring. Today was not boring.

I was asked to help with science class. We launched rockets with the students. For safety, the rockets were powered using water and air. We used a bicycle pump to put air inside the rockets.

One class sat still while the teacher explained all of the safety rules. He asked the students if they understood. They said yes and were allowed to launch.

The second class was not taught any safety rules. It was a little dangerous. Many times, I had to remind them not to do dangerous things.