A typhoon is approaching. It won’t come directly here, so we should be safe. Even though it won’t come here, we will still have lots of rain.
Already we have strong winds. We expect the wind to get stronger and stronger. Tomorrow morning might be a little dangerous.
Today we will send the children home from school early. I want to go home early as well, but I have to work.
Have you ever seen a typhoon? Were you scared?
In America, when we look for a new house or apartment, we call it house hunting. It is a strange term. We think it is hard to find the right house, so we have to look very carefully, like a hunter.
Soon, I hope to move to Tsu. I am living in Ise now, but I work in Tsu. Every day I spend a lot of time commuting. This seems very wasteful and makes me feel tired. Every month, I spend a lot of money on gasoline and train tickets.
If I move to Tsu, I can rent a nicer home and still save money because the commuting costs will go away.
Have you moved recently? Do you have a long commute?
Several days each week I ride the train to work. On Monday and Wednesday, I must change trains in Tsu.
Today my condition suddenly got bad and I needed to find a toilet. There are toilets on the trains, but during rush hour the trains are crowded. It is very hard to get to the bathroom on the train.
I ran to the bathroom in Tsu, but I was worried because there is not much time between my trains.
Have you ever had an urgent situation?
We are expecting a typhoon this weekend. Probably it will arrive in Kyushu on Friday. I guess it will arrive here on Saturday or Sunday.
When a typhoon arrives, there is a lot of rain and wind. Sometimes the trains stop running. Sometimes the roads are closed. Sometimes the river overflows.
I plan to stay inside all weekend. I have a lot of paperwork to finish. It will be a good chance to catch up. I really don’t like paperwork, but it must be done.
Do you like paperwork? Do you have a lot of paperwork to do?
What are you doing this weekend?
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?
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?
I want to learn to ride a unicycle. One friend thinks it is not very difficult.
I learned to ride a tricycle when I was very, very young. I learned to ride a bicycle before elementary school.
I have very good balance on a bicycle, so I think I can learn to ride a unicycle.
A unicycle would be very convenient when traveling by train. After getting off the train, I could easily ride someplace.
Can you ride a unicycle?
Yesterday, I drove to work. Normally on Tuesday’s I ride the train and then ride a bike to the school. It is faster to go by train, than to go by car.
When I checked the weather report, it said there was a 90% chance of rain. I drove by car to stay dry. The weather was cloudy in the morning, but it turned Sunny in the afternoon. I can’t trust the weather report.
Today I rode the train.
In March I scrapped my car. I was sad to get rid of it but, it was very old. I decided to buy a newer and safer car. It has taken a long time, but finally I ordered a car. About the end of January, I hope to get it.
The car is a yellow Honda Fit. I want a color that is easy to find in a parking lot. White or black cars are very common, but yellow is rare.
Soon, I will have a car. The Fit is very efficient. It will be cheap to drive. Also, it will be nice on rainy days and cold days.
What kind of car do you drive?
Today I was waiting for a train at Obata station. An old man came to the station with his grandson. I have seen them at the station before. They watch the trains until an Urban Liner goes by.
Today I decided to talk to them. When the grandfather talked about me he called me ojisan. I was a little disappointed that he was calling me an old man. I hoped he would call me oniisan. I guess I’m not young anymore.
君の為に 