3 Years On From 3.11

Three years have passed since Japan was hit by a massive earthquake, devastating tsunami and nuclear crisis. 

Most of Japanese people offered a silent prayer for the victims and the missing at 2:46 p.m., when the magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred, forcing the evacuation in the ensuing chaotic days. 

How do you feel about these three years? 

Quick or slow? 

Time flies for me. 

I remember clearly what happened on that day. 

People living in the disaster-struck communities have still been struggling to come to terms with the loss of so many lives and properties, and many remain in temporary residences. 

Also, many people have been grappling with the radioactive contamination at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. 

Reconstructions are absolutely slow, aren't they? 

What we can do is so limited, but it is really important to stop and think about what happened on March 11th in 2011, see how the reconstruction is going on, and share the idea that there should never be the same kind of disaster ever after. 

It's time to remind "KIZUNA" again. 

At the end, I'd like to share "Just Can't Get Enough" by the Black Eyed Peas. 

I can't listen to this song without remembering not only the catastrophe we experienced but also the ensuing a lot of support from all around the world. 

The music video was filmed just a week before 3.11. 

Don't miss the messages at the beginning and end of the video. 

Urawa Reds Home Opener 2014

Urawa Reds' home opener was held yesterday, but that poor game made all fans feel so chilly. 

I raised my voice in fight song from the northern seat. 

In spite of Urawa Reds' endeavor that they shot 17 times, Yohei Toyoda, who is Japan's striker, headed in the 9th minute giving Sagan Tosu 1-0 win. 

The cause of failure is quite the same as they had in the last season: Players didn't move at all when they received passing from the teammate, and opponents could easily intercepted the passing because they blocked Urawa players all together in two or three lines. 

Although it was a droopy defeat, I'm excited to feel that new season has come. 

Also, in the other side of the pitch, a controversial banner was put on an entrance gate. 

"JAPANESE ONLY" -- maybe it was a kind of tongue-in-cheek, but it could be construed as racist. 

I'm sure football has no borders and we should kick out any discrimination. 

I feel both angry against the banner and very embarrassed as one of the Urawa Reds fans. 

What a disappointed Saturday night... 

J-League 2014 has begun

J-League 2014 has begun, and Urawa Reds has had a great start with 1-0 win against Gamba Osaka yesterday at the rainy Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium.

Starting members are almost the same as last year except the goalkeeper.

Tomoaki Makino struck in the 43rd minute, which gave Urawa Reds the very first goal of this season.


He soon thanked the captain Yuki Abe, who made a good shot to assist Makino's goal.

Genki Haraguchi showed a barnstorming performance with the special number 9, which made me feel a little strange.


I hope he'll grow up quickly to be called Mr. Reds.




And the new goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa also played well.


I'm sure the combination between the goalkeeper and defenders is getting better and better.

I can't wait the next weekend to see Urawa Reds home opener!! ＼(^o^)／

26th Birthday

February 25th was my 26th birthday. 

I'm very happy that many of my students said or wrote to me "Happy birthday!!" at school. 

Two of my students, especially, gave me a present "Takeaki-no-Sato," which is revised on the letter of the package of "Takenoko-no-Sato." 

I love such a joke. (^^) 

My colleagues also gave me presents: a stamp with my name and a basketball-shaped cushion. 

I felt a little bit shameful, furthermore, that a birthday cake was prepared to me and I had to blow out the candles in a center of attention at a restaurant. 

Some of my acquaintances gave me a birthday messages on Facebook or LINE. 

I felt that I was loved by many people. 

I'm sure to do my best to improve myself that can be expected and to make everyone happy in return. 

Many thanks to all of my friends, colleagues, students, and above all, my family!! (^o^)

Fuji Xerox Super Cup 2014

19-year-old duo Gakuto Notsuda and Takuma Asano scored either side of half-time as Sanfrecce Hiroshima beat Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 yesterday to claim the Fuji Xerox Super Cup for a second year running.

Fuji Xerox Super Cup is a sign of the new season opener and is played between the J. League Champions and the Emperor's Cup Winners of the previous season.


My heart has started beating for the upcoming J. League season.


My red blood wants a great enthusiasm for Urawa Reds!!


I'm sure we'll win the J. League opener on March 1st.





Anyway, on the other side of Fuji Xerox Super Cup, the result of J. League Mascot General Election was announced.


The 1st place was given to Vivi-kun from V. Varen Nagasaki.

Our mascot Redia was called the last one.

We'll revenge on other teams on the football pitch!!

Valentine's Day in 2014

It was a white Valentine's Day in Saitama region in Japan.


Here's the photo in front of my house.

I don't wanna go out anywhere... (^o^;)





St. Valentine's Day is observed on 14th February, a time to celebrate romance and love and kissy-face fealty in many countries.


Watch this video if you don't know the history of Valentine's Day.

Unlike western countries, gifts such as greeting cards, candies, flowers, or dinner dates are not so common in Japan.


Instead, Japan has its unique custom that only women give chocolates to men, especially office ladies give them to their co-workers as a small token of everyday appreciation.


Many women obliged to give what we call "Giri-Choco" to all male co-workers.


To the contrary, chocolate given to a loved one is called "Honmei-Choco," for the number of which men compete with others.


Recently, friends, especially girls, exchange their homemade chocolate, which is called "Tomo-Choco."


Surprisingly, Japanese chocolate companies make half their annual sales during this time of the year.





Anyway, I got many sweets from more than 20 students this year.


I'm so happy to feel that I'm recognized as being a good teacher to them.


Thanks a lot!!

I'll be a diabetic...!? (^o^;)

2014

Happy New Year!! ＼(≧▽≦)／ 

And I want to say thank you to all the people around me. 

May every day of the New Year be filled with laughter and success for you. 

I had a lot of changes last year; quitting my job at the English school, spending all my time at the library for studying, starting a new job at a high school, and passing Teaching Staff Examination of Saitama Prefecture. 

Everything that happened last year was new to me.  

I'd like to enjoy the present workplace in these three months, and try hard to work like a horse in the new high school from April. 

Tomorrow is the first day of work in 2014 for me.


Good luck to you!! ...and me. (^o^)