はじめ@Blog

Cherry blossom trees are a beautiful symbol of Japan.
Of course the tree itself is beautiful, but I feel the scenery is more beautiful when the cherry trees are in bloom.
They bloom in April in Tokyo, but they bloom in May in Hokkaido.
I think that this delay makes cherry blossoms in Hokkaido more beautiful.
The fresh green of spring, a refreshing blue sky, some deep blue sea, happy families’ voices, and a light cold wind sometimes blows.
The scent of cherry blossoms wraps up this “turn of the seasons” happiness.

May 5 at Otaru in Hokkaido.

About the importance of being prepared.
準備することの重要性について

The importance of preparation in the sense of  “being prepared for the next situation” is easy to forget.
「次の状況に備える」という意味での準備の重要性は意外と忘れられがちです。

Sometimes, there is even the misconception that “being unprepared” is something cool.
時には、「準備ができていない」事の方が格好良いと誤解されるケースもあります。

Actually , seeing people who are able to react appropriately and promptly to a situation gives a good feeling.
確かに、状況に機敏に的確に反応できる人は見ていて小気味良いですが、

But, the person who can react thus, is not the unprepared person.
その人は準備をしていないわけではありません。

Such a person is preparing themselves to be able to react quickly.
その人は機敏に反応できるように準備をしているのです。

Most often, the great effort such a person makes, remains outside the field of view of anyone else.
多くの場合、他人に知られないところで、大きな努力をしています。

Even when playing a musical instrument, it is very important that you ready your fingers for the next note with imagination.
楽器演奏でも、フレーズをイメージして、これから弾く音の為に指を準備しておくことがとても重要です。

If you only focus on putting a finger on the key at the required moment, you can not be a good piano player.
音を弾く瞬間に鍵盤に指を置く練習を繰り返していては、どんなに一生懸命練習しても、良い演奏になりません。

On the other hand, if you practice putting your fingers on keys that you play from now on, you will be able to play comfortably.
逆に、これから鳴らす鍵盤に指を準備しておくという練習によって、楽に演奏することが出来るようになります。

In conversation too, in anticipation of the story of the other party, to be ready, you listen well.
会話でも、相手の話を予想し、準備ができていれば、良く聞き取ることができます。

maybe.
たぶんね。

( Thanks for correction,  mathiaarkoniel.)

There is a saying in Japan: “continuation is power”.
Almost everyone knows the importance of “continuing every day”.
There are some points to that.

– Enjoy it.
– The daily minimum quota must be set very lower. For example, 5 minutes of piano practice or 1 sentence of English composition.
– Don’t worry about the days you could not meet your quota.
– Cherish small changes in yourself.
– Don’t try to do it until you can do it in the day.
– Have companions who suppprt you.
– Do not compare yourself with others.

I had many experiences where I was able to do something that I could not do before.
If we practice every day, we might grow during sleep.
I experienced frequently that if I was diligent every day, than I got unexpectedly sonn to the point which seemed very far.
Maybe, those who aim too high have to practice too hard every day.
But, we don’t need such hard practice for studying an instrument as a hobby or studying English conversations or English composition for fun.
I think it’s better to have fun and continuing on a lighter tone.
It is said that when one turns 20-years-old, the growth process stops.
Certainly, it’s going to be disheartening if you expect rapid growth.
However, I think that “continuing every day” surely makes us grow.

( Thanks for correction,  mathiaarkoniel.)

Golden week this year is April 29 to May 6.
“Golden Week” is translated into English as “early-May holiday season in Japan”.
Unluckily、it still cold in Hokkaido.
So like most years, I do some housework instead of going traveling.
I’ll clean up the garden that was messed up by the snow during winter.
And I will replace my clothes with spring and summer clothes.
In my home.
My wife is a piano teacher.
So, I help her with the selection of music for her presentation in September.
I’m 50-year-old, and I am beginning to study English again.
This time, I will continue properly.
I would like to be able to do daily conversation.

I thank my Lang-8 friends’ help.

Today, I would like to talk about Yoichi District, in Hokkaido.

Yoichi is located at the base of the Shakotan Peninsula.

Here you will find moutains, rivers and the sea.

Shrimp, crab, sea cucumber, and sea urchin are fished from the sea.

In the moutains, we can harvest wild vegetables.

And, many kinds of vegitables grow in the fields.

Asparagus, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, potatoes, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, pumpkins, and … Stop me please.

Seasonal vegetables and seafood tastes so good.

And they are so cheap.

It is very interesting that fruit can be harvested in Yoichi, Hokkaido.

Apples, cherries, grapes, plums, strawberries, blueberries can all be harvested.

Many people think that, Hokkaido is so cold, that the roots of fruit trees will freeze and the trees will die.

In fact, the snow keeps them warm and protects the roots.

But too much snow crush the trees.

Luckily, in Yoichi, the amout of snow is appropriate.

In recent years, several wineries have been built.

My joy grew.

Have you been able to imagine Yoichi?

I thank my Lang-8 friends’ help.