Jul 27, 2010

Summer has come!

Yes! As the title shows,it's officially summer here in west Japan! 
It's been so freaking hot lately,which makes me feel just don't wanna go outside my house.These days I have been forced to wake up very early at like 6am,due to the heat and thousands of cicada's cry - they are soooo annoying! 

Well, today's photos that I would like to share with you are from our mini trip to the world of sunflowers. I'm not sure if I've told you in this blog or not, but viewing/arranging flowers is one of my hobbies. I am currently learning Ikebana(Japanese traditional flower arrangement) at uni, so if I have time I'd like to share with you some of my works in another post soon. When I tell someone about this, they usually get surprised,but I just don't know why lol. Do I look like the last person who would have such a girly hobby?? :( 
Anyways, I like sunflowers the best of all flowers. 兵庫県佐用町 Sayo-cho in Hyogo pref., the place we visited this time is located about 2 hours away from my place by car, and is known as one of the largest sunflower fields in Japan.Especially this place has become very popular rapidly since last year, mainly because it got seriously damaged by the heavy rain attacked this area around this time last year.Despite such a serious damage, people living there never gave in, and made a great effort to keep their tradition of growing and displaying sunflowers.These people's efforts have moved a lot of Japanese people's heart and thus the name of this place has become pretty famous. 
Click the photos below to view the larger version:)   


                         
There were millions of sunflowers all around, and a lot of tourists were enjoying viewing them/ taking photos of them.
           
   
Beautiful, aren't they?
     
   
I always try my best to take good photos like professional photographer's with my own digital camera, but... hmm, maybe I need to get a better one.^^;
    
    
It literally looks like the sun
    
   
My current desktop wallpaper :)
      
     
Most of them were taller than I(I'm 165cm tall)!! 
    
  
After the flower viewing, we went to eat ホルモン焼きそばfried noodles with boiled piece of pig innards, which is well known as the special food in this area.It was so amazingly delicious.Yum!
     
  
This area is also known for its beautiful view of Japanese traditional streets and houses. 
   
  
Some people call this area "the second Kyoto".
    
    
Since it was such a hot day,I wanted to play in the river - just like them! 
    

Except for the sweltering heat, I like summer very much. I've got many upcoming events from the end of this month through to the middle of August - fireworks, summer festival, small trip to some places, BBQ, drinking with my friends, etc. Hooray,eventful days! 
On the other hand, this summer is also a great chance to make enough money for my first trip abroad(I'm currently planning to visit my Aussie friend who lives in Canberra,during the next spring vacation)So I need to work very hard while I have many free time. Recently I've been working from morning to night as a teacher at a cram school.I'm always totally exhausted after getting home in night,but when I think of my trip to Australia, it makes me motivated. 
Anyhow,this is gonna be the last summer in my school life, so I'd like to try my best to make the best memories ever! 

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Jul 16, 2010

I am not getting older, I am just leveling up!

Hello there, it's been a while! I was busy for a while after the annual big event last Monday, 12th of July 2010.

 Yes, it was my birthday 
and finally I turned 22!!!
YAY!!!


Twenty two. Wow. The number makes me wonder a little. Well, I doubt my appearance or my behavior reflects that number.Haha!
I was so suprised that when I logged on Facebook there were so many lovely birthday wishes on my wall from my friends around the world, which made me so happy and feel  loved!Also I got so many decorated emails to my mobile from my Japanese friends and it took me half day to reply to them all.Due to the time difference, it lasted until the night of 13th Japan time, the next day of my birthday.Apparently I am so popular among my friends. w00t! Thanks guys!!!


Recently I'm feeling it's weird that, as I get older, I kind of feel like people in the world of showbiz such as popstars, talents and sports players who I once felt were still much older than me are getting younger than me. I never felt this way like 5 years ago, when I was still in high school. I think it's probably especially because I was born in 1988, the last year of 昭和Showa period, and the current period 平成Heisei started from the next year.When I ask someone who I first meet which year he/she was born in and then they answer it's after 1988, it makes me feel shocked a little bit. Just because the name of era differs, the year difference sounds like a century! Heck! 


Anyway, on 12th my family and friends all celeblated my becoming 22, and I had a very good time in Kobe, my favorite town, with my family.Ok random pics time!
   



Shopping to Kobe! Though it was gloomy and so muggy like hell, we enjoyed a lot!



My Sachertorte



 My sister's 



 Mine #2. Oops I ate too much!Haha! 



A lovely present from my best friend in Australia! Cute!



The pen case has 12 zippers! Cool, isn't it?


I got many nice gifts from other friends as well!


No matter how old I am, getting lots of messages and gifts on my birthday always makes me so happy!!
Well, my big event is over.This means the long depressing rainy season is also over, and summer is soon to be here.I am so excited!!!!!!
Okay so, I'll end today's post with sharing my favorite beautiful music with some wonderful pictures of summer in Japan.This music was created by a famous Japanese composer, 久石 譲  Joe Hisaishi
This will make you feel nostalgic and want to visit Japan - for sure. Enjoy!




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Jul 7, 2010

Owl City - Fireflies

Post of Song Lyrics Vol.2(Click HERE to view older posts)! 

I know this song is getting older but it's still my favorite
So I tried translating!
I like not only this song but also this video - I want all of these cute toys!



You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You'd think me rude but I would just stand and
Stare



君はきっと目を疑うだろう、
僕が眠りについているときに
何千万というホタルが世界を灯していたら
だって、あたり一面ホタルいっぱいで
そこかしこに光の涙を落としていくんだよ、
君は変って思うかも知れないけど僕はただじっとしてずっと眺めているだろうな


I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems

自分自身を信じたい
地球はゆっくりと回ってるんだって
できることなら眠るよりも起きてこのままずっと眺めていたい
だってすべてが見た通りに見えるわけではないのだから


   
Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sack-hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread

何千という蛍の光に
何千という抱擁を受けるんだ
まるで僕に踊り方を教えてくれているかのように
頭の上を駆け抜けていく狐
ベッドの下を飛び跳ねている靴下
一本の糸でつるされているだけのミラーボール
  
 

I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems

  
 自分自身を信じたい
地球はゆっくりと回ってるんだって
できることなら眠るよりも起きてこのままずっと眺めていたい
だってすべてが見た通りに見えるわけではないのだから


    
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

少しだけドアを開けたままにしておいて
(ここから僕を連れ出して)
ちょっと不眠症みたいな気分だから
(ここから僕を連れ出して)
疲れすぎて眠れないときに
羊を数えるのにも飽きてしまった
(ここから連れ出してよ)


      
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell

ねえホタルたち、
変だけど、サヨナラをいうのは嫌なんだ
別れを言われると目が潤んでしまうよ


   
But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

でも、少しだけ瓶に取っておいたよ
もし僕の夢の中で不思議なことが起こっても
君たちがどこにいるかわかるように


I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Cause everything is never as it seems

自分自身を信じたい
地球はゆっくりと回ってるんだって
できることなら眠るよりも起きてこのままずっと眺めていたい
だってすべてが見た通りに見えるわけではないのだから


I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns, slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

信じたいんだ
地球はゆっくりと回り続けてるんだって
できることなら眠るよりも起きてこのままずっと眺めていたい
僕の夢は縫い目から張り裂けそうなくらい膨らんでいるから
   















Ocean Eyes
by Owl City





Released: July 28, 2009
Genre:Pop



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Jul 3, 2010

Super-size store

Okay, so like you already know, last Tuesday Japan lost 3-5 to Paraguay on the final penalty shootout, and finally dropped out of the World cup 2010.I was too nervous to watch the last PK, so it was after the game when I knew the result.It did make me disappointed, but I think they all did a great work in this world cup and I am really proud of them.They showed us their great teamwork and the importance of not giving up. I hope we'll see them again in Brazil 2014!


Yesterday, one of my Japanese friends and I took 2 exchange students from the US and UK to the "Super Size Store" near our uni, to help them buy some new large-sized clothes.
    
For some foreigners who live in Japan, buying clothes might be one of the problems they are facing.Some of the exchange students I've met so far have found it difficult to get new clothes and shoes for their sizes in Japan. This is because the standards of Japanese sizes are quite different from those of their countries' ,which often makes them confused. They say even the largest sized clothes of GAP, the American clothing brand, is made much smaller for them here in Japan.
Also I know some foreign female friends who got shocked as they were considered plus-size in Japan, even though they were considered to be average or slim in their countries. If you have a chance to visit Japan some day, you might have the same experience as they did. But remember, don't compare yourself to Japanese women.Different genes = different body type.Nothing to worry about.Well, to be honest, even I find pants a bit of a problem actually...Japanese girls these days have no hips and butt!!  lol


It was my fist time to visit this store, and until I found it out on the Internet I didn't even know there was such an unique store near to my uni. I was surprised that the store carried up to a 8L! I've never seen that large size!


Super big Jinbei (4L) !

(I think many foreigners in Japan love this character. I often see people wearing T-shirts with this char even though they were slim...which is cute, though.)

Not only clothes, but all the stuff in this store was super sized as well!(Sorry these pics cannot show you how big they actually were)


Super large mirror!


and an unnecessarily super huge fitting room!


...with a fan attached!
(I think it could easily become my own small study room if only it had a window lol)


My friends from the U.S. and the UK looked so excited as they found new cool clothes for their size.Their shopping took us almost 2 hours, which made me and the other Japanese friend a bit tired, but it's okay as long as they enjoyed their shopping. :) We had a very good time!


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