英語学習にも役立つ、札幌の外国人英語教師の英語日記 札幌 英会話 [ステップアップ]

Another year gone

2015年12月14日 (月)

The other day I compared life to a vortex (渦). When we’re young, a year seems to take an awful long time. And then as we age, the years spin by faster and faster until, pop – it’s over. My students seemed to agree that this was a good metaphor. I don’t think it’s negative, just how things are. The older I get, the more I’m reminded that it’s the simple things in life that matter. Family, friends, health, kindness and fun.

With respect to that last word, I believe it is our duty as humans to try and enjoy ourselves. And I think the best way to do so is to challenge yourself. Study hard, work hard, love hard and play hard. As another year ends, and with another birthday looming around the corner, I feel certain that this is a good mantra to live by. I hope you think so too!

Acupuncture

2015年12月3日 (木)

Hello everyone! I hope you are all toasty and warm on this cold December day. Winter has finally come to Sapporo!! I love winter but this year is the fiorst winter in my old house so I am worried that I might freeze (ekk!).

As most of my students know, I am currently injured (again) and so this week I decided to try acupuncture. Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine where needles are placed on certain points on the body. I was very skeptical about this as I believe in the joys of Western medicine. I was pleasantly surprised. Acupuncture actually worked well for me and relieved my stiff neck. So this winter I recommend everyone go skiing or snowboarding, then take a hot spring. If the hot spring doesn’t fix your aching muscles, try acupuncture!!

Perspective

2015年11月18日 (水)

Some of you know that I had a chance to go to Tokyo last month.  I was busy with work for most of my trip, but I had enough free time one morning to go to a museum.  I went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, to see the Monet exhibition.

I have liked impressionist art since I was a child.  Some of my best memories of growing up in Los Angeles are of looking at the beautiful paintings on display at the J. Paul Getty Museum there.

Monet is one of my most favorite artists, so I was very much looking forward to seeing so many of his paintings for the first time.  It was also my first experience going to a popular exhibition in a Tokyo museum.  I waited for over 40 minutes to get inside, and each gallery was very crowded.  Everyone was waiting in line to walk past each painting.  Most people looked at the pictures up close for a few seconds before moving on, but I wanted to look at each picture closely.  I waited a long time to get up to the front of each group, and I stood looking at each picture for two or three minutes.  I tried to see everything – every brush stroke, every detail – as closely as I could.

I enjoyed looking at the pictures, and I was almost ready to leave.  But, at the exit there was a sign.  It said もう一度ご覧になりたい方はこちらからどうぞ.  I was surprised.  Here at Sapporo’s KinBi, we don’t have any signs like that.  I followed the sign, and went through the whole gallery again.

But this time, I had a very different perspective.  I had already seen all of the pictures, so I could relax more as I looked at them, and really enjoy them.  I didn’t try to get so close to each painting, but rather I looked at each one from about three meters away.

And I was shocked.  The paintings were different!  They were so much more realistic when viewed from farther away.  Many people think that Monet’s work is unclear or that it lacks detail.  But in reality, it is very clear and realistic.  His paintings look very much like the real things that he is trying to depict, but only when viewed from a good distance.  It was like really seeing them for the first time.

No one would look at a photograph on a computer screen from a distance of two or three centimeters.  That is too close.  You would only see the colored pixels in the screen, and lose the meaning of the picture.  But when viewed from the proper distance, a photograph on a computer or tablet screen can be strikingly real.

I had a profound experience in this museum, and I think it will change the way I look at art in the future.  I will try going through an exhibition more than once, and looking at each picture until I find the right distance.

I think it’s possible that a lot of people go to museums and pay money and wait in line, but never truly see the art.

I hope we all can slow down and look at things from the right perspective.

Hong Kong

2015年10月21日 (水)

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the wonderful autumn colours. Autumn is my favourite time of year. Last weekend I went to Hong Kong and visited an old step up teacher Luella. I had such a great time. She is doing very well and enjoying her life.  We went to the highest bar in Tokyo and enjoyed a Halloween themed drink (It was a little expensive to be honest). The view from the top was beautiful. We went as night because the night view is supposed to be the best (although I have to admit, I prefer the view from Tokyo sky tree!!). Anyway, here is a photograph of me and Luella last week. She sends her love to all of you.

If at first you don't succeed...

2015年9月5日 (土)

Do you know how to finish the expression in the title?

If at first you don’t succeed…try and try again.

Very positive, right? Last year, after several months of training, I entered the Hokkaido Marathon 2014, my first ever marathon. I knew it would be difficult, but I honestly believed I would finish without too much trouble.Man, was I wrong! Like a robot with dying batteries, my energy drained to the point where I could no longer run. And then, just 5km from the finish, I timed out and was unable to complete the race.

I remember thinking a number of things. What happened? Where did I make a mistake? And…of course, maybe marathon running isn’t for me.

After a lot of thinking over the winter, I decided to try again. From the spring I trained harder and on race day I applied all that I had learned from last year’s failure to finish this year’s race. I did it! It was still very tough. At the end of the race, I couldn’t even run any more. My legs were too cramped! However, when I felt like giving up, I told myself over and over again: “This year, you’re a finisher.”

I’m not sure if I’ll run in next year’s marathon, but I’m certainly glad I didn’t give up after only one try. Studying English is the same – it takes a long time and a big commitment to reach your goal. So remember, if you don’t succeed at first…!