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]

4 more years?

2012年11月6日 (火)

In a few short hours Americans (or at least half of them) will wake up and go to their nearest voting center to cast their vote for president. Obama is favored to win, however their is strong support for Romney. Personally, I think Obama is the better choice   – he has far more experience and has made some progress in making America a better country. Romney is a business man, was born rich and is Mormon – three factors that aren’t, in my opinion, conducive to leading a nation. You can bet that whoever wins today’s election will have the entire world watching their every move. That’s what happens when you have one of the world’s most famous jobs!

Update

2012年9月21日 (金)

I recently found out the answer to my question about exit number four in the underground walkway!

One of you readers kindly asked the City of Sapporo about exit number four, and then explained it to me.

It turns out that exit number four will be part of a new building.  It is still under construction, so the exit is also not ready yet.  When the new building is finished, exit four will be opened.  It’s not related to bad luck afterall.

Thank you very much for letting me know!

A Common Problem in Sapporo

2012年8月25日 (土)

The underground walkway between Sapporo station and Odori station opened last March, so it has been open for over a year by now.

It’s very convenient; pedestrians can walk without waiting for traffic lights, and cars can move more smoothly on Ekimai-dori.  In the winter it is especially nice because it’s warm and dry, and there are events and exhibitions going on all year, so I am really glad we have it.

But, there is one problem with the underground walkway – the exits.

The exits in Sapporo station and Odori station are all numbered, and the exits in the underground walkway are numbered, too.  Many times when I have agreed to meet people we have gone to different places.
For example, I have gone to exit number 5 of the walkway when my friend has gone to exit 5 of Sapporo subway station.  It can be very confusing.  I think it is similar to the difference between Daimaru Department Store and Daimaru Fujii Central.

Please be careful if you plan to meet someone in the underground walkway.

Also, have you noticed that there is no exit number 4?
Is this because it’s bad luck?  I wonder…

Holidays in Europe

2012年8月24日 (金)

I hope you are all enjoying the last days of summer in Hokkaido!

Recently I went on holiday to Europe. First I spent ten days in the south of France. I stayed in a tiny village which is about one hour by car from Nice. The village is called Saorge. You should visit if you have a chance, it is such a lovely place. After that I went to Italy to attend the wedding of a friend. From there I flew back home to Ireland, where I saw my family and met my new niece, Hannah. She is so cute. She has red hair and big blue eyes!

I had a great trip, but I was really happy to come back home to Sapporo. Now I am looking forward to the first snow!
Take care!

The "Real" Japan

2012年8月20日 (月)

So I’ve been in Japan for six years now. Finally, after all that time, I finally went down to Kansai and visited what one of my students called “the real Japan”. I’m sure you can guess where I went. I met my parents in Kansai airport and from there we did a week-long tour of Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. It was, to sum it up succintly, rad. Kyoto was impressive, but exhausting. My parents and I enjoyed visiting Arashiyama and Kinkakuji, but actually I preferred Nara. Todaiji was really cool, as were all of the deer lazing about the park. But, after a week down south, I realized that Hokkaido is the place for me. Sapporo is home and for me, my real Japan.