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]

The future is...

2010年7月20日 (火)

Bright, perhaps? Full of opportunities? Open to endless possibilities? One thing is for sure, the future is going to look a lot different in 50 years than it does now. And not necessarily for the better. Recently I`ve been doing a lot of reading and documentary watching about the world`s environmental issues and have reached the conclusion that humans living today all have to do our part to preserve resources for the future. So maybe you take your eco-bag grocery shopping, refuse a plastic bag when you buy a bottled water – or even better, just drink tap water! (They`re basically the same product, anyhow…) Japanese marketing uses a lot of plastic – let`s do our best to reduce it! The next time you`re offered a plastic bag while shopping, stun the clerk by saying (in English, naturally;)  – No bag, thanks! And in that one tiny decision, you`ll be making a positive effort to make things a little cleaner! Have a green summer: )

World Cup

2010年6月29日 (火)

Well, America lost. Everybody knows that. But we did better than I thought we would. Despite being generally critical of America (sociopolitically speaking), I couldn`t help but feel a sense of patriotism watching the boys in blue give it their all. And having lived here in Japan for nearly four years, I feel an indirect pride for the Japanese team – perhaps due to their strong efforts in the World Cup, but more in part to the fact that many of my best friends are Japanese and for them, I want their (our) country to do well. Regardless of how tonight`s game turns out, I`ll be proud of Japan`s result in this global soccer (yes, I know – football) competition. It`s an opportunity for all of us to embrace national pride, as well as general pride in the dualistic human spirit of cooperation and competition.

Good luck, Nihon;)

Mama Cherry VICTORY!

2010年6月21日 (月)

Hey everyone!! Today I`m feeling VERY happy!!!!!!! My mama cherry team POPPA CHERRY came 13th out of 461 teams.  I want to give a shout out to Jon and Lawrie for their wicked efforts.  It was very tough. Lots of people supported us, especially one step up student.  He made the day very special for all of us.   If you want to watch us on the race, we were interviewed and will be on TVH on Sunday 27th June at 11:00.  I hope this inspires everyone to start cycling and help save the planet from more pollution.  Hope everyone is having a great week.

Already May?

2010年5月11日 (火)

Is it really already May? 2010 is nearly halfway over? Really!? They say as you get older, time passes more quickly. And I`d say that they`re right! Before you know it summer will be on it`s way out and the leaves will be turning red and orange – scary! Let`s hope this summer is warm, dry and goes long into September. I think after the long winter we all deserve some extended warmth, don`t you? I`ve got lots planned for the warm weather, including participating in the Mama Chari race in Moerenuma Koen next month. Take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts and spend some time outdoors! And come check out our new office! We:re moving in 2 weeks!!

Bring the Spring!

2010年4月20日 (火)

Ever so slowly, spring is revealing itself in Hokkaido. The snow has almost completely melted in the city, crocuses are pushing through the thawing ground, and I can ride my bike without wearing gloves:) With eight days off for Golden Week, I`m looking forward to kicking back and spending some time outdoors, without snow. But where to go? Atsuma for some surfing? Into the mountains for some hiking? Down to the river for some bbqing? One thing is for sure, I`m going to spend a day doing some spring cleaning in my apartment – open up the veranda doors, let in some fresh air,  mop the floors, dust the place down and prepare the veranda for a garden. January may ring in the new year, but May is the time to change lifestyle a bit and freshen up! So there you go: today`s word is Fresh. Be fresh, everybody. Be FRESHHHHHHHH.