ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

The unique sound that I hear every morning upon awakening is the beautiful sound of summer - the cicadas are back. Like the cherry blossoms, they return every year at their own unique time lasting for a month or less.

It is now the heart of summer and the time when the cicadas do their thing. More specifically, the male cicadas make this cacophony of sound that blends like a symphonic orchestra, though with all the same instruments - transparent wings.

Enjoy the sound of nature's summer symphony - a great way to the start of the day - before it is over!  

When I first arrived in Shikoku, one of my goals was to see the four big cities of this island - Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Kochi and Tokushima. I have only done two out of four, and did not know that JR Railway actually does connect all four cities.

I hope to get to Kochi and Tokushima in August and September if time allows. Doing it by train is a great way to see the island, but by car allows for easier travel within the city once there. To Kochi from Niihama by train, all one has to do is transfer from the one line to the three in Tadotsu. For Tokushima, it is a similar transfer in Tadotsu, one to three line, and then another transfer to the six line in Awa-ikeda.

Either way, by car or train, I hope to make it four out of four!  

Living in Japan has been great in every way, shape, and form!

One area in which there is a minor problem for me are the lack of bookstores with English.novels. Ten or fifteen years ago in Japan, there used to be more Kinokuniyas, Takashimayas, or even Barnes-Noble bookstores in every bigger city. Even some Tsutayas had a small English section. Many of the bookstores have now shut down or downsized and simply don't carry them. I love reading historical fiction novels (Margaret George) or crime drama novels (Michael Connelly) and used to enjoy the book hunt to find one. It was always a good excuse to travel to the bigger cities for the day as well. On the other hand, I suppose I could order the book on Amazon instead, but what's the fun in that?!?

Additionally, I have to add footwear to this, as my size is just not available. I love casual/comfortable footwear, like sandals or Crocs, but they are just too difficult to find. Again, I suppose I could order it on Amazon. But what's the fun in that?!? I like the hunt!  

Summer weather is coming in full force now. Though I am not a fan of the summer weather, I try to relax and just enjoy the humidity and heat for what it is. Even the rain is endurable. If I dress comfortably, use air conditioning, and stay hydrated, it is all doable. On the positive side, the sunsets seem to be better when noticeable, the days are longer, and in general, the pace of life can be more relaxed and fun. Kids are out of school for summer break, so there is more swimming at the seasonal swimming pools, as well as people and families vacationing or traveling, etc.

It is a good time to slow down a little and enjoy the pace. Let the heat soak in!  

One of the most admirable characteristics of the Japanese here in Japan is their driving politeness. They never, or hardly ever, drive aggressively with safety being first and foremost, and they will politely defer to those drivers that need to make a turn onto a crowded street. Road rage simply doesn't exist thankfully. If you look at a parking lot, one can see how most drivers take the time to back in to their spot instead of being in a parking rush just to get into the store, as if the merchandise is going to get up and walk out!

Relax and enjoy the drive!  

I had planned a bike ride for the Shimanami Kaido for this spring or summer. However, the length of the ride ( one-day minimum) and its difficulty in terms of hills to climb with just my 5-speed bike, has had me searching for a more suitable alternative.

One such alternative would be a trip from Niihama to Imabari along Highway 13, which is close to the coast and scenic. It would also be a 3-5 hour bike ride, or just a half-day.. I could enjoy the sites of Imabari and bike back to Niihama the next day.

This would seem to be more suitable for my biking needs.  

As mentioned in my prior blogs, following sports in the USA, such my favorites in MLB, NBA, and the NFL, can be easily and conveniently done online.

Recently, the NBA playoffs finally concluded with the NBA Finals being won for the first time by the Denver franchise called the Nuggets. The Nuggets have been in the NBA since 1976, as they were absorbed into the NBA though the ABA-NBA merger 46 years ago. 46 years is a long time to wait to be a winner. By comparison, the Lakers and the Celtics have already won 17 championships each. This year though, the Nuggets were led by a 6'11" Serbia center named Nikola Jokovic (The Joker), and they were not to be denied. Congrats to them! The NBA draft is coming, and this year promises to bring more interesting trades and free agent signings.

The other Joker from Serbia - Novak Djokovic, won the French Open and now has the most Grand Slam victories of all time. Congrats!

MLB is moving into the heart of their season for the next two months. Ohtani and Machida are doing well for their respective teams, but their is a lot of parity this year with no one team running away with their division. Baseball continues to bore as the hitters either hit homeruns or strikeout. Where are the line drive hitters - singles, doubles, triples, and hit and run strategies, along with the stolen base?

The NFL is in its off-season for now, and with no World Cup or Summer Olympics, this summer should be a pretty tame summer sports wise!

  

The rainy season is upon us, and the daily temps rise along with the humidity levels. The rain and growing heat/humidity can provide an 'uncomfortability'.

Still, there are some positives. The daylight hours are longer, so one can get more done. Or, at least the feel that one has more time to do it. Moreover, the one diamond in the rough are the sunsets!

The shades of orange, yellow, and pink array themselves along the horizon as the sun dips behind it, leading toward darker blues as the awaiting night devours the last of the colors. Towering mountains across the valley make it magical. Clouds can provide a great backdrop, too. This is a great time for a walk or a bike ride. Just make sure you have a flashlight or bike light handy. Enjoy!  

Whenever I am biking around the city or taking a train somewhere, I am amazed at how well the open land is used here in Shikoku, but also in Japan in general. I am speaking of primarily of plots of land in the city next to residential homes and apartments or or slightly larger ones out in the countryside or rural areas.

Nothing sits idle without use and development - flowers and gardens, rice paddies, large vegetable patches, and/or green zones etc. are all grown, developed, and maintained efficiently. From what I have seen, even the undeveloped plots of land are neatly plowed or furrowed ready to be used in some manner.

As a result, there is a nice balance between 'green' space and building development.


  

This past April, I noticed that the Starbucks at Aeon Mall in Niihama had closed. It seems they had decided to move to another larger location in the mall due to high demand, large crowds, and the smaller size of their old location. The new location is in the south mall area, across from JTB Travel.

Its reopening this past May is just in time for the warmer summer months. I enjoy their 'vente' size frappuccinos in a variety of flavors, new summer concoctions or quaffs, as well as their old stand by -- caramel macchiato. The new location is much roomier with a variety of styles for sitting and enjoying one's coffee while using a laptop of just chatting with a friend.

It should be a great place for a refreshment from time to time.

  

So far, the weather I have experienced since I have come to Japan has been excellent. The fall was great with the leaves changing and the cooler weather. The winter was cold, but not too cold. Spring has been fantastic with the cherry blossom blooms and the mild warming weather.

Summer, however, is knocking on the door. The daily temps are slowly rising, and the summer heat will burst through sooner rather than later. This means the rainy season and much more humid weather coming up for the next three or more months. This also means feeling sticky... sweaty. It may be time to go to Daiso to get those long neck towels for 100 yen. As a Southern California, Inland Empire native, I am used to hotter, but drier, more arid heat. Humid or arid...neither please! It will be interesting to say the least!  

One of my favorite things to do is to get in a quick daily workout. Some people prefer to workout in the privacy of their home using free weights or exercise resistance bands. I much prefer to go to a health club, gym, training center etc. I am lucky enough to have a local community center training room nearby, so I can bicycle there and back in 10 minutes for my cardio, and then workout for 30 minutes. The community center is also relatively cheap in cost, and there are great people that work there. There are programs in ping-pong, yoga and tai chi, etc. at certain weekly times as well, but I like just the workout as I can go when it suits me timewise.

Recently, the community center where I go in Niihama had a big Kendo tournament on the weekend, so the training room and other programs were cancelled just for over the two-day weekend. I try to workout every day, so this was a difficult adjustment for a workout junkie like myself! It is kind of like my foundation and springboard into the day. What was I going to do? Well, I thought about checking out the Saijo Community Center, and that turned out to be my 'windfall'. Yes, Saijo does have a center just like Niihama. In fact, the training center even has more modern workout machines than the Niihama Center.

As a result, I was able to get my workout completed in Saijo, though oddly enough and for my own needs, the Niihama Center workout machines seem to be better for me in targeting the shoulders, chest, arms and legs. Nevertheless, I am now a member of the Saijo Community Center and will use it from time to time as well....a lucky windfall for me. Thank you, Kendo!  

One highlight of my Golden Week was the one-day excursion to Matsuyama. I took the express train and was very impressed with the beautiful, coastal scenic views from Imabari to Matsuyama. Though Matsuyama Station was a bit old and in need of a remodeling perhaps, I liked the streetcars available just outside the station that were easily accessible. It reminded me of a similar set-up in Nagasaki when I visited that city a few years back. Also, the information/tourist booth was tucked away inside a building next to a 7/11 and almost impossible to find. I was lucky to find it, as if it were hidden.

The streetcar took me to Ropeway Street, which winds around like a rope and leads to the cable car entrance for the ride to the famous Castle. After that, I visited the Dogo Onsen and then did some shopping on Okaido Street. It was a day full of highlights in Matsuyama!  

Me gusta comer la comida Mexicana. -- I enjoy eating Mexican food! I had the chance to eat a tasty burrito and taquito prepared by a food truck that recently visited a Niihama shopping center. One of my teaching colleagues graciously informed me that a Mexican food truck would be in the area this past weekend. It was an opportunity I just couldn't allow to pass by!

When I arrived at the shopping center Sunday afternoon, 5 or 6 food trucks were aligned neatly in a semi-circle in the shopping center's parking lot. The trucks opened up efficiently and allowed for walk-up orders to go, and one could even sit at the eating tables set-up inside the semi-circle. I ordered the chicken burrito, along with a smaller size taquito. As the cook prepared my order, I couldn't resist talking with her. She worked alone with no assistant. She said she was based in Matsuyama and came to Niihama to test the market. Her English was excellent as she had lived in Toronto, Canada for a few years. I assumed this was where she learned how to prepare Mexican food. She named her food truck 'Django' after the movie which she liked a lot. She was very kind and didn't mind me pestering her with questions as she prepared my burrito and taquito.

The burrito was exquisitely delicious! As I bit into the large burrito, the taste of the flour tortilla along with the rice, chicken and spices just melted in my mouth. I ate it in half the time it took me to wait for it! I literally wolfed it down and could have gone for another. Maybe I will in Matsuyama when I have the chance to go there!

  

As mentioned in one of my prior blogs, I can use the internet to stay up to date on some sporting results half a world away. With the exception of a few things, there is very little I miss about being in the States, but professional sports is one of them. Now is the time for professional basketball and baseball to take center stage. The baseball season has just started but, unfortunately, my favorite team has started out slowly. The positive, high expectations of the pre-season have given way to the brutal reality of the real season so far. Baseball is a 162 game season though, so there is still time for my team to turn things around. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

The real excitement for me is with the NBA now, as the post-season playoffs are just starting. The storylines are dynamic and totally unpredictable with injuries, underachievement, over-achievement, consistencies, and inconsistencies dominating the headlines as each playoff team vies to move on to the next round. It is also always interesting to listen to and watch provocative and eloquent NBA analysts online, like Stephen A. Smith, who comment on the trials and tribulations of players and teams in the playoffs as each round unfolds.

The next month and a half should provide plenty of interest.



  

With the warming weather, the conditions for biking have never been better. I enjoy biking around different neighborhoods or areas in Niihama or Saijo and stopping for a snack or a cup of coffee. For example, while following the bike path right next to the old, Besshi Copper Mine railroad tracks near Takinomiya Park, one can find a little, modified shack that sells coffees or ice cream delights next to the park entrance. It can be a great treat after hiking up the mountain in Takinomiya.and around the lake. Another nice stop is the port area neighborhood in Niihama which has an old, outdated, outside walking mall where one can enjoy a coffee. The neighborhoods there are rustic with some old fashion clothing and coffee shops.

Recently, I have found a new way to bike to Saijo by making the Toyo Port turn west off of Highway 13. It is a beautiful bike ride into northern Saijo. From there, I can go back down to Highway 13 to shop at Don Q's or stop at a Starbuck's. It is not far from there that one can find the waterway where one can bike down to the river area for something tasty to eat and a coffee as well.

Well...I think it's time for a bike ride! See ya.

  

Spring has certainly 'sprung' itself beautifully here in Shikoku, or especially in Ehime now. It is nice to see nature take control and show its beauty.

Last month, I wrote an article about the peach/pear blossom trees blooming in a local park in late February/early March. This time, the more predominant cherry blossoms are now in bloom this past weekend. It has been an amazing display of cherry blossom trees in parks and green zones all over the area now. Combined with the warmer weather, it is a perfect time for picnics and barbecues in the afternoons and evenings. Individual families spread their blankets on the ground amongst the trees and enjoy the ambience.

When I was growing up in the States, cherry blossom trees and their blooming and viewing were synonymous with Japan. I come from an inland area in Southern California that is primarily driven by a desert, arid-like climate. My hometown is separated by a mountain range with the gigantic Mojave Desert on the other side, so experiencing the cherry blossoms in bloom is a treat.

How magical it is to walk under the trees and let the blossoms fall on you, or even catch a few in the palm of your hand as you walk along while they float gently to the ground to and fro. What a display of nature's more gentle side!  

Recently, the Japanese baseball team, which represented the country of Japan, won the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is somewhat like the World Cup of soccer. Each team represents their country in regional tournaments throughout the world every 4 years, and the winner of each region goes to a pre-selected site to compete in their final games to find the ultimate winner. 20 teams ended up participating in this round-robin, double elimination tournament.

This year's pre-selected site for the final championship games was in Miami, Florida of the USA. Japan was the winner of the Asian region by beating powerhouses like Taiwan and South Korea. The USA was the winner of the Americas Region, which includes the Caribbean, and has powerhouse teams like Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela. The Netherlands represented the European region, and Australia represented the Oceania Region. Japan beat Mexico to get into the final game, while the USA beat Cuba.

The final, winner-take-all championship game was between Japan and the USA. The USA's team had many stars from MLB, but its pitching, both starting and relieving, was weak. Japan had many of its stars form its NPB League as well as some who play for MLB. The Japanese team probably had better balance overall considering hitting, pitching and defense. The Japanese team beat the USA 3-2, with Japanese star Shohei Ohtani striking out MLB star Mike Trout, and his LA Angel teammate, to end the game.

Congrats to Japan -- well deserved!  

Occasionally I like to enjoy a meal at a fast food restaurant. This past weekend, a friend and I went to a local Japanese restaurant and ordered the large beef bowl (Gyudon), which comes with rice and onions in a little bit of soy sauce, along with a side order of miso soup. This particular restaurant is a popular and successful restaurant chain with outlets internationally as well.

In fact, I realized there are some outlets in my hometown in Southern California, though I had never tried this outlet before. I should have, as the meal was delicious. I also particularly liked the seating arrangement because we could sit at the counter while our meals were being prepared and chat casually. We then could enjoy eating it there, too. Although this restaurant was not too crowded and was rather quiet when I went, counter eating can be a great way to enjoy a meal from time to time, such as in a big city or a busy train station. All the action and the atmosphere is joyous and relaxed.

It was an excellent way to enjoy a rather quick and delicious meal.  

When I was young, my birthdays were fun and special. It was a day to do your thing, usually with a good friend or friends, or even with that someone special. Time seemed infinite.

In mid-life, my birthdays were less magical than when I was younger, but they were still a day in which you could find something special to enjoy about it, especially with close friends or loved ones. And time, well, it could still take care of things - those dreams still to be accomplished.

Now that I am 68 this March, the mantra is, Every year seems to take on more significance now. 'Don't waste them! Time is precious'. I think this year has been a great one with more to come, and a nice rebound after the two lost years of Covid.