Masami
Only Child
As some of you know, I am an only child. When I was a little girl, my friends often envied me because I monopolized all the toys and sweets in the house. In return, I envied my friends who had brothers or sisters because they often followed and played with their siblings and other friends. Even today I sometimes wish I had brothers or sisters.
My father has an elder brother and a younger brother. They have a good relationship and sometimes visit each other. Once a year, they gather at the eldest brother's house and chat about their children, their jobs, and their boyhood memories over a couple of drinks. Whenever I see their gathering, I think having brothers or sisters is great when we grow up.
One of my best friends has an elder sister, and she often goes shopping, travels and eats out with her. She tells me that she can talk with her sister about her worries which are secret from her parents. Also, her sister is a good adviser for her.
I have wanted to have brothers or sisters since my childhood. Generally speaking, an only child is spoiled, selfish and unsociable, which may apply to me. For me, even a quarrel between siblings sometimes looks happy, although it might be frustrating for them.
I don't know what having brothers or sisters is like. What do you think about it? And if you have siblings, have you ever wished you were an only child?
Fireworks
The other day, I bought fireworks for this summer at the supermarket. Was it too early? I like fireworks very much, because they are very beautiful and enjoyable. In summer we often have fireworks displayed in many places. I sometimes watch them in the garden of my house, which tells me that summer has truly come. I like both watching and using them.
Especially, I love the sparkling fireworks which are very small and look like they are trying to sparkle hard by themselves. Last summer I played with these sparkling sticks with my friends and we competed with each other to see who could make them sparkle the longest. Since those things are very thin and light, they are easily put out by the wind, which makes this game very exciting.
In my hometown, we have a peculiar performance called tezutu-fireworks, which is made and displayed by men. They make it every year by stuffing some gunpowder in a bamboo tube, plugging it with newspapers, and then displaying it in their hands in front of everyone. It is a very dangerous display but an essential traditional event in my town. My father likes to participate because it makes him feel brave and daring.
Anyway, fireworks are normally displayed in the night sky in summer. Is it because it is too cold to see firework outdoors in winter?
Winnie the Pooh
As you may know, I like Winnie the Pooh, the famous Disney character. He and his friends are very cute and many kinds of items are sold in shops all over Japan. But I think the majority of Japanese people like Pooh only as a mascot character. I mean, I wonder if they know the Winnie the Pooh books. Even if they do know them, they might not have read them.
These stories were written by A.A. Milne for his son, Christopher Robin, who is one of the characters in the Winnie the Pooh books. This site will show you more about Pooh and 100 acre wood, where Pooh and his friends live. If you click each of character in 100 acre wood, you can see the introduction of them and hear their voice.
Since I read the books, I like Winnie the Pooh better than before, because I came to know the funny and rustic characters better, which cannot really be known without reading the books. The books may be too easy and boring for adults to read, for they were written for children. But when I am reading them, I feel as if I were in 100 acre wood with Pooh and his friends like a child (maybe I am a child?). Therefore Winnie the Pooh is, I think, very attractive not only for children but also adults.
Anyway, I wish that I could keep the mind of a child even after I grow up!
Madou Spa
Tonight I happened to watch a TV program about Madou spa in Tsu city. This weekend, the English Department is going there to hold a welcome party for the freshmen.
What is Madou spa? Madou spa is a Japanese-style hotel famous for its caves, which are used as a dining area. These caves have an interesting history. According to the program, in Edo period there was no modern-style detergent to wash teacups or pans. The caves were dug to get a sandy cleanser which was fairly precious in those days.
The cleanser is still sold today.
Domo-kun
Do you know Domo-kun? He is a cute mascot of NHK's BS2. The other day, I found an interesting passage from the Internet. That is "Domo-Kun acquired his name when his friend, Usajii turns on the TV for him and an announcer says "Domo konnnichiwa"("very much Hello"). " Have you known how to Domo-kun acquired his name? Isn't it interesting?