Hi David
How did you spend your weekend? Were you working hard to re-write your book?
Or did you have time to go for a ride?
As for volunteers, I think I could help you. Because it will be good for me, too!

Speaking of this week’s topic, I sometimes do the same response as you did. I agree with you. There are lots of ridiculous signs everywhere in Japan.
Sorry, I’ve got to go… dinner time!

I will post another comment later.
By for now

•  amo
• 2010年1月11日 20:00

Hi David and everyone,

Reading your story both in Hokkaido and Kyushu, I laughed many times. I used to feel the same things at the platforms at the railway stations, on the trains or on the busses after coming back to Japan. These days, I feel the most at the escalators in department stores, particularly Hanshin department store in Osaka. They announce the same phrases repeatedly whole day (I guess). If you stay long there, you surely start to get crazy. I always feel sorry for their staffs. However, I’ve never noticed the sign of how to wash hands. I will mind it. Perhaps, didn’t they start it after new flu had started to spread? I remember one more thing, there are too many signs in public toilets in Japan. When I look at them, I always worry whether foreigners can understand what they mean and manage to flush away.

tsuneko

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月11日 20:39

It's me again.

When I hear, "Any volunteers?", I automatically reply, "Let me try!"

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月11日 20:53

Hi David and Everyone,
How's your weekend? I enojoyed just relaxing at home and going to gym as well.

David, of course, I'll be a volunteer to help you check the new book. You can count on me!;-)

As for the topic, I also laugh a lot when I read your story. However, I definitely agree with you, as I sometimes face the same "I know!" situation as you do. As tsuneko mentioned, they announce too much not only destinations, but also something ordinary attentions at the platforms, on trains and busses. I haven't seen the sign of how to wash hands yet, but these days there are a lot of ones for recomending to wash your hands and to gargle because of the new flu.
Now one thing has sprung to my mind is that they showed how to wash your hands on TV.

Talk to you later,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2010年1月11日 23:15

Hi David and everyone,
As for volunteers, I follow tsuneko's idea " Let me try!" I'm thrilled with doing it.

About this week's topic, I understand what you mean, but as for the announcement, I noticed I didn't pay attention to it that much; it sounds like a background music or something.
By the way, there are a lot of cases" I know" in Japan, but when I took a bus in Cambridge in 2008, my feeling was "Please!!" because there was no announcement for next bus stop.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年1月11日 23:19

Hi David and everyone,

I couldn't post a comment from my computer last night and didn't have enough energy to do it from my cell phone, sorry.

I also laughed a lot as I was reading this entry. I understand your feelings, David, but as you know, I was born in Japan, so I'm familiar with those signs even if are they completely pointless. I don't think your students need instructions(or pictures) on how to wash their hands in the toilets at university, but I sometimes get a notice from a school nurse saying that you should wash your hands properly to prevent disease or the flu. Of course, there is an explanation of how to do it, and sometimes there are some pictures as well. I don't think they are pointless because there are a lot of people who don't know how to do it properly. ちゃんと洗えた is more important than just 洗った if you want to prevent disease by washing your hands. Well, it doesn't mean I follow the instructions, but I think the same is true for the way you brush your teeth. There is a big difference between 磨けた and just 磨いた.
As for a sign on the expressway saying 雨注意, of course drivers notice that it is raining, and they know that they need to drive more carefully in the wet, but there are always some dangerous or careless drivers. If that sign could help prevent accidents, I don't think it's pointless. Maybe it should say, “I know you drive carefully, but there might be some careless drivers, so be careful with them!”（笑）

Hi Yuzu,
I found your comment on the last entry. Thanks for your message:)

Hi trmr,
It was just a typo, sorry! I'm really sorry if I made you feel bad, but I didn't mean it.

See you soon,

Tomo

PS David, I'll be one of the volunteers;-)

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月12日 11:18

【訂正】
so I'm familiar with those signs even if are they...　→ so I'm familiar with those signs even if they are...

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月12日 11:25

Hi David and everyone

I'm back from Guam.Guam is fantastic!I never forget sea and sky there.

I enjoyed staying,but I had some troubles.Thanks to the troubles I communicated with native speakers!

One of the troubles is as below.
When I took a bus(送迎バス）,I wanted to go to a restroom.I couldn't stand it,so I ask a driver to wait at the bus stop,but he couldn't do that because of any schedules.The driver worried about me,so he said some joking,but I could not afford to enjoy his joking because I couldn't stand any more!I said to him,'I'm very angry.I'm serious.I can't wait!I'm almost wet!',and he began to drive more rapidly,and he gave me a pet bottle.but thanks to his driving I didn't use the pet bottle.At that time the restroom is heaven for me!
(ちなみに私が'I'm very angry.'と言ったのは運転手さんに所要時間を聞いたところ初めは５分と言ったのに１０分、２０分、３０分、４０分とジョーク言い始めたから私もジョークで言ったのですが、’I'm very angry'聞いた彼は大爆笑していました。）

Anyway I achieved my aim of this year.I thought that speaking English is very interesting.

By the way I'll also help you as a volunteer if I can do.

I read this topic.It's very funny!I'm laguhed many times.I'll check some signs out.

Sorry,this comment is too long.

Nao

•  Ｎａｏ
• 2010年1月12日 13:50

Hi David and everyone

I'm going to write about today's topic.
I think it is difficult to say in a word if a lot of signs and informations are good or not.
If I have to drive a car unknown place I need a lot of sign sand informations.

Many years ago,train imformations of metoropolitan area became topic.
For example "You haven't forgotten anything?" or
"Get off the next station to go to ~."
Some people said that these informations were no use.
I think people who unfamiliar with the train needs information like that.
What do you think?

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月12日 13:59

Hi Nao,

Welcome back! It seems that you had a great time in Guam. I understand you didn't feel like laughing on the bus, but your story made me laugh. I'm glad you didn't have to use the plastic bottle the driver gave you!

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月12日 14:23

Hi David and everyone,

I don’t remember whether I learned how to wash hands, but I didn’t learn how to wash hands as properly as surgeons do before operations before the H1N1 broke out: wash palm and back of your hands and between fingers and inside nails. Actually, I learned the way from my friend during the SIRS in Singapore. I was so scared at that time that I needed the way. I realized the way was very good and then I still keep doing the way. According to David’s report, there are lots of signs on how to wash here and there in Japan. I think Japanese way of noticing is too much; they care about too much. It should be impressive but shouldn’t be same old routines. Of course, signs and announcements are necessary not only for strangers but also for the disabled, yet too much information made people unable to think or feel by yourselves.

Hi Nao,

You did! You seem to have had a great time in Guam. Your conversation with the bus driver was funny. You almost got wet in the bus but you were lucky! He handed in a PET bottle? I can't imagine if...;p

tsuneko

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月12日 15:17

Hi Tomo

I think so,too.The bottle was the last way for me.At that time it was no laughing matter,but now the story made me laugh:)I wrote about my 'heart English' before this trip.I think I used my 'heart English' in the true sense of the word!

Hi Green

I agree with you.I also think that some signs are very important and I also know David's feeling because I sometimes thought that 'I know!' ,but the signs sometimes helped me.For example the sign helped me when I didn't know how to use the restroom.
普段は気にしていなかったりそんなことを表示しなくていいと思うものも、あるときは助けになってくれたりするように思います。

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 15:32

Hi David,
I laughed as I was reading your story. I think that you have a good point, but as Tomo said, I was also born in Japan, and I have seen these signs since I was a child, so I have never thought about them.

By the way, as for volunteers, I'm sorry, I can't help you. Actually, I have concerts on March, April, and June, and one of them is a big project, so now, I'm filled with thought of it.

Hi Nao,
Welcome back! I'm glad to know that you had a wonderful time in Guam. Your story in the bus was very funny, but I know how you feel. I went to Paris 3 years ago. When I walked on シャンゼリゼ通り, I wanted to go to restroom. When I'm in Japan, I can find a restroom easily because there are lots of convenience stores in Japan, but there were no stores like them in Paris, so it was very difficult to find the shop which had a restroom. I burst into a car dealership, and I said "RESTROOM!!". The shop assistant readily understood my situation, so she took me to the restroom. As you said, the restroom was heaven for me at that time!

By for now,

Amica

•  Amica
• 2010年1月12日 15:39

Hi tsuneko

As you said,I was lucky!I was almost wet,but I barely stood.（'almost wet'は「もう我慢できない」という意味で使ったのですが、友人にはそれだともう漏らしてしまってるように聞こえるよと言われました。この後にホテルが見えたの'Coming!Coming!My heaven!'と続けたら運転手さんが振り返ってかなり焦っておられました。私は「私の天国のホテルが近づいた！」と伝えたつもりなのですが違うニュアンスで受取られたようです。英語はやはり難しいですね。）
The driver gave me the bottle,and he gave me a bag after the bottle.Maybe the bottle was just a joking,but the bag wasn't joking.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 16:05

Hi Nao,

おもしろすぎます。You’re a funny woman! The driver must have a lot of fun while it was a real emergency for you. Thanks for sharing with us. My family also enjoyed.

p.s. “almost wet”はNaoの意味(まだ)だと思います。

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月12日 17:17

Hi Amica

Thank you for telling your story.You had the same feeling in foreign country.I'm not the only one.
You felt the restroom was heaven?Exactly true!After that,my friends called the restroom heaven.

Anyway our feeling made us take a restroom.I thought that I can certainly tell what I want to tell really.（気持ちが伝わるというのはこういうことなんだと実感した経験でした。）

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 17:17

Hi tsuneko

笑っていただけて幸いです。もう笑いのネタにするしかないお話だったので：）
Anyway I feel happy to hear that 'almost' means 'まだ'.
If he thought that I was wet,I was very shame!

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 17:30

Hi David

About volunteer.
My English is beginner level as you know but I woud like help you as possible as I can.

Hi Nao

Thank you for sending a message and I'm glad to hear that you had a good time in Guam!

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月12日 17:32

Hi Nao,

Welcome back to Japan.
I'm glad to hear You have had a good time in Guam.
You have had tough time in the bus, hadn't you?
It might be a good experience for you in the long run.
Thank you for sharing.

Kazu

•  Kazu
• 2010年1月12日 20:13

Hi David,
I don’t mind beta-reading your new book if it’s a small part. Let me know if you could use my help :-)

•  Lily
• 2010年1月12日 20:48

Hi Tomo

Oh, no! It was not typo.
I really forgot a rule that "to" is followed by base-formed verb. It was a misunderstanding.
It's me who should say sorry. I used confusing expression.
You don't make me feel bad. I thank you!
Your comments are very helpful. またいろいろ教えてくださいm(_ _)m

Hi David

I understand your opinion. But I got used to this environment. When I took a bus in London, same as Anne, I felt "Please tell me next station!".

In similar case, I don't understand what "赤ちゃんが乗っています" sign intends. I take care of other cars whether baby ride on or not.　And I think other people are same.
The driver who has a baby should be carefully more than anyone.
But as other member said, these "over-telling signs" are for someone who need them, even if there are many people who DON'T need them.
I worried about that these too many signs may occur losing their effect because they are too many.

Hi Nao

Welcome back! It seems you made some good memories in Guam. つらい体験もいい思い出になるのが旅行の素晴らしいところですね。
It was hot in there? 日本との差が激しそうですね。

•  trmr
• 2010年1月12日 22:52

Hi Green

Yes,I enjoyed staying:)Guam is great.
I wanted to stay!

Hi Kazu

As you said,I had a good experience.Thanks to you,I had a great time!I want to go to Guam again.

I had tough time in the bus,but I could stand because the driver was kind.It was very good for me.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 22:55

Hi trmr

Thank you!As you said,I had a great time in Guam.
It was hot in Guam,but I felt good,so I felt too cold when I came back.I love Guam's season.Now I love kotatsu.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月12日 23:02

Hi trmr,
Thank you for your message!　それを聞いて安心しました＾＾　こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします！

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月12日 23:20

Hi David and Everyone,

Anne, I understand what you mean by "Please!". I wondered how they got off a bus at an unfamiliar place without any announcement. There are no timetable at a bus stop as well, right?

As far as I know, this system is almost the same as in the US. Ummm...Japanese systems are not always nice, but not so bad.;-) As for signs, there are lots of unnecessary ones in Japan, though.

Hi Nao,
It seems that you had a wonderful time in Guam and also you have unforgetable memory as well.;-)
Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you had such an opportunity to speak in English.

Bye for now,

Maki

P.S.
訂正です。。。
there are a lot of ones for recomending ⇒
　　　there are a lot of ones for recommendation
この文章そのものがどうかな？という感じですが。＾＾；

•  Maki
• 2010年1月12日 23:25

うぅ、また訂正です。
I wondered how they got off a bus...⇒ I wondered how they knew the exact place to get off a bus....

•  Maki
• 2010年1月12日 23:54

This is an interesting discussion! Anne, I agree with you 100% about buses in the UK. I would advise anyone who visits my country never, ever to use public transport. In particular, don't go anywhere near the trains! I remember that some newspapers were complaining a few years ago about the government awarding a contract to build a new railway in England to a Japanese company. I couldn't believe it! If I had a choice between using trains built by a Japanese company and trains built by a British company, I know which I would go for!

Tsuneko, I take your point about brushing your teeth, but the pictures I have seen about washing your hands explain pretty much exactly what I was taught when I was a child. Don't they teach that in Japan?

Tomo, I actually think that stupid signs like 雨注意 are dangerous because they are like the boy who cried wolf. People get so used to seeing hundreds of meaningless signs that they stop reading them altogether. When this happens, there is a danger that they will miss the one or two that are really important. And what about the sign telling people not to fall out of the top bunk bed in the ferry? Who on earth do they think needs to be told that?? Is there anyone who reads that sign and thinks, "Oh yes, that's a good idea. I was planning to fall out of the bed, but now I think I'll be careful not to"?

Nao, glad to hear you had a good time in Guam. The expression you were looking for is "I was on the point of wetting myself." By the way, I don't know if this is a suitable question for the blog or not, but is it even possible for a woman to pee into a PET bottle? I can see how a man would do it, but I can only imagine that it would be extremely tricky for a woman!

Everyone, thanks for your offers of help with the new book. I will let you know when the manuscript is ready.

Good night.

PS Have any of you seen Avatar yet? I went to see it in 3D at the weekend, and it was utterly amazing. If you haven't seen it, go tomorrow!

•  David
• 2010年1月13日 00:20

Morning David and everyone,

>Tsuneko, I take your point about brushing your teeth, but the pictures I have seen about washing your hands explain pretty much exactly what I was taught when I was a child. Don't they teach that in Japan?

Thank you for real time comment that I feel it is more interacting. By the way, I didn’t mention about brushing your teeth, so you might have mixed up with Tomo’s or you meant about washing your hands I’d talked which is the same way as surgeons do after the break up of N1H1? The pictures you’ve seen about washing your hands explain pretty much exactly what you were taught when you were a child? I haven’t notice that sign myself so I asked my family members and they said they sometimes saw the normal instruction on sign boards and the complicated one on papers or posters on walls in hospitals or some other places. I think Japanese people also learn how to wash hands at home or kindergartens when we are small. Anyway, this way of your joining is more fun! As for a PET bottle, its mouth is not wide enough;p

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月13日 09:33

Hi David and everyone,

Thanks for your comment, David. Yes, this is an interesting discussion! I take your point about the sign telling people not to fall out of the top bunk bed in the ferry, but my response to that sign is a bit different from yours. If I saw it, I would think, "I'm going to sleep here. How can I be careful while I'm asleep??"
As you say, there are lots of meaningless signs in Japan, but still, I don't think signs on the expressway are meaningless or dangerous because there are some necessary ones telling us other road conditions like 強風注意, この先○○, 事故発生 or etc. You can see rain or snow, but there are some things that you can not see.
Too many signs or too few signs, in other words, too kind or too unkind, I would chose the former because I think they can be useful if you just pick up ones you need. Some think "I know!" and some think "OK, I will" when they see the sign "雨注意" on the expressway. I'm the latter:)

See you soon,

Tomo

PS As for the PET bottle thing, I agree with Tsuneko;-)

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月13日 11:50

Hi David

Thank you for your comment.I really had a great time in Guam.People in Guam were kind,so they helped me.
By the way,I also agree with tsuneko.I think the driver said just a joking.When he was also serious,he gave me a bag.Maybe bag was enough wide.Of course I couldn't do that,too.(I didn't want to do!)

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月13日 12:05

Hi Nao

I belive that your happning in Guam is goin to become one of nice memory someday!
You wanted to stay in Guam?
I really undrestand your feeling.
I think if I can live there,whenever I go on a trip.
Where do you want to go next?

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月13日 12:41

Hi David and everyone,
David, thanks to your comment, discussions have become more lively. Thank you!
Hearing members ideas is really interesting, isn't it?
I've become accustomed to these overly kind announcements or signs whatever it might be, I usually don't think them "I know!".
As for the sign" 雨注意” on the express way, as Tomo said, I don' think it stupid and I would take it literally and think I need to be more careful while driving,instead.
I know some of them are pointless, but still the announcement I often hear on the subway sounds like "well done" or "funny" ; "eating something or doing make up will bother other passengers, so please refrain from doing these things" "Make-up"!!

By the way, David, did you see "Avatar" in 3D? I haven't seen it yet but I'm interested in it. Actually I'm wondering if it's cup of my tea or not.
Well... I'd like to see it tomorrow!( Women are able to see movies at a reasonable price(1000yen) every Thursday!

Hi Nao,
It's nice to hear that you had a great time in Guam!
I laughed a lot at your story on the first comment and again I laughed with"he gave me a bag"!
By the way, can I share my idea concerning with the expression " bag was enough wide" ?
I'm not sure, but I would say " bag was big(wide) enough to pee."
You have David's book"英語じょうずになる事典",right?
Have a look at P.196.
There are three patterns to use 'enough';with noun,adjective and verb.

See you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年1月13日 14:50

Hi Green

As you said,I think this accident will be a big memory someday.I can't forget it.
You know my feeling?I think this is similar feeling with Johnny's concert,right?I don't want to go to real life.
By the way,I'll answer about your question.I want to go to England as a next trip.If I get a ticket,I'll go there in March:)

Nao

•  Ｎａｏ
• 2010年1月13日 15:30

Hi Maki

Thank you for your comment!As you said,I can't forget it.It was a big accident,but I was happy to talk with native speaker.It was a great chance for me.

Hi Anne

Thank you for your correction!I mistook as you said.(形容詞 enough to 動詞という語形で使わないといけないですね。）Your comment helped me a lot.(I'll check it out.)
By the way,my story made me laugh?Sounds great.（もう笑い飛ばさないとやっていられない事件でした。笑 今思えばグアムにいながら漫才をやっていたような気がします。）

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月13日 15:53

It's me again,sorry.

correction
I mistook as you said→I was mistaken as you said

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月13日 16:03

Hi Mao

You may go to England in March?
You go traveling abrod twice in 3 months?
Lucky you!
I've been England about 20years ago.
I hope you get the ticket to England and enjyoy British English!

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月13日 17:40

Nao

I'm very very sorry.
I made a big mistake!
I wrote Mao but I'm going to send the last commant to you Nao!
I'm very sorry.

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月13日 17:48

Hi Nao

グアム暑くてもすごしやすそうですね。 Kotatsu is a heavenly space in winter in Japan! Enjoy your next trip to England and please tell us an episode of the trip.

Hi David and everyone

I have seen Avatar in 3D.　I was very surprised at beautiful images in 3D! A technology advances rapidly like an arrow. I recommend it to you all, too!

•  trmr
• 2010年1月13日 19:29

Hi Nao

Welcome back(it's a bit late, though)
You seem to have had an unforgettable experience in Guam.
I am happy for you that you had a wonderful time there.
Are you thinking of going to England next? Wow! That’s nice.

•  amo
• 2010年1月13日 23:15

Hi David and everyone
I really enjoyed reading all your comments. Even I was born in Japan, I feel the same way of David. As you may know, I do not drive a car myself so I am not sure, but if I drove a car and I saw the signs of “雨注意”so many times, I would end up not reading them altogether, which means I might overlook really important signs. I think that is more dangerous.
My sister and her children visited us in Tokyo several years ago. They live in USA, so her children are not familiar with riding on a train (because they live in car society). When we rode on a train, there was no space to sit so we just stood and I started talking with my sister. Her son was standing opposite side of us with my other sister. Then he called my name and told me “You should grab the pole or something!” I think he was 6 or 7 years old at that time. Even children could think that by themselves. Do you think you need these kinds of announcements like (つり革や手すりにお摑まりください)?
Of course I really appreciate the announcements of next stops on the buses. It’s helpful, when I go to unfamiliar place.
By the way, I remember that I learnt how to wash your hands when I was in kindergarten, so I do not need to explain how to wash your hands properly!!
But I do not think that I have seen those instructions lately. Or I just did not notice them.

Bye for now

•  amo
• 2010年1月14日 00:51

Hi Green

No problem.'M' is next to 'N' on the keyboard.I knew that it was just a type mistake.

By the way,you have been to England?Sounds great!Where did you go in England?To tell the truth,my trips to foreign countries are the only Korea and Guam,so I'm worried about a trip to England.(long fright and how to do at the airport and so on)でも、やっと海外旅行に行く時間ができたので今年は是非とも行きたいと思っています：）

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月14日 08:53

correction

so I do not need to explain how to wash your hands properly!!
→so I do not need to be explain how to wash your hands properly!!

Hi everyone

good morning

this morning, I felt a bit cold when I was on my way to work.
take care and have a lovely day!!!

•  amo
• 2010年1月14日 08:58

it's me again

I made a mistake again

so I do not need to explain how to wash your hands properly!!
→so I do not need to BE EXPLAINED how to wash your hands properly!!

•  amo
• 2010年1月14日 09:00

Sorry,I had a mistake in my comment to Green.

I knew that it was just a type mistake.→I knew that it was just a typo.

Hi trmr

Kotatsu is a heavenly space as you said.Today is very cold,so I miss kotatsu.By the way I'll tell you about England story if I'm able to get a ticket to England.Now I'm looking for a cheap ticket!I hope I'll find a good ticket.

Hi amo

Thank you for your comment.I had a great time in Guam.Guam was comfortable for me.I don't like winter because I don't want to go out and do anything.By the way I haven't got a ticket to England yet,but I really want to go to England.I think England has a lot of good places to visit.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月14日 09:23

Hi Nao

Thank you for warm comment for my mistake.
About my trip of England.
I've been to London around London only.
I visited 'Big Ben' 'Tower of London' 'Wales Castle' 'Eton' and so on・・・
England is hisorical and beautiful.
It is just like Harry Potter world!!!
Where are you going to visit in England?

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月14日 12:29

Hi everyone,

Today, the town where I live has heavy snow. I have been removing the snow from the sidewalk in front of my house and the parking space of my family's cars since this morning. It's very tough to do! I'm sure my lower-back will have pain tomorrow!

Amica

•  Amica
• 2010年1月14日 14:40

Hi Green

Thank you for telling me.I'm also going around London.I won't have much time,so I don't think that I will be able to go to other places.If I have time,I want to go to lakes or castles.Of course I want to visit 'Big Ben' 'Tower of London' 'Wales Castle',and I want to take a bus.As you said,England is hisorical and beautiful,so I will have a great time there.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月14日 14:58

Hi Nao

>I want to take a bus.
You mean double-decker?
Please try it, Nao!
I didn't get on it in London.
I got on a subway to go to Camden Market.
I remember thet I felt scary little bit.

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月14日 16:00

Hi Green

Yes,that's right.I want to take a double-decker.It is so cute.
You took a subway?You felt scary?Really?I'm worried about it because I'll take a subway.
(空港からホテルまで送迎を頼むとかなり高かったので代わりに地下鉄で行こうかと思っているんです。オプショナルツアーも申し込むつもりでないので全て自分でバスや電車を利用して観光しようかと考えているのですが、治安が不安です。)
I'm worried about transport,and I'm also worried about a hotel.uhmmm...

Hi Amica

It snows a lot in your town?Osaka is sunny,but it is so cold.I don't want to go out. By the way you removed the snow?お疲れ様でした。

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月14日 20:02

Hi Amica,

I’ve watched the News on TV. There was so much snow in Niigata and Kanazawa on the screen. It snowed twice as much as usual years, they said. I can’t imagine how many hours you’ve been removing that much snow. In Nachi Waterfall, the pond was frozen. Yesterday, I saw Kagoshima and Nagasaki covered with snow on TV. The statue of Ryoma and Saigo were blanketed in snow. It is extraordinary cold in certain areas in Japan and in the world these days. Hope your low back does not hurt so much.

•  tsuneko
• 2010年1月14日 20:03

Hi David and everyone,

I saw Avatar in 3D today! My impression? It's "wow!"
Recent technology has advanced amazingly and that is my first impression. Actually I saw a short film in 3D at the Aichi Expo and this is the second time.
I felt as if I was engulfed with the screen, I mean, the movie itself. I felt the togetherness. This might be the effect of 3D. I really understand it took many years to complete this movie. This is not the type I usually see, but it was worth seeing! Speaking of Sci-Fi movies, it reminds me of " Gattaca," one of my favorite movies.
There are a lot of movies I want to see next,"500 days of Summer", " Capitalism; A love story", " Invictus"... a lot!

Hi nao,
You are welcome.
Are you going to England? That's nice! When I booked the hotel on the Internet two years ago, I took two points into consideration; one is the place I don't need to transfer to another line, and the other is the place close to the subway station.

Hi Amica,
I also saw the news about heavy snow. I hope your back doesn't hurt that much and the situation will become better tomorrow.

Hi amo,
While reading your comment, I noticed most of the signs and announcements were not the ones"I know" for me but just took what I thought it was important. I don't pay attention to others.
Thinking these things was interesting.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年1月14日 22:55

Hi David and everyone,
My husband's father passed away because of a heart attack(心筋梗塞) this morning.　なので、しばらくお休みします。

•  Tomo
• 2010年1月15日 00:04

Tomo,
I am so sorry to hear that you father-in-law passed away. I can't find the words to tell you and your family.

Anne

•  Anne
• 2010年1月15日 05:45

Hi Tomo

I'm very sorry to hear that.I share your pain.

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月15日 10:28

Hi Anne

Thank you for telling me!It helped me a lot.After I read your comment,I looked for a hotel.I found a hotel that is close to subway.(The hotel is Royal National Hotel.)
By the way you have been to England?Sounds great!Did you have a great time?

Nao

•  Nao
• 2010年1月15日 10:37

Hi Tomo

I am sorry to hear that your father-in-law.
May his soul rest in peace.

•  amo
• 2010年1月15日 11:09

Hi Tomo

I'm sorry to hear that.
I worry about especially your son's feeling.

Hi Amica
How deep did the snow lay?
Or did the snow melt?
How is your low back condition?
Take care!

Green

•  Green
• 2010年1月15日 12:26

Tomo,
I'm really sorry to hear that yor father-in-law passed away. It must be very difficult for you and your family.

•  Maki
• 2010年1月15日 20:47

Hi Tomo

I'm sorry to hear that. お悔やみ申し上げます。

•  trmr
• 2010年1月15日 21:52

Hi Tomo,

心よりお悔やみ申し上げます。

•  Amica
• 2010年1月15日 23:49

Hi Tomo,
Sorry to hear about you father-in-law.
大変だと思うけど、疲れが出ないようにね。

•  Lily
• 2010年1月16日 00:52

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