believe it or not

It is about a month ago.

I happened to get 3000-yen voucher, and I gave it to my mum.

Next day, to my surprise, I got another 3000 yen included in my salary as a reward.

I coincidentally received the same thing that I just gave somebody.

So what you deserve is what you gave to other people.

It was fun!

Adelaide!!!!

I love the city so much!! People are friendly, food is great and the climate is excellent!

The size of the city is the best, not so big, not so small. This is one of the place I would like to visit often even though it takes more than 10 hours.

I didn't know that "Adelaide" could be a girl's name. It's very cute. Those who have this name is so lucky.

It is a bit strange to see Santa and Christmas decorations in summer, but a Santa with the blue sky is also nice.

Kilpatric Oyster is a famous Australian cuisine. I got the sauce and am looking forward to cooking my own kilpatric.

The volume is very big in restaurants there. This was a rare case, but the seafood special is actually for one person, all deep fried. I wish they could make half of it for half of the price.

The stay was too short, but I enjoyed talking with people, eating local food and interpreting at the meeting. When will be the next time???

Happy Christmas!

If only, if only my company sent me to Australia for a long-term project or something.

I would be super devoted to anything coming in to my tasks. I do not care how challenging or difficult it would be.

I would be making every effort to be a good researcher, interpreter, and intermediary.

Suddenly I feel so eager to talk about this with my boss because I have been handling many English documents and discussions lately. There are so many things out there that I will enjoy learning. If I could stay there for a year or two, I would be very good at English, much more helpful to the current projects, and far more satisfied with what I do.

hmmm.. seems like this is my Christmas wish.

Today my colleagues were also somewhat excited about this special night. It's a holy night and very exciting one for their family especially kids. I received some samples today in a carton, and my boss said it looked like a present from Santa. I wish it were.. and when the machine for analysis broke, they said Santa would come and fix it coming down from the chimney... haha although there's no chimney in the lab!!!

Ahh and I was the last one to leave the office this holy night, working till 7:30. I do not mind working overtime. I kind of like staying at the office alone because work becomes much easier, no phone calls, no interruptions and no time pressure. Piles of work still waiting for Monday.

Many projects and experiments going on at the same time. It is hard to keep everything on track and finish it on time.. I sometimes fear that some of them might slip off my mind and I would notice it only when it was too late... It's difficult, but worth doing because difficult things always takes me up to the higher level.

Christmas gift☆☆

Flying to Adelaide

Last time in September, it was the end of winter in Adelaide. It was cloudy and drizzly.
This time summer must have come. It'll be hard to adjust myself to the hot weather, but it's always exciting to go abroad.

Almost!

I forgot to take the change when I just bought a train ticket. I was very shocked and called the station with little hope and found that my 4000 yen was still there!

It's still there.. Nobody took it. I don't know who I should thank, but I'm relieved.
How careless I was! I may sometimes forget to take the ticket but never the bills..

思わぬ再会

中学の時の担任の先生に、科学のイベントで再会！！

10年前担任してくれた先生と、大人どうしとしてもう一度話すのはすごく不思議な感じ。10年前は真っ黒だった髪が、今は白髪たくさんになっていて時間の流れを感じた…。当時ほんっっとに荒れたクラスで、私も仲の良かったクラスメイトも毎日沈み込んでいたくらいの異様な雰囲気だった。そんなクラスをまとめて、指導した先生だった。当時はそんなことに気づく余裕はなかったけど、今考えるとすごい精神力だなと思う。気がおかしくなりそうだった、それは生徒だけではなく先生も同じ、というか、先生の方が責任もあるから大変だっただろう。
そんな話を今になってもちゃんと覚えていてくれて、「あの時は（私が）本当に耐えててくれたなぁ、我慢を強いて申し訳なかったんだよ」と言ってくれた。ああ……自分自身もあんなに大変で、それは全く先生のせいではなかったのに、そんなことを言ってくれるなんて。感動して涙が出そうになった。一人だったら泣いていた。この人は立派な人だ。先生は悪くない、当時からちゃんと怒ってくれる良い先生だったし、お陰で強くなれたとも思っている、あの一年間が人生に与えた影響は良くも悪くも非常に大きかったけれど、それを乗りきれたのは先生のおかげ。あの時の先生の気持ちが、社会人になった今は、10年前よりも理解できる。私は今は、10年前に比べてこんなに成長しました、あんなことがあって、こんなことをして…全部糧になっています、私は大丈夫ですよ、そんなことを伝えたかったけれど、伝わったかしら。言葉はいつも気持ちのあとからついて来て、追い付けずにもどかしい。

小学校、中学校の先生の偉大さに生徒が気が付くのは、何年も経ってからだ。教師というのは聖職だと思う。私はいつも人ではなく物相手の仕事をしているので、なおさらそう思う。そう言ったら、「いやいや、他の皆さんのおかげで何とかやってるんだ。ホント、すいませんねえって感じだよ」と謙虚さを崩さなかったけれど。ますます教育現場は大変になっているだろうと想像するけど、こんな先生がいれば大丈夫だろう、きっと。変わらない先生の親切さと、精神力と、高潔さと、ユーモアに励まされ、癒された……。

久しぶりで、こみ上げてくるものがあった。私には絶対にできないと思った中学校教師、立派に続けていらっしゃる。謙虚で、でも面白くて、考え方のしっかりしている人。目標にしたい人がまた一人。
もっと話がしたかったな。いくらでも話せそう。戦友に会ったときの心境、なんて言うと大袈裟だけど、そういう気持ちだった。今も。お元気でいてほしいな。