引越し先は、どうも天使の街になりそうっす。
It looks like I'll end up moving to the city of angel.
It looks like I'll end up moving to the city of angel.
久々、「本」のカテゴリーについて一筆。
I haven't written about a book category for a long time.
ちょうど今週、出版されたばかりの小説を売り込むために、ブックツアーでChristopher Riceという作家がサイン会に来てます。出版事情も、日米、大きな違いがあるよねぇ。日本だと、よっぽど有名な作家でもないかぎり、新作の読書会＆サイン会なんてしないけど、こっちは全米各地の本屋へ行っては、サイン会を開いたり作家がほんの一節を呼んで聞かせるっていうイベントが行なわれてる。
Just this week, an author named Christopher Rice has come to my town to sell his newly-published book. There's a huge difference in the publishing industries between Japan and the U.S. It's only a famous writer who will have a book signing tour in Japan. But in the U.S. that seems a more common custom for any levels of authors to have a book tour.
だけど、このChristopher Riceっちゅー作家の名前は初耳。最近、フィクション系の本を読んでないからなぁ～。学生時代は文学青年だったんですよ、これでも。だけど社会人になると、ビジネス書、学術書、新聞、雑誌で読むものが多くて、フィクションには手が伸びないし首が回らない。
I haven't heard of Christopher Rice, though. I no longer read fiction . . . I used to be literary youth even if you believe it or not! But once you get out of school, there are so many stuff to read for your work such as business books, academic books, newspaper/industry paper, magazine, etc. There's not time or space for fiction!
ただ、Christopherの顔写真を見たら、ちょっと彼の作品がどういったものか気になってしまった。
That said, I am very interested in his books now that I saw his face picture.
wikipediaによると、1978年3月11日カリフォルニア州バークレー生まれ。母親も作家、父親は詩人、叔母も作家という作家一族出身とか。
According to wikipedia, he was born March 11, 1978, in Berkeley, CA. His mother is a writer and father was a poet. His aunt is also a writer. Christopher is from a family of authors.
そして彼は自分がゲイとカミングアウトしてます～。彼の作品、The Density of Soulsは、まさにゲイの青年が主人公とか。読んでみようかなぁ。
And also Christopher came out as a gay. His books, The Density of Souls, is about a gay protagonist. I'd read it.
ちなみに彼、今はロスに在住で、映画の脚本家を目指してるとか。今、エメラルドシティーよりも天使の街に、一票、入りました!
Christopher lives in LA and now explores writing screenplays. Now, there's an additional vote for the city of angel over the emerald city!
I haven't written about a book category for a long time.
ちょうど今週、出版されたばかりの小説を売り込むために、ブックツアーでChristopher Riceという作家がサイン会に来てます。出版事情も、日米、大きな違いがあるよねぇ。日本だと、よっぽど有名な作家でもないかぎり、新作の読書会＆サイン会なんてしないけど、こっちは全米各地の本屋へ行っては、サイン会を開いたり作家がほんの一節を呼んで聞かせるっていうイベントが行なわれてる。
Just this week, an author named Christopher Rice has come to my town to sell his newly-published book. There's a huge difference in the publishing industries between Japan and the U.S. It's only a famous writer who will have a book signing tour in Japan. But in the U.S. that seems a more common custom for any levels of authors to have a book tour.
だけど、このChristopher Riceっちゅー作家の名前は初耳。最近、フィクション系の本を読んでないからなぁ～。学生時代は文学青年だったんですよ、これでも。だけど社会人になると、ビジネス書、学術書、新聞、雑誌で読むものが多くて、フィクションには手が伸びないし首が回らない。
I haven't heard of Christopher Rice, though. I no longer read fiction . . . I used to be literary youth even if you believe it or not! But once you get out of school, there are so many stuff to read for your work such as business books, academic books, newspaper/industry paper, magazine, etc. There's not time or space for fiction!
ただ、Christopherの顔写真を見たら、ちょっと彼の作品がどういったものか気になってしまった。
That said, I am very interested in his books now that I saw his face picture.
wikipediaによると、1978年3月11日カリフォルニア州バークレー生まれ。母親も作家、父親は詩人、叔母も作家という作家一族出身とか。
According to wikipedia, he was born March 11, 1978, in Berkeley, CA. His mother is a writer and father was a poet. His aunt is also a writer. Christopher is from a family of authors.
そして彼は自分がゲイとカミングアウトしてます～。彼の作品、The Density of Soulsは、まさにゲイの青年が主人公とか。読んでみようかなぁ。
And also Christopher came out as a gay. His books, The Density of Souls, is about a gay protagonist. I'd read it.
ちなみに彼、今はロスに在住で、映画の脚本家を目指してるとか。今、エメラルドシティーよりも天使の街に、一票、入りました!
Christopher lives in LA and now explores writing screenplays. Now, there's an additional vote for the city of angel over the emerald city!
今日のニュースで、幸せがお金で買えるらしいという科学的研究結果が報道されてました。関連記事はこちら。
I heard somewhere on the news channel today about a new scientific evidence showing that people can buy happiness with money. The related article can be read here.
要するに、お金は自分だけに使うよりも、他人のために使ったほうが幸福感が高まるということらしい。これには全く納得だよぉ～。例の、数年前付き合ってたケチケチ弁護士デービッドなんて、1セントも他人のために使わなかったからね。自販機からおつりが30セント出てこなかったっちゅーだけで、自販機管理会社に弁護士を語ったクレーム・レターを送りつけて、30セント、コインで返金させてたツワモノだったから。彼なんて幸福から程遠い人でした。
In a nutshell, you'll feel happier when you spend money on others than spend (only) on yourself. I totally agree with this finding. A few years ago, I dated with a super stingy attorney David. He never spent even a cent on others. I recall he sent a claim letter to a vending machine company because he didn't get his change of 30 cents! He is so far away from happiness.
そういえば、オーヘンリーか誰かの作品で、きれいな庭を持ってるけど、子供たちが入ってくるのを堅く禁じた不幸せな老人の話ってなかったっけ？それが一転して、子供たちを庭で遊ばせるようになると、老人の不幸が一変して幸せな生活を送るようになったっていう。あれって、オスカー・ワイルドだったっけ？「幸福な王子」も他人のために自分を犠牲にするお話でした。
Oh, now I recall a short novel about an unhappy old man who has a beautiful garden. He strictly prohibited children from entering the garden. But in the end, he lets them play in his garden, leading to happiness, almost euphoria. Was it by O'Henry or Oscar Wilde? "The Happy Prince" is also about sacrificing yourself for others.
ケチケチ弁護士デービッドに比べてジャドソンとか、太っ腹な人って、見ていてストレス少なそうで幸福感が高いんだろうなぁって傍から見てわかるよ。僕もああなりたいなぁと憧れる数少ない稀有な人の一人（4月にまた再会する予定～。今日、メールしたら、押しかけてOKという返事を頂きました。）
As opposed to stingy lawyer David, Judson is so generous and to my eyes he's having a less-stressful life and actually looks happier. I adore him and want to be like him (I'm going to see him again! Today I asked him if I can visit him in April, he said fine).
ってなわけで、僕もボーナスのもらい逃げはよくないと考えて、どこか慈善団体に気持ちだけでも寄付することに決定。で、どこがいいんでしょうか・・・？今までいかに寄付してこなかったかがバレバレ。＞0＜
What I really wanted to say is that I shouldn't take all of my bonus. I decided to donate some of it to some charitable organization. But which one . . . ? It's so obvious that I haven't done this much so far.
聞くところによると、赤十字とかは、運営費で寄付金の30％（？記憶がおぼろげ）程度が職員の給与とかに流れるから、本当に必要な人たちには寄付金の7割しかいかないとか。寄付金が実際、慈善活動に直接的に利用される割合をどこかが公表してたと思うんだけど、その割合の高いところに寄付したい～。あと、目的。アフリカの飢饉に苦しむ子供たちとか、インドネシア沖の津波の被害者、カトリーナの被害者、エイズ基金、GLBTの未成年者たちへの啓発活動などなど、山ほどあるよねー。毎月、出身大学から郵送されてくる寄付金募集の手紙は無視だ。目的が良くわからん。しかも、こっちは授業料を払ってるしさ。
I learned that the Red Cross, for example, takes about 30% (may be wrong) of donated money for its operations such as staff's pay roll. So, only 70% of your money goes to people who are really in need. I thought this expense ratio information for charitable organizations have been publicized but don't know where. I want to give my money to an organization which doesn't take too much out of it for its operation. I also should think about the cause. There are so many good causes such as children suffering from famine in Africa, tsunami aftermath in Indonesia, Hurricane Catrina, AIDS, suppoting LGBT teenagers, and so on. I receive a donation solicitation letter from my university every month but it's out of the question. I have already paid for the tuition!
たまたま今日はIRS（日本でいう国税庁）から手紙が来ていて、ブッシュ大統領が通過させた経済刺激策の一環としての減税法のおかげで、5月には600ドルほど還付金が送られてくるとか。これを丸々、寄付ってのが妙案かも。所詮、一人600ドル程度で、サブプライムローン問題で火ダルマのアメリカ経済が立ち直るとは思えんし。
Coincidentally, I received a letter from IRS, saying that President Bush passed the Economic Stimulation Act and that I will receive a check for about $600 in May. It's another idea to donate this money to charity. I can't believe that $600 per person will save the U.S. economy from this subprime mortgage mess and billion dollars debt due to the prolonged Iraq War.
どなたか、どの慈善団体がいいとか、お知恵・ご意見いただけると嬉しいっす。
I'd appreciate if anyone can recommend some really good charity.
I heard somewhere on the news channel today about a new scientific evidence showing that people can buy happiness with money. The related article can be read here.
要するに、お金は自分だけに使うよりも、他人のために使ったほうが幸福感が高まるということらしい。これには全く納得だよぉ～。例の、数年前付き合ってたケチケチ弁護士デービッドなんて、1セントも他人のために使わなかったからね。自販機からおつりが30セント出てこなかったっちゅーだけで、自販機管理会社に弁護士を語ったクレーム・レターを送りつけて、30セント、コインで返金させてたツワモノだったから。彼なんて幸福から程遠い人でした。
In a nutshell, you'll feel happier when you spend money on others than spend (only) on yourself. I totally agree with this finding. A few years ago, I dated with a super stingy attorney David. He never spent even a cent on others. I recall he sent a claim letter to a vending machine company because he didn't get his change of 30 cents! He is so far away from happiness.
そういえば、オーヘンリーか誰かの作品で、きれいな庭を持ってるけど、子供たちが入ってくるのを堅く禁じた不幸せな老人の話ってなかったっけ？それが一転して、子供たちを庭で遊ばせるようになると、老人の不幸が一変して幸せな生活を送るようになったっていう。あれって、オスカー・ワイルドだったっけ？「幸福な王子」も他人のために自分を犠牲にするお話でした。
Oh, now I recall a short novel about an unhappy old man who has a beautiful garden. He strictly prohibited children from entering the garden. But in the end, he lets them play in his garden, leading to happiness, almost euphoria. Was it by O'Henry or Oscar Wilde? "The Happy Prince" is also about sacrificing yourself for others.
ケチケチ弁護士デービッドに比べてジャドソンとか、太っ腹な人って、見ていてストレス少なそうで幸福感が高いんだろうなぁって傍から見てわかるよ。僕もああなりたいなぁと憧れる数少ない稀有な人の一人（4月にまた再会する予定～。今日、メールしたら、押しかけてOKという返事を頂きました。）
As opposed to stingy lawyer David, Judson is so generous and to my eyes he's having a less-stressful life and actually looks happier. I adore him and want to be like him (I'm going to see him again! Today I asked him if I can visit him in April, he said fine).
ってなわけで、僕もボーナスのもらい逃げはよくないと考えて、どこか慈善団体に気持ちだけでも寄付することに決定。で、どこがいいんでしょうか・・・？今までいかに寄付してこなかったかがバレバレ。＞0＜
What I really wanted to say is that I shouldn't take all of my bonus. I decided to donate some of it to some charitable organization. But which one . . . ? It's so obvious that I haven't done this much so far.
聞くところによると、赤十字とかは、運営費で寄付金の30％（？記憶がおぼろげ）程度が職員の給与とかに流れるから、本当に必要な人たちには寄付金の7割しかいかないとか。寄付金が実際、慈善活動に直接的に利用される割合をどこかが公表してたと思うんだけど、その割合の高いところに寄付したい～。あと、目的。アフリカの飢饉に苦しむ子供たちとか、インドネシア沖の津波の被害者、カトリーナの被害者、エイズ基金、GLBTの未成年者たちへの啓発活動などなど、山ほどあるよねー。毎月、出身大学から郵送されてくる寄付金募集の手紙は無視だ。目的が良くわからん。しかも、こっちは授業料を払ってるしさ。
I learned that the Red Cross, for example, takes about 30% (may be wrong) of donated money for its operations such as staff's pay roll. So, only 70% of your money goes to people who are really in need. I thought this expense ratio information for charitable organizations have been publicized but don't know where. I want to give my money to an organization which doesn't take too much out of it for its operation. I also should think about the cause. There are so many good causes such as children suffering from famine in Africa, tsunami aftermath in Indonesia, Hurricane Catrina, AIDS, suppoting LGBT teenagers, and so on. I receive a donation solicitation letter from my university every month but it's out of the question. I have already paid for the tuition!
たまたま今日はIRS（日本でいう国税庁）から手紙が来ていて、ブッシュ大統領が通過させた経済刺激策の一環としての減税法のおかげで、5月には600ドルほど還付金が送られてくるとか。これを丸々、寄付ってのが妙案かも。所詮、一人600ドル程度で、サブプライムローン問題で火ダルマのアメリカ経済が立ち直るとは思えんし。
Coincidentally, I received a letter from IRS, saying that President Bush passed the Economic Stimulation Act and that I will receive a check for about $600 in May. It's another idea to donate this money to charity. I can't believe that $600 per person will save the U.S. economy from this subprime mortgage mess and billion dollars debt due to the prolonged Iraq War.
どなたか、どの慈善団体がいいとか、お知恵・ご意見いただけると嬉しいっす。
I'd appreciate if anyone can recommend some really good charity.
西海岸に引っ越すことが決まりましたのでご報告します！ちょうど今日はイースターだし、なんかこういう重大な人生の転機をご報告するのに適した日曜日の気がしたので。
I've decided to move to the West Coast! It's Happy Easter today and such a bright sunny Sunday, which looks a perfect day to reveal my important decision which will change the trajectory of my life.
まだ場所は確定していませんが、イチローのいるシアトルか、天子の街、ロスのいずれかになることは確実となりました。どちらの街になるかは、来週中～再来週には明確になります。各都市に在住の方たちに、お国自慢ならぬ、マイ・タウン自慢をしてくれると嬉しいなぁ。僕は両方の街に行ったことあるので、基本は抑えてます。シアトルにはブライアンのお兄さんが住んでて、ロスにはジャドソンが住んでるので、どちらに引っ越しても知人がいるというのは心強い。エメラルド・シティーのシアトルにも惹かれるし、サーフィン天国の南カリフォルニアにも惹かれるなぁ。
The final destination is not confirmed yet, but it's going to be either Seattle where Ichiro is or angel's city, LA for sure! Probably I will find out which city the next or a week after the next week. If there are people who are living in those cities, it'd be great to hear great things about your city. I've been to both cities--actually I visited them last fall most recently. In Seattle, Brian's bro is living while in LA Judson is living. So, either way, I will know someone in either city, which makes me feel comfortable. I'm attracted to the emerald city and also to surfer's heaven, Southern California.
引越し時期は、8月頃を予定。でも、会社は早々に辞めるつもりなので、そろそろ上司に告げなければいけない・・・。まずは今年度のボーナスが銀行口座に入金されたことを確認して、伝えようと計画してます。多分、5月一杯働いて、6月は残った有給休暇を使い切ると、ちょうど6月末くらいまでお給料がもらえる計算になる（その頃、グリーンカードが取得できる予定！）。なので、今の職場もあと2ヶ月かぁ。あっという間だろうね。
I'm planning to move out in August. But I want to quit my job as soon as possible, so I have to tell my boss . . . First I need to confirm that this fiscal year's bonus is deposited in my bank account. It's likely that I work through May and in June I will take my leftover vacations days (about 20 days). Perhaps around that time, I will receive my green card finally! Oh well, there are only two months left at work. I bet time flies.
6月は日本に戻って1ヶ月くらいゆっくりしたいー（温泉も！）。でも、ズルズルひきずる仕事上のプロジェクトが残りそうなので、日本の実家からリモートで6月一杯は仕事してそうだけれど。
In June I want to just get relaxed in Japan (of course, I want to go to onsen!) That said, I may have a leftover project, so I might be working in Japan through June remotely . . .
その後、7月には1ヶ月くらい旅行でしょう。以前、このブログではギリシャの島々とデンマークなんて書きましたが、このユーロ高/ドル安のご時勢、ちょっと無理そう。それに日本に帰国してるので、そこから移動しやすい東南アジアが現実的かなぁ。やっぱ、タイに行っとくべき？
In July, I want to travel for sure. Before on this blog I said that I want to travel to Greek isles and Denmark, but during this high euro/low U.S. dollar period, it seems a bad idea. Since I'll be back in Japan, I want to take advantage of the location. Southeast Asia seems more plausible to me. Thailand would be a good idea?
日本に帰るって周囲に伝えたら、ブライアン、ジェームス、Mさんなんかが一緒に来たいと言ってる。なので3人つれて実家に戻るかも。両親にしてみれば、さて、どれが本命でしょう？って思うかな？Mさん、お嫁さん候補で誤解されちゃいそー。翌朝起きたら枕元に母親から手紙がおいてあったなんてことにもなり兼ねないよねぇ～。ちゃんと3人ともお友達ですから、って説明しないと・・・。
I told friends that I'm going back to Japan in June. Brian, James and M-san said they want to visit my hometown. I may take them back with me! My parents might wonder which one is my significant other . . . M-san might be misunderstood as my girlfriend or something. It could happen that my mother writes a letter to her, saying that please take care of our son. That'd be embarrassing. I need to explain to my parents that they are all my good friends!
Mさんも、転職を進めていて、ロンドンにあるコンサルティング会社の職の最終面談まで行ってたらしい。そしたら、最終選考で、もう一人の候補者と天秤にかけられ、僅差で残念されてしまったらしい。これに懲りず、彼女にも頑張って欲しい。昨日は二人でそんな話をしながら点心＆散歩＆ボート漕ぎ（ロマンチックすぎ？）＆コーヒー＆ショッピングという一日を過ごした。二人で何年も住んできたこの町並みを眺めて、いざ去るとなると「ここもいい所だったなぁ～って思うよね？」というので共感してしまった。先が見えない状態で住み続けてると、こんなつまんねー街なんてとっとと出てやる！！っていう目でしか見れなかったけど、いざ、残り数ヶ月かと思うと、この街で6年以上住んできて、染み付いた思い出に目頭が熱くなる。
M-san is also trying to switch her career and just recently has been interviewing with a consulting firm headquartered in London. At the final stage, however, she was compared with another candidate and was not chosen with a close call. I want her to hang in there. Yesterday we were talking about what's happening in our life as eating dim sum, walking in a park and rowing boat (too romantic?), having coffee, and shopping. Both of us have lived in this town for many years. Once you decide to leave, you start changing how to see the place. Now I think this city was not that bad. While I was living without knowing what to do next in my life, I thought this city was such a boring place. But when I think there are only a couple of months left for me to live here, I feel some tear in my eyes.
4月5月は、出張（おそらく最後の！）と個人国内旅行、そして引越し先の選定で、ニューヨーク、シカゴ、ワシントンDC、シアトル、ロスを行ったりきたりの日々になりそうっす。
In April and May, I will have a final business trip and also other domestic travels from NY to Chicago, Washington, DC, Seattle, and LA.
また行く街が確定したらご報告しまっす！
I will let you guys know here where I'll end up going!
I've decided to move to the West Coast! It's Happy Easter today and such a bright sunny Sunday, which looks a perfect day to reveal my important decision which will change the trajectory of my life.
まだ場所は確定していませんが、イチローのいるシアトルか、天子の街、ロスのいずれかになることは確実となりました。どちらの街になるかは、来週中～再来週には明確になります。各都市に在住の方たちに、お国自慢ならぬ、マイ・タウン自慢をしてくれると嬉しいなぁ。僕は両方の街に行ったことあるので、基本は抑えてます。シアトルにはブライアンのお兄さんが住んでて、ロスにはジャドソンが住んでるので、どちらに引っ越しても知人がいるというのは心強い。エメラルド・シティーのシアトルにも惹かれるし、サーフィン天国の南カリフォルニアにも惹かれるなぁ。
The final destination is not confirmed yet, but it's going to be either Seattle where Ichiro is or angel's city, LA for sure! Probably I will find out which city the next or a week after the next week. If there are people who are living in those cities, it'd be great to hear great things about your city. I've been to both cities--actually I visited them last fall most recently. In Seattle, Brian's bro is living while in LA Judson is living. So, either way, I will know someone in either city, which makes me feel comfortable. I'm attracted to the emerald city and also to surfer's heaven, Southern California.
引越し時期は、8月頃を予定。でも、会社は早々に辞めるつもりなので、そろそろ上司に告げなければいけない・・・。まずは今年度のボーナスが銀行口座に入金されたことを確認して、伝えようと計画してます。多分、5月一杯働いて、6月は残った有給休暇を使い切ると、ちょうど6月末くらいまでお給料がもらえる計算になる（その頃、グリーンカードが取得できる予定！）。なので、今の職場もあと2ヶ月かぁ。あっという間だろうね。
I'm planning to move out in August. But I want to quit my job as soon as possible, so I have to tell my boss . . . First I need to confirm that this fiscal year's bonus is deposited in my bank account. It's likely that I work through May and in June I will take my leftover vacations days (about 20 days). Perhaps around that time, I will receive my green card finally! Oh well, there are only two months left at work. I bet time flies.
6月は日本に戻って1ヶ月くらいゆっくりしたいー（温泉も！）。でも、ズルズルひきずる仕事上のプロジェクトが残りそうなので、日本の実家からリモートで6月一杯は仕事してそうだけれど。
In June I want to just get relaxed in Japan (of course, I want to go to onsen!) That said, I may have a leftover project, so I might be working in Japan through June remotely . . .
その後、7月には1ヶ月くらい旅行でしょう。以前、このブログではギリシャの島々とデンマークなんて書きましたが、このユーロ高/ドル安のご時勢、ちょっと無理そう。それに日本に帰国してるので、そこから移動しやすい東南アジアが現実的かなぁ。やっぱ、タイに行っとくべき？
In July, I want to travel for sure. Before on this blog I said that I want to travel to Greek isles and Denmark, but during this high euro/low U.S. dollar period, it seems a bad idea. Since I'll be back in Japan, I want to take advantage of the location. Southeast Asia seems more plausible to me. Thailand would be a good idea?
日本に帰るって周囲に伝えたら、ブライアン、ジェームス、Mさんなんかが一緒に来たいと言ってる。なので3人つれて実家に戻るかも。両親にしてみれば、さて、どれが本命でしょう？って思うかな？Mさん、お嫁さん候補で誤解されちゃいそー。翌朝起きたら枕元に母親から手紙がおいてあったなんてことにもなり兼ねないよねぇ～。ちゃんと3人ともお友達ですから、って説明しないと・・・。
I told friends that I'm going back to Japan in June. Brian, James and M-san said they want to visit my hometown. I may take them back with me! My parents might wonder which one is my significant other . . . M-san might be misunderstood as my girlfriend or something. It could happen that my mother writes a letter to her, saying that please take care of our son. That'd be embarrassing. I need to explain to my parents that they are all my good friends!
Mさんも、転職を進めていて、ロンドンにあるコンサルティング会社の職の最終面談まで行ってたらしい。そしたら、最終選考で、もう一人の候補者と天秤にかけられ、僅差で残念されてしまったらしい。これに懲りず、彼女にも頑張って欲しい。昨日は二人でそんな話をしながら点心＆散歩＆ボート漕ぎ（ロマンチックすぎ？）＆コーヒー＆ショッピングという一日を過ごした。二人で何年も住んできたこの町並みを眺めて、いざ去るとなると「ここもいい所だったなぁ～って思うよね？」というので共感してしまった。先が見えない状態で住み続けてると、こんなつまんねー街なんてとっとと出てやる！！っていう目でしか見れなかったけど、いざ、残り数ヶ月かと思うと、この街で6年以上住んできて、染み付いた思い出に目頭が熱くなる。
M-san is also trying to switch her career and just recently has been interviewing with a consulting firm headquartered in London. At the final stage, however, she was compared with another candidate and was not chosen with a close call. I want her to hang in there. Yesterday we were talking about what's happening in our life as eating dim sum, walking in a park and rowing boat (too romantic?), having coffee, and shopping. Both of us have lived in this town for many years. Once you decide to leave, you start changing how to see the place. Now I think this city was not that bad. While I was living without knowing what to do next in my life, I thought this city was such a boring place. But when I think there are only a couple of months left for me to live here, I feel some tear in my eyes.
4月5月は、出張（おそらく最後の！）と個人国内旅行、そして引越し先の選定で、ニューヨーク、シカゴ、ワシントンDC、シアトル、ロスを行ったりきたりの日々になりそうっす。
In April and May, I will have a final business trip and also other domestic travels from NY to Chicago, Washington, DC, Seattle, and LA.
また行く街が確定したらご報告しまっす！
I will let you guys know here where I'll end up going!
ジェイソンの温泉シーンもさることながら、またもやNHKで温泉ものを見つけてしまいました。日本が恋しいこの頃、こういう湯気がもうもうと立ち上るスキーリゾート地の温泉で日ごろの疲れを癒すっていいよなぁ～と思ってしまいました。ただ、それ以上に、この白馬の温泉宿でバイトっていうのもオイシイかもなんて思ったりして。（下心丸出し）
While Jason's 'onsen' (Japanese hot spring) scene is still vivid in my memory, I've encountered another onsen report on NHK. This makes me believe someone inside NHK really like to shoot white young guys dipping in the onsen . . . Well, I'm not complaining at all! Not only that, I thought it'd be nice to get relaxed in a steamy onsen bathhouse. I miss Japan so much! I also thought it'd not be a bad idea to work (or volunteer!) at this bathhouse in Hakuba--you'll know why I think so when you watch the video clip below!
Windows Mediaで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with Windows Media, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/asx/feature50_200k.asx
RealPlayerで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with RealPlayer, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/ram/feature50.ram
While Jason's 'onsen' (Japanese hot spring) scene is still vivid in my memory, I've encountered another onsen report on NHK. This makes me believe someone inside NHK really like to shoot white young guys dipping in the onsen . . . Well, I'm not complaining at all! Not only that, I thought it'd be nice to get relaxed in a steamy onsen bathhouse. I miss Japan so much! I also thought it'd not be a bad idea to work (or volunteer!) at this bathhouse in Hakuba--you'll know why I think so when you watch the video clip below!
Windows Mediaで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with Windows Media, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/asx/feature50_200k.asx
RealPlayerで視聴する場合、以下のURLをクリック：
To pay with RealPlayer, click the link below:
http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/ram/feature50.ram