26,119,091 steps

I came to Tokyo and began to live in a small apartment
on April 17 in 2000.

Seven years and 8 months have already passed !
Time really flies.

Every morning I wear my pedometer
and write down the steps it indicates in my notebook
every night.

I've walked 26,119,091 steps since I came to Tokyo--
for 7 years and 8 months.

How many kilometers have I walked?
My notebook tells me that I've walked 14,365 kilometers.

You'll be surprised that I like compiling a record of steps.
I keep a diary, too, in Japanese.

at Inogashira-koen

Yesterday after doing the morning chores
and having lunch, I wanted to go out for a recreation
and went to Inogashira-koen by train.

Inogashira-koen is located near to Kodaira City
where I live but it was my first time to visit the park.

It was a very nice park.
There was a big pond and some people were rowing a boat
on the pond.

I enjoyed walking around the pond.
I enjoyed talking with a Korean boy who came to Japan
for a trip.

There were amateur artists selling their various pieces.
I saw a young lady who painted a portrait for 500 yen.

It was getting dark and cold but she said to me.
"You'll be my last model today."
I had my portrait painted for the first time in my life.

The young painter said, "I'm trying to draw what I see
in yourself."

How nice! I look so young for my age!

climbing alone

Yesterday morning, I put on the radio
as I do every morning when I wake.　

Then I heard a song 'Take Me Home, Country Road'.
It is one of my favorite songs, as I wrote before.

The song suddenly made me feel like climbing Mt. Takao.
Mt. Takao was inviting me.

I took the most popular route 'Inariyama-route'--
the longest distance to the top.

I was out of breath by the long climb.
I was sweating all over.
I took off my clothes one by one.

But I did not mind it at all.
No gains without pains.

How happy I was when I reached 'Momiji^dai'
and saw beautiful Mt. Fuji covered with snow !

This was my first climbing of the year.
I was filled with happiness, love and gratitude.

scissors case

On the second day of New Year,
I did patchwork until late at night.

I've just finished two scissors cases,
one for me and the other for my daughter.

I sewed and sewed watching 'Hakone-ekiden'
on televison.

Which university will be the winner of this relay
road race?

Every student is doing his best.



( today's sky )

New Year's Day

Happy New Year !

It has just started.
I hear someone is beating the drum.

I hope the year 2008 will be a better year
in all aspects.

I hope the kanji that reflects our social conditions
will be a more cheering one than the last one '偽'.

What is the antonym of '偽'? '信' or '真' ?

Peace on Eearth, Happiness to You.