Good afternoon!

Does everyone have plans for hanami? I hope that it won't rain tomorrow because I'm really looking forward to a picnic lunch near meguro river.
I'm actually happy that the cherry blossoms had a chance to bloom at all this year. With all this strange weather that we've been having, I thought for sure that they would all die.
But they're in full bloom and very beautiful.

I've been talking all afternoon about President Obama and healthcare reform, so I won't bore any of you with the details. But I will just say that a nationalized healthcare plan has been passed and approved on capitol hill.

*ahem*

Anyways, have a great weekend and I hope to see you all soon!
Enjoy the cherry blossoms!

TTFN
ーMathew

Happy Saturday everyone!

It's another lovely day. Feels like spring is right around the corner, doesn't it. A day like this makes me feel like I need to slow down and smell the roses. Not stop--just slow down.

I work like a dog, so after work I never seem to have the energy or power to do something fun just for myself. Work, sleep, work, sleep, work. It's no way to live.

But as the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I have no excuse to hibernate.

It seems like the same routine every year. The winter comes and my way of dealing with the cold darkness is to just bury myself in work and forget the outside world. But I am reborn every spring.
I guess I'm a little bit like the cherry tree. Hahaha.

I'm looking forward to basketball in the park, getting back into the gym, picnics and sunshine.

By the way, have you ever heard of a night rainbow? It sounds ridiculous, but they do exist.
Here's a picture to prove it.

Have a great weekend!

TTFN
Mathew

Good afternoon everyone!

I don't know how many people actually read my blog posts. I know that most people who are reading the E Room blog must be Japanese. I'm aware that my English may be a little too difficult for most Japanese people to understand.

But that is the point!

I want my blog to motivate people to continue their study of English beyond the point of basic conversational level.

So, when I write my blog, I will always use the English level that is standard and natural for a native speaker.

Anyway, that being said, last week I wrote that the warm weather that we had probably wouldn't last and--not to pat myself on the back--I was right. It seems that it may even snow again in Tokyo the middle of next week.

*sigh*

I'm so tired of the cold weather.

On a lighter note, I saw the movie 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' last night and I was blown away!
It is an animation of one of my favorite childhood books by Roald Dahl.
Roald Dahl is probably most famous for his book (and movies) 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.'
The main characters are voiced by George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray. Wow!
Although it is an animated movie, it seems to be made mainly for adults.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone.

Oh yeah! I also got a new computer! I bought the iMac 21.5.
It is an amazing machine. I would never, ever, EVER buy a windows based computer for the rest of my life. Macintosh just does it better.

Well, I think I've rambled long enough. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and keep your fingers crossed for spring to visit Japan early this year.

TTFN
Mathew

Good afternoon!

What do you think about this weather? It's amazing how quickly it got warm. It really feels like spring is here.
But I'm sure that we will get another stretch of cold weather before spring actually arrives.
I don't even mind the rain, because it's just so damned warm.

I slept without the air condition on for the first time last night. I've been using my heater every night since October.

Anyways, we had our International party last Sunday at Nishi-Ogikubo and it was a great success!

I would like to thank everyone that came out and had fun with us.
I had the chance to see a lot of friends of E Room and also to meet a lot of new people. It was a blast and I almost can't wait for the next event.

So thanks again to all of you that came out and supported us. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

And don't forget that I'm also here at E Room in Ichigaya every Saturday, so come and hang out!

Enjoy the unseasonable weather and say good-bye to February!

TTFN,
Mathew

Hello everyone!

I'm excited to announce that from next Saturday we will be introducing a new beginner's class here at E Room! This will be a whole new way to learn English conversation.
The idea is that we will be using American TV dramas in the classroom so that our students can be exposed to a wide variety of native English conversation.
So please, come and check it out! I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

I can't wait!

Stay warm and stay happy... and I hope to see you all next Saturday!

TTFN

Mathew