ＩＫＥＡの食器ホルダーでpanettoneを作った!!!パネットーネ
A brilliant idea I borrowed from a blog online
インタネットで見た、このアイデア、私のオリジナルアイデアじゃなかった、はは。。。
Using the IKEA cooking utensil holder to cook panettone! It works really well!!!
ＩＫＥＡのホルダーでパネットーネを焼いた！ すごいうまく出来た！
I cannot share the recipe because I don't really know how authentic panettone should taste...haha....
レシピは載せない。。。本当のパネットーネ分からないから！
If I posted it and was way off, I would feel totally bad about that. :)
のせて、違ったら困るから、はは。。。
インタネットで見た、このアイデア、私のオリジナルアイデアじゃなかった、はは。。。
Using the IKEA cooking utensil holder to cook panettone! It works really well!!!
ＩＫＥＡのホルダーでパネットーネを焼いた！ すごいうまく出来た！
I cannot share the recipe because I don't really know how authentic panettone should taste...haha....
レシピは載せない。。。本当のパネットーネ分からないから！
If I posted it and was way off, I would feel totally bad about that. :)
のせて、違ったら困るから、はは。。。
生姜クッキー
I made ginger cookies...tasty but I am still not satisfied w/it.
生姜のクッキーを作った。 美味しかったけど。。まだまだ満足じゃない
After I tweek the recipe, I would like to post it on my blog
レシピを少し調節した後、載せますね。
My friend's son really loved these cookies...and he's only like 2 years old...and he likes such a strong ginger taste...wowwww!
友達の息子さんは。。。このクッキーを大好きだった。。。2歳児のに！ 濃い味、強い味よく食べるね！
生姜のクッキーを作った。 美味しかったけど。。まだまだ満足じゃない
After I tweek the recipe, I would like to post it on my blog
レシピを少し調節した後、載せますね。
My friend's son really loved these cookies...and he's only like 2 years old...and he likes such a strong ginger taste...wowwww!
友達の息子さんは。。。このクッキーを大好きだった。。。2歳児のに！ 濃い味、強い味よく食べるね！
近くに住んだら、是非、この手作り物のお店。。。に行ってみてね
The coolest shop ever!
このお店は素敵です！
It is like a craft show...they have crafts made by tonssss of local people
クラフトショーみたい。。。 地元の人が作ったクラフトなど
And this shop displays and sells them all!
このお店は。。。いろんな人の作品を販売しています
Like tons of school bazaars in one place...all at once!
学校のバザーみたい！ 手作り物だらけ！！！！！
And decently priced too (about the same as normal Japanese school bazaar stuff)
そして、値段も。。。バザーと同じぐらい、そんなに変わらない
I did not take pix inside because I thought it might be rude to take pix of all those people's precious works
中で写真を撮っていない。 皆に失礼だから、撮らなかった。 皆の大事の作品。
このお店は素敵です！
It is like a craft show...they have crafts made by tonssss of local people
クラフトショーみたい。。。 地元の人が作ったクラフトなど
And this shop displays and sells them all!
このお店は。。。いろんな人の作品を販売しています
Like tons of school bazaars in one place...all at once!
学校のバザーみたい！ 手作り物だらけ！！！！！
And decently priced too (about the same as normal Japanese school bazaar stuff)
そして、値段も。。。バザーと同じぐらい、そんなに変わらない
I did not take pix inside because I thought it might be rude to take pix of all those people's precious works
中で写真を撮っていない。 皆に失礼だから、撮らなかった。 皆の大事の作品。
ただの主婦じゃダメです。
For some women...just being a housewife is....a very blissful thing
アル女性にとって。。。 主婦の生活は。。。とても幸せ事です
A perfect life.
完璧の人生です
But I, for one, am not one of them.
しかし。。。私は。。。そういう女じゃない
I love my role as a housewife...
主婦の”仕事”は大好き
And sure, what's not to love?
モチロン。。。
I do the cooking, cleaning, organizing, child-raising, educating...
料理、洗濯物、物をせりする、子育て、子供教育など
I see the smiles on my family members faces...it is really rewarding!
家族のメンバーの笑顔を見ると。。。この主婦の仕事は”最高”と思う
And when the child-raising part has settled down.....hobbies, lots of hobbies.
子育てのいろいろ。。。落ち着いてから。。。趣味も楽しめる
But I often wonder.........
けど。。。。。。。最近よく考える、悩む
A woman's 30's.......they should be the ultimate time in her career
女性の30代。。。 キャリアのピークじゃない？
But instead she is at home slaving away
でも。。。。。。日本の女性たちの30代は。。。家で主婦の仕事をやっている。
I believe it is important to raise children and that the mother plays a very important role
モチロン。。。主婦の仕事、役割と思っている。。。
But I do also believe some public nursery schools do a better job than most parents!
けど。。。日本の効率保育園は。。。いい保育園が多い
Some parents think they are great just because they are not working
ある奥さん、主婦たちは。。。自分は仕事していないから、”偉いママ”と思っている
For the sake of their children, they are not working
子供のために仕事をしていない
For some moms, it may be true and they might be very hard working moms
あるママたち。。。多分。。。本当にそう。。。。一生懸命にやっている（主婦の仕事など）
But..........to be quite honest, I see them just shouting at their kids all the time, putting them to sleep as soon as possible, and not really spending much "quality" time with the kids
でも。。。。。。。他のママたちな。。。。。。。余り頑張っていない。。。子供と遊んでいない感じ、叱るだけ。。。。 早め寝かせて、自分の事を出来る。。。
I don't see them have heart to heart talks with their kids.
子供と本当に”しゃべていない”感じ
I very rarely see them laughing with the kids.
余り子供たちと一緒に笑っていない
So.......in the end, I really do think some nursery schools do a better job than the parents themselves!
だから、それだったら。。。 保育園の先生たちの方が絶対いいと思う
Nursery schools in Japan are pretty impressive.
日本の保育園は。。。すごいと思う
I've been to many and observed the environment and was time to time impressed
いくつに行ってみた。。。 雰囲気など、環境を見て、保育士のやり方も見てた。。。 ｍｍｍ。。。。。すごい、感動した。。。
Even kids from a broken family can feel security, stability and warmth at their nursery school.
子供は自分の家族環境は悪くても。。。保育園でハッピライフを過ごせる。 安全な場所。。。温かい場所。。。その感じ。
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One of my friends said she is quite happy in her life.
私の友達は。。。とても人生に満足です
She has plenty of money to spend.
お金の問題。。。全然ない
She has time to do her own things.
自分の時間も沢山ある
She has children and a place that they bought.
子供もいる。 賃貸じゃなくて、マンションを買った
Her husband is usually away from home. (much to her happiness!)
旦那さんは。。普段いない。 （その方がいい。。。と言っていました）
And she is completely satisfied.
そして、彼女は自分の人生に満足です
Kids at school, husband at work. After some housework, she's free...time all to herself.
子供は学校に行って。 旦那は仕事に行って。 掃除した後、フリーです 自分の時間！
All her dreams have come true
夢を全て事実になった。。。 完璧の人生
Many women here, I have heard, just want to marry a man with a fat bank account and enjoy life as a housewife.
この楽の主婦ライフは。。。日本人の女性の夢と聞きました。。。。（皆じゃないけど！）。。。 お金持ち男性と結婚して、仕事を止めて、主婦のライフをエンジョイする
They just want to hurry and get married and feed off a guy.
早く結婚して、楽にしたい
They call them parasite wives. Wives who feed off their husbands (and no kids) and don't work. (mind you some women might be infertile and be accused by others of being a cold parasite......poor women!)
"寄生虫妻" 仕事しない、子供を産まない、趣味を楽しむだけ。
Poor men - seen as simply a paycheck or bank account.............. (though this is changing as salaries across the board are going down... and families can no longer rely on just one income)
男性。。。ただの銀行ですか？
Back home, of course some women marry a man for their fat paychecks......but most men are smart enough to keep their incomes a secret until they are really serious.
アメリカの場合。。。モチロン。。。アル女性は。。。お金のために結婚したい。。。けど。。。。。。。。 アメリカの男性は。。。大体教えない。。。 真剣に付き合うまで、教えない人が多いと思う。 これは賢い！
In Japan though........this is very hard to do.
日本の場合。。。これは。。。。。。とても難しい！
Once you know their job..........it's pretty easy to figure out how much they make.
人の仕事を分かったら、給料など。。。大体分かる。
I did not know this until AFTER I married and met lots of other housewives!
いや。。。結婚して、主婦たち沢山出会ってから、漸く分かった。。。 （とてもＫＹだった、私！）
And finally realized, after all these years........why it was okay for me as a teacher at eikaiwa (ESL school) to ask everyone their professions.......but when I asked my friends what their husbands did for a living, they seemed really uncomfy. (uncomfy = uncomfortable)
英会話で。。。自然に生徒さんに聞く。。。仕事していますか？ 旦那さんも？ 旦那さんの仕事は何ですか？ とか。。。 でも。。。ママ友に聞いたら。。。ｍｍｍ。。。皆は。。。余り返事したくない。。。気がした。
Asking "what does your husband do for a living..." is the equivalent to asking "how much does your husband make?"
”旦那さんの仕事は？”＝”旦那の給料はどうですか？”
These days I rarely ask friends what their husbands do for a living...and only ask if the topic comes up.
最近。。。私は。。。余り友達に聞かない。。。”旦那さんの仕事は”。。。
I have some friends who refuse to tell others what their husbands do for a living.
ある友達は。。。旦那さんの仕事を。。。他の人に教えない。 知って欲しくないみたい。
Maybe Koreans are different...because my tennis class classmate, he asked me what my husband does for a living
I told him and his answer was "is that private or public?"
彼に。。。旦那の職業を教えたら、彼は私に聞いた”これって。。。公共または民間企業?"
I told him it is a private company...and his response was "so it must be a really nice salary!"
私の返事：民間企業。。。そして彼の返事。。。”じゃ。。。。いい給料じゃない？”
I said "well...me can manage on it all right, I guess"
私の返事。。。”まああ。。。。悪くないかな”
I was really astonished.............he was so......blunt about it.........and open....it was a bit startling but at the same time, refreshing!!!
驚いた。。。彼は。。。すごく。。。正直。。。自分の考えは。。。直接。。。私に言った。。。ビックリしたけど。。。わあああ、新鮮だ！
Japanese might ask the same question but...they'd never say something like that "ohhh, then your husband must have a decent salary!"
日本人は。。。多分同じ質問するけど。。。給料までコメントするのは。。。まっさか。。。。
Similar to the Japanese........I heard the Germans rarely talk about money, salaries because it's just tacky...hmm, I wonder....is that so?
日本人と同じ。。。友達から聞いたのは。。。ドイツ人も。。。余りお金の事をしゃべらない。。。 本当かしら。
Japanese that talk really openly about money.......are considered a bit crass and lacking social grace.
日本では。。。。簡単にお金の話をする人 = 社会的猶予人？
But I heard people from Kansai (except for Kyoto) are more open when it comes to money talk.......hmm......is this stereotype true?
でも。。。聞いたのは。。。関西人は。。。関東人より。。。お金について。。。オーペンに話します。。。 。。。それも本当かしら。
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The quaint housewife life. Nice, right?
幸せ主婦の生活。 いいでしょう？
Well, for me, I want more in life.
いや。。。私の場合、モット何か欲しいな。
I am satisfied being a housewife...and am happy...
私の主婦のライフは幸せです。。。ハッピです
I did not go to university for nothing!
でも。。。ちゃんと大学に行ったぞ。。。 何のために？！
I want to take advantage of all the knowledge I have accumulated up to now...and I want more knowledge, experience!
今までの経験などを使いたい！。。。
I want my husband to come home early from work. I enjoy and love his company...heck, why else did I marry him?!
旦那は仕事から早め帰ってきてほしいです。 彼と一緒にいる時間は楽しい。 だから彼と結婚した。
Yes I have to cook more, clean more, do more...when he is around...sure but it's nice to have his company
モチロン。。。彼はいる間。。。洗濯物増える、料理の仕事も増える。。。主婦の”仕事”は増えるけど。。。 そばにいて欲しい。
When Lina was younger.....I did not feel so.........him home on the weekends irritated me..I wanted to relax, he wanted to relax...but neither of us could do so.......but things have improved a lot since then. And for sure no plans for a #2.
リナの。。。もっと小さい頃。。。そう思っていないけど。。。 お互いイライラしてた。。。お互いは。。。自分の時間は欲しかった。。。大変な時期だった！
I want a challenge. (and another child...no, that's not a challenge - that'd be asking for suicide!)
他のチャレンジが欲しい！
To run a business, to influence people's lives in a positive way
事業を営む、もっと人の人生を影響する
Do things that stretch all of my capabilities. Gain more knowledge!
自分のスキールを使ってもっとスキールアップする。。、知識を得る
When we get comfortable in life, we get lazy...and stop challenging ourselves...and fall into monotony.
人生は”とても落ち着いている”＝成長をしていない証拠。 自分を。。。もっと、もっとチャレンジすればいい。。。 毎日同じことをやると。。。だるくなる。。。
Monotony kills the soul.
単調さは死です。
For some, monotony = a comfortable, safe, life...
ある人。。。その。。。毎日落ち着いている生活が好きけど。。。
But for me, it's equivalent to death.
いや。。。。。。。私の場合。。。ダイナミックな人生が好きです！
************************************************************
Many women tell me "I used to do jogging" or "I used to play tennis" or "I used to dress up nicely"
Why the past tense? You are really not that old yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These mothers are still only in their 30's but...
They seemed to have resigned to the "I am not that young anymore" syndrome.
HECK girls, my grandma has more energy than you do!
My mother, at age 65...has the energy of 3 of any of you!
She's got like over 10,000 contacts on her mobile (something insane like that)
After my mother recovered from depression, she went at it full force
But...that's not to say that she totally completely recovered from depression either.
There are times she said when she can feel "that feeling" (of depression) again
...when she feels it, she quickly does things to remedy the feeling...and goes out with a friend for a good talk
The future of Japan lies in the hands of the women.
I know amaaazing women.
Smart women, dedicated women, loyal women, go-getting women.....organized women, talented women..... women with much more experience and wisdom!
And they are all sitting at home being a "good housewife"
For some, it is because they cannot get a good job (their old job is no longer there - replaced by some fresh graduate, probably)
Or hours that do not suit their child-raising schedules
Or the public nursery schools are full... and private ones...are too expensive or not up to par
For some...their husbands oppose the idea and want them at home taking care of the kids
For some, their husbands don't want them to be financially independent
For some, their jealous husbands fear infidelity at the workplace, thus prevent them from getting any gainful employment
In Japan, they hire young people......and usually only young ones
So that they can instill company values into them early...and mold them as they wish
Young men and women.
BULLSHIT... this is total bullshit if you ask me.
Sorry for the colorful language but this aspect about Japan makes me sooooo angry.
The wisest women I know here in Japan are those who are my mentors.
Friends of mine in their 40's, 50's and 60's...even 70's now!!!
They have so much experience, knowledge...and are amazing...so savvy and yet modest at the same time!
They are so full of energy and are really talented
Yet.....for many, it is hard to get a decent job because of their age.
Some need to pay for their children's university education(s) and are finding it a struggle...
Employment chances are slim and they are passed over because of their age.
Fresh graduates........have no experience and because of the loosened academic standards, etc...have less discipline than the older folks that I know
Their parents spoiled them. Told them all they need to know in life is to study.
So when it comes to life skills, working at a real company, they are utter duds, totally hopeless!
Yet....those fresh graduates are the ones who get the jobs.....
Not the smart veterans.
For phD graduates, the situation is really sticky here in Japan
There is a serious lack of full-time research positions
And as enrollment at universities plummets year by year
The number of academic teaching positions also decreases...
Meaning......even less employment opportunities!
So some phD students do post-docs...not one as usual...but 2 or 3.
But the max is about 2 or 3...because any more and they'll reach their expiry date.
If they have not found full-time employment by the age of 35, they are pretty much screwed
So...for even men... after the age of 35, it is very difficult to find a full-time position.
If you look in the classifieds, salaries are not looking that attractive these days.
Most jobs are temporary or contract-based
Thanks to a certain politician (being very sarcastic here!), more jobs in Japan are temporary and not full-time
For companies, it is cheaper and a great way to slash costs
Get rid of the full-timers and hire some cheaper part-timers.
Major companies usually look to hire young, fresh graduates (instead of those in the mid-career stage)
And many companies are reluctant to hire or promote women...
And at first, I was angered by this...but then, after looking at some women...I thought from a man's perspective
Well, many women quit soon after childbirth
Some women quit to marry (either their husband got a job elsewhere and was transferred....or they just do not like their job and want to quit)
Why waste the money to train them when all they do is quit a few years later?
From a man's perspective, yes, I can see how risky it is hiring a woman...
But...we need women in Japan
With their creativity, innovation, female perspective
Quite often I use kitchen or home products ...and think "this was for sure NOT designed by a woman"... A woman would know this is the stupidest design in the world
The more money women here make, the more they will spend and stimulate the economy
I see all these money-saving tips, money-saving magazines, ways to save a buck here and there
Sure I understand about being frugal and all
But if this is the case, then, GO BACK TO WORK.
Going back to work, making some money instead of worrying about if a cake you are going to make is going to cost 80yen or 800yen...
Sorry for over-simplifying the situation...
In fact, the situation in Japan is not that simple, actually....
In Japan, a wife is penalized if she makes too much money
They are put in a much higher taxed income bracket...
So if she makes like more than 1 million yen (roughly 10,000USD)...they are taxed much more and it hardly makes it worth getting a job
So either she gets a part-time job that does not pay all that much (under 1 million yen a year)... or she make a whopping amount of money
Life for women in Japan is not all that easy.
I watched the Japanese movie "Girls" on the airplane while flying from Narita to Seattle a few months back
I was excited, hoping it would be like a Japanese version of SATC (Sex and the City) or something
Instead, it was a depressing movie about the state and status of women in Japan
And how life is "blue"...
Even those who seem happy, are, in fact NOT.
What a totally depressing movie.
I thought it would be a movie about empowering women, making a difference, and change...
But it's a movie about the ever-so-present glass ceiling and various challenges the modern Japanese woman faces
And it presents the problems but just seems to accept them...offering few or no solutions
So...while the movie itself, acting and all was not that bad.....the bottom line was kind of disappointing.
Don't make a movie like that.
Make a movie about amazing women making a difference.
That's the kind of movie that I want to see and will actually pay to see!
アル女性にとって。。。 主婦の生活は。。。とても幸せ事です
A perfect life.
完璧の人生です
But I, for one, am not one of them.
しかし。。。私は。。。そういう女じゃない
I love my role as a housewife...
主婦の”仕事”は大好き
And sure, what's not to love?
モチロン。。。
I do the cooking, cleaning, organizing, child-raising, educating...
料理、洗濯物、物をせりする、子育て、子供教育など
I see the smiles on my family members faces...it is really rewarding!
家族のメンバーの笑顔を見ると。。。この主婦の仕事は”最高”と思う
And when the child-raising part has settled down.....hobbies, lots of hobbies.
子育てのいろいろ。。。落ち着いてから。。。趣味も楽しめる
But I often wonder.........
けど。。。。。。。最近よく考える、悩む
A woman's 30's.......they should be the ultimate time in her career
女性の30代。。。 キャリアのピークじゃない？
But instead she is at home slaving away
でも。。。。。。日本の女性たちの30代は。。。家で主婦の仕事をやっている。
I believe it is important to raise children and that the mother plays a very important role
モチロン。。。主婦の仕事、役割と思っている。。。
But I do also believe some public nursery schools do a better job than most parents!
けど。。。日本の効率保育園は。。。いい保育園が多い
Some parents think they are great just because they are not working
ある奥さん、主婦たちは。。。自分は仕事していないから、”偉いママ”と思っている
For the sake of their children, they are not working
子供のために仕事をしていない
For some moms, it may be true and they might be very hard working moms
あるママたち。。。多分。。。本当にそう。。。。一生懸命にやっている（主婦の仕事など）
But..........to be quite honest, I see them just shouting at their kids all the time, putting them to sleep as soon as possible, and not really spending much "quality" time with the kids
でも。。。。。。。他のママたちな。。。。。。。余り頑張っていない。。。子供と遊んでいない感じ、叱るだけ。。。。 早め寝かせて、自分の事を出来る。。。
I don't see them have heart to heart talks with their kids.
子供と本当に”しゃべていない”感じ
I very rarely see them laughing with the kids.
余り子供たちと一緒に笑っていない
So.......in the end, I really do think some nursery schools do a better job than the parents themselves!
だから、それだったら。。。 保育園の先生たちの方が絶対いいと思う
Nursery schools in Japan are pretty impressive.
日本の保育園は。。。すごいと思う
I've been to many and observed the environment and was time to time impressed
いくつに行ってみた。。。 雰囲気など、環境を見て、保育士のやり方も見てた。。。 ｍｍｍ。。。。。すごい、感動した。。。
Even kids from a broken family can feel security, stability and warmth at their nursery school.
子供は自分の家族環境は悪くても。。。保育園でハッピライフを過ごせる。 安全な場所。。。温かい場所。。。その感じ。
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One of my friends said she is quite happy in her life.
私の友達は。。。とても人生に満足です
She has plenty of money to spend.
お金の問題。。。全然ない
She has time to do her own things.
自分の時間も沢山ある
She has children and a place that they bought.
子供もいる。 賃貸じゃなくて、マンションを買った
Her husband is usually away from home. (much to her happiness!)
旦那さんは。。普段いない。 （その方がいい。。。と言っていました）
And she is completely satisfied.
そして、彼女は自分の人生に満足です
Kids at school, husband at work. After some housework, she's free...time all to herself.
子供は学校に行って。 旦那は仕事に行って。 掃除した後、フリーです 自分の時間！
All her dreams have come true
夢を全て事実になった。。。 完璧の人生
Many women here, I have heard, just want to marry a man with a fat bank account and enjoy life as a housewife.
この楽の主婦ライフは。。。日本人の女性の夢と聞きました。。。。（皆じゃないけど！）。。。 お金持ち男性と結婚して、仕事を止めて、主婦のライフをエンジョイする
They just want to hurry and get married and feed off a guy.
早く結婚して、楽にしたい
They call them parasite wives. Wives who feed off their husbands (and no kids) and don't work. (mind you some women might be infertile and be accused by others of being a cold parasite......poor women!)
"寄生虫妻" 仕事しない、子供を産まない、趣味を楽しむだけ。
Poor men - seen as simply a paycheck or bank account.............. (though this is changing as salaries across the board are going down... and families can no longer rely on just one income)
男性。。。ただの銀行ですか？
Back home, of course some women marry a man for their fat paychecks......but most men are smart enough to keep their incomes a secret until they are really serious.
アメリカの場合。。。モチロン。。。アル女性は。。。お金のために結婚したい。。。けど。。。。。。。。 アメリカの男性は。。。大体教えない。。。 真剣に付き合うまで、教えない人が多いと思う。 これは賢い！
In Japan though........this is very hard to do.
日本の場合。。。これは。。。。。。とても難しい！
Once you know their job..........it's pretty easy to figure out how much they make.
人の仕事を分かったら、給料など。。。大体分かる。
I did not know this until AFTER I married and met lots of other housewives!
いや。。。結婚して、主婦たち沢山出会ってから、漸く分かった。。。 （とてもＫＹだった、私！）
And finally realized, after all these years........why it was okay for me as a teacher at eikaiwa (ESL school) to ask everyone their professions.......but when I asked my friends what their husbands did for a living, they seemed really uncomfy. (uncomfy = uncomfortable)
英会話で。。。自然に生徒さんに聞く。。。仕事していますか？ 旦那さんも？ 旦那さんの仕事は何ですか？ とか。。。 でも。。。ママ友に聞いたら。。。ｍｍｍ。。。皆は。。。余り返事したくない。。。気がした。
Asking "what does your husband do for a living..." is the equivalent to asking "how much does your husband make?"
”旦那さんの仕事は？”＝”旦那の給料はどうですか？”
These days I rarely ask friends what their husbands do for a living...and only ask if the topic comes up.
最近。。。私は。。。余り友達に聞かない。。。”旦那さんの仕事は”。。。
I have some friends who refuse to tell others what their husbands do for a living.
ある友達は。。。旦那さんの仕事を。。。他の人に教えない。 知って欲しくないみたい。
Maybe Koreans are different...because my tennis class classmate, he asked me what my husband does for a living
I told him and his answer was "is that private or public?"
彼に。。。旦那の職業を教えたら、彼は私に聞いた”これって。。。公共または民間企業?"
I told him it is a private company...and his response was "so it must be a really nice salary!"
私の返事：民間企業。。。そして彼の返事。。。”じゃ。。。。いい給料じゃない？”
I said "well...me can manage on it all right, I guess"
私の返事。。。”まああ。。。。悪くないかな”
I was really astonished.............he was so......blunt about it.........and open....it was a bit startling but at the same time, refreshing!!!
驚いた。。。彼は。。。すごく。。。正直。。。自分の考えは。。。直接。。。私に言った。。。ビックリしたけど。。。わあああ、新鮮だ！
Japanese might ask the same question but...they'd never say something like that "ohhh, then your husband must have a decent salary!"
日本人は。。。多分同じ質問するけど。。。給料までコメントするのは。。。まっさか。。。。
Similar to the Japanese........I heard the Germans rarely talk about money, salaries because it's just tacky...hmm, I wonder....is that so?
日本人と同じ。。。友達から聞いたのは。。。ドイツ人も。。。余りお金の事をしゃべらない。。。 本当かしら。
Japanese that talk really openly about money.......are considered a bit crass and lacking social grace.
日本では。。。。簡単にお金の話をする人 = 社会的猶予人？
But I heard people from Kansai (except for Kyoto) are more open when it comes to money talk.......hmm......is this stereotype true?
でも。。。聞いたのは。。。関西人は。。。関東人より。。。お金について。。。オーペンに話します。。。 。。。それも本当かしら。
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
The quaint housewife life. Nice, right?
幸せ主婦の生活。 いいでしょう？
Well, for me, I want more in life.
いや。。。私の場合、モット何か欲しいな。
I am satisfied being a housewife...and am happy...
私の主婦のライフは幸せです。。。ハッピです
I did not go to university for nothing!
でも。。。ちゃんと大学に行ったぞ。。。 何のために？！
I want to take advantage of all the knowledge I have accumulated up to now...and I want more knowledge, experience!
今までの経験などを使いたい！。。。
I want my husband to come home early from work. I enjoy and love his company...heck, why else did I marry him?!
旦那は仕事から早め帰ってきてほしいです。 彼と一緒にいる時間は楽しい。 だから彼と結婚した。
Yes I have to cook more, clean more, do more...when he is around...sure but it's nice to have his company
モチロン。。。彼はいる間。。。洗濯物増える、料理の仕事も増える。。。主婦の”仕事”は増えるけど。。。 そばにいて欲しい。
When Lina was younger.....I did not feel so.........him home on the weekends irritated me..I wanted to relax, he wanted to relax...but neither of us could do so.......but things have improved a lot since then. And for sure no plans for a #2.
リナの。。。もっと小さい頃。。。そう思っていないけど。。。 お互いイライラしてた。。。お互いは。。。自分の時間は欲しかった。。。大変な時期だった！
I want a challenge. (and another child...no, that's not a challenge - that'd be asking for suicide!)
他のチャレンジが欲しい！
To run a business, to influence people's lives in a positive way
事業を営む、もっと人の人生を影響する
Do things that stretch all of my capabilities. Gain more knowledge!
自分のスキールを使ってもっとスキールアップする。。、知識を得る
When we get comfortable in life, we get lazy...and stop challenging ourselves...and fall into monotony.
人生は”とても落ち着いている”＝成長をしていない証拠。 自分を。。。もっと、もっとチャレンジすればいい。。。 毎日同じことをやると。。。だるくなる。。。
Monotony kills the soul.
単調さは死です。
For some, monotony = a comfortable, safe, life...
ある人。。。その。。。毎日落ち着いている生活が好きけど。。。
But for me, it's equivalent to death.
いや。。。。。。。私の場合。。。ダイナミックな人生が好きです！
************************************************************
Many women tell me "I used to do jogging" or "I used to play tennis" or "I used to dress up nicely"
Why the past tense? You are really not that old yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These mothers are still only in their 30's but...
They seemed to have resigned to the "I am not that young anymore" syndrome.
HECK girls, my grandma has more energy than you do!
My mother, at age 65...has the energy of 3 of any of you!
She's got like over 10,000 contacts on her mobile (something insane like that)
After my mother recovered from depression, she went at it full force
But...that's not to say that she totally completely recovered from depression either.
There are times she said when she can feel "that feeling" (of depression) again
...when she feels it, she quickly does things to remedy the feeling...and goes out with a friend for a good talk
The future of Japan lies in the hands of the women.
I know amaaazing women.
Smart women, dedicated women, loyal women, go-getting women.....organized women, talented women..... women with much more experience and wisdom!
And they are all sitting at home being a "good housewife"
For some, it is because they cannot get a good job (their old job is no longer there - replaced by some fresh graduate, probably)
Or hours that do not suit their child-raising schedules
Or the public nursery schools are full... and private ones...are too expensive or not up to par
For some...their husbands oppose the idea and want them at home taking care of the kids
For some, their husbands don't want them to be financially independent
For some, their jealous husbands fear infidelity at the workplace, thus prevent them from getting any gainful employment
In Japan, they hire young people......and usually only young ones
So that they can instill company values into them early...and mold them as they wish
Young men and women.
BULLSHIT... this is total bullshit if you ask me.
Sorry for the colorful language but this aspect about Japan makes me sooooo angry.
The wisest women I know here in Japan are those who are my mentors.
Friends of mine in their 40's, 50's and 60's...even 70's now!!!
They have so much experience, knowledge...and are amazing...so savvy and yet modest at the same time!
They are so full of energy and are really talented
Yet.....for many, it is hard to get a decent job because of their age.
Some need to pay for their children's university education(s) and are finding it a struggle...
Employment chances are slim and they are passed over because of their age.
Fresh graduates........have no experience and because of the loosened academic standards, etc...have less discipline than the older folks that I know
Their parents spoiled them. Told them all they need to know in life is to study.
So when it comes to life skills, working at a real company, they are utter duds, totally hopeless!
Yet....those fresh graduates are the ones who get the jobs.....
Not the smart veterans.
For phD graduates, the situation is really sticky here in Japan
There is a serious lack of full-time research positions
And as enrollment at universities plummets year by year
The number of academic teaching positions also decreases...
Meaning......even less employment opportunities!
So some phD students do post-docs...not one as usual...but 2 or 3.
But the max is about 2 or 3...because any more and they'll reach their expiry date.
If they have not found full-time employment by the age of 35, they are pretty much screwed
So...for even men... after the age of 35, it is very difficult to find a full-time position.
If you look in the classifieds, salaries are not looking that attractive these days.
Most jobs are temporary or contract-based
Thanks to a certain politician (being very sarcastic here!), more jobs in Japan are temporary and not full-time
For companies, it is cheaper and a great way to slash costs
Get rid of the full-timers and hire some cheaper part-timers.
Major companies usually look to hire young, fresh graduates (instead of those in the mid-career stage)
And many companies are reluctant to hire or promote women...
And at first, I was angered by this...but then, after looking at some women...I thought from a man's perspective
Well, many women quit soon after childbirth
Some women quit to marry (either their husband got a job elsewhere and was transferred....or they just do not like their job and want to quit)
Why waste the money to train them when all they do is quit a few years later?
From a man's perspective, yes, I can see how risky it is hiring a woman...
But...we need women in Japan
With their creativity, innovation, female perspective
Quite often I use kitchen or home products ...and think "this was for sure NOT designed by a woman"... A woman would know this is the stupidest design in the world
The more money women here make, the more they will spend and stimulate the economy
I see all these money-saving tips, money-saving magazines, ways to save a buck here and there
Sure I understand about being frugal and all
But if this is the case, then, GO BACK TO WORK.
Going back to work, making some money instead of worrying about if a cake you are going to make is going to cost 80yen or 800yen...
Sorry for over-simplifying the situation...
In fact, the situation in Japan is not that simple, actually....
In Japan, a wife is penalized if she makes too much money
They are put in a much higher taxed income bracket...
So if she makes like more than 1 million yen (roughly 10,000USD)...they are taxed much more and it hardly makes it worth getting a job
So either she gets a part-time job that does not pay all that much (under 1 million yen a year)... or she make a whopping amount of money
Life for women in Japan is not all that easy.
I watched the Japanese movie "Girls" on the airplane while flying from Narita to Seattle a few months back
I was excited, hoping it would be like a Japanese version of SATC (Sex and the City) or something
Instead, it was a depressing movie about the state and status of women in Japan
And how life is "blue"...
Even those who seem happy, are, in fact NOT.
What a totally depressing movie.
I thought it would be a movie about empowering women, making a difference, and change...
But it's a movie about the ever-so-present glass ceiling and various challenges the modern Japanese woman faces
And it presents the problems but just seems to accept them...offering few or no solutions
So...while the movie itself, acting and all was not that bad.....the bottom line was kind of disappointing.
Don't make a movie like that.
Make a movie about amazing women making a difference.
That's the kind of movie that I want to see and will actually pay to see!
葉っぱでアート
We made art out of pretty leaves and stuff...
キレイナ葉っぱなどでアートを作った
The cardboard part was from some package that I got...I was about to toss it when I thought it might be pretty if used as a card
キレイナ葉っぱなどでアートを作った
The cardboard part was from some package that I got...I was about to toss it when I thought it might be pretty if used as a card
３・１１の地震の後、毎日。。。寝るまで頑張りたい気分
After the 3/11 quake in Japan, lots of people suffered greatly emotionally
3・11の地震の後、皆は。。。精神的に不安になった人は。。。すごく増えました
It gave people much uncertainty about the future
将来の知らない事の不安。。。など
And made many rethink their priorities, values, and more
自分の価値観を考え直す。。。プライオリティを真剣に考える（仕事やプライベートライフ）
For me......at first I panicked and worried about the truly fleeting nature of life
私の場合。。。地震の後、少しあせた。。。人生って。。。本当に"一瞬"の感じですね
Some nights I woke up in a sweat from an anxiety attack
たまに。。。夜中に起きて。。。パニックの状態で起きた。。。 汗だらけ。。。
And I was still recovering from the loss of my grandma when 3/11 came
お婆ちゃんはなくなったの。。。まだ”回復”途中だった。。。そして地震が来た
Now thinking back......I was more stressed than I acknowledged
今考えると気づくけど。。。そのごろ。。。気づいていない。。。どのぐらいストレスを受けた
I mean...what was I, to complain about stress?
文句を言う場合じゃなかった
When there were others dead, others suffering in Tohoku, and others running away from radiation in Fukushima?
沢山人死んじゃった。。。東北でもっと、もっと苦しんでいる人沢山いたし。。。福島の原発から逃げている人。。。難民もいたし。。。。
So I tried my best to ignore my stress
だから自分のストレスを認めていない。。。 少し無視した
And I had to be strong for my daughter and show no fear
そして娘のために、強くしなきゃと思った。。。 怖い気持ちを見せないようにした
.......
Finally.......after much talking to other friends and my husband...I felt better and do not suffer from anxiety
そして。。。沢山友達と話してて。。。ハニーをよく話してて。。。 不安の気持ちは亡くなった
That and keeping busy helps! Prevents overthinking!!!
そして。。。計画を沢山作って、沢山やって。。。毎日バタバタしたら、考えすぎない！
Now I like jogging...and I like jogging alone...
最近よくジョッギングします。。。 一人でジョッギングするの好きです
Doing introspection...
内観して
Enjoying nature and soaking everything in
周りの自然の事をたっぷり吸収して。。。
Jogging and prepping for this 10km reminds me of myself 10 years ago
10キロマラソン準備して。。。10年前の私を思い出すわ。。。
Ten years ago I was lazier
10年前の私。。。 少し。。。 だるい。。。でした。。。
I always assumed there would be a tomorrow to do everything
”明日”出来る。。。 と思った。。。 ”明日”はあることは。。。当たり前と思った
I remember training for a 10km race 10 years ago...and somehow it feels different from this time
10年前の私。。。22歳の私。。。10キロのマラソントレーニング。。。やっぱり。。。今と違う
10 years ago...I did it "just to do it"
10年前の私。。。 10キロを走るの”楽しそう”と思って、やってた
I did things at a much slower pace...
今と違って。。もっと”ダラダラ”だった。。。
Okay.......check it off my life "list of things to do" (run in a 10km race)
人生の"やるべきことリスト”から消せる
This time I want more
今回は。。。前と違って
I want to run it and run my absolute best
走る理由は。。。前と違って。。。 自分の一番ベストを狙いたい
I want to run it in a good time because I can
走れる。。。健康であるから走れる。。。 だから。。。頑張って。。。早く走りたい
Because I am not going to get any younger, only older
この以上若くならない
So now is the time to try my best
今しかない
If I die tomorrow, at least I will know that I did everything to my utmost and not half-heartedly
明日死んだら、後悔なしで死にたい。。。 何でも”一所懸命”にやりたい
When I feel terrible muscle pain in my body, it makes me pleased
今。。。筋肉痛い時。。。とてもハッピです
It means "I tried my hardest" and it shows
”頑張った”証拠です
My father said to me at my wedding party "Vivian...this is it...it is now or never!" just before we started our solo father-daughter dance (we had practiced the routine many days before the wedding)
私たちの結婚式。。。 お父さんと娘のダンスを始まる前。。。 パパの言うことを忘れない”ほら。。。ビビアン。。。今だよ！今しかないよ。今本番だよ！” (結婚式の何日前から練習を始まった）
I like to remember his words and think
彼の言葉をよく覚える。
Life. This is it. The real thing is here and now.
そうね。 人生。 今しかない。 今は本番。
Live it your best.
毎日を頑張るしかない。
Work hard, live hard, play hard.
仕事も一所懸命、プライベートも一所懸命、遊ぶ時も一所懸命。。。
Now that is a full life. I'll do my best until the day I die.
満足の人生を住むのは最高です。。。死ぬまで頑張りたい.
My student asked me 10 years ago my life aim...
10年ぐらい前。。。生徒さんは。。。私にすごい難しい質問を聞きました ”ビビアン。。人生の意味って何ですか？ビビアンの人生の目的は？”
And I was quite speechless at the time.
そのごろ。。。 ｍｍｍ。。。返事なかった。。。
Never gave it a thought!
ええええ。。。考えたことなかった！
Now, ten years later, I'd say...my life aim is to work my hardest, help others, and make a positive contribution to society, spread happiness wherever I go.
今。。。10年後。。。自分の目的。。。まああ。。。何となく分かる。 毎日一所懸命行きたい、他の人を助かりたい、社会への積極的な貢献、幸せ気分を広がること。
That is my life goal.
自分の目的も決めた
Now if only I could work on a good career goal
さ。。。。次。。。職業上の目的！
3・11の地震の後、皆は。。。精神的に不安になった人は。。。すごく増えました
It gave people much uncertainty about the future
将来の知らない事の不安。。。など
And made many rethink their priorities, values, and more
自分の価値観を考え直す。。。プライオリティを真剣に考える（仕事やプライベートライフ）
For me......at first I panicked and worried about the truly fleeting nature of life
私の場合。。。地震の後、少しあせた。。。人生って。。。本当に"一瞬"の感じですね
Some nights I woke up in a sweat from an anxiety attack
たまに。。。夜中に起きて。。。パニックの状態で起きた。。。 汗だらけ。。。
And I was still recovering from the loss of my grandma when 3/11 came
お婆ちゃんはなくなったの。。。まだ”回復”途中だった。。。そして地震が来た
Now thinking back......I was more stressed than I acknowledged
今考えると気づくけど。。。そのごろ。。。気づいていない。。。どのぐらいストレスを受けた
I mean...what was I, to complain about stress?
文句を言う場合じゃなかった
When there were others dead, others suffering in Tohoku, and others running away from radiation in Fukushima?
沢山人死んじゃった。。。東北でもっと、もっと苦しんでいる人沢山いたし。。。福島の原発から逃げている人。。。難民もいたし。。。。
So I tried my best to ignore my stress
だから自分のストレスを認めていない。。。 少し無視した
And I had to be strong for my daughter and show no fear
そして娘のために、強くしなきゃと思った。。。 怖い気持ちを見せないようにした
.......
Finally.......after much talking to other friends and my husband...I felt better and do not suffer from anxiety
そして。。。沢山友達と話してて。。。ハニーをよく話してて。。。 不安の気持ちは亡くなった
That and keeping busy helps! Prevents overthinking!!!
そして。。。計画を沢山作って、沢山やって。。。毎日バタバタしたら、考えすぎない！
Now I like jogging...and I like jogging alone...
最近よくジョッギングします。。。 一人でジョッギングするの好きです
Doing introspection...
内観して
Enjoying nature and soaking everything in
周りの自然の事をたっぷり吸収して。。。
Jogging and prepping for this 10km reminds me of myself 10 years ago
10キロマラソン準備して。。。10年前の私を思い出すわ。。。
Ten years ago I was lazier
10年前の私。。。 少し。。。 だるい。。。でした。。。
I always assumed there would be a tomorrow to do everything
”明日”出来る。。。 と思った。。。 ”明日”はあることは。。。当たり前と思った
I remember training for a 10km race 10 years ago...and somehow it feels different from this time
10年前の私。。。22歳の私。。。10キロのマラソントレーニング。。。やっぱり。。。今と違う
10 years ago...I did it "just to do it"
10年前の私。。。 10キロを走るの”楽しそう”と思って、やってた
I did things at a much slower pace...
今と違って。。もっと”ダラダラ”だった。。。
Okay.......check it off my life "list of things to do" (run in a 10km race)
人生の"やるべきことリスト”から消せる
This time I want more
今回は。。。前と違って
I want to run it and run my absolute best
走る理由は。。。前と違って。。。 自分の一番ベストを狙いたい
I want to run it in a good time because I can
走れる。。。健康であるから走れる。。。 だから。。。頑張って。。。早く走りたい
Because I am not going to get any younger, only older
この以上若くならない
So now is the time to try my best
今しかない
If I die tomorrow, at least I will know that I did everything to my utmost and not half-heartedly
明日死んだら、後悔なしで死にたい。。。 何でも”一所懸命”にやりたい
When I feel terrible muscle pain in my body, it makes me pleased
今。。。筋肉痛い時。。。とてもハッピです
It means "I tried my hardest" and it shows
”頑張った”証拠です
My father said to me at my wedding party "Vivian...this is it...it is now or never!" just before we started our solo father-daughter dance (we had practiced the routine many days before the wedding)
私たちの結婚式。。。 お父さんと娘のダンスを始まる前。。。 パパの言うことを忘れない”ほら。。。ビビアン。。。今だよ！今しかないよ。今本番だよ！” (結婚式の何日前から練習を始まった）
I like to remember his words and think
彼の言葉をよく覚える。
Life. This is it. The real thing is here and now.
そうね。 人生。 今しかない。 今は本番。
Live it your best.
毎日を頑張るしかない。
Work hard, live hard, play hard.
仕事も一所懸命、プライベートも一所懸命、遊ぶ時も一所懸命。。。
Now that is a full life. I'll do my best until the day I die.
満足の人生を住むのは最高です。。。死ぬまで頑張りたい.
My student asked me 10 years ago my life aim...
10年ぐらい前。。。生徒さんは。。。私にすごい難しい質問を聞きました ”ビビアン。。人生の意味って何ですか？ビビアンの人生の目的は？”
And I was quite speechless at the time.
そのごろ。。。 ｍｍｍ。。。返事なかった。。。
Never gave it a thought!
ええええ。。。考えたことなかった！
Now, ten years later, I'd say...my life aim is to work my hardest, help others, and make a positive contribution to society, spread happiness wherever I go.
今。。。10年後。。。自分の目的。。。まああ。。。何となく分かる。 毎日一所懸命行きたい、他の人を助かりたい、社会への積極的な貢献、幸せ気分を広がること。
That is my life goal.
自分の目的も決めた
Now if only I could work on a good career goal
さ。。。。次。。。職業上の目的！
毎日誕生会の準備、それでもまだまだ。。。全然終わっていない
I don't have a lot of really "happy" memories about my childhood
私の子供頃。。。 特に”幸せ”記憶がない。。。
Much of it.......my parents fighting, me and my brother fighting......waiting until my father came home to save me from bullying from my mother and brother (I remember often crying, waiting for papa to come home)...
親のケンカ。。。お兄ちゃんと一緒にケンカした記憶、パパは会社から帰って来るまで私を助ける（私のお母さんとお兄ちゃんは。。。よく二人で私を苛めた、よく泣きました。。。）
Not really good memories.
そうね。。。特にいい記憶がないな。。。。
I have some good memories here and there....but like most people, bad memories overshadow most of the good ones
まあ。。。もちろんいい記憶ある。。。考えたら、もっと思い出すけど。。。皆と同じ。。。幸せの記憶より。。。辛い記憶の方が。。。目出す。。。覚えやすいです
But one of the best memories........the most vivid memories...happiest memories
けど。。。一番幸せ子供頃の記憶。。。一番ハッピの記憶
Was always my birthday
ヤッパリ自分の誕生日
My mother would invite the whole class to our house and it was such a wonderful day
ママは。。。クラスの全員を家に呼んで。。。素敵なＰＡＲＴＹだった
I remember...I could invite ALL the girls and only one boy
よく覚える。。。女の子の全員を誘った。。。そして男の子。。。一人だけ呼んでもいいでした
The irony of it.
すごい皮肉だった。。。はは。。。。
I had a boyfriend in kindergarten.......but after that, no boyfriend until I graduated high school.
幼稚園の頃、彼氏がいました。。。 けど。。。その後、高校から卒業した後まで。。。彼氏いませんでした。。。
Anyway back to the party topic
あああ、ゴメン。。。また誕生会の話に戻るね。。。
Sometimes too wonderful......with all the excitement, I got all nervous and afraid...and I recall hiding in my closet while all my friends were there.
たまに。。。私は。。。ＰＡＲＴＹのせいで興奮しすぎて。。。ドキドキ。。。押入に隠れてた。
If you could remember the happiest day of your life, what would it be?
皆さんは？ 人生の一番幸せ時期、日、はいつでしたか？
Maybe it is yet to come
まだこれから？
実際。。。ママは家から出た後、私の人生は。。。明るくなって、大分良くなりました。 最初寂しかったけど。。。パパは最高のパパで。。。家の雰囲気など。。。とても平和、幸せだった。 ママは自分のうつ病を分からなかったみたい。。。先生に行くの嫌だったし。 鬱の事は。。。本当に怖いです。
Anyway.....because I myself have such fond memories of my birthday, I want my daughter to be able to remember and cherish such a happy moment, feeling
私は。。。自分の子供の誕生会は楽しくて楽しくて、忘れられない。。。そのハッピの気持ち。。。だから。。。自分の娘にも。。。同じ経験を感じて欲しい。。。 その。。。最高、ハッピ、幸せ経験
And that is probably why I got a bit over the top (over the top = やり過ぎる）
だから。。。ちょっと誕生会をやり過ぎる
This year we have 3 parties...home party (just family), party for English-speaking friends, and party for kindergarten friends (girls only - our house is small!)
今年。。。誕生会をミツします。。。 ホームＰＡＲＴＹ，英語が話せる友達のＰＡＲＴＹ，そして。。。最後に。。。幼稚園の友達（女の子たちだけ。。。家は狭い、子供25人来ると。。。大変なことになるから！）
Finally I thought...3 parties, 3 days in a row...I am going to go nuts
連続。。。三日間。。。ＰＡＲＴＹをミツ？ 嫌。。。死にそう。。。 考えるだけと”死ぬ”感じ
My husband suggested we have a special birthday dinner at a nice French restaurant instead of me working my butt off in the kitchen. They have a special birthday special...I'm looking forward to it!
ハニーは。。。いいアイデアを考えた。 外食! 誕生日の食事。。。おしゃれのフランスレストランにします。 誕生日サービスもあるようです。。。楽しみ。
If you want to plan an "American" style party...here is what you have to do/need:
Pick a theme (our theme this year is "rainbow")
テーマを選ぶ
Make and send invitations about a month in advance
1か月前、招待状を皆に渡す
Make a pinata (paper mache on a balloon...it takes about a week to dry)
ＰＩＮＡＴＡを作る
Buy paper cups and plates that suit the theme
紙カップ、プレートを買う
Buy birthday disposable party tablecloth
誕生日用の使え擦ってテーブルクロスを買う
Make foods day of (last year...we ran out of food...the kids were sooo hungry...much more than what I had expected!)
その日。。。食べ物を沢山作る （去年は。。。食べ物を食べきって。。。少し困りました。。。皆は思ったほど食べた！）
Make or order big cake that feeds LOTS of people (at a cake shop, expect and estimate of about 150USD or so... or get one at COSTCO for 20USD, about 2000yen)
ケーキを作るや。。。大きいなケーキを注文する (ケーキ屋で頼んだら、1万円、2万円ぐらいする。。。結婚式のケーキの値段に近い。。。 大きいから。 それとも。。。ＣＯＳＴＣＯで安いの買う。。。2000円ぐらい。。。大きいの購入できます)
Order cake toppers from America (if needed) or make by self with fondant/sugarcraft アメリカからケーキの飾りを注文する。。。それとも。。。自分で(フォンダン、シュガークラフト)作る
Decorate house with balloon, crepe paper, birthday wall decorations...(decorating takes about a week)
誕生日のデコレーションを家中に飾る
A few days prior, make balloon tower
数日前、バルーンタワーを作る
Make food toppers, thank-you cards
”ありがとう”メッセージを書く、食べ物の上の飾りを用意する
Prepare and buy thank-you gifts, souvenirs and more
お返しの準備、誕生会のお土産など
Shopping for lots of prizes and snacks and more for the party
賞の買い物、お菓子の買い物など。。。何週間前から。。。
Preparing all the games: BINGO, Bozo buckets, pin the bow on the Hello Kitty, and more
ゲームの準備：ＢＩＮＧＯ，バケツのゲーム（ボールを投げて、バケツに入れるように頑張る）、他。。。
Each year I'll plan extravagant birthday parties until Lina
毎年。。。頑張って、リナの素敵な誕生会を開きます
Until she herself says "mom, I think I am old enough"
本人は飽きるまで、頑張ります
For those considering doing one...if you can do the work, go for it...
皆も。。。エネルギーがあれば、是非、誕生会をやってみてね！
Your child and his/her friends will be the happiest kids in the world at the party
自分の子と子供の友達たちは。。。世界の一番幸せ子になれる！
Recently party goods are becoming easier to find
最近。。。PARTYグッズは。。。前より探しやすい
You can even find a party set (4 plates, 4 cups, forks and spoons set) at the 100yen Daiso shop now
今。。。ダイソも売っている。。。誕生会のセット。。。4人用だけだけど！
And you don't have to go all overboard like me
私みたい。。。オーバーしなくてもいいから。
I am a bit anal and perfectionist about the party. If I am gonna throw a party, I want it to be a sizzling one!
私は。。。少し誕生会について。。。真剣です。。。 やれば、ちゃんとやりたい。。。 最高のPARTYを開きたい
But......to be honest.......
デモ。。。正直に言う。。。
It is a HUGE time commitment
すごい時間かかるし
I start buying things and thinking about it about half a year in advance (it takes a while to get things shipped from the States or I buy while there)
半年ぐらい前から。。。買い物。。。いろいろを計画する（アメリカから注文するのは。。。時間かかるから。。それとも。。。アメリカにいる間、購入します。。。それは一番楽！）
It is completely not economical!
すごくお金かかるし （キャンディーだけで5000円しました）
It is cheaper to just buy my daughter some realllllly nice present
娘に。。。素敵なプレゼントを買った方が絶対安い
Or cheaper to go to Tokyo Disney and stay overnight (2 years ago we did BOTH a big bday bash AND went to Disney...it was sheer madness and a bit much!)
1泊ＤＩＳＮＥＹで泊まるの方が楽、安いし （2年前。。。娘の誕生日の時。。。。誕生会もやったし。。。DISNEYにも行ったし。。。わあああ。。。 少しオーバーだった）
But it does create memories that last a lifetime
けど。。。人生の中。。。いくら辛い事があっても。。。少なくて。。。自分の幸せ誕生会の良い思い出ある！
I hope to create many good memories for my daughter and all her friends
いい思い出を沢山作ると嬉しいな！
私の子供頃。。。 特に”幸せ”記憶がない。。。
Much of it.......my parents fighting, me and my brother fighting......waiting until my father came home to save me from bullying from my mother and brother (I remember often crying, waiting for papa to come home)...
親のケンカ。。。お兄ちゃんと一緒にケンカした記憶、パパは会社から帰って来るまで私を助ける（私のお母さんとお兄ちゃんは。。。よく二人で私を苛めた、よく泣きました。。。）
Not really good memories.
そうね。。。特にいい記憶がないな。。。。
I have some good memories here and there....but like most people, bad memories overshadow most of the good ones
まあ。。。もちろんいい記憶ある。。。考えたら、もっと思い出すけど。。。皆と同じ。。。幸せの記憶より。。。辛い記憶の方が。。。目出す。。。覚えやすいです
But one of the best memories........the most vivid memories...happiest memories
けど。。。一番幸せ子供頃の記憶。。。一番ハッピの記憶
Was always my birthday
ヤッパリ自分の誕生日
My mother would invite the whole class to our house and it was such a wonderful day
ママは。。。クラスの全員を家に呼んで。。。素敵なＰＡＲＴＹだった
I remember...I could invite ALL the girls and only one boy
よく覚える。。。女の子の全員を誘った。。。そして男の子。。。一人だけ呼んでもいいでした
The irony of it.
すごい皮肉だった。。。はは。。。。
I had a boyfriend in kindergarten.......but after that, no boyfriend until I graduated high school.
幼稚園の頃、彼氏がいました。。。 けど。。。その後、高校から卒業した後まで。。。彼氏いませんでした。。。
Anyway back to the party topic
あああ、ゴメン。。。また誕生会の話に戻るね。。。
Sometimes too wonderful......with all the excitement, I got all nervous and afraid...and I recall hiding in my closet while all my friends were there.
たまに。。。私は。。。ＰＡＲＴＹのせいで興奮しすぎて。。。ドキドキ。。。押入に隠れてた。
If you could remember the happiest day of your life, what would it be?
皆さんは？ 人生の一番幸せ時期、日、はいつでしたか？
Maybe it is yet to come
まだこれから？
実際。。。ママは家から出た後、私の人生は。。。明るくなって、大分良くなりました。 最初寂しかったけど。。。パパは最高のパパで。。。家の雰囲気など。。。とても平和、幸せだった。 ママは自分のうつ病を分からなかったみたい。。。先生に行くの嫌だったし。 鬱の事は。。。本当に怖いです。
Anyway.....because I myself have such fond memories of my birthday, I want my daughter to be able to remember and cherish such a happy moment, feeling
私は。。。自分の子供の誕生会は楽しくて楽しくて、忘れられない。。。そのハッピの気持ち。。。だから。。。自分の娘にも。。。同じ経験を感じて欲しい。。。 その。。。最高、ハッピ、幸せ経験
And that is probably why I got a bit over the top (over the top = やり過ぎる）
だから。。。ちょっと誕生会をやり過ぎる
This year we have 3 parties...home party (just family), party for English-speaking friends, and party for kindergarten friends (girls only - our house is small!)
今年。。。誕生会をミツします。。。 ホームＰＡＲＴＹ，英語が話せる友達のＰＡＲＴＹ，そして。。。最後に。。。幼稚園の友達（女の子たちだけ。。。家は狭い、子供25人来ると。。。大変なことになるから！）
Finally I thought...3 parties, 3 days in a row...I am going to go nuts
連続。。。三日間。。。ＰＡＲＴＹをミツ？ 嫌。。。死にそう。。。 考えるだけと”死ぬ”感じ
My husband suggested we have a special birthday dinner at a nice French restaurant instead of me working my butt off in the kitchen. They have a special birthday special...I'm looking forward to it!
ハニーは。。。いいアイデアを考えた。 外食! 誕生日の食事。。。おしゃれのフランスレストランにします。 誕生日サービスもあるようです。。。楽しみ。
If you want to plan an "American" style party...here is what you have to do/need:
Pick a theme (our theme this year is "rainbow")
テーマを選ぶ
Make and send invitations about a month in advance
1か月前、招待状を皆に渡す
Make a pinata (paper mache on a balloon...it takes about a week to dry)
ＰＩＮＡＴＡを作る
Buy paper cups and plates that suit the theme
紙カップ、プレートを買う
Buy birthday disposable party tablecloth
誕生日用の使え擦ってテーブルクロスを買う
Make foods day of (last year...we ran out of food...the kids were sooo hungry...much more than what I had expected!)
その日。。。食べ物を沢山作る （去年は。。。食べ物を食べきって。。。少し困りました。。。皆は思ったほど食べた！）
Make or order big cake that feeds LOTS of people (at a cake shop, expect and estimate of about 150USD or so... or get one at COSTCO for 20USD, about 2000yen)
ケーキを作るや。。。大きいなケーキを注文する (ケーキ屋で頼んだら、1万円、2万円ぐらいする。。。結婚式のケーキの値段に近い。。。 大きいから。 それとも。。。ＣＯＳＴＣＯで安いの買う。。。2000円ぐらい。。。大きいの購入できます)
Order cake toppers from America (if needed) or make by self with fondant/sugarcraft アメリカからケーキの飾りを注文する。。。それとも。。。自分で(フォンダン、シュガークラフト)作る
Decorate house with balloon, crepe paper, birthday wall decorations...(decorating takes about a week)
誕生日のデコレーションを家中に飾る
A few days prior, make balloon tower
数日前、バルーンタワーを作る
Make food toppers, thank-you cards
”ありがとう”メッセージを書く、食べ物の上の飾りを用意する
Prepare and buy thank-you gifts, souvenirs and more
お返しの準備、誕生会のお土産など
Shopping for lots of prizes and snacks and more for the party
賞の買い物、お菓子の買い物など。。。何週間前から。。。
Preparing all the games: BINGO, Bozo buckets, pin the bow on the Hello Kitty, and more
ゲームの準備：ＢＩＮＧＯ，バケツのゲーム（ボールを投げて、バケツに入れるように頑張る）、他。。。
Each year I'll plan extravagant birthday parties until Lina
毎年。。。頑張って、リナの素敵な誕生会を開きます
Until she herself says "mom, I think I am old enough"
本人は飽きるまで、頑張ります
For those considering doing one...if you can do the work, go for it...
皆も。。。エネルギーがあれば、是非、誕生会をやってみてね！
Your child and his/her friends will be the happiest kids in the world at the party
自分の子と子供の友達たちは。。。世界の一番幸せ子になれる！
Recently party goods are becoming easier to find
最近。。。PARTYグッズは。。。前より探しやすい
You can even find a party set (4 plates, 4 cups, forks and spoons set) at the 100yen Daiso shop now
今。。。ダイソも売っている。。。誕生会のセット。。。4人用だけだけど！
And you don't have to go all overboard like me
私みたい。。。オーバーしなくてもいいから。
I am a bit anal and perfectionist about the party. If I am gonna throw a party, I want it to be a sizzling one!
私は。。。少し誕生会について。。。真剣です。。。 やれば、ちゃんとやりたい。。。 最高のPARTYを開きたい
But......to be honest.......
デモ。。。正直に言う。。。
It is a HUGE time commitment
すごい時間かかるし
I start buying things and thinking about it about half a year in advance (it takes a while to get things shipped from the States or I buy while there)
半年ぐらい前から。。。買い物。。。いろいろを計画する（アメリカから注文するのは。。。時間かかるから。。それとも。。。アメリカにいる間、購入します。。。それは一番楽！）
It is completely not economical!
すごくお金かかるし （キャンディーだけで5000円しました）
It is cheaper to just buy my daughter some realllllly nice present
娘に。。。素敵なプレゼントを買った方が絶対安い
Or cheaper to go to Tokyo Disney and stay overnight (2 years ago we did BOTH a big bday bash AND went to Disney...it was sheer madness and a bit much!)
1泊ＤＩＳＮＥＹで泊まるの方が楽、安いし （2年前。。。娘の誕生日の時。。。。誕生会もやったし。。。DISNEYにも行ったし。。。わあああ。。。 少しオーバーだった）
But it does create memories that last a lifetime
けど。。。人生の中。。。いくら辛い事があっても。。。少なくて。。。自分の幸せ誕生会の良い思い出ある！
I hope to create many good memories for my daughter and all her friends
いい思い出を沢山作ると嬉しいな！
初めて聞きました。。。ＩＫＥＡの無料クリスマストリ―
I just learned about this deal.
この情報を今聞きました。。。いい情報です！
So I would like to share it with everyone
だから皆にも教えてあげる。。。はは。。。
At IKEA Japan...
日本のＩＫＥＡ
You can buy a real Christmas tree and they will give you a receipt for 1990yen.
クリスマストリ―（本物の）。。。領収書にハンコをもらいます
After you have used it, bring the bare tree back to the shop early January (decided days) and get your receipt stamped. They will give you 1990yen store credit to use in IKEA.
使った後。。。1月（決まっている１０間）トリ―をお店に持ってきて。。。領収書を見せたら、１９９０円クレジットをもらいます。
Economical for store shopper and easy tree disposal option!
トリ―の処分を感がなくて、安くていいね。
この情報を今聞きました。。。いい情報です！
So I would like to share it with everyone
だから皆にも教えてあげる。。。はは。。。
At IKEA Japan...
日本のＩＫＥＡ
You can buy a real Christmas tree and they will give you a receipt for 1990yen.
クリスマストリ―（本物の）。。。領収書にハンコをもらいます
After you have used it, bring the bare tree back to the shop early January (decided days) and get your receipt stamped. They will give you 1990yen store credit to use in IKEA.
使った後。。。1月（決まっている１０間）トリ―をお店に持ってきて。。。領収書を見せたら、１９９０円クレジットをもらいます。
Economical for store shopper and easy tree disposal option!
トリ―の処分を感がなくて、安くていいね。
日本のクリスマストリ―。。。キレイ？ぶす？ どち？
In America, many people, if they can, get a real Xmas tree
アメリカ人。。。本物クリスマストリ―を買う人が多い
The feeling and smell.....so much richer than a fake tree
本物のトリ―の匂い。。。とか。。。全然違う。。。すごい豊かな匂い、クリスマス経験
My family never had a real tree, though I always wanted one.
私の家族。。。買ったことない。。。本物の。 私が欲しかったけど
Going shopping for a tree, chopping it down......all seemed very exciting to me
自分のトリ―を選んで、自分で切るのは。。。とても楽しそうと思った
These days some people are choosing not to be real trees in order to be more environmentally friendly, I guess?
最近。。。本物トリ―を買わない人。。。少し増えましたかな？”もったいない”から。。。 エコの偽物トリ―を使う？
It is a funny sight...around this time of year you can see people with huge trees strapped onto small cars
見ると笑う。。。11月の今頃。。。車の上。。。トリ―をのけている。。。 わああ。。。
And after Xmas is over....you see huge disposed trees by the curb waiting to be hauled away by the garbage truck.
クリスマスは終わった後。。。その使った、かれているトリ―は。。。道の隣。。。
In Japan.....you see tons of Christmas trees but they are all fake
日本のクリスマストリ―。。。やっぱり。。。全部偽物。。。だね。
And a strange thing.....you can often find white and pink Xmas trees in Japan
すごく面白いのは。。。日本のクリスマストリ―。。。よくピンクの、白いのも見る。。。
The Japanese love all that is cute...... so you can find white spray-painted trees
日本人は”可愛い物、色、パステル色”が好きだから、白い、ピンクのトリ―とかある
It looks really nice, like "winter wonderlandy" and all
真っ白でキレイ
But...according to many of my foreign friends "I have never seen as many ugly Christmas trees as I have seen here in Japan...what is up with the white trees?"
でも私の外人の友達言ってたのは”日本のセンスがないクリスマストリーがおおおおい！その白いトリ―は。。。何なんだ？”
And many DO NOT LIKE the white Christmas tree idea, calling it "just wrong"
その白いクリスマストリ―は。。。何か違う。。。 やっぱり変と言う人が多い
I have seen many ugly and beautiful Christmas trees in Japan..... I noticed they like very congruent...balanced trees.........with only a few of the same ornaments and all spaced perfectly
私は。。。日本でキレイの、少しキレイじゃないトリ―をみました。。。 日本人は。。。トリ―のバランスをよく考えている。。。
And in the past 5 years or so, beautiful Christmas illumination has brightened up and made shopping areas, central areas really breathtaking!
最近のクリスマスライト。。。ＩＬＬＵＭＩＮＡＴＩＯＮなどは。。。すごくキレイ！ 少しアメリカのクリスマスみたい
The thing that really bothers me about Japanese Christmas trees
一つだけ。。。気になるのは。。。日本のクリスマストリー
Is the lack of skirts on them!
スカートがない！
You can see the ugly legs of the Christmas tree.....no one here thinks of covering them.
トリ―の”あし”を見えて、ぶさいです！
Strange as the Japanese are perfectionists and dislike anything that is non-cute, ugly.
とても珍しい。日本人はあんなに細かいのに。。。クリスマストリ―の足は。。。そのまま。。。出ているまま。。。。。。
They need beautiful Christmas skirts....
きれいなスカートを使わなきゃ
Hmm....perhaps in years to come they will have some...and it'll become a more popular thing
何年後。。。人気になると思うけど。。。
This year our new Christmas tree took 5 minutes to put up.
今年。。。家のトリ―は。。。5分で出来たよ！
I cannot tell you how happy this made me!
いや。。。私は嬉しくて、嬉しくて。。。
Lina was so pleased after she put the tree up. SHe put on a fancy dress and posed for pix.
リナもハッピだった。。。 自分でトリ―を飾って。。。 クリスマスドレスを着て、写真を撮ったよ。。。はは
Only 5 minutes!!!!!!!
たったの5分で出来た！
When I was a child...back home....our artificial tree...first had to be lugged out of the basement storage...
子供ごろ。。。アメリカの場合。。。家のクリスマストリ―は。。。地下からとって。。。
Tons of boxes.....at least 5?! Heavy boxes. Just carrying the boxes alone made me tired.
箱。。。5個ぐらいありましたかな？ 重かった。。。 運ぶだけと疲れる
Then assembled...bottom of the tree, middle, and top part
そして。。。トリ―をくみたつ。。。 下の部分、間中の、上の
Then the lights were untangled and checked to make sure they worked and if not, dead bulb hunting...more light troubleshooting
そして。。。ライト。。。たまに色な問題がある。。。もつれたライト、電球は古いから使えない。。。とか。。。なくなった。。。
Then the ornaments were sorted out, untangled and put onto the tree
そして。。。オーナメントの整理
I took ages! At least half a day?!?!??!
半日ぐらいかかった。。かな？
But my most memorable Christmas tree decorating moment......was when my father and mother had an explosive argument
一番。。。覚えているクリスマストリ―記憶。。。ママとパパケンカした時かな？
They stormed out fighting, my brother ran upstairs to his cave (bedroom) while cursing something about "idiot parents"
あの二人ケンカして。。。リビングから出てて。お兄ちゃんも。。。自分の部屋に戻って。。。
And I was left there, in the floor of the 2nd dining room (we had 2 dining rooms) wondering what to do
私。。。一人で座ってて。。。悩んだ。。。 どうする。。。 一人でやる？
I think in the end I put it up by myself, I don't really recall
私自分でやった？ 皆は戻って、一緒にやった？ いや。。。覚えない
Not a great memory.....so now, I am quite happy to put up a tree in just 5 minutes
余りいい記憶じゃないので、今。。。楽にトリ―を飾って出来ることは。。。とても嬉しい、ハッピのこと！
Not size. It is the spirit of Christmas that counts.
大きさより。。。 クリスマスの気分。 平和、幸せ気分が大事です！
I hope you are enjoying the wonderful holidays!
皆もこの素敵な季節を楽しんでね！
アメリカ人。。。本物クリスマストリ―を買う人が多い
The feeling and smell.....so much richer than a fake tree
本物のトリ―の匂い。。。とか。。。全然違う。。。すごい豊かな匂い、クリスマス経験
My family never had a real tree, though I always wanted one.
私の家族。。。買ったことない。。。本物の。 私が欲しかったけど
Going shopping for a tree, chopping it down......all seemed very exciting to me
自分のトリ―を選んで、自分で切るのは。。。とても楽しそうと思った
These days some people are choosing not to be real trees in order to be more environmentally friendly, I guess?
最近。。。本物トリ―を買わない人。。。少し増えましたかな？”もったいない”から。。。 エコの偽物トリ―を使う？
It is a funny sight...around this time of year you can see people with huge trees strapped onto small cars
見ると笑う。。。11月の今頃。。。車の上。。。トリ―をのけている。。。 わああ。。。
And after Xmas is over....you see huge disposed trees by the curb waiting to be hauled away by the garbage truck.
クリスマスは終わった後。。。その使った、かれているトリ―は。。。道の隣。。。
In Japan.....you see tons of Christmas trees but they are all fake
日本のクリスマストリ―。。。やっぱり。。。全部偽物。。。だね。
And a strange thing.....you can often find white and pink Xmas trees in Japan
すごく面白いのは。。。日本のクリスマストリ―。。。よくピンクの、白いのも見る。。。
The Japanese love all that is cute...... so you can find white spray-painted trees
日本人は”可愛い物、色、パステル色”が好きだから、白い、ピンクのトリ―とかある
It looks really nice, like "winter wonderlandy" and all
真っ白でキレイ
But...according to many of my foreign friends "I have never seen as many ugly Christmas trees as I have seen here in Japan...what is up with the white trees?"
でも私の外人の友達言ってたのは”日本のセンスがないクリスマストリーがおおおおい！その白いトリ―は。。。何なんだ？”
And many DO NOT LIKE the white Christmas tree idea, calling it "just wrong"
その白いクリスマストリ―は。。。何か違う。。。 やっぱり変と言う人が多い
I have seen many ugly and beautiful Christmas trees in Japan..... I noticed they like very congruent...balanced trees.........with only a few of the same ornaments and all spaced perfectly
私は。。。日本でキレイの、少しキレイじゃないトリ―をみました。。。 日本人は。。。トリ―のバランスをよく考えている。。。
And in the past 5 years or so, beautiful Christmas illumination has brightened up and made shopping areas, central areas really breathtaking!
最近のクリスマスライト。。。ＩＬＬＵＭＩＮＡＴＩＯＮなどは。。。すごくキレイ！ 少しアメリカのクリスマスみたい
The thing that really bothers me about Japanese Christmas trees
一つだけ。。。気になるのは。。。日本のクリスマストリー
Is the lack of skirts on them!
スカートがない！
You can see the ugly legs of the Christmas tree.....no one here thinks of covering them.
トリ―の”あし”を見えて、ぶさいです！
Strange as the Japanese are perfectionists and dislike anything that is non-cute, ugly.
とても珍しい。日本人はあんなに細かいのに。。。クリスマストリ―の足は。。。そのまま。。。出ているまま。。。。。。
They need beautiful Christmas skirts....
きれいなスカートを使わなきゃ
Hmm....perhaps in years to come they will have some...and it'll become a more popular thing
何年後。。。人気になると思うけど。。。
This year our new Christmas tree took 5 minutes to put up.
今年。。。家のトリ―は。。。5分で出来たよ！
I cannot tell you how happy this made me!
いや。。。私は嬉しくて、嬉しくて。。。
Lina was so pleased after she put the tree up. SHe put on a fancy dress and posed for pix.
リナもハッピだった。。。 自分でトリ―を飾って。。。 クリスマスドレスを着て、写真を撮ったよ。。。はは
Only 5 minutes!!!!!!!
たったの5分で出来た！
When I was a child...back home....our artificial tree...first had to be lugged out of the basement storage...
子供ごろ。。。アメリカの場合。。。家のクリスマストリ―は。。。地下からとって。。。
Tons of boxes.....at least 5?! Heavy boxes. Just carrying the boxes alone made me tired.
箱。。。5個ぐらいありましたかな？ 重かった。。。 運ぶだけと疲れる
Then assembled...bottom of the tree, middle, and top part
そして。。。トリ―をくみたつ。。。 下の部分、間中の、上の
Then the lights were untangled and checked to make sure they worked and if not, dead bulb hunting...more light troubleshooting
そして。。。ライト。。。たまに色な問題がある。。。もつれたライト、電球は古いから使えない。。。とか。。。なくなった。。。
Then the ornaments were sorted out, untangled and put onto the tree
そして。。。オーナメントの整理
I took ages! At least half a day?!?!??!
半日ぐらいかかった。。かな？
But my most memorable Christmas tree decorating moment......was when my father and mother had an explosive argument
一番。。。覚えているクリスマストリ―記憶。。。ママとパパケンカした時かな？
They stormed out fighting, my brother ran upstairs to his cave (bedroom) while cursing something about "idiot parents"
あの二人ケンカして。。。リビングから出てて。お兄ちゃんも。。。自分の部屋に戻って。。。
And I was left there, in the floor of the 2nd dining room (we had 2 dining rooms) wondering what to do
私。。。一人で座ってて。。。悩んだ。。。 どうする。。。 一人でやる？
I think in the end I put it up by myself, I don't really recall
私自分でやった？ 皆は戻って、一緒にやった？ いや。。。覚えない
Not a great memory.....so now, I am quite happy to put up a tree in just 5 minutes
余りいい記憶じゃないので、今。。。楽にトリ―を飾って出来ることは。。。とても嬉しい、ハッピのこと！
Not size. It is the spirit of Christmas that counts.
大きさより。。。 クリスマスの気分。 平和、幸せ気分が大事です！
I hope you are enjoying the wonderful holidays!
皆もこの素敵な季節を楽しんでね！