The tiny little girl and the cute flower nymp

A long long ago, there was a tiny little girl in the small village.
She was very shy and she had almost no friends.
Everyday she went walking the path alone.

One day she went through the path to the field.
There were wildflowers.
Then she had been so tired, she took a nap there and dreamed.
In her dream she met the cute flower nymph.
"How do you do, a tiny little girl?
I'm a flower nymph. I give you a twig, and you bring it home carefully.
Then you put this twig in a small bottle, and you pour water on it every night. You must not forget."

The cute flower nymph told her and soon disappeared.

When she woke up and really found the twig.
And then she took it and went to her home hastily.
She did as the cute flower nymph told.

Next early morning she got up and looked at the small bottle.

There was a small red petal.
Days passed by, there was a colorful petal with the twig one by one ... orange, yellow, green,

blue, indigo, and violet.
After seven days, surprisingly, only a twig turned to the colorful twig.

At that night she dreamed again.
In her dream the cute flower nymph appeared again and told her...
" Whenever you have some trouble and feel lonely, you should talk to the colorful twig.

They surely cheer you up. But anyway...don't forget to pour water on it every night."

Next morning she woke up... and then she felt warm-hearted.

After that for a long time she lived really happily every day.

My home town ―Sakai City―

Hello

I've not seen you for a long time.

Because I have been so busy every day

And I couldn't study English very much.

But ... The other day my teacher Nana gave me a homework that is telling us about your home town " Sakai City".

Today I show you my home town Sakai City

Sakai City is Osaka prefecture's second biggest city, after Osaka City, and it's called "the bedroom town".
It stands on the banks of the River Yamato and the Osaka Plain, the south of Osaka City.
It has a population of over 1,000,000.
It is famous city for coastal industrial areas.

The origin of Sakai ascend to the "Jomon Period".
In the 5th century there were built many ancient tombs.
Especially there's "the mousoleum of Emperor Nintoku".
It's the most famous,biggest,and oldest tomb square ahead and round behind.
The others are "the mousoleum of Emperor Hanzei, and Emperor Rityu".
It tells us the culture of Sakai has developed since ancient times.

In the 15th and the 16th century, Sakai was the most famous trading port.
In the 16th century the Japanese called Portuguese and Spanish "Nanbanjin".
And the trading between Japan and Portugal was called "Nanban Trade".
They exported gun (matchlock), gunpowder, and silk.
Gun were brought to Tnegashima in Japan from Porutugal in 1543, and after that from Tanegashima to Sakai.
The Japanese exported silver, sword (Katana, kitchen knife, and scissor), and marine products.
In 1550 Francisco de Xavier who is a missionary came to Sakai.
In those days Sakai was called "Eastern Venice", because Sakai was "free city" which had the big privilege and freedom.

One of the famous people was "Sen no Rikyu".
He lived in Sakai and popularized "Tea Ceremony".
Nowadays Oct. 16th and 17th "The Sakai Festival" have held every year.
There are "Nanban Costume Parade", "The Matchgun Force", and "The Tea Ceremony" at the Nansyuji Temple.
And the Sakai citizen are dancing the "Sakai-Ondo(dancing music)."
Anyway history and culture of Sakai have been followed until now and forever.

I think everyone has their home town

And ...when you're tired of daily life or you' re sad, you should tihink about your home town.

I'm sure your home town reminds you your parents, your childhood, and happy memories like beautiful scenery of your town

Even though we say "Home Town", but don't mind "Town" is city, village, and province.

For you "Home Town" is your spiritual home. I think...

What does " Your home town " mean for you

DEAR MY DAD

My heart is overflowing of his love ...Dad ...good bye and thank you

I haven't seen you for a long time.

Becasue ...unfortunately...my dearest father passed away last July 27, 2010

He had felt so bad two or three days ago...but once he had been getting better.

For a while he had been uncouncious, but he had become conscious again.

So my family was really relieved, and I talked to him a lot of things and laughed...

But last July 27 on Tuesday at midnight ...Suddenly I received the call from his hospital.

The doctor said " Just now ...a several minutes ago, your father died, suddenly."

There's no problem, of course ECG..., so there were no ways of saving my father for the doctor and nurse.

All my family couldn't see him on his deathbed

I was so sad ...and I thought I was not a good daughter for him...

Just then... I had listened to music crying

Good bye , Thank you

I love you , I love you

Good bye , Smile for me

Don't cry...there are lots of words

My heart is overflowing of his love

GOOD BYE and THANK YOU DAD

But just now ...I'm very happy...

Because there are many friends around me.

And they cheered me up

My father's funeral was held last July 29...This day was my sister's birthday

And his remains were cremated at 11:28.

11:28...This is my birthday and my daughter's birth time.

7/29 11:28

What a coincidence

And I think this is my father's last surprise

For us ...my father's death has been very sad, but in heaven he has met his wife ...my mother for the first time in eleven years

I think they are really very happy

And my father and mother reminded us of the saying:

Sad and Happiness are opposite sides of the same coin.

Maybe I feel sad , but I'll recover soon

Because I always be watched by dad & mam

And also I relief dad & mam always go toghter

I feel so thankful for Sralie's teacher...

I heard after my father's funeral, all teacher had worried me.

Especially Nana and Johann

Thank you for everything

I won't forget these things forever...

To my dearest father and mother ...with my whole heart

August 3, 2010

Love

Hiromi

XOXO