As for me, one of my favorite activities is coordinating colors.

At first, due to my interest in fashion, I used to learn “color analysis,” selecting the most suitable colors based on a person’s skin tone. At that time, I was surprised to know that a person looks more cheerful and confident when wearing appropriate types of colors. This experience increased my interest in colors and escalated my motivation to learn more about the world of colors. Not only coordinating colors for clothes, but also thinking about creating color coordination for everyday things, such as interior design, is a big part of who I am.

To be a successful learner in any field, knowing the colors that influence us to learn positively and help us to make the most use of them can be worth taking into consideration!

I would like to share some tips for you to create an environment which fosters your learning.

Blog Quiz

1. According to the blog, what is color analysis?

A.    Using color to predict your future.

B.    Choosing colors that best match your skin color.

C.    Coordinating your clothes with the seasons.

 

2. According to the blog, what is the benefit of the colors yellow and orange?

 

A.    They help to cheer you up.

B.    They make you feel more relaxed.

C.    They encourage you to work harder.

 

3. According to the blog, what color should you use if you want to concentrate on a difficult task?

 

A.    Blue.

B.    Orange or yellow.

C.    Green.

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. B

2. A

3. C

The Internet wasn’t always so popular as it is now. In the early years of the Internet, it was really a very exclusive platform for people to use. Even after it moved from research and academics into the public, it was still only for those curious enough to try. My older brother and I had connected to a local bulletin board system (BBS) using a dial-up modem that was annoying for the family because it used our one telephone line (we eventually got a second phone number for the computer). 

Those times were much more experimental and friendly than what I’ve seen in recent years. You knew that the other person you were talking to was a human being, and the owner of the BBS even hosted some get-togethers in the real world for people who used it. There weren’t people trying to attack and insult others because of tiny differences, but most often things were just talked about. Part of that is because the software wasn’t ready for the general public, but I also think it attracted a smaller group of people whom genuinely cared about what the Internet could be used for.

This slowly began to change as software improved. Chat rooms became a common feature with easier interfaces, and people who couldn’t handle the technical requirements earlier now had access. The Internet became more of a tool to connect people, but it also challenged what was comfortable for most people. That’s when I began hearing more about people who would eventually become what we know now as trolls. While this wasn’t new to me since I had already developed an understanding of the Internet, it began to turn me off a little bit to what the Internet was becoming.

During college, even though the university had cable Internet access (a revolution at the time), I was less attracted to it. Computers also became an expensive business, so the friendliness of building computers was complicated by convenience. After graduating, I worked in developing countries, and getting the newest, most expensive computers seemed silly. I continued to have technology as a part of my life, but I found the changes made to the Internet less interesting than how they were in the beginning.

Now, the Internet is tightly woven in the fabric of society, especially because of more recent events. In the past it was more of an optional, leisure time outlet for people, recently the Internet’s role as a tool seems to have been made more important. The idea of technology just for the sake of more technology seems less interesting when people just need it to work. In a way, things have returned a little bit to the way things were in the beginning because the Internet is taking a more fundamental role in society. It isn’t easy, but, to some extent, the life side of it makes the “tech” side of everything less obvious. Tech is being replaced by living.

 

Photo Credit: Burst@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

1. According to the blog what is a ‘troll’?

a) An ugly mythical creature who lives under a bridge

b) A person who intentionally upsets people on the internet by posting inflammatory messages

c) A small spade used for gardening

 

2. How did the author’s experiences in a third world country change his view of technology?

a) He realized there were more important things in life than having the latest technologies.

b) He decided to donate all his money to charity

c) He became more interested in travel than technology

 

3. According to the author why is technology becoming less obvious?

a) People can’t understand technology

b) People who build computers aren’t friendly

c) Technology is taking a more fundamental role in society

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. B

2. A

3. C

Because of the recent pandemic, many people choose to stay inside. If they do go out, it is only to stock up on food or other necessities. We need to remember to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Parks and bike-ways can be places to enjoy nature and still respect social distancing rules. Some people say “But what is there to do outside? There’s nothing to see…” A hobby I started long ago in childhood has stayed with me all these years. It is a way to enjoy the outdoors and see and learn about some fascinating things. What is it? Bird watching! Yes, observing birds in your local area is a great way to connect to the environment and become aware of the amazing diversity of birds and their behaviors. It will also give you motivation for getting outdoors.

 

How do you ‘bird watch”?

The best way is to have a pair of decent binoculars and a bird book for your local area. It is possible to bird without binocs, but you really miss a lot of details as birds tend to be small and quick. You can also find many pictures of birds with descriptions on the Internet. Don’t forget birds make a variety of calls and songs as well. It’s one more way of identifying a species. You will begin to notice that bird species can occupy different habitats. I like to visit forests, lakes, riversides, and open parks. You can start right around your home. How many different species can you observe just there? After you get a few species names under your belt, you might want to try a different area away from your home. You can find birds in places crowded with people as well as in unpopulated areas.

 

Here’s a few kinds of birds I have seen just from bird watching around my apartment in the city: Sparrows, Doves, Pigeons, Ravens, Thrushes, Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Bulbuls, Lapwings, Woodpeckers, White-Eyes, Redstarts, Swallows, Hawks…The list goes on.

 

The next time you walk to the store, try to catch sight of a few birds. Are they all the same? Different? Do they make the same noises? Are they the same shape, color, or size? When you start learning species names, try keeping a list and you can add to it as you learn more about birds and bird watching. And finally, if it’s possible, birding can be more fun with a partner or two along to enjoy the time outdoors.

 

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

1. Why does the author recommend bird watching?

A.    It helps people connect with nature.

B.    It is a safe activity during the pandemic.

C.    Both A and B.

 

2. Which is NOT mentioned as a way birds can be identified?

 

A.    By listening to their sounds.

B.    By watching television.

C.    By using a book.

 

3. In the last sentence, what does ‘birding’ mean?

 

A.    Catching birds.

B.    Looking for birds.

C.    Studying about birds.

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. C

2. B

3. B

Housing issues are always annoying. One visits many real estate agencies before finding a property. When one finds a good property, it still takes time to settle in. While it is exciting to begin a new life in a new place, all the processes involved can be irritating. Some students may have started their lives in new apartments this Spring, while others still need to find rooms for the Fall semester.

 

Having had several experiences of looking for accommodation and moving, I have two tips that I would like to share with you.

 

My priority is that my apartment has sufficient sunlight because I had the unpleasant experience of living in a very dark room previously. The rent was affordable, the room was quite large, and I found the new kitchen appliances to be attractive. However, the lack of sunlight was simply awful. Although the room had a balcony on the south side, the room was dark because there was a factory just in front of it. Therefore, I had to keep the lights on all the time, even during the day; my bedding grew mould even in summer, and the room was icy cold in winter, even when the heater was on. I now believe that the power of sunlight gives me the energy to wake up and tells me when it is time to relax as it moves from east to west.

 

The second point is that after moving several times, I realised that it was easier to live with limited furnishings. When I embarked on my life in Tokyo as an undergraduate student, it was fun to buy ornaments and put them on shelves. At the same time, I had a part-time job at a clothing store, which increased the amount of ‘stuff’ in my cupboards. When I graduated from university, I moved to a new apartment. At that time, when the staff at the moving company saw my room, they said, “Wow, this is a big job…” They were right. I had too many things that I did not use often, or never used at all. Since then, I have attempted to decrease my possessions. I am not a minimalist, but I feel good when I keep my closet and kitchen shelves tidy.

 

By the time I moved into a student dormitory in London, I was surprised to find that I could pack everything I needed into two suitcases that I had brought from Japan. When I arrived in London, I purchased some pans and blankets to live a comfortable life as a student there. I began to wonder why I felt that I needed so many things when I was an undergraduate. Our society is materialistic, and the economy is based on consumption; however, the number of possessions someone has does not indicate whether the person is happy or wealthy.

 

Photo Credit: cottonbro@pexels.com

 

Blog Quiz

1. Why did the author dislike the dark room he lived in?

A.    It was cold.

B.    Mold grew easily.

C.    Both A and B.

 

2. In paragraph 4, what does the author mean by ‘minimalist’?

 

A.   A small room.

B.   A person with few possessions.

C.   A person who hates moving.

 

3. How does the author currently feel about possessions?

 

A.   He thinks they are not that important for happiness.

B.    He needs more pans and blankets.

C.    He wants to be more materialistic.

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. C

2. B

3. A

According to the encyclopedia of Japanese Frogs, forty-eight types of frogs live in Japan. How many of them have you seen? May to August is the best season to meet some of them. Let me introduce three kinds of frogs that you can find in Shiga prefecture.

 

One of the most common frogs is the Japanese Tree Frog, 'ama-gaeru' in Japanese. 'Ama' stands for 'rain' and 'gaeru' for 'frog.' As the name indicates, you are most likely to find them during rainy season. It is a small frog about three to four centimeters long. They are small, but they sing very loudly. So please be careful if you you plan to keep them as a pet in your apartment. If you visit an area with rice fields, you will probably be able to find eggs and tadpoles just before and during rainy season. Be careful not to stamp on frogs when they are crossing the road from one rice field to another one.

 

Somewhat rare frogs you can find in mountain areas are the forest green tree frog and schlegel's green tree frog. They usually live on land and they come close to water sites when they lay eggs. Other types of frogs usually lay their eggs in water with a jelly-like coating. However, the eggs of these tree frogs are coated with bubbles and are laid on grass or leaves of trees hanging over the water. Within approximately two weeks, the eggs hatch and the tadpoles are washed away into the water by rain and live in the water until they grow legs. When you visit the mountains for them, watch out for leeches.

 

If you are wondering what the other forty-five types of frogs are like, why don't you go outside and try to find them? You will be able to find other interesting creatures as well.

 

 

Photo Credit: Kaboompics@pexels.com

 

Blog Quiz

 

1. When is the best season to see frogs in Japan?

2. What does 'ama-gaeru' mean in English?

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

 

 

1. May to August (summer)

2. rain frog

3. tadpoles

Natural disasters have struck our country frequently in recent years. A strong typhoon accompanied by extensive rain caused wide-spread flooding; several massive earthquakes occurred in different regions across the country, and the most recent disaster has been the COVID-19 pandemic. Because these disasters occur suddenly, we have to stockpile daily necessities to last for several days at home, and learn how to evacuate according to the local government’s evacuation plan. Although we can prepare for disasters, we do not know what will happen when a disaster occurs. Trustworthy information is essential in order to make correct decisions when experiencing an emergency, particularly in bewildering situations, such as at the beginning of an incident.

 

Kazuyuki Sato advocated that Yasashii Nihongo（やさしい日本語）should be used to deliver essential information to non-Japanese people living in Japan during the confusion caused by the disaster. Kazuyuki Sato was inspired to develop a simple version of the Japanese language when a large earthquake struck the Hanshin area and Awajishima Island in 1995. At that time, essential information for foreigners during a disaster was supposed to be translated; however, local governments were not able to translate the information quickly because the earthquake also impacted government agencies. Therefore, Yasashii Nihongo was used temporarily to deliver essential information immediately after disasters because the common language in Japan is Japanese. Once the situation had calmed down, local governments intended to translate detailed information into foreign languages.

 

Yasashii Nihongo is currently in general use by local governments and communities. If one accesses Osaka prefecture’s special website explaining COVID-19 and governmental support, one will find a link to the same information in Yasashii Nihongo. As the information is essential in an emergency, it may be helpful for foreign residents who do not have perfect understanding of Japanese.

 

According to the Ikuno Ward in Osaka City, which encourages the use of Yasashii Nihongo, six aspects are necessary in order to convert standard Japanese into simple Japanese. These are:

 

1. Speak slowly.

2. Divide long sentences into shorter sentences.

3. Use basic vocabulary.

4. Avoid using words that originated in foreign languages.

5. Use examples.

6. Avoid the use of regional dialects.

 

Yasashii Nihongo is also used in everyday settings. The conversion process does not seem to be particularly difficult for native Japanese speakers. The number of non-Japanese people living in Japan is increasing, and many of them learn Japanese as a foreign language. At the beginning of their lives in Japan, Yasashii Nihongo may help them to understand and communicate with local residents. This will constitute an internal contribution to globalisation.

 

Ikuno Ward Office, Osaka City. 生野区「やさしい日本語から、つながろう」. 2020/05/27 Updated. 2020/06/10 accessed

 

Photo Credit: Lisa Fotios@pexels.com

 

Blog Quiz

1. In paragraph 1, what does ‘stockpile’ mean?

A.   To put things in a pile.

B.    To make a shopping list.

C.    To make a collection of things you need.

 

2. What is the purpose of Yasashii Nihongo?

A.    To encourage non-Japanese residents to learn Japanese.

B.    To assist communication between Japanese and non-Japanese people.

C.    To make websites to teach Japanese.

3. Which of these are examples of Yasashii Nihongo?

 

A.    Speaking slowly with a standard Japanese accent.

B.    Using short sentences and simple words.

C.    Giving examples and avoiding katakana words.

D.    All of the above.

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. C

2. B

3. D

The Philippines has many young people with passion and enthusiasm to work for their people. In the summer of 2017, I joined a study tour led by an NGO in Kyoto to visit several places in the Philippines to meet local people and to learn about their life under difficult conditions. The NGO has been supporting the local people in the Philippines for more than 20 years and gave us an opportunity to meet them. The average age of the country’s citizens was 23 years old, much younger than Japan. We saw many ambitious young people, and I would like to introduce some of them.    

 

When we visited the largest disadvantaged area, Tondo District in Manila, we met Jel, one of the energetic young people who came to talk to us about their life. She was a twenty-year-old mother with a two-year-old son. Jel, her son, and her husband were living in Tondo District, close to Smokey Mountain. In the district, many people were making a living by collecting recyclable garbage and selling it. Jel and her younger siblings were raised by their grandmother there. Their life was hard; however, she never gave up learning. She became the best student in the sixth grade and got 13 medals. In junior high school, she worked as a babysitter to support her family. She went to school from seven in the morning to four in the afternoon. After school, she baby-sat four children until eleven o’clock at night. Even though she was very busy, she studied hard and became the second-best student. When she was sixteen, she joined the NGO youth group. She experienced a variety of activities, such as playing sports in a team and working as a volunteer. She learned the importance of human relationships like family and friends and also wanted to support other young people. She said to us, “I want to be a president of this country in the future and help the people in need.” We were quite impressed by her strong will and big smile.

 

Another ambitious young person was Rommel in Perez, Alabat Island, about five hours from Manila by bus and boat. He was a seventeen-year-old high school student and a youth group leader in the district. The NGO has been working for young students to finish elementary education in the district for about twenty years. In Perez, many fathers are low-income farmers or fishermen who work for long hours, and many mothers are busy working at home and taking care of five or six children. They have a severe financial situation and some of their kids cannot even finish elementary school. The NGO helps them financially with scholarships and also encourages them to engage in learning together through after school activities. Rommel used to be one of the scholars and has been supported by the NGO. Later, he joined the NGO youth group and became a leader of the group. He was taking care of younger members and planning some activities for their physical and mental health. He wanted to go to college and study to be a police officer to protect vulnerable people. We admired his action and friendly smile.

 

Before visiting the Philippines, I was not sure what to talk about or what kind of questions to ask even though I really wanted to communicate with the local people. However, their heartwarming welcome helped all of the participants, including me, to relax and get to know them. We spent time together and were able to become friends. They were very energetic and full of hope and inspired us to take action to extend our friendship. I want to keep my eye on future young leaders who are determined to contribute to their communities and their country.

 

Photo Credit: The Author

 

Blog Quiz

 

1. Which of these didn’t Jel do?

A.   Earn awards for academic success.

B.   Become a politician.

C.   Work taking care of children.

D.   Volunteer for an NGO.

 

2. Which of these describes Rommel?

A.   He is a youth group leader.

B.   He supports the health of others.

C.   He wants to study at a university.

D.   All of the above.

  

3. What is the main idea of the story?

A.   How a young mother overcame difficulties.

B.   What happens on an NGO tour.

C.   How a young man became a policeman.

D.   How people in the Philippines inspired the author.

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. B

2. D

3. D

My hometown in America is known mainly for its tourism. With the mountains and forests surrounding it as well as 19th century architecture dotting the town, a person can spend a lot of time doing little. If someone wanted to take some time to be alone, they could simply go hiking or read next to a waterfall.

 

For this reason, living on the edge of nature has been something I had gotten used to when I was kid. In our home we had a birdhouse next to the deck, and we would regularly see a battle between gray squirrels and birds over who got to eat the bird feed. We eventually had to remove the birdhouse because the animals were making a mess, but it was always refreshing to see nature so close.

 

Now that I live in Nara, I’ve been given something a little similar by being close to nature again. The squirrels I knew as a kid have gotten bigger and look more like deer, but the presence of nature has returned. This is not something I was able to pay very much attention to over the past couple of years. In many ways, I was similar to the tourists and other visitors that had regularly walked around Nara Park. I would pass by and observe nature through the window of a bus, but couldn’t see very much in the early morning or later in the evening. It felt more like I was still a guest in my own community.

 

Recently, though, my relationship (and perhaps the relationship of many who live in Nara) is somewhat different with nature. There are now fewer people out, and that creates a little more privacy. On prepared trips out, it’s now a little easier to be uninterrupted and pay better attention to nature. The many deer in Nara have grown more adventurous and occupy more of the park. They are still comfortable around people, but the deer don’t expect to be given crackers unless they hear something that sounds like it. Not everywhere in the world will have these same sights as Nara, but, in these slower times, it seems healthy to make a little time to be peaceful.

 

Eventually my schedule will go back to something closer to normal, and perhaps my relationship with the nature in Nara will be a little less. Still, the transition to a more even-paced life has helped me to look around more carefully and see the things I may have otherwise overlooked. While I would have definitely preferred different reasons to bring about this change of season, it has kept me from focusing only on what is in front of me, and instead to look around more often.

 

 

Photo Credit: Manuela Adler@pexels.com

 

Blog Quiz

True or False?

1. The author didn’t have much experience with nature as a child.

 

2. The author often visits Nara as a tourist.

 

 

3. Recent events have changed the author’s viewpoint of Nara.

           

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. False

2. False (He lives there)

3. True

Is the Color “Blue” or “Green” on a Traffic Light?

 

Before the invention of the blue light emitting diode, which made the “blue” on a traffic light look much more blue, the color on the traffic light was “green”. In most western countries today, such as the U.S.A., the traffic light meaning “go” is called “a green light”. Today, I’m going to talk about “colors”. There are some interesting differences in the way colors are thought of by Japanese and Westerners.

 

Let’s start with filling in the blanks with the name of a color:

1. I am healthy = I am in the ____.

2. He isn’t mature enough = He is _____.

3. She is good at gardening= She has a _____ thumb.

4. They are cowards= They are ______.

5. He has bruise around his eye= He has a _____ eye.

 

Check your answers at the bottom of this page. How many did you get right? I thought number 2’s answer was blue because of “Aonisai（青二才）” in Japanese and that number 5’s answer was blue or purple because of “Aoaza（青あざ） in Japanese. It is a well known fact that the Japanese sense of color differs from that of people overseas. Some say the differences can be attributed to cultural issues, genetic factors such as the performance of photoreceptors inside the eyes or even the climate. Acquiring a certain country's ideology regarding colors can be difficult unless you are a native to that specific country.

 

There are also cultural differences in the way countries think of numbers. The numbers 4 and 9 are considered bad luck by the Japanese. In the western mind, the numbers 13 and 666 are bad luck or carry a negative image. I hope you have a chance to discover and experience these interesting differences in culture and ways of thinking.

 

 

1. pink   2. green   3. green   4. yellow   5. black

 

 

Photo Credit: JESHOOTS.com@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

1. In the United States, what color do they call the traffic light that means “go”?

 

A.   blue

B.   green

C.    yellow

 

2. What color represents a person who is not brave?

A.   yellow

B.    pink

C.    green

3. What numbers have bad images in many western countries?

 

A.    4 & 9

B.    666 & 13

C.    2 & 5

 

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

 

1. B

2. A

3. B

Some of you may have heard people say that English food isn’t very delicious. You may have heard that it has no taste and is rather bland. Well, one of the reasons for this is that British food is often eaten with sauces and other condiments to give it taste. Those of you unfamiliar with England may be unaware of the wide range of traditional sauces and condiments that can be found in a typical British household. It is not unusual for condiments to be put out at most mealtimes. There are so many that it is difficult to tell you about them here. So today I am going to introduce what I think are the top 5 essential British condiments.

Branston Pickle

Branston pickle is a pickled chutney first made in the village of Branston in Staffordshire in 1922. It is made from a variety of diced vegetables, including swede, carrots, onions and cauliflower, pickled in a sauce made from vinegar, tomato, apple and spices. It is sweet and spicy containing large chunks of vegetables in a thick brown sticky sauce. It is often served as part of a ploughman’s lunch, a popular food served in British pubs. It is also often eaten with cheddar cheese in sandwiches. The Branston brand was sold to the Japanese company Mizkan in 2012.

Mint Sauce

Mint Sauce is a condiment made from finely chopped peppermint leaves. The chopped leaves are mixed with vinegar and sugar. In British cooking it is usually only served with roast lamb.

Golden Syrup

This is a thick amber coloured syrup made from sugar. Its appearance and consistency is similar to honey. It tastes very sweet and is used in a lot of British baking; for example, cakes and flapjacks. The first can of Golden Syrup was sold in 1885. Interestingly, it is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as having the world’s oldest brand and packing. The label is very unusual and shows the rotting carcass of a lion surrounded by flies. This comes from an old biblical story. The motto is ‘out of the strong comes sweetness.’

Worcester Sauce

The history of Worcester Sauce is an interesting story. Apparently the idea originated from Sir Charles, the Chief Justice of India, who sent the secret recipe he had found in India to Lady Sandys in Worcester. It consisted of an unusual mixture of anchovies, brine, molasses, vinegar and spices. Lady Sandys asked a local chemical company, Lea and Perrin, to make it. Unfortunately the resulting sauce was found to be inedible, so it was never used. Some years later one of the workers in the factory found an old barrel of the original mixture in the basement. The chemists decided to try it and found that the taste had mellowed with age. In 1837 the company started producing bottles of Worcester Sauce and it is still popular today.

Bovril

This is a dark paste made from beef extract. It was originally a war food designed to provide nutrition to the British soldiers fighting in the Franco Prussian War (1870). It was first sold to the public in 1888. Nowadays it is eaten spread on toast or mixed with water as a hot drink. It is a little similar in looks and consistency to Marmite and Vegemite which are made from yeast extract.

So there you have it. Five delicious British sauces to add a little spice to your meals!

Photo Credit (Dominika Gregušová@Pexels.com)