Saturday, August 31, 2019

My Student's Funny Story

Even some of my advanced English students don't "get" American jokes or humor. Humor doesn't always seem to translate well. Recently, one of my students brought this funny story he had printed from the internet and said he thought it was an American joke. Having been through quite a few of the age groups, I thought it was cute.  I had to explain what a Dairy Queen was. (Do or did you have one in your town?) Anyway, here is the story.  You can tell me if you think it is funny.


A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View Restaurant because they only had $6.00 among them and Jimmy Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street.  


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the drinks were cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover charge, and there were lots of cute guys.  


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the atmosphere was good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn't be too many whiney little kids.



At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters were younger.


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of hot flashes), and fish is good for choloesterol.


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an early bird special.


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 75-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.


At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 85-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they had never been there before.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Smalls Stitch A Long 2019 - August

The pattern for this month's ornament is a freebie from Krienik. It is called Festive Fir Ornament and can be found here, if you want to make it, too. I made the twisted cording from #5 perle cotton.




This year's Smalls SAL is hosted by Mary at Mary's Thread.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Shimada Tadashi - Wild Moments

Sunday, I took the train to Tokyo to see an exhibit at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum.




The exhibit is called Shimada Tadashi - Wild Moments, The World of Beautiful Birds. (Check out the link for information and some photographs.) Shimada Tadashi is a 70 year old photographer from  Hokkaido.  The exhibit consisted of five sections of fantastic photos, with information in both Japanese and English.  Of course, I couldn't take photographs in the exhibit, but this is one photo that was allowed in the lobby.



It's an amazing exhibit!  If you are in Tokyo before September 23rd, check it out. The museum is easy to get to from the Ebisu station.  


Nearby the museum is a Blue Seal Ice Cream Shop.  Blue Seal is from Okinawa and found in few other places. I couldn't resist a double scoop (pineapple sherbert and mint chocolate ice cream) cone.


I enjoyed my Sunday in the city.



Monday, August 26, 2019

Monday Morning Star Count - Week 16

Year Three of the temperature quilt  

Week 16

August 11 - 17 

93, 91, 91, 88, 84, 91, 95




Year 3, Weeks 1-16





I am reporting the high temperature each day.  My Year Three temperature/color (Fahrenheit) scheme remains the same: 

100 + Brown 

90-99 Red  

80-89 Orange 

70-79 Yellow  

60-69 Green  

50-59 Blue 

40-49 Purple 

30-39 Pink 

20-29 White 

10-19 Black  

You can see my finished Year One Quilt here.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

A.Word.A.Day

I subscribe to a site called A.Word.A.Day, which sends me an English word each weekday.  I figure it's good to try to expand my vocabulary.  Often there are very interesting words.  Recently the word was Lunule, which means

noun:
1. The crescent-shaped whitish area at the base of the fingernail.
2. Any crescent-shaped mark, object, etc.





Did you know that is what the crescent-shaped area of your fingernail is called?  I didn't and thought it was interesting enough to share.


Saturday, August 24, 2019

Odd Translations and Misspellings

Japan is getting ready for the many tourists who will be visiting the country for next year's Olympics by translating tourist information into English. Some of the translations are rather puzzling for English speakers. 

Here are a couple I recently read on the Japan Today website. "Forgotten Center" was used for the Lost and Found. At a train station, "dwarf" was used for children, and "release place" for ticket machine. 


Some translations can be funny.

At daytranslations.com, I found:



This one meant only customers can use the toilet.  


Apparently these little plastic containers can cause a choking hazard.  


Some are spelling mistakes or just plain strange.

At dorkley.com I saw these T-shirts:





Have you seen or heard any funny or strange translations?


Friday, August 23, 2019

Friday Finish - Pink Butterfly Kimono Bag

I finished another hexagon butterfly into a kimono drawstring bag. The back and the lining are made from one uncut piece.





Thursday, August 22, 2019

Neighborhood Shrines and Temples

Whenever I'm out and about, I look both ways as I walk.  I'm not just looking for cars that may not see me, I'm looking for small neighborhood shrines or temples. Recently, when I was in Shizuoka City, I looked up a hill and saw this tiny shrine.



Just a short distance away was this bigger grander temple (I think it was a temple because of the cemetery and there was no torii, but I may be wrong).











What an interesting world I live in.



Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Mt. Fuji - I Made It To The Top!

I've wanted to climb Mt. Fuji since coming to Japan. I tried once before a couple of years ago, but had to turn back. The Fuji climbing season is short - July 10th to September 10th, and the weather makes it even more difficult. I had been watching the Mt. Fuji weather forecast and decided Saturday the 17th would be the best weather day.




I started out early and it was a pretty day. It was fairly warm for the elevation and somewhat windy.




There are four trails up to the top.  I chose the Fujinomiya Trail, which is the steepest (29.8%) and the shortest, starting at 2400 meters. (The least steep and longest trail is the Gotemba trail at 23.1%, starting at 1440 meters.)





Being a nice weather weekend day, there were plenty of other people out with me.

















The Top!  I was almost there.



This is it!  3776 meters. I was finally there. I walked around, took some pictures, and mailed some post cards at the highest post office in Japan.







Walking up was difficult, but going back down was even more so.  My legs felt like cooked spaghetti and my knees just wanted to buckle.



This might be the most difficult physical thing I've ever done.  I'm really happy I was able to make it to the top (and make it back down)! 


If you are thinking of climbing Mt. Fuji, check out Gary J. Wolff's website for lots of great information. Mountain Forecast.com is the weather site I used. Other bits of advice - bring some garden gloves to wear.  The volcanic rocks are sharp.  Remember to bring some lip balm.  The wind really dried out my lips.  Trekking poles would have been useful. Bring more water than you think you will drink.  I brought 2 1/2 liters and drank all of it plus I paid 500 yen for another small bottle of water on my way down.   

And - don't give up!