Teaching language

My seven-years-old son only speaks English.  I thought my son would be bilingual before he was born.  However, the thing was not easy.  And I realized that it really needs patience.  I have been teaching him a Japanese for long time.  After he started going child day care, he became more familiar with listening and speaking English.  He understands some Japanese words but he always responds me in English.  Sometimes I get confuse when I having conversation with him in Japanese and English.  It is very stressful.  He also can not communicate with my family in Japan.   Since he likes Nintendo games, I try to motivate him to learn Japanese to get a job at Nintendo when he grow up!  One of the reason I decided to go back to school is that I really felt I need to improve my English for my son, when I realized it is difficult to communicate in Japanese.  Because I felt that he won't be listen to me when he grow up if I don't speak English well.  I hope he will be able to speak Japanese better by the time we go to Japan.  Raising child in a different contry is really a big challenge.

Magnolia bakery

I wasn’t a big fun of cupcake.  However, since I read an article about Magnolia bakery on Japanese weekly newspaper in New York, I was very interested to try it.   Magnolia bakery is originally located in downtown of New York City.  The bakery became very famous since it was featured on popular TV drama “Sex and the City”.  Their shop now is located in Los Angeles and Dubai too.  When I went to the Natural History Museum last week, I stopped at one of their shop in Grand Central Station.  I personally didn’t like American cake.  It is hard to find good pastry in the USA.  Even it is three or more stars restaurant’s pastry had never satisfied me.  Therefore, honestly, I didn’t really expect it would be good.  I tried a cupcake called Japan cupcake and Chocolate cupcake. (I shared with my son.) They were both surprisingly amazing!! The sponge cake was soft and fluffy (I don’t like wet and heavy kind of sponge cake). The icing was stunningly rich and not too sweet.   I had never had a cupcake which made me so happy.  There is a famous cupcake bakery shop called “Crumbs” in Westport and it is also originated from NYC. I was really disappointed when I eat their cupcake a few months ago.  In contrast, Magnolia bakery’s cupcakes are truly great!  

Gaspe Peninsula

Gaspe was the final destination of my trip in Canada.  It took about twelve hours From Montreal by bus.  I and my friend were exhausted when we get there.  We stayed in the motel near the bus stop and we went to buy dinner to the town which is located the walking distances from the bus stop.  The town looked empty and quiet.  My first impression about Gaspe was deserted place. I just saw few people in the supermarket area.  I don't think I can live here.  Next day, we took a bus another an hour to see Perce Rock.  It is popular photographed spot in Gaspe Peninsula.  Perce was a small tourist village. The view of Perce Rock was very beautiful!!  We also visited museum and unique shops there.

This ten month journey gave me an unprecedented experiences and memories.  I had many encounters during this journey and I’m still getting in touch with them. Our dream is travelling across Canada once again when we retire.  I can hardly wait it!!

Quebec City

Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec.  It took three hours from Montreal.  Quebec City is charming, adorable and romantic.  When I walking around the city, I couldn’t believe this is in North America. I’ve never been to Paris but many people said it is like Paris.  I like the colors of the buildings and a lot of café.  People were very friendly to the tourists.  There are many family operated petite hotels in the city.  It is reasonable than staying regular hotels and feels like at home.  Since we have been in the youth hostel for many days, we were very happy to stay nice and relaxing private room.  We enjoyed great dinner at Petit Champlain area.  The menu was only in French and the waiter didn't speak English very well.  Although it was a challenge, everything was excellent.  People said that visiting in Quebec City in winter is also beautiful.  I hope I could visit there again sometime near future. 

Montreal

I just remembered I haven’t finished the story of my travel experience across Canada. 

Montreal is the second largest city in Canada.  Almost 70% of their population speaks French.  When I arrived in Montreal, I felt like I came to Europe. I like the combination of modern downtown and historical area of Old Montreal.  I also impressed about how people are very friendly there.  It was a big difference from Toronto or any other big city.  Although we can’t really communicate, people tried to have conversation with us and helped us a lot almost everywhere we go. 

I had a memorable episode at Montreal.  I and my friend were trying to find how to get to the youth hostel and we were looking at a map at the subway station.  One guy asked us if we need a help.  He kindly took us to the youth hostel, although it was late evening.  When we get to the youth hostel, we realized that it is not very good area.  He asked us “Are you sure you want to stay here?”  We said “…Mm..Yes…”   Because we hadn’t thought any other option and we were too tired to look for another one.  Surprisingly, he offered us to stay his house.  We were little hesitated because it could be a bad choice…???  But he really seems not like that kind of person.  Then, we agreed. (I wouldn't agree if I were by myself...)   He gave us a nice confortable room and he prepared a breakfast for us next morning.  Additionally, he borrowed a car from his brother and drove us around for sightseeing.  At a lunch time, we offered to buy his lunch for thank you.  But he said “You don’t have to do that. I just want you guy to enjoy staying Montreal.” He was really a nice guy.

His kindness really made our trip more memorable and enjoyable.  I love Montreal!!

A phone stress

Today, I tried to make a payment for my car insurance.  Since I forgot to send a check by mail, I had to pay it over the phone to meet the due date.  First, the machine said that press your zip code to verify. Next, it asked me “if you want to make a payment over the phone say Yes or No”.  Then, it said “Do you want to pay current amount? Or the whole amount of rest of the year? Or other amount?”  I said “Current amount” but the machine didn’t recognize my pronunciation.  I shouted on the phone “Current amount!” for three times.  Finally, the phone was transferred to the assistant.  It gave me more stress.  The customer assistant speaks so fast and unclearly.  I had to say “Excuse me?” and ” Could you speak more slowly?” many times .  When I finally finished making a payment, he started to offer life insurance.  I just wanted to finish this conversation.  I just said “I’ll call back if I’m interested.” and hang up the phone. How come so difficult about just making a payment?   When I hang up the phone, I was so exhausted and depressed.

Karaoke

When I was in Japan, I used to go to karaoke a lot.  It was the great way to rid of stress.  In Japan, the Karaoke box is very popular.  The karaoke box means that the place provides the small private room which people can enjoy karaoke with friends and family.  The price is based on the hour.  They also provide food and drink.  I don’t like to sing at a bar or the front of the people who I don’t know.  I just want to enjoy it with my close friends and family. I wish there is karaoke box around here.  Anyway, it is one of the pleasures of visiting Japan.

My previous job

I used to work at Japanese cosmetic company called Shiseido which located in Darien.   I worked there for 7 years.  I was working in the regulatory affairs group in R&D department.   My main job was that submitting product labeling information to FDA.   And another responsibility was that providing product technical information to Canada and South America branch office to help them for registering the products to their health ministries. It was challenging because I didn’t have any background of sciences.  Luckily, my boss helped me a lot to learn and get used to my work.   Through the job I had really good relationship with the people in Japan, Canada, Brazil and France.  Overall, I enjoyed working there.

On the other hand, I had a bad impression.  While I was working there, the chief of our department has changed three times.   They come from Japan and their assignment is usually three years.  I didn’t like this policy. Because, when they get used to the new assignment and surroundings it’s already time to go back to Japan.  How they can provide fare evaluation to the employment?   I thought that they should make them thlonger assignment or hire local person who can control the office. 

Community farm

I started grow vegetables at community farm in Norwalk two years ago. The farm is owned by the city and they rent it to the residence ten dollers a year.  I thought it is great idea.  It is fun to grow vegetables and we are happy to eat fresh and safe vegetables.  But I learned that it really needs a lot of work to maintain the plants.  Last year, we planted beans but the insect eated up all the leaves.  Since it was very hot last summer, the beans started dried up after they lost leaves which were working as a shades.  Finally, I had to dug out all the beans.  Also, the egglant and lettace didn't grow well.  However, some other vegetables which are the tomatos, carrots, cucumbers and herbs grew very well.  I also like to have contact with people in the community at the firm.  I can't wait for spring!

Max

Our pet, Max, is a gold fish.  He has been here for a year.  Soon after I got him from the pet shop, he got weak and he was always floating like lying down on the surface of water.  I thought that he was sick already when I got him at the pet shop and he won't live long. I went to the pet shop and explained the symptom to the shop assistant but I couldn't get good solution.  I realized that they are not really a expart. I decided to check on the web and look for the symptom for long time.  Then I finally found it.  It said that it is not actually a sick, it is just too much air in the stomach.  I was feeding a fish flakes that floats on water.  The problem was that when he eats, he swallowes a lots of air with it.  I went back to pet shop and found the food which sinks in the water. As soon as I changed his food, he got better. We are happy to have Max as a part of our family.