ChanomiTalk

参拝というより、湘南の初詣の様子を見に出かけました。

寒川神社には、駅から大勢の人が列をなしていました。
境内は参拝客であふれ、食べ物の屋台もたくさん並んでいました。

藤沢の遊行寺は、ゆったりした雰囲気でした。
猿まわしのお猿さんが人気を呼んでいました。

一番下の祠（ほこら）は、目立たない小さな公園の片隅にありました。
近所の人がポツリポツリと参拝してる姿は風情がありました。

There are many things in this world that we can become addicted to. Such things as, food, medicine, work, exercise, sex, television, and on and on. Addictions can affect us in all kinds of ways. Some may start out as good addictions, but they usually end up becoming bad as they take away from our lives physically, mentally, emotionally and even relationally.

For instance, if a person is addicted to exercise, at first it feels good to look at a healthy body in the mirror, receive compliments, be able to lift heavy objects and the girls love great abs. But, after awhile, a person will exercise so much that they don’t have time for anything or anyone else in their lives. Or they may strain a muscle or even tear one leaving them incapacitated for weeks. And the muscles fade.

Some people are addicted to food. They eat so much that they become overweight, tired and depressed. The food may taste good, but once the pounds get out of control…YIKES!

Some people are addicted to sex. Sex can be so good to some people that they don’t care who they have it with and how much they have it. It’s good for a time, but without love and emotion it can turn into a talent that must be maintained with every partner. A person addicted to sex may even come in contact with a person that carries an STD. A person that hops from bed to bed can eventually be infected with HIV. Then sex becomes a bad thing.

Work addicts become workaholics. Stress builds in the body and the body eventually gives up. So do friends and spouses.

There are many kinds of addictions that can destroy one’s life. Are there any in your life that can be broken?

サンディエゴから、スコットがやってきました。
短い時間ですが、しっかり日本語の特訓をしたいと思います。

This is my first trip to Japan during the winter. I thought I was ready with my jacket and beanie but I was wrong. They did nothing for me. Even during the day my whole body freezes, from head to toe. I guess I’m lucky, it hasn’t rained or snowed since I arrived. If it did I would turn in to a Scott-cycle. But now I’m at the nice warm Nacos Fujisawa location drinking tea and reading many of my short stories (in Japanese).

Believe it or not, I’ve never made a New Year’s resolution that I stayed committed to. This year I will commit to my resolution to stay dedicated and help as many people around the world as I can. I also commit to travel to Japan to see how I can be of help there.

I also want to start 2014 with a new mind. There had been days in the past years that I wanted to accomplish great things that were in my heart to accomplish, but found ways to scare myself out of doing them. I don’t want to live in fear this year of what may not happen, what I want to do, but think I can’t for whatever reason. I want to make my every dream come true by doing what is in my heart to do. My motto this year is, “Make It Happen!” Another thing I am determined to do is speak fluent Japanese within the year. With Michiko’s help I will make it happen!

Thank you, Michiko, for your awesome help and support. I’m happy to have you as my Japanese language instructor. May you have a wonderful New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope this year is the best year ever for all of you.

I was surprised to know that I had the first lesson of the new year. As it was my first time speaking new words, I really messed up badly. So I began the new year fumbling over my words, but hope to speak them without any problems on my next lesson. Glad none of you guys were able to hear how bad I sounded. Haha.

Take care everyone.

いつも混んでいる郵便局ですが、クリスマス、新年とイベント続きのこの季節は、いつにも増して混んでいました。この日も、狭い郵便局内に15人以上の人が列をなしていました。何はともあれ、皆様、素敵な新年をお迎えください☆”

今年もどうぞよろしくお願いします。

サムがオンラインで将棋を楽しもうと提案してきた。
気の向いた時、お互い、コンピューターを開けて、
一手、一手、駒を進めていけば良いそうなので、挑戦することにした。

今日は、午前中に、北鎌倉に連れて行ってもらいました。
円覚寺とあじさい寺に行きました。
座禅が盛んな時代だったようで、座禅のための建物がたくさんありました。

それから、江ノ電で江ノ島へ！
初めて江ノ電に乗れてうれしかったです。

江ノ島では、サムさんと愛犬エリーと合流。
7、8年前に1度会っただけなのに、覚えていてくれて、すごい！と思いました。
江ノ島では、たくさんの階段を登り、景色の良い場所で富士山が見られました。
サムさんと英語で色々話せました。
湘南シラスバーガーも食べれた♪

12年たっても、変わらずやさしく、おもてなしをしてくださったご夫婦に感謝します。
サムさんも江ノ島の案内ありがとう。

すてきな思い出がまた増えて、嬉しいです。