Yesterday, we had a blackout for more than 6 hours!
As long as I remember, it started from about 7:40 pm and ended around 3:30 am. This morning, I heard that this blackout happened almost all of the area of the city of Victoria, and the cause is the fire that burned the area where one of the important power lines are located.
When the power stopped, I was using the Internet.
Suddenly I couldn't open Google and the power sign of my PC became the battery mark instead of the plug. This PC is getting old so it has a problem for the battery. Even if the battery mark tells me there is plenty of power for about two hours, I can't use it for more than three minutes. So naturally, the PC went off while I was checking the power plug. After I checked there is no problem with the power plug, I noticed that the digital clock of the microwave was also not gleaming as well as the radio clock. The fridge was not working either. I felt certain that this was the power failure, but I still didn't know that this was happening only in my room, the apartment or the whole area.
As the dusk gathers, I saw some candles lit in one suite. Then I knew that this was not for only my suite. Ten or twenty minutes later, two or three people were taking in the apartment's parking lot and a man's voice said, "There is no street lights either. Be careful!" Now, it was clear that the whole area were suffering. Then I received a phone call from a friend and knew that the whole city was in the blackout. (She just went back from Chemainus.)
I lit four candles and prepared flashlight. This was the first time to burn candles in my suite. With only the flames of the candles, I have nothing to do, so I took out my violin and plunked, then tried to find some notes of some melodies. I also went out to look the stars when it got very dark. The more stars were shining and they are so beautiful.
At last, this blackout was not so bad for me. But for the next time, I'll prepare the batteries for my radio cassette. Then I can at least hear the news.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Friday, July 29, 2005
The Theme of Food
I've been talking to a friend by telephone over an hour.
Surely she is very talkative.
And we are talking about foods... you know, cakes, dessert, and menus of popular restaurantｓ. (Of course we talk other things too.)
The theme about food is the common for entire people.
Surely she is very talkative.
And we are talking about foods... you know, cakes, dessert, and menus of popular restaurantｓ. (Of course we talk other things too.)
The theme about food is the common for entire people.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
My Violin
Today, I had a violin lesson.
This was the second time after I came back from Japan with my own violin.
From about two weeks ago, when I was playing, I started feeling that this violin sounds better than the one I rented. So today, I asked to my teacher, "Do you think this violin has a better sound than the last one I rented?" Then she said, "I think so." I felt really good for her reply. I'm sure that I bought this violin well.
This was the second time after I came back from Japan with my own violin.
From about two weeks ago, when I was playing, I started feeling that this violin sounds better than the one I rented. So today, I asked to my teacher, "Do you think this violin has a better sound than the last one I rented?" Then she said, "I think so." I felt really good for her reply. I'm sure that I bought this violin well.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Emotion and Action
I put up one phrase from my favorite homepage.
"Know that one's emotion follows his action." (Original is in Japanese.)
I've known this words from the beginning of July, but I didn't really understand it. But recently, when I felt a little sad, I automatically raised my head to be more cheerful. I actually felt lighter by doing that. Then I remembered this words and assented its meaning.
My emotion really followed my action. If this is the case in anytime, then I guess I should raise my head all the time.
"Know that one's emotion follows his action." (Original is in Japanese.)
I've known this words from the beginning of July, but I didn't really understand it. But recently, when I felt a little sad, I automatically raised my head to be more cheerful. I actually felt lighter by doing that. Then I remembered this words and assented its meaning.
My emotion really followed my action. If this is the case in anytime, then I guess I should raise my head all the time.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
A Quick Job
Today, we took the final test and the Music class was ended.
But I already know the final's result; It's 100%!! Yey!! My other quiz and assignments were also good, so I can expect A+ for this class.
But the amazing thing is the speed of the teacher's grading. He marked the test while I packed my backpack. It must be within only one or two minutes while I solved it with two and a half hours! I guess it's only normal for him who is the professional teacher.
In twenty years, I hope I can be like him, clear the work within a second.
But I already know the final's result; It's 100%!! Yey!! My other quiz and assignments were also good, so I can expect A+ for this class.
But the amazing thing is the speed of the teacher's grading. He marked the test while I packed my backpack. It must be within only one or two minutes while I solved it with two and a half hours! I guess it's only normal for him who is the professional teacher.
In twenty years, I hope I can be like him, clear the work within a second.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Too Much Worry?
Sometimes a strong determination decides one's life.
I strongly decided that I want to study abroad, so I'm in here now. I guess I must make a strong decision again to continue my training of fast reading for coming September.
But I also feel that it's nothing good to worry September's study now.
I strongly decided that I want to study abroad, so I'm in here now. I guess I must make a strong decision again to continue my training of fast reading for coming September.
But I also feel that it's nothing good to worry September's study now.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Lantern Festival = Obon
I didn't know that Lantern Festival is also "Obon Festival."
When I put the ward 'lantern' on an online English-Japanese/Japanese-English dictionary, the dictionary showed "lantern festival - Obon" on the three lines from the direction word. And when I put the word 'obon (in Japanese)' on the same dictionary, it showed like this, " Buddhist festival period called bon // lantern festival // Obon festival" on the top line.
Wow, this is interesting. I may research more about this festival after the final.
When I put the ward 'lantern' on an online English-Japanese/Japanese-English dictionary, the dictionary showed "lantern festival - Obon" on the three lines from the direction word. And when I put the word 'obon (in Japanese)' on the same dictionary, it showed like this, " Buddhist festival period called bon // lantern festival // Obon festival" on the top line.
Wow, this is interesting. I may research more about this festival after the final.
Luminara Victoria Lantern Festival
Today (July 23), I went to Luminara Festival in the Beacon Hill Park.
This festival is also called the Lantern Festival and is held at night. So tonight, the park was filled with many kinds of lanterns and candles. Some performers were also singing or dancing inside the candles.
The most interesting work on this year was the "Icy Candles." Each candles was put into an round ice and all of them were set like a small mountain. Many people touched the ice and said "It's ice" or "Cool."
The fiddlers were fantastic too. Two young women and one man were playing very fast and rhythmical melody. And one woman (the leader) were playing a melody with her fiddle vertically on her right shoulder. I was really amazed. I've never imagined that playing style so it was a big shock. I'm sure I'll ask about this to my violin teacher.
Festival is fun.
This festival is also called the Lantern Festival and is held at night. So tonight, the park was filled with many kinds of lanterns and candles. Some performers were also singing or dancing inside the candles.
The most interesting work on this year was the "Icy Candles." Each candles was put into an round ice and all of them were set like a small mountain. Many people touched the ice and said "It's ice" or "Cool."
The fiddlers were fantastic too. Two young women and one man were playing very fast and rhythmical melody. And one woman (the leader) were playing a melody with her fiddle vertically on her right shoulder. I was really amazed. I've never imagined that playing style so it was a big shock. I'm sure I'll ask about this to my violin teacher.
Festival is fun.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Quiz III
Today's quiz III on the Music class was very difficult!
It's all about identifying intervals between two notes or constructing triads according to the instruction. It should finish on 4:30 pm, but I finished about 5 pm and I was the last one to handed in. (The teacher is very generous.) But I could solve all the problems, so I guess I can take a good mark.
I hope the final on coming Tuesday is not as hard as this quiz.
It's all about identifying intervals between two notes or constructing triads according to the instruction. It should finish on 4:30 pm, but I finished about 5 pm and I was the last one to handed in. (The teacher is very generous.) But I could solve all the problems, so I guess I can take a good mark.
I hope the final on coming Tuesday is not as hard as this quiz.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
To Feel Happiness at Anytime
It's so easy to think "I'm less fortunate."
But, I started to think "I'm very lucky."
It's a little hard to keep thinking in this way when I'm surrounded by the people who feel they are less fortunate, but I guess it's the way to be happy through anytime.
But, I started to think "I'm very lucky."
It's a little hard to keep thinking in this way when I'm surrounded by the people who feel they are less fortunate, but I guess it's the way to be happy through anytime.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Short Class
The elementary Music class was already getting a little difficult...
Today, we learned Triads; major, minor, diminished, and augmented one. Except for major triads, those are all sounded similar to me. If there are ear-testing, I'm sure that I can't distinguish them.
But we have only four days more for this class; tomorrow, Friday, then next week's Monday and Tuesday, but the next Tuesday is the final, so I guess only three days more for the lecture. This class lasts only a month, and so we are running materials so fast. Because I already knew about 80% of the materials, ( we started from the very basic; whole note, half note, quarter note ... pitches of CDEFGAB etc) I didn't have to study so hard. But I guess if someone don't know well from the notes, it's a very difficult class.
Today, we learned Triads; major, minor, diminished, and augmented one. Except for major triads, those are all sounded similar to me. If there are ear-testing, I'm sure that I can't distinguish them.
But we have only four days more for this class; tomorrow, Friday, then next week's Monday and Tuesday, but the next Tuesday is the final, so I guess only three days more for the lecture. This class lasts only a month, and so we are running materials so fast. Because I already knew about 80% of the materials, ( we started from the very basic; whole note, half note, quarter note ... pitches of CDEFGAB etc) I didn't have to study so hard. But I guess if someone don't know well from the notes, it's a very difficult class.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Some Distance
When you meet a person who gives some uneasiness for you, take more distance to that person.
Uneasiness will fade and some kindness will appear when you have enough distance, then you can give smile. And for now, I guess it's enough for you and the person.
Uneasiness will fade and some kindness will appear when you have enough distance, then you can give smile. And for now, I guess it's enough for you and the person.
Monday, July 18, 2005
A Musical Software
In my computer, there is an interesting software called "LaLaSong."
This software was already installed when I bought this computer. When I start LaLaSong, there is a staff notation with a treble clef, meter, and keys. And left side of the window, there are some musical notes. I click the note I want and put it on the staff, then I can hear it by clicking the "play" bottom. If I put some notes, I can make a melody.
I found this program may be a year or two years long ago, and sometimes I used it. I used this program when I want to remember the score for some melodies which I don't have. But, often it's easier to check the notes by plucking violin before placing them on the staff.
It's really fun to do this.
But the only and the biggest regret for this LaLaSong program is this; I can't print the score I made!! How regrettable it is... but I don't feel to buy another software for only this. May be I'd better remembering all of them just in my head.
This software was already installed when I bought this computer. When I start LaLaSong, there is a staff notation with a treble clef, meter, and keys. And left side of the window, there are some musical notes. I click the note I want and put it on the staff, then I can hear it by clicking the "play" bottom. If I put some notes, I can make a melody.
I found this program may be a year or two years long ago, and sometimes I used it. I used this program when I want to remember the score for some melodies which I don't have. But, often it's easier to check the notes by plucking violin before placing them on the staff.
It's really fun to do this.
But the only and the biggest regret for this LaLaSong program is this; I can't print the score I made!! How regrettable it is... but I don't feel to buy another software for only this. May be I'd better remembering all of them just in my head.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Present
I guess it's so important to concentrate on the present homework, rather than looking too much for the other goods.
I'll try doing the best on the present.
I'll try doing the best on the present.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Minor Scales
I've learned "minor scales" in the Music class.
I've known this for long, but I didn't know it clearly. I thought minor scale is just only one kind of scale, but there are three of them and each of them is slightly different. So today, when I went to a practice room, I tried to remember the degrees and its steps by using piano. I wanted to play all of the three, but then I found it wasn't so easy, so I tried the first one, natural minor. I still don't remember the natural minor completely but anyway I'll try other two tomorrow or later.
Piano really helps recognizing the sound and the music theory.
I've known this for long, but I didn't know it clearly. I thought minor scale is just only one kind of scale, but there are three of them and each of them is slightly different. So today, when I went to a practice room, I tried to remember the degrees and its steps by using piano. I wanted to play all of the three, but then I found it wasn't so easy, so I tried the first one, natural minor. I still don't remember the natural minor completely but anyway I'll try other two tomorrow or later.
Piano really helps recognizing the sound and the music theory.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Chance Meeting
I'm now writing a letter to a person who I met in Okinawa.
She is a middle age woman, and she said she went and stayed Victoria for may be a week to cerebrate her daughter's marriage and traveled across Canada after the wedding ceremony. Only this was very surprising but she even said that the wedding ceremony was held at UVic's university chapel!! Her daughter held the wedding ceremony at there because she met her husband while she was in ESL class at the UVic!
Before we met, we totally didn't know each other. I just visited a craft center and she was an employee (or an employer) of that center. But somehow, we had one common thing and now she gave me a letter that says "Enjoy your school life and do your best." So I'm writing the reply for this letter.
We really don't know when and where we meet a person who has one kind of bond with us.
We might notice, or we won't.
I really want to pay attention to this kind of meeting.
She is a middle age woman, and she said she went and stayed Victoria for may be a week to cerebrate her daughter's marriage and traveled across Canada after the wedding ceremony. Only this was very surprising but she even said that the wedding ceremony was held at UVic's university chapel!! Her daughter held the wedding ceremony at there because she met her husband while she was in ESL class at the UVic!
Before we met, we totally didn't know each other. I just visited a craft center and she was an employee (or an employer) of that center. But somehow, we had one common thing and now she gave me a letter that says "Enjoy your school life and do your best." So I'm writing the reply for this letter.
We really don't know when and where we meet a person who has one kind of bond with us.
We might notice, or we won't.
I really want to pay attention to this kind of meeting.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Creating a Song
I'm now trying to create a song.
It's the homework from the Music class I'm now taking. But how hard to create a song from scratch!
The second quiz is also in tomorrow, so I have to finish this soon.
It's the homework from the Music class I'm now taking. But how hard to create a song from scratch!
The second quiz is also in tomorrow, so I have to finish this soon.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
A New Trip
It's almost always a happy thing to attend a wedding ceremony.
My American cousin will get married this October 1, and I'm going to attend her wedding ceremony in Los Angels.
So today, I took a airplane ticket to go there. My flight starts from Victoria Airport and go Los Angles via Calgary.
It's the first time for me to attend a wedding ceremony held in the West as well as to fly over the Rocky Mountains. (It's even the first time for me to go further east from Vancouver too!)
I'm very much looking forward to this trip now.
My American cousin will get married this October 1, and I'm going to attend her wedding ceremony in Los Angels.
So today, I took a airplane ticket to go there. My flight starts from Victoria Airport and go Los Angles via Calgary.
It's the first time for me to attend a wedding ceremony held in the West as well as to fly over the Rocky Mountains. (It's even the first time for me to go further east from Vancouver too!)
I'm very much looking forward to this trip now.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
CD from Music Book
Yesterday, I bought a music book called "Conservatory Fiddle Tunes Book 1".
The book came with CD and so I can hear the melody before I try the score. But when I bought it, I didn't hold up too high hope for that CD, because last time when I bought a CD of another music book, I felt bored with the sounds. So I didn't expect this CD to be good; I thought that know the melody and that's enough.
However, when I played the CD, I was so surprised for the sound of the violin! It was so different from the one I felt bored (It was also a CD of violin).
This was a new shock to know that "Even CDs from score books could be good." But I'm very happy with this shock.
The book came with CD and so I can hear the melody before I try the score. But when I bought it, I didn't hold up too high hope for that CD, because last time when I bought a CD of another music book, I felt bored with the sounds. So I didn't expect this CD to be good; I thought that know the melody and that's enough.
However, when I played the CD, I was so surprised for the sound of the violin! It was so different from the one I felt bored (It was also a CD of violin).
This was a new shock to know that "Even CDs from score books could be good." But I'm very happy with this shock.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Now and Then
There is a small small globe right beside my notebook computer.
The size is about a female hand and it was 100 yen (about one dollar) in a Japanese version dollar store. In these days, I also got a normal-size (about 25 cm - 10 inch in diameter) globe from a friend.
The small globe is made after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, so it shows the countries Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ... etc, but the bigger globe is made before the dissolution, so it shows the name "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."
These two globes shows one aspect of how the world had changed before and after the dissolution of the Soviet.
The size is about a female hand and it was 100 yen (about one dollar) in a Japanese version dollar store. In these days, I also got a normal-size (about 25 cm - 10 inch in diameter) globe from a friend.
The small globe is made after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, so it shows the countries Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania ... etc, but the bigger globe is made before the dissolution, so it shows the name "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."
These two globes shows one aspect of how the world had changed before and after the dissolution of the Soviet.
Friday, July 08, 2005
The Opposite Point of View
How important the opposite point of view is!
I've been reading books about Okinawa ( the place I'm from and the place it has been well renounced in Japan) written by Japanese who are not from Okinawa, but from other part of Japan. May be not all of the books written from opposite point is interesting, but when the author has the love and passion for the people he/she wants to write, I believe that the books has some influence for both the people from that place and the people in the author's place.
I've been reading books about Okinawa ( the place I'm from and the place it has been well renounced in Japan) written by Japanese who are not from Okinawa, but from other part of Japan. May be not all of the books written from opposite point is interesting, but when the author has the love and passion for the people he/she wants to write, I believe that the books has some influence for both the people from that place and the people in the author's place.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
The Star Festival
Today, July 7, is called Tanabata in Japan.
In English word, it is the Star Festival. We usually write our wishes on a peace of paper and put them on bamboo leaves.
From Wikipedia, "Tanabata (七夕) is the Japanese name for the originally Chinese star festival. Held on July 7 the festival celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separated these two lovers, and they were allowed to meet only once a year. This special day is the 7th of July."
If you want to know more about, open Wikipedia, and put Tanabata on search.
In English word, it is the Star Festival. We usually write our wishes on a peace of paper and put them on bamboo leaves.
From Wikipedia, "Tanabata (七夕) is the Japanese name for the originally Chinese star festival. Held on July 7 the festival celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separated these two lovers, and they were allowed to meet only once a year. This special day is the 7th of July."
If you want to know more about, open Wikipedia, and put Tanabata on search.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Guardian Angels?
Do you believe in guardian angels?
It's often said every person has one guardian angel. If this is true, I think they are so generous and patient. Then, I think I'd better don't give up my goal, because if there is an angel looking over me, she (or he?) is like an audience. Any audience doesn't like watching a game which the player doesn't show his sincerity. So I'd better don't give up.
It's often said every person has one guardian angel. If this is true, I think they are so generous and patient. Then, I think I'd better don't give up my goal, because if there is an angel looking over me, she (or he?) is like an audience. Any audience doesn't like watching a game which the player doesn't show his sincerity. So I'd better don't give up.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
From Tomorrow at Noon
From tomorrow at noon, I can register courses for this September.
I can finally take English 099! My aim was to take English 115, but well I guess I couldn't study English well unless I take a class. My February's result of the test was level 3 and May's was also level 3.
I'm sure that I need to read more English!
I can finally take English 099! My aim was to take English 115, but well I guess I couldn't study English well unless I take a class. My February's result of the test was level 3 and May's was also level 3.
I'm sure that I need to read more English!
Monday, July 04, 2005
Basic Music
From today, my summer class is started.
I took a basic music course this time and it seems easy for me. So I may have some time to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
I took a basic music course this time and it seems easy for me. So I may have some time to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Eating Food
I found one very interesting and important rule for eating habits.
After I bowed with the word "Itadaki-masu. (Thank you for food.)", I really felt that the food tastes much better than the food I didn't bow. I think it happens only because my attitude is changed. It's just like, "When we are hungry, we feel any food is delicious."
Gratitude would be the best flavoring for food.
After I bowed with the word "Itadaki-masu. (Thank you for food.)", I really felt that the food tastes much better than the food I didn't bow. I think it happens only because my attitude is changed. It's just like, "When we are hungry, we feel any food is delicious."
Gratitude would be the best flavoring for food.
Friday, July 01, 2005
My Baggage
I start clearing my baggage.
I put out everything in the suit case, and now my room looks really messy. I'm going to clean all of this on this weekend.
I put out everything in the suit case, and now my room looks really messy. I'm going to clean all of this on this weekend.
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