Ski Helmet

A few weeks ago, there was a fatal ski accident in Austria, and the tragedy spread quickly in German-speaking nations of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In the accident, the minister president of a eastern German county lost his control and collided into a mother who died shortly after. The minister president is still in comma. The fact that neither of them were wearing a helmet became the talk of the town. Peter and I have been noticing the increase in the use of ski helmet on Swiss slopes, but we the stingy losers never really intended to follow the trend. But Peter did not like that so many people blaze on slope even though their skills are not good enough for that kind of speed. Even if you are careful, they might not be careful.

Lunch at Peter’s Office

Leslie and I were invited to have lunch at the cafeteria in Peter’s office building. We all chose the same lunch set with veggie burger, salad, french fries and dessert for 9.50CHF. The food was a typical cafeteria quality, but I think it’s a steal for lunch in Zürich.

ピーター実家での週末

クリスマス・新年はそれぞれ別行動だったので、２ヶ月振りにピーターの家族が実家に集まりました。

Rakugo 落語

Rakugo (落語) is a national art of Japan. A Rakugoka (落語家), a storyteller in Kimono, sits on a cushion on the stage and tells a funny story, sometimes serious one. Grandma used to take me to Rakugo when I was little. I loved the atmosphere, and I was proud of sitting amongst the adults. Since I left Japan, I had totally forgotten about it until Theatre Iwato in Kagurazaka, owned by Taro’s parents, started the show in their own theater. This time in Japan, Peter and I got to see the last show of the year 2008 with Rakugo master Kokontei Shinsuke.

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 : mündliche Prüfung

For those English-speakers taking the exam “Goethe-Zertifikat C1” I wanted to share my experience at the oral part of the exam and how I prepared for it.

I took the writing exam on 19th January, and the oral exam (mündliche Prüfung) was at 5 p.m. next day. Since the second part of the oral exam is conducted in pair, I teamed up with my classmate from the preparation course and practiced together about 3 to 4 times before the date of exam.

Grandpa’s Gravestone and All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Peter and I accompanied mom to visit grandpa’s graveyard in Asakusa on 29th of December. Mom thought cleaning the gravestone before the New Year will make sure that grandpa can welcome a fresh New Year in heaven.

My Nightmare at Luncheon

After Ueyuri we went to Hina’s house for luncheon. Taro was away for photo shooting, and the Yamaguchi came along with two gangstas. Since Hina and Taro are looking for a new apartment, this would be our last visit to their apartment. So we took lots of pictures as a memory.

Acupuncture Clinic Ueyuri in Shinyurigaoka

A few years back, my junior high classmate Yurika opened her own acupuncture clinic “Ueyuri (うえゆり)” in my childhood neighborhood Sakurashinmachi. Since then, it was always my dream to leave my body and soul in her hands when I go back to Japan. It was absolutely a g.r.e.a.t experience!! After the acupuncture treatment, she diagnosed that I might have “dysautonomia” and should therefore seek a professional care in Switzerland.

Peter on Friday Mag

Peter works for a weekly free magazine called “20 Minuten Friday“. On the last page of every issue, a member of the editorial team introduces things that inspired him the most that week. Peter was in search of his topics already when he was in Japan, but unfortunately we came back with more disappointments than inspiration: weak fashion industry and design industry stuck in 90’s. So he decided to introduce things that he found interesting from our lovely life in Switzerland. Here is how his page from last Friday looked like.

President Obama’s Inaugural Speech and Children’s Menu at the Capitol

The oral part of my German proficiency exam was scheduled for 17.00 p.m. today.

An hour later, President Barack Obama held his historical inaugural address in Washington D.C. I feel a destiny that I held a speech at the exam on the same day.