I spent the weekend putting down two truckloads of  topsoil in my yard in preparation for planting grass (sod). I want to have an American looking front yard.  I do love Japanese gardens, but unfortunately, I don't have the time, energy or skill to take care of a Japanese garden.  I think I can at least mow the grass once a week. The garden shop said the grass can't be delivered until after Golden Week, so I have to wait a little longer for my green grass. It made me think of a common proverb that is used often in everyday speech. The grass is always greener on the other side. As humans, we often think other people must have it better than us. This phrase helps us to appreciate what we have and not be jealous of others who we really don't know enough about. There were some great pictures of this on the internet.  Here are a few:    

The terrible tragedy in Kyushu this weekend has brought back the feelings of the Great East Japan Earthquake from five years ago.  Seeing the long lines in front of the convenience stores on TV, really made me remember the pictures I took in Akita in March of 2011. Japan rushes to aid earthquake victims as storm approaches. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/04/16/japan-earthquake/83115182/ Last week's phrase:  Fall down 7 times, Stand up 8. 七転び八起き,  seems to need to be repeated again and again.  Japan is great at recovering from tragedy and disaster.  I know they will do it again. 八転び九起き 九転び十起き 百転び百一起き Here are some of my pictures from March 2011 in Akita.

I gave a speech Saturday for an entrance ceremony at a kindergarten here in Akita.  I decided to use this phrase as the topic of my short speech. This is an old Japanese proverb that is very popular in America.  If you look on Google, you can see many people who have this tattooed on their body. The children seemed to understand easily.  This is a phrase which becomes more and more true the older we get. So, get back on your feet! Here are a few pictures I used in my speech.

After many days of screaming and moaning, my fan finally died Friday.  I spent the weekend looking for a replacement.  Here are a few interesting ways to say something is broken with no hope of repair(故障した）. My car went to the big parking lot in the sky. My boiler kicked the bucket. My computer is fried. I hope all the machines in your home are still alive and healthy!

We had a great vacation in Kyoto.  No problems, until it was time to come home.  Tuesday, ANA had all their systems go down, causing a very long line at Itami Airport, then our plane couldn't land in Akita because of a lightning storm. After circling for about an hour, it finally landed, and we were able to go home. This week's phrase: Did you have a smooth journey? It was smooth until the very last hour. Here are a few pictures from my trip.

I'm on my way to Kyoto for the weekend, so today's phrase is only: Sorry, I gotta run. (ごめん、行かなくちゃ。） See you later.    

Yesterday I gave a speech at Kanariya Hoikuen’s kindergarten graduation ceremony.    Here is a list of the English phrases I taught the kids and told them they would use in school: I like  (you have to let other people know about yourself.) I want (don't be afraid to want something and work for it.) I can (the longer you learn the more things you will be able to do.) I see 　(なるほど is a phrase you can use more and more as you learn.) I will (be firm in your resolve.) TRY (Don't say "I can't", give it another try, and another, and another.) I did it!! (Nothing beats the satisfaction of finally being able to do something by yourself.) Help (Nobody makes it through life on their own. We all need help at times and we all give help at times.) And finally, I taught them: Commencement 卒業式, in English, we call it commencement, which means はじまり. Many children in Japan will be starting a new chapter in their life from April.  I wish them the best of luck!