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!

In Japan and America both, the concept of "home" (故郷） is very important.  But we have a phrase, you can never go home again.  It seems a little cold.  But basicically it means once you move away from home, you change, your town changes, your friends change, and you can never go back to how it was as a child. Last week, I taught a final class at Tomegawa Elementary School.  It will close this month.   A few months ago I also taught a final class at  Kawazoe Elementary School, which is also closing this month. Kawazoe happens to be the school my wife attended as a child. In this case "you can never go home again" is proving to be true. Tomegawa Elementary School: Kawazoe Elementary School: Akita is number one in Japan for decreasing population.   Do you have any ideas on how we can reverse this trend? Here is the school I attended as a child. Mapleton Elementary School.

Today will be a very simple phrase.   Tomorrow is Leap Day. Do you know anyone who was born in Leap Year?  They must be very young. Luckily this is Leap Year, so I have one extra day to prepare my taxes before March 15th. 閏年 /  閏日 And click here for a more advanced look at 11 Random Facts About Leap Day

A "good deal", is something of value for a very reasonable price. I got a really good deal on these tires. If you go to the supermarket after 8:00 p.m. you'll get a great deal on bread and meat. Black Friday is the best day to get good deals in America. President Franklin Roosevelt gave all Americans a new deal (ニューディール政策)in the 1930's. The reason I chose this phrase for today is, I got a really good deal on a bicycle yesterday.  I can't wait for spring to finally get here so I can start riding. Hope you can all find some good deals this week.

  "I Love You" is such a simple phrase! Then why is it so hard for many of us to say? Here are 10 different ways to say "I Love You".  I hope you can use some of them today.

1. You complete me.
2. I can't live without you.
3. You're my soul mate.
4. Whenever I'm with you, I'm home.
5. I can't live, if livin' is without you.  (click here)
6. With you, forever won't be long enough.

Last Wednesday was Setsubun in Japan.  It gave us all a chance to think about casting out our own little inner demons. Then I went to Omoriyama Zoo on Saturday and thought about the beast in me. (自分の中の獣）  Sometimes he escapes his cage . . . especially when I'm driving! "The Beast In Me" Johnny Cash The beast in me Is caged by frail and fragile bars Restless by day And by night rants and rages at the stars God help the beast in meThe beast in me Has had to learn to live with pain And how to shelter from the rain And in the twinkling of an eye Might have to be restrained God help the beast in me