Last Thursday was America's Thanksgiving Day, followed by Black Friday.  This year was very different than most years because of Covid 19.  Many Americans spent their holiday alone, including my mother.  Others visited their families by Zoom, and far too many ignored the advice of medical professionals and went home for Thanksgiving.  I am very worried about another wave of Covid 19 in the next few weeks. I was busy Thursday, so finally yesterday (Saturday 28th), my wife and I celebrated a late and small Thanksgiving alone. [caption id="attachment_2006" align="alignnone" width="530"] Yummy Potatoes before cooking[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2008" align="alignnone" width="530"] Pumpkin Pie before cooking[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2012" align="alignnone" width="573"] Pumpkin Pie before eating[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2010" align="alignnone" width="530"] Thanksgiving dinner for two.[/caption] Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the good things in your life.  This year has had so much negativity, that I think it's about time for some positive thinking. I am thankful for living in Akita, one of the least effected places in Japan. I am grateful for the beautiful nature we have all around us.  It can really take our minds off the problems in the world. I appreciate the delicious food we have here. It means so much to me that I have students who return each week. Today I took down my Thanksgiving decorations and put up my Christmas decorations. It looks like it will be a quiet Christmas and New Years celebration this year, but I am so thankful that we are all still here to celebrate!

  After four years of ever increasing darkness, I am finally cautiously optimistic.  I think I can begin to see light at the end of the tunnel. The last few months leading up to the election have been really hard on me mentally.  I've had problems sleeping etc.  I didn't feel like updating  "Mark's Phrase" either.  Sorry about two months of silence. As the results slowly trickled in about President-elect Biden's victory, I have been feeling a glimmer of hope.  Then last Friday night I went camping to Kawarage Jigoku for the last time this year.  Saturday morning as we drove home, this greeted us. I'm hoping that this is a sign of good things to come.           Here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks.  I love autumn! I also got new glasses last week, to really help me see clearly. I also had my first kiritanpo nabe of the season yesterday!  Delicious!  Life is good!

Today's BGM

"I Can See Clearly Now"

Johnny Nash

It's September.  Summer vacation is over, so I'm back.  Did you have a nice August?  Mine was very hot and boring.  Nothing special, just a few trips to Oga, and some cycling.  I hope next summer is better . . . will we finally be free of Covid 19? Recently, I've been talking about "phrasal verbs" in some of my classes.  A simple verb can have a completely different meaning when used in a phrase with other words.  The first two are: Look after and take after. To look after something means to take care of it.  Here are 5 sentences.

1. Who is looking after your dog while you are in Europe?
2. Living in Japan, I'm unable to look after my mother in her old age, luckily I have 9 brothers and sisters close by.
3. A big problem in Akita is that many older people have no one to look after them.
4. Who will look after Japan when Prime Minister Abe retires?
5. My house is being looked after by my neighbor while we are away.

1. Who do you take after. your father or your mother?
2. I used to take after my mother, recently I have begun to take after my father.
3. Unfortunately, President Trump's children all seem to take after their father.
4. Your chin really takes after your Aunt's!
5. I'm surprised to see that even dogs seem to take after their owners.

July was full of stress for me, how about you?  I had a speech to give at the end of the month, so I spent most of the time worrying, not preparing.  Also, I was worried about the resurgence of Covid 19 throughout Japan and the world, add to that some family issues.  It made for a very stressful month.  I finally finished the speech on the 25th, and my classes are on Summer schedule now, I can finally RELAX! Here are a few phrases about stress.

1. I'm at the end of my rope!

2. I'm at my wits end.

3. I'm coming apart at the seams.

4. I've had a lot on my plate recently.

5. I've been tearing my hair out.

1. I was tired, so I just chilled out on Sunday.

2. Why don't you let your hair down.

3. No Kanto Festival this year, so I'll just take it easy.

4. I'm going to need some time to unwind after July.

5. Put your feet up and take a break.

I was asked to give a speech to the 秋田英語ボランティアガイド「よくきたんすなの会」 on Saturday.  The title is, "The Good points of Akita from the eyes of a foreigner".  I've been looking through my old photos, searching my memory, and asking my students what they think the good points of Akita are. Actually, this week, I think the best point of Akita is that we have no new Covid 19 cases.  These days I feel like I may never want to leave Akita again. I've been living in Akita for 35 years now, much longer than I lived in America, so it's hard for me to look at Akita with fresh eyes to see the good points.  Sometimes I guess I focus too much on the bad points, like anyone does in their hometown.  I'm glad I have this chance to think again about the positive aspects of Akita. Here are some pictures I've found from my history in Akita. The first photo I took in Akita is a little shocking.  I was living in a small apartment in Izumi, and there was a house fire on the day I arrived.  This is my first photo: But it got better after that.  Old Akita Station Ekimae My first Azaleas in Senshu Park And of course, the best thing about Akita for me. Akita has changed so much, but I haven't changed a bit! When my family visited for the first time, I wanted to show them the best parts of Akita, and here are a few of the places we visited.  Senshu Park Suishinen Wisteria blossoms Amasagi Yuen  Kanto Museum But as usual, the best part of Akita is the people.  I had a barbecue party at my house and my family had a great time meeting my friends. Do you remember Swiss Mura? My first family camp in the wilds. Swimming at the beach with my first child. and at Oga for my first time. Akita was so nice, we decided to build a house and stay. And finally, a few random memories: Kawarage Jigoku camping Hawaii?  . . . no, Noshiro, Enajium Park Natsuze Onsen, Dakigaeri Keikoku Migaeri Waterfall Akata no Daibutsu Senshu Park Wisteria A sad goodbye to my daughter Now she lives in Kyoto. Climbing Mt. Chokai with some students. Climbing Mt Taihei alone. The kindness of strangers, the goodness of Akita People . . . it's a long story, ask me someday. Kawarage Jigoku in Autumn Minato Festival And finally, a beautiful sunset taken from my car window on my drive back from Honjo.  I drove their once or twice a week for 30 years, and finally stopped last March. There are so many more memories, that I could go on forever, but I hope this gives you a little positive outlook during these dark days of Corona.  There are so many places we can "GO TO" in Akita, no need to leave.

I'm sorry for missing all of June.  I was finally busy again.  Almost all of my classes returned to "new normal".  On top of that, I was feeling a little down about the return of Corona, President Trump's dishonesty, and the racial problems in America.  I celebrated the 4th of July last Saturday with very mixed emotions.  I hope the coming year will be better for America and the world. On the bright side, my beautiful niece was married today in Texas.  I have missed most of my nephew and niece's weddings because I live so far away, but this time I was able to attend online.  Since none of the family in America could attend either, they decided to have an online wedding. Many things have moved to online these days.  Many teachers and students are doing online classes.  There are online drinking parties, online business meetings, the list is endless.  Have you changed to anything online?  I tried a few lessons online, but it was difficult to really connect with my students. With the upsurge of Corona in Tokyo, I'm a little worried that I may have to return to online classes again.  Let's continue wearing masks, and try to keep Corona out of Akita!

So, today is my second and final post on animal words.  Let's start.

1.   One fish,  two fish,  a baby fish is called a fry (かわいそう）, and a group of fish is called a school.
2.   One octopus, two octopuses, a baby octopus is called a hatchling, and a group of octopuses is called a consortium.
3. One alligator, two alligators, a baby alligator is called a hatchling, and a group of alligators is called a congregation. (とてもへん）.
4.   One bear, two bears, a baby bear is called a cub, and a group of bears is called a sloth, or a sleuth.
5.   One cheetah, two cheetahs, a baby cheetah is called a cub and group of cheetahs is called a coalition.
6.   One elephant, two elephants, a baby elephant is called a calf and a group of elephants is called a parade!
7.  One kangaroo, two kangaroos (or roos), a baby kangaroo is called a joey and a group of kangaroos is called a mob.
8.   One giraffe, two giraffes, a baby giraffe is called a calf and a group of giraffes is called a tower (of course).
9.   One ape, two apes, a baby ape is called an infant, and a group of apes is called a shrewdness.  (strange).
10.   Okay, 11 is not actually an animal, but it was interesting and I have been fighting them this week in my garden!!  One caterpillar, two caterpillars, a baby caterpillar is called a larvae, and a group of caterpillars is called an ARMY!  That's right!  That's how I feel.