I want to completely forget about Corona Virus for awhile, so today, I will focus on animals.  It seems basic, but there are some interesting word differences related to animals.  Today we will learn 10 of them. In Japanese, 一匹、二匹、子猫、子犬、群れ。  English is a little more difficult.

1.  One cat, 2 cats, a baby cat is called a kitten. and a group of cats is called a clowder.
2.  One lion, 2 lions, a baby lion is a cub, and a group of lions is called a pride.
3.  One dog, two dogs, a baby dog is a puppy and a group of dogs is a pack.
4.   One goose, two geese, a baby goose is a gosling and a group of geese is a gaggle.
5. One crow, two crows, a baby crow is a chick and a group of crows is a murder.
6. One monkey, two monkeys, a baby monkey is an infant, and a group of monkeys is a troop.
7.  One cobra, two cobras, a baby cobra is a hatchling and a group of cobras is a quiver.
8.   One cow, two cows, a baby cow is a calf and a group of cows is a herd.
9.  One whale, two whales, a baby whale is a calf and a group of whales is a pod.
10.  One chicken, two chickens, a baby chicken is a chick, and a group of chickens is a brood.

体験レッスン、見学もZOOMでどうぞ。 How are you all doing?  I've been thinking about how to move ahead with my classes in this "new normal".  Today I will test out ZOOM for online lessons with my children's class. Starting Monday (May 11th), I will resume the normal schedule in the classroom, BUT, I will also offer a ZOOM connection if you want to join online.  The choice is yours. You can download ZOOM here. If you want to join by ZOOM, please email me and I will send you an invitation and password for the class. It's really easy.  Give it a try.

How are you all doing?  Are you staying at home?  I am, and I only go out for grocery shopping or long walks. So how do you spend your time at home?  Here are 10 ideas of things to do while you STAY AT HOME.

1.   Try a new (original) recipe.  Something you've always wanted to try, or, using ingredients you have at home, make something new!
2.   Have an online drinking party.  This is a new fad in Japan.  I haven't tried it yet, but I want to soon.
3.   Do you like puzzles?  This is a perfect time to put together a 1000 or more piece puzzle, then share your completed puzzle online.
4. Visit a famous museum . . . online.  There are many virtual tours available for museums around the world.  Google Arts & Culture can help you get started.
5.   Everyone has a few books that they've "always meant to read".  This is the perfect time.  It's now or never.  I've finally started reading Hemingway for the first time in my life.  Right now, I'm on my second book, "The Sun Also Rises".（日はまた昇る）  I just finished "The Old Man and the Sea".(老人と海）
6. Write some actual letters.  I used to write many letters every week, but that all stopped with email.  I think a letter is much more thoughtful than email.  This is your chance to renew a fading habit.
7.   Pull out and play some of your old favorite games.  I love Monopoly, Risk, and Rummikub.  I think there is a lot more conversation with analog games than video games.
8.   Go through your closet.   Now you have time to hold each piece of clothing and ask yourself, "does this spark joy?"  (KonMari) Then throw it out or donate it.  2nd street takes old clothes and donates them to needy countries.
9.  Organize your pictures.  I don't know about you, but I have boxes of old pictures upstairs that I have to put in albums.  Also, since I got a smart phone, I have too many pictures of nothing, that I don't need.  It's a good time to organize and delete all the photos you don't need.
10.   STUDY ENGLISH.  There are many online resources and APPS that can help you study at home.  How about 15 minutes or a half hour a day?

I made two new signs last week.  What do you think?   In English "sign" is either a verb or a noun. Verb form:(動詞） Could you please sign this form? Would you mind signing my t-shirt? Noun form:（名詞） I missed the sign for Starbucks, did you see it? Turn left when you see the Gusto sign. Or, sign is also used as "しるし"。 Signs of the times. 時のしるし。 I hope the Corona Virus is not a sign of things to come.   DON'T ASK, "Can I have your sign please?"  This is wrong.  In English, we would say either; "May I have your autograph (or signature)? or Would you sign this for me . . . .I'm a big fan!" Also, sign is used to ask someone's astrology. 星座。 What's your sign?  I'm a Libra. When I woke up this morning, I had an email that another school is closing for the Spring semester.  I sure hope this is not a sign of things to come. Let's all keep a safe distance apart, clean hands, and a positive attitude.  We can all get through this together!  Here is a sign!    

So, I'm "enjoying" a long vacation, thanks to the Corona virus.  I have cancelled my plans to go to America, and I'm watching way too much T.V. How long will this last?  When will school start?  Will the Olympics open as scheduled?  WHO KNOWS??? A few things we do know are, wash your hands, don't touch your face, social distancing, and STOP HOARDING! Wash you hands.   The CDC has issued the following instructions for hand washing:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

As we come to the end of the school year, many problems are facing the world and Japan.  Corona virus, the Olympics, finance, etc. I posted many phrases on the bulletin board in my classroom to the students who will graduate this year.  I think they are good for all of us to remember at times like this!

• Good luck!

• Go for it!

• Never give up!

• You can do anything!

• Fight!

• You did it!

• Way to go!

• Never stop!

• The future is yours!  Take it!　　　　　（未来は君のものだ！掴み取れ！）

• We know what we are, not what we may be.　　　　　　　　　　　　　（現在の自分はわかっても未来の自分はわからない。）

5月より新しい、子どものクラスをはじめます。   毎週水曜日 定員：７名 月謝：4,500円

• HOP クラス：（１－２年生）　4:00~4:50 (あと2人）
• STEP クラス：（３－４年生）　5:00~5:50
• JUMP クラス：（５－６年生）     6:00~6:50

• HOP CLASS:          4:00~4:50（２seats open)
• STEP CLASS：　5:00~5:50
• JUMP CLASS：　6:00~6:50