Takachiho gorge
I would like to talk about Takachiho-kyo.
Takachiho-kyo or Takachiho gorge is located in Miyazaki prefecture in southern island Kyushu.
Takachiho gorge is a very beautiful deep narrow gorge designated as a scenic beauty.
Takachiho Gorge was formed over 100,000 years ago after Mt aso's volcanic eruptions. The remarkably pristine Gokase River flows through the sheer rock walls, just 3m apart at their narrowest point and over 100m tall in places.
The area shows its true beauty in the green of early summer, and the red and yellow leaves of autumn.
There's a legend where Amaterasu, or the sun goddess hides in Amanoiwato, the huge rock and when she got interested in hearing people singing, dancing and celebrating, she exposed herself and gives light to the world.
Yokagura held in Takachiho shrine is ancient Shinto music and dancing which starts in the night and ends in the morning, and it is said to have begun by the dance performed by Amenouzume, the goddess of entertainment.
あと２週間
これまでのところ、毎日２５分間がんばって英会話している。
フィリピン人の先生は発音に関しては、やはり気にならない訳ではないが、親近感だとか、褒め方励まし方がモチベーション維持にはgood。
平日はお気に入りのフィリピン人の先生２人のどちらかを予約して、土日は予約できるセルビア人の先生を誰でも・・・みたいな感じ。
ハローのブログを久しぶりに見た。
第２次口述試験対策「パターン対処法」
下記のような受験者に特に有効です！
(1)そもそも、外国語を話すことに慣れていない、または、苦手な方
(2)第２次口述試験に必要とされる外国語（文）が、頭にインプットされていない方
(3)準備のために多くの時間をとることができない方
私のことですね・・ちゃんと見とけばよかった。。
さて、
Machikon
Machi literally means town and kon is an abbreviation of gokon, or matchmaking party, so machikon is a type of matchmaking party that brings together single men and women. Unlike gokon, machikon has another aim of revitalizing shuttered local shopping districts by drawing people back there, so they are usually run by local governments, citizen's groups, or local communities.
Participants consisting of groupes of the same sex buy tickets that allows them to eat and drink at multiple bars and restaurants reasonablly across the district.
In these days less and less people get married, so I think this is a good idea.
街コン・・いまいちよくわからん
オンライン英会話
通訳案内士コースを受けようと思っていたのだが、あまりの喋れなさに・・・
とりあえず、そこそこのお値段で、2次までに毎日英会話の方がいいかなと弱気になり、DMM英会話始めました。ネイティブは高いのでフツーのコース。
フリートークになると、相変わらず言いたいことがなかなか言えない。めっちゃつまる。しかし、これが現在の実力なのだから仕方がない。
去年の今頃、1次の合格発表出るまでやる気でなくて、出てからも結局ぐだぐだで。
1年あったのに、これかい！・・ですが、受けるだけは受けないと・・・なので、できることをひとつひとつやっていくしか。
「老後」が視野に入ってきたのに、趣味とか聞かれても大してなにもなく、わりと好きだった英語でもしましょうかというのが元々だったので、まぁこれも長い道のりのひとつのイベントと思って、人と比べずにいきましょう。（言い訳）
Asakusa
Asakusa is located in Sumida ward, inTokyo.
Kaminarimon or thunder gate famous for the big red lantern hanging there is the symbol of Asakusa.
For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district. During the Edo period, Asakusa was popular for kabuki theaters.
It is said that early in the 7th century, a fisherman caught up a statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Kannon) in his net, and this led to Sensoji’s founding.
Asakursa has long thrived as a temple town with Sensoji and has an old down town atmosphere. Nakamise shopping street is the ideal place to get Japanese souvenirs. It has almost 90 little shops on both sides of the street and leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.
The opening of Tokyo skytree, a twenty minute walk across the Sumida River from Asakusa, has led to an increase of tourists recently.
あと1か月切ったって・・・
この先クリスマスまであれやらこれやら面倒くさいことが山積みらしいのだが、なにせ初めての経験で気が重い。たいしてお金になる仕事ではないが、仕事は仕事。
とりあえず、一番のプレッシャーだったひと仕事が無事終了して虚脱。
あぁ、また勉強しなくちゃ。でも、どうすれば・・・と、こんなぺージがあったんだった！
milk さんという方のサイト： 英検1級からのスタート
通訳案内士2次試験 攻略法！ という記事
英検1級なんて私にはまだまだ先・・・スタート地点がとてつもなく違うので畏れ多いのだけど、要点がまとまってて「そう、そうだった、まだなんとかなるかもしれん」と思わせてくれる。
setsubun
I would like to talk about setsubun.
It's a traditional ceremony held on February 3rd to ward off evil.
Literally, setsu means a season and bun means dividing, so setsubun originally was the day before the 1st day of the season, but today only the eve of risshun, or the first day of spring according to the lunar calendar, is referred to by that name. It's not a national hoiday.
On Setsubun people enjoy mame-maki, a bean-throwing ceremony. they throw roasted soybeans in and around their houses, shouting “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” which means “Out with demons! In with good luck!” This ceremony is performed to bring in good fortune and drive away evil spirits. Sometimes one person acts as the demon and runs around, while the others throw beans at him or her. It is customary for people to eat the same number of beans as their own age.
Mamemaki also take place at major shrines and temples. Well-known personalities, such as sumo wrestlers and actors, are invited as special guests to throw good luck beans for all those present. Men and women born under the Zodiac sign for the year can also participate in the event.
There is another custom which has been popular these days. This is eating specially prepared rolled sushi called ehomaki while facing the year's lucky direction.
Many people buy ready-made ehomaki at supermarkets, suhi-restaurants, or department stores
あせる～気分転換に動画見る
なんかあせる。。あ～どーしよ。
パニックしてもしかたないので、気分転換に植田一三先生の動画を見る。
なんかなごむ。（和食のプレゼン）
Washoku is traditional Japanese cuisine, which referes to individual Japanese food or set of Japanese dishes.
Washoku was designated as UNESCO Intangeble Cultural Heritage in 2013.
Washoku is characterized be the use of various seasonal fresh foods.
Washoku is famous as very healthy food, because it's a low calorie, nutritious and well-balanced diet.
Washoku is mainly divided into informal and formal.
Informal washoku includes sushi, tempura, or deep-fried fish and vegetables, and yakitori, or skewered grilled chicken.
Formal washoku are Kaiseki-ryori, or tea ceremony dishes; another Kaiseki-ryori, or course meals for traditional parties; and Honzen-ryori, or course meals for ceremonial functions; and Shojin-ryori, or vegetarian dishes.
I strongly recommend you try authentic Japanese cuisine during you stay in Japan.
