Connected

縁というのは不思議なもので、ふとした思い付きで出た行動のせいで、あれよあれよとツナガリが繋がって、気つけば流れに乗って思いもしなかった場所にいる自分を発見したりする。最初のそれは確かに自分の行動なんだけれど、それもみんな誰かが起こした風を無意識のうちに感じた結果にすぎないのでは、と思う。つまり、世の中全部が何か見えない粒子みたいなもので繋がってるような。別に私は神秘主義でもオカルト信者でもないし、特定の宗教にのめり込んでいるわけでもない。ただ、そう感じることが最近多い。半年ぶりに日本に帰って秋の空気と味覚と景色を堪能し日本のよさを再認識しているところに、新しい出会いや古い友人との再会や家族の結びつきや、いろんな縁が円になって私の前に落ちてきた。

どこにでもいるような陽気できさくだけれどちょっと特別な人たちとの、小さいけれど大きな出会い。自然に敬意を払い、人間のあらゆる境界を超えて平和を願うという強い思いを持ち、その思いをそれぞれの形で、地元で或いは世界で実行している素晴らしい人たち。彼らにほんの少しでも関わることができてすごく光栄だし、こんな小市民でも何か役に立てるのならばこんなに嬉しいことはないと思う。もしかしたらもう二度と会うこともないかもしれないけれど、間違いなく私にある種のエネルギーを与えてくれた。

まだ右も左もわかっちゃいないのにわかった気でいた頃に出会った古い友人たち。それでも昔なんとなく感じていたことに間違いはない、よい友人だった人たちは今でもよい友人でいられる。それぞれに苦労を重ねてきた今、またそれがよくわかる。

一緒に働いた仲間たち、志を同じくする仲間たち、みんながいるからこそ今日も頑張れる。

人間の原点はやっぱり家族。ここに今、私が存在するのは先祖や両親のおかげであり、こうして楽しく暮らせているのも家族の支えがあってこそという当たり前のことがとてもありがたいと思う。

そして、またこの島で新しい友人たちとのツナガリが少しずつできてきて、それが私の毎日を支えてる。

ミンナ、ツナガッテル。

A relationship is wonder. An action made by my sudden random thought connects the circle before I know what's happening and sometimes I’d find that I’m in an unexpected place, flown with the current. The initial movement was certainly made by my own, but I think it's just only a result of what I did with my unconscious feeling caused by the wind someone brought. It's just like the whole world connects with something like fine particles we never see. I'm neither hermeticist nor occultist and not into a certain religion. It's just because of nothing but what have happened to me recently. When I went back in Japan after six months in foreign country, I enjoyed the autumn atmosphere, tastes, and scenery, and I rediscovered the beauty of Japan. Before me with such nostalgia, various bound relationships fell down from the heaven; a new sudden meeting, reunion with old friends, strong family ties.

It was a little but still great meeting with the people who are common, cheerful and companionable, but a little special. They all respect the Mother Nature. They all have a strong will to realize the world peace beyond every border of human beings. And they all are great people bringing the will into action in their own way locally or worldwide. I am so honored to be with them for even a short while, and there's nothing to be more delightful if I can be a help for them. It might be possible that we will never see each other again, but they certainly gave me a sort of energy.

They are old friends who I met when we knew nothing but we thought that we knew everything. Even so, I think what I felt in those days was right; the old good friends are still my good friends. Now, after going through a lot, we all know the truth.

I can keep pushing myself ahead today, because of my colleagues who I used to work with and my fellows who are aiming the same goal.

The root of people is their family. I truly appreciate the given fact that I exist here right now thanks to my ancestors and parents and that I can spend days happily thanks to the support from my family.

And now, I'm surely supported by connection with new friends on this island which began to form slowly.

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED.

Tongue and Nature

こっちに来て、まず最初にしたこと。
どこで何が買えるのかと物価の調査、いわゆる観光地の見学、そして、イタリア語講座の申し込み。
せっかくボローニャにプチ留学してて、ちょっとはましになったイタリア語を忘れないために、と思ってだ。でも、さすがにイタリア語漬けだった日々とは比べ物にならなくて、週1回のレッスンくらいではなかなか上達はしないが、何もしないよりましだ。それに学校でいろんなイベントの情報やチケットをくれたりするので、とっても有り難い。

英語と中国語のバイリンガル華人がほとんどのこの国でイタリア語をやろうなんてのはどんな人だろうと思って行って見たら、意外というかやっぱりというか、ほとんどが外国人だった。仕事で必要な人、趣味で勉強している人、結婚相手がイタリア人な人等々。テキストを使ってCD音声を聞いてネイティブの先生に習うという形態は、日本で通ってた講座と一緒。値段も１クラスの生徒数もなぜか同程度。何が違うかと言えば、やっぱり生徒。一言で言えば、みんなアグレッシブ！

日本だと、例えば先生から質問されないと発言しないことが多い。もうこれは、小学校から身に付いてしまった習慣なんだと思う。授業中に変に発言すると「空気読めないヤツ」って思われる。だから、授業は完全に先生一人の主導で進んでいく。自分をあまり前に出さず集団に馴染むように教育されてきた日本人は、なかなか人前で自分の意見を言ったり反論したりしにくいものだ。発表やディベートの機会がほとんどないまま大人になってしまって、社会人になって苦労する人も多いと思う。

けれど、ここでは環境が全く違う。脳科学者の茂木さんが「根拠のない自信を持て」と言っていたが、言われなくてもみんな持ってるって感じ。みんなが自分からどんどん発言したり質問したりするもんだから、当然、授業は脱線してばかり。それでも、どうしてもわからないとき以外は全てイタリア語で話さないといけないので、それはそれで勉強にはなってる。逆に、黙ってたり質問しなかったりすると「つまらないヤツ」と思われるし、人の話ばっかり聞くはめになって自分の勉強にならない。だから授業は、いつもとても賑やか。大人同士だから「あ、失礼」とかなんとか一応ひとこと言うけれど、同時に何人もが話し始めることもよくある。（そんなところまでイタリア人らしくなってきているのかもしれないけれど！）

ところで不思議なもので、日本人の間で普通に日本語で話しているときは、相手を立てて話全体がスムーズに流れるようにと気を使う。が、そこに外国人が混じって言葉が英語になると、どんどん意見を言ったり直接的な言い方になっていく。そこに流れる空気感はまた、イタリア語で話している時とはなんとなく違ったりする。それぞれの言葉の響きや文の構造がそうさせるのかもしれない。それでもやっぱり、相手を思いやるという日本人の美しい気質は失くしたくない、と思う。

The first things I did after I settled in this country were; research on I can buy what, where and how much; visit to the tourist sites everyone goes; and enrollment in the Italian language course. I was in hope of remembering my Italian which had progressed a little during the petite study in Bologna. A three-hour class a week is not comparison with the days when I immersed Italian, but better than nothing. And I'm so glad that the school occasionally gives me information and a ticket of events.

I was wondering what people want to study Italian in this country where most of the people are Chinese descents speaking both Chinese and English. And I found out, surprisingly or predictably, that many of the students are foreigners. Someone needs for the job, another studies as a hobby, and the other is married to Italian, etc. The form of the lessons are almost the same as my previous school back in Japan, using a text book, listening to CD, and learning with a native Italian teacher. And also the number of students and cost are similar, I don't know why. What is different is the students. In a word, aggressive!

In Japan, we barely say something unless being asked by teacher in the class. I think it's a kind of our practice we've learned from elementary school. If you say something carelessly in the class, you will be considered as "a mood breaker". So, the class is always led by the teacher alone. For Japanese, who are educated not to stick out themselves and to blend in a group, it's somewhat hard to venture an idea or retort others in public. I guess that not a few are struggling in the real world, growing up with limited experience of presentation or debate.

The environment here, however, is totally different. Dr. Mogi, a Japanese brain scientist, says "Japanese need to have unfounded self-confidence", but they all already have. All students voluntarily speak out and ask a question, and the topic is often off the track, naturally. Even so, such conversation definitely is a good lesson because the students have to speak Italian unless we really don't know what to say. Different from Japan, if you are in silence, you will be considered as "a bore" and you can learn nothing only listening to other students' stories. So, the class is always full of voices. As adults, we say "oh, scusa" or something, but
sometimes more than three persons begin to speak at the same time. (We've become like Italiani even in that part!)

By the way, when I speak with Japanese in Japanese, I try to pay my mind to treat others with respect and flow the whole talk smoothly. Once a foreigner comes in the scene and speaking language changes into English, strange to say, I tend to speak out more directly. The atmosphere there doesn't seem to be the same when I speak Italian. It may be because of the sound and structure of each language. But still, I want to keep beautiful Japanese nature in me to respect others.

2 steps, 4 steps or 3 steps?

週末、いつも寝坊な私が珍しく早起きしたので、旦那と二人で散歩にでかけた。前日の雨のあかげで気温も低めなので、歩くにはもってこいの朝。行く先はテキトー、とにかく水辺に向かって歩こうということに。
いつも騒音いっぱいの車道から離れて運河沿いの歩道をしばらく歩けば、河の合流地点に出て整備された遊歩道になり、ジョガーも増えてくる。このあたりから埋め立てられた新興地であるのは確実、整備の程度があまりに違いすぎる。

爽やかな風が心地いい。先日までF1で使用されていたスタンドが解体中の現場を横目に見ながら、ボートの練習する掛け声を聞きながら、ダックツアー（水陸両用車）の観光客の歓声を聞きながら、時折ベンチで休んでOREOを食べながら、散歩を楽しんだ。いい散歩道を見つけたなあ。

夜には、ディーパバリと呼ばれる新年を祝うお祭りのライトアップをリトルインディアに見に行った。オレンジ色の腰布を巻いて枝を持った人が行ったり来たり。いつもの週末のように、まわりはインド人だらけ。

ところで、イタリア語では散歩することを"fare due(quattro) passi"＝「２（４）歩する」という。奇数が好まれることが多い日本や中国と、こんなところでも文化が違うのだなーと面白いと思う。

On the last weekend, I woke up early for a change. So I went out for a walk with my husband. The temperature was rather low thanks to the previous day's rain, which was good for taking a walk. Without deciding where to go, we just headed to the waterfront. Walking away from the bustling streets lead us the junction of rivers and a well-maintained walking trail with many joggers. Around here, it must be a new reclamation area, with the far better condition than the other areas.
Brisk breeze made me fresh. Walking along the dismantling site where the stand for F1 was there until the other day, hearing the orders from the regattas and tourists' glee from duck tour(amphibious vehicle tour), sitting on a bench and munching OREOs, we had fun from them. We've discovered a good walkway for weekends.

In the evening, we went to Little India to see the street illumination of Deepavali, a Hindus festival to celebrate the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. Many men with orange-colored dhoti and a branch were strolling up and down. The street was  filled with Indians as usual weekends.

The Italians, by the way, say "fare due (o quattro) passi (do 2 or 4 steps)" in the meaning of to take a walk. It's interesting that the cultures are so different from China and Japan where odd numbers are considered to be preferable. And, well, if I daresay it, "a walk" in Japanese is "sam-po" which is the same sound of the term meaning "three steps".

Haze

iGoogleの天気情報で「もや」と出ている日は要注意。

多分「Haze」を直訳しているんだろうけど、これはただの「もや」なんかじゃくて煙霧。隣国インドネシアでの焼畑や山火事の煙が風に流されてやってくるそう。今日も、午後からこんな感じ。
ニュースによれば、4年ぶりにひどいそうだ。

普段はこんな風にはっきり港が見えるし、向こうの島まで見えている。
（アングルと拡大率は違います）

私のよくきく鼻は、うっすら煙の匂いさえ感じていた。これでアレルギー症状が出たり、喘息になる人もいるらしい。確かにここ数日、目脂が良く出る。
政府も対策をしているが何せ隣国のこと、簡単にはいかない様子。サイトで「ヘイズ指数」というのが毎日更新されている。
Up to 50: Good, 51 to 100: Moderate, 101 to 200: Unhealthy, 201 to 300: Very Unhealthy, Over 300: Hazardous　という具合。

ちなみに今日の指数は33だったらしい、かすかに匂いを感じるくらいなのにGoodなの？
せっかくスギ花粉から逃れてきたのに、煙とは！

You need to be careful on the days when the weather information says "Haze".
It's not only damp haze but smoke haze. Blown by wind, smoke of burn agriculture or wildfires comes from the neighbor country Indonesia. From this afternoon, the city is like this. According to the news, it's the worst haze in four years.
Normally we can see the harbor such clearly and even the distant islands (with different angle and magnification).
My good nose slightly picks up the smell of smoke. It could cause allergy symptoms or asthma. Come to think of it, my eyes certainly have been collecting mucus for the past few days.
Although the government has taken measures for it, it is not an easy issue which happens in the neighbor country. The site of the government updates "PSI(Pollutant Standards Index)" everyday such as; Up to 50: Good, 51 to 100: Moderate, 101 to 200: Unhealthy, 201 to 300: Very Unhealthy, Over 300: Hazardous.
Today's index was 33 in our region. But is it really "Good" when I can smell it?
I've been luckily away from cedar pollen causing hay fever, but unluckily I have the awful smoke haze here!

They Come to Island

Jetstar Asiaの就航記念プロモの超破格フライトで、両親と舅がやってきたのは先々週のこと。入国カードを書くのも一苦労な3人を10日間アテンドするついでに、私も行きたかった場所に一緒に行けて、まあ楽しかった。舅は、チャイナタウンの大きな仏教寺院にやたら感心していた。
狭い2BRのコンドで大人5人で過ごしたのも、なかなかない経験でよかったのかもしれない。子供みたいにはしゃぐ父とプールで久しぶりに一緒に泳いだり、ダブルベッドで（場所がなくて）添い寝した母と夜遅くまで話込んだり。

旦那も休みの週末には、AirAsiaで（またまたLCC）物価の安いKuala Lumpurまで約1時間飛び、高級ホテルに泊まって豪華な食事も食べた。

が、日本もまだ暑いほどで気候の差はそんなに大きくなかったとはいえ異国の地で緊張もしたのだろう、3人が順番に体調を崩してしまい、勝手に立てていた予定も半分くらい、連れて行きたかったレストランもほとんど行けずで終わってしまった。
それでも、早朝の空港で見送った後、夜には満足気で元気そうな両親の顔を見て安心した。喜んでもらえたんだろうか？少なくとも、どんな国なのか見て安心してくれたとは思う。

It was two weeks ago when my parents and father-in-law came all the way to see us with super bargain price of Jetstar Asia which had promoted them for their starting service. Well, that was OK for I could go the places where I had wanted to go, while I attended for ten days those three who had trouble filling in their immigration cards. My father-in-law was so impressed by a large Buddhist temple in China Town. Staying in our small 2BR condo together of five adults might be a good opportunity we'll never have again. After such a long time, swam in the pool with my father who was making merry like a child, chatted with my mother sleeping alongside of me in a double bed till late at night.
Over the weekend when also my husband can take days off, we took one-hour flight to Kuala Lumpur―where the prices are way below―with AirAsia (another LCC!) and stayed at a luxury hotel and ate lavish meals.
Though the weather was not so different as temperature in Japan was still hot, they must have been intense in foreign countries, those three fell sick one after another. So, the half of the itinerary I had planned on my own was undone and we couldn't go to the most of the restaurants I had wanted to bring them.
But after sending them off at the predawn airport, I was so relieved to see them pleased and in good condition in the evening. Did they really enjoy the days? At least, I'm sure that they could feel safe to see the country we live in.

Wall Decoration

殺風景な白くて広い壁をなんとかしたいと思っていたが、
日本にいる友達がやっているのを見て、早速まねをしてみた、ウォールステッカー。

WEBで検索して、バスで５分のモールにお店を発見。
あれこれ悩んだ結果、やっぱり木の模様がいいと思ってこうなった。

このステッカー、細かく部品に分かれていて自分の好きな様にレイアウトできる。

逆に言えば、うまくレイアウトしないと不自然でおかしなことにもなりかねない、ということ。
はさみで部品を切り取り、見本と睨め合い、セロテープで位置を決め、全部張り終えるまで約２時間。もう汗だく。でも、楽しい。
子供のころ、壁や家具にシールを貼って怒られたことを思い出しながら。
他の部屋にも、やってみたくなったけどいい加減旦那に怒られそうなのでやめておこうっと。
 

I'd wanted to do something on the plain, huge, white wall of the living room for a long time. Seeing a good idea that my friend in Japan had done, I did the same: Wall Sticker.

I searched on the Web and found a shop at the mall five minutes away by bus. After dwelling on the many designs, I chose one of the tree patterns. And it turned out in this way.

This sticker is separated in small pieces on a sheet and allows you to layout them as you like. In other words, unless you layout them well, it might look unnatural and strange. I cut out the pieces, looked into the example, placed them on the wall with tape. It took two hours to be all done. Sweaty but fun. I remembered that I was scolded for putting stickers on the wall or furniture when I was a kid.

I feel like do for the other rooms, but it's better not with my husband...

Italia, Schumann, Piano

イタリア文化会館の催し物で、イタリア人ピアニストFillippo Faes氏のミニコンサートに行ってきた。
シューベルト国際コンクールで優勝したりと、ドイツを中心に世界で活躍している人だ。ピアニストとしてだけでなく、指揮者、音楽ディレクターでもあり、ヨーロッパ、アメリカなどでマスタークラスの教授でもある。

今回は、生誕200周年記念として、ショパンに献呈されたシューマンの「クライスレリアーナ」の演奏だった。主催が芸大だったので、観客の多くは生徒だったようだ。それでだろう演奏の前に、作曲された頃の時代背景やシューマンの曲の特徴などのわかりやすい説明があった。でも、そこがイタリア人なのか話し始めると止まらない、どんどん時間がたっていく、演奏は始まらない。こっちがちょっと聞き疲れたと思うほど話してから、やっと、それも唐突に、演奏が始まった。
シューマンの曲って、練習でも少ししか弾いた事がないし、あまり聞きなれない。なんとなくとらえどころの無い感じがする。それでも、彼の力強くも繊細な演奏には聞きほれた。
全８曲が終了し、会場の大きな拍手喝采が鳴り止むころには、すっかり予定時間が過ぎていた。プログラムにはドビュッシーの「映像」がもう一曲。「時間がないけど。」と言いながらもしっかり曲の説明をしてから始まったのは「水の反映」。ううーん、私やっぱり印象派のほうが好きだなぁ。背中がぞくっとするような繊細な高音域の流れと力強い低音の響きは、さっきのシューマンとはまた一味違ってよかった。こんな音楽が手軽にしかも無料で聞けるなんて、ほんとなんていい国なんだ！と思う。

終わってから、もう、どうしようもなくピアノが弾きたくなって、帰りにエレピを見に楽器屋に行ってきた。どれを買おうかまだ迷っているんだけど、とにかく早く弾きたい。

I went to a small concert of Italian pianist Fillipo Faes, which was presented by Italian Cultural Institute. Signor Faes is active mainly in Germany but also all over the world. His profession ranges from soloist, conductor, artistic director, to professor of masterclasses in Europe, America and New Zealand.
The concert was to celebrate the 200th anniversary of R.Schumann's birth and the main program was his "Kreisleriana Op.16" dedicated to Chopin. The main presenter of the concert was an academy of fine art, and most of the audience seemed to be its students. Maybe that's the reason why the pianist gave an intelligible description about the time background and characteristic of the Schumann's music before performing. Once he began to talk, however, he talked on and on because he is Italian, I guess. Time was passing, the performance was not started. When I began to feel even tired of listening to his talk, finally he began playing, quite abruptly.
I've played few Schumann's pieces and they are not so familiar with me. Somehow I have an elusive impression for them. Even so, I was so touched by Signor Faes's performance which was so vibrant and sensitive at the same time.
When he finished all of the eight pieces and enormous applause in the theater was faded, it'd already passed the scheduled time. The program said there was one more music, "Images" by C.Debussy. Saying "We're out of time though", he gave another full description before performing "Reflets dans l'eau". Hmmm, I prefer impressionists after all. The flow of fine treble and sound of vibrant bass were little different from his play of the Schumann's, which tingle and surely grabbed me. What a good country that I can have an opportunity like this for free!
After leaving the theater, I was so desperate to play the piano and I went to a music store to see some electronic pianos. Although I'm still thinking about which one I should buy, I really want one of them.