English lessons

I tried to have English lessons after an interval of three years. I used to go to an English conversation school in Osaka, but I was busy after I got married, so I stopped going there. One day, one of my seniors in my company was interested in learning English so I introduced them to the English school where I used to go. After that the English school gave me a present which was 5 free English lessons. I haven't been speaking for such a long time. I have forgotten many English words, unfortunately. It is easy to forget. It is hard to maintain English skills for a long time.

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I love music

I am interested in joining a chorus group. I skimmed through the list of members wanted for chorus groups on web. There still isn't a chorus that interests me. It may be good for me if I can practice at one near my house, once a month. And then I can practice my electone for a few hours. I am not good yet, but I am pleased with myself when I see some improvement.

Go to the gym

I have been started going to gym as I'm going on a diet.I am busy everyday,so I didn't have enough time to do exercise. On my day off I go to the gym in the morning to do aerobic exercises and then do muscle training.
In particular, I do sit-ups because I want to reduce the size of my waist. Also, I am doing some studio exercises like yoga, taikyokuken and aerobic dance. I do these ecercises with many people,so it is fun and easy to keep training. The lesson time goes by quickly.


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Furoshiki －Origin of the word Froshiki

The word "furoshiki" actually comes from the culture of the bath, or furo. In the Muromachi period (1336-1573),When samurai bathes together in large numbers, they each wrapped their clothing in a square of silk decorated with their family crest to avoid mix-ups of belongings.　Once out of the bath,they stood on that same silk square while dressing.
　
－そもそも「風呂敷」という言葉は日本の風呂文化から生まれたもの。室町時代に武士が大勢で風呂に入ったとき、自分の衣服が他の人のものと紛れないよう家紋入りの絹の布で包み、風呂から上がった後、その布の上で衣服を着た。

Thus the "furo (bath) siki" (from the verb meaning to lay out) was born.

－これが風呂敷の原点

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"Furoshiki" part3

Production requires sophisticated dyeing techniques, such as dying each side of the fabric separetely and  incorporatinggradations of color.

－風呂敷独自の染色技術も使われている。一枚の布の表と裏に異なる柄や色を入れて染め分けたり、ぼかしをいれたりなど。


What's more, While its shape could not be simpler, furoshiki has　countless uses depending on how it is tied and wrapped.

－それだけではない。風呂敷は究極にシンプルな形でありながら包み方と結び方ができるのだ。
シンプルでありながら多目的である。


It  even offers insight into the Japanese tendency to keep feelings literally under wraps.

－そして風呂敷から日本の「心を包む文化」も知ることができる。


We Japanese often rely on materialgoods to convey such feelings as gratitude, congratulations, or condolence.

－わたしたちはモノに託して相手に心を伝えることが多い。感謝の気持ちやお祝いの気持ち、
お悔やみの気持ちなど。


So as noto to expose the object chosen to communicate these very personal feelings, and to keep it clean and safe from damage,we wrap it carefully in furoshiki before setting out to deliver it.

－その自分の気持ちを伝えるモノを露にしないように。また、汚したり傷つけたりしないように大切に風呂敷で包み、訪問するまで運ぶ。

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Furoshiki "A 1000 year expression of Japanese culture"

The furoshiki is an easy way to incorporate Japanese tradition in our daily lives.
－風呂敷は最も簡単に体験することができ、誰もが生活の中に取り入れることができる日本文化だ。

It's a piece of fabric,square in shape, which people have been using to wrap things for more than 1,000 years.
－風呂敷とは千年以上もの間、日本で使われてきたモノを包むためのほぼ正方形の布。

Each cloth is a condensed expression of our heritage, with patterns designed to look attractive when folded or tied into o three-dimensional form.
－その一枚の布には日本の伝統文化が凝縮されている。
包んで立体的になった時も、美しく映えるように伝統的な文様がデザインされている。

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↑one click please

Froshiki

Used for centuries, furoshiki are fabric squares that epitomize the timeless wisdom of Japanese tradition.
－古来より使われてきた日本の布、風呂敷は美しく大胆な文様の宝庫。
　そして限りない日本の「知恵」が詰まっている。

By tying them in different ways you can wrap and transport items of any shape.
－結び方の工夫一つでどんな形のものでも包め、楽に運ぶことができる。

Best of all, being fabric , they can be used over and over again.
－何よりも布だから何度でも使える。

With their eye catching patterns, they deserve rediscovery.
－一度風呂敷を使う楽しみと便利さを知ったら、誰でもきっと手放せなくなるはず。

Say goodbye to plastic bags and wrapping paper!
This will be the century of the froshiki.
－ポリ袋や包装紙はもうさよならだ。
　「大量生産、大量消費」の時代はもう終わりだ。
　21世紀は風呂敷の時代。

〈家庭画報　インターナショナルより〉

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↑I join in the blog ranking.
There are many diaries uploaded. Some of them are really helpful to learn English.
English blog Mura is good place to search nice articles.