blog - What I did in 2007

You did so much for me this year. I'm looking forward to seeing you again next year.

I've accomplished the following things this year:

1. I found a company to join.
2. I quit the company I'd been working for for ten years.
3. I joined the new company, which is global and a foreign one.
4. I started to spend life to speak English at the office.
5. I reached the second grade in the bouldering area.
6. I experienced UNIX and cutting-edge technologies.
7. I got 950 points on TOEIC test.
8. I was involved in the project which is huge.
9. I took a long business trip to Fukuoka.
10. I ate Hakata Ramen and fell in love with someone.
11. I could speak English relatively fluently.
12. I wrote tons of Japanese and English blogs.
13. I started to subscribe English newspaper.
14. I knew Indian world and Indian culture and people.
15. I could recite some great, long sentences.


Above are realistic and specific achievements. On the other hand, there were of course mental and philosophical achievements as below:

1. I got a sense of Japanese by reading Suzuki Takao's books.
2. I got a skill of waiting.
3. I got mature sense of loving.
4. I got new landscape of new globalism.
5. I got a dream of how to spend the thirties.
6. I got tolerance and patience.
7. I got respecting attitude.
8. I got skills of being loved.
9. I got skills of loving.


Next year, I will speed up the pace. I will get something. I will achieve something. I'm not sure about them yet. But, it's clear that I'm getting my dream realizing.

Thank you for your cooperation on this blog.

blog - Bonenkai tomorrow

My final Bonenkai is tomorrow. It will be held at an Indian restaurant, the reason of the restaurant is that there are many Indian guys in my department. Well, let me plan for this drinking as a professional business person, right?

First, I'll try to make a speech in English. It's OK to be failed. The ascent makes sense at almost all situations. Second, I'll try not to loose my consciousness. I'm A professional business person you know, so I have enough need to do so.

Above all, let me enjoy the situation as a peace loving person. Saying at previous threads, I've been reading "The Art of Loving", so I have necessity and reasons to give humor to people, to show my pure character to people, and to give something warm to the people.


I was dreaming, I would be one.

blog - The Definition of Stages of Writing

I'm finding a knack of how to think in English. It takes long time, but I'm convinced that it's not impossible. Imagine the conversation which you are having with your colleagues in a few minutes. Imagine the sentences which you are writing your own blog at night. Imagining the actual situation in which you are using English is a key point to elevate your English ability to the next level.

Think English as much as possible. Think in English as much as possible. More importantly, make your environment to be a place where you can speak and write English actually. That's a final sword to beat out your final enemy. That's a reason why people who learn abroad for more than four years can utilize English freely. That's a reason why people who have just gotten more than 900 points in TOEIC cannot speak English.

Use your imagination fully. Use your concentration thoroughly. The door is close to you than expected. So, now is the time. Well, I'll write down the definition of stages of writing as below. This is useful for like me to climb up the stage like stairs.

1. Primitive Level
2. Well-Corrupt Level
3. Literature Level


This time, I dared to summarize that with three stages. At the first level, almost all Japanese and non-native people fit in this level, people can speak, write, read, and listen to English at a primitive manner. It means the people know only basic grammar as written in textbooks, and use only basic expression as described in dictionary.

At the second level, almost all native speaker fit in this level, people freely use their language at the various situation with expressions as not written in textbooks and dictionary. Slung, intentionally destructive forms are these. To rise to this stage, non-native speaker need to be eager to incorporate various aspects of living at the English environment, and study very hard than normal people expect.

At the final level, the people are like writers. The sentences are almost poem, literature, and great speeches. He must be a famous politician, a great teacher, or a exquisite philosopher.


Needless to say, I'm in front of the first level.

blog - The Art of Loving

This tremendous book was written by Erich Fromm, an American psychoanalyst. First, he reveals that the history of man is tightly bound to "separateness". People have struggled to avoid this separateness in the history by religious rituals, social unions, or contemporary conformity. All these, I've known, but not recognized so clearly.

Second, the final, ultimate key to open the door of avoiding separateness is love. Orgiastic states and conformity have been superficially working, but these are not substantive. Only does true love make sense. And the love consists of the following forms: care, responsibility, respect and knowledge.

I'm now just starting the book, but I'm convinced that reading this book will be my favorite time in the next two months. Slowly reading will be much better than reading it fast in this case definitely. I will earn exquisite values from this experience, and enrich my awareness of love and the life.


The new journey seems to be started.

blog - Books

I've finished a book, "Culture Shock! India", written about India and its culture, last week. Then I'm now reading a book, "The Art of Loving", written by Erich Fromm, a famous writer. First I'd have liked to learn sophisticated expression and rhetoric. It seems to me that this book is the best.

Second, I'd have liked to know something. As I mentioned, I think I've already found out something related to love. I've experienced several spiritual events in this area. I've thought this subject thoroughly, reading books, writing letters. However, I think a little that there's something I've never seen, never found, never felt.


So, I decided to read this book. As of now, the choice seems pretty good!

blog - Writing a paper

As you know, I'm planning to write a paper whose subject is related to the IT industry. The title would be likely to be "Adequate offshore development model between India and Japan" and "Best practice and the solid framework for managing IT maintenance projects".

To make it happened, I would need to do the following things:

1. Making me to be able to write advanced and sophisticate English sentences
2. Making me sharp in order to figure out the truth and structure of the subject areas


And to gain the abilities above, I would need to do the following:

1. Reading newspaper every day, more than one page, reading aloud, checking unknown words
2. Intending to write sentences on emails, on blogs and on documents with advanced expression
3. Making the schedule clear to make sure that the goal will be surely accomplished
4. Playing Go or Shogi in order to sharpen my brain and make it possible
5. Just doing it, NOW!


The sun is rising. I'm still rising.

blog - Should be professional

I love the customer now I engage. It's a subsidiary company of one of the biggest companies in the world. It means the company produces and maintains the largest system in the world in the sense that the company is a IT company only for the parent organization.

Sadly, however, I'm not involved with the client directly, which means my company contracts another IT company which contracts the client directly. This makes the situation more complicated. I'm a great IT consultant and a great customer centric person, but the chances I can show to the customer is getting less and less.

But I have to learn. I have to learn something from the customer as well as the hateful company. The job my company has had is being taken by the rival company. At first, I just hated and wondered. Why this incompetent company could take the position? The fact is getting clear. I should learn from that.

We can improve ourselves as long as we have attitude to learn our failures, our weakness. We can win next time as long as we make ourselves look forward to the future. This is universal principle we cannot ignore. And so I put this thought in my mind, and decide that I will improve myself more and even improve my company more. That's possible.


Here, I've come.

blog - What I should do

Let me wrap up what I should do in a month from now below. The areas I need to focus on are likely to be the following:

1. Optimization of speaking ability of English
2. Preparation of launching my business
3. Contribution to the customer with devoted attitude
4. Concentration on enhancing my possibility
5. Stretch on a daily basis


1. Optimization of speaking ability of English

As you know, the area where I think I need to focus is to speak English like a native speaker. I've committed that I would be English master in the future. The meaning is to discuss, to make a speech, to exchange meaningful conversation in English. I have spent my time to and I will spend my time to this area continuously. That's clear.


2. Preparation of launching my business

As you know, one of my goals in my thirties is launching my own business. To realize this goal, I've prepared to reserve knowledge, experience, and skills. I've done whatever I could do. It seems like the business is IT related business, because my ever experience is bound to this industry. For this two years, I'm preparing more thoroughly and incubating my sharp ideas.


3. Contribution to the customer with devoted attitude

As you know, I'm a professional business person. So even though I'm devoting my energy to the areas mentioned above, I'm contributing to the customer and making it different forever. That's my faith. That's my tenet. Plus, the customer I'm involved with now is a good customer and can bring me excellent experience I've never got.


4. Concentration on enhancing my possibility

As you know, one of my interests in the world is to enhance my abilities till the end of the world. I'm rock-climbing, I'm studying, and I'm dreaming. Today, I bought a book of how to learn Go. Go is a game, which is as famous as Shogi in Japan. I've thought I would get experience and concept of the amazing game one day. I feel the time has come.


5. Stretch on a daily basis

As you know, I'm a rock-climber you've ever seen. My goal in this area is to climb that wall at the Yosemite National Park. For this, I would need to be at least 1st grade in Bouldering and have good skills in lead climbing and rope handling. My body would be sharper and sharper, my strength would be stronger and stronger. So, I've been stretching almost every day in this home.


The days have come.

blog - About Barack Obama

Barack Obama is the greatest politician of the century since JFK. Seriously, I'd really and really like to see the truth, dignity, discipline, and greatness actually. I can find out them in him watching his speech movies at YouTube and Obama.com.

If he becomes an American President, the world will completely change I guess. I can say that with sure conviction.

blog - Switched!

I'll start writing my English blog mainly. There are enough reasons and necessities. First, I'm a little tired of writing the blog in Japanese, because I've written that too much. Second, I feel the time has come to write English itself, not translating from Japanese to English, because I've been already improved in the area of English.

I've been practicing recitation of English materials like the Constitution of Japan or I have a dream by Martin Luther King Jr. This practice seems to be very useful for me. I can almost speak English fluently with Indian colleagues and Japanese English speakers. So, now is the time to climb up the next step.

I can't find any limitation or difficulty regarding myself. I've been feeling there's nothing to hold down me or oppress me. My possibility is infinite, so I can travel freely everywhere I want to go. So, I need to be careful of what I'm doing, because the direction completely affects the results, which is whether I can get the fruit or not.


I can say this at least; The time has come.

blog - The Life Again

It seems like this Again series has been finishing. Six months has passed since I came here Fukuoka. I must gain soulful peace to my life and continue to challenge to the place where I should be. Life is rock. It's for climbing. It's for transcending.

Life is road. It's for keeping walking. It's for keeping climbing. Clearly speaking, I've got home-sick, got heartbreak, eaten too much Hakata-ramen, spent too much into not necessity, and so on. There might have been good things.

However, I can say that this one and half month have brought to me very, very precious experience. I've felt new revelation regarding work. I've felt new growth in the area of English. Above all, I could have taken some of new concept, philosophy, thought in my life. I'll go back to Tokyo in yearend, and make a big decision in my life.


Actually, I'm not sure what it is.

blog - Strategy for Kyushu Again

I didn't go anywhere last week, although last week was the fifth week for Kyushu Strategy. First I thought I went to Saga prefecture to eat Saga beef, but there was not much time while I was shopping and having my hair cut. I met someone on Sunday.

Some day, I will start a Kyushu trip again. But that should be started with more effective ways for the trip. I'm now in the southernmost island in Japan, which means that now is the best time to consider Japan itself again.


The last month of the year has started with me.

blog - English Strategy Again

There was an opportunity to talk in English for a long period today. I was able to speak English fluently as much as surprised. Of course, there were grammatical mistakes (I'm resolved that this kind of mistake continues in several years), and I got stuck when connecting "focus" with "get the job done" saying "I focus on getting the great job done".

However, this experience brought me a clear confirmation that ever painful training like reading, speaking, and reciting would be getting effective. As I'm surely improving, I'm convinced that I will be able to accomplish the desirable goals in the near future.

Now, I'm writing here about policies for this three months and concrete strategies to make myself more convincible in matters of mastering English below.

- English Policies (for this three months)
1. Aiming English Master
2. Focusing on speaking completely
3. Searching opportunities proactively and not hesitating
4. Eating fruits well, restraining alcohol, and sharping my thoughts
5. First getting more fluently, and after that enriching the vocabulary and expression

- Dairy Strategies (time allotment for a day)
Morning ~~~ Reading English newspaper (1 page) ~ 15 min.
On the bus to work ~~~ Recitation training ~ 15 min.
At the office ~~~ Intentional speaking, emailing, writing in English ~ 3 hr.
On the bus home ~~~ Whispering and thinking in English ~ 40 min.
In the bath ~~~ Reading a book ~ 30 min.
During stretching ~~~ Recitation (input) ~ 30 min.
At night ~~~ English blog (this), English vlog ~ 30 min.


Especially, I got a trouble in thinking of the usage of the time on the bus on the way home, because recitation doesn't work for a long time due to mainly concentration problem and I cannot read and write anything on the bus as I mentioned before. So, I decided to spend this precious time to think in English. I mean, I think in English about the night's vlog, email I will write to my friends at the night, and things that happened on the day.

Also, I won't take a time at Starbucks studying by myself in this three months, because I'd like to concentrate on actual business matters (now is the precious time to learn UNIX, Oracle, and Oracle EBS), and I think it's better to go for lunch with a nice Indian guy to talk in English.


I'm realizing.

blog - The last week of November has started

I thought the first four weeks in Fukuoka was a period of trial and error, and Fukuokanizing. The baggage I bought for the first time in my life, the first long business trip, the first Leopalace, the first huge maintenance project, the first solo travel in Kyushu, the first date with Fukuoka beauty, and the first bus commute.

And this week, I will make a big leap and accomplish various things as a result of these weeks. First, I will control my own life completely. And I will make myself adapt to the new life, utilizing know-how I've ever got. The objectives of life will be clear again, and I will go for them and put my foot ahead.

Of course, there were several mistakes, and that's not perfect. But I have been convinced that my choice was not wrong, my new attitude for the life was not wrong, and people can enjoy their lives with creativity and stance of enjoying their lives, completely.


I've been back.

Fukuoka - Mizutaki!

I went to eat Mizutaki, a famous Nabe food in Fukuoka, last Thursday, November 8th. Fukuoka is famous for Motsu Nabe or Mizutaki, which were both born in Fukuoka. So I thought I wanted to eat either of them. But, you know, Nabe is not good for a person to go for eating.

I could eat very good Mizutaki at a restaurant where Mizutaki was born. During the meal, people drink the soul three times, which varies according the progress, effected by the ingredient.


Next is Motsu Nabe!

Fukuoka - Great Strategy For Kyushu #2

The following is my plan for Kyushu.

11/3-4 Fukuoka（Done）
11/10-11 Nagasaki
11/17-18 Kumamoto
11/24-25 Miyazaki
12/1-2 Kagoshima
12/8-9 Oita
12/15-16 Saga
12/22-23 Korea

Note: Okinawa, I went there when I was a student.


Actually this plan won't be exactly the same, but I think I will accomplish to go to all prefectures and Korea. I think in Saga and Oita there are not many sightseeing spots. Well, through putting all schedule on this blog, it is clear for me to need to be strict on the schedule, so I will definitely go to Nagasaki this week.

Although there's House-tenboth, the major destinations are the following two: Dejima and Peace Park (including Nagasaki Museum of Atomic Bomb). In order to feel history, I will go to Dejima. In order to feel bloodiness of atomic bomb, Peace Park. Of course, it's clear that I will eat Nagasaki-chanpon. The feet is for walking, and the head is for thinking indefinitely.


I'm getting new.

blog - The New Era of English

I seems like the new system has been established in the new environment. I'll wrap up it here.

- English blog
- English vlog
- Recitation of English
- Read English aloud
- Read English books
- Work using English


Adding English email to these six practices, my next three months will be spent quite proactively. I think it will produce huge effects on my life as expected. There's no proof, but if the effect I can feel now is multiplied by time and the synergy, I can declare that I will be a true English speaker in three months.

First, the vocabulary will increase extraordinary. I can strongly say this because I'm now training my vocabulary through reading English newspaper, speaking my own words in English, reciting English more than two hours a day, and speaking English with my Indian colleagues on a daily basis.

Plus, three months later, as a true English speaker, I will make speeches all around the world, and write papers about my current business or Japanese culture. Finally, I will be reaching my ideal figure, and be challenging to the final battle. It will end with an appropriate finale I can bet whole myself on in my thirties.


It comes near here.

Fukuoka - I Never Read Books On Bus

I never read books on bus. Rather, I cannot do that. Cos, I would get carsick.

I commute by bus here Fukuoka. It takes 20 to 40 minutes one way, so it turns out that I spend around one hour inside buses. On the first week, there were a lot of interesting things or strange things, so I just heard my iPod on the buses. However, from this week, I've started a new method: Reciting Game. (I will mention the detail of this game on another day.)

The point is, the new life brings the new environment, and how efficient to embrace the new environment is essential for the individuals who have intention to be more efficient. Having good balance between creativity and disciplines is a knack to live their lives pleasantly, and speaking English more frequently.


It itself just makes the life happy.

Fukuoka - The Eighth Day

Actually there's nothing to write down here weekday, but I'll do that because it has lasted till today. One of the most fascinating things I've ever felt in Fukuoka is to be able to enjoy things like things that I can enjoy abroad. I mean I can here enjoy pleasure of exploring unknown towns, encounter with unseen people, and excitement to see the residents.


I wander I have been able to find what I thought I could find only abroad, here Fukuoka.

Fukuoka - The Seventh Day (Dazaifu - Climbing)

Fukuoka doesn't have special famous places except for the downtown and the bay area actually. I'll try to list that below.

- Dazaifu
- Mojiko Retro
- Yosinogari History Park
- Yanagawa


That's it, according to my guide book. Well, today I decided to go to Dazaifu. It's located in the near place to Tenjin, taking less than 30 minutes; It has Dazaifu-Tenmangu or Kannozeon-Temple, which deserves the major historical area in Kyushu from 7th century. I was walking eating the famous snack, Umegae-Mochi.

Dazaifu-Seichoato is just a park, and families came there and played baseball or something. I looked around Kyushu National Museum (I saw it just from outside), Kyushu History Museum, and lost my way at the last minute, and got my home. I wandered whether or not I should go to Mojikou, but eventually I had ramen and went to rock-climbing.

I think I go to rock-climbing once a week, since it seems like I cannot go there on weekday. It took more than 50 minutes to walk there, so I have to develop the way to get there with less minutes. I think this week I'll have Mizutaki and do various things to prepare for the journey to Nagasaki (Nagasaki seems a good place for sightseeing.)


Bye for now.

blog - Being Loved

I've already mentioned that Young Siddhartha had three abilities: thinking, waiting, and fasting. After getting these three abilities, he entered the forest of Kamara and learned the art of loving and being loved. From sublimity to normal, from dream to reality, he actually dropped down and realized. That was a very important period for him so that he found out the new concept of time.

My desire for possession has been completely controlled, my intelligence is very eager to earn new information, and the great wisdom desired would be obtained in a short time. As well as these, I've started feeling a new heartbeat and a new energy. Finally, I would encounter a turbulent period.

Fukuoka - haruy02, going around the world on foot!

I've already mentioned that this blog started when I determined to travel around all the world.

Mar, 2007 New York
Apr, 2007 London
Nov, 2007 Beijing


I was able to discover many things through traveling around major parts of the world such as America, Europe, and China last year. It seemed like it will be getting faster through this year's job transfer and TOEIC 950 from next year. Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, Middle East, and India were the candidates to travel. There are a lot of places I have to see in the world.

However, surprisingly, I got an opportunity to travel inside Japan prior to those. It looks like it says I should see inside Japan before starting to travel the world again. The other day, I couldn't recognize this fact clearly, but it's getting clearer now. It says, "I will explore all Kyushu, which is the most important island of Japan except for the main land thoroughly."


Light, and great enlightenment will be waiting for me.

Fukuoka - The Sixth Day (Hakata to Nakasu)

Today is my first holiday in Fukuoka, so I went to a nearby shopping center to buy detergent or something, did the laundry, and headed for Hakata Station. I bought a guide book of Kyushu area as well as books regarding work at a bookstore. Hakata and Nakasu is very near, so I decided to walk to Nakasu from Hakata.

Nakasu is namely night town, which was surprisingly talked at yesterday's drinking party. Since it's dangerous to walk around such a city at night, so I went there during daylight. That's as a level-headed explorer; as a visitor who talks the truth.

Nakasu was brilliant. I was really surprised at the appearance. Well, putting it away, I ate ramen at Ichiran, which has its restaurants nationwide. The soup was quite delicious.

I was supposed to go to rock-climbing in the afternoon, but it seemed like I was a little tired, so I got asleep at home. I think I will go to Dazaifu or Mojikou Retro tomorrow. I'd like to eat Mizutaki or something at night.

Fukuoka - Great Strategy For Kyushu

Being in Fukuoka means being in Kyushu. It also means being the nearest place to South Korea which is the next country of Japan. Opportunity increases opportunity. I thought I should aim at traveling all Kyushu and getting into South Korea. First, I need to see Fukuoka completely on this weekend. That is sightseeing.


Kyushu is a southwestern part of Japan, which played an important role in Japan's history.

Fukuoka - The Fifth Day

I was invited to a gathering at which my clients and their friends got together today. Fukuoka is a really nice town, isn't it?

The first week is over. I have a little concern on a contract matter of the project, but my knowledge has been smoothly increasing, and the great adjustment has been proceeded forward. I've embraced all challenges I encountered, and I expected a new drastic growth by pushing myself out of the comfort zone. Well, the attempt seems to be getting successful.

Fukuoka - The Fourth Day

Although there are no special things on weekday, today a drinking party was held at an Indian restaurant, where I had a really good time. I could make friends here in Fukuoka.

I'll buy laundry pins and a guide book of Fukuoka Saturday morning, and I'll run to a rock-climbing gym which is said the biggest one in western Japan in the afternoon, and at the night I would eat Mentaiko or something at a famous restaurant. I've embraced any challenges ever actively, so now I'm here.


I should take more pictures.

blog - Believe Yourself

I thought today again. Everything would come better.

Well, my biggest challenge is speaking English frequently, I was really disappointed at what I couldn't go well for this few days though, but continuous efforts on a daily basis(*) will make things happened, with some sort of trigger.


Believe it!

(*)
Now, 1) English blog, 2) English vlog, 3) reading English newspaper aloud, 4) speaking at work, 5) reading English books are my efforts these days. I'll continue these efforts at least three months.

Fukuoka - The Third Day

There was no special event today, but I could take a bath for long after the water system was fixed by the housing company. I think now is the time to fukuokanize myself.

My plan is to experience the first night move with my colleagues tomorrow, to update various things to my boss on Friday, and to get sleep early and see Fukuoka in earnest on weekends. A surprising encounter with Mentaiko would be waiting for me.


Eventually, the days of stretching and chinning up started.

Fukuoka - The Second Day

Well, there was a funny thing on the flight. A flight attendant suddenly gazed my face and she said, "Your eyes are really beautiful". I was surprised and said, "Th,, Thank you" with a pathetic voice. What should I have done? (Anyway, she was very beautiful.)


The second day in Fukuoka, there wasn't a special thing (although hot water was not available at my appartiment that I rent from Leopalace), so I'll write here about my new assignment in Fukuoka. I didn't understand what I heard yesterday, but today I could feel that I was really lucky to be assigned to this project.


The reason is the size is huge. This is reletively huge to my previous projects, so it's not huger than the system of New York Stock Exchange Center for instance. But over 40 CPUs, over 100 GB memory, and over 3 TB database, the project has. This is the tenth bigger than my previous projects's. The team for maintenance is also big, and the number is over 100 people as permanent staff.


This kind of information will be included in the Indian Tiger Mission.

Fukuoka - The First Day

I felt strongly that I would go to India as my first business trip, but there's a weird thing in the world. I came to Fukuoka, Kyushu, which is a southern part of Japan, on business. Honestly, I think this like a vacation, but as a professional business person, I'm meaning to adjust myself to any environment quite quickly.

To Fukuoka by the flight at 9:05. Got the key and went directly to the apartment. I was surprised at the cleanness of the room. But there's no kitchen knife or toilet paper, so I will have to buy many stuff at some time. Quickly went to the client place and got there at 2:00. Although I didn't know the town, everything completely followed the plan.

I joined three meetings, which is also my takeover, but there were a lot of unknown words, so I almost dropped asleep. There were many three characters which are like a department name or a product name. However, it would be fine eventually. More importantly, it seems like there will be a lot of opportunities to use English at work, so I will definitely make an appeal. At the end of the day, I took noodle at Ippudo.




Next is Mentaiko!

blog - The Eve Of The Departure

Now is the time my journey is started, which takes three months. My intention is to read a lot of books as much as possible, to be healthy as much as possible, to get better to speak English as much as possible, to proceed to write a paper and a book as much as possible, to turn all my efforts toward the center of the world or India, and so forth.

When seeing great people, I cannot help but make myself hard-working. I hope I can put my foot ahead as much as possible.

blog - The Road To Fukuoka

I'll go to Fukuoka on business for three months or a year. There are various reasons, but the major reason is that I thought I should go. My road has been almost determined, so I will just go my way walking on the road. Beyond the road, glory or shining future would be waiting for me.

Well, I think it would be getting less to write this blog. I've already accomplished all the things that I wondered to get by my 20s, which are "IT", "Accounting(Management)" and "English", and it's ready to challenge to the true goals. Now is the time.

All aspects seem to be concentrated. I've just finished watching all 10 seasons of "Friends" taking three months today; I'd just finished read the book written about my company yesterday; I'll have finished read the third book regarding Japanese culture. The last lesson with Christie was over, so I will put my foot into the new world.


To be honest I don't know, but I will do it.

blog - The Truth of A Dream

I've already mentioned that a dream plays a role that connects the past with the future, like a bond. Today, I'd like to explain the true power that a dream has, and the true appearance that a dream should be.

First of all, human beings want to be consistent themselves. Because human beings cannot live without that. Even the one who was Republican yesterday and is Democrat today has a kind of idea that ensures the consistence. Because the human is the human himself.

In case the one cannot catch the true figure, he would be hapless. Because a dream can make people not only happy but also unhappy. A dream stems from the past; A dream cannot stem from the illusion. A dream loves the true character of the person, but it's rare that the person knows the true character.

There's a way to realize the dream. Beyond all, wish it. Think ways to realize it; Be enthusiastic; Yearn for it; Strongly recognize that it is a part of one's life and that the life is impossible without it.


A dream is a word, a magic word making people move forward.

blog - Road To English Master: Concentration

I would probably focus on the following things in this three months.

- Japanese culture and history.
- Speaking on Vlog.
- Recitation.
- Research paper.
- English of IT.


Because I've walked step by step, I will be walking on to the next step, step by step.

blog - Grab the First Grade

I would make my mind to grab the first grade of rock-climbing in three months, because my back was ready to be cured.

All bodies and spirits are the same, so if the one impossibility vanish, all possibilities will be coming up.

Don't forget the stretching I've been doing almost every day this three months. Only can an effort focused on a single point run through the impossibility. I hope so, don't I?

blog - Getting Up Indian Tiger

First, the following two would be footholds.

- Write an article about Offshore Development.
- Apply for the company's web site on innovation.


Next, move on to the next step.

- Write a book about Offshore Development.
- Launch a new internal venture.
- Step up to a senior position.


Because the hoops were taken off, I freely explore around and attain the universe.

blog - Good-bye, TOEIC Test!

I'll never take a TOEIC test anymore. I think I graduated from the exam. Some might think that I'd better pursue the perfect score (990 points), but actually that's nonsense to study English for the perfect score. TOEIC Test is a good exam to measure the language ability up to 950 points, but from 950 points the exam is not appropriate to measure the ability, especially the road to English master. (Maybe, Eiken or Interpreter Exam is good for the measure, but I think I won't take the exam neither.)

Thus, as I've swore before, I'll do my best to be the English Master. The title of TOEIC 950 give me power. I feel that. I mean I have to achieve my goals protecting the fame. I have to make a further leap with that as a foothold. TOEIC was a great merkmal. I'll never forget TOEIC.

I feel I need to wrap up my struggles and results regarding TOEIC tests. Writing a book about the achievements and the next prologue will be tough work. Maybe it will make me devout every efforts on it. However, I cannot throw away the interest in the contribution. Maybe, I'll do that. But there will be something I have to do prior to that.


That would be released next year.

blog - Now, The World's Dawned

This accomplish is huge for me. It seems like the world has dawned literally. Now, I'll upload what today I sent to my friends studying English together below.

"Yeah, to be honest, I'm really excited. This is much happier than what I've done ever in this area.

"If I write my own book, the final chapter would be written about my achievement which I'll do at this Indian company after this TOEIC 950. That's actually accomplished, and I would make a speech in front of the respectful Chairman, who is the second rich-man in India. That's heartfeld, cross-cultural, focusing on the future of human beings.

"My following English study will put as its center my original output (practicing my speaking and writing abilities). Especially, I would perform studies on Offshore Development in English, and it would be sensational both in Japan and in India. Up until now my efforts were just put to make me to stand the starting line, but from now it will be put to make a difference in various fields. I will aim at being a true internationally-minded person, and being true Japanese."


I've already gotten several new strategies, and I've been convinced that I would achieve various things in various fields as a professional. I wouldn't be afraid anymore; of my limits, of the facts not realized. I wouldn't hesitate anymore; about my attempts to surpass my limits, about my abilities to realize my future. And, I would assert strongly; human ability is literally infinite, and if you stretch your hand, you can get it all.


Well, the show will be going on.

blog - The 133rd TOEIC Test: I got it!

The result came:

Listening 480
Reading 470

Total 950


Yes! Cleared the target!

My destiny has changed. Thank you, TOEIC. And good-bye, TOEIC.


(Note: The detail including whether or not I'll publish my book will come up later.)

blog - Sleeping Indian Tiger

I'll wait for the time quietly. It's the result of the TOEIC test next week. It's the day the Indian Tiger will roar toward the world. It's the moment my destiny will be determined.

I'll train myself while waiting for the time. The complete language skills by which I can discuss, make a speech, and express myself freely. The technological skills by which I can act extensively. The deep cave in which I can travel deep time and space.


Three months. I'll wait for the time, and go underground deeply.

blog - Three Things Young Siddhartha Could Do

Young Siddhartha could do three things: think, wait, and fast. Young Siddhartha obtained these three abilities through learning from Samanas, and Young Siddhartha achieved his goals using these three abilities.

I can also do three things: figure out the truth, discipline myself, and live on vegetables. I used to catch on the lies of grown-ups. I can now also figure out all the truth. And, I can discipline myself by the rules I've imposed.

Moreover, I can live on carrot juice in the morning, bananas and oranges at noon, and avocados and fruits in the evening. I can feel delicious when eating delicious foods, and vice versa. Thanks to these three abilities, I'm just achieving my goals, and living without getting fat in middle age forever.


Young Siddhartha and I could do three things.

blog - The Ability of Recitation

I've forgotten recitation as a training method for a long time. I bet that this method will be the second hit man toward the English Master. I've never recited for this two years, although I used to recite Martin Luther King Junior's "I have a dream" and Agile Manifesto in the past.

I ordinarily have an interest in human brain. For instance, in the past, I tried to measure my brain power to calculate mathematical problems (100 square addition) and how to improve that brain power through the training, as well as tried to recite the Constitution of Japan and Hyakuninisshu (100 pieces of traditional songs; pictured). It's also ashamed that this was just three years ago. So, at the time I was able to recite more than 85 songs. Umm, this is good old.

Thus, I'll try again to regain the sharpness of my brain at that time and will try to recite a variety of materials, like the Constitution of the United States, English version of the Constitution of Japan, famous speeched (like JFK), famous poems (I'm not sure who is better), famous music (well, it's connected here), IT materials (studying for IT will be done at the same time), and so forth. I guess this is the final year to recite something.


The brain has advanced, and the world has been optimized in proportion to the progress.

blog - How To Use Blog and Vlog

I'd like to note how to use Blog and Vlog to make English study more effective.

1. First, write something daily on the Japanese Blog in Japanese.
2. Then, translate that into English on the English Blog.
3. Finally, speak that toward the camera, and upload that onto YouTube.


It seems like this three steps achieve perfect harmony, although I've not completed them yet. It's easy to write Japanese blogs for me (It's of course because I'm Japanese and a writer too). And when translating them into English, I usually use a dictionary, and this is also a highly beneficial step, which is an important previous step to speak of own thoughts in English very frequently.

Meanwhile, at this time, it's important to utilize various Internet sites as well as using an electronic dictionary. For instance, I can say that it's necessary to use ALC's Eijirou and Google's phrase search at present, in order to use sound expressions. I can also say that at some time new methods would be invented.

And making vlogs would be the first hit man for improving speaking ability, which is the biggest challenge for me now. It's ashamed, if I do say so myself, that I do take myself with a video camera put on my shelf, but I have to say this to vow further growth. I will freely speak of the subject in front of the camera around a minute. Because I've already written about that in the Japanese blog, I would be able to speak about that relatively frequently in the aspect of vocabulary. In addition, the quick speaking brain would be needed finally. And that would be thoroughly trained too.


This method is an invention of new formula deserving getting patent, I guess.

blog - The Second Chapter of Indian Tiger

Now! Now is the only time! What I've been pursuing is to promote the environment where I can challenge. And now it's been promoted, so I'm challenging. I have to challenge to it. Unless I challenge now, my life until now would be a lie, and the faith until now would be tarnished.

Now is the time. What I demanded at the previous company is organization which can understand software, comrades who have advanced technical skills and noble ambition, and culture where challenges are admired. Those are ready now, so I have to challenge to it. I shouldn't waste time any more, and I'll jump to it.

Centers of Excellence is nursery bed which will accept my challenge, and the relationship between Japan and India is foundation which will sustain my identity. I'll challenge without fear of risks, and will accomplish innovation of value that I've never accomplished ever, under great reconciliation.


In retrospect, the India Tiger was predestined to be born.

blog - Kyogen (Japanese traditional performing arts)

I'm now studying the culture of Japan in English. On that way, I found I have to learn Kyogen strongly. Kyogen is a precious art telling us cultural aspects from the era of Azuchi Momoyama. And I thought I have to watch this performance as a person who should continue talking about Japan and the world.


Then, I'm scheduling this. Let's go!

trans - Chinese Stocks

Well, it's been totally into economic bubble. (In case of Hong Kong stock market (HSCEI), the index was around 10,000 points at the beginning of the year, but now that is just going beyond 20,000 points. In short, whatever stock you bought at the time doubled at present in this scenario.)

In this situation, I have to calm down and judge the exact figure of this bubble economy. By the way, according to some news sources, the famous investor Warren Buffet already withdrew from Chinese market. So, for defensive investors, now is the time to withdraw from there.

I myself, though I'm definitely not speculator, don't intend to ride the speculative bubble, so it's okay to withdraw from Chinese market at any time. However, generally speaking, bubble is extraordinary apart from the substance, so I'm interested in looking at the booming for a while.


I've decided the clear withdrawal point, so I'll just follow that as a professional investor. Good luck!

trans - The Road to English Master

Umm. I'm thinking to make an effort to be English Master these days, but there's less opportunities to talk in English at work, so I'm seeking how to be the English Master in an effective and efficient way. Umm. Anyway, I'll list up around 10 activities from now, and after that I'll analyze the way to be English Master.

1. Reading English newspaper aloud (more than 30 minutes a day)
2. Reading books about the culture and history of Japan (approx. 1 hour a day)
3. Writing English blog (now translation only) (approx. 30 minutes a day)
4. Watching Friends (continued) (approx. 30 minutes a day)
5. Working at the office using English (email, talking) (approx. 2 hours a day)


Well, up to here, that's what I've been doing recently (note: it's duration between parentheses), and from here, I'm mentioning what I'll add to my activities in order to be English Master.

6. Writing essays regarding the culture of Japan (connecting with business. For the company)
7. Uploading Vlogs to YouTube everyday at any cost (Vlog means Video Log)
8. Making sure to talk with my colleagues in English everyday (even with Indian who can speak Japanese)
9. Making a friend who speaks only English (I guess the blog would be a trigger)
10. Enjoying music and poem in English (especially music would be important)


Furthermore, the following things will be recognized as noted or evolving activities.

- Reading the grammatical book again.
- Giving consideration to the dictation for Friends.
- Keeping up with reading of foreign books.
- Keeping up with listening to CNN with iPod.
- Writing the English blog with a maverick way.
- Resuming the preparation for TOEIC if the result is under 950.
- Trying to think in English as much as possible.
- Setting a no-Japanese-allowed day.
- Training the vocabulary again. (picking up from historical books is the best.)
- Utilizing corporate various intranet sites. (outputting information in English.)


Well, strengthening speaking and writing abilities would be central, but I would have to keep up with unimaginable efforts to be a master, as its name suggests. And a year later, I will come back from the blood, and will shout against the world, as a complete international man, as a complete Japanese man.

Umm. This is an outrageous way I've never seen.

trans - Struggle against Backache #1

I've already mentioned several times in this blog that I've suffered from backache since the end of last year or so. And the pain wasn't mitigated even after a one month rest (this was unanticipated), and then I went to a rock gym today after a one month absence, it turned out that the situation was the same as the former one.

However, I have to admit that there's brightness to recover from this disaster. I mean, there was a doctor of bone-setting at the gym today, who is a frequent climber of the gym, and he taught me various useful information.

- Warm the affected area, not cool off it. (this is case by case.)
- Stretch back's pressure point, which is in the backs of knees.
- If the situation is no different, go to a hospital and get an X-ray.
- If the cause is muscle, come to his orthopedic clinic.


My apartment's bath is separated from the toilet, but I've never taken a bath for a long time (I've just taken a shower), so take a bath first. And warm the affected area with a hot pack or a Hokaron. The new stretch gives me a strong stimulus, which seems clearly effective for my back. I feel again, there's no problem with no solution.

trans - North Alps.Maehodakadake (3,090m)

Throughout last week to this week, I went climb Maehodake Mountain (North Japan Alps; the altitude is 3,090m). There were a number of problems, but I think I can give credit to the achievement in transcending more than 3,000m. Although I thought of various things, climbing mountains is good to climb up and down without any thought we cannot help but think in daily lives. I think I'm going to climb various mountains next year too.


Mountains makes me to be more thinkable on various new ideas.

blog - India Tiger Maneuver

I've already described that I' now working for an Indian IT company, and after struggling, I determined to be an Indian Tiger. The direct cause was reading a book written about my current company, and I found out Indian Toyota and Honda in that book. True IT companies would emerge from India in the 21 century.

I vowed to embark on great contribution, enhancement of international exchange, and institution of world peace. There must be a lot of secrets I don't know and hills I should head for, and great seniors must be waiting for me. I needed to grab them. My right foot was proceeded forward.

1. Concept

Be an Indian Tiger. (Honestly, I'm not sure about the meaning.)


2. Basic Strategy

- Heighten myself to the limit with language, human and technological skills.
- Get into them, understand them, and fight with them.
- Play an important role in bridging between India and Japan.


3. Activities

- Make a success of my own projects.
- Understand India and the company, and make a rapport.
- Show outstanding presence in Japan branch.
- Make a business trip or take a training to India.
- Get to enter Indian Office as an officer candidate.
- Make a lecture about business development in Japan, and Japanese culture.
- Exchange greetings with the respectable Chairman, who is also the second rich man in India.
- Promote interaction, and make a difference for the industry.
- Finally, be an Indian Tiger.


...That's it?

trans - "Siddhartha"

Maybe I read this book when I was at college or at the beginning of starting work, but I started reading "Siddhartha". (Because I'd read almost all his work I guess.) I was feeling that there was something secret in Buddhism which made a big effect on Japan and Japanese.

Those of men who read Hesse's work might know this; Hesse is not so much a highbrow writer but more a writer who writes imperfect, immature work like us. About this book, he also struggle to describe the life of Siddhartha. (Technically, this Siddhartha is not Buddha, but an imaginary character.)

This is also time when I found a new and clear recognition on Time. Young Siddhartha could do just three things: waiting, fasting, and thinking. And he got the actual world, and finally learned from the river. All space and time shape spirally or helically, and we all live here. Live here.


Not need to hurry to be old. I think taking enough time.

trans - "Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind"

I felt something at the time. I felt I needed to read something. That's Nausicca and Buddha. I sent Nausicaa to my little brother as a New Year's gift from Amazon.co.jp at once, and I also bought Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha.

What I felt at the time exactly was kind of transmigration, coexistence with nature, and new conception of time over future and past. At the time, I clearly traveled around the earth three times, and experienced Roman Era and Meiji Restoration. And, all I've been involved ever came up with a certain unified concept.

Honestly, since though I read this at my parent's place with tons of mosquito bites, I cannot deny that I couldn't get into the world of Miyazaki Hayao completely. The behavior of Nausicca and the destiny of Oma (Kyojinhei) and strange living matter, however, really impressed me. At least, I found it.


I've read the book. I've read the Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind.

trans - The New Era Begins

The fateful day, Sunday, September 30th, has passed without any trouble, and my new era has just begun finally. Although it started with a heavy hangover, thanks to fruits, it seems going well. Then, I'd like to announce here the new policies of the new era.

1. Indian Tiger Maneuver
2. The Road to English Master
3. Entrepreneur Projects
4. The Road to Great Investor (Again)
5. The Road to 2nd Grade of Rock-climbing (Again)


I thought there would be just two or three things, but more than expected. See, let's have a closer look on each subject.

1. Indian Tiger Maneuver

I like this naming actually, and I think now is the time to realize my thought that I've felt since last month, which is that I would have to do something big at my current company. The point is that I'd like to spend my time with a vigorous approach, and that policy should be performed here at this company.

Then, I'm thinking I will launch and perform this maneuver extensively. The details would be mentioned in another thread (because this maneuver is a comprehensive and potent maneuver made up one clear concept, three basic strategies, and nine concrete activities), so I just clearly mention here I've already made a clear commitment to this Indian Tiger Maneuver.


2. The Road to English Master

I had taken actions with a clear vision until last Sunday, September 30th. That is, the concept "TOEIC950". And after transcending that one, I will begin striving to achieve my new challenge. That is, the new concept "English Master (Master of English)".

Currently the road of English Master includes about 10 concrete activities in its plan, such as reading English newspaper out loud, sending out Japanese culture, doing Friends dictation, taking my Vlog and so on, and I can expect the current definition of the English Master will be gradually changing with time, but I will be able to see myself with extraordinary progress, especially in speaking area. (The details will be mentioned in another thread.)


3. Entrepreneur Projects

I would promote my activities to make my personal skills top-peak in my mid-thirties. This means, with IT area as an axis, "Linux Implement Project", "The Own Domain Publication Project", and "The New Product Development Project" etc. will start in the near future, although there is no need to name them "Project". :-)

The point is, making skills that I've obtained until now to be integrated and be sublimated, and I'll put myself to the position to be able to start my own company. This is an unpredictable road I guess, but at the moment of completion of learning English to some extent, that should be performed in an expeditious and effective way.


4. The Road to Great Investor (Again)

Actually, I though this was not a big deal, but, this is the way to millionaire though, the recent upturn of Chinese stock market made my ambition awaken again. I felt this yesterday or today. Maybe I can do that, no, no, no, I say no three times, with a strong determination I will make a journey to the millionaire destination.


5. The Road to 2nd Grade of Rock-climbing (Again)

Turning down to a bad topic here, I was really disappointed with the fact that my back didn't recover from the terrible pain, even though I've taken three week rest. However, I'll restart rock-climbing around this week. My back would be examined by a doctor. I would go look for my limit. I would surpass the limit, or the limit would destroy something.


Just three months left this year. I would concentrate more.

blog - The 133rd TOEIC Test: Umm..

I've taken the TOEIC test last Sunday. My expectation is as below:

Listening: 450 - 470
Reading: 470 - 480


Then, in the best scenario, I would be able to get over 950 points. However, I made a serious mistake in the reading section, which was a mistake of not be able to answer against the question regarding an idiom, "name after", so I feel that would be difficult. Hence, I may take the next TOEIC test held at the end of November.

Moving on the further analysis, thanks to hard training on translation Japanese to English, I couldn't find difficult questions in the listening section. But there were several uncertain answers: two in Part 2, three in Part 3, and three in Part4. (In addition to these, there were mistaken answers I couldn't notice.)

In the reading section, I think I was almost perfect on the long passage questions, and except for the "name after" problem, I can expect a good result on the whole. Now I'm reading Japanese history book written in English, and there were the "name after" two times already, so I was frustrated why I didn't read this kind of book in advance of the test, but maybe that is visible because of the mistake. :-)


Then, I'm waiting for the result with a serious manner.

trans - Strong Will - cont. 3/3

- That 2. the output can be measured means, for instance, now I'm trying to translate Japanese TOEIC materials to English, and there's a clear answer, which written in my notebook, and by comparing that with the formal answer, I can measure how my answer is correct or not, and this can be connected to the pleasure of learning. Remember. You can enjoy a quiz show on TV, and the reason is that there is an answer, and this makes the process itself enjoyable.

- That 3. the growth brought by the time is recognizable means exactly the historical chart of "100 squares addition" records, and the history of TOEIC scores, and using words learned yesterday at the office actually, and human beings can enjoy their growth from the bottom of their hearts, which is clear to see playing children (There is no children not enjoying, because all children are growing up), and people can devout the activity directly connected to the growth. People should recognize this fact again.


4. Harnessing the Idea
Since this was mentioned at the Starbucks matter, I won't mention a lot again , but if people devout "it", people can feel that a lot of ideas flourish infinitely. For instance, people are getting better at using the electronic dictionary as they use it, the new usage of iPod, the invention of TOEIC central method, various learning methods at various places, and the combinations and so on, people can recognize these ideas from the bottom of their hearts, and can feel great pleasure of doing something with creative manners.


Conclusion: Will will be created, and it will create will.

trans - Strong Will - cont.

3. Enjoy Learning
- When I say that Clear Objectives is What, Why, and Logistics is When, Where, I can also say that this Enjoy Learning is How. Enjoy Learning is a large part of my learning framework, and I cannot study 10 hours a day without this. Then, how do I enjoy learning? I'm mentioning this here from now.

- I noticed. I noticed that there were some times I could enjoy learning. And, the time had a common characteristic. That is, 1. the time doesn't come with patience, 2. the output can be measured, 3. the growth brought by the time can be recognizable.

- Have you ever done "100 squares addition"? This is a training in Japan for mainly children to practice their mathematics skills. There is one big square on a paper, which consists of 100 squares, like grid with 10 horizontal scales and 10 vertical scales. And on the top side and left side there are 10 numbers each, which ranges from 1 to 10. And the player just add top one and left one 100 times. You can understand something when doing this practice more than two weeks (just one or two times, you cannot understand what I'm saying), and people can recognize their growth by continuing something for a certain period. (I don't need to say this here, but I recorded 48 seconds, which looks like the world record or the approximation.)

- It's difficult to construe the 1. the time doesn't come with patience, but for instance, when you are a beginner for English, it's understandable that it's nonsense to read Times every week using the dictionary for every unknown words. You should do a training where you can feel a slight workload in your brain, I can call this pleasure. If doing that, you can enjoy doing that. In my case, I'm now practicing TOEIC translation from Japanese to English, and this level of difficulty is suitable for me, and if I'm asked to translate newspaper into English, that is difficult for me, or nonsense for me.


To be continued..

blog - TOEIC Comes

Tomorrow is the day of TOEIC test. It's the day I've bet all myself on. For the past months, I've been practicing my English ability for this exam. More than 3 hours a day I've been studied, on average. The time has come.

I need to be concentrate on the exam and the preparation for that. I shouldn't think other than English. I need to get over 950 points on the exam. That's my determination. That's my fate. I think the life is composed by kind of gradually existing components. It means that people should do something one by one, for sure.

After tomorrow, the new life would start. I will begin practicing mainly speaking skills by using more advanced material, not TOEIC material. And I will begin doing some more thing, apart from practicing English. That is, creativity, preparation for the business launch, and making relationship with someone.


Today is one day before one of the most important days in my life.

trans - Strong Will

Lately I was often asked , "How can you study so long?"

Some people might think I have a strong will, but that's completely different from the truth. Because my will is not so strong (I cannot deny that I used to pursue iron will in the past), and there is a kind of knack to pretend to have strong will. Now I mention that.

I've already written that my daily studying time had dramatically increased from 5 hours to 10 hours. I think myself that I can study well lately. The secret consists of the following things, I think: 1. Clear Objectives, 2. Logistics, 3. Enjoy learning, and 4. Harness Ideas. Let's see these.

1. Clear Objectives
- It's important to set specific goals to get the goal, like TOEIC950 or English Master in my case. Well, but, the specific is not required. Just burn up yourself. Just be enthusiastic. Just get out of your bed and sit down at your desk to start studying several times a month or a couple of times a week.

- Also, it's needed to make companies studying with you, or your rivals. For instance, in my case, I bet something on the next TOEIC test with my friends, Yakiniku. If there's such a thing, if you can construct such motivated factors, that will be a huge engine for achieving your goals against human mind, weak one.


2. Logistics
- This is a point. I mean, I think I'm good at this thing, or, I understand I'm not strong (I cannot deny I used to pursue iron will in the past), so I've gotten the ability to organize the environment to be able to study for a long time. Let me explain this.

- For instance, my house has a mechanism that I cannot see any TV program. Of course, I have a TV, but if I turn on the TV, Nippon Television or Fuji Television doesn't come. (I've already mentioned that I can assure that this is consciously intended.) And the TV is connected to DVD player, so naturally my house has numerous English studying software, like Friends or 24.

- There's also a kind of environment where I can use English actually. A good example is that I put myself into the environment where I have to use English with my Indian colleagues by changing my job to an Indian company's one (but this is kind of over), and I've made the environment where I can study on the train by living in Mitaka which is a starting station, and I've also made an environment where I can study at the Starbucks alone by arranging relationship with my colleagues at the office.


To be continued..

trans - How To Handle Idea

Where's ideas come from?

What's the idea? How's that be handled? I thought I should work on there questions. This is also a present for my grandson or granddaughter never seen. Well, I feel there are numerous people who don't know the exact idea, and as a result the economic loss is astronomical figures.

Idea is idea, no matter how small it is. For instance, I got an idea lately. That is, it's really not a big deal, "Go to the nearby Starbucks and study for an hour there weekday nights and holidays", and the reason why this idea is so brilliant to me is that the idea expedite my study and change my feeling. That was really a revolutionary idea for me. The hour of studying a day increased 5 hours to 10 hours.

About how to produce ideas, you can read several books written about this topic, like How to make ideas written by Steve Young (in short, the process is consideration, naturalness, and flourish). What I stress here is that idea is kind of volatile, that is, if you are not careful, that would be gone easily, so take an action as soon as possible, or write down it somewhere. For instance, formally my cell phone was used to communicate with me, rather than communicate with my friends.


Idea is produced, and fostered.

trans - Electronic Dictionary: Ultimate Item

There is no doubt that this is the best. Electronic dictionary. Without this, I cannot study English Without this, human beings has not been able to stock up its knowledge up to now. Electronicity is not necessary, but electronic one is better than other ones definitely. I'm saying the details below.

- Don't hesitate to invest. Extravagance is nonsense, but you should buy the one as good as possible. You would spend very long time with it.
- English-Japanese, Japanese-English, English, Thesaurus, Collocations, and so on. You should take advantage of these various dictionaries. These five dictionaries are especially used well, so learn how to jump to each other surely.
- You will use the Thesaurus and Collocations very well in the near future, so choose the electronic dictionary including these. I thought an antonym dictionary might be desirable for me.
- Oxford for the English dictionary. English-Japanese for Genius. You should choose well-known, acknowledged dictionaries. I think there must be a difference.
- As the stage of learning, the dictionary you use will be different. Having an inquiring mind, try many things.


In case of me, I'm now using my dictionary as the following ways. Since I'm now practicing translation from Japanese to English using TOEIC materials, after translating the question and checking the answer, I make sure to check the phrases that I couldn't translate well, the expressions that I'd like to check, and excellent idioms in the answer, mainly using the English-Japanese dictionary (Genius). (That's why the dictionary has a lot of explanation of grammar, and It's useful by just reading.)

At this time, there are barely unknown words, and I check the grammar, the pattern of the connection with prepositions, and example sentences and idioms. This really works, so this makes my vocabulary fruitful using my brain's network effect.

By the material, how to use the dictionary also varys. For instance, when reading an English newspaper, I mainly use the English dictionary (Oxford Dictionary of English) to check unknown words and to check the pronunciation. I don't look over them deeply, and it's not needed.

Moreover, when traveling abroad or killing my time, I used to use the English Conversation Dictionary well. That was very useful especially when I check how to call someone and how to hang up the phone. (In case of that, I'm usually not in front of the PC.) Well, the Japanese ability is highly developed, but sometimes I used the Japanese Dictionary (Kojien) to check the meaning of Japanese words.


Well, I cannot give up my electronic dictionary at least in a couple of years.