2021.3.31

It was fine.

Last day of March.

Last day of the 20th ebook free promotion.

Last day for some colleagues to leave the office.

Today is my brither's birthday.

Today is my dead best friend's birthday.

They say today is one of the most powerful days of this year.

At lunch time I hoped to enter the Imperial Palace but the gate was closed, and I took a picture of cherry blossoms in front of the moat. There was a newly wed couple taking pictures.

I went to the ATMs to transfer money for the seminar which related to Tesla and I went to Yurakucho to see a movie "NIKOLA TESLA" after work.

There was a market which opens only once a month dealing with Iwate foods and I bought sweets.

On my way back home, I listened to two online seminars on the train.

After coming home, I got two presents.

It was a nice day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2021.3.30

It was fine.

At night I had two appointments. One was the Bingo prize, and it was done by zoom. Originally it was about the session to feel the heart but I did not feel like trying so that I asked to change the way of consulting. He can do power stone psychic reading and I asked him to contact with my higher self to ask my future after my contract of the current job.

I chose three numbers out of 21. Each number has a different stone. I chose 3, 6, and 9.

They were Black Tourmaline, Rose Quartz, and Citrine. Each message was warning, self-love, and purification of Karma. I did not understand them well but joyed talking.

The other one was done by Line and explained by YouTube video and I fell asleep.

2021.3.29

It was fine and warm.

Today is the 4th day of the free promotion of my 20th ebook. I sent individual messages and many people replied and I am happy to read them.

Now it is ranked as No.1 in Japan in 4 sections, No.2 in 2 sections in the USA, and ranked in the Netherlands and India.

I hope more people will get them while it is free and enjoy pictures of Middle East

Today I got a new carry case. I am really looking forward to the next trip next month.

Tonight is the full moon. It is very beautiful.

2021.3.28

It was a rainy day.

I started the day with Kid's yoga for adults.

I went to Toyota dealer to have an annual inspection done. I thought the cost was included in the package, but not and I had to pay.

I went to grocery shopping, came home, had a quick lunch, and left for the station.

I went to Yokohama to watch a Japanese movie, "Brave" and moved to Kawasaki to watch another Japanese movie "Okusamawa toriatsukai chui (奥様は取扱注意)."

I am glad to have used the free movie tickets of this month though I had to reschedule the delivery.

2021.3.27

It was fine.

I started the day with TV gymnastics and laughter yoga.

I went to Hinidecho to get a massage which is my once a month healthcare treatment. I got a present there.

After that I visited Iseyama kotai jingu shrine and Naritasan temple and visited my friend's newly opened office. It was very nice. I happened to see her sister-in-law who is a piano teacher. I may take a trial lesson near future.

I visited Kamonyama park nearby to see cherry blossoms. They were so beautiful.

I went to Kimono Style Miya to have my kimonos washed. There I was given rose shaped chocolates. They were so beautiful.

After that I went to see cherry blossom trees along the Oooka river for about the distance of two stations. They were so beautiful.

I happened to find two shrines and a temple and visited there too.

At Kamioooka  I bought a smart phone cover by points.

After coming back I attended a zoom seminar.

It was a very nice day.

2021.3.26

It was fine.

Since I could get up early I visited the nearby shrine before going to work.

Today at 5 pm of JST free promotion of my 20th e-book started.

When I checked it around 10:20 pm, it was ranked as No.1 in 3 sections in Japan.

I am very glad.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2021.3.25

It was fine.

There was an official ceremony of starting the Torch relay of the Tokyo Olympic 2020. It started from Fukushima by Nadeshiko Japan.

I love watching Olympic games. 

When I was in Seville, Spain in 1992, I watched the opening ceremony of Barcelona Olympic 1992 on TV and I was moved. At that time my advising professor of university was just leading students of study abroad tour to Spain and going to see the Olympic games. Therefore I felt like going to see it together and did. That was the first tme.

In 1996 when I was studying at Washington State University, I traveled around the US continent by greyhound bus for 104 days during the summer vacation and went to see the Atlanta Olympic.

In 1998 my friend from tea ceremony lesson invited me to see the closing ceremony of the Nagano Winter Olympic.

In 2000 I went to see the Sydney Olympic.

In 2002 I went to see the Salt Lake Olympic.

In 2004 I went to see the Greece Olympic and decided to stop visiting the Olympic games because Greece is the origin of the Olympic games.

When I knew there would be Tokyo Olympic in 2020, I felt like working for the Tokyo Olympic and applied for the positions, but failed.

I applied for the tickets but failed too.

When it was postponed last year, I felt that there was a reason of my not getting them.

There will be Olympic and Paralympic this summer finally but there would be limited audience allowed.

In spite of this situation, I am glad that it was not canceled but will be held.

2021.3.24

It was fine.

Cherry blossoms are now in bloom.

At night I attended an exchange meeting by zoom. There were two breakout room sessions. I happened to be with a person whom I was with two months ago at the second session. There was a BINGO session. To my interesting my prize was his session. I am looking forward to attending the session.

2021.3.23

It was fine.

Yesterday I could not book the hotel I should stay next month. Therefore today when I found the room I decided to book though it was rather expensive. 

This time I will use LCC for the first time in Japan.

On my way back I booked another tour next month.

Planning trips makes me happy. I am glad to have something to do next month.

2021.3.22

It was fine in the morning, but slightly rained when I got out of the office in the evening.

Cherry blossoms are full in bloom and so beautiful.

Today is the first day of releasing the state of emergency. I wonder how the world will be.

2021.3.21

It was a rainy day.

Since my friend got ill and we could not get together, I decided to go to Isonokami jingu (石上神宮) shrine and Kashihara jingu (橿原神宮) shirine by train by myself.

At the Isonokami jingu I could join a special tour guided by a priest and get the special prayer just for yen1,500. It was really special because we could enter the sacred place where is prohibited to enter.

I could visit waterfalls nearby too.

On my way back to the Tenri station I had a chance to see inside of the sacred building of the Tenri religion too. I was escorted. It was a huge building.

After visiting Kashihara jingu shrine, I dropped at a hotel to buy cubic rice which I bought last year too.

I came back to Shin Osaka to pick up my carry case and got on the Shinkansen about one hour later than schedule.

It was a nice trip to Kansai.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2021.3.20

It was fine.

Today is a national holiday called shunbun no hi (春分の日), Vernal Equinox Day. It is one of nijushisekki (二十四節気), the 24 solar terms. The last one was keichitsu (啓蟄) on March 5 and the next one is seimei (清明) on April 4.

Shunbun is the day when the day time and nigjt times are equal. They say it is the New Year of the Universe.

Today I attended two zoom lessons of body care in the morning and visited two shrines before attending a special tour of Sumiyoshi taisha (住吉大社) shrines. This is the second time for me to attend this tour.

We got together at Tennoden (天王殿) where G20 summit was held in 2019 or so. After an hour lecture we had delicious lunch. Presentation was so impressive with the theme of cherry blossoms.

We visited Sumiyoshi taisha shrie and offered a  special prayer and kagura (神楽) performance.

It was a nice visit.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

2021.3.19

It was fine.

I got up early this morning as I planned.

Today I published my 20th e-book "My Favorite Places in Middle East: Arabian Peninsula."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZDT3RB6

This is a collection of pictures during my trip to Dubai in Aprl 2018.

Middle East has been a far away place for me for a long time.  But there was a very reasonable trip to Dubai staying at the 5 star hotel.  So I went there with my friend from university. Since she lived in Kyushu and I live in Kanagawa, we got together at Dubai. We enjoyed visiting many places.

I liked the Desert safari wearing the local costume and afternoon tea at Atlantis the Palm Hotel. 

We attended the two local tours to go to Abu Dahbi and Oman.

On my way back I stopped over at Malaysia too.

I really love traveling.

I am looking forward to the day when we can travel abroad freely again.

Meanwhile I enjoy traveling Japan.

Now I am on the Shinkansen bound for Osaka.

It will be a nice trip.

2021.3.18

It was fine.

Today I worked at home. I could save about four hours and a half of commuting time.

I started the day watching NHK's morning drama which I usually watch at lunch time.

I attended the laughter yoga in the morning after a while.

I could receive the re-delivered goods.

I visited my parents' graveyard at lunch time because it is equinox week when we visit our ancestor's graveyard.

I prepared for the trip this weekend.

I enjoyed watching a drama.

It was a fruitful day.

2021.3.17

Happy St. Patrick Day!!

It was fine today.

March is a good-bye month in Japan. It is a graduation month. There were some announcements of job placement from April.  One of our key persons of the office will be moved to another position. It will be a great loss for us. He has been relied on by everyone.  He will be missed.

After work I dropped at Yokosuka to visit some ATMs.

2021.3.16

It was fine.

There was the graduation ceremony at the Women's college nearby office this morning again.

This might be because of COVID-19.

At night I attended a zoom Reiki seminar.

I watched two dramas.

2021.3.15

It was fine.

I went to the nearby shrine before going to work as the 15th day's ritual.

There is a women's college near my office. It seemed today was a graduation day, and there were many young ladies wearing hakama (袴).  Congratulations!!

At lunch time I went to post office to send a small packet abroad. I measured the weight and put the necessary postage at home, but they said an additional yen90 is needed. I asked why. They say it overweighed 1g. Electronic scale is more acurate than manual one.

On my way back to station at night cherry blossoms were blooming beautifully at the women's college. I believe the graduates had a memorable graduation day.

2021.3.14

It was fine and warm.

Mt. Fuji looked so beautiful.

I started the day with Kid's Yoga.

I went to Kawasaki to see a Japanese movie "Poupelle in the Chimney Town" which some of Power Spot Meister friends recommended by Facebook. It was a nice movie.

After having lunch I went to Shinagawa to pick up the train tickets for this weekend.

I went to Sugita to have my hair cut and and perm, visit Softbank to consult the plans, and visit Kimono shop to buy a birthday present.

It was a fruitful day.

2021.3.13

It rained heavily today. 

I am glad that we canceled climbing Mt. Oyama today.

I slept long. 

There were lots of things I could have done, but didn't do so much.

I booked the trip for next week.

In the evening I saw the beautiful sunset.

I started making a new photobook.

They say it will be warm tomorrow.

2021.3.12

It was cloudy in the morning.

I started the day with the laughter yoga. We were supposed to go to Oyama mountain tomorrow, but because of the estimated bad weather we postponed the climbing until autumn.

Today was the day of telework.

I got a call from someone of a stock compamy. She had to leave the office because she needs to take care of a senior family member. It is sad to hear that.

At night there was a zoom meeting. There was a recommendation about a book and two books ftom the Facebook live. I found them ftom Kindle unlimited and bought them. I am looking foresrd to read8ng them.

2021.3.11

It was fine.

It's been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake happened.

I still remember the day very well.

I worked in Shinjuku, and we evacuated to the nearby shrine watching the high rise building swaying. I stayed up overnight at the office with a few colleagues and came home next morning.

From that day we stayed at home and experienced planned blackout for a few days.

Many things have changed since then.

How is your life changed?

Tonight I went out for dinner at my favorite Spanish restaurant with a Facebook friend whom I met face by face for the first time. We enjoyed talking and eating a lot.

Since the restaurant closes at 8 PM, we only had about an hour, but we found many things in common. It was fun.

2021.3.10

It was fine.

Today is my dead mother's 85th birthday.

I knew that my Facebook friend is now in Tokyo. So we decided to have dinner.

I booked a restaurant. Because of the State of Emergency, it will close at 8 PM, and we only have about an hour, and it will be the last order when we get there.

Though time is limited, I am looking forward to seeing her for the first time.

I tried to make another appointment with another friend. We tried to find the place both of us want to visit. Most of the places one of us has already visited and we could not find the proper place. However under the condition if it is available, there is a place both of us are interested in.  I hope it will be available when we decide to meet next month.

2021.3.9

It was fine.

I spend about four hours and a half for commuting every day. Therefore train is like my office. In the morning I charged Paypay on the train by credit card for the first time today. And I used it to buy my lunch for the first time. Now they have a special campaign to give points according to the amount used by Paypay. My points will be automatically invested. I am curious what will be.

I also booked a beauty salon, and read ebooks.

How do you use your commuting time?

2021.3.8

It was a cold rainy day.

Today is the International Women's Day.

Last week we had a surprise birthday party. Today there was a notice of shared cost. To pay by cash was a standard before, but today I was surprised to see many options of paying besides cash such as Pay Pay, Pay Pal, Line Pay, and so on.

Digital divide becomes bigger and bigger, doesn't it?

2021.3.7

It was cloudy and cold.

I started the day with Kid's Yoga for adults.

I tried to clear books, but I enjoyed reading two old books against my intention of just clearing.

Therefore I was going to do something else, but could not.

I have stayed at home for three days straight without going anywhere. Thank you for the bad weather.

2021.3.6

It was cloudy.

I slept long, and stayed at home all day long.

I prepared the kimono for the next event, and watched many TV proprams.

One is the NHK drama dealing with the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. It's been almost 10 years since then. There will be more programs related the earthquake and the tsunami at that time next week.

The others were mystery dramas based on the Agatha Christie's stories. It reminded me of the importance of comparative literature.

I had a relaxed Saturday.

2021.3.5

It was cloudy.

Today is keichitsu(啓蟄), one of nijushisekki(二十四節気), the 24 solar terms. Last one was usui (雨水) on February 18, and the next one is shubun (春分) on March 20.

Keichitsu is the time when the hibernating insects come out from the earth, that is it is getting warmer and warmer.

I teleworked today and stayed at home all day long.

2021.3.4

It was fine.

There was a surprise birthday party at the office in the afternoon. 

I took an hour off to attend a monthly meeting. 

On my way to the venue I could visit the Tokyo Daijingu where I have wanted to visit since last year. I felt lucky.

On my way back home on the train I attended the zoom meeting. 

2021.3.3

It was fine.

March 3 is hina matsuri (ひな祭り), Dolls' Festival or Girls' Festival.

Families with daughters decorate the dolls with traditional kimono costume and peach flowers and wish their healthy growth. Those dolls are called hinaningyo(雛人形). 

On this day we eat chirashizushi (ちらし寿司), clear soup of clam, and rice crackers called hina arare (ひなあられ),  and drink shirozake (白酒).

March 3 is also the day of ears because of its shape.

Today was the last day of the free promotion of my 19th ebook. To my glad it became No.1 in 5 sections in Japan, two sections in the USA, one section in Germany, and two sections in Spain.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I attended a zoom meeting at night and enjoyed.

2021.3.2

It was a rainy day.

I brought a big umbrella, but I did not use it so much.

They say it will be cold tomorrow.

There were two delivery notices. One of them was delivered at night again fortunately.

2021.3.1

It was fine but very windy.

A new month has started.

March is sangatsu (3月, 三月) or yayoi (弥生) in Japanese.

I went to the nearby shrine as the ritual of the first day of the month before going to work.

At office there was a luncheon.  It's been about a year since we had lunch together.