Our Old Songs

Today I listen to our songs. Not old songs but songs which we used to sing together.
Songs which used to really touch my heart.

Are these songs still being played in my heart? Am I driven by the vision stated in these songs?
I don't know. Frankly speaking, I can not answer certainly as I used. I am even afraid
that I will not listen it that much in the future. So sad to say that.

I have been overwhelmed with a lot of imagination, dream, ambitions which are totally different
with I used to have. It would not be such a realistic dream for me to pursue all of these things
up to this level nor I even dared to think about it. I had just been amazed with those who achieved such level
and I admired them so much.

I remember that I was really happy to be with you all guys. Singing our songs together, chatting and praying.
Where are they now? Do not ask me. I have been away. No one watch me here.
I should take this consequence myself.

No no no....The songs remind me again. Why have I listened to this again. Can I come back to our old place? A place where we used to call it Jerusalem.
Hey, I am now at the corner of the Earth. Didn't we use to say "go to the end of the Earth"?
Now I am here. Some of use are also on the other corners. I don't know what and how are they doing there.

No no no. Why all your voices are so clear in your singing?
I miss it all know. I miss our place. I miss our community. I miss you guys.
That we used to say that only prayer could bridge us and make us one.
But it is truly difficult. To be away from you make me singing the songs alone. The voice is becoming so slow even I can't here it. I am sure that i have not followed our vision.

Today the songs are here. I increase the volume of my player. Your voices are so clear. But I have almost forgotten the songs. Not the lyrics nor the melody. But the songs in my heart are almost gone.
But since I listen once again to these songs, I recognice your songs. I can imagine your faces.
As if that you're singing in the front at our rally time.

Now I slowly remember the songs. "Let's heed the call let's kneel and pray for this faithful man today". That we can still hand in hand to pray each other as we used to.

Please pray that I will again remember the songs and get the vision.

@oubaku

Very thankful

I am very thankful for the existence of internet.
Without which I will not receive a lot of incentives and life would not be easier.

I am very thankful to my teachers.
Without them I would not have gone that far with knowledge and science. Thanks for those who have spent their time to be of worth for many individuals.

I am very thankful to my friends.
Without them I would not have cheers around. Where sorrows and joys are shared together.

I am very thankful to my parents.
The absence of their presence would have made me lost. And foremost, without them I would not exist.

I am very thankful to my spouse. Whose love and care make the distance between oceans make as if it is only a narrow aisle.

I am very thankful for love. With the existence of love, winter seems like summer and a night seems like a day.

I would be very thankful to My Creator, the Creator of all those I mention above. Without Thy care I would be nothing.

@DRS Lab

Room, a comparison between NL and JP on winter perspective

This is not an academic article. Instead, it is just my comparison of how a room has been designed to overcome winter season based on my experience between NL and JP. Winter has not fully come yet here.

But let me tell you my experience here..

"I felt the sign yesterday morning. Brrrr, so cold! It was only 5 degree but how come I was feeling very cold!"

Well, winter is coming...

Based on my observation I realized that a house (room) in NL is better isolated than a house here. Therefore a house in NL is warmer and really good in winter time. Here I felt it was already cold though winter has not fully come yet.

I heard from my Japanese colleague, winter and summer time here take longer than that of spring and autumn. In fact, spring and autumn season is the best weather in Kyoto.

Back to room comparison, in NL is on the other hand having a problem in managing summer time. Summer seems quite hot and room is not designed to be air conditioned. In Japan it has no problem. That's what they told me.

So, which one you choose, room in NL or JP :P?

Look 4 Kyoto Club

Last sunday I paid a visit to Look 4 Kyoto Club. This club, initiated by Japanese, is intended to invite foreigners to explore Kyoto City. Therefore mainly the activity is about tourism. I do not know if they have their official website.

They were really happy to meet me at first time when I arrived at Kyoto Station. I thought there would be many foreigners come to join. In fact it was only me! Hahaha, for me it was a bit funny, because with so many volunteers of Japanese from this club, it was only me as their guest.

That day we had two activities. We first visit the disaster prevention center of Kyoto City. There we experienced some simulations of disaster. This center really provides good facilities to experience how real disasters might happen. I had never felt a real earthquake before. But during the simulation I experienced a simulation of earthquake up to 7 in Japanese scale. It was nearly like Kobe earthquake. To admit, I was scared :(. We also experienced a simulation of typhoon with 32 m/s. And last simulation was "being trapped" in a burnt building.

Afternoon time we went to Otabe factory. Otabe is a traditional sweet in Kyoto. They said people bring Otabe as a special gift in Kyoto. And I learned how to make Otabe myself. Hehehe, cool! I think it was a good end after having been scared by those "disasters". Thanks Look 4 Kyoto. I hope to join next time!

@Oubaku

京都から黄檗までjitenshaでいきました

In romaji this title is read "Kyoto kara Oubaku made, jitensha de ikimasita"。This means that went from Kyoto to Oubaku with bicycle.

Yes, following my previous story down as I won a bicycle in Kyoto, I needed to ride it down to Oubaku which is almost an hour away by bus from Kyoto.
Hahaha, quite far? Yes. But then I was able to explore a route coming back to Oubaku from Kyoto. I took almost two hours riding. Of course as usual I got lost one time. A nice experience with also pain muscles afterwards.

@Oubaku

Atarashi Jitensha

I like my old bicycle. I left one at the garage of my apartment in Enschi.
That bike helped me a lot and I was really thankful for it. 35 euro was suitable price I think because it was really precious for me. It accompanied me to many places around Enschede. Even during bad weather like snow in winter time. What a faithful friend!

Now that I come here to Oubaku. To be honest, biking here is not as safety as that in NL. At first I did not want to do that. There is no special lane for bike and therefore bikers share space with the pedestrians. However it is still more convenient to ride a bike around than just to walk. Moreover, this bike was given for me on a lottery of bicycles for foreign students (ryugakusei). Luckily I won it and it did not cost me any amount of yen. A bike with a good condition, 75-80% I think. Brakes, lamp and tires are okay. So it's also a precious one. Now I can forget my old bike ;). I love my atarashi jitensha.

note:
atarashi : new
jitensha: bike

@Oubaku

Did you recognize that picture?

I found it from Google Earth and cut the picture and put it here.

A big room (at least for me), a place where I lived for almost a year.

Many memorable occasions there,

including BS, ITC friends, and of course myself ;).

Cooking, singing, chatting, hohoho!