There are three waste incinerators in my city.

Two of them are used to heat swimming pools in the attached facility.

Kotehasidai pool,which is closer to my house, is a large facility with a lazy river, a water slide, a jacuzzi,

and an olympic pool.

I went there with my grandson during his summer vacation, so it was extremely crowded.  You have to wear a swimming cap, and swimming rings are not permitted in the olympic pool.

However many children were practicing with kick boards.

Meanwhile a few elderly people were walking in the lanes.

I thought it looked like a good way to exercise, so I decided to go there on September 1st.

As I expected, the pool was nearly empty. I was very happy to discover that there is an inexpensive swimming pool that you can walk in all year. It costs only 240 yen for 2 hours. Sometimes I go there with my husband who swims instead of walking.

And I was so surprised that Aqua aerobics and water walking classes are held for free at different times everyday except during summer and winter holidays.

Those lessons are crowded with elderly people, but

aqua aerobics really fun!  It’s under water, so I can keep jumping along to the music.

I want to keep going there and make it a part of my weekly routine!

When I returned to the port of my island, I noticed a European woman glancing around, looking a bit lost. I gathered some courage and asked her in English," Do you want me to drive you somewhere?" She answered in Japanese , "Daijoubu desu," meaning " I'm fine." I was about to drive away, but I saw her carrying a huge suitcase, I couldn't help but worry. So I asked again, "You have a big suitcase,and I have plenty of time. It's really no trouble to give you a ride."

She smiled and said, "Thank you! Actually, I'm supposed to meet someone at the post office." As we headed that way, I asked the classic question. "Where are you from?"

"Germany.", She said. I answered, "Wow! I'm learning German. Guten Tag!"

When we got to the post office, a Japanese staff member came out and explained, "She'll be staying on this island for three months to help with our art museum."

I dropped her off at the apartment where she'd be living, and I went back home. I wanted to talk with her more... but I didn't know when there would be a chance.

A few days later, I happened to see her again at the port just by chance. I thought, "Why not give it a try?" So I asked, "I'm really interested in German. Could you talk with me more?" She said, "Of course, that's totally fine!"

After that,she visited my house. She spoke a bit of Japanese, and I spoke a little bit of German. Unfortunately, the only phrase that came to mind was: "Die Sonne scheint." which means "The sun is shining." I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to actually use that phrase.

Anyway, English ended up being the best way for us to communicate.

First, she carefully checked a self-introduction I'd written in German a while ago. Then she asked me, "Why are you studying German?"

I told her, "I really want to go to"Wacken Open Air"-the world's biggest heavy metal festival!"

The next time we met, I was surprised. She had researched all about Wacken Open Air and even drafted an inquiry email for me to send. She also helped me practice conversations I might need during a trip to Germany-at airports, cafes, and restaurants. To be honest, I've been taking German lessons once a month for a few years, but the grammar is tricky, and I'd been struggling so I hadn't even touched pronunciation.

She focused on topics I was interested in, and taught me real, everyday German. Thanks to her, I started to love German again. I'd almost given up on it before.

She came to my place once a week for three months. Time flies!

Before I knew it she was leaving the next day, so I sent her a message: "I'd love to drive you to the port tomorrow. Please let me know your ferry time. Also, if you have any stuff you want to get rid of, even trash, I can take care of that for you."

The next morning , she messaged me: "Thank you so much for your sweet message! I'm taking the 8：14 ferry. It's really kind of you offer a ride, but I don't want to trouble you."

" Oh no... I really don't think of it as trouble at all, plus it's raining." I also tried calling her, but she didn't pick up.

My husband said, " You'd better just go get her right now!" Just as I was about to drive off, she came walking toward me with leftover detergent and groceries.

I just told her, "I'll pick you up at your apartment at 7：45！ No ifs, ands, or buts about it !" She smiled and agreed.

When we arrived at the port,we stood together on the pier. Just then the rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds.

" Oh! Die Sonne scheint !" I said. It just slipped out of my mouth. Ah-HA! I finally got the perfect chance to use that phrase!

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the English Learners Club. I'm Etsuko, and today, I'll talk about “a very special week."

As I was thinking about what to write for my homework, one of my old friends sent me a message. We decided to catch up at her favorite Italian restaurant. Next, my online teacher, who lives overseas, said she wanted to join our weekly English chat. And finally, a friend who is usually very busy asked me to have dinner at a yakitori restaurant on the same day as the special English chat meeting! What a fantastic week!

I was on cloud nine as I talked and drank with my dear friends. The pizza was amazing at the Italian restaurant, and all the yakitori dishes were savory and very satisfying - perfect with cold beer on a summer evening. The two friends I met this week are very dear to my heart, and I can talk to them about anything.

Speaking of chatting with friends, the English chat this week was a new kind of challenge for me. We usually chat on Teams, but this time we used Zoom. It was the first time I’ve hosted a Zoom meeting, so I tested it with my fellow English learners twice over the past two weeks. On the day of the special chat, everyone was participating from different places, with one person joining from South Africa! The meeting was only 30 minutes, so I was nervous before it started, but it was a great success! Everyone was so sweet, and I was impressed by how they communicated in English so smoothly.

Annnyyyywaaaayyy, Now, I'm up bright and early writing my homework. Recently, I'm a bit of an early bird. I find that even if life gives you sour lemons, getting up early and being active can turn your day into sweet sweet lemonade!  Besides, I like getting my homework done on a sunny morning... Now it feels like I’m on a roll with a whole day ahead of me.

I truly feel that these simple, happy moments are what make life so wonderful!

Thank you for listening! Keep learning, keep practicing, and always remember to have fun. See you in the next episode. Bye for now!!

What would you do if you suddenly saw your favorite celebrity in public?

The other day, when I was at a flea market at Oi Racecourse,

Yamauchi from the famous Japanese comedy duo Kamaitachi appeared out of nowhere!

I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was just him and another guy who was holding a camera. I instantly realized they were filming for their YouTube channel, which I always watch.

My heart was racing.

I wanted to tell him I watch his videos religiously. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to take a photo!

But at the same time, I thought, “Wait, maybe I shouldn’t interrupt them because they’re working. If I take a picture, other people might notice and want to do the same. That would be such a bother.”

Then another thought came.

“Maybe I could secretly take a photo?”

But then I thought “No… That would be rude!”

I didn’t want to be that kind of fan. I didn’t want to be disrespectful.

While I was struggling with all these thoughts… he walked away.

Later on, I went to buy coffee, and what do you know! I saw him again. This time sitting at a table, eating lunch and talking with the same guy.

I thought, “This might be my last chance. Should I say something?”

But again, I hesitated. I didn’t want to interrupt his lunch. I kept thinking, “interrupting someone while they’re eating is rude.”

As I kept debating this with myself, suddenly a woman sitting across from him just casually asked him,

“Oh, Yamauchi-saaaan! Can I take a photo with you later?”

She said it with a big smile, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And Yamauchi replied, “Okay~” like it was no big deal.

I was like, that’s not fair! I want a photo too!

But I didn’t ask, instead I just convinced myself that I’m a very respectful fan…

When I got home and reflected on everything I felt like I care way too much about not bothering others, maybe even more than I thought.

So now, I’m thinking I should come up with a plan for next time I bump into a celebrity that I admire.

I definitely want to talk to them. But again, I really don’t want to bother them.

So what can I do?

Should I always carry a letter with me to give to them? But that sounds… kind of creepy.

What would you do in that situation?

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Hello everyone! Welcome to the ELC. We are studying English, and although we have a long way to go, we are continuing to have fun and enjoy studying! Including working on this podcast. I'm Etsuko, and today I'd like to talk about my favorite colors.

My favorite color is green. When you hear the word green, what comes to mind? Traffic lights? Plants? Maybe turtles? I do indeed love turtles, but the first thing that comes to mind is the color of the shallows in Tahiti. The sea is turquoise, a bluish-green you might say. As the ocean gets deeper, the color gradually shifts to a dark blue. The gradation of colors created by nature can be magical don’t you think?

Another thing that is green and I enjoy in my daily life are house plants. I have five in my living room, and since I moved them near the window they look so lush and vibrant with the sunlight dancing on their leaves, making the whole room feel alive in a quiet, gentle way.

Finally, an interesting question came up in a recent English lesson: "What color would describe you?"

I answered “dark green” because I've heard that green is a color that has a peaceful and calming effect, and that's the kind of person I want to be. At the same time, I know I'm not young, so I added “dark”. I was quite proud of my answer… Don’t you think that sounds cool?

Anyway, I don't know how many more beautiful shades of green I will discover in my life, but right now, when I imagine someone listening to my voice, there is a glowing rainbow shining in my soul!

Thank you for Listening! Keep learning, keep practicing, and always remember to have fun. See you in the next episode. Bye for now!

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We visited Bathala during the dry season for the first time, and the island was surrounded by crystal-clear water. It was breathtaking! We spent most of our days snorkeling with sea turtles, sharks, spotted eagle rays, and colorful fish. The resort staff were dedicated to protecting the marine life, which we were happy about.

My husband and I love snorkeling and staying on small Maldivian islands. We enjoyed relaxing with friendly European guests in the island's only restaurant and bar. It felt like we had found a little slice of heaven!

Even though it was the dry season, there was some rain. At first, I was disappointed, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The rain gave us the opportunity to connect with other guests, and they were wonderful!

One rainy afternoon, we met a gentleman from London at the bar. His British accent was music to my ears – just like in the podcasts I listen to! It was a great chance to practice my English, so I struck up a conversation with him whenever I had the chance.

The trip was full of heartwarming moments with all kinds of interesting people:

After singing karaoke, an Italian couple complimented me using a translated message on their phone. They found the Japanese style of singing karaoke fascinating!

We also met a couple who showed us photos from their trip to Japan. It was touching to see how much they loved our country.

Then there was an Austrian couple who taught us to play "Rummikub," a board game similar to mahjong, but more challenging. We exchanged some snacks as a thank you – Japanese treats for Viennese chocolates! That's a good deal for us if you ask me!

The resort manager made my day when he downloaded our podcast and listened to my previous Bathala episode. It was such a kind gesture! I've visited the Maldives 18 times, and I think he's the best manager I've ever met.

If you love the ocean, I highly recommend Sandies Bathala Maldives. It's a true paradise for snorkeling and relaxation.

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One day I answered my phone and the first thing I heard was the sound of a siren. Needless to say, I was quite upset and worried. Just as I feared, my mother said frantically, "Your dad collapsed! We are heading to the hospital in an ambulance!", so I rushed to the hospital as well.

The doctor who treated him explained that he had suffered a heart attack, and they had to revive him with electric shocks. They were successful, but he still had an irregular heartbeat, and needs a temporary pacemaker put in immediately.

About 30 minutes after meeting with the doctor, I was able to see my father in the ICU. Although he was hooked up to several tubes, he was able to speak quite well. I was relieved and filled with gratitude to the cardiologist.

Moreover, I'll never forget what he said when he recommended implanting an ICD, which stands for "Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator"

When I met with the doctor again he kindly told me, "As a doctor, this may not be the right thing to do, but I am thinking of him as if he were my own father. On one hand, he needs an ICD, but on the other hand, he may be too weak to undergo the surgery. I know it is difficult but you must decide together as a family to proceed with the ICD or not."

Our whole family was deeply moved by his compassion, and it instilled confidence in the doctor, so we trusted him to go ahead with the pacemaker surgery.

Soon after the surgery, he made a dramatic recovery, and was able to come back home.

I heard about when he fell down in detail from my mother.

He suddenly keeled over at church, and the minister quickly called an ambulance and did chest compressions until paramedics arrived.

Actually, he was first taken to a nearby hospital, but the initial doctor decided that he needed to be seen by a cardiologist. He accompanied my father in the ambulance and encouraged him on the way to the cardiology hospital. Thanks to that, he was able to receive the appropriate treatment and was saved.

If even one thing had gone differently, my father might not be as well as he is today. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who was involved in helping him.

By the way, at his check-up on December 5th, the doctor confirmed that his surgical wound had healed well and there was nothing more to worry about.

Therefore my sister and I were able to fully enjoy a heavy metal concert by Judas Priest on the 6th without any worries.

I truly appreciate everything and everyone! My dad is one tough son of a gun!

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Around the end of the year, there are a lot of videos and podcasts that rank the shows and movies that were released in that calendar year. I am not a big fan of anime movies, but my favorite TV producer recommended "Look Back," so I watched it on Prime Video.

This story was originally a “one-shot” manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, a popular manga artist known for "Chainsaw Man” that was made into an animated film. The film is directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama who is well-known as an animation director and animator and tells the story of two young girls who are single-mindedly dedicated to creating manga.

The lives of these two girls are portrayed vividly, and in this short 58-minute film, you really get a feel for their friendship, and their hopes and dreams, as well as a completely intolerable incident they face.

The title "Look Back" has many meanings when you think about it after watching the whole movie. It symbolizes how one girl is always kind of following the other, and how they are seated while drawing manga, so focused on their creations but aware of each other. Also, there’s a jacket with a signature on the back which is meaningful in the story, and finally, the story itself goes back to another storyline. I'm sorry if you don't understand what I mean but I think you'll understand after you see the movie.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I won't go into too much detail, but I can say that this movie is amazing in every way. The voice actors effortlessly bring each character to life, fully expressing the cuteness, beauty, and sadness of these likable characters. I was so moved that I cried my eyes out! Seriously, my eyes were swollen the next day!

Anyway, needless to say, I highly recommend this movie! Check it out if you get the chance!

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Lately, I've been reading a book titled "The Five People You Meet in Heaven."

The story begins at the end with the protagonist's death.

This intriguing opening made me eager to learn more about the protagonist and kept me turning the pages.

As I read, it reminded me of a viral story from a few years ago called 100日後に死ぬワニ, which translates to "a crocodile that dies in 100 days." It first appeared on X, where the creator posted one episode each day. Though it just portrayed the ordinary life of the main character, people were deeply drawn to it. I believe this was because everyone knew the crocodile would die at the end. It's fascinating how an ordinary life can suddenly feel special when we're made aware of it’s demise.

I always try to apply this mindset to my daily life, though it isn't easy and doesn’t come naturally.

It's not practical to routinely think, "Today could be my last day", but at the very least, I try to keep it in the back of my mind.

One decision I made after COVID—and one that I'm rather proud of—is visiting my mom in Fukui at least once a year. I made this commitment after deeply considering life's limits. Even though she was in her 80s, I had fallen into the habit of thinking that I could see her anytime, and in turn, had not been visiting her as much as I should.

When I calculated how many times I could realistically visit her, reality really sunk in. It was a huge wake-up call that I need to make more of an effort to spend time with her.

I may not be able to live every day as if it’s my last, but I can strive to make each day count. I want to focus on what makes life meaningful, and sometimes it’s just a kind word, a meaningful action, or simply being truly present.

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I took a 3-day trip to Hokkaido in September.

I’ve been there many times, but it was my first time going to the Touyako area. Also, it has been a while since I had travelled because of the covid-19 pandemic. I was so excited for the trip, but I was so busy that I had little time to make a precise plan. So, I used AI to make a travel plan. The plan that AI made was a little bit off in some ways, so I had to change it here and there. Luckily a parking area the AI had chosen was near a bird sanctuary, so I could see beautiful swans and take photos with them. I really enjoyed all the natural beauty.

I moved to Noboribetsu and I planned to try horseback riding. Unfortunately, I got lost on the way to the farm because the roads were overgrown with grass and weeds, so it's hard to see the small side streets, so I missed the turn. Then when I tried to turn on the grass, my car got stuck in a big hole that was hidden under the grass. I was all alone in the middle of nowhere, so I had to call the police. It took the entire morning. The only good thing was that nobody was hurt and I made it back safely.

The policeman kindly took me to a railway station in his police car. That might be a greater experience than horseback riding!

Anyway, I'm back home now! Unfortunately while I was traveling my cats broke the monitoring camera which I had bought for this trip. I still love them though!

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