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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*FREEBIRD English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1

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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*Free Bird English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1

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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*Free Bird English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1

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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In this podcast, Abe’s students present monologues that they have prepared and practiced for his lessons.

I’ve always dreamed of being able to communicate fluently in English, but it’s hard to improve and stay motivated due to my age, and lack of opportunities to use it.

Then I came across a podcast called “GoGo Abe Kaiwa”

Abe’s English is very easy to understand and Yoshi speaks in Japanese, so I can always understand what they are talking about, and most importantly, their conversations are very interesting. Therefore I found myself getting drawn into it more and more.

Then I had a good idea. I thought that if I became Abe’s student, I will have a chance to use English, and maybe one day I‘ll be able to communicate in English fluently.

After that I also joined Abe’s workshop and some of their events.

The first workshop I joined, I came alone and was very nervous.

However, starting with MinMin who started ELC and is always editing and uploading for us, and Etsuko and YumiMETAL who are so sweet and always encourage me, and Hituji and Alissa whom I finally met face to face at last year’s event, everyone is so warm and welcoming.

I’m really grateful that I’m retired and was able to become friends with such wonderful people.

I hope everyone who listens to ELC decides to come and join us! That means YOU!

Lastly I just want to give a special thanks to Abe.

I’m always slacking off and not improving much, but thank you for always teaching me patiently.

P.S.

Etsuko talks about “Gogo Abe Kaiwa” in episode 71.

Please listen to it!!!

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*Free Bird English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1

This is our 100th episode! What a milestone! Congratulations to everyone that has contributed to this podcast! I hope you are all enjoying your English journey, and I'm so happy that you chose to be a part of this project.

Also, special thanks to Free Bird English for proofreading our writing and adding some spice and expressions. Let's continue to make learning English a journey that is fun and enjoyable!

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I went to a concert headlined by CARCASS in Japan. It had been 10 years since I last attended their solo concert. Their performance was so tight and impressive that it was hard to believe they had aged 10 years! I watched this amazing show from the best spot. First, I was at the very edge behind the amplifier, so it was hard to see the stage. I said hello to a group of three women next to me. They told me some interesting stories about the history of the band. They had been devoted and passionate fans of the band for 30 years. Then one of them said to me, "I'm going to see their show in Tokyo tomorrow again, so you should come sit here in this prime spot!" Surprisingly, she gave me the place right in front of Bill, who is my favorite guitarist, so I was able to watch his graceful and vibrant performance up close. More luck followed... After the show, another metal friend of mine called me and said excitedly, "You must come here right now! I happned to spot the band members on the way to my hotel!!" By the time I arrived there Bill had already gone. Fortunately, he came back 15 minutes later with lots of drinks. He must have been to the convenience store. Anyway, I asked him for an autograph. He seemed happy to sign the CD of his brand-new album. Actually, I just started practicing playing his most famous song "Heartwork" on the guitar two months ago. So I really wanted to get some advice about it. Bill wrote the song and has been playing it as well. I mustered up the courage and said to him, "Bill, recently, I'm practicing playing Heartwork on the guitar... Would you tell me the tips of it... I mean what is the most important thing for playing that song?" Much to my delight, he taught me three tips and showed me the finger movements for the song in the air. At the end of the talk he said, "Oh, anyway, listen carefully to the original version with headphones. Yeah, give it a try!" I was thrilled that he was so courteous in expaining it to me, even though I am just one of their many fans. Thanks to everyone's kindness, this was the best concert trip ever !

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*FREEBIRD English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1

My least favorite day of the year is my medical checkup.

About two months before that day comes, I tend to think about unpleasant things and feel uncomfortable. However, I know that it’s beneficial to stay healthy and recognize health problems early, so I reluctantly continue to do it every year.

For my check up this year. I had to get to the clinic by 7:50 AM without eating or drinking anything except water. It took me 40 minutes to get there, as I had to switch trains.

Upon checking in, I was told that I would have to make an appointment for a colonoscopy at a different hospital on a different day, and that the earliest I could have it would be 5 months from now. “Oh no!” I thought. If the anxiety over this most nerve-wracking test continues for the next 5 months, I might get sick!

Anyway, after that the check-up began. I followed the directions and I made my way through each of the nightmarish rooms. First, the doctor listens to my heart with a stethoscope (this doesn't hurt, so it's OK), then they check my blood pressure, bone density, collect a urine sample, do a chest X-ray... , I especially hate having my blood drawn and the gynecological examination because those are quite painful! After each test, I have to return to a chair in the waiting area, and everyone has to wear these silly pajamas while we go through these tests. They are soooo lame.

The worst of all is the stomach camera.

I was in a terrible mood this morning when I first came to the building this clinic is in, but it was much nicer than any clinic I had been to for a health check before, and there was a big Christmas tree in front of the elevator, so my mood lightened up and I thought, "I'm lucky!" But when it’s time for that damn stomach camera, all those thoughts go out the window.

The doctor who did the gastroscopy was awful! He was the worst one I’ve ever had!!

It hurt, I was coughing and crying, and I didn't want to look, but they kept telling me to relax and look into the distance. The doctor was a stupid jerk that kept saying it's because I'm not “looking into the distance” that it hurts! What an asshole. The reason that I closed my eyes was that I really wanted to pass out!

Anyway, the doctor said that my stomach looked fine. I thought if I kept having these tests every year, my stomach would get sick from all the anxiety.

I had a few more tests, but I was feeling so dizzy after that I don't remember much. All the results will arrive by mail in about a month. I was told that I shouldn't drink alcohol the next day, but I celebrated by myself with a glass of red wine, hoping that everything is over…

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 I’m not a big movie person, but I have a few favorites I can watch over and over again. One of them is “Legally Blonde,” known as “Cutie Blonde” in Japan.

Recently, I found “Legally Blonde” on Amazon Prime and decided to watch it again for old time’s sake.

The story is about Elle Woods, a bubbly, fashion-forward sorority girl who transitions to law school after being dumped by her boyfriend. At first glance, it might seem like a typical comedy, but if you look deeper, it’s also a story about empowerment, resilience, and breaking stereotypes… And above all, Elle is so lovable!

Since then I’ve watched it two more times this week alone! Now that I’m so into the movie, I’ve started picking out phrases that are new to me. I always heard that watching movies can help with learning English, but I never thought it was my thing. Now I finally understand why people recommend it.

It’s about immersing yourself in the movie’s world and learning from the context. When you learn phrases from a movie, it’s easy to grasp the nuance. I practice these phrases by imitating how the characters say them, imagining myself in their shoes. This way, the phrases really sink in, and I have a vivid picture in my mind that is connected to them.

I wish I had started this earlier! However, it only works when I truly love the movie because I believe I need to watch it repeatedly to actually learn from it. So if I’m not passionate about the movie, I’m sure I would lose interest.

Watching “Legally Blonde” has been more than just a trip down memory lane. It’s reminded me of the joy a good story can bring and shown me a new, effective way to improve my English. The film’s messages of empowerment and perseverance resonate with me, and the lovable characters make learning enjoyable.

I’ll keep watching it until I get tired of it!——————————————————————

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