When people ask me, 'Which do you prefer, summer or winter?' I always answer 'summer.' I have a higher tolerance to heat than the average person, and I prefer being warm. I've always been a summer girl, and there are many events I look forward to, like rock music festivals, get-togethers with friends, and traveling. Summer always brings opportunities to enjoy these kinds of things.

However, if you were to ask me what my absolute favorite type of weather is, I'd say it's a sunny WINTER day. It's like having a bit of light in the darkness, and makes me excited for spring and summer. This anticipation might be the thing I like most, and it got me thinking about life in general.

I've been studying English for years, aiming to speak fluently, ideally like a native speaker. But I've also been enjoying the journey, despite the struggles. I’ve come to savor the process of working towards a goal. Strangely, I think I might feel a bit lost or depressed if I suddenly achieved native-like fluency.

Similarly, finding an ideal home has been a major goal of mine. I've always been fascinated by interior design, and I collect photos and fantasize about my dream home. I even have an album on my phone for these images. Currently, we live in an apartment, which we bought with the intention of selling in the future. Our plan was to sell it after ten years, but now, as the ninth year approaches, I find myself not wanting to leave. This makes me wonder, do I really want to live in my ideal home, or do I enjoy dreaming about it more?

Maybe life is not just about reaching the end goal. Perhaps appreciating the journey and enjoying the little moments along the way is what life is all about. This realization has inspired me to embrace each moment and be content throughout the ongoing journey of life.

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Finally, my favorite band CARCASS came back to Japan! They performed at a Heavy Metal festival that featured 12 bands in March.

I wanted to get as close to the stage as possible, So I went into the floor area long before they played.

I inched forward during the opening acts taking advantage of the mosh pit chaos.

Fortunately, I was able to get to the very front! I was on cloud nine !

CARCASS was playing right before my eyes! I could almost reach out and touch them!

I wanted this precious moment to never end. Obviously, their show came to an end though. However, I had another thing planned that I was really looking forward to.

After their show, I went to their meet and greet event . A crew member explained the rules of the session to us. He was like "You know, we are still concerned about the coronavirus, so please don't try to shake hands with the musicians, and after you get their autographs, you have to move to the side immediately."

Almost no one said a single word to them and scooched over quickly after getting an autograph... That is so NOT metal.

It had been 8 years since last their show, and I thought, to hell with the rules! I've been waiting for this day, so I'm going to say thanks to them...

But when I stood in front of them, my mind went blank and my heart was pounding.

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Thank you for listening. I hope you enjoy this story. I'd like to give a special thanks to Minakov for contributing to this episode.

I'll be back soon with Part 2 of the story. Until then, keep rocking and stay Metal!

・[email protected]

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

I attended Arthur Binard's lecture organized by the Buddhist group in Hiroshima. He is an American poet and translator, and has been living in Japan for 35 years.

Exposure to languages of various contries broadens

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🗣Do you study English? Join our club! And why not read your monologue. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. 👉[email protected] *FREEBIRD English: https://www.55freebird.com/blank-1 Until then, Keep Rocking and Stay Metal!

Although I've always wanted to visit Hokkaido, I used to always end up choosing Okinawa over it, but this time, I finally made it to Hokkaido!

The first stop was Asahiyama Zoo, a place I'd been curious about for a long time. This zoo is known for pioneering "behavioral exhibits" where the viewing distance to the animal is very close. It's a rather compact zoo with a historical atmosphere compared to popular zoos on the main island like Higasiyama-zoo, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in educational value. For example, they made the giraffe area lower than where you stand so you are at the giraffe’s eye level, and during “feeding time” they make them come even closer to us. The staff explained some of the giraffe’s characteristics while we were up close and personal with the animals which made it far more memorable.

After the zoo, I hit the road and drove across the expansive landscapes of Hokkaido to see the stunning Blue Pond. The drive itself was an experience that offered breathtaking views of the countryside.

And let's not forget the food! Hokkaido is a foodie’s paradise, and I couldn't resist indulging in some local seafood and soup curry. Absolutely delicious!

What I also love about traveling is observing the local architecture. In Hokkaido, I noticed that most houses have chimneys and double-pane windows. It just screams "snow country," and noticing those small details makes the trip more enriching for me.

I'm already eager to go back. Niseko is definitely on my bucket list, and will probably be the destination for the next visit.

🗣Do you study English? Join our club! And why not read your monologue. If you are interested, please feel free to contact us. 👉[email protected]

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