Script ↓

Today I am going to talk about my personal goal for October.

First, let me look back at September’s target. Last month my slogan was “Get my life organized.” In detail, Getting a job related to marketing, going to the gym on a weekday night and getting back at least 2 hours a day to study English. To be honest,I actually achieved just jogging 4 times a month. I am really ashamed there is no excuse that has to be mentioned. I still don’t have a job but I actually applied for 60 companies and had opportunities for 4 interviews. It was a really good experience and learned a lot.

Recently, I got some tips to get a job here from my friend so I changed my strategy. Also, I just decided to change my target field because I realized I don’t match the needs of the market in terms of English skills. I’m not sad but honestly disappointed a little bit, but already overcame it. It doesn’t mean giving up my dream job, to be more specific, I am going to try to get a job related to customer service which is like giving an opportunity to talk with people in English and also the sales field which tends to be in a chronic shortage of human resources and gives people opportunities even with no experience. Shortly, this month there are 3 things to do, I try to keep to get a job. Hopefully, it has to be the last month of my job-hunting and get back me to jog at least 2 times a week, lastly keep being positive is the big target because I know it is going to be a harder month than ever because I already decided to leave the job as I mentioned before. We also have to prepare for a depressing winter that will begin called “Raincouver” which is long-lasting rainy day mostly. “Be positive and creative!” this is important and this is my slogan for October.

By the way, recently I am really into “The Ellen Show” on youtube, which was a TV program that lasted almost 20 years in the states. I really like this program and herself so I wanna talk about her the other day pretty soon but I was just impressed by her following words. “I always try to grow as a person. I look at everything that comes into my life as an opportunity to learn.” That’s what I am feeling now. She said these words on the first day of season 18 started almost 2 years ago after a toxic work environment in her team was investigated.

Let’s begin a great month with me!

わからないものを英語で調べて日本語訳したからよりわからなくなった

Episode Script ↓

Today I am in the library, same as 3 days ago, I’d like to talk about the knowledge of American football that I looked up on the internet. The reason why I chose this topic today is that my best friend who is an Enthusiastic NFL fan is going to give me an opportunity to watch the game in Seattle next month. He actually had played for several years in Japan and presented to me the attractiveness of this sport, literally inviting me into the world of American football. I plan to keep learning about it so I might make a series of this topic.

By the way, I am also trying to get knowledge of American football in the Japanese language, especially I recommend オードリーのNFL倶楽部 which is a Japanese TV program and really fun to watch! At this moment, I also try to get knowledge of that in English and visited the official NFL UK account on Youtube, which has various content for beginners. I put the link in the explanation.　https://youtu.be/3t6hM5tRlfA

So I follow this content and am going to introduce things I learned.

First, American football is a game played on a 100-yard field by two teams of 11 players and the NFL squads of 53 players make up each side's offensive, defensive and special teams units that take turns on the field. The aim of the game is to move the ball into the opponent's end zone to score a touchdown and extra point.

Do you feel you would start with such a piece of fundamental information!? Yes, I do. I am totally not familiar with this sport!

Coming back to the story, the score is achieved by moving the ball down the field in a series of plays or downs. They can do this either by passing the ball through the air from quarterback to receiver or by a running back rushing the ball along the ground.  At this time I finally understand the things my friend often said " run play" and "pass play".

The offense must move the ball at least 10 yards downfield every four plays in order to keep possession of the ball and earn another four downs to drive towards the opponent's end zone if the defense prevents them from making these 10 yards, the team with the ball must either front possession of the ball to the opposition or if close enough attempt to kick a field goal between the upright posts. After four 15-minute quarters of play, the team with the most points wins the game.

By the way, from my point of view as a beginner, the interesting thing is that it is easy to understand which team is the offence and vice versa, and also we can easily follow up on the progress of a game because of the interruptions so often.

Are you getting interested in American football?

Next time I'd like to keep studying the basic rules and try to find my favourite NFL player!

意外と厳密にルール化されてるチップの話

Hey, everyone! I'm Charlie, and this is "Charlie doesn't like chocolate"—a podcast about my life as an international student in Canada. I'll be posting every Tuesday and Friday just to improve my English. I hope you enjoy listening!

I still have lost the internet at home so I’m uploading it at the library. Also, from now on I decide the day to post the podcast at 6pm on Tuesday and Friday in Vancouver in order for you to understand easily when it is uploaded.

Anyways, today I’m going to talk about restaurants in Canada.

In my opinion, One of the biggest differences compared to Japanese ones is that we as patrons have to pay tips for their services. On average, we pay 15% of total sales as tips whenever we dine in restaurants. I know there are some controversial backgrounds to paying tips but basically, I think it is a very good thing because it motivates workers in restaurants to think about how they provide good customer service.

As I see it, we as patrons in Japan, people still think “Patrons are the god.” Originally, it was used as “a mindset to delight patrons". However, it has been incorrectly perceived as "patrons are in a superior position than workers in restaurants.” even though we don’t have to pay additional fees for services, which means the service itself is included in the price. It is too much, actually, whenever we work in the field of customer services, we tend to easily get complaints from patrons.

However, here in Vancouver, workers in restaurants are just playing one role in the industry, they don’t have to care about patrons too much, and also patrons have the responsibilities to pay for the service they got. On the other hand, we don’t have to pay tips if you are not satisfied with the service. We have to explain why we don’t want to pay tips, though. It is impressive because the relationship between patrons and servers is almost equal. That’s interesting, isn’t it?

It means I can't upload my podcast. lol

このポッドキャストもジャッジしないでね

Episode Script ↓

Sometimes, especially for English beginners,  can’t understand the reason why the person asked me this question. For example, if the teacher asks you “what do you think about world war Ⅱ?”  It is a kind of difficult question. For me, I’m like “From which perspective?” or  “How serious I should answer it?”  if people ask me this question.

In my opinion, in these situations, the phrase "I'm not judging you" is nice to hear.

I’m really relieved when I heard this phrase and I feel like “I can say anything without worries.” That’s why I really prefer the word “ I’m not judging you”.

On the other hand, It is very useful when you would ask someone for some opinions easily even if it is like a little bit difficult question to ask.

For example, What did you think about the movie? I’m not judging you, I just wonder if I go to watch it or not.

How old are you? I’m not judging you, though.

Anyways, this kind of thing just reminds me of something.

When I was in Japan, I sometimes felt I was judged by someone even if it was something trivial. In fact, sometimes there is something to hesitate to say. I think I care too much about how others see me.

I really recommend using “I’m not judging you” such a beautiful word.

カナダにいる日本人は皆一度TOTOに合掌している

Let me ask Japanese people something. If you were asked what Japanese culture is, what would you say? Many foreigners even Japanese, may answer Sushi, Kimono, Samurai or manga? If you try to give a unique answer, it will probably be hot springs or judo. But it is a stereotype, out-of-date. I found the answer to the exact Japanese culture! 

In my opinion, in terms of real Japanese culture,  it has to be recommended to foreigners is the high technology and comfortability of the washroom! Japanese culture has to be represented by Washlet and Otohime. Did you know this? Have you ever wanted to wash your butt after that? Have you ever wanted to turn off the sound of that? You can do it almost everywhere in Japan! I am really proud of it.

Today I would like to introduce Washlets and Otohime as true Japanese culture. ”Washlet” is the trade name for a hot-water washing toilet seat sold by TOTO. Since its launch in June 1980, total sales have exceeded 30 million units in January 2011. By the way, The origin of the name "Washlet" is said to have been derived from "Let's Wash", which was reversed from it. Also, “Otohime” means “sound princess” and it is an onomatopoeic device for toilets that automatically or manually plays the sound of running water to muffle the sound to protect privacy and save water at the same time. Can you imagine how comfortable it is? You have to feel it!

When I started to live here in Vancouver, it was very hard to live without Washlet and Otohime, rather than missing Sushi, Yakiniku and hot spring! I feel like really annoyed and I always thought ”Why can't TOTO export this technology to the rest of the world!”

Whenever you visit Japan, I really recommend using it!