There's a way.

13歳のハローワーク (2003/12/02) 村上 龍 商品詳細を見る

I joined an English lesson for free conversation in the morning, and I enjoyed speaking English with other participants as usual. During the time, I introduced one book entitled 「１３歳のハローワーク」, which might be translated "Job-placements for 13-year-old" in English, sold well here in Japan several years ago. This book is aimed at children at the age of around 13 to help them find their future jobs. The author, Ryu Murakami, shows the details of many professions in this book, such as how to get particular licenses or which college to choose to take a degree for a certain job.

I can't remember exactly why I introduced this book during the lesson, but I remember talking about my daughter, who hasn't had any longing jobs yet. When I ask her about her dreams, she always replies that she hasn't come up with any ideas. Don't get me wrong, though. I don't mean to meddle. She has her own life. I perfectly understand that I should'nt stand in her way.

Having said that, I feel awkward to hear my daughter saying "I'm not interested in my future jobs." When I was a child, I really wanted to be a teacher. As I had already determined to go to a college until the age of 7, I never hesitated to choose which high school to take. My daughter is 10 years old, and the age is old enough to think about the future. Having no dreams, is it possible for us to choose the path to go through?

Oh, you don't bother to say "She is still young!" to me. I've never pushed her, of course. However, sometimes I can't understand why she isn't so interested in her future life.
"I'd like to be a singer."
"I'd like to have a cake shop."
"I want to be an actor and marry wealth!."
Whatever is welcomed, don't you think? Children live at present and in future. They are wonderful because they can desire whatever they want. It doesn't matter to make their dreams come true. The thing is, dreaming in itself is important. Every time I hear my daughter's answer, I'm wondering whether our current society fails to let children have their own dreams...

I've been taking an English writing class for 2 months. This is my first time to attend a kind of real English class with a native teacher, so I thoroughly enjoy myself.

Yesterday, my teacher, who comes from the U.S, told us about one of his wonderful students. Actually, she passed away because of a cancer. He said, "She was my best student in my life."

It may sound odd, but I feel jealousy... I'm one of his students, and I've been taking his class. Of course, I understand I'm not good enough to be mentioned that way, but I'm one of an eager learners. What's the difference between her and me?

Come to think of it, I used to have the same feeling when I was a child. Hearing my teacher praising one of my friends, I felt uncomfortable and I made up my mind to study harder.

Am I envious? Am I thinking too much?
For one thing, this kind of jealousy always makes me have ambitions.

There was a bazaar at my children's school today. This is one of annual events which is held to gather people and money. Some people say fundraising is a must for any PTA's activities at school; however, I'm a bit skeptical about the notion.

Visitng a bazaar is fun. Children look very happy, and guardians can get to know each other through preparing for bazaars. I admit it; of course, but holding a bazaar sometimes can be someone's annoyance. Some kids need to be without their mothers until the end of the bazaar, because their mothers are quite busy for preparing. They can't enjoy a bazaar with their mothers, because their mothers have to fundraise.

I used to be a member of a school committee; I had to be at school almost every day, and my children needed to wait for me until I could take a rest.
"Why can't you stay with us?" my daughter asked. I couldn't say anything but "Because I have a job."

I think that's why many mothers are reluctant to take a responsibility for their school's activity. Mothers like to enjoy a bazaar with our children, not to take part in fundraiser.
Having said that, it wouldn't be good for us to avoid joining our school's activities as a member of PTA. What shall we do...?

I love spending time at Starbucks. I love studying English there over some nice coffee. People around me seem to enjoy their own time in their own way like I do; however, there is one thing I can't understand.
Many people bring some books from an adjoining bookshop after having their coffee. Actually, we are allowed to do this. We can drink a cup of coffee, reading books we are interested in. Although I know I can do, I can't do. Why? That's because I don't feel comfortable to read unpaid books over coffee. The unpaid books has not been mine yet. What if I spill my coffee over the books? What if I get them dirty? How many people will buy the books after reading them for a change? My mother used to say that we shouldn't read books while having foods and drinks. Not to mention, we used to be very careful about books which we borrowed from libraries. Before making payment, reading books over coffee is out of the question.

There was an annual cultural festival in my local community last weekend. My children took part in it with their friends of our neighborhood. Having practiced to dance around for two weeks, they were confident to get on the stage. They wore happi coat and performed down to a T. Getting down the stage, they showed us happy smiles.

FYI, by the way, "happi" is a name of clothes for festival, which we often wear on. This looks like kimono (yukata). I'm sure you can see people wearing this when you join one of Japanese festival called "natu-matsuri" or something.