Kaori-san, an illustrator and good high-school classmate of Mei-Shun, will hold her second exhibition in June at Merry-go-round Kyoto, the same venue as her first one. Congratulations and thanks — November gave us a shock of long queue for taxi last time. Our driver was kind enough to teach how to avoid waiting, which would not have to work for June.
interesting
Seems Special
StandardOnly once every 4 years we can post on February 29. And it is today that Mei-Shun first found 子, 辰 and 申 symbols represent leap years. It seems somehow lucky to have one more day in these particular years.
Numbered Respectively
StandardA notice of our tax numbers has finally reached us. Starting delivery last month, many troubles have been heard regarding this system. We therefore had no expectation to receive it within this year — well done, postmen. A photo is necessary to apply for a card? All right, good timing. Mei-Shun has to renew her passport soon.
Horse Hiking
StandardBeginners normally practice within a circle set in the sand ground of the club. It is exciting and enjoyable enough, yet sometimes we feel like going out of here into surrounding woods. And today, this little dream has come true. Putting on her new protective vest, Mei-Shun made an excursion on a horse named Zui-Setsu (随雪 in Chinese character maybe, meaning ever-snowing).
Southern Hemisphere
StandardProfessor M, one of Mei-Shun’s most respected friends while a co-student of Master Mei-Shu, visited Republic of South Africa. It is his first experience to reach the southernmost country of the African Continent. They say water whirls anticlockwise there — is it true?
Japanese Culture@wkday
StandardObon period has come. Many happy grandparents are seen on TV holding their grandchildren at the gate of local airports, railway stations and so on. Some of them live in Tsuchiura, a city of half countryside and half urban. It is interesting to find birthday cake-like ones at Japanese sweet shops — clearly for children, an example of obon– or New Year-specific items in stores.
We Love Horses
StandardShin recommended Mei-Shun to take a trial lesson of horseback riding. She is so happy to see that clever animal, which many fanciers are unable to own. Reserved date is September 4th. All right, a good goal for her diet. The lighter she is, the more they would like her.
Recommend to See
StandardFor a “trip” to Tokyo, Mei-Shun always reserves a window seat of Joban line train to enjoy nice views. Ushiku Pond soon appears on the right. Nisshin Co. factory follows with steam from Cup Noodle-shaped chimney. Many river banks serve as sport fields. And the Sky Tree of course, as colors turn from green to gray.
Rainy Season Approaches
StandardOur next-door neighbor has a unique hydrangea. Petals (not really, sepals) are colorful ranging from pale blue to pink, different from each sprig. They say acid soil grows blue hydrangeas while alkaline one pink ones. Ours is the former, so we wonder which nature their garden has.




