The life of O & N

３月１５日。サイコーの日。←ややこじつけ・・・
我が家の娘が１歳になりました♪

生徒の皆様、友人、家族にいっぱい力を頂き、
元気に１歳を迎えることが出来たこと、
心から感謝します♪♪
ありがとうございますーーーー！

この１年、本当に早かったです。
毎日毎日が恐ろしいほどの勉強の日々で、
こうやって少しずつ親にならせてもらえるんだなぁと実感です。

スクールとしても１年間、
こうやったらどうかな、こうしよう、ああしよう、と
毎日楽しく過ごせました。

子育てしながらも
こうやって好きな仕事に携われるのは
生徒さんと主人のお陰だと本当に感謝です。

自分の親への感謝も子供を産んで改めて湧き上がりました。
「子を産んで分かる親のありがたさ」とはよく言ったもんです・・・。
よくもまぁこんな破天荒な娘を育ててくれたなぁと。

私は兄がいるのですが、
彼は22、23歳くらいのときに急に思い立ったかのように
世界一周の旅へ旅立ちました。

１年以上の時間をかけて
グルーリと世界を見てみたいということだったようですが、
その時はなんとも思わず、
たまーにかかってくる電話やら、
送られてくる不要になったものやお土産を、
「お！」くらいの気持ちで見てました。

その間インドで大地震があったり
たしか中国でも洪水だったか何かがあったり。
そんな中、兄がその場にいたようで
なかなか本人と連絡が取れなかったときの両親の不安が浮かぶ顔を
今でもはっきりと覚えています。

今思うとそうですよね。
連絡先がはっきりわかっているわけではなく
色々な国を歩いて回る息子の帰りを待つ気持ち、
たまらないものがあったんじゃないかなぁと思うのです。

送られてくる不要になった洋服やぼろぼろになった靴は
汚いのに、そして言ってみりゃかなりくさいんですが（笑、
母がすごーーーく愛おしそうに見つめてたりするんです。

そして世界地図をこっそりと買ってきて
必死で勉強してるんです（笑
あ、この国はここね。
きっと今ここにいるんやね。首都はこれか。とか。

その頃の話を母とすると
今でも生きた心地がしない、と言います。

それでも行くと決めた兄を止めず、
何も言わずにただただ気をつけて、と送り出した母が
これからの目標かなぁとぼんやり思っています。

もし私が母の立場だったら
今の私なら絶対行かせません（笑
まだまだ何年もこれから母親としての修行が必要です。。

これからもご鞭撻のほどよろしくお願いいたします♪

Hello. How is the weather? Wait. Don't tell me... I know.. It's raining!! And so cold. It's a good time to stay in bed under the warm blanket! Actually, as I write this message, it is snowing!! Wow, maybe tomorrow we can all go to work by snowboard.

Well, it's already March! So it is time to announce the winner of the February Monthly Vitamin. Last month I gave you guys some questions about Valentine's Day. The winner is.... Yoko!! She will get a nice prize in her next lesson. I wonder what the prize will be.. just kidding. I know what it is.

Last Sunday we went to the zoo and botanical garden. It was fun. We could see many flowers, people, babies, couples, and eat some lunch. Oh, yeah, I forgot, we could also see some animals. The monkeys were very excited that day. They were making a funny noise. Have you guys ever been to the Hard Rock Cafe in Hawkstown? Do you know the song they sing? Uuei! Uuei! Uuei! The monkeys were singing that song. It wasn't a relaxing sound, but it was funny.

Howdy folks! It is already February!! Where does the time go? Is everyone doing OK?

Well, first let me say thank you to all of the people who participated in the January Monthly Vitamin assignment. Last month's assignment was to introduce yourself! A lot of them were great! I enjoyed reading them. The winner of the January Monthly Vitamin is.. (drumroll).. Haruki!! (applause) Congratulations to Haruki. He wrote a wonderful introduction about himself. He included many details and his spelling and grammar were great! Nice job!

Did everyone receive February's assignment? I hope everyone will give it a try.
It's about Valentine's Day! Oh, love is in the air...

Hello! How was everyone's holiday? I hope you had a great time! Are you guys excited about the new year? What plans do you have? I hope this year will be a wonderful year for everyone!!

And now to announce the winner of the December Monthly Vitamin! Remember I asked a few questions about Santa and you also had to write about your dream date. I got a lot of good stories, but the best one was from .... YOKO M.! Congratulations Yoko! She put a lot of details in her story and her spelling and grammar were great! Yoko will receive a nice present in her next lesson.

I am looking forward to hearing everyone's resolutions this year. My resolutions are the usually the same every year!! Exercise more, drink less beer, and travel around Japan. I hope I will be able to do them all.

Hello! The days are getting colder. It's getting difficult to take a shower in the morning! But sleeping is so comfortable in my warm bed!! I hope everyone is doing fine.

We sent everyone December's Monthly Vitamin assignment. Did you receive it? I hope you all will try it.

Now to announce the winner of last month's Monthly Vitamin.... the winner is.... well, the winner is shy and does not want me to write her name. So I won't write her name, but she knows who she is!! Congratulations! She will receive a nice prize.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. Take care.

Oliver