February
Entry#535. 2/22/2026.
Since I have worked with Mr. Benson (the composer) recently (since 2021) and I had opportunities to observe/interact with choir singers and their music professor, my brain has worked harder than before, especially thinking “how to make them Japanese sounds of each character”.
I admire Japanese teachers/professors/tutors (who teach Japanese in the States) more than ever. You might laugh. I had several Japanese tutor times for friends in town before, even though I don’t have any professional license of teaching Japanese. I tried anyway and it was fun to share my Japanese with them.
In elementary schools in Japan, for example, teachers teach kids like “Let’s write your names using Alphabets (English alphabets)”.
I still remember when I received my own official Japanese passport (when I was small). I had to recite and write my name with ABC alphabets.
This rōmaji system itself is confusing though.
め = me
The actual sound of め is “mé” (more like “may”). To American people, if you see “me”, you automatically pronounce it as English word “me” = mee. Yes?
み = mi
The actual sound of み is “mee”. To American people, if you see “mi”, you automatically pronounce it as English word “my”. Yes?
See? These are already confusing very much. Are you following me? (Hmm, maybe not. I’m chuckling.)
Just because Mr. Benson picked 4 haiku poems (俳句 はいく) for his composition, I tried to explain those confusing parts understandably and simply.
I had to stop myself at several points because
1. I don’t need to teach “what is Haiku?”
2. They don’t need to learn meaning of each Japanese words to sing.
3. Singers just need to make the sounds of each characters (Japanese characters).
Then Mr. Benson used the English word “transliteration” in his emails. Guess what?
I’ve never encountered this word before. (I’m embarrassed.) Now I learned it.
Matsuo Basho’s Haiku poems are way too popular in the States (at least to literature lovers, poets), there are several books about them. Each haiku translated to English poems.
See? I don’t need to re-do (translate) haiku poems for Mr. Benson, not at all.
He actually wanted me to “transliterate” haiku poems’ words. Make sense?? So that singers could sing the songs using both English sounds and Japanese sounds. Interesting now?
Here is one Haiku. It’s used in the first song of Mr. Benson’s tetralogy.
ふるいけや かわず とびこむ みずのおと.
Based on the Japanese rōmaji system, this Haiku is printed in the English books like these below.
fu ru i ke ya ka wa zu to bi ko mu mi zu no o to
Okay, I want to try something different here.
I want you (my friends who visit my blog) to make sounds following these below? Those are not real words at all, I made them up and put some English words in it for you. You just read them through slowly as you usually do. Try it.
who loo ee ké (or kay) yah
1 2 3 4 5
kah wah zoo toe bee ko moo
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
mee zoo no oh toe
1 2 3 4 5
Did you make it? That should sound like “real Japanese” and you just did “recite” the most famous haiku poem by yourself. How about that??
I did numbering also. Maybe you wondered about it. Haiku poem in Japan has certain rules to make. One is the “5-7-5” rule.
Here are very interesting facts (I found them online. I nodded very deeply.)
It is a common and widespread belief that haiku is 5-7-5 syllables in English, but this is actually a misunderstanding, despite how widespread that belief is, and despite how so many of us were mistaught that in school. In fact, it might even be considered an urban myth.
In Japanese, they actually do not count syllables, but sounds, which is why even the word “haiku” itself counts as two syllables in English, but three sounds in Japanese. (Also, the word “haiku” is both singular and plural, so it’s considered incorrect to say “haikus” in English.)
—————
Anyway my numbering above is correct for Japanese people in Japan. When you recite them by yourself, you also could count the number of sounds as 5-7-5. It feels nice and fun, I can say that.
Well, how did you feel about it? Did you like it?
Next time when you see me, please recite them to me in person. I’d love to hear it. Yes, you can do it.
P.S. I need to add this, too. I admire music teachers more than ever as well. I’ve not realized the details before how much they make lots of effort to create music with their students. They are awesome indeed.
2/20/2026.
It's an exciting day today for three reasons to myself. 1. THS Mock trial team regional competition day. Best of luck and enjoy every moment.
2. Opening night of 12 angry jurors by OxAct tonight.
3. I'm meeting with Dolce women's choir singers with Mr. Benson today.
The Sun is shining, but the stormy wind is terrible. Be safe, everyone.
P.S. Just for the record, I put this video here for myself. Personally, I loved her performance, her facial expressions, her atmosphere itself, her big smile and her power of youth. I don't know much about her but I got her full energy from this video. Look at the view number. 2.7M and counting. (You need to open YouTube and watch it.)
Entry#534. 2/17/2026.
I found him!!! And I found the perfect article about him. Do you remember what I mentioned about him on this page? on 2/12/2026.
This article answered all my questions perfectly. I would keep this forever. And I became one of his big fans this month.
I imagine how much he “trains” his skating skills and photography skills.
His goal theory sounds so beautiful. He says "The ice is a sacred place for a skater."
His name is Jordan Cowan.
https://www.oniceperspectives.com/about
He is the former US competitive ice skating dancer (in the team USA).
He is the FIRST camera operator on figure skating ice in Olympic history. This means Milan Olympic 2026 is the very first one he appeared on ice for Olympic figure skating games.
He dresses in an ice-white tuxedo and he is as inconspicuous as possible. This impressed me the most.
I didn' know the facts about these. On-ice cameras have long been part of speed skating and hockey(!). Did you know that? Mr. Cowan created the niche for figure skating. How nice.
One of my questions: Is he on the ice during the actual competition skating time?
An answer: No. While he isn't on the ice during the routines, he skates backwards AFTER each program to record UP CLOSE what is often a raw moment of pure JOY or disappointment for broadcast globally.
He says "To be the FIRST person out on the ice AT THE END of their performance is such a privilege." I believe it is.
According to the article, many skaters realize he has a microphone and send messages to loved ones. That parts are what I watched and realized “how precious they looked and sounded! thanks to this special cameraman!”. I love it very much at this Olympic figure skating show.
Also I learned that Mr. Cowan would be on the ice at the gala/ exhibition. At those events, he would film during the performance = he will skate with performers (!)
“The gala is a unique challenge, as he will have to read their moves to both stay out of their way and capture the moment.”
“His skating abilities and familiarity with the athletes and their programs make it work.” Of course, he is the only one who can do this. That’s what I believe.
Here is the best part of his comments. My very favorite.
“They know they don’t have to look out for me, and I’m going to do everything I can to stay out of their way because safety is my number one priority. The perfect compliment I get is when the skaters say they didn’t even realize I was out there.”
I wonder though. Does he never feel “fear” to fall on the ice with that special camera? Never? That’s something indeed. I enjoy Olympic figure skate events the most ever at Milan 2026. My husband would roll his eyes because my interest aims to that on-ice camera operator the most. Are your eyes rolling, too?
Entry#533. 2/16/2026.
In honor of our son’s travel to Innsbruck with his buddies, I looked up all about Innsbruck using internet. I was curious about two simple things first.
1. Money (currency)
Of course, it’s Euro. I’ve not used it before. But my husband had and he keeps leftovers at home. We joyfully examined them. Fun.
2. Language
Every time I search official websites of Innsbruck sightseeing spots or buildings, websites are written in German. That means I cannot read it right away, I need translate app. That made me think “Does our son know how to greet in German in Innsbruck?” I need to ask him before his departure.
According to internet;
Official Language: German is the official, primary language of Innsbruck.
Regional Dialect: Locals often speak a variation of Austro-Bavarian German.
English Usage: As a popular tourist destination, English is common, making it easy for tourists to navigate.
It’s fun to learn about Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck before as well (because it’s right on time right now on Milan Winter Olympic Games).
They hosted both the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. Interesting! (I was born in 1973.)
I got very curious about the town of Innsbruck. I want our son to see the tragic lights (a green one) with his eyes. See the photo? I want to know if there are still there. Fun, fun, fun.
I know the traveling itself would be great, but the planning for the travel is also fun.
Awww, I am getting more jealous indeed.
2/15/2026.
Do you remember about Barn Quilt? Do you remember how much I love them? Do you remember that I painted it by myself with my friend’s assist and help? Those stories are here. (As usual, you need to find the entry dates. Please scroll down.) on November 2025 page (Entry#485 and 489).
My Barn Quilt (BQ) teacher in Olsburg, KS. She did it again!! Her latest newest BQ project was finished today! I’m loving it. I love it. It’s a Whitetail buck! Look at those antlers and those patterns. Those eyes are twinkling. Amazing, indeed. I am so proud that she is my BQ teacher! She is the best.
2/14/2026.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Entry#532. 2/14/2026.
As I mentioned before about our son’s latest work projects, his projects always relate to Conservation somewhere in the world. (See in November 2025, find Entry#482, 483, 484 and 11/16/2025.).
It fascinates me all the time. I’m grateful for him doing this. He teaches me more things through Conservation news and facts.
Speaking of conservation, I could understand the ideas themselves and concepts easily. However “understanding conservation” is not the same as “taking real actions for real wildlife”.
According to online sources;
Since 1978, people in Thailand started farming, including producing pineapples. It became the world's largest producer of pineapple products (!) Unfortunately pineapples are Asian elephants’ very favorite. A single elephant herd can destroy an entire season’s worth of income by stomping on the crops and by eating the young leaves and pineapples.
In 1997, it resulted in the killings of elephants.
The organization stood up for “protecting elephants”. It was not so easy though. The conflict was huge. No matter how hard farmers protected pineapples, elephants kept destroying pineapple farms. The efficient electric fences were harmful to elephants. The poison couldn’t be used on elephants.
So after all, farmers had to give up planting pineapples if we would say “protect endangered species, Asian elephants”. (I was shocked to read it. It sounds like producing pineapples was very important for people in Thailand.)
You know, farmers need to live with farming products seriously. Giving up pineapples was not that easy at all.
The organization introduced the new idea to farmers. That was the Tom yum project.
https://conservationmag.org/en/wildlife/the-pineapple-and-the-pachyderm-how-a-thai-community-is-turning-conflict-into-coexistence
Additionally, the organization taught local farmer people how to make unique products such as Thai lemongrass massage oil, ginger turmeric tea, and coexistence candles.
Our son shared this info with me because Cincinnati Zoo is one of the organizations who are collaborating to help out and spread awareness about the project and protecting Asian elephants. How cool is that?
This photo is the Tom Yum soup which our son ate at Cincinnati Zoo! Looks so good and delicious.
Entry#531. 2/13/2026.
I am grateful for our son’s life style and experience. I am jealous all the time seeing how flexible and adventurous he is. He should know how lucky he is. On the other hand, I know many of his generation people are struggling to find full time jobs out there including himself. Hopefully he can find a big opportunity as his full time position. (But I can tell that he works hard as much as he can and enjoys it as much as he can right now.)
He takes an advantage of his flexible work schedule and plans a trip to Innsbruck with his best friend. Why Innsbruck? Because his other best friend lives there for his Fulbright-Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation Award, for a short term.
These three men (I cannot call them “boys” anymore, maybe?) spent times together in High school Cross Country team. Skiing, climbing, traveling, cycling together. They make me happier showing their endless connections even though they live in different places.
Of course, the trip plan this time made me feel joyful more.
I’ve never been to Europe, never. Any of countries in Europe. I am jealous very much. My husband has been some of the cities in Europe before his injury for conferences. Yes, I am jealous.
At least I can google about Innsbruck and see some photos. I found the Cathedral (!)
https://www.dibk.at/Media/Pfarren/innsbruck-st.-jakob-dompfarre-propstei-sr-dreiheiligen-st.-jakob
This made me think back about Pitt Cathedral. (See Entry#498. 12/06/2025. Part1.)
I’d love to watch Don St. Jakob to compare to Cathedral in Pitt, if I was there.
I cannot wait to hear all about these “boys” adventure in Innsbruck at the end of this month.
Some of photos of them below. Fun to watch what they have done together. It is a power of youth indeed. Priceless and precious.
P.S. Do you remember about my husband and I, our indoor cycling training (using indoor trainers) with virtual cycling app called Zwift?
It’s really convenient and fun tool for indoor cycling. We can even pick the places where exits for real in the world. Yes, we can pick Innsbruck (!) to feel “riding through the town” in Innsbruck. So we did it several times. Fun. We even noticed there were very steep hills around the town. Very steep!
I think I could do it again during our son’s trip, as much as possible. We will see.
2/12/2026.
I've been wondering about an on-ice camera operator-skater. I've not watched live figure skating Olympic games. I always watch YouTube posts after the actual games. I was amazed photographers' works, close-up shots, action shots and more. I didn't think there was an on-ice operator skating with athletes on the ice rink. Did you know that? I was impressed that he was all in white (even his skates). Of course white outfits blend in ice rink. Then I got so curious thinking "How not to bother or distract ice-skaters"? How does he do it? He must be extremely skilled. Wait. He is entering on the rink during an entire show time? Or just right after the ending? Someone tells me about it?
I borrowed photos from social media. (Below)
2/11/2026.
You might laugh. I’m looking back my old days about watching Winter Olympics when I was a kid. I remember I watched TV with my parents. I remember I talked with my mother about figure skating. Even though I didn’t skate much at all at that time. But my mother and I really enjoyed watching Figure skating. That’s what I remember. If you ask me who is my favorite figure skate Olympian, I would say “Katarina Witt”!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katarina_Witt
The visual image of her is still in my mind, surprisingly. It’s 1988 Calgary Olympic. 1988(!)
I remember I watched Olympic TV. Wow, that’s a long time ago indeed. 38 years ago.
(A Trivia thing. Do you remember this?? Before 1994, Winter and Summer games were held in the same year. I totally forgot about it. Is that right? Wow.
That is why “38 years ago” sounds a little bit off from “every 4 years cycle”. That makes sense. Did you think about it?”)
Anyway I found the video from 1988. Here we go. I was at age 15. Yup, 15. Hmmm. Funny.
I still love this performance including her costume, music and concept of music "Carmen". That castanets sounds!
2/10/2026.
I really loved this performance. So I put it here to remember. Are you watching Winter Olympics? It is 2M views (2 million!!!)
https://youtu.be/aT3RKsnLIfE?si=ITu-Nu1vwKRMQDHd
Did you know their performance title was "The Matador and the Bull". Yes, she is the Matador. He is Bull. Her skirt is a cape of matadors. See? I love their concept very much. They performed perfectly.
Entry#530. 2/08/2026. Part2.
I wrote about it before. I’ve been wanting to observe rehearsals, any kinds of rehearsals, for a long time, since I fell in love with theatrical production shows around 2007 in the States. I always feel funny though. I had some experiences to watch Musicals in Japan with my mother when I was young. I didn’t get the idea that I wanted to watch rehearsal, not at all. I don’t know why. However here in the States, every time I encountered theater shows, I wished I could have watched “behind the scenes”.
Our son getting older, several chances coming up more. (He was born in 2002 in KS.) THS drama club productions. THS Fermata Nowhere (a cappella group). Indoor percussion/drumline and TMB (marching band). I was too curious and nosy.
I visited several practice times to watch them. I did. In my theory, more I get to know and watch how crews do/practice, more I could enjoy watching actual shows. I think I love rehearsals more than actual stage shows. (I’m exaggerating maybe.)
Speaking of Mr. Benson’s women’s choir (SSAA) composition, (see Part1) it was “my dream come true” that he took me with him to visit Ms. Cahall’s choir class.
My eyes were opening wide all the time when we entered the classroom. There were 8 singers. (One was absent.) It looked a small group. But their sounds were great and wonderful. I was impressed and amazed.
According to Ms. Cahall, in this choir class, they learn one of the sets of music which have texts/poetry from another culture each year.
She and her students have done a set of Scandinavian pieces covering Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish, also done repertoire in French, German, Yoruba, and Spanish.
What a wonderful curriculum/ class course.
Then she found Mr. Benson’s new songs. They are working on these brand new songs combined with in Japanese and in English. You would love it, I’m sure. I love them very much.
It was a joyful visit indeed. We all made sure about Japanese pronunciation together. I tried to do my best to give them enough information.
I’m looking forward to watching/listening to their final creations at the end of the semester.
Since Mr. Benson’s composition is based on Basho’s haiku poems, I really feel “I want to have my parents with me so that they could enjoy these new songs”.
I keep you posted here about their performance date. My heart has been filled with joy and happiness. I’m grateful for the connection and friendship with Mr. Benson. I’m thankful for making new connections with Ms. Cahall and her fabulous singers.
Let’s celebrate for them, let’s celebrate!
Entry#529. 2/08/2026. Part1.
In this town, there are so many wonderful people who do many things for the town and people. I became friends with them (Two fabulous humans!) through daily dog walks when we got Ranger (a boy mixed dog). It’s been a while since then. They have a dog named Bear now. (You know them, don’t you?) (If you are in Oxford.)
First of all, I want to share this website about Mr. Benson.
In a couple of months, I’ve enjoyed communicating and discussing with him. It was a delightful time that I was able to see his compositions and listen to MP3 audio files. His picks of Basho's haiku poems were my most interest and curiosity, especially. I might be able to explain more about actual Haiku poems sometime later.
It was a cold day. But, no snow on the ground, see?
Entry#528. 2/07/2026.
I think it’s a great coincidence to me personally that THS Mock trial team’s advancing to the Regional competition and OxAct February act show’s title is 12 Angry Jurors.
I’m still a big fan of THS Mock trial team. Also I love OxAct shows.
You can check how much I was curious about High school Mock trials here on 1/25/2024. and1/27/2023.
As I wrote on this page below (2/02), I started checking the script of 12 Angry Jurors. (Are you smiling now?) As I said, I really need to read it through before I watch the actual show with my own eyes. It’s like my ritual thing for my better understanding in English. I believe that I don’t need this process if I watch shows in Japanese. Does it make sense? I think my husband and son would chuckle about it.
It’s always good to learn about some details in English to me. That’s true.
Here are my NEW discoveries this time. I want to know what you think about them. Too easy? Too obvious? Too funny?
1. I didn’t know the term “Hung Jury”.
2. I didn’t know the term “unanimous”. (I knew “anonymous”. Well, it’s funny, isn’t it? I compared those two.)
3. I learned the phrase “reasonable doubt”.
4. I knew the term “cross examination” but I still need to learn how to use it and the definition itself.
5. I didn’t know the difference between Jury and Juror. (Do most of children know it? I’m very embarrassed then.)
I guess I’m pretty much ready to attend the show “12 Angry Jurors” on 2/20. I’m grinning now.
Then I want to send a tiny cheer to THS Mock trial team crews on Regional trial competition on 2/20(!) See? On the same day. Best of luck to you all (and to everyone’s favorite = Dr. Weatherwax, Waxy!) I know you all will be great and brave there.
P.S. I have to add this, too. See the one page of a script? I've read several types of Scripts before. But I've never encountered this type. I marked a color. Each conversation has one (or two) word at the end. Verb or adjective. Some of them are totally new to me. This format was new to me really.
P.P.S. You know? We don't have Jury system in Japan. But there was a movie that Japanese version of 12 Angry Men. Here is the link. It has English captions. Some of you might be interested in this.
Entry#527. 2/05/2026.
Have you watched the TV series “Planet Earth” on BBC? The series 1 was on air in 2006 (!)
2/03/2026.
I'm getting obsessed with Sienna minivan cover. I'm loving it very much. Just because I don't need to clear snow on the rooftop of minivan. It's a lifesaver really. Here is a step by step of how I install it. Funny.
2/03/2026.
I have a serious question for you. I believe you might have an answer. I wrote about vents on the roof on 1/15/2025. We had 8 inch of snow last winter.
This time, we had 12 inch. (Oh, and we had about extra 3 inch more today.) Finally I had a chance to get on the roof today. There were still about 12 inch of snow on the roof. Of course, vents were not visible at all. I had to clear snow anyway. It was not so easy at all..... So my question. Do I have to clean snow, clear the roof after heavy snow happens?? Every time??
Well, it's 3:00pm, it's not done yet..... This feels endless.
Do I not need to do this? Hmmm. I feel I need to do it because of the vents and our safety (=safety of inside the house).
Entry#526. 2/02/2026
Since you know me well here in my blog, you know how much I love theater related things. Yes? I wrote something fun about the act “Two on the aisle. Three in a van.” on 2/17/2023 and 2/25/2023. I’m a big fan of OxAct. The local theater production.
I saw the next show advertisement. The title: 12 Angry Jurors. Then I saw the cast crews’ photo. Guess what? I know 7 of them, 7!! I got the feeling “Ohhhhhh, now I really need to go to watch this show”.
Okay, now I have my mission. I will find a free pdf script of 12 Angry Jurors on the internet. Then I will start reading it. Do you think I can make it to finish reading it before the show day? You know? I really need to do this because of my “English brain”. Wish me luck.
And to OxAct cast members, best of luck to you all.
P.S. I need to learn about the difference between "12 Angry Men" and "12 Angry Jurors".
2/02/2026.
When your adult-son sent you videos of "his today's activity", you would be pleased and smile at your husband grinning.
Yes, I smiled and thought about the beauty of youth and youth power. I am jealous.
It's a "pond hockey". He casually went out with his buddy, looked for a good pond, found it and just skated "casually". Cool, isn't it?
2/01/2026.
Okay, I brought some pinks from inside of my house to outside at my fence. The Sun's power is wonderful all the time. It makes me smile so much. How about you?
Happy Pink February!
Entry#525. 2/01/2026.
I love snow. I love skiing. I don’t know much about cross country skiing, though. I don’t mind shoveling snow at all. After I started living in the States in 2001, I learned about the Ice storm and Freezing rain because we don’t have Freezing rain in Japan (at least in my hometown, Sapporo).
When I experienced Freezing rain in Manhattan, KS for the first time in my life, I was amazed and shocked. I took many photos of ice tree branches. I bet you did the same at your very first experience of freezing rain, didn’t you?
I always feel Snow texture/condition is different between Sapporo (Japan) and Oxford (USA). In Japan, we always could build a snowman with snow. On the other hand, here in Ohio, we need good snow for building a snowman = we can’t always make it. A very powdery “dry” snow won’t be for a snowman. It won’t form a snowball at all. I was surprised when I realized it for the first time. I was so confused thinking “why it won’t be formed in a snowball at all???”
Have you thought about it ever??
After that, our son and I, our conversation always goes like this:
It’s a good snow for a snowman right now.
We’d better hurry. We need to use this snow for a snowman before it’s changed “the form”.
Well, we still chat about it when we have snow although we both are adults now in 2026.
Speaking of Snow, I was so struggling to clean/clear snow from our minivan (Toyota Sienna 2019) especially from the roof top. What is your method or your technique? Do you have a special tool? After my several attempts, I told my husband “How about I cover up the minivan with a big tarp?”
Then next day, the package arrived here. My husband gave me a Sienna Cover(!)
I was surprised at the actual size of the cover, though. It’s huge more than I imagined. I practiced managing/handling it before big snow storm came.
After we got 12 in of snow, a deep deep snow, finally I had a chance to see and check “how to remove snow from the rooftop of Sienna, using a cover”! Can you guess how I did, how it worked or not???
My first hopeful guess was “just pull the cover off to the side of the minivan, then everything slides off from the top.” Sounds easy and perfect, doesn’t it? I hoped so.
However the cover didn’t move at all, not an inch. I guessed it was too heavy (obviously). I removed some snow just as usual around the area my arms could reach.
Also I realized Sienna’s roof had a 2-piece set of raised side rails and aluminum crossbars.
Because of these, the cover with snow weight won’t slide easily.
After some effort, it was the time again to try pulling off the cover.
Okay, PULL, PULL, and PULL!!
IT. SLID. OFF. “Magically”.
At that moment, I shouted out “TA-DAAAAA!” with my both hands up in the air. I was like posing on the big theater stage. It was a huge satisfaction moment indeed. It worked anyway.
Of course, I needed to clean up and shovel the snow that was dumped from the rooftop of Sienna. It was quite a heavy big amount of snow, you know?
I feel better because I got my strategy for clearing off the snow from minivan’s rooftop. I hope I can keep up with it for future snowstorms.
See photos below? THAT snow beside the van. It was all from the rooftop of Sienna (only).
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