What do I want my obituary to say?

Kumiko Otsuka, resident of Gifu city, passed away on September 4th, at the age of 86 as her house in Gifu city. She passed away surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
After she graduated from International Christian University, she worked at Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 40 years. She was assigned to Jordan, Israel and Italy. After she retired her job, she came back to her hometown, Gifu city, and started to live together with her children, grandchildren and many dogs and cats. She grow various flowers in the garden.

At Ms. Otsukas's request, the funeral will be held at beautiful garden with many flowers. Please bring some beautiful flowers for her.

problems between Israel and Palestine

Yesterday, I attended a lecture about problems between Israel and Palestine.
I know a little about the problem, but I did not know the details. Now I want to understand and consider the problem because I faced the situation that I have to think about it when I visited both Arabic countries and Israel.
This problems is one of the most difficult problems to solve in world affairs, but nobady can give up solving the problem. WE are JAPANESE, not American or others. So, Japanese can maintain neutrality when we discuss and consider the problem. This is strong point for Japanese. This problem might be impossible to solve but we have to keep thinking "What should we do?", "What can we do?" 

What is my view of religion?

Actually, I had not been interested in any religion till this summer.
But after I visited middle east countries, my view of religion has changed. In Arabic countries, everything has connection with religion. I mean Islam. People pray for god every day, they do not eat pork. Sometimes accidents happen because of religion as we watch on TV. For Japanese people, Islam seems somehow dangerous religion. But for Arabic people, they spend long time for Islam and the Koran is greatest support throughout their life.
If everything goes well everyday, religion is unnecessary. But it is not realistic. When something bad happens to people, they need some supports. Then people ask help for religion. Religion help you feel better, comfortable and happy. That is religion, i think.

Recently...

Recently, I am very busy.
First of all, I have 2 assignments in 2 classes(math of economics, econometrics) every week. These are really hard to slove and it takes a long time to finish them. In addition to these assignments, I had many mid-term papers. Moreover, I need to write this blog and theme writing constantly.
Also, I am busy with club activities because we are preparing for invitation program held in winter break.

Now I do not have enough time to hang out with my friends or time to refresh. I am stressed out. But autumn break is coming soon!! Wish final exam finishes quickly and autumn break comes soon!! I can't wait my lovely autumn break!!!!!

I have to do which I can do now. Just do my best.

What does love mean to me?

It is difficult for me to answer this question.
I love family and friends. I love many people even if the person does not know about me.
Although I feel "love" many times in my daily life, I seldom use the word "love" like most Japanese.
Saying "I love you" is not only tool to express my own feelings to someone important. I think most Japanese can express their feelings of love without saying "I love you". Sometimes Japanese are criticized because they use vague expression and do not say directly something hard to tell. BUT I do not think this Japanese culture is bad. For me, I like the way of Japanese expression and Japanese should be proud of it.
If you love someone deeply, you can tell your feeling without saying "I love you".

My part time job

I am working at Hilton Tokyo now.

I am working there as waitress. Sometimes I work at a cloakroom. The reasons why I decided to work at Hilton Tokyo as follows:
1. Payment by the hour is 1305!! High wages are very important for me when I look for a job.
2. I don't have to work when I am busy. I mean there are no rules like I have to work at least twice in a week. So, when I am free and want to earn money, I work 2 or 3 times in a week but when I am busy, just I don't work. I can work flexibly.
3. I can see many adult societies. It is good experience for me to see it directly.

I am busy these days, so I work only once a week. But I want to continue my job at my own pace.

What is "happiness" to me?

What is "happiness" to me?
This is really difficult question to answer. I feel happy when I talk with my family and friend, when I eat something delicious, when I go to sleep. When I lived with my family, I did not notice that living with them makes me happy. I noticed it after started living alone.

I am sure that my family's happiness and my friends' happiness are also my happiness.Their happiness and smile make me happy.

Presents makes me happy, Friday makes me happy, chocolate makes happy...
Many things and many people make me happy. This is my happiness.

A book I am reading now

I am going to introduce a book I am reading now.

This book was written by Prof. Yashiro who is visiting professor of ICU. I like Prof. Yashiro's classes. He worked at the Cabinet Office and OECD. So he has many economic knowledge and his lecture is really interesting.
In this term I take Prof.Yashiro's class called Japanese economy. I started reading this book to deepen my knowledge I learned from this class.
He explains why Japanese economic remains stagnant in this book. He shows the vision of reformation of Japanese economy based on new liberalism.
Understanding the contents of this book is really difficult for me but I hope I can read all. If you are interested in Japanese economy,  I recommend to read this book!!

Lebanese food

Yesterday, I went to Lebanese restaurant with member of same club activity and friends from UAE and Jordan. I missed food in Middle East because I have never eaten them after coming back to Japan.
I love Hummus. Do you know it? Hummus is one of the more popular Middle Eastern dips. Served with fresh or toasted pita bread, hummus makes for a great snack or appetizer.
In Middle East countries, people do not eat pork because Muslim and Jewish are prohibited to eat it. Instead of eating pork, they usually eat chicken, lamb and goat etc.
There are many arabic restaurant in Tokyo. So if you are interested in Middle Eastern food or want to try it, why don't you go?

What are my greatest strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths
I can take objective view of  the situation. I seldom become emotional when some problems happen. I always try to solve them objectively. So, I can give my friends objective advice when they consult with me.
In addition, I am realistic. Of course, I have a big dream but at the same time, I never ignore reality.

My weaknesses
I am very bad at waking up early. This is my weakness. I have class in 1st period but it is very difficult attend the class. In this term, I have never arrived at the classroom before the class starts so far. It is very big problem. I must get over this bad habit.
Also, I am not punctual at all. I am always late for everything. I must break this bad habit too as soon as possible!!!!!!