Responsibility for Kids
How do you take your personal responsibilities?
People have many different types of responsibilities outside work. These should include hobbies, elderly parents, and children. Occasionally, it can be difficult to have enough time for both work and personal responsibilities.
Since one couple who are my acquaintances and have their three-year old kid had to stay in a hotel to give business trainings to their clients for two days, I stayed in the same hotel and did babysitting for them. (Just FYI, I did not have to go to school, internship, nor part-time job for those two days.) I enjoyed myself, but at the same time, I got some ideas of how children grow up.
The boy was very nice (well-mannered), so I did not get in troubles. He was always with me holding hands, sat on a chair nicely, took off his shoes when he sat on a sofa/bed, and did not scream. If I said to him something like “It is not nice to do this in public. You can do that instead, and it’s much cooler.”, he understood and did it. Perhaps, his parents teach him good manners. Additionally, the boy was half American and half Japanese, so he’s already clever at speaking and switching English and Japanese. Children can learn languages faster than any adults, you think?
It was so much fun to play with him. We played baseball and tag, took a walk, watched DVD, went to see a Christmas tree, ate lunch and dinner together, and so on and on. He loved to make a tackle like a sumo wrestler, so we threw ourselves down on the grass over and over saying “Two guys are down~~!” Like you guess, the boy was super active! He was also very lovely!!! When he was eating his food, he sometimes gave me a bite. It was sweet of him to say, “Maffie, it tastes good. Taste it.”
It was my pleasure to do babysitting for the parents and I did not expect any return at all, but they paid me everything for staying at the luxury hotel (4 or 5 stars), meals, and a round-trip ticket, and even gave me some money for the babysitting! It was beyond my expectation, so it was not so easy for me to accept the money from them...I got scared actually. You know, I not only enjoyed myself by spending much time with the boy, but also received many returns. There could be good returns if you contribute yourself for something/someone.
Nowadays more and more young people become parents before they have matured enough and are prepared to have the responsibilities for their beautiful babies. To simply command a child to go to school, stay out of trouble, and avoid drugs is not enough. Parents need to know what children should do, such as what activities are constructive, educational, or character building. Further, children must be loved by parents. Those who grow up with lots of love hardly ever commit a crime. This is just my opinion though, I think we can get some ideas of how to take care of kids by spending some time with them while we are young. 
Many people both work and raise their children. It should be hard to achieve good work-life balance; however, I believe we can bring up our children better if we have some experiences or ideas of it. Yet, I just don't know how much I will spend my time for my job when I get my baby...The three-year old boy has been growning up being loved by his parents. He was angelic, and his smile always made me happy. Through the experience to be with the sweet boy for two days, I somehow understood why parents can work hard for their kids.
Own Color
“Keep having your own color and live according to it. If you do that, you will find your close friends and true love.” That is what my mother said to me. She must have given me the same idea as an old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I have kept it in my mind, but today, I got to believe it more than before.
I met up with one of my friends for lunch, and we chatted about how we’ve been doing. She seemed to have found her soul mate. How lovely she looked when she talked about him. They have been friends but have not seen each other for a long, long time. However, they happened to see one another. At the time, both of them felt something strong, and then they became a couple even if they knew they could not be close together at least next three years. They are very much in love and are grateful to each other for being together. How sweet it is for them to want to be there for one another.
Now, they live far from each other in different countries. But I can tell they are connected strongly. Distance is not that big problem for them. How much they can trust each other…it is the most important. To me, they are the best couple.
She told me that he lived in another world but he could tell what she thought even if she did not say anything. They may be like-minded.
People could be attracted to those who have similar attitudes, values, beliefs, interests, or personalities. Any kind of similarity may connect us. Each person is like an attractive magnet drawing him or her. Can we consider it to be a destiny?
Like attracts like. However, need also attracts satisfaction. Some decide to be with romantic partners who are similar to them, others select the ones who opposite to them. Maybe, I tend to choose the one who has something in common with me…
Love…Do you believe if it is meant to be? Have you ever met someone who is meant to be together?
Each person has an attribute (own color). We can stay as we are, but we may also switch it anytime we like if we feel we are improving one-way or the other. We would create another color without changing essential one. Then, we will be with the one with whom we feel good.
Seattle Friends
Time flies…I was in Seattle at this time of last year. I cannot believe it’s been already 9 months since I came back to Japan.
I arranged to see one of my “Seattle friends”, which literally means those who I have got to know in Seattle. We went to Macchinesti Coffee, which is in partnership with Espresso Vivace where we can get an Italian style coffee in Seattle. They serve good lattes and cappuccinos, and café latte art as well. I love its attractive latte!
The latte reminded us of everything in Seattle. Yah… we miss there. The life sometimes bothered us, but we loved there.
In addition to having Seattle flavor, I had a nice conversation with her. We have different characters, but I always enjoy being with her. I like to listen to her because she has different views from me. She gives me a new outlook of a matter.
My Seattle friends…they are great.
Internship-Monday Meeting, “SURF!”-
Every Monday, We have a meeting called “SURF!”, which stands for “Start Up Really Fast”. I will tell you why it is the “fast” meeting.
I asked its origin to our president the other day and found “SURF!” had grown out of "SUUM" which stood for "Start Us Up Meeting". The meetings sometimes took over an hour, so they shortened it to 30 mins. maximum, and "Start Us Up Meeting" became “Start Up Really Fast”.
Here are the secrets of having an efficient meeting. We prepare for the agenda a few days before the meeting. If we want to cover some topics in the meeting, we write what we will talk about and how long it will take on the agenda. Our facilitator is also in charge of a timekeeper, so she times each person’s talk with a timer. If we are still talking but the time comes, we realize we have to finish talking by hearing its sound, so that we start summarizing our thoughts. It helps us talk to the point and the meeting won’t drag on.
In the meeting, we make sure of week schedule and summarize the trainings we had. So, all we know what is going on and what will come next. It may sound a normal meeting, but our meeting is interesting as well as useful. A person, who we call “toastmaster”, brings one topic to the meeting, and 3 people who are pointed out by the toastmaster give a 30-second speech. We agree that it is good to practice a short speech. Of course, we use a timer while we are having the toastmaster part. As a second language learner, it is very challenging for me to do that. After I give a speech, I often think “I should have said in this way.” I am always impressed with our trainers’ speech. They are good at getting their ideas in order and delivering the speech.
Today’s topic was “tangible and intangible idea (experience).” Can you think about the story in your life and give a short speech at this moment?
At the end of the meeting, each person states the update over the weekend and the week goal within 1 mins.
Here comes the time!
Host Parents will come here!
Oh my god! Not only my German host father, but also my German host mother will come to Tokyo!!! What a great news it is!!! I never imagined it. I want to spend my time with them as much as possible. Thanks…Thanks for the opportunity…
Because I like it
If I am busy but like what I do, I can keep doing it and even enjoy the situation. How about you?
It was kind of a busy week. In addition to my schoolwork and an internship twice a week, I spent my time for a part time job on holiday and weekend. But good thing is I enjoy doing those things. In terms of my graduation thesis, I’ve been researching non-profit organizations in which I am interested. At the workplace of my internship, I’ve been enjoying learning management trainings. (I want to tell you about what I’ve learned so far. Sorry for putting it on hold! ) And as a part timer, I worked for the wedding parties. I felt happy seeing a happily married couple. I needed to work and could not watch the parties though!
I felt tired last week, however, it was good tiredness. Because I like doing it.
Since one couple who are my acquaintances and have their three-year old kid had to stay in a hotel to give business trainings to their clients for two days, I stayed in the same hotel and did babysitting for them. (Just FYI, I did not have to go to school, internship, nor part-time job for those two days.) I enjoyed myself, but at the same time, I got some ideas of how children grow up.
It was so much fun to play with him. We played baseball and tag, took a walk, watched DVD, went to see a Christmas tree, ate lunch and dinner together, and so on and on. He loved to make a tackle like a sumo wrestler, so we threw ourselves down on the grass over and over saying “Two guys are down~~!” Like you guess, the boy was super active! He was also very lovely!!! When he was eating his food, he sometimes gave me a bite. It was sweet of him to say, “Maffie, it tastes good. Taste it.”
Many people both work and raise their children. It should be hard to achieve good work-life balance; however, I believe we can bring up our children better if we have some experiences or ideas of it. Yet, I just don't know how much I will spend my time for my job when I get my baby...
