“サトリの森” ～ Forever

Japanese government made the ETC (electronic toll collection system) discount day on weekends and holidays this year. Whenever you go by car on the express-way, you pay 1,000yen only. Then we decided not go far away by Ikuzo (our car's call name)　in order to avoid a hideous traffic jam. And I also wanted to introduce Satolela papa a nice place I happened to find a few weeks ago. It took 40 min. by car from our house. This is the place called Rokudo-yama park. It is the part of hilly area called Sayama Kyuuryo. Satolela papa grew up in the country side in California. So he loves nature. I tell you! Don't forget children's mind! Be curious! That's keep you young! Not only him but also Satori seemed to be excited a lot. I love nature, too. But Leila...... Of course I believe she enjoyed going strange places with us, but you know, she is not picnic type dog. She was bothered with those dried plants around her feet. Satolela papa called it ...

The most beautiful season with the cherry blossoms was over. Now many other flowers are blooming. I am a kind of busy person these days. Before I knew it, the Golden Week has started in Japan. What is the Golden Week? It is the name of a period of long holidays, which usually lasts for about 10days from the 28th of April through the 7th of May. But this year, I heard that some manufactures asked their employees to take 16 days holiday from the 25th of April through the 10th of May because of protracted recession. It doesn't sound fun, does it? As for Richard, he works for a private junior high school. Sometimes it is hard to work with children this age, but you should thank to have a job anyway. OK! I am going to enjoy myself with my family during the Golden week as other people do. But we won't go out in a crowd. Because we have to concern about swine flu ("pig influenza" in Japanese) . That, and Richard doesn't like crowds ;^) I will let you know what we...