Pilates Trial

I went to a Pilates trial lesson today. I have been interested in Pilates or Yoga for a long time but I could not afford it. Then I finally found a nice studio at a reasonable lesson fee in Daimyo, Fukuoka, and asked for a trial.

I was the only person for today’s trial so an instructor taught me one-on-one, which was lucky for me.

First of all, she taught me how to breathe. We need to do diaphragmatic respiration during Pilates, not abdominal ones. It looked difficult at first, but I actually was able to do it easily. Secondly, she checked my distortion in my posture and modified it. She pointed out that I had such poor abdominal muscles that I had a poor posture. In addition, my body leans a little to the left because I often hold my bag on my right side. Finally, I lay face up and learnt how to do up-and-down movements of my arms or legs whilst keeping the proper diaphragmatic respiration and posture, which was very hard.

However, the instructor told me that I did not do badly for my first try. It might have been flattery, but I was glad. Moreover, I enjoyed the trial and felt refreshed. Therefore, I decided to take lessons from next week.

I believe that continuing to practice Pilates is good for my health. Thus, I will try it as long as possible.

IF THE WORLD COULD VOTE?

A few days ago, my American friend e-mailed me to tell me about an interesting website called "If The World Could Vote?" On this website, we can cast a vote for the next president of the United States of America even though we are not American citizens! It is a virtual one, of course, but we are able to see the result from each country.

According to the result, Barack Obama will be elected with overwhelming support in most countries, except for Macedonia, Albania and Lesotho. I would vote for Obama as well as other Japanese people. The reason why is that the first African-American president must be a symbol of the beginning of a new age for people in the world. On the other hand, if John McCain wins, I personally think that the stock markets could plunge again because his policy seems not so different from Bush's one on the economy.

Well, let's get back to the subject. I think that the website is the proof of world interest in the election. We wish we could vote. Seriously. This is because the president of the United States has enormous influence in the world.

The world would vote for Barack Obama, and who will American citizens vote for? All the people in the world are waiting with breathless interest who will be the next president of the United States of America.

Nightmare

I had a nightmare a few days ago. When I was walking on a street, I saw a lot of dead, bloody, cats and big dogs. I did not know why black ones only. It was a little scary, but I kept walking down the street. I usually forget what I dream. However, when I saw a headless pigeon, which was real and shocking to me, it brought back a memory.

I have heard that dreams we see sometimes have a message to us. Therefore, I checked out a few websites about oneirocritics.

First of all, black cats mean that something bad could happen to me. However, it also means that I could meet someone of the opposite sex. Secondly, hurt or old dogs mean that something bad could happen, and especially big dogs mean people around me. Thirdly, although black means that something bad could happen, I have a strong power to get over it. Fourthly, dead animals mean that I have a low self-e steem now, which is actually true. Finally, bleeding means spending money or a signal of a disease.

From all of the above, I guess that something bad could happen to me or to the people around me, but I could get over it. Of course, I am not sure but I should be careful of. As it happens, I was going to visit a few temples with my friend on that day. Thus, I prayed for my happiness very much. I really hope that it works!

Bankrupt

I heard about the bankruptcy of Gateway21, which was an agency to support international students. I actually asked for their support while I stayed in Canada with a working holiday visa about four years ago. In Canada, they found a nice host family for me, received mail for me and helped us with many circumstances. In addition, they let us use their office address as a contact so that we could open our bank account and subscribe cell phones. Thus, I appreciate them.

However, they had changed. Although they got paid from students, they had not paid for school fees, support fees to each of their offices in the world, not host families for these several months. Then they filed for bankruptcy. Someone said that the company president started a new business using the money but fell down.

Many people have been working very hard and saving their money to go abroad. However, because of the bankruptcy, all of them cannot get any support any more and might not be able to get any refund. Moreover, some of them cannot go to school, some have to move out from their host family's place, and others have lost their shirts. I think that it is a kind of fraud, isn't it?

I have no personal damage, but have mixed feelings about it now. I just hope whoever already stays or plans to go abroad through the agency will have a great time and reach their goals.

Peace Thinking Month

August is an important month for Japanese when we think about war and peace. The reason why is that two atomic bombs were dropped by the United States on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6th and 9th of August in 1945 leading Japan surrendered on the 15th of the month.

Every year a peace memorial service for atomic-bomb victims takes place in each city on each memorial day. Each mayor of the city makes a peace declaration, which is a remarkable statement each time. I was especially impressed by the speech of Nagasaki City’s mayor.

He asked the United States and Russia by name to try hard to decrease nuclear weapons because they have 95 percent of these weapons. In addition, he asked the Japanese government to legislate for three non-nuclear principles and to act as a global leader for elimination of all nuclear weapons.

However, I wonder if his speech really reached the ears of the United States and Russia. The United States has not attended the ceremony, although they are invited every year. The US President, Bush, was in Beijing this year but he was just watching the Olympic Games. Russia attended this time but they have just started taking military action in Georgia.

I really want them to know how terrible it was and how many people are still suffering from the after effects. They should try to decrease such terrible wars and weapons.