Travel in Southern China. Surprised Chinese power!!

Now, I am in Singapore. I started my new life here. I will start to report about it next time, and I write about Southern China’s journey this time. I travelled Guangzhou, Guilin, and Xiamen in a week few weeks ago.

About this travel diary, I wrote in other my travelling blog, and also posted in my pictures there. So, you can access it;
http://yoshi-ue-77.spaces.live.com/

You can read the detail of this travelling in the blog, but one thing I want to discuss about China’s trip. It is about English level for Chinese people. I watched Japanese TV program, which it say Chinese government strongly encourage citizen to learn English. But, I think still many Chinese can’t speak English. They don’t care whether foreign traveller can speak Chinese language or not, and they just continue to speak Chinese instead of English. Speak! Speak! Speak! in Chinese. This is Chinese power!!! …I just open up my mouth, and try to understand, and dare to feel what they want to say. For me, it is a fun that difficult communication makes exciting trip. In addition, using by writing Kanji or Chinese character, Japanese and Chinese people can understand slightly. This is a fun for Japanese traveller to go to China.

Anyway, Japanese need to improve English Skill on business, but might don’t have to use English on daily life to foreign traveller. Don’t be shy. Just talk and talk to traveller in Japanese language like Chinese style.

August 16, 2009 (Sunday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
シンガポールで働き始める前に1週間　中国の広州、桂林、アモイ周辺を旅してきた。日記と写真を別の旅行ブログで掲載しているので、興味がある人はどうぞ。
http://yoshi-ue-77.spaces.live.com/
シンガポールの生活はとりあえずかなり順調です。出会う日本人に「シンガポールに来たばかりなのに、すごくアクティブだよね」とよく言われる。うーん？アメリカとイギリスで生活していたから、別に海外での生活することに強い違和感はないし、それに一応　世界中を歩いたバックパッカーですからね。

Work in Singapore!!! Zaijen Japan, Nihao Singapore

Oh---, long time no write on this blog.

I just mention this. I will work and live in Singapore from this August. I am not sure how long I will be in Singapore. It is good chance to learn Asian Pacific market and Chinese language as well as Singlish.

I quieted to work in the foreign-based company in Tokyo, and flied to Singapore to take job interviews in last June. I got some offers and decided to work in a Japanese subsidiary in Singapore.

I decided to continue moving the world. Only I can do is running around the world. I recognize this is my personality and ability that I have only. "My life is like travelling around the world."

Probably, I will restart to write in this blog, and try to write in Chinese in near future. Utill now, I don't have any friend in Singapore, so It means that I need to speak my mind to this blog by writing. (LOL)

By the way, before leaving Tokyo in the end of this July, I will travel to Southern China in a week. I will report the travelling next time.

July 14, 2009 (Tuesday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
久々のブログである。もう書くことを辞めたのかと思っていたのにね…。
実は急な話ですが、8月からシンガポールにある日系企業で働くことにしました。
詳しくは後日書くとして、今から中国の南部地域（広州In & OUT）を1週間　旅してきます。久々のバックパッカー旅行。もう旅行も辞めたのかと思っていたのにね…。　結局、自分にやれることって世界を走り回ることしかないのだろうかね？

Got a full-time job in Tokyo; Sprit of “Let It Be” & “Yes, We Can”

It has passed for two months when I came back to Japan. I was looking for a job, and eventually, I got a full-time position in Tokyo in a foreign-based IT commutation manufacture company (gaishikei in Japanese). When I just came back in Japan, suddenly economic situation was worse and worse due to Leman Brother’s Shock. I was really upset. Remembering my first job-hunting in University days in 2000, it also happened IT Babble Shock. I usually feel that I must be an unlucky person, and then I re-realize that that is true. (Tear) For a while, I struggled to pass my resume examination because I haven’t worked for 3 years even though I studied and graduated from US’s and UK’s business schools. Fortunately, I found my suitable position through a career argent. What is more, my offer annual salary is greater than I expected. I decided to work for the company from this December. Well, actually, I already attended the company’s product seminar last week. The seminar held in “English” by French businessperson in Tokyo office. I must improve my English more!!

During two months by looking for a job in Tokyo, I asked myself “What had I learned in foreign life in 3 years?” English? Business Knowledge? Culture gap? Um-, probably, the most thing I learned is a experience sprits of “Let It Be” by UK’s expression (The Beatles) & “Yes, We Can” by US’s expression (Mr. Obama). I will explain this meaning in Japanese below.

I should mention one more thing; By Email from Manchester Business School, I knew that I could graduate from the graduate school. However, I will not attend the graduation ceremony.

By the way, now, I live alone in an apartment’s room in Tokyo where I used to live with my two old sisters. My parents own the room, so I can rent it at reasonable price. During 3 years in USA and UK, I had lived in small & cheap rooms. So, at first, I felt honestly that this room was too comfortable for only me. A few weeks ago, my Manchester’s friends, Yuji and Lucile, came in Tokyo and stayed at my room in a few days. They were also surprised the room because they knew how small and cheap room I lived in Manchester. (LOL)

This time, I wrote a short report. Maybe, I try to continue to write this blog once a month. Next time, my Manchester’s French female friend, Lucile, travelled in Japan in one month. So, I will report her funny stories soon, maybe…

November 26, 2008 (Wednesday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
東京の昔住んでいた亀戸に戻ってきて２ヶ月間、就職活動を行って、外資IT通信機器メーカーに就職することになった。就活をしながら改めて気がついたのだが、いかに前職の給料と諸待遇が良かったのかを…今になって少し後悔した（笑）。最終的には、幸運にも前職の給料よりUPすることが出来たのでラッキーだったが。自分の希望条件（英語、東京、経験、給料、企業規模、やりがい等）を満たしていたので、Happyである。12月から勤務です。

就活をしながら、この３年間で何を学んできたのかとの自問自答の日々を過ごした。中途採用の場合、学業より職業経験を重視されて、（特に日経企業では大学院で何を学んできたかはあまり関係ないらしい。）自分の場合、見方を変えれば、３年間無職だった訳だ。確かにそう考えると何をビジネススクールで学んできたか、実はよく分からなくなってしまった。（笑）しかしながら、留学生活だって、世界旅行だって、多々色々と困難なことが海外であったけど、その度に自分を信じて粘り強く活動することで、いつだって何とか上手く切り抜けてきた。で、だから今思う。自分が学んだことは“何とかなるでしょ！”の精神だと。（笑）英国・ビートルズ風で言えば、”Let It Be”。アメリカ・オバマ氏の演説風で言えば、“Yes, We Can”　なのかな？

30代になった今、20代とは違う生き方をしようと前々から考えている。20代は狂ったようにバックパッカー旅行や留学をして、世界を飛び回った。30代は何に打ち込むかはまだ模索中であるが、仕事を含めて、この先はもっと困難なことが待ち受けているはずだ。そんなとき、この“Let it be. Yes, we can” の精神を忘れずに、ここ日本で“地に足をつけて”頑張っていきたい。

Journey in ICEland & Goodbye to lovely rainy city, Manchester!!

After submitting dissertation, I travelled in Iceland in 3-4 days. I should go back to Japan sooner, so I just stayed there in a few days, but the trip was great as usual. If you are foreign students in UK, and will go back to your country in near future, I recommend going to Blue Lagoon in Iceland that is a famous hot spring place. There, you will release your tiredness for your hard study in UK. It looks like heaven! You can see more my pictures and travel diary in my other blog if you want.
http://yoshi-ue-77.spaces.live.com/

I came back to Manchester to pack my stuff in my room. Then, I will go back to Japan tomorrow. Do I feel excited? Um--? Do I feel sad? Um--? Actually, I don’t have any strong feeling about going back to Japan. Now, I don’t realize that I will go home. For 3 years except for last summer, one month, I have lived in USA and UK or travelled to new 27 foreign countries. Then, I ask myself now “Have I grown up until my expectation?” “Am I satisfied with myself?” I don’t know exactly. But, I really enjoyed for 3 years, and I believe that the 3 years were incredible great experiences for me. Also, this 1 year in Manchester is very different from 2 years in Okalahoma, whether it is good or bad. Probably, negatively, I became a boring person here, but I might become mature, positively. I sometimes struggled to study business and life here, but now I feel that it was a great experience. My English, especially speaking, improved much better than in Oklahoma. Yes, still poor English writing, though… (LOL).

Now, during writing this blog, I listen to a verity of music from my MP3 player in which I store music in 3 years. Music reminds me a lot of things which I experienced at a place in a moment. Oh-, really A LOT! :exciting places and disappointing moments, etc. Yes, that was a really great life. However, my 30s-years-old life must change from my 20s-years-old life like this. Here, Manchester was good point to feel that.

Studying or travelling abroad in 3 years was my challenge. Then, I just want to say myself “Don’t forget this challenge sprit in the future.” I am an ordinary person who doesn’t have special abilities. Therefore, I need this sprit to try different things. 1 year later, I have no idea what I am doing and where I am. But, if I don’t forget my "Freedom Fighter" mind, my 30s-year-old life gonna be alright and exciting, I hope.

After I left Okalahoma, I sometimes missed Oklahoma big sky and warm weather in Manchester. Now, after leaving Manchester, I will miss Manchester’s rainy day and dark sky, which I now hate the weather here….(LOL) By the way, I will continue to write this English blog in Japan once a month. During 3 years, I often wrote about USA’s and UK’s funny or strange cultures. Actually, some Japanese cultures are more strange and ridiculous, as you know. So, I might try to report it in ENGLISH.

My heart sometimes cried in “this” tiny room like Manchester’s rain, good or bad. However, thanks for everything, and goodbye to lovely rainy Manchester!!!

September 11, 2008 (Thursday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
帰国である。3年間の留学生活の終わりである。だけど何か特別な感情が薄いし、実感がない。良い意味でも悪い意味でもイギリス・マンチェスターの生活はアメリカ・オクラホマとは90度？違っていた。このマンチェスターの雨とダークな曇り空の下、時に色々と限界を感じたし、勉強のし過ぎで、一時期病んだりもした。そして極小・壁薄・防寒性ゼロのこのマンチェスター最安値の部屋（１ヶ月２万円!?）ともお別れ。オサラバ究極の貧乏学生生活。（笑）
さて、日本に帰って就活である。怖くもあり、楽しみでもある。海外で得た知識？と経験？を活かして、今はすぐにでもバリバリと働きたいと感じている。しーかし、不思議なことにまだ日本で働いて貯めたお金がかなり余っている。一体自分は海外3年間でどんな生活をしていたのだろうか???ということで納得のいく職が無ければ、この資金で世界３周３年間でもしようかな？それとも…？（笑）。
先日行ってきた留学最後の旅・アイスランドの写真と日記を下記ブログに掲載しました。
http://yoshi-ue-77.spaces.live.com/

UK, GB, or England in Olympics? What a confusing country!!

Oh!! I haven’t written this blog for almost one month…. During these days, Beijing Olympic finished. BBC has provided 5 internet TV channels for the Olympic Games for free, so I enjoyed watching games, even Japanese games. Why doesn’t NHK provide live internet TV for free? Probably, Japanese media industry still might have a lot of restriction. By the way, I almost finished writing my dissertation because I stuck to stay home for writing recently. I am sick of writing in English. That’s WHY I haven’t written this blog for a while…

Anyway, let’s get started to discuss today’s topic!!! Do you agree that the country name of UK is very confusing? During Olympics, UK is called GB team. UK stands for United Kingdom, and GB stands for Great Britain (and Northern Ireland). I was suspect that “GB team means that “Northern Ireland” player are "not" included in GB team, and they are included in "Ireland" team.” Then, I asked some British people, but everybody doesn’t know or doesn’t care about it….!! On the website, I finally found the answer that “GB team includes Northern Ireland”. If so, why don’t people call UK in Olympics? I AM CONFUSED!!! I know that official name is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and North Ireland. But, why do people sometimes call UK, and sometimes call Great Britain??? As a same idea, does it mean not-including Northern Ireland’s people when I say “British people”? Hey, YOU must unify the formal country name to one (UK or GB) in order to understand easily for alien like me!!

I wonder that many people don’t recognize that UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We, Japanese call UK “Igilisu” in Japanese. It sounds like England. So, I guess that half of Japanese still believe that “Igilisu” is England. Well, actually, when I was younger, I thought so…. (LOL) Japanese girls may know the full name of David…Beckham, but they don’t know the official country name of the United Kingdom of….

Maybe, this is similar to a funny misunderstanding that Japan is a part island of China!? Japanese don’t believe it. But, I realize through my world trips that some people worldwide believe so.”(LOL) Therefore, troublesomely, how about that Japan belongs to a part of China in reality? The age of China will be coming in the near future. So, Japan, let’s just follow China’s superpower not USA’s from now. (LOL) Oh-, definitely, I must learn Chinese when I come back to Tokyo.

Maybe, many people know that football (soccer) team are divided into four of UK team: England, Scotland, Walls, and Northern Iceland. But, why do four teams still exist? How about unifing them to a UK team? If so, UK will become a world champion in the FIFA World Cup. But, many British people disagree and believe that English and Scottish are a bad relationship, so team must be weaker due to worse teamwork.

Here is an issue about football in UK. Do you know that GB football team doesn’t participate in Olympic tournament? It’s because English or Scotland team is not Great Britain as a unit. So, they can’t play in Olympics. Therefore, UK or some European countries don’t emphasize Football Olympic Games. BUT, you may consider that next Olympic is in “London”, England, UK. Football (Soccer) is a national sport from UK, but can't they play in London, either??? Now, British football association discuss this issue whether they will make the GB’s unified team or not. By the way, why only UK call football but “soccer”? Even Irish and people worldwide call soccer. UK is a really stubborn country, isn’t it??

What is more, you may not know that UK’s Rugby team “doesn’t” include Northern Ireland players. In Rugby world, Northern Ireland plays for "Ireland". What a CONFUSING nationality!!! That’s why I shout in this blog now!!! How about that UK just returns Northern Ireland to Ireland? From my simple mind of geography, I just feel strangely that Northern Ireland belongs to UK not Ireland.

Finally, before I go back to Tokyo, Japan, I must mention this. UK respects tradition while USA prefers destruction. UK keeps tradition, history…and so on. But, what is tradition? Just sometimes need to break it. Why doesn’t UK make a rule simple??? Under the traditionalism, British University’s system is also complicated to me. Hey, by a simple mind, just give me a great mark to my dissertation, please, please, prestigious U. of Manchester!!(LOL)

August 27, 2008 (Wednesday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
おっ？気がつくと、もう８月下旬。帰国の９月中旬まであとわずか。卒論は大体完成して、なかなかの力作に仕上がったのでは？といつものように勝手に思っている。オリンピックのTV観戦と卒論で部屋に深け込んでいた２００８年８月（たまに国内旅行をしたが（写真））、ここマンチェスターには日本でいう蒸し暑い夏は皆無だった。毎日が秋のような、驚くことにアフリカ人ルームメイトはガスストーブをたまに使っている状態？夏なのに。おかげで相変わらずの色白。白人並みだろうか？そもそも、なぜ僕は日本では色白だと批判されるのか？当たり前だが、海外生活で一度もそんなことを言われたことはない、それって肌の色差別でしょ？
まーそんなことは今回のブログには全然関係なくて、イギリスって国は実によく分からない伝統がある。スポーツごとに国括り方（参加の仕方）が違う。実にややこしい。国名もUKなのかGBなのかEnglandなのか、未だに状況ごとにどう使うべきなのか困る。詳しくは英文を読んで下され。
さて、来週に卒論提出後、アイスランドに数日間旅行し、そして帰国。寂しいような嬉しいような…。長かったような短かったような海外留学（放浪の旅？）３年間だった。

Newspaper is a Japanese Culture?? Let’s Read World News!!

You may not believe that one of my hobbies is to read newspaper. When I was a university student in Tokyo, I usually read it in the morning at home with coffee for one hour. When I was an employee there, it is no time to read it in the morning, so I took it to the office and read it in lunch time in a park or office after eating lunch. Some co-workers were surprised to say “You are strange. Who read newspaper in your age?” On the contrary, I didn’t understand at that time why many young people don’t read newspaper. It is very fun and interesting because we can get many useful information or world issue which we don’t know in normal daily life.

I usually prefer paper to online news. In Manchester, we can get free newspaper such as Metro and Manchester Evening. And also, I sometimes get to read FT times or The Times which the university provides for free. Nowadays, I often don’t go to campus, so I read newspapers by online. For non-English native or English learner like me, I recommend The Times (UK) and USA Today (US) because of easy reading. USA Today has taken over 1st position of circulation in the USA market because it has more graphic, more colourful and easier content than other quality papers have. However, it is said that USA Today is Mac paper. It means the newspaper looks like fast food in MacDonald.

5 or 7 Japanese newspapers have occupied the world’s higher ranking circulation. It may mean Japanese read newspaper the most in the world. (Actually, I don’t know because other countries’ people may read online newspapers or free papers.) Why? Probably, a specific Japanese custom is the reason. Japanese newspapers are delivered to each home’s post in the morning (around 5 am) and evening (around 4pm) most everyday. I don’t know whether other country has same custom or not. (UK and USA don’t have it.) But, the number of newspaper calculation is getting lower currently in the world. It’s because online news, free newspaper, and disinterest of world issue among young generations.

By the way, A Japanese newspaper, Yomiuri Newspaper is the most circulation in Japan (and the world). BUT, I don’t like it because the paper has too much strong supporting bias for the most poplar Japanese baseball team, Yomiuri Giants. I used to read Mainichi Newspaper in Japan, and nowadays I have read Nikkei, USA today, The Times by online. Also, I started to read other world newspapers if I have free time. I am interested to learn the situations of countries where I travelled, and enjoy reading them. So, I just let you know them. These followings are my favourite online newspaper. Probably, this is true “If you read newspapers more, they could help you to widen your vision twice.”

(Western countries)
The Times (UK’s newspaper)
It is easy for non-native to read the newspaper, so I choose the one. But, if you want to read deep articles, “The Guardian” may be better in UK.
USA Today (USA’s newspaper)
It’s same. Easy to read the newspaper. If you want to read deep articles, “The New York Time” must be better in US.

(Emergent markets)
The Australian (Australia’s newspaper)
It’s easy to read, too. Let’s check Australian info because Australia is the Japan’s biggest rival for soccer’s world cup qualifier to South Africa 2010.
The Time of India (India’s newspaper)
India is one of the most complex culture’s countries, and also emergent economy. It should be interesting for you.
Mail & Guardian (South Africa’s newspaper)
If you want to check African political issues like Zimbabwe, it is better to get more information here. You know, when I travelled though African continental last summer, I was robbed of my baggage including every valuable goods like passport, PC, camera, and money in Zimbabwe. So, I am concerned about current Zimbabwe situation.

(Asian countries)
人民日報/People’s Daily (China’s newspaper in Japanese)
You can get information of exciting Chinese economy even though the government may regulate some information in this paper. Japanese businessperson should check it.
朝鮮日報 /The Chosen Iibo (Korea’s newspaper in Japanese)
I really recommend it for Japanese. It is funny and interesting. They sometimes write Japanese cultures from a view of neighbourhood.
日経新聞/ Nikkei (Japan’s business newspaper in Japanese)
It is the best newspaper for Japanese economy and business. You also can read it in English version.
The Japan Times (Japan’s newspaper in English)
Probably, it is the best to get Japanese news in English.

To read my articles on this blog is sometimes, (or most times) wasteful of your time. (LOL) So, let’s just try to read these world’s newspapers from now!!

July 20, 2008 (Sunday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
無料オンラインで世界の新聞を読んでみるのが面白い。リストを上記したので、暇のときにでも試してみて下さい。英語版は読みやすいものを集めたので、英語学習にも良いと思う。また、個人的には朝鮮日報の日本語版がお勧めで、たまに覘いてみるのだが、韓国人の視点で書かれた日本に関わる記事が面白い。好きな作家、今は亡き野沢尚氏の小説の中にこんな一節があった。「韓国人よ！そろそろ日本離れしてくれ。」朝鮮日報を読んでいて、フッと思い出した。最近は卒論を家に篭って書いていて、気晴らし？として世界の新聞を読み漁っている…あー虚しき、寂しき日々だね。（笑）

Lunatic British food culture: Kebab vs. Fish & chips

While I live in UK, I must reap UK’s funny or strange culture on behalf of Japanese mind. So, let’s talk about British food this time. You may have a same question as mine, “What is famous for British food?”(Please don't get angry, British people.)

We know UK has great and deep history. Industry Revolution had started in Manchester, UK!! Therefore, I can’t figure out why food culture is poor here. Um-, let’s make a list of British foods. Fish & chips, cottage pie, Sunday roast, Yorkshire pudding, and British breakfast…?? Probably, fish & chips is the most famous British food. But…well, are British people proud of it as the most popular food?? Actually, I hadn’t eaten fish & chips due to lack of my interest during past a half year in Manchester. It’s because I could imagine the taste even though I didn’t eat it. Incidentally, when I ate it at the first time, it costs£4 (US$8), and tastes fine.

One more argument, British pub is very famous, right? But, I recently realized that there is no world’s famous British beer. Guinness is from Ireland, Heineken is from Holland, and Carlsberg from Denmark. “What is famous for British beer??”

It is said that UK doesn’t have fertile land, so food culture haven’t grown up. On the contrary, the neighbour country, France has rich land and great food culture. It is said that UK and France have cat-and dog relationship like that between Japan and China. Then, I heard a funny story about their relationship. When French criticize British, they say “Hey, poor food culture!” Then, British respond “Shut up, countryman!” (It’s because French has a strong agriculture industry.)

In front of my house, there is a convenience store. I sometimes buy side dishes at late night at a discount price. One day when I just started to live in Manchester, I was slightly surprised when I bought and ate spaghetti in the shop. It was an unexpected taste for me; it tastes very weak. At first, I seriously thought “Oh-, this food must be over expired date and turn it bad??” The other day, I ate a different type of spaghetti. Unfortunately, the taste is strange for me again. Then, I finally realized “Oh-, this weak taste is a typical of British style”

As a result, I usually cook at home by myself, and don’t often go to restaurant due to high price and normal quality. When I went to a Japanese noodle shop in Manchester, I ate a ramen. It costs £6 (US$12) but tastes bad. Yes, I am particular about ramen, so I exaggeratedly shout to my heart “Price is twice higher and taste is twice worse!!”Sorry.

BUT, one food shop, I often go there: A Kebab shop at Rusholme, Manchester. (By the way, Rusholme is famous for a curry area, which is called “Curry mile” because there are lots of curry houses.) Chicken Kebab in the shop is just £2 (US$4) and such a big volume. Taste is….honestly, it is like junk food, but “ultra” one!! It is amount of sliced lamb or chicken loaf and vegitable salad with mango, yorgrut, and chile sauces on nan bread. (See the picture) You can imagine the ultra junky taste! I have travelled to many country and region, but I had never seen the kind of Kebab style before. (The food must come from Middle East.) I was excitingly surprised to “meet” the Chicken Kebab at the first time, then fell in love with the Kebab. (LOL) Then, I often go to eat it there. It is really helpful to survive in “expensive” UK life, (but “unhelpful” for my health, honestly.) Then, I dogmatically declare that Kebab is the best UK’s food!! (LOL) So, when you travel to UK, you must try to eat Kebab instead of Fish & Chips. It is similar to my opinion about Japanese food: “Ramen” is the best food in Japan, not “sushi” nowadays.

June 30, 2008 (Monday)-wrote-
Yoshi


P.S
今回はイギリス料理について。ご存知のように“イギリス料理＝まずい”のイメージが日本にあるが、残念ながらそれは否定できない。（笑）値段が高いわりに不味い料理に遭遇する可能性が高い。大げさに言って、「値段が2倍高くて、味が2倍不味い」のである。おかげで、悲しいかなー、毎日のように自炊生活。しかーし、一つ究極のイギリス料理？をマンチェスターで発見した。それはケバブ（写真）。もちろんケバブは中東料理だけど、ここまでジャンキーなケバブは中東にもあるのかな？ナンの上にドネルケバブ肉とサラダが山盛られ、上からマンゴ＋ヨーグルト＋チリソースをぶっ掛ける。この究極なジャンキーさ加減とボリューム感に病み付きになってしまった！簡単に言えば、僕にとってイギリスのケバブ屋は日本でいうラーメン屋である？本当か！？イギリスに来るバックパッカーはフィッシュ＆チップスではなく、チキンケバブを食べるべし。

Euro 2008! I bet Holland and Portugal

Euro 2008 has started in Switzerland and Austria!! In this summer, I have relatively free time, so I watch the games every day. Thanks to BBC and ITV (public broadcasts), I can watch every live games at home with African roommates.

A disappointing point is England don’t play in Euro 2008 due to loss of qualifying matches last year. Last November (or maybe October), I watched the final game, England VS. Croatia at a sport bar with Yuji. I still remember that I was so disappointed that England was beaten even if England can go to Euro 2008 with draw game.

After losing the game, English mass media discussed a lot why English national team became weak. Recently, English Premium League, could be the best professional soccer league in the world while English national team become weak. It is said that a lot of foreign footballers play in England, and English domestic players haven’t grown up fairly. As an economic discussion, free competition worldwide might weaken domestic growth in a market. This economic phenomenon is similar to football world. Now, FIFA discuss a regulation of 6-5 player rule; a team must provide 6 domestic players at least and 5 foreign players at best in a game field. But, it seems to be difficult to implement it under European law.

By the way, betting money for a football competition is famous for Japanese as a British culture. So, this time, I went to William Hill, betting shop, and betted small money for Holland and Portugal to winning the tournament. It is just more fun to enjoy watching matches. Why Holland and Portugal?? I am not a soccer mania, so I can’t analyse the winner. But, I always like Holland’s aggressive play-style:“Attacking and Attacking”. A favourite proverb says “The best defence is a good offence.” Also, I just support Portugal this time because of a Portuguese genius, Cristiano Ronald who plays for Manchester United. After Euro 2008, he might transfer Man U to Real Madrid, Spanish big club, though.

4 years ago, I worked in Tokyo and enjoyed watching Euro 2004. I was so excited that unexpected Greek became the champion. However, it was difficult to watch live games on TV because of time gap between Europe and Japan. I woke up early morning, around 4am, and rode my bicycle to go to a next city, Kinshicyo, then watched some important games in a sport bar. After watching games, I went back to home for a short sleep, and woke up again and commuted to my company at that time. Many co-workers in my division like soccer, so it was a taboo to talk about game results during the Euro2004 season. (I can imagine that the co-workers are in the same situation now!!) It’s because some of them recorded the game to watch after working. But, actually, I wanted to discuss it because I knew a result by live TV. On the other hand, I couldn’t say because we should work for a company at the best condition: enough sleep. It was a typical of Japanese worker’s dilemma for soccer fans. After finishing the tournament, I confessed what I’ve done to my boss, then he said “Are you crazy?” (LOL)

Absolutely, I didn’t imagine 4 years ago that I live in Europe now, and watch Euro 2008 here. So, the next 4 years, where am I to watch games of Euro 2012? Could be in Tokyo, but I don’t know, and who knows!

June 11, 2008 (Wednesday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
楽しみにしていたサッカー・ユーロ2008が始まった。申し訳ないが、学生の分際ということで、毎日試合をテレビで見ている。大会前に自分はオランダとポルトガルに優勝予想（希望）をして、公式賭博場で小額のお金を賭けた。ちなみに、一番人気はドイツで賭け率は4倍、二番人気のスペインは5.5倍。自分のオランダは12倍（6／16位）、ポルトガルは7倍（3／16位）だった。
4年前のユーロ2004の時、自分は東京でサラリーマンとして働いていて、早朝4時頃に早起きしては、隣町の錦糸町のスポーツバーまで自転車で行って、いくつかの重要な試合を見たなーって懐かしくなった。さてさて、4年後のユーロ2012、自分はどこで何をしているのだろうか？

The night, Man U became Europe champion

I finished exams two days ago. I just feel I don’t want to take exams in university any more. It was so stressful that I really hate to take exams now. Hopefully, I just pass every exam safely. From the middle of June, I will start to do my internship project in a consultant & research company in Manchester. This may be true exciting business study.

Last week, there was the biggest event in this year in Manchester, but I had three exams in a week, so I couldn’t write this article sooner. On May 21st (Wednesday), Manchester United became European football champion of UEFA Champions League this year!! At the night, I watched the final: Man U vs. Chelsea in the sport pub as usual even though I had to prepare exams seriously.

I just feel like I won a lottery. I am so lucky that I choose to study in Manchester. I got two great experiences of European football champion for both primer league and UEFA champions’ league in a year. Well, last summer, I got offers from 4 universities in UK, then I choose MBS “lottery” in Manchester even though I got a miracle offer from LSE in London. So, some classmates argued me “Why didn’t you go to LSE???” Then, I answered with kind of joke “Well, because it is Man U.”

Actually, I was not a big fan of Man U before I came here. But, Man U has big star players like Ronaldo and Rooney, and I expected that Man U will become champion, so I will enjoy watching games in Manchester!! Yes, my football dream came true here. Now, I just talk about the championship moment in PK at the night. (Next time, I will introduce great Man U players.)

By Ronald’s PK failure, Chelsea took advance. When Chelsea’s fifth kicker, Terry, stood by kick for winner, we preyed and preyed his failure. The miracle happened. He mistook PK!! Then, Van der Sar saved Chelsea’s seventh kick by Anelka.

The moment, it is difficult to explain the atmosphere by words. It is like…Explosion. Yes, the sport bar was exploded. Everyone was jumping, hugging, shouting, and even kissing. In addition, some English ladies whom I don’t know kissed me (LOL). Drinking glass and bottle were falled from tables and smashed into fragment on the floor. But, off course, everyone didn’t care. They continued singing and shouting with excitement for a while.

I feel so happy because I could experience two great football moments in a year. That’s enough experience I can get in UK. Thanks, Man U players. I am satisfied to go back to Japan after this summer. Also, Man U will go to Japan to fight for FIFA Club World Cup this December. Probably, I will be in Tokyo at the time, and I will go to a sport bar in Roppongi, Tokyo, to watch the Man U’s matches with English guys again. Let’s imagine that English will ask me “Why do you support Man U?” Then, I will say “Because I used to live in Manchester!!!”

May 30, 2008 (Friday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
先日テストが終わり、ストレスの日々がやっと過ぎ去った。もうこのような勉強生活は勘弁である。
ご存知のように、先週、マンチェスターユナイデットがヨーロッパチャンピオンとなった。マンＵのゴールキーパーが6人目のＰＫを止めた瞬間、スポーツバー内が爆発した。みんなが叫び抱き合い、テーブルが倒れ、ビールが散乱、グラスの破片が飛び散り…バー内がすごいことになっていた。こんな瞬間に立ち会えて、自分はかなりラッキーである。マンチェスターに来て良かったなーと初めて感じた瞬間だった。（笑）マンＵありがとう！

Manchester Tornados: Exams, Manchester United, Hooligan Riot, and Parents

Manchester’s weather in winter is terrible as you already know, but, in reverse, summer’s weather here is fantastic!! From 6am to 9pm, sky is clearly bright, sunny day and mild temperature. I realized again that weather is very important in our life, especially in stressful study life. I enjoyed Oklahoma life in US. Probably, the main reason was great weather: wide, clear sky and dangerous, exciting “tornado”. (LOL)

Only my relief here is to watching football game of Manchester United in the sport pub near my house with cheap beer. As you know, Manchester United became champion of English premier league on 11th May (Sunday). And, this Wednesday (21st May), there is a big game of UEFA champions league final: Manchester United vs. Chelsea in Moscow. I will write about Manchester United in detail after this exam season. By the way, I still didn’t go to watch Manchester United game in the stadium because of very expensive ticket. But, I definitely will watch a next seasons game before I left Manchester as a “luxury” graduation trip.

One more thing about football. Last Wednesday, there was a big final game of UEFA cup: Rangers (Scotland) vs. Zenit St Petersburg (Russia) in Manchester City Stadium. (UEFA cup is different from UEFA champions league.) Then, 200,000 Scottish people came to Manchester city to watch the game on street-TV screens. At the day, I went to a city near Liverpool to take a job interview for summer internship. (By the way, I got the offer of internship.) When I returned to Manchester by train, Rangers fans occupied the train. An older guy, which sit next to me, gave me a can of beer. I drunk and talked with him about football during a hour on the train. When I talked about Nakamura who play in Celtic in Scotland league, he said “Don’t talk about Nakamura. He is our enemy!!”

Unfortunately, Rangers lost by 0-2 at the night. I watched the game in my house with flatmates, and then talked about Scottish riot after the game. I thought it is a joke, but next day morning, I watched the TV news, then surprised “WOW!! Last night, it happened a battle between Scottish football fans and Manchester polices.” After the riot, tons of garbage was left in the city centre. I just regretted that I didn’t go to city centre at the day. “Oh-, I missed to experience the most famous UK’s culture of football hooligan!!” (LOL) You can see more pictures here.
Manchester Evening News

By the way, last week, my parents travelled in UK during a week, (I also travelled in Lake District with them) and they came to Manchester like their trip in Oklahoma two years ago. I talked, talked, talked with them (usually, we don’t talk on the phone), and they left to Japan like “tornado”. When they walk in the school campus, they claimed to me “Hey, University of Manchester has great campus!! Why don’t you introduce the school campus on your blog?” So, I will introduce the school in next month even though I almost graduate. (LOL)

These are Manchester “tornados” which I faced recently. Now, three exams left until the end of this May. After that, I will do internship in a UK company in summer along with writing my dissertation (business report style) based on the internship. Then, I will go back to Japan as not a British “tornado” but a Japanese “typhoon”!?...I hope.

May 18, 2008 (Sunday)-wrote-
Yoshi

P.S
最近、マンチェスターではサッカーネタが熱い。マンチェスターユナイデットのプレミアリーグ優勝（今週はチェンピオンズリーグ決勝がある）やマンチェスターで開催されたＵＥＦＡカップ決勝で負けたレンジャーズファンによるフーリガン暴動等々。話は変わるが、ゴールデンウィーク期間に両親がオクラホマに続いて、マンチェスターにもやってきた。
最近イギリスの天気が素晴らしく良い！夏のイギリスは過ごしやすいのではないかと思う。（冬はもう勘弁だが。）ただ、勉強に忙しく部屋に閉じこもっている日々がすごく勿体無い。５月末までのテストが無事に終わってくれるのを祈るのみ。６月からイギリス企業でインターンシップと、それと並行して卒論を書いて、９月に日本に帰国？？…嵐はまだまだ続く。。。