Travelling to Okinawa 沖縄, Japan Hi, there. I am writing this notebook not to share my journey, but to make some preparation for it. I plan to visit Okinawa this August, and recently, have been watching Youtube videos about introductions there. The ocean is charming, and Churaumi Aquarium looks so amazing that I look forward to spending a whole day there. I believe that all troubles can be forgotten when facing the sea and waves. Now, I would like to have some suggestions so as to enjoy my vacation. Are there some popular social media for me to make local friends? I know a little about Airbnb, a wonderful place for accormodation. Well, that could work, but I would just like to find more. Besides, I speak some Japanese, and also appreciate to know Okinawa friends from here. Thanks in advance.

请问有没有最近在买ITC时，遇到MoneyBookers扣款失败的情况？ 我用的是中行的visa信用卡，MoneyBooker的网站上没有让我输入3D认证，这点很奇怪。之后就说“发卡行拒绝”，交易失败。有人有类似的情况么？ 多谢。

A Present to Myself I have been reading a book titled "Present" this week. Its author also wrote some other famous books, like "Who Moved My Cheese". Its story is mostly about conversations between a young man and his senior friend. Every time he encountered difficulties, confusions, or frustrations, the young man would definitely came to the old gentleman for help or advice, who would offer him a hand in his own way. You may guess out that the present within the tilte of that book, as well as throughout the content of the whole book, should be a key to success, or a clue to problems, or even a light within the darkness. Maybe you are wondering why till now I kept explaining the word "present" as "the gift". Yes, you are quite right. It does have another meaning as "right now". Therefore, the present to oneself, is actually their attitudes towards the present time, as well as the past and the future. In one word, grasping the present, learning from the past, and expecting the future. ------------- Besides, I listened to some old songs, today, most of which were sung by the band of 911. I really enjoyed them, becuase I am sure I get fully get into this kind of style. I could feel that time halted as if I had gone back to my childhood. I usually had that wonderful illusion when I heard a nice and beautiful song. Unfortunately, I have no idea about the name of the style. Is it "blue", or "rock", or just simply "pop music"? Please let me know something about it. Thanks a lot.

特別な友情 いつも、犬と猫が敵だと思うのは、当たり前です。昔は、食べ物が足りなかったせいで、仲間が悪くなったそうです。家に、もし犬だけじゃなく、猫までがいたら、きっとよく「戦争」が起こるんでしょうか。（笑） 昨日、インターネットから、真実的なストーリーを読みました。ある日、犬のお母さんは、母親に死なれた、生まれたばかりの猫ちゃんを見つけました。犬は、このかわいそうな猫を、自分の子供のように、大切にしてきました。知らない人が猫ちゃんに近づいたら、すぐ大声を出して、守ります。猫ちゃんも、この犬を、母親にします。 違う種類の動物が一緒に暮らすのは、初めて聞いたら、驚いたほど不思議だと思いましたけど、静かに考えれば、たぶん、これは動物の間の「特別な友情」なのでしょうか。まさか、元は、友達になれる犬と猫は、ただお互いによく分からなかったから、敵になってしまいました？ ところで、面白い写真も、いくつかあります。犬と猫だけではなく、ほかの動物もいます。楽しんで、ご覧くださいね。 http://i3.sinaimg.cn/IT/ul/2008/0610/U2148P2DT20080610075605.jpg http://i1.sinaimg.cn/IT/ul/2008/0610/U2148P2DT20080610075759.jpg http://i3.sinaimg.cn/IT/ul/2008/0610/U2148P2DT20080610075830.jpg http://i0.sinaimg.cn/IT/ul/2008/0610/U2148P2DT20080610075934.jpg

Some Trivial Thoughts on University Entrance Exams 12 years ago today, I finished my university entrance examinations, waiting uncalmy for my grades. Then after getting the scores, all my families were busy with selection of the potential universities. It was just like a game among the students as well as the universities. The university entrance exams, are called for short as "Gao Kao" in Chinese. I don't know what it means to people other than Chinese. I had almost forgot about it, but for the pieces of news in the media surrounding the bus and subway which reminded me of it. For example, cars for the exam-taking students were priviledged to go first, or go on special lanes. Even the police would offer a hand to the students who unfortunately encountered troubles, which seemed not to be their duties on "ordinary days" though. Besides, some students were interviewed for their feelings of the exams, and the Chinese composition questions from the exam papers all over China were discussed heatedly as usual. All of the information just tells us that "Gao Kao" is still highly valued in China. While on the other hand, some other students interviewed came into my eyes. They didn't have to and wouldn't take part in the Chinese "Gao Kao", since they chose to go abroad for their further study. Their relaxed looks and words made them unique from the other tired exam-preparing ones. I envy those lucky guys not only because they don't have to take "Gao Kao" as their only choice, which in many Chinese's opinions, is still the mere road to change, or more exactly, to decorate one's fate, but also they can see an outside world at such a young age. Indeed, the students going overseas are becoming younger and younger, from the ones for a doctor degree about 30 years ago, to a growing number of ones for a bechaler in recent years. What is greatly different from before, lies in that many the students who pursue an oversea education background nowadays, are usually with highest scores at school. Namely, they give up the opportunity of going to the best universities in China, never because they will fail. If I gained a chance to go back to my old days, maybe I would have spent them in a totally different way, at least not as much time in my textbook-studies. Anyway, since time could only move forward, I think what I can do now, is to examine well what I have done before, and to use them to guide me in the future. -------------------- Thanks a lot for your reading, and any comments are welcome.

「～がすぎる」と「～をすぎる」 みなさん、こんにちは。疑問は、「～がすぎる」と「～をすぎる」、どの場合に、どちらは正しいですか。たとえ、ある用法に、きをつけました： １．予定の時間がすぎる ２．六十をすぎても髪は黒々している こちらは、なぜ、ひとつは、「が」；もうひとつは、「を」？ おしえてくだって、ありがとうございます。

「決まった」と「決めた」 みなさん、こんばんは。わたしの問題は、「昔からの決まった言葉」のなかの「きまった」です。もし、「決めた」に代われば、いいですか。 おしえていただいて、ありがとうございます。

「～ことにする」と「つもりだ」の違い 皆さん、「することにする」と「つもり」について、違いがありますか。教えていただきますか。ありがとうございます。

ここの「ところ」はどういう意味ですか。 うちのマネージャはただいま事務室に来るところです。 ここの「ところ」はどういう意味ですか。 「うちのマネージャはただいま事務室に来る。」と同じ意味ですか。 ありがとうございます。