2019-10-22 14:55 JST 2019 ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 15 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 3 ← 2019-10-22 12:32 JST 2019-10-22 15:40 JST → Around this time … 2019-10-26 13:15 JSTFiona here with a book recommendation, actually one that my reading book will be discussing this evening, and possibly even chatting with the author via Skype. Tracy Franz used to live in Kumamoto and wrote this memoir of her time here while her husband was training to be a Zen monk. She writes about her job at a local college, pottery lessons, karate, meditation and challenging trips to Alaska... it's a fascinating read and if you've been in Kumamoto a while there's the added bonus of occasionally meeting a character in the book who is someone you know. The book is called My Year of Dirt and Water and is published by Stone Bridge Press. Here's a review that was in the Japan Times:Dirt and difficulty: Life as the wife of a Buddhist monk | The Japan Times 2019-10-24 20:30 JSTDia de Muertos (Day of the Dead): in Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them - a bit like Japan's Obon: During this time, people go to cemeteries to be with the souls of the departed and build private altars containing favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls to allow them to hear the prayers and the comments directed to them. Unlike Halloween but again like Obon, the festival stretches over several days, typically the first four of November.The holiday is particularly focused on children, who make and munch alfeñique, which is a confection molded from sugar paste in the shape of a human skull (yes, it is an acquired taste - a symbol of the finiteness of life akin to the sugar lotus flowers displayed during Obon - but I grew up with them in LA). Our friend Luz-san is the matriarch of the Kumamoto Mexican community. She has organized an event at the International Center for children to be held on Saturday, Nov. 2nd, from 10:00 AM. Admission is free, but the number is limited to 20 children, and a reservation is required, available at the number or email on the link. Thank you, Luz-san, for your everlasting efforts to promote international understanding. - William 2019-10-24 14:00 JSTVehicles yielding for pedestrians at unlighted crossings is obligatory, with a point deducted for each offense. However, police almost never enforce the law. (In my hometown in California, plainclothes cops pass repeatedly over problem crosswalks with backup pulling over infringers.)JAF notes that Kumamoto ranks among the lowest amongst prefectures for drivers following this rule. Nagano was highest, with 69% of drivers giving pedestrians priority; adherence seems to fall as one moves south (maybe lack of snow?). Kyushu prefectures bottomed out the list: only 11% of Kumamoto drivers yield to pedestrians (and this includes cyclists), far below the 20% national average, which in and of itself is shockingly low.Know your rights. If you raise your hand to indicate you intend to enter a marked crossing and are hit, the fault is always with the driver. Stats at the link, and please share your personal experiences in the comments section. - William信号機のない横断歩道「一時停止」1割 熊本県内のドライバー ｜ 熊本日日新聞 2019-10-23 08:41 JST特別支援学校 (tokubetsu shien gakkou) are special need schools providing education to the mental and physically impaired. A student of mine attends one; he is brilliant but dislikes noise, and drawing him to speak is a challenge. No doubt there are multiple behavioural issues in such schools.Still, this in no way excuses the physical and verbal abuse a teacher at the Kumamoto Prefectural Special Needs School repeatedly inflicted on one of his students, including assault on the lower body and comments such as "You stink!" The school has apologized to the family and the teacher placed on leave - hopefully never to return. Patience and compassion are essential for all educators. - William男性講師が生徒に暴力、暴言 熊本県立の特別支援学校 ｜ 熊本日日新聞 2019-10-22 15:40 JSTOlivia here,I have just come back from a drive to enjoy the view of Cosmos in 俵山交流館 萌の里(Tawarayama Koryukan Moe no Sato) Cosmos has kanji writings “秋桜” , meaning Autumn Cherry blossoms.My first impression of Cosmos when I first saw them last year was that their stems were thin, yet they could last for quite a while even after few rainy days. 2019-10-22 14:55 JSTPost (this post) 2019-10-22 12:32 JSTHi friends, again.This is Face book page of Kumamoto Support center for foreign residents in Kumamoto Prefectural Office.They might help you and your friends and give helpful information to live in Kumamoto.ーAtsuko(*Ü*)熊本県外国人サポートセンターKumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents 2019-10-22 11:44 JSTA river writhes along the ridge of Aso caldera until, just above Tateno Gap, it runs out of writhing room. Decades ago, engineers figured they could harness the cascade to drive turbines, creating electricity, so they constructed a large holding pond atop the ridge to regulate flow, big pipes, and a turbine building.No one envisioned what would happen were the pond to fail, but they found out during the quakes: The torrent was so great as to erase the sole, narrow strip threading Tateno Gap on which ran Route 57, the main conduit between central Western and Eastern Kyushu. Engineers figured a workaround by building a tunnel, but that's a story for another day.But what to do with the hydroelectric plant? Geologists are hard at work and have indicated restoration is possible. Kyuden wants the power as it's cheap and non-polluting. Kumanichi has the details at the link. - William黒川第１発電「復旧可能」 九電評価委、貯水槽新設など示す ｜ 熊本日日新聞 2019-10-22 10:23 JSTHere's some information from Mr. Itoh of the Kumamoto International Foundation about an event organized by Kumamoto Sake and Shochu Makers Association. This is not a Kumamoto International Foundation event; the foundation is just helping to get the word out. -- Kirk ---- begin quote ----If you don't know about 日本酒 Japanese sake, this is a very good opportunity to have it. You can taste about 10 different Sake and buy your favorite one.How to apply: Please fill in the following information, E-mail or Apply from the application form（ QR code）.①Name（Representative in case of multiple）②Number of peopleE-mail: [email protected]Contact: Kumamoto sake and shochu makers association[email protected] 2019-10-22 07:29 JSTHi friends.Just watch them, BOTH.Sooo cool!! You might like Kumamoto more!ーAtsuko(*Ü*)https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4bafEu94d5chttps://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2350553128375814&id=100002634489295&sfnsn=mo&d=n&vh=e 2019-10-21 23:03 JSTHi friends.Is the event only for international people?? If Japanese are also OK, I love to join! But it's so nice opportunity for you. l'll give up to join, So You should join it instead of me, haha(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ーAtsuko(*Ü*)