Monday, November 20, 2006

Forest Expansion

Many of us realize that global environment is degrading and forest is diminishing. We all know something innovative measures should be taken, but so far we could not see any effective measures that would save the planet. However, I found a really gratifying move that forests in the world are expanding. At first, I could not believe the news, but it seems to be true. The Reverend Masanobu Taniguchi, Vice President of Seicho-No-Ie, introduces this news on his website, quoting International Herald Tribune's article. His website is available only in Japanese.

According to the article by Pekka Kauppi, a professor at University of Helsinki, who leads a team of researchers in Europe, the United States and Asia, it seems possible that we could reverse a global trend that many people thought was irreversible. Yes, since some experts even expect our earth to be skinhead by 2050, the fact that more developed countries had more and denser forests in 2005 than in 1990 or countries like Vietnam and Turkey seemed to have reversed the trend, along with India and China, must encourage people, like us, who are engaged in a movement to a protect global environment or try to lead a life not to deprive from nature.

As I attached solar panels to our roof, I've been more concerned about how environment preservation movements are going on. I believe we have more and more fellows who take care of world's environment and enlightening general public as a position granted. I hope there will come a day when almost all people in the world respect any men and women, animals, plants, foods, resources and others, in other words whole universe, as a manifestation of God's life.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Solar Panels started to work!

On the September 30's issue of my blog, I wrote about our installment of a solar panel generation system. Those panels were set up on our roof around the end of October and started to generate electricity from a week ago. The maximum amount of electricity they generate is 1.34 kilowatt per an hour. It is estimated to create ranging from 100 to 130 kilowatt of electricity per month, that is not a big deal but is a significant step forward.

Previously, I thought the fact that we have electricity by putting on a switch is a matter of course, but I changed this idea. Through a monitor, we can see how much of carbon dioxide we save to discharge as well as how much electricity is produced any time. It feeds our family great joy and encourages us to save resources like electricity, gas and water as much as possible. And I notice that the system even provides us with a mindset of preserving grand nature.

I would like to report in the end of the month about how much electricity we generate and how much we save our fuel and light expenses.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Interview Test

I've halted to update my blog in a week what with concentrating on preparation for an interview test sponsored by Society for Test of English Proficiency, or Eiken in Japanese. I took a paper test including a listeng test for the 1st grade last June. To be fortunate I passed it, but failed the 2nd step, interview test in July. In a case you fail the interview test, you will be granted a pivilege to take two more inteview tests with a first step test exempted.

In a 1st grade interview test, after a brief conversation with two examiners of a native speaker and Japanese, you are supposed to choose a topic from five topics printed in the paper and organize a speech based on the topic. You are required to do all these processes within a minute. And then, you make a two-minute presentation and have some questions on your speech from examiners in four minutes. That's all.

This was one of the toughest test that I've ever taken. When I took this exam in July for the first time, I could not arrange my speech well and it ended up falling apart. Then, seraching more information on that, I found there were wide range of sociable questions in the past interview tests, like this:

・Are we doing enough to protect the environment?
・Would you be willing to pay higher taxes for better government sevices?
・Should certain books, movies, or music be censored?
・The pros and cons of self-employment
・"Love conquers all" - do you agree?

Therefore, I prepared 20 topics which I predict which is likely on the speech list. In addition that, my English teacher gave me some practice exercises and evaluated my speech in an every lesson. Thanks to these efforts, I believe I could relatively organize my speech and answered the questions from examiners, despite the questions delivered were all unfamiliar. I hope I can make it this time. Incidentally, the topic I chose was:

Should parents be responsible for their childrens' behavior?

My answere is of course, YES.

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Marriage

Marriage has been a traditional life goal for many people in the past. However, reflecting on the diversifications of values among people these days, some choose to stay single all their life. As a matter of fact, in Scandinavian countries, the number of couples who do not claim their marriage despite they share their life is increasing by leaps and bounds. Though I accept the idea that people have their own values, I would like to focus on the advantages of marriage.

First of all, I think raring a child is a priceless experience. Raising children gives you an opportunity to reflect upon yourself and be grateful to people who have supported you all through life. I really appreciae my parents from the bottom of my heart especially after my wife carried a child.

Secondly, through marriage, you tend to become more moderate and tolerant. Unless you accept the ideas of your spouse, you will never feel at home in life. This helps you deal with your boss, colleagues, friends and others.

However, there are also some disadvantages. For example, especially when your children are young, you may have to do many household chores and spend time with your family. This may lead you to feel bound or may hamper you from accomplishing your personal objectives-----such as learning English.

Having said that, though, I believe the advantages of marriage overwhelm the disadvantages.

With my home sweeter and happier, I want to convey the joy of raising a family to young, unmarried people. This may lead the world more comfortable to live in and to make peace.