Monday, September 10, 2012







Here I am again... it's been a busy week, but I'm back! This is my little message, not sure if it makes some sense, but then again, I'm trying! I would like to share something else with you all, please read it... hope you like it.

Far away... so close 


I remember the first time I was asked to remove my shoes and put some sleepers before entering into a house in Montreal,  I was so surprised that they had to explain me that recently Montrealers have adopted the habit of letting the dirt outside and let's face it, with a weather like this, it's a good idea. Winter boots, rainy shoes and summer dirt on a living room are a matter of the past! I love it, honestly, I do, specially when doing my cleaning, no more struggling with the floors. 

This imported habit is getting so deep on the city that you can see new houses being designed including a proper space for taking your shoes off before coming in; in older buildings like mine, we improvise by putting a small carpet on the entry and small shelves, we do what we can. Weird, isn't it?

About different cultural habits, there is one that shocked me a little bit too when coming to Montreal. From my Latin American background I have always greeted my friend by a quick kiss on a cheek and sometimes a soft hug, so this friends cheek kissing thing it's pretty normal for me... but in here, Montreal friends kiss on each cheek, Latin friends kiss and hug too and some Europeans kiss three times (even among males); and then there are some cultures where there is not friends kissing at all.

And that my friends is a short example of how close and far we are to each other... but don't worry, when I meet you I'll remove my shoes and respectfully bow.

By the way, this is my treat for this week... I'm a big fan of the classics!

Monday, September 3, 2012

Welcome!





I would like to start this blog by saying thanks to my Japanese pen pals who keep on reading my messages and correcting my mistakes. I trust that with your help I'll improve よろしくお願いします.

This space was created for helping the language exchange English - Japanese and also as a tool for sharing a little of our cultures. Please feel free to comment, suggest and participate as much as you want!

As a welcome treat I recommend you this meaningful poem that is -in my opinion- one of the most beautiful things ever written in English.

Best regards!

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley