Burt Bacharach
I am sad to learn that Mr. Burt Bacharach who is known as the legend in American music history is no longer coming to Japan. I am looking forward to seeing him the next time!
The best dentist in Tokyo
Over a month ago, I got totally unexpected news from my dentist’s son that I have gone for the last 17 years that my dentist has passed away. Since then I kept going back to see him even though I know in my head that he will not be there. It just reminded me that he is really gone. This sad news got me thinking that I want to be kind to people. And I need to tell ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been there for me.
Broadway musical “Dreamgirls”
I went to see the Broadway musical “Dreamgirls”.
The live band performance, as well as the singers, were wonderful.
It made me want to watch the movie again.
I felt that language and culture had nothing to do with the way how people chase their dreams and how they feel about their friends.
Tomohiro Hamakawa’s seminar
I went to a special seminar by Mr. Tomohiro Hamakawa at Waseda University. He is the managing director of Earth Company in Bali.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KBqYBNYpOI
In 2014, he and his wife Asuka were hornored to receive an award of the ‘Unsung Heroes of Compassion’. At his special seminar, I asked him what he wished he had done when he was a student. He said ‘I wish I have studied another language’ (aside Japanese and English which he is already fluent with).
Sorry We Missed You
I watched the movie “Sorry We Missed You.”.
https://sorrywemissedyou.co.uk/home/
The main character works as a courier under part time condition. They describe the job as ‘Independent contractor’ and it was in name only. There is even no time for him to go to the bathroom when he is on duty. He can’t rest even if he gets sick. This movie is a warning toward the current society which places too much priority on efficiency.
I attended a Harvard Special Session
I attended a Harvard Special Session in Tokyo.
The session was hold by Professor Ichiro Kawachi of the Harvard School of Public Health.
More than half of the students were from overseas.
I felt I had to learn more about statistics, not to mention English.
39th IBUSUKI NANOHANA MARATHON
I worked as a volunteer at the marathon event held in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima.
My duty was transporting runners from Kagoshima-Chūō station to the marathon site and picking up runners who could not finish the race.
In Kagoshima, I stopped by a very beautiful Starbucks (it was hard to believe that the place is an actual Starbucks.)
The view of Sakurajima from it was exceptionally beautiful.
My Friend
My friend gave birth to her second child the other day.
Her baby was born with a disability, and when I heard that the baby was in the hospital, I felt terrible.
She was being brave, but I didn’t know what to say. In my professional field, I have never dealt with babies with disability before, and it was my first time to have a friend who is facing such a situation. As her friend, I just couldn’t find the right words to tell her.
My life has been filled with ups and downs.
I know you and you will be able to get through this.
Three precious tips for medical students and young doctors
I was at the lecture given by a doctor who has experience working in the US as a cardiologist and now works in Japan.
There were three pieces of advicegiven at the end of the presentation which wereespecially striking to me.
- Gather information
Future career holds big significance when you can only live once. You should invest money and time to collect information and spend enough time to make your choice.
- Tell people what they want to be
Let people around you know what you want to be, and they may give you advice.
- Trying to have it all will destroy you
You can’t have all three of Money/Honor/Family. You need to give up one of them.
Experience at Karma Kitchen
In June, I volunteered at “Karma Kitchen-Tokyo”, an experimental restaurant running “pay-it-forward” system.
My role there was to serve food and explain the Karma Kitchen concept.
Karma Kitchen started back in San Francisco in 2007 (Currently temporarily closed). It is a restaurant based upon a pay-it-forward system which connects people’s kindness. It allows people to dine with the money someone paid before.
‘Karma Kitchen Tokyo’ started in 2011. It opens occasionally throughout the year. When I volunteered, it was their 23rdtime.
At Karma Kitchen, their system allows you (customer) to eat without any cost. If you decide to pay, the money will be used for the next customer. You can also pay for your meal by other means such as singing or performing magic tricks.
Karma Kitchen has a philosophy which is ‘You can quit at any time; Don’t push yourself too hard; and Do what you can do.’ There is no target or goal. I think that’s why they’ve been able to continue the great work for such a long time.