Sun. 2 Feb. 1997

'97 Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon was held on 2nd February, a sleety day. I watched on the TV and cheered it. The Marathon record was sent to one of my Internet friends in Australia by on-line basis. He likes Marathon and runs as well. In last February, I got the first E-mail from him saying "Please let me know the result the game." This time, the winner was Roland Bela of Ecuador. A Japanese runner Tajiri fell down on his knees twice but finally staggered to the finish line. I was very impressed by his struggle.

Sat. 8 Feb. 1997

We went to Hakata from Oita by highway bus. Hakata is the capitol city of Fukuoka prefecture. It has the population of about one million, the largestin Kyushu island.Our highway bus ran through the plateau of Beppu, looking down the plumes of hot springs and Beppu bay dyed pink by the rising sun. Then the bus passed through the hillside of Yufuin town completely wrapped by morning mist, mountainous route of Kuju covered with snow, Fukuoka air port, and downtown of Fukuoka. Finally we arrived at Tenjin bus terminal.It took two hours and twenty minutes. We looked around personal computer shopping center for preliminary examination of note type PCs. We enjoyed window shopping at Canal City mall. We took lunch at the counterseat of a pizzeria in the basement floor of the hotel by looking wonderfulskill of the cooks. The taste of pizza with garlic sausage and well cooledfresh beer was really delicious, indeed.

Sun. 16 Feb.1997

It has been raining until this morning. The sky is just spring like now . I walked out of home to look around for spring. First, I found beautiful blooming of pink primrose in my own garden. I also visited a department store in downtown Oita to see the commencement art exhibition of a junior college. Here in Japan, commencements bring spring into the town. I enjoyed many works from classical dying art of kimono clothes to contemporary dresses. Today, I walked around the town in a winter coat. I hope warm spring weather will soon take it off from me.

Tus. 18 Feb. 1997

Iwent to Yufuin, one of my favorite resort, along with my husband for the evening concert we had been invited in advance. It is a private concert to celebrate the birthday of Mrs. Kiyoko Mizoguchi, the landlady of famous Tamanoyu Hotel. Only limited people were invited to enjoy her favorite classical music by Mr. Michio Kobayashi, the top player of cembalo/piano in Japan. In the evening twilight, Yufuin shows its beauty with scattering snowflake from the chilly depth of darkness. In the waiting room comfortably warmed by a real fireplace burning massive timber, I enjoyed delicious wine. I talked with Mr. Nonoshita, a famous bamboo artist, about Yufuin Music Festival that will come in late July. Now we were guided to the guest house. The lobby was already prepared for the concert: usual big wooden tables were set aside, Piano was in the position. I greeted to Mrs. Kobayashi. Tonight program was consisted of many rare selections of the composers who influenced W. A. Mozart. We also enjoyed pleasant talk by Mr. Kobayashi on the anecdotes of the great composer. After the concert we moved to Budoya restaurant for the dinner party. On the fireplace was a steaming kettle, the floor is warmed by hot spring heater. The restaurant was designed as a country house and was really comfortable. I enjoyed chatting over delicious wine and beef stew until late in the night. When I left the restaurant, grasses and trees were slightly covered with spring snow. My husband finally took me and drove the car back to home through the scattering snow.

Sat. 22 Feb. 1997

Ijoined the "Work Shop" held at Beppu Bay Royal Hotel from 20 through 22 of February, 1997. This time theme was "Toward the realization of CAN(Community Area Network)." About 150 member joined from all through the country including local government officials, promoters, cooperators, and those who are concerned of the CAN.They exchanged hot discussions on the case study, problems to be solved, questions and answers. The newest technology was also demonstrated which fascinated me so much. I was unexpectedly asked to make a short presentation on my experience of the Internet activities. I was very happy to exchange opinions with many participants at the last evening's party. I felt my sight was again expanded a little.

Tue. 25 Feb. 1997

Today, we had a Chinese cooking class in success at the meeting house of the Group of Friends. Seven members had been to Tokyo last year to learn the cooking and they demonstrated today how to make the dishes to many participants of the class. 19 kinds of Chinese dishes were displayed on the table. Chinese cuisine is very simple to prepare but delicious when many kinds of raw materials are well prepared in advance by using seasoning and spices. It is good to add the cuisine for your daily repertoire.