Super, Thanks For Asking

Brother Fairline Sewing Machine -- FREE!

2010-03-01T15:39:00.003+09:00

Do you feel like getting crafty this Spring?

I'm giving away a vintage Brother Fairline sewing machine.

It works!

Pictures below. If you're in Hiroshima, or near enough to come and get it, please contact me at flogently dreams at g mail dot com (all strung together, no underscore between flogently and dreams) if you'd like this sewing machine to be yours :)

file under: not cool, not kind, not helpful

2008-09-20T20:59:00.006+09:00

I'm a flickr user.

Since I've been on flickr, I've enjoyed the feeling of being part of a global photo community.

Photography is something that everyone can do (some obviously better or extraordinarily better than others). Anyone with an observant eye and the willingness to learn can improve at taking pictures. I love that about photography.

What I don't understand and don't love at all are flickr users who decide not to share their EXIF data when they upload photos. What's up with that?

If you're so paranoid about someone betraying the spirit of copyright and essentially stealing your image by going out and getting your exact same camera and trying to set up the exact same shot, then you should be wary of posting your images online at all. Otherwise, what's the harm in letting someone find out more about the images they like?

I was just looking at an image on flickr which had accompanying text by the photographer describing his flash set-up. Great, so then I scrolled down to click on the "more properties" link to find out more about how the image was shot ... but nope, no link there. I don't understand that sort of unwillingness to share.

it's hot outside: using the AC remote control

2007-08-24T00:03:00.001+09:00

the remote for the air conditioner, originally uploaded by flogently.

I've uploaded photos of my old AC, TV/VCR, and DVD remote controls to flickr.
Each picture has notes describing the functions of various important buttons.
If you're trying to figure out how to use your Japanese remote controls, I thought these might help you to figure some things out.
Even if the models are different, a lot of the functions should be the same.
Clicking on the photo will take you to flickr and from there you can navigate to the other photos in the set.
I hope this proves helpful to someone!

surely you want to study Japanese?

2007-01-25T18:33:00.000+09:00

I still have a box full of books for studying Japanese. There's a mix of beginning-level texts, intermediate-level materials, and Proficiency Test Level 2 materials.

If you check back in the archives to April 2006 (!), you can see what I have. I'll re-post the specifics again so it's easier for you if you're looking, but for now, I just wanted to let everyone know that I still have them!

Happy New Year! ... Make your own homemade cellulite-busting seaweed and salt scrub!

2007-01-07T19:40:00.000+09:00

The beginning of the year is a good time to get your circulation going.

When it's pretty cold here (we had a surprise snow last night/this morning), it's important to do things to increase circulation so the cold doesn't leave you feeling stiff and cranky.

You can make your own circulation-boosting cellulite-busting scrub at home.

I got this recipe from the Always-full-of-surprises-HiroshimaGal :)

WAKAME SALT CELLULITE-BUSTING SCRUB

1. Prepare

a sealable bottle (like a jam jar)
30g dried wakame seaweed (that's a lot of wakame, btw)
150 ml white liquor (i.e. Shouchuu)
50g sea salt, preferably organic

2. Soak wakame in the shouchuu for at least 2 hours

the liquid is now a wakame extract

(according to the book HiroshimaGal read, this extract lasts up to 6 months)

you can leave the wakame in the shochu/white liquor

3. Add 1 or 2 Tablespoons of wakame extract to the 50g salt

mix well, then it's ready to use

You can use this scrub in the shower or bath.

If you're really serious about getting rid of cellulite or improving your general health, I have some other advice as well:

Make some changes to your diet (zero hydrogenated oils/trans-fats)
Do a de-tox

(I recommend The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs)

Dry brush before every shower/bath. Here's how.

Good luck and let me know what you think.

One Less Piece of Plastic To Throw Away

2006-09-07T17:16:00.001+09:00

I classify cotton swabs as an essential part of my toiletries kit.

While I'd rather not have to buy something which is only meant to be used once, I've never gotten comfortable with using ear picks (耳かき mimi-kaki) ... and besides, they don't feel very comfortable in my ears. I know lots of people are really into them, but they're just not for me.

Okay, so I've established that I prefer cotton swabs to ear picks. Especially because my preference is for the disposable option, I really hate how cotton swabs are all packaged in more plastic than necessary here in Japan.

Johnson's Cotton Swabs are available in a cardboard box, but the box doesn't store efficiently and if you take the swabs out and put them in a different container, I always end up dropping some and that's pretty annoying, too.

It's a little thing, but I wanted to share with you all in Japan the one place where I feel my cotton swab purchases create less waste.

At the Muji store, they sell cotton swabs packaged in the usual plastic package: I've tried to find other uses for these plastic containers, but I'd rather just not have them at all.

Once you have one plastic or alternative swab container, I just don't understand why anyone would need a fresh container for their fresh swabs.

So thankfully, Muji also sells replacement packages which use only a small piece of cardboard that I can put out on paper recycling day and altogether far less plastic.

And here it is: a package of cotton swabs that's just a little bit less wasteful.

What happens to the bikes?

2006-09-05T10:20:00.001+09:00

Does anyone know what happens to the bikes that get towed in Hiroshima?

I know that they get taken to either over near Alpark or (if towed from the Station area) near the station.

But it seems like there are tons of bikes that no one ever goes to pick up. What happens to those? Are they sold off here in Hiroshima or do they get shipped off to some other Asian country?

I'd love to know more.

PVC isn't something you want in your house

2006-08-24T16:15:00.000+09:00

I know that I've never liked the smell of PVC. We had been thinking about getting an airbed for guests, but I was a little worried about the PVC smell, so I did some looking around for some information. I found this PDF about PVC, the Poison Plastic.

All these book still being given away / For Sale For Cheap!

2006-08-20T03:17:00.000+09:00

What I thought would work out ... didn't.

So, here I am again telling you that all of the books/copies you can read about in previous posts are still available as of today!

If you're interested, you can email me via my profile.

peace,
flo

Would you like this printer?

2006-07-20T14:58:00.000+09:00

It's a Canon BJ F870.

It's a great all-around printer.

It does a good, fast job with pictures and is great for printing documents.

It's served me well!

It can be yours for just 5,000 yen!

magazine swap

2006-06-24T23:59:00.000+09:00

is there anyone in the hiroshima area reading this who wants to do a magazine swap?

i love magazines and don't regard them as trash once i've read them. so that means that i've got a ton of magazines that i don't want thrown away.

anyone interested?

Garment Bag for FREE!

2006-06-18T20:23:00.000+09:00

Jordache, yes, you read that right! Jordache!

tapestry-style garment bag in pretty beat-up condition is yours for free if you want it.

bought it a thrift store to bring back some last-minute clothes shopping on a U.S. trip, but no longer need it.

you can use it to store clothes or for a one-way trip back home.

I'll post a picture soon.

It's still perfectly functional, it's just seen better days. And the way recycling works here, the recycling center won't take luggage and I'm hoping it'll find a home, at least one more time, before it's finally laid to rest.

skype

2006-06-18T17:24:00.000+09:00

If you haven't already done it, I recommend that you download skype.

If you and your friends have it, you can talk for free for hours and hours using your computers.

My mac has a built-in microphone, and just using regular walkman-style headphones, I've had great trouble-free connections with friends abroad.

If you are a friend of mine abroad and you haven't done it yet, please download it pronto!

Although I had no problems with noise or feedbackthe first few times that I skyped, using both my built-in mike and speakers -- I did find that to be an issue later, so switched to using the headphones.

Japanese Textbooks all gone already!!

2006-05-18T16:15:00.000+09:00

Thanks to everyone who has written me wanting to get the Japanese texts.
However, they're all going/gone soon to one happy home.
I'll be posting about some random/old computer stuff in a week or so, just so you know.
There will be an old Dell laptop (Windows 95), 2 printers, a scanner and maybe more.

Teach Yourself Japanese

2006-05-14T20:10:00.000+09:00

And you can't beat it for 200 yen!

This text is all in English and Romaji (romanized Japanese), so it's a good start for those who are a little hesitant about diving into an all-Japanese text.

Let me know if you'd like it with a comment or email.

24 Exciting and Challenging Units!

2006-05-14T20:03:00.000+09:00

Have you been studying some beginning Japanese and just want a workbook for some reinforcement?

This one from Berlitz could do the trick.

It's got a little writing in it -- yours for free if you want it.

All fired up about writing in Japanese?

2006-05-14T19:44:00.000+09:00

Okay, so while you're getting a bunch of free stuff from me to learn how to write Japanese, please take these, too!

The first one is a blank diary notebook. It makes for good self-motivated homework.

There's space for 3 entries per page, so you can just write a little each time and then give it to your Japanese teacher or language-exchange partner to check over for you.

The second notebook is just blank squares for writing the kanji you're trying to learn over and over again!

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Tell me you want them and they're yours for FREE!

Hiragana & Katakana Book + Photocopies

2006-05-14T19:36:00.000+09:00

FREE FREE FREE!!

Practice your hiragana and katakana.

The book has been about half-used (?), but the photocopies are clean.
Let me know if you want them.

Write Katakana

2006-05-14T19:15:00.000+09:00

Katakana is one of the keys to making life in Japan easy.

One gets tired of pointing and waiting for other people to translate for you.
Getting comfortable with Katakana is the surest way to making your day-to-day reading life (read: restaurant menus) in Japan less of a pain.

This one is mostly written in so it's free for you!

Just let me know you want it. (email or comment)

Let's Learn Hiragana!

2006-05-14T18:21:00.000+09:00

Who can say no to such a cheerful title?

Sorry about the blurry inside shot, don't know what happened there.

This one has been written in a little.

200 yen and it's yours if you let me know you want it.

Introduction to Kana

2006-05-14T18:13:00.000+09:00

Very simple, easy book of exercises to learn how to write the Japanese "alphabet".

Learn a lot of vocabulary along the way.

Yours for 200 yen if you leave a comment or email me and let me know you want it.

Just getting started with Japanese?

2006-05-14T18:07:00.000+09:00

This is a Level 4 Test book. Yours for 200 yen if you email me and let me know you want it!

Excellent basic textbook

2006-05-14T18:01:00.000+09:00

This is an excellent classic.
It's slim profile won't intimidate and everything is in Romaji so you can ease your way into reading without too much confusion. 500 yen and it's yours. Email me.

Minna no Nihongo: Text & Workbook Set

2006-05-14T17:18:00.001+09:00

This is a very good textbook with an accompanying workbook.

They are totally unmarked and like new.
All exercises include Kanji (with Furigana readings) from the outset, so you can really get in the right frame of mind for immersing yourself in Japanese.

The set is just 1000 yen.

Yours for the asking (leave a comment).

Bilingual Information on Processed Foods in Japan

2006-05-14T17:13:00.001+09:00

These are photocopies of an old Nihongo Journal article on processed foods in Japan.
There are a lot of vocabulary words that you'll find very useful if you're interested in label reading and healthy eating in Japan.
Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.

Level 3 Kanji Study

2006-05-14T17:08:00.000+09:00

Writing practice reinforces body-memory of Kanji.
Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.

Not ready for Level 2? Try these Level 3 Tests!

2006-05-14T17:05:00.000+09:00

These old Level 3 tests can be yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.
They're more marked up than any of the other copies I've posted (from back in the day when I studied more).

Level 2 Proficiency Tests

2006-05-14T17:00:00.000+09:00

Get ready for the real thing by taking these old tests.
Timing yourself and checking your ability to pace yourself is great prep and can be a much-needed reality check.
Yours for 500 yen if you leave me a comment.

Japanese Grammar Dictionary Photocopies

2006-05-14T16:57:00.000+09:00

These are from a great book that I have found very useful.
Use these copies to carry around and learn a little without carrying the whole book.
Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them!

Grammar Notes in Japanese/English & Reading Practice

2006-05-14T16:52:00.000+09:00

These are photocopies of Intermediate Japanese reading texts.
Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them!

Free Level 2 Grammar Photocopies

2006-05-14T16:48:00.000+09:00

Check your Level 2 Grammar with these photocopied exercises.
Really, yours for FREE if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.

Level 2 Review Quizzes (photocopies)

2006-05-14T16:44:00.000+09:00

Here's another collection of free photocopies.
They're end-of-unit review quizzes.
And they're all yours for FREE if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.

More YMCA photocopies (Intermediate Japanese)

2006-05-14T16:41:00.000+09:00

These are handouts created by my Japanese teacher at the YMCA in Hiroshima.
They cover Grammar, Vocabulary, Kanji, and Reading.
Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want them.

Level 2 Practice Copies (YMCA text)

2006-05-14T16:37:00.000+09:00

This is a collection of photocopies (for Level 2 Grammar, Vocabulary, Kanji, Reading) that I inherited from someone who had studied Japanese full-time at the YMCA. Yours for free if you leave me a comment and let me know you want it.

Level 2 Vocabulary & Grammar Drills

2006-05-14T16:27:00.000+09:00

Vocabulary & Grammar Drill book: photocopied (Level 2).
Yours for free if you leave a comment and let me know you want it!

Level 2 Grammar Text w/Practice Quizzes

2006-04-29T21:41:00.000+09:00

This is a great book.
Quiz yourself on grammar points guaranteed to appear on the Level 2 test.
Just 500 yen and it's yours.

Another Level 2 Practice Test Text (but in pink)!

2006-04-29T21:32:00.000+09:00

Here's another book full of practice questions.
Woo-hoo!
And it can be all yours for a mere 800 yen!

Level 2 Practice Questions Textbook + copies

2006-04-29T21:02:00.000+09:00

This book is full of practice questions from all parts of the test (kanji/vocab/reading/grammar/listening).
You can have it for 800 yen.
Leave a comment if you want it.

I've also got a bunch of photocopies from the book that I'll also give to you (study with friends!) if you get the book.

Level 2 Kanji & Vocab Photocopies

2006-04-29T18:16:00.000+09:00

So before I actually bought the books, I was working with photocopies provided by my Japanese teacher, Ms. Nakamoto. Sometimes it's nice to be able to carry a single photocopied page around with you instead of a whole book. If you get both the Japanese and English versions, I'll give you this set of annotated photocopies for free. Leave a comment if you're interested.

Level 2 Kanji & Vocab Study Texts in English

2006-04-29T18:06:00.000+09:00

This is the companion text to the text below. It's not a full English version of the text, it simply has the essentials in English to save you some time in getting a clue.

You can have this for 800 yen.
Post a comment if you want it.

Level 2 Kanji & Vocab Study Texts in Japanese

2006-04-29T17:52:00.000+09:00

This is an invaluable text to prepare for the Level 2 Japanese Proficiency Test.
Chapters are short and organized according to readings, providing you with enough (but not an overload) vocabulary.
It's also a good refresher text, so I've got mixed feelings as to whether I should hold on to it.

I'll let it go for 1,100 yen. Post a comment if you want it.

2006-04-25T02:41:00.000+09:00

This is an Intermediate reading textbook. Readings are accompanied by vocabulary and comprehension/grammar exercises. Its original price was 2,380 yen. You can have it for 800 yen.

Level 2 Listening Tapes & Book

2006-04-25T00:45:00.000+09:00

The book alone originally cost 2,200 yen and the additional tapes likely cost at least another 1,000 yen, but you can get them together now for 1,200 yen!!
The book is unmarked inside.

Japanese Language Textbooks For Sale

2006-04-23T05:44:00.000+09:00

I'm selling a bunch of textbooks for the prices listed.
Original prices can be seen in accompanying photos.
What you see here ranges from Beginning Japanese to Intermediate (2nd Level) Japanese.
If you really want to pass the Japanese Proficiency Test 日本語能力試験 this year, it's best to get started early!
Leave me a comment if you're interested in buying any of these very useful textbooks!

peace,
flo

Getting Started

2006-04-22T21:55:00.000+09:00

I can't believe this address wasn't already taken! yeah for me!