2016-05-19 06:30 Something cold on my face!
Y (Kuma's owner)
Well, I cannot think of a good subject for my journal. Usually, the subject of my journal is a recent topic, but the meaning of this journal existence is for improving my writing skill, so I think it's O.K. to write about something I experienced long ago.
I am going to write about my most fearful experience. If you are the type of person who is easily frightened, please do not read this story, hehe.
It happened when I was 10 or 11 years old. I lived on the fourth floor of a building that has five-stories, near Tokyo, with my parents. My room was very small but I liked it because the view from the window was spectacular.
One day, I went to bed as usual. It was an ordinary night. I slept about a few hours, and woke up because something heavy was on my face! I remember that the outside was still dark, so maybe it was 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning.
I had a hamster when I was younger. One night he sneaked out of his plastic house and walked on my face. But he already died, it wasn't him. "What's this?" I caught it unintentionally. It was heavy and as cold as a dead body! Oh, no!
In movies, a heroine or hero screams at the critical moment. I think they are brave. I couldn't do it. I even couldn't scream.
That mysterious thing was still on my face and I grasped it. It was like a thick branch but soft. I moved my hand and touched it. It became gradually thicker. It bent on the way and I kept moving and touching by my right hand to find out what it was. And ... I touched my left shoulder! That mysterious thing was connected to my shoulder!
Yes, it was my left arm! I understood that my left hand was on my face!
I got up and made sure, yes it was mine! My left arm was numb. I was an untidy sleeper, I think my left arm was under my body and was paralyzed. That was why I couldn't feel anything when I was touching with my right hand. If I was left handed, I would have noticed quicker.
I was so relieved. It wasn't a dead body or zombie.
This is a true story that happened to me.
2016-04-30 02:08 Making miniatures
Y (Kuma's owner)
Did you like paper crafts when you were small? I did. It depends on the person, but to me the things I loved in childhood, I love well in adulthood.
I loved to play with blocks, and I still play with blocks named wooden puzzles. I liked collecting small things, and I like miniatures now.
When I was 15 years old, I made a miniature house to look the same as the house I had lived in. It was so fun to make a small house. I measured the length of the house I lived, and tried to make it as accurately as I possibly could. At that time, the house I made was not good at all. I was not good at making that kind of thing and also there were no good materials. Since then, I've been thinking that maybe I could make it more genuine.
One day, I suddenly wanted to make miniatures again. Not just small, something realistic. I looked around my room to see what I had. I had some fabric, thread and a sewing machine. Hmm, what can I make using these? Then the idea that came to mind was a miniature tote bag. I made some tote bags before, not miniatures, real bags for my use. The experience pushed me and I thought "Maybe I can make it."
I was particular about making them realistic, I didn't want to make miniatures that didn't have function like a real one. I saw some miniature bags on the internet, but some of them have pockets that just had a small, stitched rectangular fabric, it's an applique not a pocket.
Checking through the internet, I found dollhouses. There seems to be regulations, it's 1/12 scale. A twelfth part is really small. In conformity to the world wide regulation, I wanted to make 1/12 scale bags but I didn't think I could make a miniature bag that has the same function as a real bag. I couldn't change my convictions, so I decided to make bags of my favorite size. First I was thinking 1/10 size. It was still too small and changing the size little by little and decided to use 1/6 scale. This scale was the smallest size that is barely possible that I can make bags with usable function. Coincidentally, this size was just the right size for dolls.
I have started making miniature bags and have made a lot. All bags are made using the same method of making real bags. Please don't ask me why I made so many miniature bags. I just can say because it's fun.
Then what I'm thinking now is making miniature books. Yes, I'm going to make (I would like to use the word "publish" if I could) my own miniature books! And further step is, I think you already can guess, making a small bookshelf.
Having a big dream with less materials is very convenient, I only need to have a big box because they are all small.
2016-04-25 02:16 A happy lizard
Y (Kuma's owner)
I went to a zoo, Ipswich Nature Centre this weekend. It's a cozy place and good for a family with kids. There are indigenous species; Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Bilbies. Oops, I picked up only the animals that look pretty. I should not forget the other native animals from Australia, that are reptiles.
I don't know about other countries, but Japanese people would imagine pretty marsupials when they hear the word "Australia". Undoubtedly, marsupials are adorable.
Long ago when I went to Northern Territory, a tour guide said that Australia is famous as the country of marsupials, but actually there are many reptiles. And he added that if we talk too much about reptiles, nobody would come to Australia, so we put cute marsupials like Koalas on an advertisement.
I think that it is interesting that most people who even have a different culture or background don't think reptiles are pretty. I wonder is that because of their appearances?
Honestly, I prefer mammals and marsupials over reptiles, but I felt a bit differently this weekend. I thought a big lizard was pretty. Please take a look at the picture below. I saw a big lizard that was taking a nap leaning against the glass. I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't take a picture of him/her as well as I saw. The eyes looked happy and its mouth seemed to smile. How cute! I have never thought that a lizard is pretty.
It was a nice day seeing a happy lizard.
