Origami is a Japanese paper-folding technique. My mom is an origami artist. She made a Santa Claus and a Christmas tree for you! “Beary” Merry Christmas to you all!
2013
Pétanque from France
My mom and I always say, “The human heart is universal.” It works as an international language all over the world. A sweet heart with a big smile can easily cross over any national borders. We also believe that sport can work as an international language on this earth.
May I start a gardening business?
Look! When my mom attended an international seminar in Thailand last December, she found something interesting at the venue. One section of the venue was set up as a garden, where she found rubber gloves and boots used as planters.
Embroideries from Around the World!
My mom used to enjoy making embroidery, but she rarely does nowadays because of her worsening eyesight. Instead of doing it herself, she enjoys collecting embroideries from all over the world. Let me share some with you today. All are “beary” beautiful!
November is my Birth Month!
Every year I “gain a year” in November because I found my mom around the Thanksgiving period in November 1996. My mom forgot the date she got me. So, unfortunately, I do not have a birthDAY. Instead, I only have a birthMONTH.
Employment Creation for Kenyan Women
Look at this bag! Isn’t it “beary” lovely? My mom says that when she goes out with this bag, almost all the people who see the bag ask her where she bought it. Guess where it is from.
Big Hugs for You!
One Japanese designer, Ms. Hiroko Samejima, who had stayed in Ethiopia through an international volunteer program, started a leather product business several years ago. She has a small office in Addis Ababa, and employs some Ethiopian staff. Quality sheep skin is available in Ethiopia. She designs leather products, such as bags, pouches, and cushions, and provides technical instructions for her Ethiopian staff.
Ethiopian New Year!
Look! My mom made a “New Year’s Tree” from Enset paper to celebrate the Ethiopian New Year! On the tree, you can see some coffee beans. These are also from Ethiopia. Mom and I think that coffee is the national symbol of Ethiopia. In the world, there are a lot of coffee-producing countries, but coffee originated in Ethiopia. Did you know that?
Be Empowered with Elephant Dung!
The other day, when my mom visited a paper-product showroom in Tokyo, she found some unique paper products. She was “beary” impressed by those products, and asked a shop clerk what they were made of. The shop clerk told my mom that they were all made of elephant dung. Ha? Elephant dung? Paper made from elephant dung? Can you believe that?
Let’s Change into Ninja!
On July 20 and 21, my mom participated in a study tour on regional development, and visited Iga and Nabari, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Both are known for Ninjas. My mom and the tour participants walked around in Iga and Nabari in Ninja clothes.
