12 years ago...I was in University and I knew practially nothing about Japan, let enough Osaka. In 1995, January 17th, 12 years ago today, there was a terrible earthquake in Kobe. Over my years in Japan, I have heard many people talk about this earthquake and their experience this day and how it affected them...MAny people died and suffered terrible losses on that day. That earthquake changed many people`s lives...Today in the newspaper there are many articles related to this event, and on t.v. today I am sure that there will be many specials on it. Do you remember your experience on this day 12 years ago...?

Going back to the New Year`s topic, one of my students, Ms. M, dfressed up her dog in a kimono and took him/her? to shrine with her family for the "first prayer" of the year!! This picture really makes me smile!