"I can not speak English..."

That's what Toshide Maskawa, of Kyoto University, told the audience at Nobel Lectures in Stockholm yesterday before he gave his speech in Japanese. This is the first time a speech has been given there in Japanese since 1968. Speeches are rarely given in any language except for English. Maskawa was an exception. But, he is an interesting man, and I read in the newspaper that he also said "I hope my I can't speak English fad doesn't rub off on the younger kids all over Japan. In fact, there is nothing more valuable than being able to speak English..."

This is an article about the events in Stockholm:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/nn20081209a2.html

Now, I want to change the subject and talk about calendars. Do you have a calendar in your house? work-place? Do you write on the calendar? And one more thing...in America we say that the week begins on Sunday. But I feel(believe) that the week begins on Monday!! In my mind, Monday is the beginning of every week, and Sunday is the end of every week. What do you think?

Below is a picture from Mr. A's school campus in Australia.