Thanks, 2020 and Goodbye, 2020!

Today is the final day of the year 2020. Tons of things happened this year, such as the coronavirus pandemic, which is the topic that I have been fed up with talking about.

I would like to state something positive on new year's eve.

1. My apps are listed on the Japanese College of Cardiology (Click here for the apps)
2. Junko keeps supporting her family without complaints (and being attractive to me)
3. Yuto turns 20 years and can drink with me although he rarely tries
4. Aya has gotten great points in high school and becomes the No.1
5. Kosuke is super active, talkative, and hilarious like a comedian

I am not going to make any wishes for the coming year since my current condition could not be better. If forced to answer, my new year resolution might be a next year which is the same as in previous years.

Japan Series 2020

I do not think that I am a big fan of baseball although I do not think I hate it. Nevertheless, I watched the Japan series in a row for the first time in my life. This was because my elder son, Yuto, was really into the final series.

The Softbank Hawks got the Japan title. As a matter of fact, their victory was almost expected, but I was surprised at the way that they won. The Yomiuri Giants were miserably defeated without winning only one game, as seen in the previous year.

I have never thought that there was a huge difference in the baseball between the Pacific League and the Central League. The best members selected from the whole Central League might not fight well against the Softbank Hawks.

CiaoItalia 2020

All of a sudden, my son, Yuto, asked me to take him to CiaoItalia 2020 a day before the event. I have never heard of it and did not know about it, but I promised him since it was quite rare for him to ask me something.

Next day, my two sons and I left home before 6:30 AM and arrived at Central circuit in Hyogo prefecture. We were so surprised to see lots of Ferrari in the parking lots.

Rare models such as Ferrari F40, FXXK, and SP2 were in the pit garage, which made us excited. What's more, we could real feelings of F2003-GA rushing close to us, as shown in the video below.

I have been a big fan of F1 and this event is one of the best moments that I have ever experienced regarding cars. Thaks, Yuto.

This event reminds me of my good old day when my Dad took us to a supercar event in Osaka when my brother and I were in elementary school. I hope that my two sons would remember today's event when they get older.

Second Festival Hall

My wife and I went to Festival Hall in Osaka to celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary. Hakase's performance on the violin was amazing and we had a really fun time together.

This reminds me that we came to the hall to watch K-BALLET COMPANY for a date almost 25 years ago when I was in medical school and she was a college student.

This is my second time coming here. During the 25 years, lots of things have happened, e.g., we got married and have three kids.

It couldn't be better. I owe all to everyone and everhything. I know I have to keep doing something better for society in return. I am sure that I will.

More beautiful than ever

Aya and I continue to go on a short trip every weekend during the mid of the pandemic.

Last week, we visited the west area of Lake Biwa in Shiga prefecture. On the way there, the traffic was congested, so we almost gave up and changed our destination from Shiga to Kyoto. We managed to get there although it took more than two hours.

We were so amazed to see the scene of Metasequoia in Takashima district, which was beyond the description, as you can see below.

This may be by far the most beautiful scene that I have ever seen - a perfect combination of blue sky, white clouds, and fresh green trees. For me, besides, not to mention Aya. She has really grown up to a wonderful lady.

What's more, the condition was so comfortable under the giant trees despite the harsh condition outsides, sizzling hot and humid, which is typical in the summer of Japan.

P.S.
We had ell bowls at an exclusive restaurant, Nishitomo. They were also one of the most delicious ells that I have ever eaten.

During the 2nd wave of COVID-19

We are in the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Especially, Osaka is one of the epicenters of the outbreak in Japan.

We should be careful to avoid spreading the disease, but I do not think that we keep staying home on weekends. With caution, such as social distancing and wearing masks, Aya and I have actively enjoyed short trips to Amanohasidate, Izushi city, and Hemeji castle.

To our surprise, all the three sightseeing spots were not crowded at all, making our visits safer in terms of getting infected.

Given that my daughter is a teenager, who in general want to be independent of their parents, I am super lucky to have a fun time with her every weekend. She always falls asleep on the way home, but I cannot complain.

I am so excited to think about our next destination!

Educational free games

During the COVID-19 outbreak, all conferences and meetings had been suspended for almost two months in the hospital that I worked for.

Thus, I have released four educational free games for resident doctors. These games are useful in self learning in terms of electrocardiography, blood gas analysis, Gram staining, and cardiac auscultation.

The process to develop the games was not easy, especially about writing code in java script, but I think that I did a good job. I have improved my programming skills.

I would be very honored if these games could motivate young medical professionals to master the essential elements of internal medicine.

Play and have fun!

To my surprise

My younger son and I went to the mall after the end of the state of emergency in my area. We were surprised to see the mall renewed.

We tried a game called UFO-CATCHER, in which you can get an item at a cost of 1 or 2 dollars if you can luckily catch the item that the facial price is way much higher than the play fee and successfully drop it in the exit by operating a crane.

I do not think that I am great at UFO-CATCHER, but I was successful on getting items three times in a row. The items were something I wanted to give to my wife, daughter, and my son next to me. This is my first time to catch items like this time without failure. My son and I were so excited although he failed UFO-CATCHER several times.

We got back home after having lunch for the first time in weeks (We had been under the state of emergency against the corona virus outbreak). We had a really fun time.

I really hope that the COVID-19 pandemic ends and will not recur again.

Rubik's Cubes

Japan's prime minister Abe declared a state of emergency last month. However, we cannot complain the inconvenience because Japan is not under lockdown or quarantine. We are allowed to go out with some caution, such as social distancing and wearing a mask.

It is how to spend during staying home that matters. My elder son, Yuto, and I bought Rubik's Cube and its variations to kill times. I do not think that this would be the best strategy, though.

I am really proud of solving all the 12 puzzles. Of course, some were too hard to solve without instructions which were easily found online.

We decided to get another set including four cubes. We are looking forward to trying them although it has been already overdue to the scheduled arrival date.

P.S.
I have been able to solve the standard one, 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube, since I was in elementary school.

Graduation ceremony at elementary school

My youngest son, Koba, graduated from elementary school this March.

During the ceremony, the students and attendants were required to wear a mask and keep a social distance in order to prevent the COVID-19 from spreading. However, after the graduation ceremony, some started taking off their masks just like before the the onset of the coronavirus endemic.

My wife and I are so happy to see my son chatting with his friends. This is my first time to see such a scene. I am very proud of you, Koba.

P.S.
This ceremony took place on March 18, 2020. The endemic has rapidly expanded, especially in European countries, followed by America, and become a pandemic with a skyrocketing number of the deceased from the virus infection. We are not under lockdown as of March 31, but seems to be scheduled. Super scared because nobody knows what would happen in Japan for the coming weeks and months.

COVID-19

The top priority here in Japan is to prevent the new corona virus, named COVID-19, from spreading. So, last Friday, Japan PM, Abe has declared that school would be closed from March 2 for the time being.

My three kids are happy because they do not have to go to school, which would keep my wife busier. As far as I am concerned, this condition is unlikely to make me busy as a doctor in a major hospital because almost all conferences and meetings are being cancelled.

At first, I thought the outbreak would end soon, but the outbreak is going worse all over the world. It seems like the COVID-19 is somehow different from SARS or MARS.

I am really looking forward to the day when I could say, "the worst is over and the end is yet to come."

Koba makes it.

The puzzle was very simple. All you had to do was to find the same dog as the sample shown in the left upper corner in the right picture.

The problem was there were tons of dogs resembling the sample dog that had a unique pattern in its tail. I thought that it would not take a while to find it when I started trying. However, I failed on that although I had made every endeavour over a period of one year.

To my big surprise, my elder son, 12 years of age, DID it within 10 minute. What an ability you have. Fantabulous, KOBA!

I won't forget that moment you told me in a calm tone, "Dad, Here is the dog."