Hello!イーオン日立校ブログをご覧下さりありがとうございます◎昨日は雪がちらついた日立市でしたが、今日は快晴ですね！今日はSarah先生のブログです(*^-^*)日立でたくさんの思い出があるみたいですよ。

Dear readers,

How are you this week? We've had some warmer weather recently, so I'm anticipating Spring! It'll be nice to put away my winter coats.

（今週はどうでしたか？最近は暖かい日もあって、冬のコートをやめるのに良さそうですね。）

This week, Steven-sensei came to our school! He's very new to Hitachi and has only been here a few days. As a result, I've been giving him some Hitachi tips. Talking about Hitachi with a new person has made me a little nostalgic, because of course I'll be leaving this town soon! So today, I thought I'd write a little bit about my Hitachi city memories, and the things I've enjoyed since moving here two years ago.

（今週はスティーブン先生が学校に来て、私は彼に日立のことについて話しました。それは私を少しノスタルジックな気持ちにさせました。なので今日は私が日立に来てからの2年間の思い出を少し話したいと思います。）

1. Parties at restaurants and izakayas

Hitachi may seem quiet during the daytime. However, as I'm sure you know, it's often lively at night with many groups having drinking parties. Over the years, I've had parties at some really nice places and eaten some great food! I'll never forget the first time I tried anko (angler fish) nabe - I was so surprised that I was eating such a scary fish! Hitachi has some really nice seafood.

（日立は昼間は静かだけど、夜はグループで飲み会をしている人たちをたくさん見ます。私は初めてアンコウ鍋にトライした日を忘れません！あんなに不気味な魚を食べるなんてびっくりしました。）

2. Lush, green springs

It might seem like a small thing, but I love it when Hitachi turns green in the spring! The green of the mountains and the rice fields surrounding the town cheer me up every day during this season. The land seems very healthy and happy. I like going to Kamine Mountain and admiring the green and blue of the land and the ocean together in the same landscape. I've also been lucky to enjoy picking fruits near here too!

（小さなことかも知れないけれど、私は日立が春になると緑色になるのが大好きです！山や田んぼが緑になるこの季節は私を元気づけてくれました。かみね山が好きで、緑と海の青が一つの景色に収まっているのも好きです。）

3. BBQs and fireworks on the beach

Actually, I don't often visit Hitachi's beaches. But when I do, I have a really nice time! I remember having a really nice barbeque on Ose beach, and drinking on the sand on a warm day. I also like the fireworks festival in the summertime! Eating takoyaki with the ocean wind in my hair was nice. I collected some pretty stones from Ose beach and I've been using them to decorate my apartment - I'll be sure to take them to Tokyo with me as a Hitachi souvenir.

（実は日立のビーチにはそんなにちょくちょく行かないです。でも行ったときはほんとに良い時間を過ごしました！大瀬ビーチですてきなバーベキューをして、暖かい日に砂浜でお酒を飲みました。花火大会ではたこ焼きを食べながら私の髪を海の風が通り抜けていくのも良かったです。砂浜で拾ったかわいい石を飾ったものを、日立のお土産として東京に持っていきたいと思います。）

4. Festivals

Hitachi really comes alive for festivals! I'm so surprised every time there's an event and I see so many people! In my two years here I've really enjoyed all the events in Hitachi city and the surrounding towns. Of course, the Sakura Festival is the highlight - it's always fantastic. The Sakura Marathon was my first time ever running in a proper race and the route was so nice! It was a great experience both times. However, I've also enjoyed other festivals like food festivals, and summer festivals. I've been to Ogitsu festival twice and that's always a fun affair with great music at the end.

（日立はお祭りのときになるとたくさんの人が集まるのでびっくりしました！桜祭りはもちろん、さくらマラソンのコースも良かったです。小木津祭りも最後にステキな音楽が聞けていつも楽しかったです。）

5. Community Spirit

Of course, the best thing about Hitachi is the people! Because this is a small city, it's quite common for me to see students and other friends or acquaintances when I go out on an ordinary weekend, or go to a festival. That gives me a really nice feeling of community spirit - it's completely different to Tokyo! I've enjoyed meeting students and friends around town and chatting together. I'll miss that when I move. Nevertheless, I'll do my best to engage in my new community!

（もちろん、日立の一番いいところは「人」です！小さな町なので、出かけると生徒さんや友達に会ったりして、それが私にはとても良いコミュニティ精神を感じました。これは東京とはまるで違うところです！引っ越したら寂しくなると思います。でも、新しいコミュニティで全力を尽くします！）

There are a lot of other good points about Hitachi that I haven't mentioned - these are just a few of my most memorable examples! I often hear people complain about Hitachi for various reasons (maybe the transport is inconvenient, or there aren't many things to do). However, I've had a very positive time here! Sometimes local residents take the city's good points for granted.

（私が触れなかった日立の良いところもたくさんあります。これはほんとに一例にすぎません！色んな理由で日立の文句を言うのをたまに聞きますが、私はここでとてもポジティブな時間を過ごしました！ときどき地元民はその町の良さを当たり前に受け取るのです。）

Thank you for reading about my Hitachi memories! There are still two weeks before I leave so maybe I can make even more memories before then.

（私の日立の思い出を聞いてくれてありがとう！まだあと2週間あるから、私は離れるまでにきっともっと思い出を作れると思います。）

Have a great week!

Best wishes,

Sarah