dailyprompt
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Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
I answered this question last year. Humans are… – LILI EN FLORIDA If I choose another animal, a sloth. It is my favorite animal. Other bloggers answered so as well. I am a lazy person. But when I am working or assigned to do something, I become active. Sloths are usually slow, but when they… Read more
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Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.
When I moved with my family into our current home, we had a lot of work to do. My husband, his dad, and I cleaned, painted walls, and fixed holes. Kitchen Before After My husband and his dad worked to remodel the bathroom with independent contractors. Bathroom Before After I am not good at assembling… Read more
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What experiences in life helped you grow the most?
I answer this question and one more question, “How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?”. I am over 40 now. I have had many failures. The most influential experience is my academic failure and health issue in childhood. Most parents think that education is important. Particularly, Asian parents tend… Read more
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If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?
Retard I agree with the other blogger. I have never used this word. But one of the professors often used this word when I was an undergraduate student in America. The first day of class, he said, “My name is XX. I teach this class. I am retired, not retarded,” and laughed. What is so… Read more
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Who are your favorite people to be around?
My family and friends I met my future husband in Japan. At that time, I was a student coordinator, and he was an exchange student. When I was 22… There was a rule that student coordinators should not date exchange students. Because some students were underage. One day, he asked me to celebrate his birthday… Read more
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What is your favorite drink? 🍵
I like all types of tea. Of course, green tea is the best. I also enjoy drinking coffee. I usually order unsweet drinks in the restaurant. I remember that the employee’s reaction was funny. I went to the fast-food restaurant and asked for unsweetened iced tea. My order was unusual to her. She asked me,… Read more
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Write about your approach to budgeting.
Everyone has a different financial situation. I share my approach to budgeting here. I bought a house with my husband in 2016. The house was in as-is condition. We did minor repairs and painted a wall. We also hired contractors to remodel the bathroom. There is a rule. Housing expenses should not exceed 28% of… Read more
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Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
This video 🥰↓ Video by VIVI & LILI Jr. Today is my birthday. Last month, I taught them how to use Canva. Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone I didn’t know that they were making videos. The next Japanese lesson video is almost ready. 😉 Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?
If I had the power to change one law, it would be to allow dual *nationality (citizenship) in Japan. *Nationality in Japan and citizenship in the U.S. Although I have lived in America for 17 years, I am still a Japanese citizen and a U.S. permanent resident. There are some differences between U.S. citizens and… Read more
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If there was a biography about you, what would the title be?
I wrote a short story in Japanese when I was a college student. The title was My Feelings「心」. I described my struggle and desire. I want to read it again, but I lost the floppy disk I saved. The title of my autobiography would be My Life as a Daughter, Wife, and Mother「娘として、妻として、母として」. In 20… Read more
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You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
Of course, I will share with my family and other bloggers. I have good news. 😉 My cat had been missing for 2 weeks and came back on Sunday. He looked tired. And I got an early birthday gift. ↓ My birthday is coming soon. Pineapples take several years to mature. If this pineapple grows… Read more
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Write about your dream home.
What does your ideal home look like? – LILI EN FLORIDA I want to get another property that is small and surrounded by nature. I signed up for the akiya banku (空き家バンク), which is a database of abandoned and old houses in Japan. I have received real estate information by email. They are located in… Read more
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What’s your favorite candy?
When I was a kid, I liked Konpeitō (金平糖). It is a Japanese sugar candy. My favorite chocolate is Ferrero Rocher. Is chocolate considered candy? My husband said chocolate is candy, but I said chocolate is not candy. What do you think? Valentine’s Day is coming soon. 🥰 Photos by LILI & 写真AC @liliflorida… Read more
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What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
I am not afraid of insects, ghosts, snakes, thunder, and public speaking. As I get older, I have become more and more afraid of heights. When I was young, I liked riding the Ferris wheel and roller coasters. One of the articles stated that the organ of balance in the inner ear tends to deteriorate… Read more
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Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.
Spook Hill (3 hours) Video by YouTube Although I’ve been to Lake Wales a few times, I didn’t know. Spook Hill – Things To Do Lake Wales Dinosaur World (3.5 hours) Dinosaur World is a popular theme park. There are several locations in the U.S. One is located in Plant City. I am not so… Read more
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Write about your first computer.
Hi, I am back. How are you? I bought my first laptop around 2010. One day, I went to Office Depot. A new Lenovo laptop was $399. I immediately thought I should buy it. My current computer is a used Dell. Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What do you enjoy doing most in your leisure time?
I have very little time for myself. I have a job, and my youngest daughter is 2 years old. Saturday is family day. I spend time with my family. Sunday is a relaxing day. I usually wake up at 1 pm. After eating a late breakfast (or lunch), I write blogs and make short videos.… Read more
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If you could un-invent something, what would it be?
Disposable chopsticks: They are convenient but not good for the environment (and health). Fireworks: In Florida, fireworks are illegal except for Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. My father-in-law said to me that fireworks have caused air pollution and impacted wildlife. Although I am not a specialist, I read research papers. →… Read more
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What are your thoughts on the concept of living a very long life?
According to the data, Japanese people tend to live long. The life expectancy is 84.4. Even though my grandpa was a heavy smoker (smoked over 20 cigarettes per day), he lived to be 80. My grandma lived to be 76. They met at a young age and lived together for over 50 years. I am… Read more
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Come up with a crazy business idea.
I have some ideas… In Florida, I want to start an anime or maid café for kids. A long time ago, I visited a maid café in Japan. Waitresses dressed in costumes and served customers. So far, I don’t have any competitors here. I will add green tea and boba (bubble teas) to the menu.… Read more
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What snack would you eat right now?
I don’t like sweets, but sometimes I drink Boba. Two weeks ago, I bought a boba party kit. The kit was $15. If I ordered at an Asian café, I would pay $6 for each drink. There are three flavors. My favorite is matcha (green tea). Oh, wait… Is Boba a snack? 😅 Photos by… Read more
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What makes you feel nostalgic?
2024 is almost over. This year, I met my parents, friends, and teacher in Japan. I was happy to talk to them again. At the same time, I felt sad. I don’t know if my dad will remember me next time. He got tested for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease last week. We are waiting for… Read more
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If you started a sports team, what would the colors and mascot be?
Is karate a sport? 🤔 I don’t know. My kids like karate. The dojo mascot is a cat. My second daughter designed this using Paint 3D. ↓ 次女がデザインした🐈のロゴ① I added some colors. I tried my best. I prefer using only three colors (black, red, and white). 😅 We will think again when they become sensei.… Read more
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How are you creative?
I don’t think I am creative. But my eldest daughter said that I am creative. I like writing based on the facts. I remember I wrote a short story in Japanese when I was a college student. The title was My Feelings (心). I typed about 20 pages and saved them to a floppy disk.… Read more
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What was the last thing you did for play or fun? – Cuban Dominoes
A long time ago, my father-in-law taught me how to play dominoes. I played with my kids on Thanksgiving Day. Dominoes is a fun game. In South Florida, there is a park called Domino Park. Máximo Gómez Park (Domino Park) ：1444 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 The park is located in the Cuban community. Local residents… Read more
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What skills or lessons have you learned since last year?
I slightly changed the question. I already answered the original question last year. What skills or lessons have you learned recently? I have published 495 blog posts since last year. Well, I deleted some, and each blog is not long enough…😅 I think I have mastered blogging. Next, I want to post video content. I was… Read more
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Have you ever performed on stage or given a speech? – YES!
I don’t know how many times I played the piano on stage. The music school hosted piano concerts every year. I think the last performance was Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. My first speech was at 17, when I studied in Roi-Et, Thailand. Where is Roi-Et? As an exchange student, I gave a short speech in front… Read more
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What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?
The positive event could be my blog. 😊 I have my website now, so I can do whatever I want. The next goal is Kaizen. My second daughter’s artwork ↓ She copied Hiragana. ✖ Who star is this? 〇 Whose star is this? ✖ Where my star? 〇 Where is my star? I edited it… Read more
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Spain 🛫🧳🌞
Over 20 years ago, I studied at the University of Alicante, which was one of the partner institutions. This was my first time to visit Spain. The journey started through the troubles. I flew to Frankfurt airport from Japan, and I arrived at the second destination, Madrid. Madrid International Airport is large. To transfer to… Read more
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What are your two favorite things to wear? Jeans & Sunglasses 👖😎
I am a minimalist. I haven’t bought new clothes recently. I like comfortable fashion. I wear a T-shirt and jeans every day. Florida is known as the sunshine state. To protect my eyes, I prefer wearing sunglasses or transition (photochromic lens) glasses. 😎 Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What technology would you be better off without, why? Social media & Dishwasher 📱🔌
Compared to 20 years ago, social media has evolved. My first social media platform was Myspace. One day, my account was hacked…😱 Facebook became popular around 2008. To stay connected with Japanese friends, I opened my account in 2009, and I still have it. But I have not posted since 2016. Machines are also considered… Read more
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If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time?
I already learned blogging and basic web design skills. Next year, I want to create educational content and animated videos. A few years ago, I created 20 Japanese lessons (for English speakers) with other specialists in six months. The job was not easy. AI is faster and easier, but I want to work alone (or… Read more
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What’s the first impression you want to give people?
Other bloggers already answered this question. Of course, I want to give a good first impression. I am a friendly, polite, and honest person. But someone said that you should not judge people only by their first impressions. In my opinion, we have limited time to get to know each other. Not only that, first… Read more
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What are your family’s top 3 favorite meals?
➀ Sushi Of course, sushi is the best. My dad was a sushi chef. ➁ Arroz Moro (Cuban Black Beans and Rice) My husband and his parents moved to America in the 1990s. Every year, we eat the traditional family meals on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Cubans like pork, but my husband likes fish more.… Read more
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What is your favorite place to go in your city?
I don’t have my favorite place in my current city, but I like visiting Cuban communities. There are several Cuban communities in South Florida. The large communities are Hialeah and Little Havana. Approximately over 93% of Hialeah residents speak Spanish. My husband is Cuban, and I also speak Spanish. Both English and Spanish are important… Read more
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If you could meet a historical figure, who would it be and why? – Marie Tussaud
I visited Madame Tussaud’s wax museums in London, downtown DC (currently closed), and Orlando. I want to meet the founder. Do you know her? She was a French artist in the 19th century. I am sorry for the low-quality photos. 🙏 Madame Tussauds™ Attractions – Official Photos by LILI @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What’s your favorite month of the year? Why? – August 😎
My parents’ birthdays are in August. My grandpa passed away on my mom’s (his daughter’s) birthday. In Japan, Obon is celebrated in August. It is a traditional festival, and Japanese people honor the spirits of their ancestors. During this time, many people visit graves and clean Buddhist altars. Obon (lantern) Festival in Morikami Museum ↓… Read more
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Beach or mountains? Which do you prefer? Why? – Beach 🏖️
I like nature. I don’t have a preference. I chose the beach because I currently live in Florida. I read an article about the relationship between personality and geography. According to the research (2015), extroverts prefer the beach, and introverts prefer mountains. My personality type is INTJ. What’s the trait you value most about yourself?… Read more
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What book are you reading right now? I am reading articles and blogs…😊
I read a lot of books when I was a graduate student. I studied in the nonprofit management program before I entered the foreign language education program. Later, I transferred to another graduate school. My graduate advisor (an American professor) had teaching experience in Japan. He knew somewhat about Japanese, so I was allowed to… Read more
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What part of your routine do you always try to skip if you can? -👕👖🧦
I don’t wash clothes. The washing machine does wash dirty clothes, though. 😂 I don’t like folding clothes either. I think I can skip laundry. What do you think? Compared to sleep deprivation and skipping meals, no one will die. I have had sleep disorders in the past. In 2018, I was diagnosed with gestational… Read more
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Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met? I have met…
I have met several famous people in Japan and America. For example… ➀ Robert Kiyosaki He is a businessman and author of Rich Dad Poor Dad. I attended his seminar in 2008. ➁ Carlos PenaVega I think I met him in 2008. I went to the arcade with my husband in Florida. I was playing with… Read more
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What podcasts are you listening to? Sometimes…👂🎧
Sometimes I listen to podcasts. I like my children’s karate teacher’s channel (English). She knows Japanese history and culture well. In past episodes, she talked about Bushido, Ninja, and Kurosawa films. My children don’t speak Japanese, but they are interested in Japanese culture. Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found (and kept)?
Vintage items are generally 20 years old or older. But some items are at least 50 years old. Antique items are generally 100 years old or older. ➀ Old wallet This wallet is definitely old. Maybe more than 50 years old… ➁ Kero Kero Keroppi I used this wallet 35 years ago. ➂ Roberta di… Read more
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Do you need time? – YES!
Recently, I read an article. According to scientists, the earth’s rotation is changing speed. That means one day will not be 24 hours long. If I had an extra hour, I would sleep or do meditation. Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What was your favorite subject in school?
Hello, Until 10th grade, I was good at math. After that, my favorite subject was English. I also liked history class. I don’t have advanced-level math skills, but calculation is useful every day. For example, how much is a 20% discount on a $25 item and a 25% discount on a $30 item? Which is… Read more
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Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car). – Honda CMX250C🏍️
I am a minimalist. The other blogger posted the same answer. The most expensive item is my motorcycle. A long time ago, I bought a used motorcycle (after I got a Florida motorcycle license). The price was about $2000. Someday, I want to buy a new one. The second expensive item is my digital piano. The… Read more
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What are your favorite websites?
I like Quora, Reddit, Tumblr, YouTube, Bilibili (哔哩哔哩), and Yahoo Finance. I used to be an active Facebook user. I stopped posting in 2016. I still have my account. Bilibili is a Chinese video-sharing website. I don’t speak Chinese, but I can read Kanji (Chinese letters in Japanese). Every day I check stock prices on… Read more
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Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.
➀ Cat Paw Day Paw Day is May 20. I am a cat lover.😊 ➁ World Kaomoji Day Happy: (^∇^), (ᵔ◡ᵔ), („• ᴗ •„), (˶′◡′˶) Sad/Upset: (´口`), (￣口￣), (_ _;), ( ꒪꒫꒪ ) World Emoji Day is July 17. → 📅 World Emoji Day ➂ Gudetama (lazy egg) day Gudetama’s birthday is every day. 🤣🤣🤣 A few… Read more
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What will your life be like in three years? I don’t know…
I want to return to my hometown as soon as possible. As an only child, I should follow my family tradition. I promised with my grandpa. He said to me, “You are the first grandchild. Don’t forget that you have family in Japan.” He passed away on my mom’s (his daughter’s) birthday. I don’t know… Read more
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Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live? – No 😅
I live now. I don’t want to go back to the past. I have done everything I wanted to do until now. I might be selfish. But my life is mine. If I say one thing, I would like to stay young. Since last week, I have had back pain. I need exercise. 😅 Photo… Read more
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What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
I am a mom of 4, so I spend time with my kids every day. Kids are innocent and curious. I want to be a kid at heart. Adults think too much…😅 This is my son’s drawing. ↓ I thought an alien (minion) has legs and tries to catch something. He said that the pencil is… Read more
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You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for? 🌟
➀ Be creative I am a realist and straightforward person. Can I be more creative? ➁ To see my grandparents again My grandma passed away in 2004 and grandpa passed away in 2008. I am not a spiritual person. But I was able to communicate with my grandpa at the last moment. He was in… Read more
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Describe a family member. 🐈
↑ When I found her ↓ Now In 2020, I found 3 kittens in a small space on the roof. I climbed up on the roof and brought them inside. A few months later, one of three died by accident. Eight months later, one of the two gave birth. They are part of my family.… Read more
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What major historical events do you remember?
Are you superstitious? I’m not superstitious. But some numbers are considered unlucky. For example, #4 (shi means death in Japanese), #9 (ku means suffering in Japanese), and #13 (unlucky in many countries). What about #11 (the 11th)? What happened in the world? December 11, 1941: United States declaration of war on Germany December 11, 1994: First Chechen War September 11, 2000: Tōkai Heavy Rain November… Read more
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How much would you pay to go to the moon? – I don’t want to go to the moon…🎑😅
In East Asia, many people believe that the rabbit is associated with the moon. In Japanese folklore, a rabbit lives on the moon and pounds rice cakes (mochi). Myth or Fact? I don’t want to know the truth…🐇😅 Photo by Pixabay @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What’s something most people don’t know about you? – My personality…
My friends who know me in person said to me, “You have two faces. You looked like a cold person, but you are actually funny!”. I am not shy. But I couldn’t say my opinion when I was a kid. In my 20s, fashion was one of the ways to express myself. Although my appearance… Read more
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Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive? – I feel rested…
I feel rested. If I were young, I would probably feel unproductive. I have been busy every day. So, I need a break. Lazy days are essential for reducing stress. I want to live so long… Photo by イラストAC @liliflorida on Tumblr Read more
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What could you try for the first time? – Cocktail Onion 🧅
I am a pescatarian/pesco vegetarian. I eat almost all foods except for meat. Have you ever tried cocktail onions? I tried capers. I don’t know how to say…😅 Do you know Natto? It is a Japanese food made from fermented soybeans. I can’t eat.🤣 I like Kimchi. Kimchi is a Korean side dish. It is… Read more
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When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?👘
In Japan, the age of adulthood was 20 years old. After 2022, it was lowered from 20 to 18 years old. Coming of Age Day (成人の日) is a public holiday, and an official ceremony is held every January. I attended this ceremony before I turned 20 because my birthday is in February. I didn’t feel… Read more
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Who are your favorite artists? Frida Kahlo・Salvador Dalí・Romero Britto 🖼️
I like art. My great-grandfather (grandmother’s father) was a western-style painter in Japan. He was somewhat famous in Mie prefecture. One of his works ↓ Honestly, I don’t remember him well. He had lived with another family for a long time. He had three other daughters with different wives. I learned to paint when I… Read more