Hello folks, how are you?

I understand that sometimes having a conversation might be a little difficult, specially when we all start with the same old questions (I'm not criticing it as I do believe this is the best way to start a conversation and get to know each other). THe thing is, after the first conversation, when we already know each other, our likes and dislikes, our hobbys and so on.... the what's left? For this reason I'd like to propose a different chat. Let's gather together to talk about different themes.. What do you think about the end of the world in 2012? Is it scientific proved that if the yellowstone volcano erupts its ashes will cover the entire atmosphere and we will all die? How do you use your facebook to grown in knowledge and culture? 

Let's do different.. Together let's try to learn new things and also have the chance to improve our foreign language. Togther we can do it.

Remember, we are here to share. That means help and been helped. If you are interested, either in one on one conversations or conferences, please add me to skype. The more friends we gather the better it will be. But remember, we are here to help and being helped. If you are not willing to speak in your native language too, don't bother joining us.

Thanks

Fernando

SKYPE: fernandof1984

We write 頭 and 顔 for the meanings of head and face, respectively. The common component for the two is the right one 頁, which originally comes from a human head. Today I'll introduce these two characters.

(1) 頭 (atama, head)

This Kanji character means a head or a certain top for many things. We sometimes say "Toubu (頭部)" for the meaning of a head region. Or, "Sentou (先頭)" represents a lead in a procession or competition.

How was this character was born? Take a look at the attached picture. The left part is from a serving dish whose foot is thin and long, but the head is relatively big.

The second part on the right is from a human head and face.

Thus, the human head lies, like the thin and long dish, on the top of a human body. That's how it was created.

In addition, the component "頁" is named Ogai in the language, partly because the Kanji 貝 (Kai, shell) is used on it. A few people might write Ogai like 大貝 (big and shell), or others will spell it in Hiragana syllables, おおがい. When this particular part is used, the outcome means a condition or name related to a human head.  

For your information, the left part itself reads Mame (豆), a symbol for beans.

(2) 顔 (kao, face)

The next character associates with a human face in many cases.

How it was generated is a person who preens oneself. On the left part, it comes from a person who smiles, wearing a fancy clothes.  Dressed well, they get their makeups or put drawings on their faces or foreheads when they come of age.

Those cosmetics come up with the character 顔 (face). Here as well, the Ogai component is used because it relates to a human head.

Did you tell the difference between the two characters? One is the bigheaded, and the other is the fashionista.

Puoi partecipare qualsiasi la tua nazionalità o lingua madre. Sarebbe bene che tu sia già in grado di comunicare in italiano. Sky genzano33.

Japan is one of the worst in-debt among major industrial countries. I have always raised questions why my country Japan is so calm despite the huge debt.

One newspaper I read mentioned the question, so I take a note for the record. 

According to the August 12 issue of Shukan-ST, which is newspaper for English learners, our current national debt is about twice the size of GDP of the country. That huge amount is one of the worst in industrial countries. At least, in terms of per capita, we're worse than the U.S. or Greece of which has held a debt problem I watched through media.

We're so in debt. From a newborn baby to a centenarian grandma, our debt is like, "Every person owes about twice the annual income to someone else."  If it were in the case of household, we have to pay back a loan on time, without delay.

However, why we don't raise concerns about the snowballing debt? The article said, "Because the government bond and other loans in local municipalities are purchased by their own people."  With a stable supply, most bonds are consumed domestically. In fact, I have occasionally seen advertisements on TV about the government bond before it's to be issued. In my view, the bond looks similar to a deposit in the bank, because both methods appear the same in respect to an interest we get. And as a matter of fact, it's possible to buy the bond even with a small sum of money. Also, almost all banking institutions sell the financial product. For some people, buying a bond might be equivalent to placing money in the bank. In addition, Japanese people have a lot of savings. Their rate of saving is higher than that of other nations.