Underweight at birth 未熟児として生まれて

At birth I was underweight and I had to be in an incubator for several hours. My family was of course somewhat insecure but I am still alive today! As a child an eye specialist told me I might actually lose my eyesight. Also my legs were not properly straight. I was sick many times and had to stay at a childrens’ hospital. Kidneys, Gallbladder were weak, tendency of asthma, etc… Yes I felt quite weak and even declined to participate in school trips. At the age of 18, I started studying at a university away from home, living by myself. I chose Sakuyo Music University surrounded by nature, which was located back then in Tsuyama (Okayama prefecture) in the mountains. The school curriculum was really good, I studied music education and I touched upon many different subjects. I regained my health and even gained strength there. I am so grateful to that university and without that experience my present self would not exist in this form. I gathered strength and after that I came to Vienna to study classical singing. Then I could study opera, operetta and also have my opera stage debut, and also study with a great opera singer/teacher which as a teenager I listened to thousands of times on records and on the radio and who was my idol. As a child I could never imagine being able to accomplish those things. This is my own personal “miracle”. Through all of that I want to exclaim loudly that people change and those who have some kind of handicap like myself should always keep their heads up and continue living. I think I may be a good example.

I thank my mother for bringing me into this world. She was quite at an advanced age at my birth, maybe she thought that if people find out about this I could face troubles and therefore she did not want to talk about this. Therefore some bad people wanted to imagine she could not bear children and that I was adopted. I find that an evil and shameless lie towards my mother and myself. I will not forgive those people. One should never spread assumptions based on merely one’s own thoughts. I thank my mother and I want to cherish my life and I will continue this path with honesty.

Snow again im Vienna またウィーンに雪が降りました

Vienna received a surprise snow cover last night. Recently days were not extremely chilly and so I thought we could slowly transition to Spring but Winter not yet allowed it. Here I show you some pictures of Schmalzhoftempelpark in Vienna‘s 6th district. ウィーンは一夜のうちに銀世界となりました。あまり厳しくない寒さの日々が続いていたので、このまま春に移ってゆくのかと思っていましたが、冬はそれを許しませんでした。ウィーン6区のシュマルツホーフテンペル公園の写真を載せます。

Pictures by Yuka Simeno, February 20, 2026 in Vienna.

Carnival in Northern Italy 北イタリアのカーニヴァル

My husband and I again went to Northern Italy to continue our classical vocal studies. By chance we could experience carnival there. People from different regions were parading around in their costumes. 夫と私は、レッスンを受けるために、再び北イタリアの声楽の先生を訪ねていました。丁度、カーニヴァルのお祭りをやっていたので、それも体験することができました。いろんな地域からたくさんの人々がパレードに参加していました。

Carnival king and queen
 カーニヴァルの王様と女王様
This is not Brazil but Europe in Winter (about 5 degrees Celsius). Wearing those costumes for many hours and always smiling. Respect!! ここはブラジルではなく、ヨーロッパ、真冬です。5度ぐらいしかない気温の中、この格好で長時間街を踊りながら練り歩く彼女たち。尊敬します!!
Even some spectators wore costumes 思い思いの衣装を身につけた見物の人々もいました。
Town Hall 市庁舎
Various food vendors were present. This one sold typical carnival sweets. In Austria they are called „Krapfen“. 屋台もたくさんでていました。これはカーニヴァルの時期によく食べられるドーナツのようなお菓子。オーストリアでは「クラプフェン」と呼ばれています。
One part of the town was converted into an ice skating rink. 街の一角はアイススケート場になってました

Pictures by Yuka Simeno, February 7 and 8 in Italy.

Goodybe, Christmas trees さよならクリスマスツリー

Christmas tree collecting area in Schmalzhoftempelpark シュマルツホーフテンペル公園のクリスマスツリー収集所

Beautiful Christmas time is over. After January 6th, many people return their Christmas trees to specified collecting areas. Those trees will be recycled in various ways.

楽しいクリスマスの時が終わりました。1月6日以後、たくさんの人々はクリスマスツリーを特設の収集所に持って行きます。集められたクリスマスツリーは、いろんな形でリサイクルされるそうです。

Picture by Yuka Simeno, January 2026 in Vienna

One location for selling Christmas trees in Vienna ウィーンのクリスマスツリー売り場

Selling Christmas trees in Schmalzhoftempelpark. In Vienna there are several locations for selling Christmas trees such as seen here at the park, in front of churches, etc. Where can you buy Christmas trees in your city?

シュマルツホーフテンペル公園のクリスマスツリー売り場です。ウィーンでは、このように公園の一角や教会前などでクリスマスツリーは売られています。皆様のところではどこで買えますか?

Pictures taken December 20th, 2025 in Vienna.