April 30, 2026
We recorded my favorite song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" with the accompaniment of Kate (piano) and Dave (guitar). The song was a #1 hit in April 1972 sung by Roberta Flack. I used to sing this song with my guitar while I was working (only for a short period of time) as a lounge singer in the 1970's. So, this song is
very dear to me. You can find this song under "Yoko's Solo / Secular". Thanks for listening!
Also, during the Covid period, I composed a couple of piano music pieces. Being trapped in our house on and off for so many years, I truly needed
to escape from what was going around me during that time. The first song is called "Escape". I had never composed piano music before, but
my producer Demetrio did a wonderful job arranging and performing this piece. He is currently working on a second song of mine which is called
"Waiting for the Dawn". This song was composed hoping that the Covid nightmare would end.
私のお気に入りの曲「The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face」をケイト（ピアノ）とデイブ（ギター）と一緒に録音しました。この曲は1972年4月にロベルタ・フラックが歌い、#1ヒットとなりました。 1970年代、短い期間でしたが、ラウンジシンガーとして働いていた頃、ギターを弾きながらこの曲を歌っていました。ですからこの曲は 私にとって、とても大切な曲です。お聞きになりたい方は、Yoko's Solo / Secularの欄で見つけることができます。 よろしくお願いします。
また、コロナ禍の間にピアノ曲を２曲作曲しました。何年もの間、断続的に家に閉じ込められていた頃、周りで起きていたことから逃げたいという切ない気持ちを込めて作曲しました。最初の曲は「Escape」といいます。 私はピアノ曲を作曲したことが無いのですが、プロデューサーのデメトリオが、編曲と演奏をしてくださり、素晴らしく仕上げてくれました。彼は現在、私の2曲目「Waiting for the Dawn（夜明けを待ちつつ）」に取り組んでいます。この曲は、コロナ禍の悪夢が終わることを心から願って作曲されました。
March 24, 2026
The photos from Hungary (Part 1) are now uploaded. Please enjoy!!
On a side note: currently, due to maintenance of the Calgary water supply pipeline, Calgarians have been put on a water restriction alert.
This means that we are being limited to the amount of the water we can use (e.g. taking only 3 minutes shower) and/or doing one
laundry per week. This is the third time we are experiencing this type of restrictioin. It sure make us thankful about having water whenever we want.
It should be over very soon but apparently, the city will continue to have this restriction to upgrade all water pipes in Calgary.
We can hardly wait taking a longer shower. We never thought it would happen to us since we are living in the place where water is plentiful.
ハンガリーの写真(パート1)がアップロードされました。 どうぞお楽しみください!!
ちなみに、現在カルガリーの水道管のメンテナンスのため、市民に水制限警報が出されています。つまり、使える水の量(例えばシャワーを3分しか浴びられない)、そして
週に一度の洗濯が推薦されています。 このような制限が起きるのはこれで3回目です。 こんな経験をすると、いつでも水が手に入っていた過去にとても感謝の気持ちを覚えます。
もうすぐ終わるはずですが、どうやらカルガリー市はこの制限を継続し、カルガリーのすべての水道管のアップグレードを続けるようです。 もっと長いシャワーを浴びるのが待ちきれません。 水が豊富な場所に住んでいるので、こんなことが起こるとは夢にも思ってもみませんでした。皆さん、水を大切に。。。
February 12, 2026
We uploaded 5 songs played by Kate who has been playing piano for us for over 4 years. These beautiful songs include:
1. Breath of Heaven
2. O Danny Boy
3. Passagio
4. Pathetique Sonata
5. Sicilian
Enjoy!!
January 26, 2026
Finally, I uploaded the photos from 8 African places we visited . It sure was an interesting cruise in many ways.
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Walvis Bay, Namibia * Yoko's favorite
- Luanda, Angola
- Sao Tome, Sao Tome
- Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Dakar, Senegal
- Santa Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Island (Spain) *Phil's favorite
- Las Palmas, Grand Canary Island (Spain)
アフリカクルーズで訪れた８か所の写真を今朝全部掲載することができました。色々な面で興味深いクルーズでした。
- ケープタウン, 南アフリカ共和国
- ウォルスベイ, ナミビア国 * 洋子の推薦
- ルアンダ、アンゴラ国
- サオトメ、サオトメ国
- アビジャン, アイヴォリーコースト国
- ダカー, セネガル国
- サンタクルーズ, カナリア アイランド (スペイン国) *フィルの推薦
- ラスパルマス、グランド カナリア アイランド （スペイン国)
December 30, 2025
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. And have a blessed New Year!
As it is getting closer to completion of all the events (Christmas concert, masses for Christmas and New Year), I finally feel more relaxed.
On the morning of Christmas, I had the opportunity to sing "O Holy Night" just before the mass. I felt very good about how it turned out as
the whole choir joined me in singing the chorus. As for updating my website, I was able to upload more photos from Dakar, Africa without any problems.
Hope you enjoy them.
素晴らしいクリスマスを送られたことを願っています。来年もよろしくお願いします。
教会での多種の行事ももう少しで終わりが近づいてきて、やっとホッと一息しているところです。
久しぶりに ”O HOLY NIGHT ” を教会で精一杯歌うことができ、とても嬉しく思っています。
今日はあまり問題もなくアフリカのダカーの写真を掲載することができました。
December 1, 2025
Though I am still having difficulty accessing my website at times, I was able to upload the photos from Abidjan, Ivory Coast (African Cruise) today. Also, Chapter ２ of ”Severn Shades of Pain” in Japanese is uploaded.
まだウェブサイトにアクセスすることが難しい状態なのですが、アフリカクルーズの一部、アビジャン（アイヴォリーコースト）からの写真と、”七色の泪”（第二章）を掲載することができました。
October 10, 2025
With the help of my newphew (Tetsuya) and his daughter (Kaoru), I decided to translate "Seven Shades of Pain" into Japanese which means "Seven Shades of Tears". This story is about the lives of seven people who fought against discrimination in the US. Chapter 2 will lead to an unexpected story line which my husband and I are hoping that you will enjoy.
私の甥の哲哉君と彼の娘のかおるちゃんに手伝って貰い、私と主人の書いた物語 "Seven Shades of Pain" を日本語に訳し”七色の泪”というタイトルで掲載しました。これはアメリカに住む七人のキャラクターが多種の差別に戦って生きるという物語ですが、第二章からは予想以外の展開になります。楽しんでいただけると良いのですが。
September 20, 2025
I finally had access to my website (administration part), so I added the photos from Namibia which was the 2nd port we visited during our African Cruise.
August 18, 2025
I have been quite disturbed by what is going on around us these days. Then I remembered this song I have written (of course with Demetrio's help) in 2016 and created a video for it.
This is a prayer for World Peace. Here is the lyric from the song:
PEACE
Assalamu Alaikum (meaning Peace be upon you in Arabic)
1. Ask yourself what you truly want in your life
Is it fame, is it fortune, is it power?
Soon, everyone in this world
Wants Peace so their children will be safe
So let’s pray together
Peace for our children Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for your children Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for this world Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for you and me Assalamu Alaikum
2. We are many nations and, in many colors
Sharing thoughts anytime we chose to speak
But we know the only thing we want in this world
Is Peace so our children can be safe.
So put away your gun
Peace for our children Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for your children Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for this world Assalamu Alaikum
Peace for you and me Assakamu Alaikum
(bridge) So many lives of innocent children were taken away
But is it truly in the name of God
Since he is the one who, taught us to love each other?
So how could we? How could we hate and hurt each other?
If you are interested in listening this song, please go to Video sectioni of this website and choose "Peace". I hope everyone in this world could live in peace just as we do.
July 30, 2025
I was able to upload the photos from Xi'an, China, where we visited theTerracotta Army Tomb. What great historical sights!
May 2, 2025
Phil and I cruised West Africa in March visiting the follwoing cities/countries:
1. Cape Town, South Africa
2. Walvis Bay, Namibia
3. Luanda, Angola
4. Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
5. Abidjan, Ivory Coast
6. Dakar, Senegal
7. Santa Cruz Tenerife, Cannary Island, Spain
8. Las Palmas, Grand Canary Island, Spain
9. Lisbon, Bortugal
It was a very interesting and educational trip. I am currently sorting thousands of photos from this trip.
We still have many photos from various countries we visited to upload prior to this trip, but I will try to
prioritize the photos from Western African cruise in a few months.
Also we finally uploaded 5 more church songs as follows:
1. Change of Heart
2. Join in the Dance
3. Let Heaven Rejoice
4. Lift High the Cross
5. Shepherd Me O God
Also I managed to upload the photos from Beijing and Shanghai in February this year.
However, I'm still having problems with posting any photos on my website.
Too bad... Because we would love to share so many photos from all over the world with you.
Have a wonderful Spring!!
Jan 7, 2025
Happy Holidays!
My highschool in Japan will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary in October this year. As I expect more Japanese viewers this year,
I added Japaese translations to many parts of my website.
March 25, 2024
***Happy Ester!!***
As we had many problems with our computer when Window 11 was introduced, most of my work was halted. Last year, we achieved our goal of visiting 75 countries
before we become 75 years old, so we have so many photos to show you.Unfortunately, we continue to have problems uploading photos. Once we have a solution,
we will resume uploading more photos. .
July 21, 2023
I added photos from the Argentina segment of our cruise from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires. Please check it out.
http://yokogalvin.com/world-travel/argentina-2/141-argentina-2-ushuaia-and-puerto-maderyn
Also, I finally added chapters 710 of Woman's Tale (under "Writing ") in Japanese.
January 11, 2023
We are working on Phil's photos from the countries we visited in the past. The first country is Japan.
The photos of Kyoto, Nikko, Sendai, Nara and Osaka are now uploaded. See"World Travel".
December 18, 2022
We uploaded Sandi's beautiful photos from Little Bow Resourt, Alberta. You can find them under "Friends and Relatives".
December 11, 2022
We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Five more Christmas songs were recorded for those who wish to learn different parts (alto, tenor and base).
Please see "Chruch Songs - Chrstmas.
- Child of Poor
- Go Tell It On the Mountain
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- O Come O Come Emmanuel
- We Three Kings
We are now working on photos from various countries. The first will be Japan.
October 28, 2022
Inn from the Cold will move to Neoma building in downtown Calgary soon.
It has a capacity of housig 20 homeless families in this new building.
Each guest family will have a separate room with 4 bunk beds instead of
a cubical where they don't have any privacy..
.
Yoko donated 17 of her paintings to the new building so far. She has been very busy painting these days.
She is planning to donate a total of 21 so each guest room will have her art work, and one large painting for a larger room.
Some of the donated paintings are now uploaded under "Art Work,/Mandalas and other paintings" in Yoko's Website.
.
September 30, 2022:
A full story of "A Woman's Tale" is currrently being uploaded under "Writing".
There will be a total of 12 chapters (Japanese and English).
May 2022
All songs in Yoko’s 2 CD Albums
“A Woman’s Tale” and “Fly Away”
are now available for listening
free of charge.