それから、学部の二年生と泊まりで語り合う会、大滝セミナーにも行ってきました。当たり前ですが、二年生はいつも１９、２０歳なのに、大滝セミナーに行く私は毎年確実に年を取っています。学生と朝まで語り明かしてやる、と意気込んでいた２０代の私はどこへ行ったのでしょうか。ただ、二年生はとても素直で、海外に行っていた私の長話をうんうんと聞いてくれました。自分の好きなことをしっかり極めて、いい大人になってほしい、と心から思いました。

　秋は、科学者にとって大事な季節でもあります。来年度の予算のための申請書を書く時期です。私も時間をあまりかけられませんでしたが、温めてきたアイデアを幾つか形にしています。農業を良くするために、環境を良くするために、とりあえずお金が必要、という人間社会の悲しい現実ですが、しっかりやります。

   As a person ages, one year passes faster. It is almost the end of year, already. In Hokkaido, leaves change their colour rapidly in this season and then snow starts. Recently, we harvested some maize and clovers, for an experiment. Our campus has a farm thus it is very easy to obtain these materials. I am looking forward to the results. 

   Also, I and a student went to the Otaki seminar. Staff members and the second year students from our division spend one day together to get to know each other well. Strangely enough, always the second years are either 19 or 20 years old but for sure I am one year older, every time when I go to the Otaki seminar. I used to try to stay all night, talking with some students. I do not have that energy anymore... Well, the students were so nice, listen to my story in overseas. They wanted to know a lot of things from my experiences in New Zealand. I hope they can stay on doing whatever they love to do... and grow up as good adults. 

   The autumn is an important season for us, as scientists. We normally write a few proposals for the next fiscal year. I could not spend a lot of time on my proposals but yes I finished a few. Unfortunately and sadly, we all need money to make things better. I will do my best.