2012年12月19日水曜日

BR 2-14: The Mystery of the Missing Dog

Except for his tail, Chip's dog, Max, was invisible! So was Chip. But at least Chip wore clothes. (No page number.)

When I went to the library at KGU, I picked this book. I saw the cover of the book, and I found invisible boy and  dog in the picture. I thought this story would be fun then. This story is about an invisible boy, Chip, and his friends, Justin and Charlene who look for missing Chip's dog, Max. One day, they decided to take pat in the dog show. However, the judges of the dog show won't be able to see Max, so they colored Max by using food coloring. Max can be seen by everyone. On the day of the dog show, they met some participants and their dogs. As Max walked around, the color fade, and Max became invisible again. They lost sight of Max. They tried to find him very hard. They searched the clue to find him. If you want to know the continuation of the story, please read it.

This book is level 3 in the English Garden of KGU library. You may think it is difficult to read. If you think that, you are wrong. It is easy to read, so I want you to read it. I recommend you this book. It is an interesting story.


Reference
Levy, Elizabeth.(1995). The Mystery of the Missing Dog. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
[235/13562 words]

2012年12月17日月曜日

BR 2-13: Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas

“Every year, two weeks before Christmas, Fang gets a Christmas card from his mother in the mail,” Annie said. (p.3) 

I picked this book because I became a fan of Nate the Great series. When I saw the title of the book, I found a word “Christmas.” It is December now, so I thought this book was just right for this season. This story is about a boy who is a detective, and he solves the cases with his dog Sludge. In this story, his friend Annie came to him, and she asked him to solve the problem. Annie’s dog Fang got a Christmas card from his mother every year, but he has not received it yet this year. Nate the Great and Sludge have to do a lot of things, so they didn’t want to find clues and solve the case on the day. However, they are kind, so they tried to solve the problem with Annie and Fang. If you want to know the answer and the continuation of the story, please read it.

Also, this book has fun activities pages. First, there are explanations about snowfall, types of snow and Christmas catalogs. Next, it shows six fun things to do on snowy day. I want to try them if it snows this year. Lastly, it shows how to make four things. When you read them, you can know how to make potato pancakes, applesauce, Greeting cards and dog biscuits. I want to make them too. Reading these pages was very fun for me, so I want you to read it. 


Reference 
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman & Craig. (1996). Nate the Great and the Crunchy Christmas. New York, NY: Random House.
[282/13327 words]

BR 2-12: The Cobble Street cousins #4: Some Good News

“I have an idea,” Lily said one evening as the cousins played Scrabble in the attic. (p.5) 

I picked this book because I thought it was a pretty book when I saw this book. I also thought this book would make me happy when I saw its title. This story is about three girls who make a newspaper in cooperation. Three girls’ names are Lily, Tess and Rosie. Lily and Rosie are sisters, and Tess is their cousin. Lily wants to be a poet. Tess wants to be a Broadway star. Rosie wants a little cottage with flowers by the door. One day, three girls played together. Then, Lily caught up with a great idea. It was to make a newspaper. They interviewed a man, worked themselves in each room, and so on. They worked very hard to complete their first paper. If you are interested is this story, please read it. This book will make you feel calm.

This story is set in spring. The sentences are beautiful, so the pictures of the book are black and white, but you will be able to image colorful scenes. In the middle of the book, there is the newspaper three girls made. It is very fun to read. Moreover, this book is one of the Cobble Street Cousins series. The series have six stories. This book is fourth story. I felt it was interesting for me, so I also want to read other stories. I want you to read the book too.

Reference 
Rylant, Cynthia. (1999). The Cobble Street cousins #4: Some Good News. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.

[268/13045 words]

2012年12月12日水曜日

Essay 2-03b: Revised essays

Hello! Our team is Hikari, Mitsuki and Rina. We chose Anne Hathaway, so we will introduce about her. She is an American actress. And she is thirty years old now, but she has appeared in a lot of movies. She made her debut as a movie star at nineteen. Her first movie is The Princess Diaries. She got Best actress of Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2009, and she is also nominated Academy Award for Best Actress. She is a famous actress! This essay aims to compare three movies, focusing on Anne Hathaway. Three movies are The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada and Alice in Wonderland.

First, The Princess Diaries was made in America, and it was shown in 2001. This is her first movie as a leading actress. This movie is a cinderella story. In this movie, Anne Hathaway's part is a girl who goes to high school. Her name is Mia. She was retiring, shy and stupid. Her parents had divorced, and she lived with her mother.

One day, few weeks before Mia's 16th birthday, her grandmother, Clarisse, on her father's  side came to see her from Europe. Mia and her grandmother had never seen before. Clarisse told Mia that she was a queen of Genovia, it was a small European kingdom, and Mia was a person of succession. First, Mia would like to give up the right. However, she concerned her father, and she decided that she took an education for a princess by the day of a ball three weeks later, and she was going to choose the choices that she came to the throne or not then. Her father kept on concerning Mia, after he and her mother divorced, and he sent Mia presents and letters on her birthday every year, but he died suddenly of an accident. Between of Mia and Queen Clarisse, a ties that bind grandmother and granddaughter together had begun to grow during Mia learned manners and greeting worthy of princess.

She changed her appearances and personality, so she was approached by Josh who was a man of Mia's dreams. But he just wanted to become famous used her position. Then, she noticed for the first time that her best friend's older brother, Michael, encouraged and really loved her. She knew that she was supported by her father, her best friend, Michael and so on. After that, she chose the way of Princess Genovia.

Next, The Devil Wears Prada was shown in America in 2006. The catch copy of this movie is ‘Your story to try hard work and love’, ‘Such best workplace may die!’ and ‘With such worst boss, I don’t want to die!’. Anne Hathaway is the leading actress, and her role is an assistant of a chief editor of fashion magazine. Her role’s name is Andrea "Andy" Sachs. This movie describe gorgeous and humorous.

This story is about fashion, working, love and relationship. And this movie’s summary is that Andy who has become Assistant of chief editor of the superb fashion magazine, though there is not the interest at all. But the chief editor, Miranda, was a woman like the devils who was afraid as a dictator from all around. The editorial department of fashion magazine looked like a gorgeous editorial department, but in fact, it is severe. Andy is vacillating between hope and fear, has an ambition to be a journalist. She meet the chief editor like the devils who says unreasonable. And Andy finds out a living way.

This movie is so interesting. Andy became perfect woman through she met Miranda. Her efforts were rewarded. This movie tell us to make effort is important. She wears a frumpy dress at first time, but she becomes a smart dresser. She matured about mental and looks.

Lastly, Alice in Wonderland is a fantasy movie. It was released in 2010. Tim Burton directed this movie. This story is about a girl who goes to Wonderland by accident. When she went to wonderland, the world was controlled by Queen of Red. Queen of Red is described evilly and cruelly. The girl, whose name is Alice, fights against Queen of Red in order to hand over sovereignty to Queen of White. Anne Hathaway acts Queen of White in the movie. Queen of White is a younger sister of Queen of Red, but she is opposite to Queen of Red. She is beautiful, elegant and gracious, but she sometimes looks pretty and strange. People loved Queen of White and admire her.

The attraction of Anne Hathaway’s act in this movie is expression. When Queen of White talks to Alice seriously, she fastens her eyes on Alice. As she makes a medicine to become small people’s body, she looks very interesting and strange because she put fantastic things into the medicine. Her gestures and expressions are funny then. She is so expressive!

In this movie, people who are in wonderland wear unique makeup. Anne Hathaway wears white dress, and she applies white to her face to become Queen of White. Her hair is also white. Moreover, opposite to white, her eyes and eyebrows are applied black, and her lip is applied dark red. She wears heavy makeup, but her beauty doesn’t change.

That is why Anne Hathaway is a wonderful actress. In the Princess Diaries, she gave a great hit of one hundred million the whole America, and she became very famous. In the Devil wears Prada, she is a leading actress, and her acting attracts all women. Anne Hathaway acts a life-size Andy’s feelings. In Alice in Wonderland, she is not a leading actress, but her act in the movie fascinates audiences. She is beautiful, and she is a good actress. We want to watch her other movies. And we are looking forward to watching new her movie. We want you to watch movies she appears.


Reference

Producer, Houston. Whitney., Chase. Martin. Debra. and Iscovich. Mario. (Producer), & Directer, Marshall. Garry. (Directer). (2001). The Princess Diaries. United States: Walt Disney Pictures.

Aline Brosh McKenna. (Producer) & David Frankel. (Directer). (2006). The Devil Werars Prada. The Devil Wears Prada. United States: 20th Century Fox.

Zanuck, Richard., Roth, Joe., Todd, Suzanne. & Todd, Jennifer. (Producer). Burton, Tim. (Director). (2010). Alice in Wonderland. United States & United Kingdom: Walt Disney Pictures.

[1038/12777 words]

2012年12月10日月曜日

Essay 2-03a: Joint movie review

Hello! Our team is Hikari, Mitsuki and Rina. We chose Anne Hathaway, so we will introduce about her. She is an American actress. And she is thirty years old now, but she has appeared in a lot of movies. She made her debut as a movie star at nineteen. Her first movie is The Princess Diaries. She got Best actress of Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2009, and she is also nominated Academy Award for Best Actress. She is a famous actress! This essay aims to compare three movies, focusing on Anne Hathaway. Three movies are The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada and Alice in Wonderland.

First, The Princess Diaries was made in America, and it was shown in 2001. This is her first movie as a leading actress. This movie is a cinderella story. Anne Hathaway's part is a girl who goes to high school. Her name is Mia. She was retiring, shy and stupid. Her parents had divorced, and she lived with her mother. One day, few weeks before Mia's 16th birthday, her grandmother, Clarisse, on her father's side came to see her from Europe. Mia and her grandmother had never seen before. Clarisse told Mia that she was a queen of Genovia, it was a small European kingdom, and Mia was a person of succession. First, Mia would like to give up the right. However, she concerned her father, and she decided that she took an education for a princess by the day of a ball three weeks later, and she was going to choose the choices that she came to the throne or not then. Her father kept on concerning Mia, after he and her mother divorced, and he sent Mia presents and letters on her birthday every year, but he died suddenly of an accident. Between of Mia and Queen Clarisse, a ties that bind grandmother and granddaughter together had begun to grow during Mia learned manners and greeting worthy of princess. She changed her appearances and personality, so she was approached by Josh who was a man of Mia's dreams. But he just wanted to become famous used her position. Then, she noticed for the first time that her best friend's older brother, Michael, encouraged and really loved her. She knew that she was supported by her father, her best friend, Michael and so on. After that, she chose the way of Princess Genovia.

Next, we will introduce about The Devil Wears Prada. This movie was shown in America in 2006. The catch copy of this movie is ‘Your story to try hard work and love’, ‘Such best workplace may die!’ and ‘With such worst boss, I don’t want to die!’. Anne Hathaway is the leading actress, and her role is an assistant of a chief editor of fashion magazine. Her role’s name is Andrea "Andy" Sachs. This movie describe gorgeous and humorous.

This story is about fashion, working, love and relationship. And this movie’s summary is that Andy who has become Assistant of chief editor of the superb fashion magazine, though there is not the interest at all. But the chief editor, Miranda, was a woman like the devils who was afraid as a dictator from all around. The editorial department of fashion magazine looked like a gorgeous editorial department, but in fact, it is severe. Andy is vacillating between hope and fear, has an ambition to be a journalist. She meet the chief editor like the devils who says unreasonable. And Andy finds out a living way.

This movie is so interesting. I thought that Andy became perfect woman through she met Miranda. Her efforts were rewarded. I thought that to make effort is important. She wears a frumpy dress at first time, but she becomes a smart dresser. I felt that she matured about mental and looks. I was impressed by watching this movie. I recommend watching this movie for all women.

Lastly, Alice in Wonderland is an American fantasy movie. It was released in 2010. Tim Burton directed this movie. This story is about a girl who goes to Wonderland by accident. When she went to wonderland, the world was controlled by Queen of Red. Queen of Red is described evilly and cruelly. The girl, whose name is Alice, fights against Queen of Red in order to hand over sovereignty to Queen of White. Anne Hathaway acts Queen of White in the movie. Queen of White is a younger sister of Queen of Red, but she is opposite to Queen of Red. She is beautiful, elegant and gracious, but she sometimes looks pretty and strange. People loved Queen of White and admire her.

The attraction of Anne Hathaway’s act in this movie is expression. When Queen of White talks to Alice seriously, she fastens her eyes on Alice. As she makes a medicine to become small people’s body, she looks very interesting and strange because she put fantastic things into the medicine. Her gestures and expressions are funny then. She is so expressive!

In this movie, people who are in wonderland wear unique makeup. Anne Hathaway wears white dress, and she applies white to her face to become Queen of White. Her hair is also white. Moreover, Opposite to white, her eyes and eyebrows are applied black, and her lip is applied dark red. She wears heavy makeup, but her beauty doesn’t change.

That is why Anne Hathaway is a wonderful actress. In the Princess Diaries, she gave a great hit of one hundred million the whole America, and she became very famous. In the Devil wears Prada, she is a leading actress, and her acting attracts all women. Anne Hathaway acts a life-size Andy’s feelings. In Alice in Wonderland, she is not a leading actress, but her act in the movie fascinates audiences. She is beautiful, and she is a good actress. We want to watch her other movies. And we are looking forward to watching new her movie. We want you to watch movies she,,, appears.


[999/11739 words]

2012年12月7日金曜日

Mind-map about movies





Anne Hathaway 
  • The Princess Diaries
    • in 2001
    • in America
    • her first movie
    • the leading actress
    • cinderella story
    • Mia Thermopolis
    • high school student, princess
  • The Devil Wears Prada
    • in 2006
    • in America
    • the leading actress
    • Andrea "Andy" Sachs
    • Assistant of a chief editor
  • Alice in Wonderland
    • in 2010
    • Queen of white

[50/10740 words]

BR 2-11: Snake Camp

He wasn’t going to computer camp! He was going to… SNAKE CAMP! (p.5) 

I picked this book because the picture of the book was unique and cute. I thought it would be fun. I also wanted to know the mean of the title because I could not understand this mean. This story was about a boy who took part in the camp. His parents let him participate in the camp, but they made a mistake. He would learn about computer software at camp, but this camp was a chance to learn about snakes. However, he had a problem. He didn’t like snakes.

In the end, he grew up through the camp. He met other participants, and he made friends with them. Moreover, his thought about snakes changed. I thought the process of his growth was interesting for me. If you are interested in the story, please read it. You will feel the story is very fun. I want you to read it.

Reference 
Stanley, George Edward. (2000). Snake Camp. New York, NY: Random House.

[177/10690 words]

2012年12月5日水曜日

Free writing about movies

I have not watched yet The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, Alice in Wonderland. I heard from my friends these movies are very interesting. When I watch these movies, I will focus on Anne Hathaway.
[36/10513 words]

BR 2-10: French Adventures

"Bye bye Story Street!" yelled Billy and Ravi. "France, here we come!" (p.6)


I picked this book because I was interested in the title and I thought the pictures are so cute. I thought this story would be fun, so I tried to read it. This story is about the children and their teachers who go to France on a school trip. The story has six chapters. First chapter described leaving for school and incidents in the bus. Second chapter described incidents in the ferry. Third chapter described going through Customs. Fourth and fifth chapter described incidents at the chateau. Last chapter described visiting church. I like the scene at the chateau because I could understand children’s feelings. They were very happy to visit France, so they jumped on the bed in their room. I identified myself with their excitement.

Also, a problem happened in the end of the story. If you are interested in the story, please read it. This book is part 1, so KGU library has French Adventures part 2. I have not read part 2. I want to read it because I want to know the continuation of the story. Moreover, I thought the conversations between children and teachers were very interesting. I recommend you to read this book. I believe both part 1 and 2 are fun for readers. 

Reference
Strong, Jeremy. (2001). French Adventures. London, the U.S.: Literacy Land.

[238/10477 words]

2012年12月4日火曜日

BR 2-09: Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine

I LOVE YOU SLUDGE MORE THAN FUDGE. Someone had given Sludge a Valentine! (p.8)

I picked this book because I like mystery stories. I had ever read other book of Nate the Great before I read this book. When I first read one of the books of Nate the Great series, I came to like this series, so I wanted to read this book. This story is about a boy who is a detective and solve a variety of cases with his dog Sludge. One day, he saw a big paper heart that taped to the out side of the house. Message was written on the paper. However, it was signed with initials. This initials were ABH, but Nate the Great and Sludge didn't know the person whose initials were ABH. They started to solve the case. If you want to know the continuation of the story and the answer of the case, please read it. I felt it was a very interesting story.

Also, there are fun activities in the second half of the book. When you read these pages, you will be able to know a lot of things about valentine. For example, you can understand how to make a puppy love pendant, mailing a valentine, chocolate dip recipe, and so on. It was very interesting for me.  I recommend you to read it.


Reference
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. (1994). Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine. New York, NY: Random House.
[245/10239 words]

My favorite place I've been

My favorite place I have been is Kyoto. I went to Kyoto on a school trip when I was a high school student. I think Kyoto is the most old-fashioned place in Japan. Kyoto has a lot of temples and shrines. I went to Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu Temple and Kitano Tenmangu. Kinkakuji is a gold building, so it is so gorgeous. Kiyomizu Temple is famous in Japan. The scenery from there is also beautiful. Kitano Tenmangu is dedicated to God of study. As I went there, I practiced Zen medication. It was very hard for me. I also went shopping at Kawara Town. There are a lot of stores, so I enjoyed shopping! I first rode in a rickshaw. I saw Kyoto Tower too. My mother has lived for a few years when she was a young. She told me that she had a lot of memories in Kyoto. I want to  go to Kyoto with my mother. If I can go to Kyoto, I want to visit Arashiyama. It is a famous place in Kyoto.
[175/9994 words]

My favorite character

My favorite character is Donald Duck. I have loved Disney animation since I was a child. I also like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Winnie the Pooh, but I especially like Donald Duck because he is very funny. I like his expressions, for example, smile, angry face, sad face, surprising face, and so on. I feel all of his expressions are so cute. I also like his voice. His voice is unique. Whenever I hear his voice, I started laughing. I have collected him goods since I liked Donald Duck. I have straps, mascots, puzzles, memo pads, mugs, and so on. Also, I have ever been to Tokyo Disney Land once. I met Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, but I could not see Donald Duck. I was looking forward to seeing him, so I was sad. I really want to go to Tokyo Disney Land again. I loved Donald Duck.
[150/9819 words]

My favorite elementary school memory

My favorite elementary school memory is a sports day. I especially remember when I was in the 6th grade. Students separated red team and white team. I was in the white team. Each team made cheering party, and we made an original fight song. Also, I took part in a lot of competitions, for example, footrace, tug of war, obstacle race, relay race, and so on. Our school has a special program. It was Bon dancing. The name is Kawachi Ondo. Not only students but also teachers and parents danced it. This Bon dancing was danced every year. This program was not related to competition of team, so I could enjoy with a lot of people. It was so fun. As a result of competition, our team won. I was so happy. I prepared for a sports day very hard, and I really enjoyed on the day. It was memorable day for me.
[153/9669 words]

2012年11月28日水曜日

Essay prep.: Joint movie review

My team is Rina, Mitsuki and me. We  are going to watch The Princess Diaries, The Devil Wears Prada, Alice in Wonderland. We will focus on Anne Hathaway.

[28/9516 words]

2012年11月27日火曜日

My favorite dishes

I have two favorite dishes. One if them is chawan-mushi. I love chawan-mushi which my mother makes. My mother makes stock from dried shiitake mushrooms, and she mixed it with eggs. Then she put a lot of ingredients into it, for example, chickens, shiitake mushrooms, boiled fish pastes, shrimps ginkgo nuts, spinaches, udon, and so on. After that, she steams it. Eggs become soft. It was so delicious. My mother made it on special day: birthday, bon festival, New Year's Day. When I eat it, I become so happy. I want to make it very well like my mother. The other of my favorite dishes is omelet containing fried rice. I have loved since I was a child. I like both chicken pilaf and omelet. I like to put demi-glace sauce on it. I want to eat chawan-mushi and omelet containing fried rice right now.
[150/9488 words]

TOEIC

On November 18th, I took TOEIC at KGU. I wanted to get high score, but I had not studied hard, so I was so nervous before the test started. The test took two hours, so I felt so long. At first, I listened English and answered questions. After that, I read the English and answered questions. Both of them were very difficult for me. I couldn't answer all of questions. I should have studied harder. I received the result of TOEIC a few months later. I try to take TOEIC again and again.

[94/9338 words]

BR 2-08: The Case of the Small Fat Dog

“Let’s play at being detectives,” suggested Mouse. “Okay,” Jojo agreed. (p.17) 

I picked this book because the pictures of the book are so cute. This story is about a family who met a dog by accident. At the beginning of the story, the family went camping. At night, father read a story for children, but it is not story for children. It is a terrible story. Next morning, the family went to beach. The beach was crowded, so three children, Jojo, Mouse and Pip, act together. Then, Jojo and Mouse played at being detectives. There are following phrase in the story. “I’ll be Mr Sherlock Moans, the famous grumbling…” “And I’ll be Dr What’s-Going-On, his clueless assistant.” It was fun for me. When they walked path, they noticed a dog followed them suddenly. The detectives find why the dog was following them. If you want to know the continuation of the story, please read it.

When you read the book, you can understand many things. Why did the dog follow the children? Is the story father read for children related to encounter with children and the dog? Where is the dog from? After I read the book, I felt it was so interesting. I recommend you to read the book!

Reference 
Alexander, Jenny. (2001). The Case of the Small Fat Dog. London, the U.K.: Literacy Land.
[226/9244 words]

2012年11月26日月曜日

Essay 2-02b: My favorite place

There are a lot of places I like, but I think my hometown is the best place. My hometown is Yoshino. Yoshino is in Kawachi Town, Kumamoto City. My hometown has a lot of good points. I will introduce them to you.

One of good points is nature of my hometown. My hometown is full of nature. First, my hometown has Mt. Kinpo. The mountain is the highest mountain in Kumamoto City. Mt. Kinpo is magnificent. When you climb Mt. Kinpo, you can see beautiful scenery. Night view from the top of the mountain is so beautiful in particular. It is so touching.

Secondly, Sea Ariake can be seen from my hometown. Culture of laver prospers in the sea, and Sea Ariake’s laver is very famous. Moreover, when you see the sea on sunny day, you can see Shimabara in Nagasaki prefecture. Mt. Unzen in Nagasaki prefecture can bee seen beautifully. Night view of Nagasaki prefecture is so beautiful, so over the sea is shining brightly.

Thirdly, my hometown has special products. They are mandarin oranges and pears. Most of people who live in my hometown are farming families. My grandfather also makes mandarin oranges. Autumn is the best season for mandarin oranges and pears, so people are so busy now. However, mandarin oranges and pears that are made in my hometown are so delicious! These special products are one of brands, and they are famous in Kumamoto.

Fourthly, animals live in my hometown. Wild boars and wild rabbits can be seen in my hometown. The sing of birds can be heard very often. Furthermore, there are fireflies in the river. In summer, they glow at night. They are so beautiful.

Lastly, it is said that Soseki Natsume visited my hometown. It is related to his novel “Kusamakura.” There are four stone monuments that are written haiku in my hometown. These haiku were made by him. One of the stone monuments is put in entrance to a stone pavement. My hometown has a stone pavement surrounded by bamboo. It is pleasantly cool and comfortable there.

Also, my hometown has a lot of memories for me. There are my nursery school, my elementary school and my junior high school. Each place has each memory, for example, playing with friends, school events, and so on. The best memory is 60th anniversary event in my junior high school. I was unforgettable beauty of mizu-akari. Mizu-akari is a light which are made of bamboo. Thanks to cooperation of people who live in my hometown, this event was a great success.

That is why my hometown is the best place in places I like. My hometown is full of nature and has a lot of memories for me. If anything, my hometown is rural, but the relationship between people is close. Everyone is on good terms with neighbors. I have known my oldest friend since I was in nursery school. I was born and grew up in my hometown. I’m proud of my hometown.

[499/9018 words]

2012年11月15日木曜日

Hard day :(

Last Saturday was hard day for me. I got up at 8:00, and I prepared to go to my work place because I have to take part in the meeting. The meeting started at 9:00. First, I and my co-workers improved a flower bed in front of our restaurant. Then, we planted flowers, so there are beautiful pansies now. After that, we held meeting inside the restaurant. The head of the restaurant told us a variety of things about our duties. I thought I tried to work harder. After the meeting finished, I went home.

When I went back home, I ate brunch at 10:30. I studied for an hour because I was going to take Japanese Test. At 12:00, I left for home to KGU. At 13:00, I entered the room that the test was held. I was so nervous because it was insufficient to study for the test. Before the test started, I listened to my favorite music to calm my mind. The test started at 13:30. I did my best. Some questions were difficult for me, but I thought very hard. The test finished at 14:30. I don't know whether my answers are correct or not, but I would like to pass it!

After that, I went home again and relaxed for a while. I watched TV. At 16:30, I went to my work place because I have to work from 17:00 to 21:00. I was already tired, but I work hard. As soon as I finished my part-time job and went home, I went to bed. This is why the day was very hard day for me.

[284/8519 words]

Ramen

The day before yesterday, I went to eat ramen with my mother, my grandfather and my sister. We went to Daikoku Ramen. Many famous people have visited this ramen store, so there are so many autographs of them.  I found the autographs KAT-TUN, Hakata Hanamaru and Daikichi, Cream Stew, Sanma Akashiya, and so on.


Then, I ate Kuromaru Ramen. It was quite filling, and the soup was black. I had been to this ramen store many times, but I ate this ramen for the first time. It was so delicious. I like ramen, so I was happy to eat it! I want to go there again. Someday, I would like to see some famous people there!


[115/8235 words]

2012年11月14日水曜日

Minnesota Diary

【July 23rd (Mon)】

I got up 6:30. I left my room, and I said good morning to my host mother, Dawn. I wanted to take a shower, so she tell me hoe to use the shower. American bathroom is different from Japanese bathroom. American bathroom has toilet and bathtub. A curtain divides toilet and bathtub. The curtain of bathroom I used was painted Kitty, so it was so cute. Japanese toilet and bathtub aren't in the same room. This is one of culture gap I felt.

After I took a shower, I prepared breakfast with Dawn. The breakfast of the day was a waffle. I had never eaten a waffle for breakfast in Japan, so I felt strange. However, I like sweets, so I was happy to eat it for breakfast. It contained chocolate chips, so it was so sweet. Moreover, I put whipped cream and honey on it. I drank milk with it. It was delicious! After I finished eating, I prepared to go to school, and I went out at 7:30. Dawn took me to Starbucks near my house. I waited Yukino and her host mother for a while there. When they arrived, we started talking with them. And then, a woman came for Yukino and me at 7:45. She is Karen, who is Mami's host family. She took us to Bethel University every day. I said to Dawn, "See you later. Have a good day!" I got into the car, we go to Bethel University. While we were in the car, we talked Karen and listened to music. It took about 50 minutes to Bethel University by car.

When we arrived at Bethel University, Sharon lead the way to classroom. When I went to classroom, some students had arrived there. At 8:45, homeroom started. I met four people there: Joel, Linda, Peggy and Katie. Joel and Linda took care of KGU students for four weeks. Peggy was ESL teacher. Katie is Minori's host family, and she helped this program. Then, KGU students were separated two groups. I'm in group 1. Next, Joel distributed a yellow paper. American map was drawed in this paper. It was licence plate contest. When I found new licence plate in Minnesota, I must circle the name of state. I thought it will be fun!

At 9:00 a.m., my group statted to take ESL class. At first, we made a name card. I wrote my name and pictures. I drew basket ball and my family. Then, I paired with Chihiro, and we introduced ourselves each other. Next, I introduced her to other students and our teacher. After that, our teacher taught us Mississippi Paddleboat Cruise. I learned the Mississippi drops 420 feet or 140 meters between Minneapolis and St. Louis. I found that we will see several things of interest during the cruise: Fort Snelling, Pig’s Eye Caves and railroad swing bridge. I also found paddleboats were important to transport goods and people to the area. I thought it will be fun to go to Mississippi Riverboat Cruise this afternoon. ESL class finished at 10:30.

At 10:45, group 1 started tours of Bethel University. Bethel University was bigger and more beautiful than KGU. I looked cafeteria, Bethel shop, caribou coffee, and so on. Bethel shop had pretty teddy bears. I wanted it. Minnesota had many lakes, and a lake was near Bethel University. I took a lot of pictures. The trip was very interesting for me. After the trip finished, I went to cafeteria and eat lunch. The lunch of the day was taco. I had never eaten taco before. It tasted good.

This afternoon, we went to Mississippi Riverboat Cruise. I felt soft breeze. I saw the beautiful scenery. It was very fun. While I took cruise, I talk with Katie and Joel and took pictures with them. I could enjoy Mississippi Riverboat Cruise! After Mississippi Riverboat Cruise, we returned to Bethel University. When we arrived at Bethel University. When we arrived at bethel University, Karen waited Mami, Yukino and me. We took Karen's car. Karen took Yukino and me to Starbucks. Dawn waited me. We said good-bye to Karen and Mami.

After that, I went to supermarket with Dawn. I was surprised at  the size of shopping carts and goods. They were so big! And more, there are shopping baskets at the Japanese supermarkets, but in America, there are not shopping baskets. I peeled corns there. I was surprised at it because I had never peeled corns at supermarket. I also saw red bananas for the first time. When we went to cashier to pay money, we  put goods we would buy next to cashier. It was a different way from Japan. When I left for the supermarket, Dawn said to me, "This is a small supermarket in America." I thought it was so big, so I was surprised at her words.

When I arrived at house, we cooked dinner and eat. The dinner was boiled corns,  salad and soup. I like corns! Tastes are so good. After dinner, I did my homework. I showed pictures of my family, and I introduced to Dawn. She looked happy to see the pictures. And more, I asked her some questions. One of them is why did you decide to receive Japanese student. She answered "It will be fun!" I was so happy, so I wanted to tell my host family about Japanese culture a lot. After I finished homework, I said good-night to her, and I went to bed.

[932/8120 words]

2012年11月13日火曜日

My favorite class

My favorite class is listening class. The teacher is Warren Gehl. He is kind and sometimes funny. I watched movies in the class. In spring semester, I watched The Truman Show. It was a very interesting movie. I couldn't understand the story of the movie at first, bur in the end, I could understand that means, and I felt it was fun! In fall semester, I watch Notting Hill. It was romance, but it contains funny scenes. When I and other students watched the scenes, we started to laugh at the same time. I can learn words and idioms through the movies. I want to increase my vocabularies, and I want to improve my listening skill. I can listen to native speakers' pronunciation thorough the movies. It is hard for me to listening English, but I could enjoy learning English in the class. I seldom watch Western movies, so listening class is a good chance for me to watch Western movies.

[162/7118 words]

My favorite high school memory

My favorite high school memory is school trip. I went to Kyoto and Tokyo. First, I went to Kyoto. I visited Kiyomizu Temple and Kinkaku Temple. They are so beautiful. When I visited Kiyomizu Temple, I saw comedians. This is Yajima Biyoushitsu. Do you know it? I was so happy, so I took many pictures. They taped TV program. I also visited a shrine, and I practiced Zen meditation sitting cross-legged. It was very hard for me. I enjoyed shopping at Kawara Town. On third day, I left for Kyoto to Tokyo by shinkansen. I could see Mt. Fuji. I went to Tokyo Disney Land. I saw white snow prince, Minney Mouse, Daisy, and so on. I enjoyed riding roller coasters and buying presents for my family and my friends. At night, Cinderella Castle was so beautiful. I stayed the hotel near Tokyo Disney land. The hotel was also beautiful, especially the courtyard was romantic. On last day, I went to Odaiba. I visited Fuji TV and near shopping mole. I had never been to Tokyo and Kyoto before, so this trip was so fun for me.

[188/6956 words]

My favorite club

My favorite club is basketball club. I am not in the basketball club at KGU, but I was in the basketball club at elementary school, junior high school and high school. I started to play basketball when I was ten years old. I entered the club with my best friends. I enjoyed playing basketball. I joined games many times. My uniform number was 7. However, when I was 12 years old, I was injured my knee in October, so I could not play the game that was held in this month. When I became a junior high school student, practicing became harder. I got a uniform number 9, and I play the games.  I often felt basketball was difficult, but I liked basketball. When I was a high school student, I became a vice captain of the club, and I got a uniform number 5. I practiced very hard. Our team was not strong, but I could meet good friends thorough the club activities.

[164/6768 words]

2012年11月12日月曜日

Draft Essay 2-02a: My favorite place

I will tell you about my favorite place. My favorite place is my hometown. My hometown is Yoshino. Yoshino is in Kawachi Town, Kumamoto City. My hometown has a lot of good points. I will introduce them to you.

One of good points is nature of my hometown. My hometown is full of nature. First, my hometown has Mt. Kinpo. The mountain is the highest mountain in Kumamoto City. When you climb Mt. Kinpo, you can see beautiful scenery. I especially like night view from top of the mountain. It was so beautiful. I’m touched whenever I see it. I want you to see it. Secondly, my hometown has special products. They are mandarin oranges and pears. Most of people who live in my hometown are farming family. My grandfather also makes mandarin oranges. Autumn is the best season for mandarin oranges and pears, so people are very busy now. However, mandarin oranges and pears that are made in my hometown are so delicious! I love them.

Thirdly, animals also live in my hometown. I have ever seen wild boars and wild rabbits. I often hear the song of birds. And more, there are fireflies in the river. In summer, they glow at night. They are so beautiful. Lastly, it is said that Soseki Natsume visited my hometown. It is related to his novel “Kusamakura.” There are four stone monuments that are written haiku in my hometown. These haiku were made by him.

Also, I have a lot of memories in my hometown. There are my nursery school, my elementary school and junior high school, and I have memories at each place. When I was a child, I really enjoyed playing with friends at nursery school. When I was an elementary school student, I reared larval fireflies and planted in the river. When I was a junior high school student, I held 60th anniversary events. I was unforgettable beauty of mizu-akari. Mizu-akari is a light which are made of bamboo. I had a good time with my friends who were from same town until I was in junior high school. I have known my oldest friend since I was in nursery school. 

That is why I like my hometowns. My hometown is full of nature and has a lot of memories for me. If anything, my hometown is rural, but the relationship between people is close. I was born and grew up in my hometown. I’m proud of my hometown.

[410/6604 words]

2012年11月9日金曜日

Go to downtown!

On October 31st, I took physics class in the morning. After finishing the class, I went to downtown with my friend. First, we went to J café to eat lunch. I ate spaghetti, salad and dessert. I drank chocolate cookie latte. They are all delicious! After we finished eating, I enjoyed talking for a while. I like atmosphere of J café. Next, we went to PARCO, New-s, SPINNS, and so on. We browsed many clothing stores. There are many pretty clothes, so we wanted to buy some clothes. However, we are irresolute, so we couldn’t choose which clothes we buy. We gave up buying clothes, and we went to TSUTAYA. I rented DVDs. I had a coupon, so I could rent two DVDs free. I also received a calendar I reserved at online store. I bought my favorite actor’s calendar. He is very cool, so I was happy to get it. After that, I said good-bye to my friend. I couldn’t buy clothes, but it was pleasant time for me. I want to go shopping with her again!

[178/6194 words]

Birthday surprise

On October 26th, I went to my work place at evening to celebrate co-worker’s birthday. At first, other co-workers and I invited him for dinner. We ate dinner, and we enjoyed talking. After we finished eating dinner, we took him to staff room. We had already prepared birthday cake behind his back. We sang a birthday song for him. Then, my name was called suddenly. When I saw the cake, my name was also written on chocolate on the cake. I was surprised! My birthday is December 10th, so it was so early celebration, but I was so happy. I love my co-workers. We promised to hold year-end party or New Year party. It will be fun!

[117/6016 words]

2012年11月7日水曜日

BR 2-07: The biggest Party in the Universe

Everyone had a different idea about how they should celebrate the school’s 200th birthday. (p.8)

I picked this book because I was interested in the title of the book. I thought what the biggest party in the universe was. I want to know it. At the beginning of the story, Mrs. Turner, who is the head teacher at Story Street School, showed children the old diary and read it. When she finished reading it, children found that this school would be exactly 200 years old on May 25th this year. Children were motivated. They had good ideas to celebrate the school’s 200th birthday, and they shared their ideas each other. However, Ms. Cherry had some news of her own. It was her wedding party would beheld on May 25th. It was a problem. Then, Mrs. Turner suggest that her wedding party would be mixed up school’s 200th birthday. Ms. Cherry thought and decided it, while children sent invitations to people who had been to Story Street School in the past. However, something happened. Zak, who was the partner of Ms. Cherry, hurt two days before the wedding. They had already sent invitations of party, but they stopped the party. Children felt sad. Then, five children made a plan to success the party. If you want to know the continuation of the story, please read it! It was very fun for me.

And more, this story was separated 10 chapters. Some of the chapters were written from Zak’s view; others showed children’s states. When you read this book, you can enjoy reading because it is easy to read and pictures are colorful and cute. I really like the book. I want you to read it!


Reference
Strong, Jeremy. (1988). The Biggest Party in the Universe. London, the U.K.: Literacy Land.

[306/5899 words]

BR 2-06: Crystal the Snow Fairy

“Each Weather Fairy will help you find her own feather,” said the queen. (p.24)

I picked this book because pictures are so pretty. The library at KGU has a lot of books of fairies series: the weather fairies, the jewel fairies, the rainbow fairies, and so on. I chose the book because I like snow very much. This story is about two girls who find feathers with fairies. At the beginning of the story, it started to snow suddenly in spite of summer. This was very strange. Kirsty and Rachel have a secret. They are friends with fairies. Kirsty suddenly became fairy-size, and she flew over rivers, mountains, trees and houses. She arrived at Fairyland. When she arrived there, Rachel had already arrived there and waited Kirsty. King and queen told Kirsty and Rachel that Jack Frost and his servants, goblins, robbed Doodle’s feathers. Doodle was in charge of Fairyland’s weather and decided on the best weather for every part of Fairyland every morning, so Doodle’s feathers were very important. Two girls decided to help to find and collect feathers with fairies. If you want to know whether they could find feathers or not, please read this book! It was interesting for me. Kirsty, Rachel and the snow fairy made a special plan to return feathers goblins. When you read the book, you could also understand this plan. 

The weather fairies are made up seven fairies: the snow fairy, the cloud fairy, the mist fairy, the lightning fairy, the rain fairy, the sunshine fairy and breeze fairy. Each fairy tries to find each feather. I want to read all books of the weather fairies. They will be fun. I recommend you to read the series of fairies.


Reference 
Meadows, Daisy. (2004). Crystal the Snow Fairy. New York, NY: Scholastic.

[299/5593 words]

Essay prep.: My favorite places

I will tell you about my favorite places. I have two favorite places. One of them is my house. The other is my hometown. They have a lot of good points. I introduce them to you.

My house was built five years ago. My house has living room, dining room, kitchen, bath room, drawing room, Japanese-style room, my grandfather’s room, my parents’ room, my sister’s room, my room and garden. I especially like 4 places. First, I like upstairs living room. This room has wooden floor and wall, so I was surrounded by wood. When I’m in the room, I become calm. I often watch TV and DVDs in the room because TV which is in this room is bigger than any other TVs which are in my house. And more, the room has a yellow sofa. I really like it. Secondly, I like garden because there is a basketball goal. My parents bought me and my younger sister when I was 10 years old. I practiced basketball hard by using the goal. Thirdly, I like bathroom. When I take a bath, I can feel relaxed. I sometimes sing a song at the bathroom, and I enjoy it. Lastly, I like my room because I can decorate the room freely. However, I’m not good at clearing the room, so my room is messy now. If my room was clean, I would become to like my room more. Nowadays, I want to change curtains of my room.

My hometown’s name is Yoshino. Yoshino is in Kawachi Town, Kumamoto City. My hometown is full of nature. First, there is Mt. Kinpo. The mountain is the highest mountain in Kumamoto City. When you climb Mt. Kinpo, you can see beautiful scenery. I especially like the night view of Kumamoto City. It is so beautiful. I want you to see it. Secondly, my hometown has special products. They are pears and mandarin oranges. Most of people who live in my hometown are farming family. My grandfather also makes mandarin oranges. Mandarin oranges and pears that were made in my hometown are so delicious. Thirdly, many creatures live in my hometown. For example, wild rabbits, wild boars and a lot of kind of birds. In the river, there are fireflies. In summer, they glow at night. It is so beautiful.

Also, there are my nursery school, elementary school and junior high school in my hometown, so my hometown has a lot of memories for me. I have known my oldest friend since I was in nursery school. I had a good time with my friends who were from same town until I was in junior high school. If anything, my hometown is rural, but the relationship between people is close. I was born and grew up in my hometown. I’m proud of my hometown.

[469/5294 words]

2012年10月26日金曜日

BR 2-05: Old Friends, New Friends

One Saturday, the friends went up onto the common to ride their bikes. (p.1)

I picked this book because I was interested in the story about friends. I wanted to read it when I found this book at the library. This story began with an encounter of two boys. One day, Ben was in the common with his friends. They rode their bikes there. When Ben rode the bike on the track, a boy appeared suddenly. Ben slammed on the brakes and came swerving to a stop. His bike slid out from under him, and he tumbled onto the path. Ben got angry, but the boy who appeared suddenly told Ben that he taught Ben it would have been a disaster. Ben understood what the boy said, but he couldn't say "thank you." After Ben met his friends again, he told them he wanted to find the boy, so Ben and his friends searched for the boy, but they couldn't find him. After they gave up and went back, they saw an old bus. there is the boy who Ben searched for. Ben wanted to become a friend with him, but Ben's parents didn't allow because the boy was a stranger. Ben persuaded his parents. If you want to want to know the continuation of the story, please read it. Do you think Ben can become a friend the boy? What does it mean the title of the book? After I finished reading it, I could understand its mean.

Also, the boy who Ben met lived in an old bus with his mother. They hadn't a television, a computer, and so on. I think proper that I have a television, a computer and other home electronics. Ben thought so too. However, Ben knew that he could realize interesting things of the environment if he had no home electronics. If you read this book, you will realize them just like Ben. I think this is a very important thing. I want you to read the book.


Reference
Alexander, Jenny. (1988). Old Friends, New Friends. London, England: Literacy Land.

[353/4825 words]

2012年10月24日水曜日

My favorite dessert

My favorite dessert is ice cream because there are many kinds of ice creams. I like vanilla, chocolate, green tea, and so on. I especially like ice cream which has chocolate chips, cookies and nuts in it. I usually eat more than an ice cream a day. I love ice cream very much. My favorite ice cream shops are Haagen-Dazs ans 31 ice cream. However, these ice creams cost high, so I seldom eat them. I eat these ice creams once or twice a month. When I eat these ice cream, I become very happy because they taste pretty good. I can't eat these ice creams very often, so I put up with them. I usually buy ice creams at supermarket, and I eat them. I like Supercup, Black Mont Blanc, Yukimi Daifuku, and so on. I want to eat ice cream right now!

[146/4472 words]

My favorite music

My favorite music is J-pop. I have my favorite singers. I often listen to their songs. First, I like Arashi. It is famous group in Japan. There are five people in the group. I was encouraged by their songs. I want to go to concert! Secondly, I like AKB48. AKB48 is a popular idol group. I enjoy singing its songs. I also like sister groups of AKB48. Thirdly, I like JUJU. I love her ballads. Her voice is very beautiful. When I listen to her songs, I am touched by them. Lastly, I like Kobukuro. It consists of two men. They wrtie words for themselves, so I think their songs have their love. When I listen to their songs, I often feel calm. I like their harmony very much. Kobukuro took a rest their activities for a year, but I was happy that they resume their activities.

[148/4326 words]

Essay prep: mind-maps of favorite places



My Favorite Places
  • My house
    • My room
      • new table
    • My garden
      • basketball goal
    • Bathroom
    • living room
      • TV
        • DVD
        • HDD
      • sofa
  • My hometown
    • nursery school
    • elementary school
    • junior high school
    • full of nature
      • Mt.  Kinpo
      • fruits
        • pears
        • mandarin oranges
      • animals
        • firefly
        • wild rabbits
        • wild boars

[43/4178 words]

Bowling

I went to Round 1 with my co-workers last Friday. This, was a social gathering because a new member joined us this month. She is a year younger than I am. She is earnest and work hard, so I want to teach her a lot of things about my job. On Friday, nine people (including me) went to Round 1. Before we went there, we assembled at our work place at 11:00 p.m., and we left for Round 1 together. When we arrived at Round 1, we started to play bowling. We separated three teams and confront, and we had six games of bowls. My highest score of the day was 115, and my lowest score of the day was 86. I’m not good at bowling, but I enjoyed it. I sometimes got strikes and spares. I was very happy. However, I want to be a good bowling player.

Round 1 had a special game. It was Strike Game. This game was held suddenly, so challenger was a person whose turn came next. If challenger is a man, he must get strike. If challenger is a woman, she must get more nine pins. When s/he get them, the staff of Round 1 take a picture for him/her. Two people of us got strike, so we were taken two pictures. These were presented people who got strike after a short time.

After we finished playing bowling, we played UFO catcher. I tried once, and I got six small chocolates. It was so fun. Playing bowling was very exciting and fun, but we finished it at 5:00 a.m., so I was very tired. However, I want to go there again. Won’t you go bowling with me?

[284/4135 words]

BR 2-04: The Enormous Crocodile

“I have secret plans and clever tricks,” said the Crocodile. (No page number.) 

I picked this book because the cover of the book was attractive for me. This story was about a crocodile which wanted to eat little children. There were two crocodile in the river in Africa. One was the enormous crocodile, and the other was not so big crocodile. The enormous crocodile told not so big crocodile that it would like to eat a nice juicy child for its lunch. The enormous crocodile was hungry, so it left for jungle at once. When the enormous crocodile was walking, it saw a hippopotamus, an elephant, a monkey and a bird. Whenever it saw them, it told them to be going to eat children, and it said “I have secret plans and clever tricks.” Animals the enormous crocodile met thought it was brutal and cruel. After that, the enormous crocodile carried out the plan. Do you think the plan go well? Do you think the enormous crocodile is able to eat children? If you are interested in the story, please read it. I thought it was very fun after I finished reading it.

When you see the book, you may it has long sentences. However, the book has a lot of pretty pictures, so it is easy for you to read and understand. I don’t like reading books very much, but I felt it was interesting for me to read it. If you didn’t like books which have long sentences, you could read this book. I recommend you to read it!

Reference 
Dahl, Roald. (1978). The Enormous Crocodile. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

[273/3851 words]

2012年10月17日水曜日

BR 2-03: Nate the Great and Me: The Case of the Fleeing Fang

"We are having a detective party just for you. Because you have solved so many cases for us." (p.9)

I picked this book because I wanted to read Nate the Great series. Nate the Great is a detective. One day, his friends held a party for him, and Rosamond named the day "Happy Detective Day!" However, Annie noticed. Annie is one of the members who held the party. She noticed her dog, Fang, was missing. Nate the Great usually solves cases, but "Happy Detective Day" was his day off, so his friends tried to find Fang and solve the case for themselves. However, they couldn't find Fang. In the end, Nate the Great solved the case and found Fang. After I read the book, I thought the process that he solved the case was was very interesting. Moreover, some hints and clues were showed in the middle of the story, and small characters sometimes appeared. The sentences written in the small characters asked readers whether you could solve the case, so you will feel that you are solving the case with Nate the Great while you are reading the story. If you are interested in it, please read it. It will be fun.

Last 11 pages are very fun. The pages have detective certificate of Nate the Great, pancake recipe, how to make strawberry milk shake, secret code, and so on. I would like to try to make pancake and strawberry milk shake! This is why you will be able to be fun if you read this book. I recommend you to read it!


Reference
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman. (1998). Nate the Great and Me: The Case of the Fleeing Fang. New York, NY: Random House.

[287/3578 words]

2012年10月15日月曜日

My favorite junior high memory

My favorite junior high memory is culture festival. I was a chairperson of the executive committee when I was 3rd grade at junior high. Moreover, this culture festival was 60th anniversary festival. I had many work to prepare the culture festival, for example, deciding the slogan, choosing the theme song, making a speech at the beginning of culture festival, and so on. I cooperate with members of committee, and we worked harder.

In addition to preparation as the executive committee, I had to practice programs. I had 5 programs. My first program was English recitation. I read textbook again and again, and I memorized long sentences at home. I practiced with English teachers. After I recited, they advised me. I couldn't recite very well at first, but thanks to their advice, I could recite better than first. My second program was musical of tales of old Japan. The members practiced during classes. We acts urashima-taro and issun-boushi. We enjoyed singing and dancing on the stage, wearing yukata. My third program was English drama. It was first attempt at my school. I acts hero of the story. The story showed difference of American culture and Japanese culture. I practiced harder, but I memorized all of my lines, so I secretly attached cheat sheets on the stage before the drama started. However, audiences enjoyed our drama, so I was so happy.

Next program was class drama. The drama was made some students of the class. I joined it. It was difficult for me to make the scenario. I discussed a lot with the members. After we finished making the scenario, we decided each roles. Our class practice playing it again and again, and more, we made small tools and pictures of background for ourselves. On the day culture festival was held, we enjoyed playing the drama on the stage. While we played it, audiences often laughed. After we finished the drama, people who watched it said it was very interesting, so I was so happy. My last program was a chorus. The title of song our class sand was memories are full. It is a famous music in Japan. It was chosen by all members of my class. I practiced to sing harder. Before I sang a song, I was so nervous, but I could enjoy singing. After we sang a song on the stage, our class teacher said that your song was touching. We are very happy.

At night, lights were turned outside of school buildings. The lights were called mizu-akari, and they were made of bamboo. Some students made them. They were very beautiful. Many people who saw them said that it was beautiful scenery. This culture festival was the best memory of junior high. I'll never forget it forever.

[465/3291 words]

2012年10月10日水曜日

My favorite flower

My favorite flower is cherry blossom because it is very beautiful. There are some cherry trees near my house. I become happy as cherry blossoms come out in spring. I also like to see that cherry trees are in bud in March. When I was an elementary school and a junior high school student, I liked full of cherry blossoms on the way to school. The new teachers often said that cherry blossoms of my town were very beautiful. Also, I have ever been to Aso to see big cherry tree. It is called issingyou-no-sakura. It is very large and beautiful. I went there when I was a child, so I want to go to see it again.
[120/2826 words]

My favorite season

My favorite season is winter because winter has many interesting events, for example, Christmas, New Year's Day, and my birthday. I enjoy these events every year. I eat birthday cake and Christmas cake. I get presents on my birthday. I become 20 years old in December, so I will be participated is a coming-of-age celebration in January. I can't wait because I will meet my old friends wearing kimono. However, I become a woman, so I may not get a New Year's gift next year. I also like winter because it is cold and snows. I can't put up with hotness, but I can bear the cold. When it snows, I enjoy building a snowman.

[121/2706 words]

Movies I want to watch

I have three movies I want to watch during this year. First, I want to "Tsunagu." This movie is showing now. Tori Matsuzaka, who is my favorite actor, is in it. He acts the hero of the story. The movie is about a man whose job is "Tsunagu." He can let a living person see a dead person once for all. Whenever I see the commercial of this movie on TV, I want to watch it at the movie theater. It will make me touching.



Secondly, I want to watch "Bakarea Private High School." This movie will be opened to the public on October 13th. The members of AKB48 and Junny's Jr. are in it. This movie is the continuation of TV drama. My favorite  member of AKB48, Haruka Shimazaki, is the heroin. She is very cute. The movie is about a school which is a girls' school that is famous for excellent students marge with a boys' school that is known for bad students. At first, boys and girls stand i opposition, but they will become close through many problems. I think the movie will be fun.



Lastly, I want to watch "Today, I start to love." The original of the movie is manga. I haven't read this manga, but know it is a love story. Tori Matsuzaka acts the hero, and Emi Takei acts the heroin, so I want to the the movie. The movie will be opened to the public on December 8th. I  already promised to go to the movie theater and watch it with my friend. I can't wait to watch it!



[270/2585 words]

BR 2-02: Brittany the Basketball Fairy

“I’d like to find Brittany the Basketball Fairy’s magic basketball.” (p.1) 

When I went to the library at KGU and looked bookshelves, colorful books attracted my attention. It was the series of Rainbow Magic books. The stories were about many kinds of fairies, for example, weather fairies, music fairies, sports fairies, and so on. And more, all of the book covers were very cute. I picked the book about the basketball fairy because I like basketball very much.

The story began with Rachel Walker’s question. She asked Kirsty Tate, who is Rachel’s best friend, what we should do after lunch. They shared a very special secret that they had become friends with the fairies. However, the fairies had a problem that the sports fairies’ seven magic objects had been stolen by Jack Frost and his goblins. One of them is a magic basketball. Rachel and Kirsty intended to find it. They went to the rec center, and they met Abby, who is Rachel’s friend. She was participating in basketball game, but she worried her team challenged to next game with the very strong team. The team was a group of goblins. Rachel and Kirsty joined next game because they were invited by Abby. They understood goblins used a magic basketball. They thought it was unfair to use it to win the game, so they carried out a plan to get it back to the basketball fairy in the second half of the story. If you know the continuation of the story, please read this book! I felt it was fun after reading. I also wanted to read other books of the series. 


Reference
Meadows, Daisy. (2008). Brittany the Basketball Fairy. New York, NY: Scholastic. 

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Minnesota Diary

I went to Minnesota and stay for four weeks during summer vacation. I’ll post about the life in Minnesota occasionally.

 【July 22 (Sun)】
I arrived at Minnesota. Before I came to Minnesota, I was so nervous because I had never been to foreign countries. However, I could get rid of my uneasiness because my host family was willing to receive me. When I went to the terminal at the airport, a lot of host families had waited Kumamoto Gakuen University students. My host sister, Natalie, had welcome board. There were a lot of people, but I could find my host family because welcome board was decorated cutely. When I first met my host family, we hugged and shook hands. I also greeted Yukino’s host family because my host family and Yukino’s host family are neighbors. I thought it will be fun for me to stay at Minnesota.

After that, my host family and I went to Wisconsin State because Natalie participated in camp for a week, so we saw her to the campground. We went there by car. While I was in the car, I felt a sense of incongruity. I had known cars run on right side, but I was really surprised when I took the car at the actual. We stopped at MacDonald on the way to go to campground. I ate small cheeseburger and drank chocolate shake. I was surprised at the system of MacDonald and the size of hamburger. When we arrived at the campground, we carried her baggage to bungalow. I saw a wild squirrel for the first time outside the bungalow. My host father, host mother and I said good-bye to Natalie, and we went to Welcome Picnic at Roseville Central Park.

The picnic started at five o’clock, but we arrived at six o’clock. According to talking I heard later, leaders of KGU students tried to drink a famous juice of America, and some American people tried to eat natto before I arrived. After I arrived, KGU students separated five groups and told our host family Japanese culture. My group told Japanese snacks and sweets. We brought snacks from Japan, so host family tried to eat them. People who tried to eat them showed a variety of reaction. Some people showed their smile and came to like Japanese snacks, other people showed strange expressions and said “Wow!” It was very interesting. We also showed picture of Japanese sweets and snacks. However, it was difficult for me to explain what kind of snacks or sweets and things America doesn’t have, for example, anko.

After the picnic finished, I leave for my host family’s house. When I arrived at the house, a dog greeted me. She is their pet, and her name is Little Lady. She is very pretty girl. And then, my host father and host mother showed all of the rooms in the house. After that, they told me to go to bed because they thought I was tired and I have to get up early and prepare to go to school. I said good-night to them, and I went to bed.

[520/2032 words]

2012年10月5日金曜日

Seven Flavor

On September 26th, I went to eat Haagen-Dazs ice cream at Shimo-tori, Kumamoto City with my sister after I finished classes. Haagen-Dazs is famous ice cream brand, and the cost is high. I usually don't eat that ice cream, but the day was special day, so I and my sister went to the store of Haagen-Dazs. The store had many kind of ice cream flavor. We could choose and eat seven flavor ice creams. Usually, Haagen-Dazs ice cream costs 300 yen per one ice cream, but it costs 500 yen to eat seven kinds of ice creams on special day. I chose pumpkin, red potato, green tea, macadamia nuts, vanilla pudding, caramel walnut and chocolate. Tastes were very good! I felt so happy! Special day is every Wednesday, so I promised to go to eat again with my sister.

After eating ice creams, we went to TSUTAYA, and we rented CDs. At last, I bought three socks at tutuanna. Tutuanna is my favorite sock shop. There are a lot of cute socks, I often go to buy socks there.
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My favorite sport to watch

My Favorite sport to watch is soccer. I have loved to watch soccer game since I watched Asian Cup maybe two years ago. It is very exciting for me to watch soccer game. I was very excited to watch semi final at the Asian Cup in particular. This is the game between Japan and Korean. I watched it with all of my family. My favorite soccer player is Keisuke Honda. He is playing in Russian professional soccer team. He is cool and good at playing soccer. I also like Atsuto Uchida and Maya Yoshida. I heard they are very close each other. However, I have watched soccer game only on the TV, so I want to watch soccer game at the stadium.
[122/1327 words]

2012年10月3日水曜日

Essay 2-01a: How and How Well I Have Learnt Languages