A Trifling Matter

Memo for my Theses 2

2009-09-25T13:54:00.016+09:00

About English classes at Junior high and high schools in Japan

Most of students study English for their exams such as term exams of schools and entrance exams for high schools and universities. These exams do not have speaking test but writing, reading, and listening tests. Therefore, they usually do not speak English at their schools.

About English classes at university

English major--- Students learn basic skills to write, read, speak, and listen to English. (In addition to them, they study foreign culture, history, communication, and so on. However, I'd like to focus on only basic skills for this theses.) Japanese students learn these basic skills in separeted calsses, which means they learn how to write English in writing class, read it in reading class, speak it in speaking class, and listen to it in listening class.

Non English major--- Some of them have only writing and reading class. Most of them do not have speaking class. (*get more information)

Memo for My Theses

2009-09-24T17:07:00.021+09:00

Topic: Difference between English classes in Japan and Japanese classes at MSU, Montana State University

I've learned English for almost 10 years and I can communicate with other people in English now even though my English is not perfect. However, I have not been able to speak English for my first 7 years since I started studying English. I knew how to write and read English but I was too shy to speak English. There are many Japanese who do not speak English even though they have learned it for a long time as well as I used to. I am wondering why it happends.

I know some foreign people who speak Japanese. I sometimes asked them how long they have learned Japanese. Their answer often surprised me because they have just learned Japanese for 2 or 3 years.

Japanese have learned English since they were junior high school students but most of them cannot speak English. On the other hand, non native Japanese speakers have learned Japanese for a only couple of years but they speak Japanese.

Then, I'd like to research this topic, difference between English classes in Japan and Japanese classes at MSU, for my theses.

I was a TA of Japanese classes at MSU for a half year. In these classes, students just started studying Japanese and they were not able to speak Japanese, of course. However, the Japanese teacher always asked them to speak Japanese. For example, they often had pair work for conversation and sometimes had to have quick presentation in front of other students. I think it was helpful to improve their Japanese!!

On the other hand, Japanese students usually do not speak English at junior high and high school. They have many text books to learn how to write and read English.

to be continued...

Introduction to Montana

2008-07-03T13:13:00.002+09:00

My kumamoto essay (with powerpoint)

2008-01-24T15:43:00.000+09:00

Good Nabe Party

2008-01-21T23:49:00.000+09:00

After school, I went to Kota's house with Danny, Ai, and Mai. We ate a lot of good dishes and drunk. These dishes were so tasty, especially, chicken balls were very good. We also talked a lot and watched some video. It was interesting and this time was very nice for me!! I want to gather with them again.

Changing Hair Style

2008-01-18T22:32:00.000+09:00

I went to the downtown and ate lunch at J-cafe with Haruka. I've never gone to this cafe but Haruka liked this cafe. I felt the atmosphere of this cafe was so good and the dishes of it were also tasty. I want to go there again with my friends.

Then, we went to beauty salon. We wanted to have a permanent. A hairdresser cut my hair and had my hair permed. The hairdresser talked a lot and I had a good time and I felt comfortable. Haruka and I went to Courreges in the downtown and this time was our first time; however, we satisfied this salon. I want to go there again!!

Final WEI

2008-01-17T12:27:00.000+09:00

6.0. Suggestions for your peers and successors

I think posting blogs makes our speeding of typing faster so I suggest students post a lot of blogs and write long sentences and many paragraghs.

Final WEI

2008-01-17T12:26:00.000+09:00

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog writing

I felt sometimes that posting blogs was bother; however, I posted a lot of blogs and my speeding of typing became faster so I think posting blogs was good for me.

Movie Review 6

2008-01-16T10:23:00.000+09:00

Lilo and Stitch

I watched Lilo and Stitch at the library of KGU with Haruka. We saw this movie in English with English subtitle. I had known and liked Stitch but I’ve never watched this movie. This movie is animation of Disney.
Main characters of this movie are Stitch and Lolo. Stitch is called trial product no.626 because he is alien made by Dr. Jumba Jookiba. Stitch is so violence and dangerous so he is run out of his planet and he reaches the earth. Lolo is 5-year-old girl. She likes dancing hula and her and her friends’ relationship isn’t good. She lives with her old sister, Nani, in Hawaii and she doesn’t live with her parents. Therefore she feels lonely. She looks for comfortable in her life.
Lilo and Nani often have a quarrel and Nani thinks to give a dog for Lilo. Lilo feels happy and Lilo and Nani went to one place for getting a dog. Then Lilo meets Stitch. Then Agent Pleakley and Cobra Bubbles, which are from Stitch’s planet, are aiming at Stitch so Stitch feels dangerous and he transforms into a dog. When Lilo meets Stitch, she likes him and she decides to buy him.
Life of Lilo with Stitch starts and Lilo is so happy; however, Nani is often troubled with Stitch because he is violence and often destroys many things. One day, Lilo and Stitch come to the restaurant which is Nani’s work place. There are also Agent Pleakley and Cobra Bubbles and they aim Stitch. When they try to catch Stitch, Stitch stands them. Nani’s boss sees this situation and he fires Nani from this job. Lilo and Stitch are depressed and then Nani hard to find new job.
Nani try to find new job very hard but she doesn’t succeed and she is tired about Stitch a little; however, Stitch tends to get various feelings. Lilo teaches meaning of Ohana is family. Stitch understands this word and he knows the story of Ugly Duckling and he wants to meet his family. He believes if he waiting his family, he can meet them.
Lilo thinks Stitch doesn’t want to stay with Lilo and Nani so she says Stitch can go out her house. Stitch goes out with the book of Ugly Duckling and he waits his family. He believes his family comes to him and then he sees a figure; however, it is Captain Gantu, who is from Stich’s planet. Captain Gantu tries to shoot Stitch and he tells Stitch doesn’t have his family because Stitch is made by one scientist. Stitch is shocked and he goes to Lilo’s house.
On the other hand, Lilo stays at her house alone because Nani finds new job trough her boyfriend and she goes out her house. Lilo is surprised that Stitch comes to her house and Captain Gantu also comes to her house. Stitch and Captain Gantu fight and Lilo’s house is burnt. Lilo is helped and Nani comes to her house. Nani is so surprised and so shocked. Lilo goes to forest and she meets Stitch. Lilo says everything isn’t good because of Stitch. He is shocked and then Stitch and Lilo are caught by Captain Gantu; however, Stitch can escape from Captain Gantu.
However, Stitch is caught again by Agent Pleakley and Cobra Bubbles; however, Nani knows Lilo is taken away and she is very shocked and she blames Stitch. Stitch says Ohana is family and he encourages Nani. Cobra Bubbles is moved by Stitch’s words and they decide to help Lilo.
They try to help Lilo very hard. They succeed to help Lilo; however, Stitch is caught by Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation, who is top of Stitch’s planet. Stitch follows her and he asks her to tell Lilo and Nani good-by. Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation is surprised because Stitch changed and he is not violent but polite. Stitch says he got his own family in the earth and he appreciates Lilo and Nani.
Then, Lilo shows one paper and it says Lilo is Stitch’s owner. She got it when she bought Stitch. Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation allows Stitch to stay with Lilo in the earth. They are so happy and also Agent Pleakley and Cobra Bubbles stay in the earth. Life of Stitch and Lilo starts again.
A voice actress of Lilo is Daveigh Chase, a voice actor of Stitch is Chris Sanders, and a voice actress of Nani is Tia Carrere. A voice actor of Agent Pleakley is Kevin McDonald, a voice actor of Cobra Bubbles is Ving Rhames, a voice actress of Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation is Zoe Caldwell, and a voice a voice actor of Captain Gantu is Kevin Michael Richardson.
I think Lilo and Stitch is very good movie. Before watching this movie, I hadn’t known this story well so I thought it is fantastic and honestly it doesn’t have deep story; however, I was moved by this movie. It has very important thing and it told me importance of family. Stitch first didn’t have his family and he was very sad but he got his family and he knew importance of his family. I like the scene which Stitch watch the book of Ugly Duckling. I want many people, especially children, to watch Lilo and Stitch.

Final WEI

2008-01-16T09:26:00.002+09:00

3.0. Book Reviews

	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	David Beckham	07.09.30	214	0
2-02	Little Women	07.10.09	132	0
2-03	California	07.10.16	197	0
2-04	Prince William	07.10.23	365	0
2-05	Ricky Martin	07.10.29	511	0
2-06	Leonardo DiCaprio	07.11.06	316	0
2-07	Julia Roberts	07.11.13	492	0
2-08	GUCCI	07.11.20	583	0
2-09	Jennifer Lopez	07.11.27	403	0
2-10	Animals in Danger	07.12.04	308	0
2-11	Dinosaur’s Day	07.12.10	101	0
2-12	Tom Cruise	07.12.18	293	0
2-13	New York	07.12.25	210	0
2-14	Titanic	07.12.31	236	0
2-15
2-16
2-17
2-18


---	---	TOTALS:	4361

Note: Please calculate book review words and comments totals without the example (above).

4.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

[My best book review is Julia Roberts because this review has many paragraphs and long sentences and also it has many links.]

Final WEI

2008-01-16T09:26:00.001+09:00

2.0. Comments

Total number of comments (use dashboard)
Months	08	09	10	11	12	01	Total
	0	0	6	11	3	1	21

Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts (yy.mm.dd)	Qualities of comments[]
Any one of your movie reviews	School of Rock	07.12.31	I could know her feeling.
When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.01.29	---
How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	On my blog
Any of your other posts*	Colored Leaves	07.11.14	Some people wrote comments on this blog.
When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.01.29	---
How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	On my blog

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post.

Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where or why not?

In a sidebar

Additional reflections on comments

[I’m happy if someone writes comments on my blog and then I want to post more on my blog so I want to write comments on other people’s blog.]

Final WEI

2008-01-16T09:25:00.001+09:00

1.0. Movie Reviews

1.1. Showcase [+ links]	Dates on blog (yy.mm.dd)	¶	W	Notes
Toy Story	2007.10.03	4	239	It was interesting.
Kill Bill	2007.10.24	9	653	I didn’t like this movie.
Romeo and Juliet	2007.11.13	8	495	It was good.
Mrs Doubtfire	2007.11.30	15	1124	It was so funny and I like it.
School of Rock/Forrest Gump	2007.12.18	11	827	I enjoyed watching this movie.
Lilo & Stich/Shrek	2008.01.16	11	893	This movie was one of my favorite movies.
Totals	---	58	4231	---

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs three or more sentences in length

W: number of words

1.2. Best Movie Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those movie reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

My best essay is Mrs. Doubtfire because this essay is the longest in my other essays and there are paragraphs, which have long sentences.

Final WEI

2008-01-16T09:24:00.000+09:00

Writing IVa: Portfolio
0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, and Words


Months	08	09	10	11	12	01	Totals
Book reviews	0	1	4	4	5	0	14
Blog posts	3	3	10	12	10	６	44
Words	259	494	3020	4474	2979	1408	12634
TOTAL	---	---	---	---	---	---	---

Coming of Age Day

2008-01-14T23:50:00.000+09:00

Today was Coming of Age Day. I woke up at 5:oo and went to a beauty salon for my hair being set by hairdresser and I wore Hurisode, which is like kimono. Then I went to my workplace which was Seven-Eleven. I was took some pictures with my boss or other people. My boss and his wife gave me a present and I felt so happy. My friends, Asuka, Mari, and Mayuka, and I went to ceremony of Coming of Age Day at Shiritsu Sougou Taiikukann. There were many people and I met many my friends. I took many pictures with my friends. It was so fun!! I stayed there for about 3 hours and I went back my home. I went to my grandparents' house with my parents. I was happy because they looked like happy when they saw my Hurisode. I took some pictures with them and they were good. After going back my house, I went to the downtown for participating in reunion of junior high school. Many people took part in this reunion. We went to Izakaya "Hyakusyoucyaya" and we ate many foods, drank a lot, and talked a lot. This time was so wonderful.
Today I wore a beautiful Hurisode and met many people. It was so nice. I'll never forget this day.

Drinking

2008-01-11T23:25:00.000+09:00

I went to the Izakaya "Goemon" with some students of KGU and some exchange students. We drank, ate, and talked a lot. This time was good for me. After eating, we went to another bar. We could drink and dance there. It was also fun. I shared good time with many people.

2008-01-09T09:55:00.000+09:00

Kumamoto castle
Kumamoto castle is near downtown in Kumamoto city. Kumamoto castle was built by Kiyomasa Kato about 400 years ago and is the one of the three greatest castle in Japan. It is famous as Mushagaeshi, name of stone wall. Mushagaeshi was useful for guarding Kumamoto castle from enemies during battling because shape of Mushagaeshi is curve so it was difficult to climb it. Also, Kumamoto castle has many trees and some of them are camphor trees. They are symbol trees of Kumamoto Prefecture. Today, we can see inside of Kumamoto castle and sometimes hold events in Kumamto castle. Therefore, Kumamoto castle is important for history, culture, people of Kumamoto.

basashi
Basashi is raw meat of horses. It is popular food in Kumamoto but almost Japanese usually don't eat it. Basashi is handed down that Kiyomasa Kato thought to eat horse about 400 years ago. When they didn't have foods to eat during the war, he ate his war horses. Basashi is low fat and low calorie so, it is more healthy than beaf or pork. We eat basashi special day, for example in o
ikinaridango

Ikinaridanngo is the famous foods. It is the local sweets in Kumamoto. The potato and the anko are covered with the dough.It is the taste good!!

Amakusa
Amakusa has a lot of mountain and the sea. In the summer vacation, a lot of people go to swimming in the sea. We can eat the sea foods in the Amakusa. Do you know the Pearl Sun Beach? If we go to there in summer, We can watch the beach that is shining bright. That is limit in the summer. So I have never watched it. There is beautiful place. When the time is low tide, we can go to another island.

Mt. Kinpou
Mt. Kinpou is in northwest of Kumamoto city and the height of it is 665 meters. Most people call Ichinodake Mt. Kinpou but in formal, Mt. Kinpou is generic name of Ichinodake, Kumanodake, Sannodake, and Mt. Arao. We can climb Mt. Kinpou in a day. There are an observatory on the top of Mt. Kinpou and we can see Ariake Sea and some lands on the sea in a day and we can see beautiful night view at night. At the observatory, there are many padlocks. Many couples hope to be together for long time and they put them on Mt. Kinpou. Mt. Kinpou has been for long time and it has seen Kumamoto for long time so I think it is important for Kumamoto like Mt. Aso.

karashirenkon

Karashirenkon is local dish in Kumamoto. Karashi is mustard and Renkon is lotus root in English. It is made that holes of lotus root are stuffed by mustard powder, soybean paste, and honey and we spread flour on it and fry it. Lotus roots have excellent effect of blood-forming medicine. Tadatoshi Hosokawa, who was feudal lord of Kumamoto, ate Karashirenkon for his healthy. It was begining of Karashirenkon. Many people of Kumamoto eat Karashirenkon in a dairy life so Karashirenkon is familiar in Kumamoto.

藤崎宮例大祭
In fall, fastival of Fujisaki-gu is held every year. A lot of people parade the main street in Kumamoto downtown.
Kurokawa hot spring
Kurokawa hot spring is one of the famous it in Japan. It has selected the best hot spring of Japan in several years ago. It made this hot spring more popular. There are many hotels and a lot of sightseer visit there and enjoy soaking the spa every year. There are a lot of nice survenior shops so, we can enjoy shopping, too. If you get a wooden admission ticket called 'Nyujou tegata', you can choose three hotels and enjoy open-air bath. If people visit this hot spring once, they will surely feel that they want to visit there again.

Shirakawa Suigen

water

We can drink the water in Kumamoto. There is a lot of natural water, and it is so clear. I don't know is there any place to drink the groundwater. The quality of water is not good compare with that of ten years ago. In Kumamoto has a many source. The Shirakawa source, the Todoroki source and so on.

Aso

Aso is a lot of mountain and hot spring. Mt. Aso is the very beautiful place. Do you know the Kusasenri? There is the field and a lot of the horse. We can ride it and we can go for a stroll. In December 22nd and 23rd, there is going to take place the X'mas Ballon Illusion Festival. The Festival is the very fantastic. It will start at 19 o'clock. If you have a time, you should go to there.

Classes started

2008-01-07T22:37:00.000+09:00

Winter vacation finished yesterday and today our classes started. I had two classes and I met many my friends and talked a lot about our winter vacation. Recently I didn't wake up early so it was hard for me to wake up for classes; however, I could see my friends and talked with them so today was interesting.

Reunion

2008-01-04T21:59:00.000+09:00

I had reunion. I met many good friends. We went to the same high school. We sometimes had reunion but we couldn't meet often. I like them because they are so nice and funny. First, we went to eat dinner and drink. We ate, drank, and talked a lot. Next, we went to get a print club. They were good. Then, we went to karaoke. We still drank and eat snack. Many boys sang a lot. It was nice. We talked a lot. It was very fun. Everyone is a still student but some people will work in this spring so I think we can't gather often. I want to gather and meet them but I can't so this time I enjoyed spending time with them.

White New Year

2008-01-01T23:40:00.000+09:00

Today is New Year's Day!! I think time spends so quickly. Today, I ate Ozouni, which was made by my grandmother. I like it and it was good. I like spending New Year's Day lazily; however, I had a part-time job. It wasn't so busy today and I felt New Year a little. I want to make this year wonderful year.

With my best friends

2007-12-31T22:32:00.000+09:00

I had a part-time job from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and after it, I met Kei, Eriko, and Misaki who are my best friends since high school. They and I went to eat dinner in Hikari no Mori. We ate soba. It was tasty and then we went to soak in a hot spring. I like hot spring so it was so nice. We were relaxed and talked a lot. Today, it was so cold. When we went to Kei's house in Ozu, we had snow!! It was cool!! We were excited!! At Kei's house, we talked so much and ate many foods. I like spending time with them(^^) We laughed a lot. I don't remember what time we went to a bed; however, we enjoyed and we didn't sleep so much.

Book Review 2-14

2007-12-31T17:36:00.000+09:00

Titanic

Titanic was made in 1912 by fifteen thousand people in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was 265 meters long and 28 meters across. It could do at 46 kilometers an hour. Therefore, Titanic was the biggest ship and the fastest ship on the world. This ship was for the rich people. The Titanic had many rooms for the first class passengers and for the second class passengers. Also, there were rooms for the third class passengers on the Titanic.
In 19th on April, 1912, the Titanic went from Southampton, in England, to Cork, in Ireland. It had 2207 people on the ship. Many people had thought this trip would have be good; however, it had been wrong. This ship crashed into iceberg. It was very bad and the Titanic went to sink. It had the lifeboats but they weren't enough. Some people survived but other people didn't. It was big news. The Titanic was very big and beautiful ship but it made very sad news.

I knew the Titanic because the film Titanic was made. This film was very famous and I watched it. I knew from the film Titanic that the Titanic was dream of many people and they were so excited; however, it made tragedy. If there are people who didn't watch the film Titanic, I want them to watch it and know the feeling of the people who had dreams to the Titanic.

Girls' Talk

2007-12-28T23:12:00.000+09:00

At a day, I went to my grandparents' house and helped them to make rice cakes. I like rice cakes and we enjoyed making rice cakes. I ate them a lot with natto. They were so nice.

At night, I went out with my friends who and I are members of same class. We ate dinner and drank a lot. I talked with them and it was very nice. After it, we went to get print club. We got nice print club. Then, we went to karaoke. They were so funny and so nice so this time was also good. We stayed at karaoke until 2 or 3 o'clock. Kana and I stayed at Mika's house. Mike's house was very nice!! Thank you, Mika. I want to go out with them again!!!!

Camping

2007-12-27T20:47:00.000+09:00

I went to Shiki no Sato with many KGU students and exchange students. There were some people who I didn't know but I spent very good time with all people. We ate Nabe, and sang many songs, and talked a lot. After it, we drank and talked at a cabin. I could talk with many people and shared good time with them. At a cabin for girls, we also talked a lot and took pictures. Yesterday and today are very nice days for me.

Book Review 2-13

2007-12-25T17:05:00.000+09:00

New York

Recently many visitors go to New York and New York is the big town in the world. There are many people and many good places in New York. Also, Manhattan is very big city. It has Chinatown, Greenwich Village, Central Park, or Brooklyn. There isn't person who doesn't know The Statue of Liberty, so The Statue of Liberty is very famous. In 1886, French people gave this statue to the American people. It has 354 stairs and we can go to the top of the statue and it has a museum at the foot of the statue. Also, there is The Empire State Building and it has 102 floors and is 448 meters and we can see 120 kilometers from the top. It was the highest building in the world between 1931 and 1970. There had been The World Trade Center which had been very famous; however, in 2001, it was broken by terrorist. We can enjoy shopping, entertainment, and parade in New York. Therefore, New York is very big and there are many good places.

I've never been to New York but New York is very big town and I think it gives us a lot of good things so I want to go to New York.

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T23:12:00.000+09:00

Today is Christmas Eve. I had a part-time job in a day and at night, I spent time with Eriko and Arata. We bought KFC and some juice and we went to Arata's house. First, we ate chicken of KFC. It was very good and we talked a lot and ate a cake. It was good. Eriko had some candles so we turned off the light and we enjoyed the light of the candles. Its atmosphere was good. On Christmas last year, I also spent time with Eriko and Arata. This Christmas was good as well as the Christmas last year. I like spending time with Eriko and Arata so I had very good Christmas Eve.

Nabe Party

2007-12-21T23:42:00.000+09:00

Today, we had last class in this year so my friends and I had planed to eat Nabe. Haruka, Eriko, Mayumi, and I went to eat Motsu Nabe in the downtown. Motsu Nabe was very tasty and I was happy. Haruka and Mayumi drank and Eriko and I had to drive cars so we didn't drink. We talked many things and we laughed a lot. This time was very good for me. Our winter vacation will start from tomorrow so we won't often meet so I miss them. I want to go out with them again. Today was very good day.

Book Review2-12

2007-12-18T19:36:00.000+09:00

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise has been a famous Hollywood actor. He was born on July 3, 1962 in Syracuse, New York. His real name is Thomas Cruise Mapother and he is called Tom. In the childhood, he wasn't happy a little because he his family moved seven times in eleven years and he couldn't make good friends and he can't read or write very well. In 1973, Tom's parents divorced and his mother married again in 1978 and the family moved to New Jersey.
In 1980, Tom moved to New York but he couldn't find jobs for actors; however, in 1981, director Howard Becker was looking for an angry young soldier for his action movie, Taps, and Tom got this job. Taps was a big success for Tom and after it, he got many jobs of actor.
He had been in many movies for a long time and his big movies of the year 1993 to 1996 are The Firm, Interview With a Vampire, and Mission Impossible. In Mission Impossible, he had two jobs, producer and actor. He became a big actor in Hollywood and many directors have wanted him.
In his private, Tom married Nicole, an actress, on December 24 in 1990. In 2000, they had two beautiful children. Tom had a happy family; however, Tom asked Nicole for a divorce because America has been important for Tom but Australia has been important for Nicole so there were different ideas between Tom and Nicole.

I had known Tom Cruise because he has been very famous and I had watched Mission Impossible many times. He has very nice smile and I think he has his idea so many people like him and movies which he acted in. I hope Tom to act well.

Movie Review 5

2007-12-18T15:18:00.000+09:00

School of Rock

I watched School of Rock in the library of KGU with Haruka. We watched this movie in English with subtitle of English. I laughed a lot and I think this movie is comedy.

School of Rock’s main character is Dewey Finn, who is a guitar player but one day he is dismissed from his band. He wants to be in his band but he can’t. He is shocked and also he needs money to pay for his rent and his bills. He doesn’t have a job and then his friend, Ned Schneebly, a school teacher, is called for asking a temporary work in a private school and Dewey pretends to be Ned and accepts the job.

Dewey can’t teach so he always give his students free time but some students ask he why he doesn’t teach them because they go to school to study and their parents pay a lot of money. However, he always thinks rock and he doesn’t teach his students any subjects but one day, he watches his students playing instruments well and he has good idea. He wants to make a band with his students and then he and his students start school life with rock.

First, he decides members of the band and he gives other students, who aren’t members of the band, various roles. His students don’t accept it but generally they accept it. He and his students always play instruments, sing, and learn about rock; however, Rosalie Mullins, the president of this private school, doesn’t know that they make a band and play instruments everyday.

Dewey and his students decide to take part in one contest for band. They go to the audition meeting place for taking part in this contest but it finishes. They are shocked but its director doesn’t see their performance. They think and have a good idea. They act like patient and this director sympathizes and they can take part in the contest.

Rosalie Mullins always forces her students to study hard and ask her school’s teachers to teach perfectly. She is earnest and teachers don’t ask her out with them, but Dewey asks her to go out and they drink and talk a lot. Rosalie Mullins doesn’t like festival like band because she feels pressure from her students’ parents. Dewey likes rock and wants to get opportunity to announce his band so he talks her about rock. They are in a bar and they can listen to a song. This song is Rosalie Mullins’s favorite song and she drinks so her feeling is good. Dewey asks her to give them the opportunity to announce their band’s performance and she allows it.

One day, Dewey’s friend, Ned Schneebly, gets a lot of money from one private school and he doesn’t know why he gets this money from it. This money is for Ned but he doesn’t work for this school because Dewey pretends to be Ned and work. In this time, Ned knows this fact and he is surprised and can’t believe. Dewey asks Ned not to tell this fact and Dewey goes to parents’ meeting with Rosalie Mullins. Dewey talks about his students’ parents that his students are very good. Then a security guard comes to him and he is caught. Ned tries to keep being secret of this fact but his girlfriend asks him to tell this fact. Therefore it comes out that he isn’t Ned and he doesn’t have teaching certificate. Rosalie Mullins, his students, and his students’ parents are surprised.

He lost his job and he sleeps at his home. Then his students come there and ask him to go to the contest. His students think it is unbelievable that Dewey isn’t a teacher but he teaches band so they want to take part in the contest for him. They go to the hall of the contest. Ned, Rosalie Mullins, and the students’ parents know it and they also go to the hall of the contest. Their performance is very good and comes to life. It succeeds but they can’t win. They are sad but the audience calls for an encore from them. It makes them happy and they enjoy their performance.

After the contest, Dewey can’t teach his students at the school but the students come to his house and he teaches rock and they enjoy rock music.

In this movie, Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, Mike White plays Ned Schneebly, Sarah Silverman plays Ned’s girlfriend, and Joan Cusack plays Rodalie Mullins.

I think School of Rock is good movie because it gave me dream and it made me laugh. I think children in this movie are cute and they play instruments very well so their band is like professional. It surprised me and I want to play guitar like them. When I’m depressed, I want to watch this movie again because, I think, people who watch this movie become positive. Therefore I think this movie is good.

In the Clair

2007-12-16T23:07:00.000+09:00

I went to IEON MALL Kumamto Clair to get fake nails for Coming-of-age ceremony with my friend, Mari. I could choose many kinds of decoration so I thought a lot; however, I chose very nice decoration. I'm looking forward to put them on my nails. After it, Mari and I watched many clothes and we bought clothes. I got two pants and one jacket. They were not expensive and they were good. We often meet in my part-time job but we always can't talk a lot so today we talked a lot and it was fun.

Birthday Party

2007-12-11T10:50:00.000+09:00

I went out after school with my friends because today is Arata's birthday. Therefore, Eriko, Mayumi, and I celebrated Arata's birthday. First, we went to Toritetsu for eating dinner. It had many kinds of chicken dishes. They were tasty and I liked them. Next, we went to buy a cake at SWISS. We asked a salesclerk to write message on the cake. Then we went to Montecaruro with the cake. Mayumi, Eriko, and I sang birthday song to Arata and we ate the cake. This cake was fresh cream and many kinds of fruits. It was good. We sang many songs and enjoyed it. Then it became 12 o'clock so it became Arata's birthday. He said an aim in 20 years old and he sang his favorite songs a lot. I spent very good time with them and he looked like happy because of his birthday so I also glad.

Book Review 2-11

2007-12-10T00:42:00.000+09:00

Dinosaur's Day

There were many kinds of dinosaurs in the earth, for example, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, Ornithomimus, Edmontosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Parasaurolophus, or Ankylosaurus. All kind of dinosaurs live near river.

Triceratopses are big and strong and they have three spiky horns on their head and they have a bony frill on their neck. Most of dinosaurs are scared of Tyrannosaurus because Tyrannosaurus eats other dinosaurs but Triceratops has nice horns so they can fight with Tyrannosaurus.

I'm not familiar with dinosaurs but this book has many pictures so I can distinguish one kind of dinosaurs from other kind of them. It was good.

Yakiniku

2007-12-07T23:59:00.000+09:00

I went to Ikkyu to eat dinner with my family. I heard Ikkyu was very good and its meat was good so I wanted to go there. Tonight, my parents, my brother, and I have free time so we decided to go to Ikkyu. The atmosphere of Ikkyu is comfortable and I liked it. We ate many kinds of meats and they were tasty. I thought it wasn't expensive. I recommend this restaurant so if you have time, you should go there.

Book Review 2-10

2007-12-04T15:55:00.000+09:00

Animals in Danger

There are more than thirty million species of the animal in the world but some of these species disappear every year and we never see them again. If all animals disappear in the world, what happen to us? I think we can't live without animals. We are given many things from animals so we have to help them because people and animals live in one world and protecting animals is protecting our world.

A million years ago, there were many species of animals than there are now. It is natural that some species disappear but recently its speed is faster than before. Weather is changing and it affects their extinction. Also, making new roads, moving rivers, or taking away trees affects their extinction. Animals are in danger because human beings damage their ecology and because of natural accidents.

Some dolphins live in rivers and some live in the sea. Recently, environment of the water changed. Most of river and sea became dirty so dolphins can't see well in the water. There is much noise in the water so they can't talk with other dolphins. This changing is by human beings.

There are birds which are needed to help by people, for example, Kakapos. They can't live with people or other animals. They can't have many babies and they can't fly like other birds. People protect them and they prepare quiet place for Kakapos. Then they can make new house and can live freely.

In the world, there are many kinds of animals but recently many animals are in danger. People have to think it and we must act for them. If we aren't change our life style, maybe many kinds of animals will die. Animals are very important for people and our life. Also, I think I have to think about animal and their life.

Dinner and Karaoke

2007-12-01T22:16:00.000+09:00

I went to Furusu to eat dinner with Mayuka, Mari, Asuka, and Kouichi. Mari, Asuka, Mayuka are my best friends since junior high school and Kouichi is Mari's boyfriend. We talked a lot and drank. I'm weak to drink so my face became red as soon as I drank. We ate Nabe. It was tasty and its soup is good. The clerks of Furusu are very kind and nice so I recommend Furusu if you come to Nagamine. After Furusu, we went to karaoke. I couldn't sing well but other people could sing well. I had very good time with them!! I want to go out with them again.

Movie Review 4

2007-11-30T22:10:00.000+09:00

Mrs. Doubtfire

I watched Mrs. Doubtfire at the library of KGU with Haruka. I’ve never watched it before but Haruka had said this movie has been interesting before watching. We watched it in English with English subtitle.

This movie is comedy. This movie’s main character is Daniel Hillard. He has his wife and three children. His wife’s name is Miranda Hillard. She is very busy because of her job. He has two daughters and one son. Older daughter’s name is Lydia, son’s name is Chris, and younger daughter’s name is Natalie.

He works as voice actor. He has extraordinary imitative talent. One day, his opinion discards with his director’s opinion and he quits his job. This day, he can go home early and he picks his three children up. He decides to hold his son’s birthday party. His son becomes 12 years old. He and his children invite many children and animals to their home. They enjoy eating and dancing; however, Miranda, his wife, disgusts the party because she is the main breadwinner and busy but she always has to clean house. When she comes back home, her anger explodes. She wants to divorce Daniel. He doesn’t want to but she doesn’t change her thinking. He receives her thinking and they divorce.

He starts living by himself but he wants to live with his children. Miranda also wants to live with her children. They bring them and a judge decides that their children live with Miranda and Daniel can meet them on Saturday because Daniel doesn’t have job. Daniel isn’t satisfied but he tries to find his new job. He works one company; however, he can meet his children one a week so he felts sad.

One day, he heard that Miranda looks for a housekeeper and he has one idea. He disguises himself a 60-year-old widow from England and he takes Miranda’s interview for being the housekeeper as Mrs. Doubtfire. Mrs. Doubtfire passes the interview and becomes the housekeeper. Daniel is happy because he can meet his children everyday and he tries to play Mrs. Doubtfire perfectly.

In the beginning, he mistakes but he studies how to cook or anything. He makes his children study and clean up. Miranda is delighted because Mrs. Doubtfire cooks well, cleans the house, and makes her children study. She likes Mrs. Doubtfire and wants Mrs. Doubtfire to continue to be the housekeeper. His children also attach Mrs. Doubtfire.

One day, Mrs. Doubtfire is in a toilet and Chris, Daniel’s son, opens the door of the toilet. Chris is surprised that Mr. Doubtfire is standing at the toilet. Then, Mrs. Doubtfire explains she is Daniel to two children. Lydia and Chris are surprised but they feel happy. Natalie, his younger daughter, is too young so he doesn’t tell her this fact.

Miranda meets Stuart Dunmeyer on a business and they often meet on a private. Her children also often meet him and like him. Mrs. Doubtfire doesn’t feel good but often talks about Stuart or Daniel with Miranda. They make good relationship.

Daniel continues to play Mrs. Doubtfire but he also continues to work as Daniel. He tides many documents in a warehouse. He doesn’t like well but he works earnestly. One day, he calls at a studio for recording a TV program for children but this story of the speaker of it is boring. A few days later, he goes to this studio again and he identified with the speaker of the TV program. Director Lou, the director of this program, sees Daniel’s performance and he likes it. He wants to talk with Daniel more and promises to go to a restaurant together on Friday.

When Mrs. Doubtfire works at Miranda’s house, Miranda is thinking which dress she wears at her birthday. Miranda’s birthday is soon and she will go out one restaurant with her daughter and Stuart on Friday. She wants Mrs. Doubtfire to come with them but they will go out the restaurant, which Director Lou and Daniel will go to, on Friday, when Director Lou and Daniel go to the restaurant, so they will go to the same restaurant at the same time. Mrs. Doubtfire will refuse Miranda’s invitation but doesn’t.

On Friday, Daniel is very busy because he has to meet Director Lou and has to take part in Miranda’s birthday party. He changes his wear in a toilet and he can carry out two promises but Mrs. Doubtfire sat on the chair in front of Director Lou. Director Lou is surprised at his figure and also Daniel stagger at his mistake. Before sitting this seat, Daniel plays up toward Stuart’s dish. He added red pepper a lot to Stuart’s dish. While Director Lou and Daniel whose figure is Mrs. Doubtfire talk, dishes are carried to Mirand’s table and Stuart eats his dish. He is surprised at spicy of this dish and chokes on shrimp. Daniel is surprised at this and he tries to help him. He thrusts Stuart and his mask is ripped off. Miranda and Natalie are surprised that Mrs. Doubt is Daniel.

A few days later, Miranda and Daniel are in the court and a judge decides that Daniel can’t meet children because he plays Mrs. Doubtfire. Daniel argues his opinion with tear but this decision isn’t changed. He is very sad and Miranda also looks like sad.

Miranda and her children look for new housekeeper but don’t find good housekeeper like Mrs. Doubtfire. When they look for new housekeeper, they heard Mrs. Doubtfire’s voice. Mrs. Doubtfire is in a TV. Daniel plays Mrs. Doubtfire in a TV program for children because his children can see him everyday and he wants them not to feel sad. This program’s Director is Director Lou.

Miranda thinks Daniel needs their children and their children need Daniel so she makes Daniel and their children are able to meet. They can meet after children’s school. Daniel is very happy and also their children are very happy.

Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire, Sally Field plays Miranda Hillard, Pierce Brosnan plays Stuart Dunmeyer, Lisa Jakub plays Lydia Hillard, Matthew Lawrence plays Chris Hillard, Mara Wilson plays Naralie Hillard, and Terence McGovern plays A.D.R. Director Lou.

I think this movie is very good. This movie makes me laugh and feel sad. Recently, divorcing isn’t rare and there are children who can’t live with both parents. It is sad thing; however, if children can’t live with both parents, both parents love them. This movie tells me this thing. Daniel can’t live with his children but he loves them very much. I think he isn’t good husband for Miranda but he is very good father for his children. I can feel warm so I like this movie.

Book Review 2-9

2007-11-27T22:30:00.000+09:00

Jennifer Lopez

She was born 24th in July, 1970 in the Bronx, New York. Her parents took her to a school of theater and dance and she was taught only Spanish dance. She had a lot of talents, for example, she can sing, dance, and act very well. Her parents took her to the Holy Family Catholic School in New York for getting a good job. She is a good student in the school.

Her school life went quickly and she often listened to Madonna's music and she wanted to be like Madonna but her parents can't understand her thinking; however, she wanted to be a performer. Then she moved into an apartment in Manhattan with her friends.

In 1988, she looked for a job of dancer but in New York, there were many dancers and it was hard to find a job. One day, she went to an audition of Golden Musicals of Broadway and she got a job. The show went to Europe. After it, she got other jobs in some shows.

She liked dancing but she wanted to act. She danced on Janet Jackson's music. That's the Way Love Goes and this video was famous. Jennifer's name also was famous and she could get jobs to act. She played in South Central and many producers wanted to work with her. She was beautiful and she could act so producers in Hollywood also understood her talent.

She became to be Hollywood movie star. Her first Hollywood movie was Mi Familia and she played other roles in other Hollywood movies. In her movie, she sometimes kiss famous men and her boyfriend, David, is unhappy about this so he went back to New York. Jennifer also felt unhappy but she found a new boyfriend, Ojani Noa. In 1997, she played in four popular movies and she married Ojani Noa.

Jennifer had a big success in many countries and her name was famous not only in the U.S. She was happy but her husband, Ojani Noa was unhappy because he didn't like seeing her in love story. Then, they divorced because of this problem; however, they were good friends.

I know Jennifer Lopez because she is very famous; however, I think she is good actress but I don't know she is also good dancer. I want to watch her dance and sing her song. I also want other Latin Performers to flourish like her.

Green Land

2007-11-25T23:49:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I met Miki, Yone, and Gacchi and we decided to go to Green Land today. It was hard schedule because I slept for about 3 hours and Miki, Yone, and Gucchi didn't sleep. We were tired but we went to Green Land!! It was good weather and we rode on many roller coasters. First, we rode on Nio and it was hard so I felt very uncomfortable. I like roller coasters but today I couldn't ride on some roller coasters; however, we enjoyed very much!!!! I could spend very good weekends with them.

Good Saturday

2007-11-24T23:10:00.000+09:00

I had a part-time job since in the morning to in the early evening and after it, I went to eat dinner with my friend, Yone. We went to Ura Cafe. I've never been there but it was good cafe. I ate an omelet containing fried rice and Yone ate pasta. They were yummy. I want to go there again. Yone had a part-time job since at 9 p.m. so I went to meet another friend, Miki. We went to see her and he went to work. First, Miki and I went to Starbucks Coffee. She went to Seinan University so she lives in Fukuoka. We talked about a lot of things. Next, we went to a game center and Miki got a stuffed toy of Kuma no Pooh san and she gave me it. Also, I got a stuffed toy of Elmo and gave her it. They were very cute!! Then we got our picture from print club. We didn't have good ideas to do so we went to my uncle's bar, Kitagwa, which is in Sakaba street. We talked a lot and then Gacchi and Yone came here. It was fun!!

Motsu Nabe

2007-11-22T23:40:00.000+09:00

I went to Nabe no Enjinn to eat Motsu Nabe with Mari and Asuka who are my best friends since junior high school. We had planed that we would go to eat Motsu Nabe about one month ago. Mayuka who is also my best friend had wanted to go there with us but she was busy so she couldn't. Mari reserved a table of Nabe no Enjinn. We ate Motsu Nabe and its taste was miso. It was tasty. We ate a lot and ate noodle. I like Nabe. After eating, we wanted to talk more and we went to Mister Donut. We were full so we just drank tea and talked a lot. We can't often see each other but I can be relaxed with them. I could spend very good time with them!!

Book Review2-8

2007-11-20T22:42:00.000+09:00

GUCCI

Guccio Gucci, who was a creator of Gucci, was born in 1881 in Florence, Italy. When he was 19 years old, he went to London and England and worked at the famous Savoy Hotel. There were rich people who wore nice clothes and jewelry in the hotel and he often saw these people. It gave him many ideas for his future.
In 1901, he went back to Florence and met Aida Calvelli who became his wife. Aida made clothes and he learned about money and customers and gradually he wanted to sell leather products so he found a new job. One Sunday in 1921, he and Aida went for a walk around Florence and saw a little store and he wanted to have a store. Then, he bought a little store.
Guccio and Aida had six children, five sons and one daughter. Everybody in my family helped at the store. Guccion and Aida made luggage and leather products for horses and sold them and their children took packages to customers on their bikes. One day, Guccio had a good idea. He wanted to use the designs of the leather products for horses and make handbags, so the famous Gucci GG logo came from a strap and the Gucci lines of green/red/green came from the design of a horse's saddle.
Many people liked these products and in 1937, he moved the company to a larger place. The Gucci logo became famous in Italy. Gucci became more and more famous and the family opened a store in Rome.
Guccio wanted all of sons to work for the company but one of the sons died when he was nine years old and the other son wasn't interested in the family company. He liked movies and he became a movie actor.
In 1953, Guccio Gucci died and gave the company to his sons. His sons opened a store in New York. Gucci name was very famous and meant beautiful Italian fashion around the world.
In the 1960s, one of his sons made Gucci a greater success in the United States. He opened stores in Chicago, San Francisco, and Beverly Hills and in 1965, he opened the first Gucci store in Japan.
In the 1970s and in the 1980s, Gucci products became very famous and rich people wore Gucci clothes and used Gucci products. Gucci became too famous so the Gucci logo went out of fashion; however, today, Gucci is in fashion again.
Maurizio, who was the last of the family at Gucci, was shot outside of his office by somebody. He worked hard for two years but he died. Many people talked about it and it was very big news. In the case, Patrizia Reggiani Marintelli, who was Maurizio's wife from 1976 to 1990, wanted more money from him and she paid people and they killed Maurizio for her. Patrizia and they are now in prison.
Now Gucci is very famous!! Gucci has fashion shows and Gucci has a famous fashionroom in Florence, Italy. Also, Gucci sells its perfumes and we can see Gucci productions on the newspaper or on the Internet. Many people wear Gucci clothes and have Gucci products and Gucci is loved by people around the world.
I also like Gucci. Gucci products are cute and we can use them for a long time. I didn't know who was creator of Gucci. He started a little store and he succeeded. It is great and I think Gucci will become famous more and more.

Drinking

2007-11-16T23:58:00.000+09:00

I went to SO-YA which is in downtown with my friends. We ate, drunk, and talked a lot. I ate many dishes and they were tasty!! The clerk of SO-YA always smiled and I thought he was good clerk. At 9 p.m. we went to our friend's house and we drunk, played cards, and talked a lot. We enjoyed playing cards. It was interesting. I had good time with them and enjoyed.

Study

2007-11-14T23:45:00.000+09:00

I want to some qualifications and I decided to take a bookkeeping course of the extension center. I took the first class of this course. I hadn't known bookkeeping well but today I learned why bookkeeping was important for companies. It is hard for me to pass bookkeeping test but I'll try to do my best!!

Book Review 2-7

2007-11-13T13:30:00.001+09:00

Julia Roberts

Julia Fiona Roberts was born in Atlanta on October 28, 1967. In 1956, she had a little brother and in 1965, she had a little sister. Her parents loved the theater and she, her brother, and her sister started going to the school for young actors in Atlanta. In 1972, her parents got a divorce and she and her sister lived with their mother in Smyrna, Georgia. Her brother lived with his father in Atlanta. Julia and her sister couldn't often see their brother and father but their father loved them and wrote many letters, but suddenly their father died in 1977.

From 1982 to 1985, Julia went to Campbell High School and she enjoyed her school life. After graduating from the high school, she moved to New York. Her brother and sister lived there. Her brother was an actor. She had a good time in New York and in 1986, her brother had a role in a new movie, Blood Red, and Julia got a small role in this movie.

In 1987, Julia got work in two movies and in Satisfaction, one of these movies, she was good. She met her first important boyfriend, Liam Neeson, in Satisfaction. They fell in love and moved to California. Then she got the big role of Daisy in Mystic Pizza. Many people like this movie and her name was known by many people and Hollywood directors.

In 1988, she acted Shelby, a sick young woman, in Steel Magnolias. She won an award for this role. Also, her new romance started with Dylan McDermott, an actor.

In 1989, she acted Vivian in Pretty Woman. This movie is love story between Vivian and one businessman, who is acted by Richard Gere. This movie was very famous and many people like the movie and Julia Roberts. After this movie, she became a superstar.

She continued to act in many movies but the year 1991 was difficult for her. She made Sleeping with the Enemy, Dying Young, and Hook. Sleeping with the Enemy was a big hit but Dying Young and Hook wasn't hit. She did her best, but Steven Spielberg, director of Hook, said 'I can't work Julia Roberts again.' She was shocked and couldn't understand this and she stopped work for about two years.

In 1993, she came back with smile. She acted the role of Darby Shaw in The Pelican Brief, which was a big hit. She experienced many things, which were good and not good for her, and she grew a big actress. She was sometimes unhappy but on 25th in March, she got her first Oscar with her superstar smile.

I know Julia Roberts because she is very famous actress. I think she is very beautiful but she experienced many things. She tried to act many various roles and sometimes it was good but sometimes wasn't. I think if we have good talent, we always can't do well. We should strive!!

Movie Review 3

2007-11-13T13:07:00.000+09:00

Romeo and Juliet
I watched Romeo and Juliet in English at the library of KGU. I watched Romeo and Juliet which was released at 1996. This story has been famous for a long time so I've known this story; however, I've never watched this movie.
This story is love story. Main characters are Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is a son of Montague family and Juliet is a daughter of Capulet family. Montague and Capulet were two leaders of industry in Verona Beach and they antagonized.
One day, Romeo was invited to the costume party of Capulet and he met one girl who wore wings of angel. Her name is Juliet. He fell in love with Juliet. She was a daughter of Capulet but he couldn't stop himself from falling love with her. Romeo and Juliet swore their love each other.
The next day, Romeo and Juliet celebrated their wedding secretly but after this wedding, one event happened. Tybalt, who was a person of Capulet, disliked Romeo and he tried to kill to Romeo but he stuck Mercutio, who was Romeo’s best friend, and Mercutio died. Romeo was very sad and he was deranged. Then, he killed Tybalt with anger.
Romeo was exiled from his hometown because he killed Tybalt and Juliet was very sad. Father Laurence, who has good understanding toward Romeo and Juliet, thought of one plan. This plan was that Juliet would act dead and the last offices would be performed and Juliet would meet Romeo after this funeral.
Juliet executed this plan. She thought this plan would succeed but failed. She took drug and became in suspended animation. Romeo heard Juliet died before receiving a letter which told him that death of Juliet was lie. He was very sad and went to body of Juliet. He didn't know she was alive so he wanted to die and he committed suicide with drug. Then, Juliet woke up from suspended animation and saw Romeo. She was happy because Romeo was there, but she noticed that he was dead. Death of Romeo had Juliet grieve over the dead Romeo and regret this plan; however, Romeo couldn't revive so she also committed suicide with a gun.
In this movie, Romeo was played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliet was played by Claire Danes, Tybalt was played by John Leguizamo, Mercutio was played by Harold Perrineau, and Father Laurence was played by Pete Postlethwaite.
Before watching this movie, I had thought I couldn't enjoy watching it because this story was written by William Shakespeare very long time ago; however, I enjoyed watching it. I think this movie is very good because performance of Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes was great and especially, I didn't feel this story was written very long time ago. This story was known by many people until now and will be known by many people from now. It is wonderful. I think Romeo and Juliet is great and William Shakespeare is also very great person.

Colored Leaves

2007-11-11T22:30:00.000+09:00

I went to Oita for seeing colored leaves with my parents, grandparents, and aunt. We left Kumamto at 7:30 a.m. It was early so I was sleepy but we weren't caught by traffic jam. I could see very beautiful colored leaves. I can't explain well but there were many colored leaves. I recommend to see colored leaves!! After seeing them, we went to Kujyu Yume no Tsuribashi. This bridge is biggest in Japan. There were many people who wanted to cross the bridge. We had to wait for about one hour and we could cross the bridge. It was so long and waved because of wind. I felt being afraid a little but I had wanted to cross the bridge so I was satisfied. Then, we had lunch there. I ate noodle. It was good. We went back home and we talked a lot in a car. I had good time with them.

Book Review 2-6

2007-11-06T00:08:00.000+09:00

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio was born in 1974 in Hollywood. He lived in California with his father and mother but when Leonardo was only one year, his father moved away from the family home; however, his father visited him every day so he was happy. Leonardo often danced with his father.
When he was five years old, he appeared on the children's show, Romper Room. This is his first time on TV. He always wanted to play and the show's producers were angry with him. After it, he wasn't on TV again for nine years.
Adam Starr, Leonardo's brother, was an actor and Leonardo also wanted to act. Leonardo went to many auditions, but he often didn't get the jobs; however, when he was fourteen years old, he got a part in a TV commercial for Matchbox cars. After that, he got a lot of commercials and a small part in some famous TV shows, for example, Lassie, Roseanne, and The Outsiders.
After acting on TV a lot and becoming a television actor, he wanted to try movies. He got small parts in two movies, Critters 3 and Poison Ivy. Then he auditioned for This Boy's Life. He and other hundred young actors auditioned f0r De Niro. Michael Caton Jones, the director, watched Leonard and liked Leonardo's acting so Leonardo got this part. In what's Eating Gilbert Grape, he co-stared with Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis. Leonardo became famous after this movie. He was only nineteen boy. Many people in Hollywood wanted Leonardo in their movies.
Leonardo acted Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and acted Jack Dawson in Titanic. They were very famous!! These roles were difficult but he acted well.
I had known Leonardo DiCaprio because he is very famous. Especially, I like Titanic. He is good actor but I knew he strove to be good actor and he had good talent from this book.

On the Last Day in Tokyo

2007-11-04T20:49:00.000+09:00

Today Eriko and I should go back Kumamoto. Kei had part-time job today so we said good-bye in the morning. Then, Eriko, Misaki, and I went to Ikebukuro for shopping. We watched many things. I bought watch and we bought matching pouch. We wanted Kei to buy this one!!

After shopping, we went to Tokyo Haneda Airport. Misaki saw off Eriko and me. I was sad but we can meet in December again. I could spend wonderful time with Kei, Misaki, and Eriko in Tokyo.

On the Fifth Day in Tokyo

2007-11-03T23:12:00.000+09:00

Today, I went to Tokyo Disney Sea with Eriko, Kei, and Misaki, who are also my best friends!!

Misaki was familiar with Tokyo Disney Sea so I followed after her!! We enjoyed Tower of Terror, Center of the Earth, Indiana Jones, or Raising Spirit. We also watched The Legend of Mythica. I could see MickeyMouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Plute, Chip, or Dale. They were so cute!! I enjoyed spending time with Kei, Misaki, and Eriko in Tokyo Disney Sea!!!!

We spent time in Tokyo Disney Sea from morning to night.

Tonight, we all went back Kei's house. We were tired but we talked a lot. It was very wonderful time for me.

On the Fourth Day in Tokyo

2007-11-02T23:57:00.000+09:00

Today, Eriko went out with her old sister so I went to Roppongi with Kei.
First, we went to Tokyo Midtown. I've never been there but Kei liked there and I also became to like there. I like the atmosphere of Tokyo Midtown. We ate bagels. I like them!!
Then, Eriko joined us and we went to Roppongi Hills. We could see Tokyo Tower from there. It was wonderful!! We ate dinner there and enjoy Roppongi.

On the Third Day in Tokyo

2007-11-01T23:34:00.000+09:00

Today, Eriko and I met Shin, who is our friend since high school and lives in Tokyo. We went to Jackaon Hole, which I knew from NANA. This cafe had very nice atmosphere. I ate Jackson Burger. It was tasty. I recommend this cafe!!
Next, we went to Shibuya by bus. We walked there and enjoy shopping.
Then, we went to Shin's house and ate nabe, which is food boiled in a ceramic pot. It was yummy and I enjoyed talking with them.

On the Second Day in Tokyo

2007-10-31T23:56:00.000+09:00

Today, Kei had part-time job so I went to Akihabara with Eriko. We've never been to Akihabara. I had thought there were many Otaku but I couldn't see them. We went to Meido Cafe. We ate lunch there. I thought there weren't peculiar different from general cafe. After having lunch at Meido Cafe, we bought to Oden can and Chinese noodle can. They were famous so we wanted to eat.

Next, we went to Harajuku and ate cake at Senbikiya. It was very delicious!! I felt happy.

Then, we met my older brother. He lives in Tokyo so we went to his house. Eriko had never meet him but she accompanied with me.

After going to my brother's house, we went to Lumine and enjoyed shopping there. We went to Lumine the Yoshimoto and bought some goods.

Kei had part-time job until 9:30 so we waited her at Shinjuku. After finishing Kei's part-time job, we ate dinner at Shinjiku. I didn't remember bar's name but it was nice.

Today, I walked a lot so I was tired but I had very good time!!

On the First Day in Tokyo.

2007-10-30T23:40:00.000+09:00

I came to Tokyo with Eriko, who is my friend. I'll stay here until next Sunday. I looked forward going to Tokyo because Kei and Misaki, who are my good friends, live in Tokyo. Kei, Misaki, Eriko, and I went to same high school. I couldn't often meet them but I meet them when I have chance to meet them.
Today Eriko and I arrived at Tokyo at 10 p.m. Kei met us at Tokyo Haneda Airport and we went to Kei's house. We were tired a little but we talked a lot. I was happy because I met Kei.

Book Review2-5

2007-10-29T00:03:00.000+09:00

Ricky Martin

Ricky Martin's father's name is Enrique Martin and mother's name is Nereida Morales. They had a son on December 24, 1971. This son is Ricky Martin. His parents named him Enrique Martin Morales IV and called him 'Kiki'.

In 1973, Kiki's father moved away from the family home, but his mother and father were good friends so he had two homes. It wasn't good for Kiki and it made him unhappy.

At five years old, Kiki liked performing in the street with his friends and a year later, he went to an audition for a TV commercial with his father. He did the job and the TV station wanted to work with him again so he broadcasted at eleven commercials in five years.

A year later, Kuki auditioned for the band Menudo, whose members were young boys and they were stars in Latin America. Kiki did well at the audition but he didn't be a member of Menudo. He didn't give up and he auditioned three times and at audition number three in 1984, he passed and he became to be a member of Menudo.

Kiki had a good time with Menudo but he was very busy so he sometimes couldn't go back home or communicate with his parents. His mother was very sad and his father was angry and then he and his father didn't talk for ten years. He felt unhappy about his family and he wanted to change his name. Since he was 14 years old, 1989, his name has been Ricky Martin.

In 1989, Ricky quit a member of Menudo and he went back to school. Then school finished and he decided to go to New York. He became to like New York and he also worked there alone not a band. Ricky was called to come and sing in a theater show by a producer from Mexico City so he moved to Mexico. He succeeded in singer and actor and became to be star in Mexico.

Also, he wanted to success in the US so he went to Los Angeles. He first had a job on the television show 'Getting By' and he went to 'General Hospital' which was a very famous show in US. Also, he sang again and he made some CDs. Ricky Martin became to be a TV star, a theater star, a movie star, and a famous singer!!

He made 'La Copa de la Vida' with his friend for the World Cup. This song was heard before the first game of World Cup and many people liked this song in US. In February, he got an award for his new CD, Vuelve. He was a real famous singer.

He liked reading, walking by the ocean, or thinking. He often sought Buddhism's answers. Buddhism is important for him and he often read the books of the Indian teacher, Deepak Chopra.

I hadn't known him before reading this book, but I think he is very cool because he tried many thing and he succeed. I want to listen to his songs someday.

Volleyball

2007-10-28T23:46:00.000+09:00

Volleyball is one of my favorite sports. When I was an elementary student, I belonged to volleyball club at elementary school. Now, I play volleyball at physical education of KGU. Recently, I'm physically weak so I sometimes become to be tired by playing volleyball at physical education, but I like playing volleyball.

Movie Review2

2007-10-24T10:14:00.000+09:00

Kill Bill

I watched Kill Bill in the library at KGU with Haruka. It was released in two separate volumes and we watched first volume in English. First volume was released in 2003 and second volume was released in 2004.

This movie is action. Main character is Beatrix Kiddo. She was an assassin but she dropped from it because she got pregnant. At her wedding, she was beaten up by members of one organization, which she belonged to. They killed her husband and she got into a coma. Four years later, she came out of a coma and she decided to revenge them who beat up her.

First, Beatrix Kiddo went to Vernita Green’s house. Vernita Green was a member of this organization. Vernita Green has her husband and four-year-old daughter, Nikki. Beatrix Kiddo fought with Vernita Green at living room. They used knives and bloodstained each other and living room. Then, Nikki came back from her school and they stopped fighting. After Nikki went to her room, they went to the kitchen. Vernita Green asked Beatrix Kiddo to forgive her but Beatrix Kiddo refused and they decided to fight with knives later that evening, however, Vernita Green attempted to shoot Beatrix Kiddo with a gun but she missed. Then, Beatrix Kiddo killed Vernita Green by throwing a knife into her chest. Vernita Green was died and Beatrix Kiddo noticed that Nikki saw their fight and Beatrix Kiddo killed Vernita Green in front of Nikki. Beatrix Kiddo told Nikki that she was sorry for killing her mother and when Nikki would grow up, if Nikki wants, Beatrix Kiddo would wait Nikki’s revenge.

Next, Beatrix Kiddo went to Okinawa for getting a sword of Hattori Hanzo. She met him at his sushi restaurant but he was retired from making swords, however, she didn’t give up and finally he allowed her to get one of his swords, which were made by him long time ago.

Then, Beatrix Kiddo met O-Ren Ishii who was a member of that organization like Vernita Green. O-Ren lived in Japan and she became a top of one gangster. One night, O-Ren went to a restaurant with her tools and also Beatrix Kiddo went there. Beatrix Kiddo met Sofie Fatale who was one of O-Ren’s tools at rest room. Beatrix Kiddo cut one arm of Sofie Fatale in front of O-Ren and other her tools. Then, their fight started. Beatrix Kiddo cut and killed many people and bloodstained the restaurant. One girl, who was Japanese and a high school student, tried to kill Beatrix Kiddo. Her name was Gogo Yubari. She used chain and Beatrix Kiddo put up a bad fight with her but finally Beatrix Kiddo killed Gogo Yubari. Beatrix Kiddo killed O-Ren’s tools and she fought against O-Ren. They used their swords and their fight was violent. After their fighting a long time, Beatrix Kiddo cut O-Ren Ishii’s head and she was died.

Finally, First volume declared war against Bill by cutting the other arm of Sofie Fatale. Beatrix Kiddo cut the other arm of Sofie Fatale and took her to a hospital. Sofie Fatale without her arms and Bill talked about Beatrix Kiddo. This was last scene of First volume.

In this movie, Uma Thurman played Beatrix Kiddo, Lucy Liu played O-Ren Ishii, Vivica A. Fox played Vernita Green, David Carradine played Bill, Julie Dreyfus played Sofie Fatale, Chiaki Kuriyama played Gogo Yubari, and Sonny Chiba played Hattori Hanzo.

I think this movie isn’t good because it was so grotesque and I felt uncomfortable. Many people were killed and these scenes were vivid. I often wanted to stop watching this movie and I don’t want to watch second volume of this movie.

However, this movie has good thing. This movie has animation a little. Though I didn’t like watching this animation because it was also grotesque, I think it was interesting that animation was used in a movie.

Book Review 2-4

2007-10-23T00:50:00.000+09:00

Prince William

William was born on 21st in June, 1982. His father is Prince Charles and his mother is Princess Diana. Charles wanted Mabel Anderson, who had been Charles's nanny before, to be William's nanny but Diana didn't want. She wanted to be near William and she loved him very much.

On 15th in September, 1984, a new his brother was born. The boy's name is Harry. William loved him and liked playing with him.

On 24th in September, 1985, William started to go to Mrs Mynor's School in Notting Hill, London. It was very near to Kensington Palace. In January, 1987, William started to go to Wetherby School. This is also in Notting Hill. He played a lot of sports at school. In September, 1990, William moved to Ludgrove School in Berkshire and he lived there. He went to his house for school holidays. He spent very good time and played a lot of games.

Charles and Diana divorced in August, 1996. Before divorcing, their relationship wasn't good. William knew it and Charles and Diana didn't live together. Charles lived at Highgrove and Diana lived at Kensington Palace. William and Harry lived with Diana and they visited their father.

After Ludgrove, William went to Eton which was England's famous school for boys. He liked this school and had many friends. He sometimes went out of the school with some his friends but two policemen always went with him and his friends or sometimes photographers went after them and took pictures. William didn't like it.

Early in the morning of 31 August, 1997, Diana was dead because she had a traffic accident. Charles and the Queen heard about this accident and then William and Harry were sleeping. Diana was very good mother but she was dead so Charles tried to be good father like her. It was difficult but they became to be strong and newspaper reporters didn't often take pictures and write about them after Diana's death.

I had read about Diana before but I didn't know William well. I think he had experienced many good things but some experiences aren't good for him. I want William to be a good King of England.

Fireworks

2007-10-20T23:59:00.000+09:00

I went to Yatsushiro for watching fireworks with my friends who are staff at my part-time job. Today, this fireworks display was held in Yatsushiro. It is famous and is held every year. We went there by car. We were caught in a traffic jam and we took very long time to arrive there. There were many people and many kinds of booths. We watched fireworks and ate some foods. I like fireworks. It was very good time but I was so tired because I drove a car. I think if I go there again, it is good to alternate driving a car.

Driving

2007-10-17T23:47:00.000+09:00

After school, I met Eriko, who is my best friend since high school, and Ryouji, who is my high school's superior. We sometimes meet and talk about many things. Tonight, we went to Sakuratei near Kumamoto Prefectural University to have dinner. It was good and after eating dinner, we went to Clair. We were taken a print club. It was interesting. Then, we went to Uto and we saw night view and talked a lot each other. We have classes tomorrow so we couldn't share the time so long but I enjoyed spending time with them.

Book Review 2-3

2007-10-16T23:07:00.000+09:00

California

California is one of biggest states in America. It is the home of Hollywood and the American film. Americans call California 'The Golden State'. On January 24, 1848, one man, who is James Wilson, saw something bright and yellow in a river when he was working on the land, which was later to become the city of Sacramento. This bright is gold. This discovery was spread all over the world.
Today, the buildings in San Francisco are much stronger because there was a terrible earthquake. In San Francisco, there is the Golden Gate Bridge or Golden Gate Park.

California has many parks, for example, Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Yosemite National Park, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. They have abundant nature.

Los Angeles is one city in California and one of the largest cities in the world. About nine million people live in the city and this size is more than 10000 square kilometers.

Also, San Diego is one city in California and second largest city in California. More than one million people live in San Diego.

I've never been to California but this city is attractive for me. I want to go there someday.

English Weekend

2007-10-14T22:32:00.000+09:00

I participated in English Weekend. I didn't take part in this program last year so this English Weekend was my first time. I stayed at Nishigoushi training center from yesterday.

We did some games, for example, fruit basket or bingo. They are interesting. At night, we had barbecue. I ate meat, vegetable, and marshmallow. I've never roast marshmallow and eaten it, but it was very tasty. After barbecue, we went to hot spring. I could be relaxed. I talked with many people, KGU students or exchange students. I enjoyed talking with them and I didn't sleep much.

Today, we did another game and listened to exchange students' speaking. They told us about their countries a lot. I like listening to it. We ate thin wheat noodles at lunch. It was good. Before leaving there, we cleaned there. Then, we went to Suntory Beer Garden. I was so tired so it was so-so.

In this English Weekend, I was acquainted with many people. It was very good for me. I could spend very good time and I think I have to learn many things more.

Birthday Party

2007-10-11T23:47:00.000+09:00

I met Eriko, Mayumi, and Arata who are my good friends since high school after classes. We ate out and ate grilled chicken in downtown. It was very delicious. We talked a lot. After eating dinner, we bought a cake for Eriko's birthday. Her birthday was on September and she became 20 years old. We would go to Arata's house and eat the cake, but Mayumi became out of shape so we took her to her house in my car. Eriko, Arata, and I wanted to spend time more so we came back Arata's house and ate the cake. It was very tasty. We talked very long time. I could spend very good time with them.

Book Review 2-2

2007-10-09T20:12:00.000+09:00

Little Women

This story is about four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Meg is 16 years old and has big eyes and beautiful long brown hair. She is very beautiful. Jo is 15 years old and has dark eyes and long brown hair. She is tall and thin. Beth is 13 years old and very quiet girl. Amy is the youngest and has blur eyes and yellow hair. They don't have any money and their father is away in the war but they are happy and they are very kind. They are sometimes angry but they are very obedient children. This book says about parts of their life.

I think the sisters are very good children. They are kind to their mother, father, and other people. I enjoyed reading this book.

With My Friends

2007-10-07T23:57:00.000+09:00

Tonight, I went out with my friends who are staff at my part-time job. We went to karaoke and they sang many songs. I couldn't sing well but I also sang a lot. After karaoke, we went to supermarket and bought liquor, snacks, and ice cream. We ate ice cream in a car and went to the house of one of us. Then, we drunk alcohol and talked a lot. We've never gone out together before so we talked so much. I could spend very good time with them.

Movie Review 1

2007-10-03T21:16:00.000+09:00

MR1 Toy Story

I watched this movie in the library with Haruka. I’ve watched it in Japanese but I’ve never watched it in English. I think it is more interesting in English than in Japanese.

This movie was released in 1995 in USA and then it was also released in many countries, for example, Japan, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sweden, Argentina, Spain, and so on.

This story is about mainly change of relationship between two toys and growth of them and toys around them.

Main characters of this movie are Woody, and Buzz Lightyear, and Andy. Woody is a toy, looks like a constable in Western and is leader of all toys of Andy. Buzz Lightyear is a toy with high-tech functions and becomes to be a member of Andy’s toy as his birthday present. Andy is a child and owner of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other toys.

A voice actor of Woody is Tom Hanks, a voice actor of Buzz Lightyear is Tim Allen, and a voice actor of Andy is John Morris.

I think this movie is good because it is elaborate animation and we can see the life with toy’s viewpoint. There are many kinds of movies in the world but I think it is important for movies to leave something in mind. This movie made me think about friendship, jealousy, and importance of objects so I think this movie is good movie.

Cheerful Harupi--ni: Welcome Party

2007-10-03T10:24:00.000+09:00

Cheerful Harupi--ni: Welcome Party

I could spend good time with you and other people at welcome party. We could eat tasty foods and hear nice song. These exchange students were very kind and funny. I want to go to dormitory of exchange students again!! Let's go!!

Fukuoka

2007-09-30T21:16:00.000+09:00

I went to Fukuoka with Mari and Asuka by bus. They are my best friends since junior high school. We went to Tenjin and shopping there. First, we went to Solaria Plaza and then Tenjin Core. We walked a lot and we bought many things. I bought coat, boot, clothes, bag, and so on. I could enjoy shopping. Also, we like talking so we talked about many things. I had very good time with them but I wanted to stay with them more. Today was very nice day.

Book Review 2-1

2007-09-30T20:46:00.000+09:00

David Beckham

I know David Beckham because he is very famous soccer player.
This book is about him!! He was born on 2 May, 1975 in Leytonstone, London. His parents liked football very much. He also likes football and practiced playing football everyday. At thirteen, he went to a football school for boys at Manchester United, at sixteen, he stopped going to school, and in July, 1991, he was spotted and recruited by a man from Manchester United. He became a member of Manchester United as a boy player at sixteen years old. In the early year with Manchester United, he was sometimes angry because he was young but he changed after getting red card in the game against Argentina. He is becoming very good player and he became a very famous player. The year 2003 was very important for him because Manchester United won a big competition and he moved to Real Madrid, Spain.
In private life, he married Victoria, who is singer, in July, 1999. They like children and they had first son, Brookly, in March, 1999. Then in September, 2002, they had second son, Romeo.
I think David Beckham is very handsome and has talent of soccer but now I could know he strived to play soccer and got a success.

Welcome Party

2007-09-28T23:42:00.000+09:00

Today, I participated to welcome party at dormitory of exchange students. There are many dishes which were made by exchange students. They were tasty. Some exchange students and Japanese students played guitar and sang. After that, we talked a lot. I knew many things and I had very good time.

Charlie and chocolate factory

2007-09-26T20:47:00.000+09:00

I watched Charlie and chocolate factory at the library with Haruka. This movie is famous but I've never watched it.
Main characters of it are Charlie, who is very kind boy and he and his family are very poor, and Wonka, who is creator of one famous chocolate factory. Many chocolates are made in this factory but people haven't seen Wonka and other employees for about 15 years. One day, Wonka decided to invite 5 children to his factory. This made a flutter and Charlie and other 4 children were invited to his factory. This is start of this story.

Charlie is played by Freddie Highmore and Wonka is played by Johnny Depp.
This movie told us that our family is very important and necessary for us. We can get power from them. I sometimes felt uncomfortable by image but I enjoyed watching it.

Drinking

2007-08-30T23:42:00.000+09:00

At night, I met Eriko, Kei, Shinnosuke, and Arata, who are my good friends since high school. We went to Shinnosuke's house and drank and talked a lot. Kei and Shinnosuke live in Tokyo so I can't meet them often. I enjoyed spending time with them!!!! It was so nice!!

Fireworks Display in Uto

2007-08-23T23:24:00.000+09:00

I went to see fireworks in Uto with Eriko and Kei, who are my good friends since high school. We had been to see this festival when we were high school students. There were many people and we got best position to see fireworks early. Before watching fireworks, we played boring and ate dinner at Uto City. It was good!! We could see fireworks well and they were very nice. These fireworks were finished and then we wanted to set off fireworks!! We bought some fireworks at convenience store and we went to Misumi for setting off fireworks. We talked a lot and we enjoyed very much!!

Came Back to Kumamoto

2007-08-22T21:11:00.000+09:00

I came back to Japan and Kumamoto from Minnesota, America. I stayed Minnesota about one month. I experienced many wonderful things. I stayed with my host family's house. They were very kind and I enjoyed spending time with them. They took me many places and gave me many opportunities to experience American life. Also, I had very nice time at Bethel University. I met many people and they all were very kind. It was very wonderful time for me!! I like Minnesota and people who I met in Minnesota very much. I want to go to Minnesota and meet these people again!!!!

With my friends

2007-07-20T23:26:00.000+09:00

I went to Yoruichi to eat a dinner with Eriko, Mayumi, and Arata. We have been friends since we were high school students. We ate a lot of grilled meat, Yukke, and salad. They were very delicious. After eating, we had print club pictures. It was a nice memory. Then, Eriko and Arata presented a cake of SWISS to Mayumi and me because Mayumi's birthday was yesterday and my birthday is coming soon. They celebrated our birthday. I was very happy and this cake was very good. I spent a very good time with them.

Final WEI

2007-07-20T08:46:00.001+09:00

How many words
in Week 1: 0
in Week 2: 231
in Week 3: 441
in Week 4: 207
in Week 5: 330
in Week 6: 867
in Week 7: 174
in Week 8: 470
in Week 9: 599
in Week 10: 359
in Week 11: 1378
in Week 12: 406
in Week 13: 1156
in Week 14: 384
in Week 15: 571
Total words up to this point: 7573

How many posts
in Week 1: 0
in Week 2: 2
in Week 3: 4
in Week 4: 4
in Week 5: 4
in Week 6: 6
in Week 7: 2
in Week 8: 3
in Week 9: 5
in Week 10: 4
in Week 11: 6
in Week 12: 4
in Week 13: 6
in Week 14: 5
in Week 15: 3
Total posts up to this point: 58

Are all your posts labeled? Yes
Do you have a label element in your sidebar? Yes
Do you have a pictures in your self intro? Yes
Do you have a feed in your sidebar? Yes
Do you have a list of links that feature links to 4 other students’ blogs? Yes
Do you have Kumamoto Links in sidebar? No
Do you have other links in sidebar? No
Do you have reviews on Amazon? No
Do you listmania lists on Amazon? No
Do you have any wiki or similar contributions? No
Do you have advanced media? No

List to your book reviews here
Review 1-01 good
Review 1-02 fair
Review 1-03 good
Review 1-04 fair
Review 1-05 good
Review 1-06 fair
Review 1-08 fair
Review 1-09 good
Review 1-10 good
Review 1-11 good
Review 1-12 good

Link to your essays posted to your blog here
Essay 01 fair
Essay 02 good
Essay 03 good
Essay 04 good
Essay 05 good
Essay 06 good

How many postswith link(s): 43
with 1 picture/photo: 40
How many complex posts? 27

Comments:How many comments are there on your blog? 14
Have you made at least 8 comments? Please link to the 8 comments you think are best.
Yes.
Haruka's blog
Yukari's blog
Shoichiro's blog
Hiramii's blog
Yuko's blog
Hiroko's blog
Yuuka's blog
Haruka's blog

Please link to your best non book review, non essay blog post. Why do you think it is your best?
Movies
I think it is my best because it has many links and photos and I want many people to see this bolg because watching movies is one of my hobbies.

Please link to your best comment on another blog. Why do you think it is best?
http://shining-harupi--ni.blogspot.com/2007/05/orlando-bloom.html
I think it is best because I was interested in this blog and I sympathized with her idea.

My Favorite movie

2007-07-19T20:41:00.001+09:00

One of my favorite movies is ‘Totoro’. It is famous Japanese animation. Direction of it is Hayao Miyazaki, who made a lot of movies and they have been very famous.
‘Totoro’ was released in 1988. Main characters are Totoro which lives in forest since ancient, Satsuki who is 11-year-old girl, and Mei who is 4-year-old girl. Satsuki and Mei are sisters and moved a house near the forest where Totoro has lived with father. Their mother is sick and has entered a hospital so they think abundant nature around the house helps her health to recover.
They adjusted to new life and felt comfortable it. Then, Satsuki and Mei met Totoro. Only children meet Totoro. Totoro is very big and kind and gave them nuts and helped Satsuki when Mei got lost. They liked Totoro and could learn many things from Totoro.
My favorite scene of it is that Satsuki, Mei, Totoro, and mini Totoros go up a big tree by taking a top and blow ocarinas. This scene is heartwarming and makes me relaxed and this scene’s music is very good.
I wanted to see Totoro very much when I was a child, so I looked for Totoro at mountain behind my grandparents’ house, however, I can’t find Totoro. I know Totoro is a character in the movie but I believe Totoro exist. There are few people who can meet Totoro.
I think ‘Totoro’ is masterpiece. Most of people in Japan have watched it and feel it is good because its story, music, and tone of color are nice, I think. They combine to make it attractive and famous.
I can enjoy seeing and hearing ‘Totoro’ so I like watching it and want to watch it again and again.

My recommend movies

2007-07-18T23:48:00.000+09:00

My recommend movies are Cutie Blond, Pirates of the Caribbean, Ice Age, and Eternal Sunshine.

Cutie Blond is comedy movie. The main character is Elle. She is powerful and has positive thinking and always confronts every difficulty. She entered Low school at Harvard, overcame prejudices against her and became lawyer. This movie cheers us and makes us happy so I recommend it.

Pirates of the Caribbean is adventure movie. This movie is composed of three parts. The main characters are pirates. They travel any places by ship and try to find treasure. They sometimes fight many people and its action is very exciting. This movie makes us excited and felt being in the fantasy world.

Ice Age is animation movie of Disney. Various animals appear and their friendship and adventure are expressed in the movie. It makes us warm and we can enjoy watching.

Eternal Sunshine is love story movie. One couple breaks up and the girlfriend's memories with the boyfriend are removed by a doctor and he was very shocked. It is beginning of this story. It makes us think about love and feel sad.

Today's lesson

2007-07-17T23:42:00.000+09:00

I had two lessons today and they are tests.
One is reading class. We took test of vocabulary. I had words which I knew and didn't know. I thought I must increase words which I can use.
The other is Intercultural Communication class. I had a test about things which we studied in this class. I thought it was difficult. I couldn't answer all questions. I was shocked.

Shopping

2007-07-16T21:16:00.000+09:00

I've wanted a big bag so I went to Tsuruya with my mother. Today is the last day of the sale. Before we went there, I had wanted a bag of SAZABY but I didn't find my favor bag. We watched another brands and I found my favor bags of Courreges and Tommy Hilfiger. I thought I would choose which bag for a long time with my mother. Then, I decided to buy a bag. It is a bag of Tommy Hilfiger because it has a good capacity and my mother recommended it. I could enjoy shopping with my mother.

My Maternal grandparents' house

2007-07-16T20:47:00.000+09:00

I went to my maternal grandparents' house with my mother and met my maternal grandparents and aunt. They were look like fine. We told about many things but mostly about my first abroad from 23 July to 21 August. They have been to many countries so they told me their experiences and I should be careful about pickpocket, gun, and so on. I'll be careful about anything. Then, we ate lunch together and watched TV. I could have good time with them.

My Break Time

2007-07-14T20:40:00.000+09:00

I had a part-time job at from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After that, I came back my home and read Ikebukuro West Gate Park which my young brother borrowed from his high school.
This book was written by Ira Ishida and main character of it is Makoto. He lives in Ikebukuro and many troubles and problems happened around him. I think it is excessive story, but present-day young people's soul and problems were expressed in it.
It was interesting for me and I thought it was important to live desperately.

Tests

2007-07-11T18:59:00.000+09:00

I had two interview tests for being exchange student at KGU. One is in Japanese and the other is in English. I was very nervous and I don't know whether I could state my opinion clearly or not, but I did my best.

Book Revoew 1-12

2007-07-10T01:08:00.001+09:00

This book is about Nursing.
According to this book, many people knew jobs of doctors and nurses from movies and televisions. For example, there was 'Nurse Betty' which was a film made in 2000.
In Greece, sick people don't go to hospitals but temples many centuries ago. Wars have been very important to know the history of nursing. Romans began to build hospitals because they needed for injured soldiers around 100 BC. Also, Florence Nightingale, who is very famous all over the world, was very important to know the history of nursing. When she was seventeen years old, she became to have interest in nursing. There was another important woman except Florence Nightingale. She is Mary Seacole. She was called 'Mother Seacole' by soldiers. Their activities familiarize nursing to the world.
Today, how to nurse is quite different between parts of the world. In richer countries, there are enough doctors for every people but in developing countries, there aren't enough doctors for. People in developing countries sometimes die of illnesses which can be healed in richer countries.
People in all over the world need various nursing. Of course, doctors and nurses are needed for nursing but general people can nurse as volunteer.

I think nursing is very important for all people but especially people in developing countries need nursing much.

My Worst Day

2007-07-09T16:26:00.001+09:00

My worst day is the day when our pet died. When I was 10 years old, our dog died because of illness. He was the only two-month puppy.

My brothers and I had wanted to have a dog so we went to a animal shelter. We found one dog, which was maybe a mongrel dog and had been thrown away by someone. We thought he was cute and wanted him to be one of my family’s members so we decided to take him to my house.

Then, my life with him started. I had never had dogs so I had many things that I didn’t know how to raise a dog. I read many books about dogs and tried to do so, however, trouble happened to him.

One day, he stopped eating. We worried about it and took him to the hospital. A doctor said he had a serious illness and if he doesn’t eat, he would die. I wanted him to recover from the illness so I changed his meal and he started to eat but he stopped eating again. He got weak and became thin.

A few days later, my worst day came. He didn’t stir. I was very sad because he died and I couldn’t help him. I cried a lot and we buried him below the grave. I had many regrets but he gave me wonderful memories so I thanked him. I won’t forget my worst day.

In Fukuoka

2007-07-07T23:57:00.000+09:00

I went to Fukuoka by a bus with my mother today.

Our purpose is watching Mamma Mia which is a musical but we have a little time until it opens, so we went shopping in Tenjin underground shopping center and Tenjin Core. I bought some clothes and we ate spaghetti at Pietro in Mitsukoshi. Next, we went to Canal city by a bus. We walked much time and my mother bought a bag and shoes for me. We enjoyed shopping and we went to Fukuoka City Theater. We watched Mamma Mia in it. We could enjoy watching it and it made me happy and gave me courage. After it, we came back my home by a bus. I could spend very nice time.

Heavy Rain

2007-07-06T23:45:00.000+09:00

I always go to KGU by a car and I also went there by a car today but it rained heavily. I couldn't see the front well. It was dangerous!! The street became like a river. Much water flooded on the street. I was caught a heavy traffic jam but I could arrive at KGU before my class start.

Dinner

2007-07-05T23:29:00.001+09:00

I had a class in the cram school. Haruka and I attended a class with new student. After it, I went to eat at Gusto with Haruka, my teacher, and two high school students. My teacher stood us a dinner. I ate chicken, rice, and miso soup and drank orange juice. They were good. We talked about university, high school, cram school, foreign countries, and so on. It was good time for me.

Book Review 1-11

2007-07-04T23:23:00.001+09:00

This book introduces to many festivals and celebrations, for example, The New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter, The Fourth of July, Halloween, Guy Fawkes' Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

On 31 December is New Year's Eve and people go to parties, bars, or restaurants with their friends in the evening. In Scotland, New Year's Eve is called a special name, Hogmanay. New Year's Day is a holiday for most people. Many people stay at home and rest. When people see their friends, they usually say 'Happy New Year!'

Valentine's Day started over two thousand years ago on 15 February as a winter festival. Valentine's Day started because of one man whose name is Valentine and who worked for the church.

Easter is the most important festival. People decorate eggs with many colors and also eat hot cross buns. Some women and girls decorate hats which are called Easter bonnets and many people go to the church on Easter.

The Fourth of July is the Independence Day. On 4 July, 1776, Thomas Jefferson and other people wrote the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Many families have a barbecue and play the games in their gardens or a park. Independence Day usually ends with fireworks.

Halloween is for sending away bad spirits. In Canada and the USA, and sometimes in Britain, children who dress up like witches and ghosts go to the houses around their houses and say 'Trick or treat?' If people don't give the children fruit or chocolate, they will pay a trick on them.

Guy Fawkes' Day is on November. In most of Britain, people build a big fire outside whose name is bonfire. Many children learn these old words on this day.

Thanksgiving is for thanking God for harvest. The date of this day has changed three times in the USA, but now it is the 4th Thursday in November. Most American and Canadian families have dinner with their family.

Christmas is the day when Jesus Christ was born and Christian religion started. People start to prepare for Christmas in late October or early November and in the middle of December, most families put Christmas trees inside their house and colorful decorations on them. People send cards to their friends and family. Many people go to church at midnight on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a holiday and its dinner is the biggest meal of the day.

There are many festivals and celebrations I have never experienced in the world. I think festivals and celebrations are important because they make us happy and relaxed and we can thank many things and spend nice time with our family and friends.

Golf

2007-07-03T23:57:00.000+09:00

I worked at a golf club as a clerk after class at KGU today. I worked at from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and after it, I played golf. I am an employee so I can play golf free. I had played a few times so I can't play well. I was taught by my boss and coach at this golf club. It was difficult to play a golf but it was very interesting. I want to try to play golf when I have enough time.

Kendo

2007-07-03T02:09:00.001+09:00

When I was a junior high school student, I belonged to Kendo club at school. Before I became a junior high school student, I had never done it but I had wanted to do a Japanese sport. I thought Kendo was cool but it was harder than I had expected. I wasn't a very good Kendo player, but I practiced Kendo with members of Kendo club. I could be a holder of the first grade in Kendo when I was a second grader at a junior high school.

Kendo is a Japanese sport. We wear protectors and use a bamboo sword when we play Kendo. Their protectors are heavy and expensive. Of course, we don't have experience to do Kendo, but we can learn many things from it, so I want many people to do Kendo.

Test

2007-06-30T12:39:00.001+09:00

Today I had a test for being an exchange student at KGU.
The form of this test is essay. I was poor to write a essay, but I tried to write my opinion. The theme of the essay is about own experiences with foreigner and in foreign countries. I had never been to foreign countries so I couldn't write experiences in foreign countries. It was difficult for me but I thought I could write my opinion.

My Favorite Book

2007-06-29T19:51:00.001+09:00

These books are very sad and heartwarming story. I want many people to read these books so I won't write detail story.

Its story is love story and was written from true story.

I read these books last summer. After these books, I felt sadness and importance of life. If I were main character, Mika, I couldn't live like her.

I think there are many difficulties in our life, but we have to have strength to confront them. It was idea which I w by Mika who is author of these books.

This novel will be made into a movie in this November so I want to watch it.

Book Review 1-10

2007-06-26T23:33:00.000+09:00

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey was born on January 29, 1954 and her name was given from the Bible. Her parents didn't marry. Her mother couldn't get a comfortable life for her so she had to live with her grandparents. She grew to be a clever and when she was six years old, she moved to Wisconsin for living with her mother and half-sister, Patricia, but she wanted Oprah to back to the farm. Oprah decided to ask her father to live with him and he accepted her asking. She had nice time with him and his wife, Zelma, but she started to live with her mother and her boyfriend and children. Her mother was very busy and she didn't enough time to spend with her so she wasn't happy. Also, she was unhappy at the school. She was a good student and other students don't like her. She maybe has stress and ran away from home. Her mother thought she should be in a home for problem girls but there wasn't enough room for her so her mother decided to give her over to her father. Then, her life with her father and his wife started.

In 1970, when she was seventeen, she went to Hollywood and wanted to be an actress. One day, she went to a radio station, was asked to read the news, and was very good. She got her first job in radio and was paid $100 a week. She thought this job was important so left college and took it. This time, no other woman or black person read the news on television in Nashville so the station paid her $15,000 a year. At the time, she was only nineteen years old.
She worked at WTVF-TV for three years but ideas between she and this company are different, so she quit.
In 1977, she started to do 'People Are Talking', which is a talk show. She did better and better, but she loved a man who had a wife, so she wanted to leave there.
She moved to Chicago because Debra DiMaio who worked for a TV station in Chicago wanted to meet her. She started doing the A.M. Chicago talk show in 1984. She had a new job and $200,000 a year. She was only twenty-nine years old.
She thought 'Television changes people's lives.', so she always would do her best and she thought reading was very important for her. She had been reading many books.
She is one of the richest woman in the world and she gives things to her friend and to people at work and uses her money for more serious things. In 1997, she started Angel Network. This builds houses for people and gives away money across the United States. Many people get money and help from her.
Oprah is now one of the most successful women in the world. Many people love her.

I hadn't known her before I read this book. I think she is very great. She affected many people all over the world. It is difficult to affect many people but it is important, I think.

One of my Hobbies

2007-06-26T00:47:00.001+09:00

I like reading magazines and I often bought and read these magazines, Cancam. They are very interesting.
Yuri Ebihara who is model in this magazine is cute and famous. She's active in television too.
I like her but I like another models of Cancam. For example, I like Naoko Tokuzawa and Maki Nishiyama. I think they are nice models.
Reading magazines are interesting and I refer to fashions of models.

Book Review 1-9

2007-06-24T20:17:00.000+09:00

Diana

This book is about Diana Spencer. She was born on 1st July, 1961. She have two old sisters and one younger brother. Their family was given the title of 'Earl'.

The Spencer family's home is called Althorp House which was built in 1508, but when she was born, her grandfather still lived at Althorp House so her family's home was Park House which was near one of the royal family's country homes.

When she was seven, her mother fell in love with another man and her parents divorced in 1969. She felt pain and unhappiness. She lived with her father and he became the new Earl Spencer in 1975 because her grandfather died. He and his children moved to Althorp House.

Diana married Prince Charles on 29th July, 1981, at St Paul's Cathedral in London. She was twenty years old and twelve years younger than him. Later, they moved into Kensington Palace in London. She bore two boys, William Arthur Philip Louis and Henry Charles. She was very happy but troubled by mass media. Relationship between Diana and Carles was becoming bad and they divorced in August, 1996.

She believed that the press would now leave her alone but she was wrong. The public wanted to know if she had a new boyfriend. She felt stress because of the press by mass media. She and Dodi who was a son of Mohamed who was a very rich Egyptian businessman became very close.

She thought to use mass media for people having interest in terrible diseases. She went to official charity events and helped them to bring in money and she really cared about people. She changed people's ideas about AIDS. Some people had believed that they might catch by touching patients of AIDS so Diana held patients' hands. People were shocked by it but they could understand their ideas were wrong. She continued to help many people in many countries.

In the early morning of 31st August, 1997, Diana and Dodi had a terrible traffic accident and were killed by it. She was only thirty-six years old.

I had known her before reading this book, but I hadn't known her campaign for many kinds of people. I think she got over many difficulties and became attractive woman. I'm sorry that she cut off in her prime but many people will remember her forever.

Oh, no!

2007-06-22T12:04:00.000+09:00

Today, I went to attend speaking class, but there aren't people in this class. I think why...
I told another listening class's students why there aren't people. They told me that today's my listening class was canceled. I hadn't attended this class last week so I didn't know. I didn't have anything I had to do so I went to computer room to check e-mail and did power words.

WEI 2

2007-06-21T08:08:00.000+09:00

How many words
in Week 1: 0
in Week 2: 231
in Week 3: 441
in Week 4: 207
in Week 5: 330
in Week 6: 867
in Week 7: 174
in Week 8: 470
in Week 9: 599
in Week 10: 359
Total words up to this point: 3678

How many posts in Week 1: 0
in Week 2: 2
in Week 3: 4
in Week 4: 4
in Week 5: 4
in Week 6: 6
in Week 7: 2
in Week 8: 3
in Week 9: 5
in Week 10: 4
Total posts up to this point: 34

Are all your posts labeled? Yes
Do you have a label element in your sidebar? Yes
Do you have a pictures in your self intro? Yes
Do you have a feed in your sidebar? Yes
Do you have a list of links that feature links to 4 other students’ blogs? Yes
Do you have Kumamoto Links in sidebar? No
Do you have other links in sidebar? No
Do you have reviews on Amazon? No
Do you listmania lists on Amazon? No
Do you have any wiki or similar contributions? No
Do you have advanced media? No

List to your book reviews here
Review 1-01 good
Review 1-02 fair
Review 1-03 good
Review 1-04 fair
Review 1-05 good
Review 1-06 fair
Review 1-08 fair

Link to your essays posted to your blog here
Essay 01 fair
Essay 02 good
Essay 03 good
Essay 04 good

How many postswith link(s): 24
with 1 picture/photo: 24
How many complex posts? 12

Comments:How many comments are there on your blog? 6
Have you made at least 8 comments? Please link to the 8 comments you think are best.
Yes.
http://haruchanhaachan.blogspot.com/2007/05/happy_28.html
http://yuukarinoki.blogspot.com/
http://hiroko-ne-3.blogspot.com/
http://shining-harupi--ni.blogspot.com/
http://sho0822.blogspot.com/
http://yuukashappylife.blogspot.com/
http://case-of-hiramii.blogspot.com/
http://tsudayuu.blogspot.com/2007/05/gyo-za-day.html

Please link to your best non book review, non essay blog post. Why do you think it is your best?
Movies I think it is my best because it has many links and photos and I want many people to see this bolg because watching movies is one of my hobbies.
Please link to your best comment on another blog. Why do you think it is best?
http://shining-harupi--ni.blogspot.com/2007/05/orlando-bloom.html
I think it is best because I was interested in this blog and I sympathized with her idea.

A Memorable Day

2007-06-20T09:48:00.000+09:00

My memorable day is one day in last spring vacation. I went to Tokyo with my friend and met another friend who lives in Tokyo. We went to Tokyo Disney Sea. I had never been there, so I had been looking forward to going there.

We arrived there at about 8 o’clock. There were already many people, so we had to wait more than 10 minutes for entering there. We decided to take ‘Tower of Terror’, ‘Center of the Earth’, ‘Indiana Jones’, and ‘Raising Spirit’ but they are very famous, so we used FASTPASS and we could take them. I could enjoy taking them and they are very interesting.

Spring Carnival started after the day we went to Tokyo Disney Sea, so many people came there and many TV personalities came there. I saw Chutoriaru, Otoha, Ari to Kirigirisu, Moe Yamaguchi, Nakagawake, and Kumiko Mori. I rarely see TV personalities so this is very nice experience.

We ate so much. For example, we ate popcorn, which was seasoned with 2 different flavors, strawberry or cappuccino, hot dogs, and gyouza dogs. They are very good but popcorn seasoned with strawberry was strange taste.

We enjoyed Tokyo Disney Sea from opening time to closing time. Tokyo Disney Sea made me feel being in another world like fantasy and relaxed. I had very nice time, so I want to go there again.

With my friends

2007-06-20T07:23:00.000+09:00

I went to downtown with Haruka and Hiroko.

We ate lunch at cafe which is good atmosphere and fashionable. I ate salad and rye bread and drank orange juice. They were very good but their quantities were very large so I was very full.
We met a teacher who has been a teacher at a high school, which we all went to. He teaches students art. I wasn't taught art by him but I pleased to meet him.
After eating lunch, we went shopping. We went to Hanshin and PARCO.
I could spend a good time with them.

Book Review 1-8

2007-06-19T19:46:00.001+09:00

E.T.

This movie, which is Steven Spielberg's move (1982), is one of the most famous movies.

E.T. came to Earth with his friends on a spaceship one night. They had to leave quickly, but E.T. was too late. The spaceship went without him. E.T. liked Earth, but it was very dangerous place for him. He met an Earth boy, Elliott performed by Henry Thomas, and went to his home. Elliott loved E.T. and wanted to help him, but there were scientists in the streets of the little town. They were looking for E.T. but they hid from them and lived at Elliott's house together. They enjoyed living together and became very nice friends, however, a spaceship picked up E.T. They had to leave each other.

I like scene which is cover of this book the best. I think friendship between E.T. and Elliott is very nice.

Yesterday

2007-06-17T21:31:00.000+09:00

I took TOEFL test in KGU yesterday. I didn't know whether result was good but I did my best.

After it, I went to downtown with Haruka. She bought presents for father's day and I bought a watch. I wanted shoes but I couldn't find shoes which I wanted.

We were in PARCO and we casually met our friend who lives in Fukuoka. She had come back to Kumamoto. We went to take Print Club. We must go to part-time jobs so we couldn't be together longer but I had nice time with them.