1 family event that you remember from your childhood

I remembered I traveled many places with my family every summer. For example, Kagoshima, Oita, Miyazaki and so on. Especially, I thought Oita was very good place. We went to the aquarium, and saw many animals. For example, penguins, sea lions, and a lot of fish. When I went there, I was six years old. My father and mother remember about this trip. But, I don't remember so many things. I heard that when I saw lion's show and dolphin's shew, I was very excited. Moreover we stayed at the Japanese style hotel. We took the open-air bath. There disclosed a beautiful land scape. Many beautiful mountains pleased us. Kabosu and shiitake mushroom are special product of Oita prefecture. We ate a hot pot cooked at the table. It was very delicious. We relaxed there. I think that it's important to spend time with each family. So, bond of family will be more strong.

[159 words]

Essays 2-03b: Who am I?

Hello, I'll introduce myself. I'll show you my family, my hometown, my school, my dog, my character, something my favorites.

First, I'll introduce my family. There five members of my family; father, mother, brother, a dog and me. My father was already retire of his job. But mother is still working. My father is kind and stubborn. I ofted don't understand his thinking, so I sometimes qurrel with him. But he is kind not only person but also animals. In my childhood and in the cold morning, he always warm my school uniform on the heater. Thanked for him, I can put on  warm clothes. My mother is so positive person, I think. She doesn't worry about bad things. She can change her opinion for good direction soon. Also she is hard worker. She wokes up early and prepare breakfast and my lunch. Even if she talks a lot with me at previous night and go to bed late, she workes up on time in the morning. She sometimes oversleeep, but she finished almost housework in the early morning. I often go shopping with her, so she likes a good friend for me.My brother is about 12years apart to me. He is already married and he has three naughty children. He also works in the morning to the night and sometimes he works overtime until midnight. I think he is reliable and interesting. His talk is always interesting and he makes me laugh. But some times he gets back serious. He is reliable, so if I worry something, I talk to him. And my dog is living about 13 years. He is still fine.

Second, I'll talk where I'm living. I live in Kumamoto, and located south districts from Kumamoto city. It takes about 30 minutes by a car to KGU, so it's little far from my house. If I go to downtown, it takes 15-20 minutes by a car. Few years ago, small bus stop was built near my house. So there is more convenient than before. Also, there are many restaurants around my house. For example, Pisorino, MK, Maguroichiba, Mos Burger, Kentucky Fried Chicken. If we are hungry, we can drop at these restaurant. Each restaurants are nice and I've been there many times. Downtown is also attractive places. There are Sunroad street, Shower street, Kamitori, Shimotori and Namikizaka. I know other unique streets, but these streets are popular. I often go there to have my hair cut and go shopping. Including my hometown, Kumamoto is the most comfortable places.

Third,  I'll talk about my school. I go to KGU university. Now I'm sophomore of this university, but in this year, I'll become 3rd year student. I belong to English-American department and I brush up my English skills there. I take many subjects except Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking. I'm not belong any circles, but I enjoy spending campus life. Campus life is precious for me. If you want to meet you, you can visit Bakery!

Also, I'm studying for get qualification. I take classes for Japanese teacher training course, so every week I feel busy. And if I have a free time, I study another qualifications. For example, TOEIC, English proficiency test, and so on. Reading, Writing, Speaking skills study at the same time.

Next, I'll talk about my dog! My dog's name is "Jolly". Do you think is it good name? He is old, but eat and sleep well. He sleeps all day and he wakes up at midnight. He sometimes barks, so it is noisy. He is mix dog but he has so cute face. He often run off my house and he is worried us. But I like him and he is a member of my family.

I'll talk about my character little bit. I'm a not sociable person, but I like to talk to people. And I'm so curious. I want to try what I haven't experienced. I often think interesting things. I always look for something interesting things. Most people think "You are strange", but I'm not strange! Even bad points and good points, I like my character.

My hobby is listening to music, go shopping and watch movies. If I have a free time, I naturally do that one of them.

I like listening to music. I often listen Western music, Japanese pop music and Korean pop music. In Japanese music, I like to listen EXILE. Their songs encourage myself. I have many favorites songs of them. In Korean music, I like to listen 2NE1. Their songs are catchy, so I enjoyed listening.
Especially, Western music has a big power for me. I often listen R&B, and Club house music. These music make my feeling good.

My favorite artist is "Rihanna". She is a special artist for me. Her songs belong to R&B music and her music has big energy. Her voice is strong, so it matches the sound. I have three albums of her. I every time listen her songs at my house, my music player or in a car. Moreover her fashion is so eccentric. She seems to Lady Gaga sometimes. Her songs make me happy.

I go to Fukuoka once a month to go shopping. There are many shopping places, so I often go there. Tenjin Coa, Canal city, Marinoa city and Hankyu are very exciting places for girls. I think Kumamoto is little expensive than Fukuoka, so I prefer to go there. There is my second hometown, so I know it little bit. Whenever I go there, I find new things. New shops, restaurant, coffee, streets, goods make me fresh. There are many flourishing shops, so I feel like to go there again.


My favorite movie is "Devil Wears PRADA". I watched it few years ago, but I like to watch it. This movie's target is working women. She is busy for business and love. If you have to choose work or love, which will you choose? I think I'll not be able to answer. Both things are important, so I can't choose only one. I was considered this movie. Also I checked their fashion. PRADA is high brand and the design is great. This movie make me happy.

Do you understand about me? If you see me somewhere, please tell me!

[1073 words]

Creative story

A boy thought, "I want to see that sea again!" He likes swimming and surfing. His favorite season is summer. He went to the sea every summer. But he can't walk. One day, he involved a car accident when he walked a way. He didn't awake for a while. His parents and his many friends worried him. After two days, he was awake. His doctor told him, "You will not walking all your life." He heard his words, very shocked. So, he couldn't sleep and couldn't eat nothing. Everyone couldn't help such him. And encounter with a girl changed his life. She was in the same hospital as he. She had and illness. She is as old as him, She was a only girl to talk him. She liked to draw a picture. Her dream was artist. She was very kind to him. She was a only girl who cured his heart. One day, he muttered, "I want to go to the sea." She thought a little, and she said, "Let's practice to walk!" He was at a loss. She said, "You can do it!" He believed her and began to practice to walk everyday. His doctor and his family were surprised to see the scene. Every one tried to stop him. But he didn't stop to practice. He said, "Don't stop here to strong my self." Everyone watched over to him. About six months later, he happened a miracle. He gathered every one. He got out his wheelchair and began to walk slowly step by step. He had supported by her arms. Everyone clapped each hands and happy. His parents held him. He became to walk thanks to his effort and her support. Two weeks later,he left the hospital. He missed her. She also had same feeling. And he promised her, "I'll go to the sea together in next summer." But next summer, she wasn't the hospital. He surprised and he asked her doctor where she went. He heard her doctor to she died a few days ago.His tears came to his eyes. Then, he left there and went to a flower shop soon. He bought a sunflower and left for the sea. He sat the beach, and said it, "What a beautiful sea this is! I'm happy to see you this sea." I felt a sunflower was laughing.

[403 words]

What would happen if there were no cellpnones?

I'm using my cellphone every day. I like to write e-mail and play games on my cellphone. If there were no cellphones, It made me annoy. I think cellphones are very important things. To have cellphones are convenience for us. Because we can call for live far places people and cellphones are small. Everyone are feeling easy to carry it. If there were no cellphones, I couldn't send e-mail with my friend and I couldn't call for my friend and my parents. But there are also good things. First, I don't have to waste much money. Second, I cherish to conversation with many people. Next, there are bad things. First, I have nothing to do. Second, I don't call and can't send e-mail. It makes me disappoint. I'll need cellphones from now on.

[143 words]

My favorite childhood toy

I remember that having many toys. Especially, I liked the doll "Rikachan". It has a blond long hair and black eyes. It is famous Japanese toys for girls. My grand mother bought me when I was maybe four years old. I found it in toy shop. I falled in love at first sight. When I got it, I was very happy. I also went to bed together. I didn't part with it all day. I often played house when my friend came to my house. It was unbearably fun. When I was alone, I dressed it and combed a long hair. I had many doll's clothes. For example, pink dress, big hat, red high heels, and short jacket and so on. I felt envy to it can put on a lot of clothes. If I can get back, I will play a lot with my childhood friends. The doll has a lot of memories. I want to preciously this good memories. I think the doll will become my treasure forever.

[172 words]

My goals until I will die

If you will die tommorow, what do you want to hope? Also, what are you going to do? Here is my goals until I will die.

・buy NISSAN JUKE
・speak English fluentry
・go to ATSUSHI's (EXILE) concert
・work at EMODA or moussy
・have Welsh Corgi
・change my character
・go to Minnesota again
・go shopping at Mall of America, Target, Rosedale Mall
・go back to elementary school days
・marry earler
・meet gentleman that I think
・meet 2NE1
・learn beautifull make-up skills
・study Korean
・buy new smartphone
・get　slim body
・get tall height
・eat big birthday cake
・become a fashionable person
・earn a lot of money
・wear Wedding dress
・get credit(Of course Writing)
・gather Pooh members
・go to Club house
・Playing with my best friends
・buy a new house
・become Japanese teacher
・can eat asparagus
・talk more foreigners
・want to play the piano well
・drink a big Carribou coffee
・dating with school uniform
・look for good coffee shop
・bite Mega Mac
・eat Burger King recommend burger
・throw snow balls
・make a snow man
・meet Rihanna
・go to Disney land
・go to Disney sea
・travel abroad many countries
・make my room more luxury
・keep healthy


and so on!


If you have some idea, please tell me:)

[206 words]

Skit Practice

In August 3rd, the teacher announced Skit groups. My group has four members; Yurika, Haruka, Mina and me. We discussed our topic. Our topic is "American family in Japan". We talked what problems are confused American. We thought some situations. For example, at airport, at house. It was difficult for us to think each line. We had a daughter's part, but not so many lines I have. Today, Rikkyo university students came to Bethel, so car pool became little busy. After I went back to my home, I did homework with my host mother. She explained many times, so I thenked her. At over 6:30, we went to Marshalls. I bought cardigan and long sleeve T-shirt. I couldn't listen what shop clerk said but my mother haelped me. So I could try on clothes. I couldn't buy clothes without her helping.

[146 words]

If you could fly anytime, when would you do it and where would you go?

I wanted to fly to foreign countries. Because There are a lot of places I've ever been. First, I wanted to go to Italy. My favorite foods is pasta and spaghetti. I know that Italy is well known to pasta. Especially, I like tomatoes and a lot of seafood in it. I wanted to eat many kinds of it. So, I imagine to eat it. I'll become very happy. I like to eat, but I don't like to cook. It's hard for me. Second, I wanted to go to France. There is famous of fashion. I want to see what clothes people are wearing and I want to buy many popular clothes. I want to enjoy shopping also. Last, I want to go to the ice hotel in Ice land. I hear that Ice hotel is very beautiful place. All rooms made of ice. I was very surprised. I knew that on TV. I thought I as enjoyable as one can. I hope go different countries someday.

[171 words]

Korean Nabe ;)

In January 11th, I went to "Karakara shokudo" with Yuki and Yui. We don't meet each other except school, so I was looking forward to talking them. We chose "Karakara Korean course". I like spicy foods, so I tried it. First, we ate "Six kinds of root crops". Each vegetables were spicy, so they matched drinks. Next we ate "Choregi salad". Third, we ate "Buruduck". It was spicy chickens which were mixed hot sause. Gradually I felt how spicy it was. Yui gave up wating, but we recommended. After that we ate "Takkarubi Nabe". It was so delicious. We couldn't wait to wait to eat it. We drunk a lot. At last, a clerk put rice on its Nabe. The sause matched rice, so we tasted another tastes. Also we ate "Cuttle fish chizimi". Our talk was heating up, so we forgot eating sometimes. We couldn't stop laughing. We ate "Yuzu sherbet" on dessert, but we were stuffed. Then we moved coffee shop and we talked again. We had a great time and I was glad that we could talk our latest news. I wanted to talk them again!

[192 words]

Nabe party!

In Decenber 26th, I had a Nabe party with Saori and Momo. We hold party at Saori's house. We went shopping for Sunlive. We bought vegetables, porks, To-fu, Gyoza and Misokimuchi Nabe mix. After we went back to home, we cooked them. We put them on Nabe. The smell was good, so I was looking forward to eating. We cheered first, and drunk. I haven't eaten Misokimuchinabe, but it was mild tastes. We ate many vegetables, so soon we were full. But we ate cakes!!! Our stomach is like black hall lol We didn't stop eating... We also enjoy talking. After that we watched TV drama. Next day we over slept. Christmas was already finished, but Nabe party was great memory for me.

[127 words]

Reflection on writingⅣ

I finished all book reviews. I found it is important to understand unknown words and guess the meanings. My reading speed was not so fast, but I read books every week. And last, I could read fast little by little. I like to fairy tale, so I enjoyed reading it. I don't read books so much every day, so it was good opportunity to read books.

Also, on Essay prep and essay posts, I every time harried to write essays. I couldn't take them earlier, so I was sometimes late for posts. I regretted to post essays on time. Several essay topic was interesting and seems to write easily. But actually, it was difficult. However I'm glad that I wrote over words that teacher gave.

On Group essay, we need to cooperate writing. We shared our each essays and we discussed. We wrote it until we were satisfied. On Presentation, I made "Who am I". I haven't used Google Docs since then, but I tried.

On comments on classmate's and peer's posts, I learned many things. My class mates pointed my mistakes positively. So when I wrote my essay again, it was so useful advise for me. I thought "pointed mistakes and revised new version" was good rotation for writing. I usually don't notice what mistakes I had. But others pointed out my mistakes, and I recognized.

[234 words]

Canoeing

In August 5th, it was my first experience to ride canoe. We experienced it in St. Croix River. Our group was Hiroya, Aya, other host parents and me. The oar was heavy, so I couldn't row well. But I surprised Aya's turn. She rowed very well. She was the best paddler, I thought. I heard that she has taken lesson for canoeing in her childhood. She had a another talent! lol
At lunch time, I ate box lunch that my mother made. Yesterday, my mother packed cookies, grapes, cut melons and two sandwiches. When I ate it first, I became to like her fresh sandwiches. After that, we moved to Como zoo. The zoo was little and there were not so many animals. I thought there was like small amusement park. Today's night was Skit night. I could talk other host families. Also we did several Skit. We finished our Skit safely... I was so exhausted that I could go to bed early.

[166 words]

Greek

In August 4th, I, my mother, Yurika, her mother and Hiroyo went out for dinner at Greek coffee restaurant. Yurika's mother often attend there and take rest. This coffee's main dishes are Greek. We could choose various kinds of sandwiches, so it was very fun for me. I ordered "Club house". The meat in sandwich was big and thick. It was so delicious. I liked retro atmosphere in this coffee. Mothers told what dishes are famous in Greek. Like Tacos dishes were in the menu. We can enjoy spending in the morning to the night without care of the time.

[102 words]

Travel abroad in childhood (original)

How many times have you experienced travel abroad? Maybe people will answer once or twice. Actually, about eleven million two hundred eighty thousand Japanese people experienced traveling abroad in 2002. Most of them travel in America or Europe. Especially, Thirteen percent of elementary school students and nineteen percent of junior high school students have experienced study abroad according to a survey of one hundred parents who have children from public schools. The reasons why people travel abroad are for pleasure, to develop their English ability, to make foreign friends, to work in a foreign country. Some people are afraid of traveling abroad because we go the country where we haven't visited before. It's a new place and no one knows me. Our anxiety become bigger and bigger. The number of Japanese children who have experienced travel abroad seems to be few. Traveling abroad in childhood gives a lot of good benefits. Traveling abroad in childhood gives children abundant knowledge, good education which are useful for the future. All Japanese people should experience travel abroad when they are children.

First, study abroad supports the idea that a child can become a person with abundant knowledge. A child's brain easily absorbs a lot of things. They absorb various things. They learn culture, life-style, and history on the trip. When they experience a home stay, they maybe confused by the custom that foreigners don't take off their shoes but they get used to the custom soon. They understand the difference between foreign countries and Japan. They can accept other the country easily.

When children study abroad, they also learn English. Their memorization ability is very high, so they can learn to speak English quickly. At first, they listen to easy words many times and they play English games or sing English songs. That is why they enjoy learning English; they have and interest in English. Therefore children can master the language in the real place with native speakers. They are able to get information and associate widely with people by using English.

Second, study abroad provides a good education to children. Children who have experienced study abroad can be mentally strong. Some children stay about a few year in foreign country. Little children are expected to feel homesick. They may miss speaking Japanese and eating Japanese food. Even if they get into difficulties, they have the spirit to get through their difficulties. They have created a new place for themselves where they live comfortably. So they have confidence to be able to live even when they are in a difficult environment.

According to the internet website "Merit of Study Abroad for children, sponsored by Office with You" the life of elementary school students and junior high school students who have experienced study abroad is widely different from those who did not travel. Before the trip, they are helped by their parents all the time. Probably they couldn't get up early, perhaps there are children who may be not able to put on their clothes bu themselves. After the trip, most elementary school students can do a lot of things by themselves. They have even learned how to use a washing machine. They always depended on their parents help, but if go to a foreign country, they have to do everything by themselves. So they can move dependent of their parents earlier in Japan than others. Also, they become more active children though the trip. They enjoy their hobbies, and some seminar. Moreover, they can soon take the English lesson. In junior high school students, they can enjoy their study for the entrance examination of high school and English classes in their school more. They experienced a trip and saw Japan from a different point of view. They found a lot of things that they didn't know before about Japan. They have changed themselves because they experienced many things. They can grow mature through the trip. When they come back to Japan, they understand the importance of their parents. Then parents supported and cooperated with them to make the trip possible. They paid a lot of money for them and they worried about their health, life and everything. Thanks to them, children can go foreign countries and learn many things. They cherish their family more than before. Children are taught things in the trip that they can used to live in Japan from now on.

Lastly, traveling abroad in childhood is useful for the future. I will talk about my relative's travel abroad experience. When she was a child, she experienced a lot of traveling abroad because her father's business. She went to France, Germany, Australia, Korea and others. She didn't complain about traveling abroad; she treasured meeting people. She could male friends soon in local places. Even when she came back to Japan, she didn't forget to keep in touch with them. Now she works in a company in Tokyo. She is superior in English to her counterparts. She is what is called "bilingual". She is also attending a Chinese lesson once a week. She is careful in her choice of language according to the circumstances. She is always learn something and she is eager to try new things. She continues to come and going between Japan and other countries. It seems to be tough for her, but actually she is satisfied with her busy life. She said that if children experience traveling abroad once, they don't forget the experience!

According to the internet website, "Elementary School Student's Experiences of Study Abroad in England" gives various experiences. One of the experiences is based on how children live in society in England. Teachers teach children to use common sense without being afraid of failure. Schools in England encourages a lot of experiences besides school work. For example, they encourage relationships to the community, the challenge of sports or music. Teachers give them good chances to find themselves so that they can lead a full life. A girl studied abroad since the summer of 2004 when she was ten years old. Before the trip, she had lessons in English, German and French in Japan, but as she moved from grade to grade, she didn't have enough time to for lesson. She had many things that she wanted to do, but she couldn't stop her lessons. To tell the truth, Japanese children always feel busy because they go a private school, and they have many lessons. However she could try new things in England. She could experience a lot of things there. According to the internet website "Study abroad in England", England's compulsory education start is earlier than Japan by two years. Such as in "Harry Potter", each child receives points. They can get points for studying or life experiences. They are more aware of their responsibilities. Classes usually start nine o'clock and one lesson is thirty five minutes. During rest time, teachers prepare drinks and some sweets for the children. After classes, children enjoy playing games and activities. Study abroad system for children is ready now.

In conclusion, Japanese people have to change their opinion that travel abroad is hard for children. As a result, children can live well if they haven't lived before. They accept everything and they don't resist culture in other countries. They can make friends quicker than adults. Because children's hearts are always open, they can more naturally fit into social circles of foreigners. Also, their abilities became higher. They can be specialists because they learned the difference between foreign culture and Japan and they can speak foreign languages. Moreover, they could realize their own dreams. The experience of traveliing abroad in childhood is very valuable. So it is an important thing that parents let their children travel abroad. All Japanese people should experience travel abroad positively in their childhood.

[1319 words]

Travel abroad in childhood （summary)

～Summary～

The number of Japanese children who have experienced traveling abroad seems to be few. So all Japanese people should experience travel abroad when they are children. If children experience travel abroad, they get abundant knowledge, good education which are useful for the future. I'm sure that the experience of traveling abroad is very valuable thing for young children.

[60 words]

BR 2-18: Monkey party

"The festival organizers are giving the monkeys a whole cake" (Waring, 2008, p.15)

Do you know the nation that monkey's acting are everything allowed? You can see such phenomenon in the town of Lopburi, Thailand. There is a reason why I chose this book. When I opened it first and turned some pages, I saw some pictures of monkeys. They were very naughty. They drunk a bottle of water of human's, climbed buildings, walked streets, ate many luxurious foods. Why are they living in human society? Can they live well with human? I thought many times.

In Thailand, people believes a old legend. It's about a monkey hero, "Hanuman". Rama is a king and he has a wife. But demon (a bad spirit) aimed Rama's wife. Then Hanuman saved Rama's wife and he was respected as a hero. That is why many people especially kind to monkeys. They sometimes disturbed people's life, but people allowed them.
Every day of the year, people gave foods for monkeys in shrines. It also effected Buddhist traditions.
They were treated special and monkeys are gradually increasing every year. People hold monkey party once in every year. On the party, monkeys ate special foods! They live more luxury life than people.

After I read, I was surprised so big. In Japan, some people are suffering monkey's act. In the country place, they ruin fields or many crops. Some monkeys run streets and they are injuring people. These are serious problems. In the zoo, they are cute, I know. But once I step in forests, they are fierce. We hates monkeys but as people in Lopburi, monkeys are special. It is own traditional. However we should understand different cultures. We knew the background history, and we try to share each cultures.

Reference: Waring, Rob. (2008). Monkey party. Boston: Footprint Reading Library.

[313 words]

BR 2-17: Brer Rabbit and the Black berry Bush

"Brer Fox smiled a nasty smile." (Stowell, 2008, p.14)

I chose this book because on the book cover, a Brer rabbit who is eating a carrot is cute. Also he looks sharp. He had a little smile on his face.

Brer rabbit and brear fox were fighting every day. Fox wanted to pay rabbit back. Fox caught him and he binded him with a rope. Rabbit couldn't move. He was hung on the tree. Fox thought "I did it" . But rabbit had a idea. After I read it, I found rabbit is wiser than fox. Fox moved fast, but he couldn't think so much. On the other hand, rabbit had a plan. He was good at plotting. I couldn't expect such he think deeply.

Rabbits were written as a wise character in I've ever read books. I don't know why they are written such this. May be children like this book. And they know how rabbits are wise animals.


Reference: Stowell, Louie. (2008). Brer rabbit and the black berry bush. London: Usborne.

[178 words]

My favorite place I've been

My favorite place is Kagoshima. I've been there many times. First, I went to there is about six years ago. I often travel with my family but I haven't traveled over Kumamoto prefecture since then. We didn't use high way, so it was a long way trip. We didn't set navigation system in the car, so we looked a map. Now our car have a navigation system but in those days, it was so hard trip for us. We lost our way many times, so we asked people who were walking in the street. Now we couldn't do that experience, I think. We were very happy when we arrived in the hotel on time! We went to Kagoshima aquarium. We saw Zinbeizame and many sea animals. Also I and my mother enjoyed taking "Sunamushiburo". We were relaxed. It was like a sauna bath. If you haven't tried it, you can try. In Kagoshima, it's one of a famous activity. There are many places for sightseeing. For example, Chiran districts(that place is a famous about commando), Sakurazima, Satamisaki, Kaimondake. Last summer, we also went to there. My parents like to go there but I also have same opinion. People in Kagoshima are easy going in points of driving, talking, thinking. People in Kumamoto are always hasty. I like the character of Kagoshima. Their atmosphere is so unique that we like it very much.

[240 words]