I am sorry I did not chat with you guys last Friday. I had part time job and I went to tapped-in about 11 pm. I heard that Nina and Sophia were there and left just minutes before I logged in. So sorry! (;_;) I am looking forward to chatting (←Sophia, Nina! Thank you for good advice!! ) next time.

By the way, recently I have so excited to play winter sports and watch some of games on TV. I love snowboarding so much, but I don’t have many opportunities to go to snowboard because there isn’t a skiing slope nearby. I will go to snowboard early March again and I will post about it with some pictures!!

Also, I enjoyed watching figure skating game on TV last night. Now there are many good players in Japan and Daisuke Takahashi and Mao Asada won the last night’s game. I think their performance, especially steps are really cool! So please watch the videos＾＾　Since winter Olympic game in 2002 which Sarah Hughes won, I have been addicted to figure skating. Someday, I want to see the games in live!

English Conversacion

Hi everyone. How are you?

I think about taking English conversation lesson to prepare studying in the US. Recently, I have been looking for a best school for me on the internet. Now, I have some choices and today, I took one of the schools lesson as a trial.

After a counselor talked me about the system of the school and a curriculum, I took the lesson for about 40 minutes. Though I have a class to discuss in English at university, I seldom talk in English in daily life. So it has been quite a long time since I last speak English, especially daily English. Maybe, I have not had good chances for English conversation since I went to Maryland…

It was fun to talk with a teacher in English. The school I visited today has only private lesson, so students have a lot of time to speak English by themselves. Today’s teacher told me that I need skills in listening and using vocabulary, and I should pick up more natural English. Umm..!! I realized that I really lack these skills by today’s lesson.

I have not decided which schools I will go. Also I do not know what types of schools is good for me, private lesson? Or group one? Anyway I also realized I love communicating in English, so I am looking forward to taking next lesson.(←I heard this expression was too formal. But I don’t know how I should say instead (;_;) )

This picture was taken 3 days ago. Do you know Purikura?? This is a game to print out your face. Young Japanese girls love to play it!!

Kana

Last weekends, I went to snowboard in Nagano, where winter Olympic games were held in 1997, with some classmates.

We were so lucky because it was fine. We could enjoy beautiful snow scene as well as snowboarding. After snowboarding, we take a hot spring bath and it helped me to recover from fatigue.

On Monday, I had last exam in this term, so finally I got spring vacation!!!!;) In this vacation, I have a lot of events. I am sure it will bring me great fun^^

bye bye!

Flea Market in Yokohama

Hi!

Yesterday, I had third flea market with friends in Yokohama. Although it was cold, many people visited our “shop”.

Many people looked at our goods. Young women, people who haggle over the price (-_-), junior high students, little children, old people, some dogs, and so on… I will show you a customer who pleased us.

A little boy came to us and looked at our goods. A friend of mine talked to him “How about this knit cap??” and he said to his mom, “Mom, can I buy it?” The mother said “if it suits you, yes.” The boy put on the cap soon. The cap suited him! The boy and the mom decided to get it and all I and my friends thought the mother paid money. But the little boy took his very small purse and paid money by himself. He looked about 4~5 years old, so we were all surprised and pleased it. He said “thank you” and left with his mother. I will never forget the boy with “Tiger knit cap” ^^

After flea market, we had dinner together at American bar. We ate chicken and I remembered eating it in Maryland.


Bye ~;)

kana

We're All In This Together!!

Hello^^

I was so happy to chat with many friends on last Tuesday. Nina, thank you for giving us great opportunities!!

Now, AGU is in exam term, so most students study hard. I "think" I am one of them^^ hee hee:) Today, I had a exam of French (I major in French as a second foreign langage and Yusuke has the same class;D).

A few days ago, I watched "High School Musical" on DVD. On the next day, DVD of "High School Musical 2" was sold in Japan. Recently, the commercials of the DVD has been broadcasted so largely, and they made me watch the movie^^!! Actually,I had seen the film before, but I can enjoy watching it no matter how many times I watch it! I love the movie very very much(^_^)v


Bye Bye~~~!!

A Happy New Year!!

Hey, everyone!!Long time no see! How are you??^^

Since I started a new part time job, I have been so busy. I am sorry I did not post for a long time;; Although my part time jobs are hard, I have fun with new friends. And I need money because I will go to Korea in next spring vacation ^^

A term test is coming soon. I have to study hard(-_-)zzz... But!! After the exam, we have long long spring vacation!^^

See you soon!

AGU School Festival!

Hi everyone^^
Long time no see! How are you? I'm fine~^^
I am so sorry not to post so long time... Recently, I have been a little busy because I practiced double douch every night to show it in the school festival.

Nov.3~5, AGU had a school festival. I joined it to show Double Douch.^^
My team's member were all girls and our team's theme was "Pretty Cats". We acted like cats in the performance and we enjoyed it.

After the festival, we enjoyed playing bowling and having a dinner. I was happy to spend great time with my club members.

And now, I am in my home town. I have no class yesterday and today because of the holidays for the festival, so I came back to my home to rest. Yesterday, I visited my grand parents with my mother and had a lunch together. We had fun to talk about the school festival, my school life, my family and so on. I love my grand parents, so I am looking forward to see them again in a new year!^^

Meg is also in her home now, and we will get back to Tokyo this night together. (Do you remember both of I and Meg are from same city, Niigata^^)

See you soon~~^^

Great Time with Friends!

Today, I saw some of my friends of high school!! We belonged to the same tennis club and we always practiced together, so we are really good friends ^^

First, we went to a game center and enjoyed bowling and a crane game. When I did bowling in Maryland, I got only 50 score (!), but today, I got 80!! I got it!! ^^ What? It is not good score? Noooo, 80 is really good for me (^^;)!

We had Okonomiyaki for supper. Do you know okonomiyaki? It is a Japanese food like a pancake which is not sweet. We mix cut cabbage, some slices of pork and a little water into the flour and bake it. After baking, you can eat it ^^ Okonomiyaki is easy to cook, and it tastes good. Let's try^^

I had a really good time with my friends talking about a good memory. We will see in the beggining of the next year. I am looking forward ro seeing them again.

A Flea Market

On October 14, I and Meg participated in a flea market. It was held in the nearest department store.

We sold old clothes, shoes, bags, stuffed animals, and so on. At first, we were a little worried whrther our goods were sold , but we made about 10,000yen in the end!! ^^

A flea market is a good chance for recicling. Something I no longer need is useful for someone. And a flea market is also a good chance to communicate with others. We enjoyed chat with customers^^ Next month, I will have my store in a flea market again. I want to enjoy myself again(^o^)b

TDL and Fujikyu~＾＾

Hi everyone^^

Today, I'd like to introduce you to 2 famous theme parks!

First, I show you TDL(Tkyo Disney Land). We call it "a dream world(夢の国)" because everyone, even old people or too young children can spend good time there. I think TDL is the most popular theme park in Japan. Many people visits there from vatious areas. TDL is also famous as a place for dating. Everyday, a lot of couples visit TDL.

I went to TDL with my boyfriend last week. Now, haloween party is held there. Every attraction was decorated for Haloween and we enjoyed watching them^^

Space Mountain, one of most popular attraction, was renewed and the speed got faster and the length got longer. We were really excited it all the way.

Next, I show you Fujikyu highland^^ Do you know it? It is said that there are many thriller roller coasters.

Fujikyu highland is connected with Mt.Fuji that is the highest mountain in Japan. Mt. Fuji is near the theme park and you can look at beautiful site of Mt. Fuji on fine days.

I went to Fujikyu theme park with my club members in the end of summer vacation. On that day, there were too many people and we had to wait to ride a roller coaster, so we could ride only one, Fujiyama. It was my first time to get on Fujiyama. At first, I feared to ride, but I felt good when I was riding^^ I canot express this feeling... so let's try!!

Our school festival is held from Saturday to Monday on this week^^ Tomorrow is an eve of the festival. I will do double dutch on main stage. I wanna enjoy our performance!

See you.

Double Dutch!

Yesterday, I had a competetion of double dutch. It was my first tournament. Many people came to see our performance, so I got little nervous><>

I was ecxited all the time because other team's play was so great!!! I wanna show you some of them, but I could not find good video.. sorry ;;

My class starts in a week, so my beautiful summer is going the finale! I wanna enjoy the rest of my vacation more and more^^

see you~~

My University

Today, I went to my university. In the morning, I studied for TOEFL at the library. It was my first time to use the library on holiday, and I found the school library on holidays was so silent because there were few people. I could concentrate on my study.

In the afternoon, I participated in club activity. We have a contest(Double Dutch Delight 2007) on September 17, so we practice hard now. These days, we almost everyday practiced, so all members were so tired...^^;; On Saturday and Sunday we take a rest. I want to sleep a lot!!haha

Tomorrow after parttime job, I will see my high school club friends. Conversations with them make me relaxed. I am looking forward to seeing them^^

Bye bye~~!!

Special

Last night, I enjoyed toy sparklers with some friends of mine. Last year I went to a school for entrance examination to universities after I graduated from my high school, and I met them at the school. Everyday, we studied together and encouraged each other, so they are special friends for me.

We also enjoyed chatting. It had passed about half year since we met last, so we had a lot of things to talk about. Something about each university, club activity, family, dream and so on. I am happy to have good friends I can talk about everything! We had really good time together. When we went back, we promised to meet again in the near future ;-)

I want to go an amusement park with them during summer vacation!!

See you!

Two days ago, I came back to my home in Tokyo.

On that day, I watched 3 movies, Flags of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwojima and My life without me. Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwojima are about World War 2. These movies described the fear of the war and reminded me of World War 2 memorial in America... Every problems must have some solution without war. I think war should be abolished forever(;_;) After I watched My life without me, I cannot stop crying! Do you know this movie? This is a Spanish movie. This is about a youg womon who has only 3 monthes to live. It may sounds sad, but the ending is not so sad. So please check it ^^

Yesterday, I went to the beach with my boyfriend. It was clear blue sky! But it was also too hot!!haha We enjoyed swimming, eating and taking a sunbath on the beach. I want to go the beach again~~!

Now, I am making Maryland photo album. This is hard task because there are too many pictures. But I enjoy making it^^ These photos reminds me of wonderful days in the US. I miss you!!

My Hometown

Hello!

It has been a week since I left Maryland. Everyday, I dream about Maryland. Even though my body is in Japan, my heart is still in the US!! ^^ haha

Now, I'm in my hometown Niigata. On last sunday, we cereblated my grandaparents' 50th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed BBQ, chatting, golf and watching photos. When I told my grandparents about Maryland program, they were smiling and listening to me. So I was happy^^

On the next day, I went to the beach with my cousins. It was pretty day and we could enjoy swimming. I did surfing for the first time. It was too difficult! I tried to stand again and again, but I could not;; I will go to the beach soon, so I want to try it again!!

And today, I am going to meet my close friend. About a year have passed since I met her last. So I am looking forward to meeting and chatting with her.

Last, during my staying in the US, I experienced and learned a lot of things. Classes about the differences between American and Japanese culture, Washington post, Channel 9, IDB, Prange collection, and so on.. They were really good opportunities because I got interests in new areas. And through these program, I found I loved English! From now on, I want to study English more and more^^

See you!!

Thank You

Today is my last day in the US.
In this 2 weeks, I really enjoyed everyday. I had right opportunity to study and go sightseeing.

Nina, thank you vary much for your planning our program. I think I could enjoy my visit to the US by the grace of you!!

Ji won. You are really kind and we all like you. I cannot say well, but I am thankful to you from bottom of my heart.

Sophia. You have your own sense of values. I respect you. Thank you teaching us a lot of English. I’m sure you will be a good teacher.

Laura. I always enjoyed talking with you. Actually, I wanted to talk with you more in English. I’m looking forward to going KARAOKE together again.

Sometimes, I fell because I could not understand English or communicate well. But I could recover as soon as I saw my teachers, mentors and friends. Thank you very much everyone. This 2 weeks is my treasure.

I want to continue my blog in English and make connection with you.

Thank you very much. I love Maryland!!

The Lake

Hi, everyone! How are you? I’m fine, but a little sleepy;;
Yesterday, after the class, I went to a lake. We enjoyed the wonderful natural views of the lake. Beautiful green, butterflies, flowers, inns!! Before we left there, we played Double Dutch!! Do you know it? That is a kind of performance sports and we dance and do acrobatics using the ropes. It is very interesting. So if you have a interest in this sports, please check You-tube and search ‘Park Jack’ (this is a club name I belong to ^^ )
In the evening, we drunk Bubble Tea. It was my first time to drink it. We were so thirsty, so this juice was really good!

I must go back day after tomorrow. Only 2 days were left for us to stay in the US. I miss you… so I want to enjoy my staying here more and more ^^

Bye-bye.

Last Weekends in the US

Hello, everyone!
Today, I’d like to show you my weekend’s activities.

Aug 10
After the class, we had BBQ in Nina’s house. Nina and her husband had a variety of good foods. They were very delicious!! Thank you Nina’s family!! I could talk with many people, and I had a good time there.
After dinner, we went to KARAOKE! Our mentors are goooood singers!! I was impressed with their songs… And we were all excited all the time.

Aug 11
This day, we went to Annapolis, which has Maryland’s assembly hall. The hall and every building in the town were very beautiful! I took too many pictures to take anymore;;
At this night, I slept about 11 hours. How surprising!! Haha

Aug 12
Yesterday, we visited two museums. In the morning, I went to American Indian museum. This museum looks fine on the outside. I could lean the lives of American Indian, which was really interesting for me.
In the afternoon, we all went to the Natural History museum together. This museum is really huge and there are many exhibits, so I could not look around everything.
After this, some of our group went to World War2 memorial, Lincoln memorial and Vietnam War memorial. Ji won taught us a secret of Lincoln memorial. I was amazed with this secret.

I really enjoyed my last weekend in the US.
Today, we have a class and discover college park. I want to have fun.

Bye!!(^_^)

Last Weekends in the US

Hello, everyone!
Today, I’d like to show you my weekend’s activities.

Aug 10
After the class, we had BBQ in Nina’s house. Nina and her husband had a variety of good foods. They were very delicious!! Thank you Nina’s family!! I could talk with many people, and I had a good time there.
After dinner, we went to KARAOKE! Our mentors are goooood singers!! I was impressed with their songs… And we were all excited all the time.

Aug 11
This day, we went to Annapolis, which has Maryland’s assembly hall. The hall and every building in the town were very beautiful! I took too many pictures to take anymore;;
At this night, I slept about 11 hours. How surprising!! Haha

Aug 12
Yesterday, we visited two museums. In the morning, I went to American Indian museum. This museum looks fine on the outside. I could lean the lives of American Indian, which was really interesting for me.
In the afternoon, we all went to the Natural History museum together. This museum is really huge and there are many exhibits, so I could not look around everything.
After this, some of our group went to World War2 memorial, Lincoln memorial and Vietnam War memorial. Ji won taught us a secret of Lincoln memorial. I was amazed with this secret.

I really enjoyed my last weekend in the US.
Today, we have a class and discover college park. I want to have fun.

Bye!!(^_^)

The Channel 9 and the IDB

Aug 8
That day, we went to the Channel 9 and watched a live news in a studio. I learned how to create a TV program, which was interesting for me. I found jobs about broadcasting were attractive! I want to learn about this area more and more (^-^)
After this, we enjoyed bowling and billiards. Actually, I am not good at either…(my bowling score was 54! Ooops!! ) But I had a lot of fun. And I was surprised because it is amazing for university to have a bowling alley in a campus! I envy Maryland bowling alley.

Aug 9
We went to IDB(Inter-American Developed Bank) and had a opportunity to learn about the work of the IDB. Everything in the IDB was new for me, so I had an interesting in the international politics and economics. I really think it was a great opportunity.
At night, we enjoyed an American game, which Sophia taught us. All of us enjoyed all time. So I want to teach the game to my friends in Japan ;-)

Bye-bye!!