My favorite photo

Please Iook at this photo!

I took this photo near Kumamoto university last year. This is morning view. This is very beautiful, and is my favorite photo.

[27 words]

message book

i was making message book for my best friend's 20th birthday. So sleepy, but i have to get up early to go to Fukuoka.

G' night!

[26 words]

BR 1-04: The Baobab Tree

"The Baobab tree talked a lot." (Stowell, 2009, p.8)

This story is based on a South African tale about a tree known as the baobab.
The baobab tree looks as if its roots are in the air, so people came up with stories to explain its strange shape.

A long, long, long, time ago African gods made the world.
One day, they made a talking tree that is called Baobab tree.
The baobab tree talked a lot.
"I don't like this soil."
"It's too hot."
"I'm cold."
"I'm thirsty..."
One day, the gods cried "Stop!"
What happen to the tree?
Why is the tree strange shape?

This story is retold by Louie Stowell. This is in the Usborne First Reading series.
It's a level 2 book, so it is short story (about 25 pages) and easy to read.
This story is interesting, and I recommend that you read this book.

Stowell, Louie. (2009). The Baobab Tree. London, England: Usborne.

[159 words]

BR 1-03: Stone Soup

"I can make soup from a stone" (Sims, 2009, p.6).

This story is based on an old folktale from Europe.
In some countries, it is called Nail Soup and a nail is used instead of a stone.

Once, there was a poor man.
He came to a cottage.
An old woman opened the door.
"May I rest here for a while?"
"No! Go away."
"I can make soup from a stone," said the man.
"You can?"...
What happens to her?
I though that if a poor man came to my cattage, what would I do.

This story is retold by Lesley Sims. This is in the Usborne First Reading series.
It's a level 2 book, so it is short story (about 30 pages) and easy to read.
I recommend that you read this book.

Reference

Sims, Lesley. (2009). Stone Soup. London, England: Userbone.

[142 words]



Week 3-My hobbies

I’ll talk about my hobby today. I have many hobbies. I like to listen to music, reading comics, making sweets, going shopping, watching movies, taking hot springs, and so on. Especially I like to relax while listening to gentle music and eating sweets. I like to chat with my friends. Today I talk about making sweets. When I was a fourth grade, I really liked to read books and went to library every day. One day I come across a book that taught me how to make sweets, and I tried to make it with my mother. I made cream puff for the first time, and it was so fantastic and I was really glad. Since then, I like to make sweets. I make sweets for family and friends’ birthday present.

[131 words]

First challenge

Hey, guys. I would like to introduce my first challenge today.

It is ikebana :)) This photo is my first challenge. Last January i took a lesson in ikebana for the first time. I went to chuo driving school, and my teacher, Mr. Yazu, recommended me to take a lesson in ikebana. He has a certificate to teach ikebana. I'm a KGU student, and i have a lesson at Mcdnald' north Kumamoto store. We borrowed second floor from them. We took a burger set, and after eating i was taught by my teacher who was a woman. haha Ikebana looks difficult, but there is no perfect rule. We can do ikebana with a liberal idea, but have to observe good manners. I want to challenge again. I call Mr. Yazu :)) Why don't you do it with me?

Good bye.

[140 words]

Best friends 2

Hi, i'll introduce my best friends again.

Look at this photo.

 

 

This photo is taken on March 14, 2013 (Tue.) That day we had a takoyaki party at dormitory for foreign students. We went shopping to HIヒロセ and made many takoyakis. It was fun and we had a nice day.

I met Thu who stands the right of the first row for the first time on speaking test. She was an exchange student from Vietnam.

At first, i didn't find that she was a foreign person, but we became to get along with at once. i rememver that i was very glad such time :))

We talked a lot last year.

I really enjoyed to find differents between Japan and Vietnam.

The others are my best friends met at this university last year. When I entered this university, i didn't have friend in this department. However, i became to get along with them before i knew it :)) They have each personality, so it's interesting to spend with them. Everyone thanks<3

i'll introduce the others next time!
Good bye.

[182 words]

Best friends

Hi, i'll introduce my best friends today.
plz look at this photo.


March 19

This photo is taken at Rstaurant & Live Bar CIB on March 19, 2013 (Thu.) They are my best friends from junior high school. When i was a junior high school and a high school student, i joined the brass band club. They were in same part. i was in saxophone part and i played the tenor saxophone with them. i experienced a reader of this part. My part was very interesting, and we really enjoyed our practice time. However, we had to separate to go to high school. When we graduated form junior high school, our dream was to play the sax again in the future. We decided to enter Kumamoto university and join the laboratory of jazz to play the it with again. Last spring we entered university, but Haruna who stands midmost only entered Kumamoto university and join the laboratory of jazz. It was pity that everyone include I couldn't enter and join it, but we do our best to grant our dreams on our places. The laboratory of jazz had a periodical concert on March 19 at CIB, and we except Haruna went there to see her play. It was fantastic, and we had a very good time. I'm really happy to meet these friends. Love you guys <3

Good bye.

[227 words]

Week 2-Music I like

I like music very much. When I was a high school student and a junior high school student, I joined the brass band club, and played the tenor saxophone every day. When I was an elementary school student, I joined chorus club. I learned to play the piano from when I was a second grade to when I was seventh grade. At first, I don’t like to play the piano, but I became to like it since then! Music has special power I think. These days, I often listen to J-POP music, but I started to listen to Western music and American music to improve my English skills, especially listening. I’m watching “glee”, so I’m interested in songs in the movie. Someday I want to sing these songs well. Please tell me your favorite songs.

[135 words]

BR1-02: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

"I could make something happen." (p)

Every day, Sam takes the same old sheep up the same old mountain.
What can he do to make life a little more exciting?
Find out in this lively retelling of the classic story by Aesop.

This story is about Sam, some sheep, the villagers and (maybe) a wolf.
Every day was some for Sam.
Sam was lonely and he was so bored.
One day he had an idea.
"I could make something happen."

Probably everyone knows the story of this book, probably form Aesop. This story is based on a story by Aesop, retold by Mairi Mackinnon.

This version is in the Usborne First Reading series. It's level 3 book, so it is little long (about 50 pages) but easy to read.

151 words

Mackinnon, Mairi. (2008). The Boy who cried Wolf. London, England: Usborne.

                                                                                         

BR1-01: Clever Rabbit and the Wolves

"La-la-la! Tum-tum-tum!" (p)

This story has five hungry wolves and a rabit. Luckily the rabbit has a clever plan...
This lively reteling of a Native American folktale has easy-to-read text and fun puzzles to try after the story.


Clever Rabbit and the Wolves

Clever Rabbit was trapped. He was in the middle of a ring of wolves.
Five wolves are hungry.
Luckily the rabbit has a clever plan...
What happenes to him!?

I chose this book because the illustration looks cute. This story is retold by Susanna Davidson, and is illustrated by Emilie Vanvolsem. This is in the Usborne First Reading series. It's a level 2 book, so it is short story (about 30 pages) and easy to read.

I recommend that you read this story.

Davidson, Susanna. (2008). Clever Rabbit and the Wolves. London, England: Usborne.

                                                                          

[152 words]

sky

It was very beautiful. i like to watch something beautiful. i took this photo this evening from a pedestrian bridge in front of KGU. Nice photo ne!

[27 words]

English words

Hey, guys. Did you spend a nice Sunday? It was cold today. The wind was strong.

I write a dairy by using English words which i want to memorize.

These days i oversleep my usual time.
My excuse represented nothing to my mother. haha
I became a victim of greed for sleep ne!
My ancestors would be surprised because of my greed for sleep :-/

My nose is running. Rontinely my cold from a cold, and i take care of myself and i'm careful not to spred germs.

My father run a law official. I always profit by his experience. He hires my mother as employee, and their wages used to bring up children. Thanks, my parents.
They are very kind, but sometimes the extreme limit of endurance comes. i can't resist such time because i regard the situation as serious. lol

I guraduated from a prestige high school. There is a enormous pool.
My class teachers were thick, and i worry about their health. lol

Phew! I finish.
Good bye!

[171 words]

20th

Hi, how are you?
Did you spend a nice Saturday?
I spent today with reading comics, cleaning my room, watching TV which i recorded, taking a nap, and driving. :))
I watched Space brothers animation. Do you know? If you haven't seen it yet, plz see it ne!
It was exciting!
I thought that space is fantastic!
I drave to Aso with my father. I drave about three hours by coming and going. :))
I found that it's difficult to drive for a long time.
It was fun, but i was tired.
Although i took a nap, I seem to be able to sleep well. haha

i'm sleepy now.
Good bye.

[111 words]

19th

hey, guys. How are you today? :))
I'm fine.
Yesterday it was very hot, so i went with light clothes. But it was cold and the wind was strong. lol
I think it's difficult to choose clothes.
Today was Friday, and i have four classes. Last Friday i had lunch at English Lounge, but i had lunch at next class today.
Third class is the intermational law, but it was too difficult for me. Fourth class is Korean. Learning something new is fresh ne!
ㅎ(Korea) means lol, w(Japan) and 笑(Japan).
It's interesting! haha
Last class is Honors. I had a words test, but it was terrible.
On reflection i was remiss in my efforts. :-/ i'll do my best next time!

i drove to yumetown with my mother on the passenger seat and my younger brother on a back seat. They said various things to me a lot. ‘Look out!’, ‘Eek!’, ‘Phew’ and so on. These words made me irritated! :-/
After arrival, i went to Starbucks coffee and ate coffee tiramisu frappuccino. it was new and fantastic! i'll attach the photo.
Although i was irritated because of my mom and my brother, stuff's smile made me happy :))
I though smile is really fantastic!
I decided to protect smile :)) ♡

Have a nice weekend!
Good bye.

[218 words]

New Product

18th

Hi, how are you today?
I'm hot. This weather is not spring i think!
I feel uneasy about what happens in summer ne! lol
This morning i overslept :-/
I came into my bus at the last minute tightly. sigh, i wanna get up more early.
On Thursdays, i have three classes.
After classes, i have a place to go later, and i stayed in uni. I used AV corner and watched ‘glee 4 and 5’. It was nice! I was glad to hear words i know. I learned something new, but i forgot! :-/
i'll note next time ne! haha
In the movie, i came across good songs a lot. Unfortunately i didn't know title of it. I'll examine it!

Good bye!

[123 words]

April 17th

Hey, how are you doing?
I'm fine!
It was intense rainy this morning!
In fact i don't like rain, so i was shocked to found that it was rainy. haha
Today is Wednesday, and one week passed since I began to write a diary in English every day.
I became to like writing more!
On Wednesdays, i have three classes.
Second class is Writing class, and we labeled in our blogs, watched friends' blogs and comented! It was fun, and i was helped by assistants. Thanks our seniors!
I had third class after lunch, and i was so sleepy. Indeed i had been dozing :-/ Mr. Hayashi, I'm
sorry.
Last class is Christianity outline. There are many people this class.
Too many! :-/
After classes, i used AV corner and watched ‘glee 3’. I enjoyed it today! In this movie, american people say ‘fantastic’ and ‘sweet’ like ‘Sound's good’. I think that it is different from the Japanese. It is useful for me to watch movies ne!
I watch ‘glee’ tomorrow, and look forward to it!

Good bye.

[178 words]

Week1-First classes and new school year

I had a first writing class yesterday. I met PB for the first time, so I’m looking forward. He is interesting and nice teacher! I became to look forward to writing class. But I had many questions, so I tried to ask he in English, but I couldn’t. I was shocked, so I decided to improve my English this year. I want to study abroad, so I have to pass TOFEL test in June. I’ll study hard for the test. I’ll do my best! I heard that second year is very busy. My senior taught me. I was glad to have a native speaker’s class because I can learn real pronounce and grammar.

[113 words]

My Start-Up

books, brainstorms, drafts, essay prep., essays, fiction, free-writing, graphics, links, media, mind-maps, movies, non-fiction, outlines, quickposts, references, reviews, revisions, typing, websites

16th

Hi, how are you today?
Today i was sleepy especialy morning and after return :-/
Of course i'm so sleepy now!
But i've decided to write a diary in English everyday, so i'll do my best.
On Tuesdays i have three classes, Listening, Cultural anthropology and Cross-cultural communication. I have first, second and fourth class.
We watched ‘The truman show’ at the last Listening class, but we couldn't watch it till the last because time was up! Finally, we watched it till the last. It was exciting! The movie made me to think in various ways. Am I truman!? lol
I was glad to learn new things, hafta, gimme, and gonna. I've known wanna, but these words were fresh!
Hafta means have to. Gimme means give me. Gonna means going to ne!
Spare time and after classes, i watched ‘glee1 and 2’. I'm LOOKINGW forward to next story!

See you tomorrow.
G'night!

                   [152 words]

15th

Hey, guys. Today is Monday!
How's everything? I'm so-so ne!
On Mondays, i have four classes, the international society and Japan, the history of western painting, the history of English literature and speaking.
This mornig, i got up at 7:00, and it wasn't good for me. I wanna get up more early :-/
My father send me to my college cuz he can go to work through in front of KGU. Thanks, dad!
In speaking class, i developed a new food. Its name is ‘graple’.
Do you think that it is what?
It's combi of apples and grape!
Looks yummy, isn't it? haha
Good point is that tase is good, but bad point is difficult to eat ne!
I enjoyed this class, and look forward to next class.
After classes, i used AV corner and watched glee1. Unfortunately, i couldn't watCh it midway cuz something is wrong with the DVD. i skipped :-/ And i couldn't watch it to the last cuz time is up. My mon picked me up at in front of college. Thanks, mom.
i watch glee1 tomorrow and look forward to!
We went shopping to buy food materials. I drove from the supermarket to my house.
i'll add driving to my hobbies :) Driving is so fun ne!
Tomorrow, my friend Mayu have the written test! Good luck, Mayu!

See you!

[225 words]

14th

Hello!
Today is Sunday, and how r u getting along?
Today, I had the schedule broken :-/ cuz i overslept!
Phew, I slept at 1:00... why?
hmm, I understood it!
‘In spring one sleeps a sleep that knows no dawn.’ ne! lol
I was scheduled to get up at 7:00 and send my parents to the traffic center.
I got a driver's license one week ago! Before yesterday, I drive while picking up father or mother on the supporting seat.
But! Today! I was scheduled to drive alone for the first time :.-/ I looked forward to... That's too bad ne! I look forward to next chance!
My parents went a tour to Shimonoseki.
I spent time wacthing TV dramas recorded, reading comics, putting in order, and listening to music at home :)
In a sense, I had a nice Sunday! haha

Today's dinner was delicious!
My parents bought Kaisendon, that is, a large bowl of rice topped with fresh seafood to take home to us.
I'll attach the photo ne!
I'm stuffed!
I can't eat any more, but i wanna eat icecream! lol

Let's keep doing our best this week!
Good bye.

[193 words]

13th

Hi, how are you today?
I'm fine. It was fine and the sun made me confortably warm today.
Today, I took a walk, it was fun!
After taking a walking, I went a cafe in the traffic center alone.
I ate waffle, so I'll attach the photo. It was very delicious. Does it look delicious? :-)
I went shopping and bought rubbers to bind my hair, turban to stop my hair, and cute seal tape. I was glad!
And I met friends like younger brothers and sisters. They were very cute and obedient : )
I became to be a fresh man! haha

I'm so sleepy :-/
G'night!

[108 words]

April 12th

Hey, guys! It was cold today ne.
Are you OK? Don't you have a cold? I'm fine! Plz take care of yourself!
I have four classes on Friday, Subject of the teaching profession, International law, Korean, and Honors English Seminar Ⅲ.
Second class's teacher is Mr. Ito.
She is very nice teacher I think.
I learn about an ethics class in this class. I have to go to my old school to do practice teaching in a few years. I'll make careful preparations. To begin with, I improve my English skills, especially pronounce. I'll do my best!
I had lunch at English Lounge. I couldn't speak cuz I was nervous.
I want to change myself.
Third class was too difficult for me :-/
Fifth class was Korean! I chose it cuz I'm interested in Korea. Korean is easy to study for Japanese cuz Korean and Japanese is similar in grammer to each other. I look forward to next class.
Last class is Honors. I'm glad to take this class. I do my best to study abroad!

Have a nice weekend :-)

[181 words]

Essay 1-01a: Dear Host Family

 Hi, I’m Yukie. Thank you for having me at your home. I’m 19 years old girl. I’m KGU student, and my major is English. I live in Kumamoto, Japan with my family, dad, mam, a younger sister, and a younger brother.

  My hobbies are watching movies, cooking sweets, walking, playing the saxophone, and listening to music. When I was a junior high school and a high school student, I joined the brass band club and played the tenor saxophone every day.

  I want to be an English teacher in the future. When I was a junior high school student, I learned English for the first time. I became to be interested in and like it very much. Since then, I studied English very hard, but it was just to enter the university. I entered KGU last year, and I found that I’m not good at speaking and listening. I regretted that I didn’t challenge when I was a junior school and a high school student, so I decided to improve my English skills. When we are talking, if I make mistakes with pronounce and grammar, please teach me. I’m really glad to study abroad!

  I live in Kumamoto, Japan. It is located in west Japan. There are many beautiful places to visit. Have you ever been to Kumamoto? If you haven’t been there, let’s go! My house is located in near Kumamoto castle. It is very nice place!

  This homestay is second time for me. At the age of a fifth grader, I went to Korea for a week and experienced homestay 2 days and 1 night. This homestay is longer than first time challenge, so I’m nervous now, but I really look forward to. Let’s talk a lot! See you soon!

[293 words]

Kumamoto castle

Hey, guys!

Have you ever been to Kumamoto castle?
It is located Honmaru, chuo-ku, Kumamoto-shi.
It is very beautiful place!
I went there three times during spring vacation.
I saw 熊本城おもてなし武将隊 for the first time, and it was cool!
Have you ever seen?
I saw cherry blossoms with my friends while chatting, and it was very fun!
I played soccer at Ninomaru park, and it was exciting!
I live in near Kumamoto castle,
so when I am asked “Where is your house?”, I always answer “My house is the Kumamoto castle.”
Everyone is surprised! haha

[95 words]




March 28






my firend's photo





March 14



11th

Hi, guys!
Today's Thursday ne!
How was your classes?
On Thursday, I have three classes, an introduction to English linguistics, sociology, and education methodology.
First class, an introduction to English linguistics, was very good.
I became to be interested in it and really want to study abroad to learn various things!
Second class and third class are good too!
I came to look forward to Thursday.
After classes, I used AV coner.
I watched a movie, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL2.
It was very fun!
I really enjoyed watching the movie!

Goodbye.

[90 words]

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

I watched this movie yesterday at AV coner of the library. I used it for the first time after a university admission. I admitted this university last spring...haha
The movie was very fun ;-)
Have you ever seen?
If you haven't seen, let's take a look ne! I wanna see it again!
I'll use the coner tomorrow.
What shall I watch?
Please tell me your favorite movie!

[67 words]

April 10th

Hi, how are you?
Today, the wind was strong ne!
When I left the house, I was surprised :-/
However, there was a lot to be happy!!
After a long absence, I met Akino who was in same class when I was a third year high school. She entered KGU this year, so I met her to give some textbooks I used last year. I was glad to see her smile.
In a bicycle parking, I met Mikkun who was in same class when I was a second year junior high school. He entered KGU this year too! I was surprised cuz I met him after an interval of four years. He was slightly fatter than old days. haha
On my way home, I dropped in. I met Emi by chance. She had her long hair cut off, and she looks good!
And I discovered rape field. I'm sorry that I couldn't take a photographs, but it was very beautiful!
And I saw beautiful tutuji in the Kumamoto university. I'll attach the photo :-)
When I was almost lost in the university, Erika found me! She was same club during my high school days. I was pleasant to meet her for a long time! :,-) We walked together while talking.
I met many friends today!
Today was happy day★

[219 words]

placement essay

Dear my host family 
Nice to meet you! My name is Yukie. Thank you for having me at your home. Please let me introduce myself.

 I’m 19 years old, and go to university. My university is KGU. I live in Kumamoto, Japan with my family. There is a Kumamoto castle near my house.

 My hobbies are cooking sweets, walking, playing the tenor saxophone, and listening to music. When I was a junior high school and a high school student, I joined the brass band club.

 I have a younger sister and a younger brother. She is 17 years old and he is 16 years old.

I don’t have any pets. Do you have pets?

I’m not in any clubs now.

It’s my first time to study abroad. I want to go to many beautiful places. My English skill is poor, but I want to improve my English during this challenge.

 How is the weather? Is it hot? I like winter better than summer, but there are many events in summer. I look forward to those events. Which do you like better, hot or cold? When is your birthday? My birthday is in December.

 What did you do at New Year’s? I went to my grandfather’s house and spent time with my family. My grandfather’s birthday is January 1^st, so my family celebrated it and ate cake. I like cooking sweets, and I made cake, sweet potatoes, and pudding for the New Year’s Day.

 Are you interested in Japan? If you were interested in Japan, I would tell you about my country. I’m interested in your country, so please tell me many things about your country and you!

I’m looking forward to meeting you! See you!

288 words