IE class

I will write about IE class. I like members of IE. Everyone is so interesting and unique. I enjoyed studying with them. I remember that we had dinner together once. I had a great time. I want to eat together again. I feel lonely because this class will be over. 

Assignment of IE class was hard for me. I made efforts as much as possible. I feel fulfillment. 

Thank you everyone!

The end of the semester

One year will have passed since I entered this university. I don’t want to believe that. I feel a little sad. It was really hard for me to catch up with many classes, especially IE. I was disappointed at my English skill whenever I talked with the members in English. But you did not complain of my low skill. I appreciate your patience. I noticed that I had to do much more effort to learn English, but I couldn’t. I really regret it. Though I couldn’t do what I really wanted to do this year, I found it fun to talk in English through talking with you. I must promise that I will do my best and improve my English next year.

Thank you!

To Shinnosuke

Thank you for message to me, Shinnosuke. I remember that we had lunch together too. I enjoyed talking with you about your hometown, Niigata. I haven't been there but I want to go there! If there is a chance to talk about there, please tell me what places you recommend. 

I enjoyed studying with you. Thank you so much!!

My First Visit to Ikebukuro

  Last Friday, I went to Ikebukuro with my friends. They were in same high school and we are close friends.

  I hadn’t been to Ikebukuro so I couldn’t imagine what kind of place it was. But when I arrived at Ikebukuro Station, I was surprised to see many people. I hadn’t imagined such number of people. I think there are many people in Ikebukuro as well as in Shibuya.

  The purpose of going to Ikebukuro was to visit a certain special event. It was related to birds. I like birds and I could enjoy it. There were many pretty goods and they pleased me. There were also cakes in the shapes of birds. They were very cute and I was excited to see them. The event was very good.

  After that, we went to Gyu-Kaku and ate yakiniku. It was very delicious. Also, we enjoyed chatting. We talked various things such as topic of our own daily life. It was fun. After eating yakiniku, we went to Denny’s and ate dessert there. I ordered bean jam, agar, and pieces of fruit served in syrup. It tasted sweet and good. After that, we went home.

  I had a good time with my friends. I don’t know about Ikebukuro so much so I want to know about it more.

 

To Shinnosuke

Thank you for giving me message. I was really surprised at your careful attention to members. You are always so polite. Your will to learn English is much stronger than me. I have to be as you are. As you said, my seat was next to you in IE2 listening class. I was really nervous at the first class. But I remember that I was a little relaxed when I talked with you.  Today, we will do final presentation as the members of same group. Though I feel the strain as usual, I hope we will enjoy it!

Thank you very much!!

:)

Shinnosuke's post was really moving to me. I'm sad not to had the same class as other IE members.

I cannot believe that end of my freshman year is coming. Time had passed really really fast. As some of you know, I don't join any club activities so for me, IE classes and members are precious.

Before I enter this University, I studied so hard and many people did the same. It was because I wanted to study at this University.

However, now my first year is coming to an end. Recently I often wonder like what my purpose was.

Of course I enjoyed my life at university, but to my shame I came not to study as hard as last year.

From next semester, remembering the first spirit that I had, I want to do my best of best.
If you see I get idle, please slap my face. It is Kidding but I'm quite serious.

I'll write about IE classes. See you later.

Noodle

Sorry my blog topic is about food again.

Last Tuesday, I and my friend went to Tokyo terminal.
My friend goes to school in China, but that day he had to visit a company so we decided to have lunch together.

I saw Tokyo terminal station for the first time since the building had renewed.
It was extreme larger than I had imagined and we got lost many times.

We had lunch at Tsurutontan.
The restaurant is very famous and I knew only the name, it was noodle specialized shop.

I ordered noodle with duck meat.
Maybe it will sounds exaggeration, but that was the most delicious noodle I've ever eaten.
I want to eat other kinds of noodles, but there are not so many restaurants.

To Shinnosuke

                Thank you for your message. I willingly answer for your question.
You can stay abroad for 33 days, so I think you can connect with many people who is same age with you during the program. Don't have to worry about it too much. We, especially Japanese, tend to be shy in front of the strangers, but I think having a posture to be positive is really required. Don't care about making mistakes. Of course I know you don't make mistakes.lol  The important thing is to have some fun:)
                  As for me, the people in the US are mostly warm and nice. In addition to that, the family who  apply to the international program such as homestay are eager to have a chance to communicate with foreigners, so they also will be kind to you, in fact. Even if you cannot tell your feeling properly, the enthusiasm will help you at last, I believe.
                 In the first few days since you arrive at the US, you will notice that the speed of English is much faster than that of IE class. However, around the 2 weeks, you will get used to catching its speed. So, the important turning point is around 2 weeks! Until then, I recommend you to continue good works as much as possible.
                 I'm wondering that these advice will be actual acvice for you, but I think you can do well. If you have something to ask me, feel free to do so;)

About IE Class

          Today is the last class of IE, so I’m going to write about the memories and my idea of this class. Since April, this class have required us a lot of tasks than any other classes. The 90 percent of my home works was IE’s. Finishing all of tasks always took much time. However, it is clear that this class improved our English skills drastically from many angles, I think.   

        When I was a high school student, I couldn’t study about how to become good English speaker, so I was worried about whether I could do well in this university. Also I’ve never studied abroad, so I cannot speak fluently like native speakers. In addition, I have a tendency to become shy and I cannot speak well when I have to make some kind of speech in front of many people, but I agree that throughout this class, I came to command English more than before.

        Doing all of works in this class was really tough every time, but I admit that this English course pulled out my motivation of learning English again. I could realize what I really need to have communication with other people.    

In the 2^nd grade, I want to keep up good works positively, because I like English.

        Finally, I want to say thank you to all of my friends and great teachers of this class. I’m gratefully grateful! (^v^) Thanks for them, I think I could accomplish my aim. I’m looking forward to seeing you in IE meeting in March!

Surprising!

               Last Sunday, when I was doing a part time job, the famous actor, Youichi Nukumizu, came to my workplace! I’ve known that he lives in Setagaya, which is near my workplace but I’ve never thought that he would come, so it was really surprising for me. In my hometown, I cannot meet such famous TV stars, and I thought Tokyo was special. The chief leader said that Ai Fukuhara and Erina Mastui also came last year. According to him, they often use there because no one make noise and treat as a normal people. When I meet such famous people, I try to do so in order to many of them can use there comfortably.

46 posts and 9321 words

Hi, it's Shinnosuke!
This is my final post...


I praise myself because I kept writing English in Blogger!
I counted how many posts I've made and how many words I've typed.
The result includes this post.


Thank you soooooo much!!!

Reading and looking for books

 My recent hobby is reading novels.

 Before I enter university, I wasn’t very interested in it. At that time the only books I read were textbooks or reference books for studying. Of course I read some novels when I was a high school and junior high school student, but that was because I had to do it in order to write book reports. However, since I entered university, I have got more interested in books. So on New Year’s holiday, I went to BOOK OFF and bought “1Q84” written by Haruki Murakami.

 

 The story of “1Q84” consists of six books, and the fixed price is 590 yen each without tax. So if I had bought them at the fixed price, they would have cost me about 3800 yen. However, they were secondhand books and therefore cheaper than new ones. So they cost me only about 1000 yen. I was very lucky. Now I'm reading the first book. Although many things about the story are mysterious so far, the story is interesting and I'm looking for what will happen later.

 

 Also, last Wednesday I bought “Nineteen Eighty-Four” and “Fahrenheit 451”.

These are the translated version of books which I read for the book reports of this IE3 Core Class. When I was reading the English version of them, I was always thinking that I had to finish the book reports. So I couldn’t enjoy the story very much. This time I want to read them as a leisure, and someday I want to read the English version of them again and compare them with Japanese ones to study translation.

 In order to find interesting books, I’m looking for bookstores now.

 There used to be Bunkyodo near Shibuya station, but it closed on October. There is Kinokuniya Bookstore in Tokyu Plaza. It’s a big bookstore, but Tokyu Plaza will close on March. So I can’t go there anymore after that. That’s why I’m looking for bookstore. Last Wednesday I found a good bookstore by Shibuya station. It’s “Book First”. It is a medium-sized bookstore. What I was surprised about this bookstore was that there’s no service for cellphones. Besides, there isn't Wi-Fi service either. That means we can’t browse a website, talk with someone on LINE, and check Twitter in this bookstore. It may sound inconvenient, but I think it can be an advantage of this bookstore. That’s because we can keep away from cellphones and concentrate on thinking about books in this bookstore. Although I didn’t buy anything there at that time, I want to go there again. And I want to read more books in my life in university.

To Yuuka

I'm sorry to be late for answering your question.
And thak you for reading my blog.

The restaurant we went was so good that I want to recommend you. But unfortunately, it is in Yokohama. My mother likes to compare many restaurants and I always ask her recommendations.
I also did this time, but she is not familiar with Tokyo. So, I cannot give some advices...I'm so sorry.

According to my mother, she always tries the restaurant whose reputation is more than 3.2 in Tabelog. Why don't you try it?

I hope you will have a good time with your sister and she will succeed in the exam!!

(;_;)♡

Oh my god...
Shinnosuke's latest entry moved me to tears.It warmed my heart very much.
I haven't met any person who has so eagerness in English and is working very hard for it.You're an object of respect.
Thank you for telling me that I'm laughing every time. Without laugh, it's not me(^^)

I also really want to say thank you to each of you with some words,but I just don't have time to do that.

I won't say a much.

I can't stop loving my IE members and teachers.
I'll give my best regards to you forever!!

Message for you

Hi, it's Shinnosuke...
The end of this IE3 is coming soon......
I'll send a short message to each of you!
(Your names are listed according to the alphabetical order except the teacher and me.)


To Dr. Armstrong
Two unique points of your class are Media Discussion and Book Report, I think. We were required to complete Media Discussion report every week! It was very hard for me to do so, and I thought it was enough to do so once a month or so. However, I found the importance of seeing frequently what is happening in the world through your Media Discussion. As for Book Report, especially Literary Analysis was new for me. Literary Analysis was very hard, but I learned that to make better book reports, it was essential to know about the context. Thank you very much for teaching!


To Ayaka
I took many same classes as you such as French and teaching course classes. Let's fight for continuing teaching course together! One of the most impressive events with you was when I was confused with your name and Natsuki's name during Media Discussion. I was confused the two names, so Haruka helped me saying "Shinnosuke, call her A-chan." I called you so. This was the first time for me to call you by your nickname. Thank you!


To Haruka
You may be the first person of the IE members to introduce myself to. Your seat was next to mine in IE2 Listening Class, so I had many chances to do Interaction with you in class. At first, you called me by my last name, but one day, I noticed that you had changed the way to call me. You started to call me by my nickname "Shin-chan." When noticing that, I was able to feel closer to you. Thank you!


To Hideaki
Every time I became the same member as you in Media Discussion, I felt that your English was much better than me because your pronunciation and reports seemed to me much greater than me. Moreover, you helped me twice in Law class when I overslept and was late for the class. I am a careless person... Thank you for your help when we become second year students. Thank you!


To Hiroyuki
You joined the class from the 2nd semester, so I did not have so much time to talk with you. However, I've found that you can speak English more fluently and can write English better than me through IE3. I remember well that when we were sitting on the same bench, some IE friends said that we looked like colleagues, seeing our backs. Thank you!


To Kanako
I didn't have much time to do Interaction or News Discussion in IE2 probably because we became leaders on the same day. However, in IE3, we had chances to interact together in Media Discussion several times. I think it was good. The most impressive thing about you is the signature "Kanako" you often put at the bottom of your Blogger posts. That's unique! Thank you!


To Kodai
The most pleasing experience for me is when you found me at Shibuya Station during the evening rush-hour, when the station and the train were so crowded and went home together. In the train, we talked about how hard it was to complete our book reports and how much time we had to spend on IE homework. I still remember this event well. Thank you!


To Koki
Whenever I became the same member as you in Media Discussion, I found that the topics you chose for your reports were always scientific ones. When I asked why, you answered that you liked science and were good at it. I envy you because I am so poor at science, and my grade of science was so bad in high school. You often answered my questions about classes or homework in LINE. Thank you!


To Miharu
I often saw you reading books between classes, so I guess you like reading very much. If so, I want to be a good reader like you because I'm not good at it. I was so surprised when you and Mizuki and Kodai were second graders. It also surprised me very much that you went to university from Utsunomiya. I cannot imitate your habit! Thank you!


To Miwa
Since we took a lot of same classes, we had many opportunities to talk together. You often made me laugh during Media Discussion saying something interesting or meaningless, and this made me happy. You sometimes said that you had very bad habits and should improve them. I have similar bad habits, too, so let's improve them in 2015! I'm excited about knowing which of us get higher score in the exam of Educational Psychology. Thank you!


To Miyui
Besides IE, we took the same classes Reading1 and History of American Literature. You often said that you didn't want to attend History of American Literature in the 5th period every Friday. To tell the truth, I always felt in the same way. I'm not good at that class. You helped me to prepare the juice I brought a few weeks ago. More precisely, I had you prepare all cups of juice! Thank you!


To Mizuki
You are the first person to help me much with my college life in April. For the first month, I wasn't a member of the IE group LINE and couldn't get any information about IE homework, but sent me e-mails about what was happening in the LINE talk many times. Thanks to your help, I was able to complete my assignments properly during that period. Moreover, I remember choosing a book for the 1st Book Report in IE2 together. Thank you!


To Natsuki
In IE2, you once chose an article about Mirin for a topic of your News Discussion report. You said that you had made the report staying all night, and the report contained a lot of grammar mistakes. It gave me your strong impression then. Your Blogger posts are always full of topics about your club activity ESS, and I think this shows how hard you always take part in club activity. Fight, ESSer! Thank you!


To Natsuko
We recently talked together about the first time we talked. The first time for me to talk with you was when your computer didn't start working well and I taught you how to start the computer. I was able to teach that because I had experienced the same situation. After the class, you thanked me for teaching very politely. At first, I wasn't used to calling you by your nickname, but now, I completely got used to use "Nachiko." Thank you!


To Ryuhei
I have experienced two great presentations with you in IE2 and IE3. As for the earlier one, we got crazy about choosing beautiful pictures of sushi in order to use them in PowerPoint. It was really interesting. As for the other, we went to the teachers' room as many as three times to get advice from the teacher. I cannot remember how many times we revised our slides and scripts, but these two presentations are important memories for me. Thank you!


To Saki
When I told you that I had sent many e-mails to reset my password I had forgotten in Media Discussion, you laughed very loudly. This made me surprised. I wondered why you laughed so much, but your laughing made me laugh, too. I really enjoyed the discussion. As for your English, you can listen properly to what is said and can speak English fluently, so you helped the members to understand what the teachers said. Thank you!


To Shiori
I think you are good at giving your opinion in English very clearly with reasons and good examples that support your opinion. I found this through Media Discussion. Probably you have developed those skills through your club activity ESS. You often looked exhausted with ESS, but you've obtained precious experience from it, I believe, and you'll grow up more with ESS. Fight, ESSer! Thank you!


To Yu
I remember having lunch with you and Nachiko once after Reading1. While eating, you talked much about what your life as an examinee was like, and I was very surprised to know that you originally had wanted to enter the same university as me. You also told me that you had got many other admissions from universities that I can never pass! I found you were a much smarter student than me. Thank you!


To Yuuka
At first, I didn't know that you were a 2nd grader and you had studied at Sagamihara, so I was so surprised when I knew these two. You always sat next to me in IE2 Writing and we had many chances to revise each other's essay. Moreover, you were the only student to give me a comment on my post about a white tree-like product. Your comment made me very happy. Thank you!


To Shinnosuke
Study more! Be more active! Smile more!

A very short trip2

I'm sorry it was too long to post at once.


Then we wandered again. Since we didn't see any maps, somehow we walked through Kanda, at last we arrived Awajicho.


When we walked around Kanda, there were many ski or snowboard shops and we got excited. I wished we could go skiing someday.

At Awajicho, we dropped in Japanese cafe to break. That building was designated as an important cultural property.

We all ordered cream Anmitsu, and there we started talking again.
Of course Anmitsu was tasty, but also Japanese tea served with Anmistu was very nice.


After we went out from Japanese cafe, we got back to home.

I could eat delicious foods after a long time, and talked about jobs both seriously and pleasantly. It was precious time for me.

When we were on our way to home, decided to go to Tsukiji for delicious Kaisendon!
I will work harder more than ever.

A very short trip1

Last Monday, I and my two coworkers went to Jinbocho.
They are older than me, and I was scared at first because my current part time job is first time in my life. Also they are both competent.

However, as I got used to work, I come to talk with them and that is pretty fun for me.
Moreover, we all love to eat, and often talked about our favorite foods or restaurants that have very good reputations.

Last year we decided to go out for have delicious curry.
When I searched for famous curry restaurant, I saw "Jinbocho" many times.


On that day, after all arrived at there, we wanders around the station, didn't have any plan.
As many internet users mentioned, there were so many curry restaurants that we couldn't decide easily.

It was about 2pm when we entered the restaurant.

After we ordered, we talked mainly about the restaurant where we work or coworkers. We could not stop.

Curry was very very delicious. We could choose 2 different kinds of curry, and I chose chicken and special vegetable.
Surprisingly, vegetable curry was sweet!

To Ayaka

Hello, this is Shinnosuke. This time, I would like to comment on Ayaka's recent posts about her pen-pal.
Hi, Ayaka, your recent two posts have attracted my attention!
Since I am going to take part in a part-time study abroad program, I want to make such a pen-pal like you.
Chatting with such friends provides us with opportunities to use English frequently, to share the same topics, or to touch different culture.
However, as for me, maybe I can't teach them Japanese well.
You know why. lol
What I am worried about the most is homestay.
You said that you experienced homestay, I want to ask you only one question here.
What should I be careful about during the first two or three days of my homestay?
If you notice this, I would like you to answer.
Thank you!

The Voyage

I read the short story for Kisoennsyu class. The Voyage is written by Katherine Mansfield.

Do you know her? I didn't know.

Katherine Mansfield was born in Wellington in New Zealand, then she went to London and wrote many famous stories. So, she is the most famous writer in New Zealand.

This is the first time that I read book of her. I felt this book is interesting, so I decided to write report about it. I will try to write good report.

I recommend you to read books of her, because she wrote many stories and those are short but thoughtful. I read The Garden Party , The Voyage, and The Doll's House. I could find theme of each stories.

 I want to read all of her writings. I cant live without reading!

Presentation

Yesterday, I practiced my presentation for ie listening crass with Miharu and Mizuki.
I try to make it interesting.
...I have got nervous already!
It seems really difficult to make presentation without scripts, doesn't it?
Anyway, we have another presentation for this crass, ie core this week...
Moreover, we have many tests and reports to do...
I can't sleep. haha
I'll do my best.

enchanted

My birthday was on December 30th and I became twenty years old.
Last week, my best friend from junior and high school celebrated my late birthday.
We went to a restaurant called "Alice in Fantasy Book" in shinjuku. In this world, we are going to be the Alice and can meet the amazing characters. Once you step in, the world of fairy tale spreads out. All of the workers are dressing up in costumes and each menu is related to Alice in Wonderland. The explanation of the dishes was also faithful to the story. Disney songs were playing and it made me want to go to Disney Land together with the atmosphere. 
My friend congratulated me with the clerk and gave presents. There were also Disney stuffs:->
I was a bit easily moved to tears because of the alcohol but I didn't cry. We had a wonderful time in a wonderful world.


   

Well, I have a lot of things to do...this is the reality that we can't escape from, even you want to.

No matter what, I've got to do it!

My favorite

Hi it's kanako again!

On 18th January, my mother and my favorite actress Becca Tobin's birthday!

I am going to tell my mother my thank, love and celebration directly. So this time I will write about Becca Tobin.

She acts the role of Kitty Wilde in TV drama show "glee". Though she appeared for the first time in season4, I was attracted soon.

Kitty's character was mean but sometimes kind. Her remarks include irony and always made me laugh.

Her first performance was everybody talkswith Jacob Artist as Jake Packerman. Her voice is a little manners, and her move had agility so I couldn't look aside.

Becca herself is actually oldest in all the cast, but she is playfulness and seems to make people around her laugh.

May both have an amazing year.

Kanako

part time job

I started to work for starbucks coffee again from few weeks ago.
I worked for starbucks when I was freshman at Matida but I quitted it because I moved to Ikebukuro and it is too far to commute.
However, I still like to work at cafe so I restarted.
My shop is in Sinjyuku.
It is busier shop than that I used to work at.
I have not got used to the busy work yet.
Actually it is very heavy work I think.
But I like my new shop.
One of the reason is that many foreigners visit my cafe and I can use my English.
I want to communicate with customers using English positively.
I want to make them happy with a cup of delicious coffee!
Please visit my cafe, Sinjyuku nisiguti tenn, and enjoy yummy drinks and food:)

To Haruka

To your last post.
I have a plan to go to restaurant with my mother and sister two weeks later at Tokyo.
My sister will come to take a exam with my mother.
Im looking forward it because I often go back to Nagano prefecture and go somewhere with them there, but it is rare to visit somewhere in Tokyo with them.
I have to decide where we go because there are no time on the day. My sister is really busy.
Then, they like Italian but I do not know well about it in Tokyo..Im still strange here..lol
So can you tell me somewhere to go on the day?
I wait for your reply:)

To Mizuki

You are really beautiful with beautiful Furisode..!!
Im happy to hear that you enjoyed your coming of age day with your old friends.
It reminds me last year.
I also spend special time with my best friends and celebrate our coming of age.
It was fun and I made my mind as an adult.
It was good memory as well as yours.

To Natsuki

I read your last post.
I became to want to go to kamakura...
I have been there only once.
Besides, I could not stay there for a long time.
I thought there are a lot of restaurant that we can eat delicious food like dango...
However, I did not visit any restaurant because of the lack of time..
Im going to visit there again as soon as possible.

movies

Hi,
Today im talking about my favorite movies that I watched recently.
I have two favorite movies to tell you.
Both of them are love story.
i recommend them especially to girls.
First one is about time. 
I watched it with Mizuki.
The heroin is my favorite actress, Rachel Anne McAdams.
She played a heroin of The Notebook.
I became to wanna think how I  use my time always.
I think it remind us the importance of time.

Second one is Love,Rosie.
The heroin, Lily Collins, is also my favorite actress.
She is really really cute!!
The movie is love story but it also told me something important.
I thought  although it is possible that they come true long after, our dream can come true, if it seems too late.
And also I learned that the thing I have to do now is that I cannot do after but now.

I said I recommend it for girls because they are love story but I think I should do also to boys because both are not just love story but the movies that show us ow to live.

Feel happiness

Good morning everyone!

The day of presentation is coming, and I am already getting nervous.

Last day I went to Tokyo Disney Sea with my mother.
I thought it would not be crowded because there was no seasonal event, and it was weekday.
However, many people were there, it was the debut day of Disney bear Duffy's new costume.
We arrived at about noon, but uncountable people were in line for entering the shop. Fortunately we didn't know about it, and didn't suppose to buy it, we could enjoy so much.

Since with my mother, we had a little special lunch at lounge located in S.S. Columbia. That mean we went into the ship.
I ate sandwich and seasonal special parfait.

This time seasonal food was strawberry, one of my favorite foods!
It was extremely wonderful blissful time.

If you have chance to visit this lounge, I recommend to check this seasonal special parfait. Last autumn's food was chestnuts and of course it was very very delicious.

Yokohama and Kamakura

Hi! it's Natsuki again! This time, I'd like to write about my short trip to Yokohama and Kamakura on weekend. Firstly, I went to Yokohama to see beautiful night view and eat delicious dinner at there. For me, this month is the last chance to go out to somewhere else so that I decided to enjoy this weekend as much as possible. At yokohama, I went to Yokohama land mark tower and saw beautiful scenary of Yokohama city, and had delicious dinner. It was really good time to refresh myself.

 

 

And next, I went to Kamakura yesterday. The purpose is also to eat delicious food and visit famous temple at there. It was really crowded  but I enjoy to do so called Tabearuki and I ate Mattya Dango and chocolate croquette. Moreover, I ate Kamakura pasta. It was too much but I was really happy to eat so many dishes.

 

Debate section Motsu nabe party

Today, I'm going to write about Debate section Motsu nabe party! This time, my debate partner Satoshi resereved nice Motsu restaurant at a very reasonable price! At first, it seems a little bit expensive for university students, but we colud get enough satisfaction about this restaurant very much.

Firstly. we enjoyed eating normal style Motsu nabe and at last, we added rice into the soup and we called it Ojiya. It was so nice. I could not eat very much because of  a little bit bad physcal condition, but I enjoyed talking with my debate member so I cannot wait to hold this kind of party again!

The result

I was forgetting to write about the result of the All-Japan High School Soccer Championship Tournament. So today I'll write about it.

Unfortunately my school was defeated by Seiryo high school after all, and Seiryo high school became the top. Of course I was hoping and believing that my school could become the top. So it was a great pity for me. However, it was the first time my school have made advance to the final 4. It was excellent.

Now I hope that my school will become the top next year! I'm sure they can do it!

Friend of High School

I met one of my friends in my high school the first time in four months. She and I belonged to the same club, wind orchestra club, in high school and we were deputy directors of the club. We were good friends and now we are. So I had been looking forward to seeing her before I met her.

We talked about many topics. For example, our university life and part-time job. When we talked about memories of our high school life, I felt nostalgic. 

We're going to take part in performance of OBOG in the regular concert of the club. So I can meet her   and I am looking forward to seeing her and talking again!!

Nice Time

Hello, everyone. 

I went to Rakeru in Shibuya with Natauko and another friend of mine. Rakeru is a restaurant of omurice. I wanted to go there and eat something for a long time because a lot of my friends had been there and they told me about their experiences there. There were many kinds of omurice. I like one very much. So it was difficult to choose one. I ate omurice with demiglace and hamburg steak. It included rice with mixed grains. It was so good. 

We enjoyed talking. We talked, talked and talked!! I was interested in their each story. We ate a pancake with many fruits and an ice cream. I hadn't eaten such a pancake. I had very nice time:) I want to have dinner with them.

Coming-of-age 2

After the ceremony, I had a alumni association for 2013 graduates at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo. The venue was spacious and foods were gorgeous. However, I couldn't eat much, because everyone gathered around them. Paying some reasonable money, I was disappointed that I wasn't able to have sushi and cakes. But! Friends are priceless❤
There were many friends I met at the first time after graduated and I felt nostalgia. Even in kimono and too much makeup, they were just what they were in two years ago. Through the party, the video of our choral competition was showed and we were laughing at the then ourselves.

I took countless number of pictures and each of them are memories. I'm very pleased to have great friends, still taking contact and spending time with me even after we graduated. I really love my old school very much. The six years I had there is indispensable for me. I sometimes think...I want to go back to those days.

    

(^_^)/~VIVA ★OTSUMA NAKANO JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL☆

Coming-of-age 1

This monday, I attended a coming-of-age ceremony in Shinagawa Ward.
Although I'm living in a different zone now, I have more than a ten years of familiarity to that place. The ceremony started on eleven, but because it took time for dressing my kimono, I wasn't able to listen to the speech of the mayor of a ward. It was a shame X(
However, after the ceremony, I met many classmates of my elementary school again. Many of them was the first time in eight years to have a reunion with, but they hadn't changed so much, especially the boys. (Girls wear heavy makeup, so almost everyone looked the same lol) Two of our homeroom teacher were also there, and I was very happy that they reminded me clearly. 

I think this was the best opportunity to gather together like the old days. Some of my former classmates planned a cherry-blossom viewing party on march. I think it is difficult for all of us to participate, but I'm looking forward to it!!!

National centrer test

Im really nerves because of today's national center test.
My sister took it. Today's test is over already but I cannot call her....
Im scared...
I hope she could do her best.
And also I have many students who took it today.
I work for cramming school.
I also hope their success.

Lunch with my mother

Today, my mother took me to the Italian restaurant.

Usually, we cannot help ordering each pizza, which always makes us regret because we become too full to finish it. We have to learn that one pizza is big enough for us to eat.

Unfortunately, we made same mistake this time again. Before ordering, our conscious had been occupied with pizza.

The restaurant was full of atmosphere and we enjoyed appetizer and salad. Then, the great amount pizza appeared in front of us. I tried the pizza with four kinds of cheese, and my mother chose margherita. In fact, I had not eaten gorgonzola though I like cheese. So, I was very excited. It smelled strongly and tasted uniquely. I enjoyed eating it with honey, but I did not feel like to eat it again. My mother’s pizza was so delicious. I want to eat it again.

As we expected, it was hard for us to finish eating all. In addition, ordered tiramisu for the dessert and we managed to eat them up.

We were satisfied with finding such a good restaurant. I would like to take you if you visit Yokohama. But I do not let you order more than one pizza next time!

The film I watched at home

Last week, I watched the film, “Central Station” on television. It was so impressive for me that I want to recommend you to watch it.

 It was the story in Brazil many years ago. People were very poor and most of them cannot read and write. The main character, Dora, earned by writing letters for another. Though she has kindness, her poor life made her cunning. For example, she threw away the letters she wrote for another without sending it. One day, she came across with the boy, Josue, whose father lived faraway and her mother died of traffic accident. She wanted to help him at first, but she sold him for the human traffic to get much money. She soon regret for it and she took him back. She decided to take him to his father regardless of difficulties. They conflicted with again and again on the way, but they got strong bond through it. There were heartwarming scene that they supported each other. She gradually changed by spending with Josue and she restart her life with the strong will.

I don’t write the end of the story for the people who want to watch it.

It was really sentimental, but encouraging story. Please check it out.

about religions

Today, I would like to talk about religion. In the world, there are various religions and each one has each beliefs. On the contrary, Japanese are often regarded as people without religion because we mix each religion's practices or events.
About a month ago, one of my friends suddenly revealed that she was a christian and her thought when we had dinner at a famiy reastaurant. Since we had talked about a matter of no importance, I'd never expected that she would say such thing and, of course, she was a christian.  According to her, she felt constrained as a christian in Japan because a lot of Japanese had bias on religions and came to keep a distance as she rvealed the fact. When I heard such her fact and sad experiences, I was very shocked and confused because I didn't know what I should say. At last, I listened her opinion about present situation in Japan, and I also told her my opinion and asked some questions. Even though there were some points hard to understand, I could think about such kind problem as a matter relate to myself for the first time.
Finally, I think it is not bad to be irreligious because freedom of worship should be guaranteed. However, we must not  say something rash about religion.

Writing letter

Last Tuesday was my best friend's birthday. Then, she, one of our common friends and me ate dinner and celebrated her. Since I've not bought a present, I gave only handwrite letter. When I wrote the letter, I was very nervous because I'd not written letter for a longtime. In fact, I made some mistakes and the sentences were not good. However, receiving the letter, she was really grad and said me thank you again and again.
I felt its very difficult to express my thought completely especially when I have special feeling to the person. In addition, I thought writing letter is wonderful even though it takes pain because I could put my thought on words rather than typing.
Now, I'm looking for proper thing as a present for her!!

On a train 2

Hi. Im going back to Tokyo and on a train now. Today was terrible...  

As I said, me and my friend had a plan to go somewhere after a class.

However, we couldn't because we had too many things to do today actually...

We are members of badminton club. And we two have to make a plan of a party for graduates and prepare well because we are the people in charge of it.

As one of the tasks that we have to do, we have to make albums for them. Then, the task is much heavier  than we expected...

Our club is really big and has more than 150 members. 

Then we realized that we have to cut colored big simili papers into 4000 pieces...!omg

.....Of course, we did!!

It took more than 5 hours...

Terrible....

I'm tired;(

Amazing neighborhood in Kagoshima

When I stayed to my grandparents in Kagoshima, I met many neighborhood. In fact, most of them are my relatives. I have so many relatives that I cannot remember all of them. They were really kind to us. I want to introduce my amazing experience with them.

When they visited our home (without knocking on the door!), they always bring some handmade side dishes like pickled shallots (rakkyou). It was most delicious I have yet eaten. My grandaunt made us rice cakes in my grandmother’s way. It was really soft and tasted so sweet. When I ate it, I remembered that my grandmother send us her rice cakes every year and I could feel really happy.

What the most surprising thing for me was that my other grandaunt made us cups of soup for our dinner and we carried them with the tray from her house to ours. It was so dark there that we had to use the flashlight to walk all the way home at night. But we could carried them safely. I felt really relaxed when I ate her hot soup.

I live in the apartment in Yokohama. So, there are only thin wall between me and my neighbor. But we don’t communicate with so often. On the other hand, the people in Kagoshima communicate with their neighbors very often even though they were not relatives. It was really interesting for me. I like the peaceful atmosphere of countryside. I also believe we need such a strong relationship to live in safety and peace.

Dinner with My Friends

 On Tuesday, I went to the restaurant with my friends after the fifth period. The name of the restaurant was “RAKERU”. It mainly offers omelets and omelets containing fried rice. I hadn’t visited it before. It is near Aoyama Gakuin University and it takes about ten minutes to go there.

 

 When I saw the menu, I was irresolute. But after consideration, I ordered the omelet containing fried rice with tomato cream sauce and chicken. It wasn’t usual one because it was on the iron plate. I hadn’t seen such one. It was very delicious. We also ordered waffles. The whipped cream and the ice creams were on them. There were also various fruits. They tasted sweet and I have taken to them.

 

 We enjoyed chatting, too. We talked many things. I had a good time. I want to visit another restaurant which I haven’t been to yet.

 

 

These days

Hello everyone! It's Natsuki! Today, I'm going to write about my recent lunch and dinner report!! You know, I love to eat. However, unfortunately, I have bad appetite recently, so I can't eat so much as before, but I still enjoy eating delicious meals. For example, this month, I ate pancake at Jiyugaoka and Okinawa soba at my home town Nakano with my senior! Moreover, the day before yesterday, I went to near the Tokyo Tower and had sushi dinner. It was wonderful.  I am very happy to enjoy eating such delicious food so often during my off season of debate, but I realized that I have to be careful not to cost so much money on eatring.

on a train

I'm going to Sagamihara campus  and on a train now.
Today I'm going to go somewhere with my friend who are student of Social Informatics department.
However, we have no class at Aoyama campus but at Sagamihara campus.
So before hanging out, I ll take a class with her there.

I'll talk about today tonight!
See you then:)

My pen-pal 2

               Victoria is good at commanding many languages, and surprisingly, she can speak French, German, and Spanish. What is more, she has a big dream. That is, to work for Pixar Animation Company in the future. In order to follow her dream, she is majors in art at university, and she studies a technology of motion picture and animation painting. Of course, Victoria studies Japanese very hard. Therefore, when I heard her aim, I thought I wanted to support her dream.

              During the email chatting, I often have a chance to teach Japanese for her. To teach Japanese for someone who cannot understand it well will become study for me, I think. When I explain the meaning of Japanese difficult word, I sometimes have difficulties because I have to express in easy, clear word for her.

              In that way, exchanging email with her is quite precious time for me.

My pen-pal 1

This time I’m going to write about my pen-pal. I have a pen-pal who lives in Los Angeles, California, US. Her name is Victoria. She is same age with me, and she is interested in Japanese culture very much. The first time I met her was during my homestay program. My host mother introduced her to me on the last day.

By that next day, I had to leave the US, so her family held amazing home party for me on that night. The people in Los Angeles were so kind and warm that I could always chat with them positively. Victoria showed me a lot of pictures of Japanese animation character which were drawn by her, and actually, her drawing skill was so good. She liked Japanese animation, so I told her about that many times during the party.

Even now, I still continue exchanging email frequently, and I’m looking forward to seeing her this summer.

Lunch

Hi! It's Natsuki! Today, I 'm going to write about the happy time spending with my IE friend yeasterday. Yesterday, I had lunch with Shiori, Saki and Miwa. We went to Rakeru where we can eat delicious Omlet and rice. We ate four different omlet and rice and nice desert. Of course, we talked a lot! Since we have met each other for the first time, almost one year have passed. I can't beieve that we will not be able to take same class for the next term. I already miss my great IE member. So,. I want to cherish my tome spending with my IE menmber.

To Shinnosuke

Shinnosuke, thank you so much for your reply! And I'm sorry that the reply was late.

We are really busy because of a lot of reports and tests. But they are very important for us. So let's do our best! And I also hope everyone, including me, can write a good reports and do well in the tests!

Dinner with members of part-time study abroad



Good evening, everyone. I'll write about dinner with members of part-time study abroad during spring vacation.

As I wrote in my post before, I will take part in a part-time study abroad program.

This is my first time to go abroad, so I have many things I don't know well relating to it.

However, at the same time, I am very excited and believe this will be great experience.

The members don't know each other, so one of them suggested that we hold such an event so that we can remember their names and be good friends.

At first, we could not talk much, but after introducing ourselves, we came to enjoy talking.

When introducing, I needed to tell them what I wanted to be called, and I said to them "Please call me Shin-chan," but the nickname was declined because one of them was also called so.

I had to give in because he was 3rd grade, and his real name is Shin.

So I said "Please call me Chan-shin," but this was declined too for some reason. lol

Where has my nickname gone?

It was very interesting!

Interesting and scary happenings in rush-hour trains

A few days ago, I talked about interesting happenings in rush-hour trains with some IE friends, so I want to write about this topic this time.
As for interesting ones, when train drivers use sudden brake, most passengers start to lean on others one after another.
Trains are always so crowded that I get out of control of my position, and finally, I lean on other passengers on purpose. lol
Another often happens when trains arrive at large stations which many people use.
You can easily understand that passengers near the door should get off the train once so that others can get off or get on the train smoothly, even though they don't get off the train.
However, I am sometimes forced to get off the train almost automatically at stations I don't get off at even though I am in inner part of the train! Interesting!
As for scary ones, they often happen in morning rush-hour trains and are really scary.
Every morning, people use trains for commuting and they are in a hurry.
Nobody speaks in morning trains, and morning rush-hour trains are filled with a specific atmosphere that cannot be expressed by words.
The only possible reason they speak in morning trains is quarrels or position competition.
I have seen people have quarrels in trains many times, and to tell the truth, I have been in some troubles twice or three times. lol

To Koki

Good morning. It's Shinnosuke again.
This time, I would like to comment to Koki's last post!
I really understand your feelings because I am now in a similar situation.
You said that you had to finish four reports, but I have to complete three reports for History of American Literature, Principles of Education, and Law B
This is probably because I have already finished my report for Reading 1.
In addition, you and I take the same class Law B in the 2nd semester, so we have to write the same report. lol
Making things harder, besides reports, we have to take some or many final exams.
I think it is not only you and I but also other IE friends that are in a hard situation, so I hope that all the members will succeed in reports and exams!

The last Marunouchi in 2014

Tokyo Sta. and buildings in Marunouchi at the last night of 2014

As I said in the last post, on New Year's Eve, I went to Tokyo Station to pick up my youngest brother.

I arrived at the station much earlier than his arrival and had to go outside the gate, so I decided to go outside Tokyo Station and enjoy the last Marunouchi.

There are a lot of tall office buildings around Tokyo Station, and all floors of the buildings are usually very bright.

However, that night, I felt a different atmosphere there.

The buildings were much less bright...because the day was New Year's Eve and everyone left the offices.

But I like the different Marunouchi, too because it is precious.

I recommend that you compare this picture with another picture of Marunouchi at weekday night which you can find on the Internet!

Guiding: Telling someone how to change trains

Good evening!
The end of school will come soon. I feel "Time flies." is true.
On December 31, 2014, my youngest brother came to Tokyo.
He is now a member of a baseball club and practices baseball almost every day, so the end and beginning of the year were the only holiday term.
One of his hobbies is taking trains like me, so he planed to come to Tokyo by Shinkansen.
He knows how to get to Tokyo Station but doesn't know how to get to Chofu, where I live.
This was why I had to pick him up at Tokyo Station.
Before he came, my mother had said to us "This is the last time to pick up at the station. It's time to remember the way. So Shinnosuke, show your brother how to change trains and get to Chofu this time so that he can do that next time."
I thought it was very difficult because to get to Chofu the earliest, it is essential to change trains at Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, both of which are two of the most complicated stations in Japan, and especially Shinjuku Station is said to be a "maze," but I tried.
First, I made him decide which gate to use every time and take a picture of the view from the gate.
Next, I ordered him to take some pictures of guidance boards and platform number.
If he can take a right train at Tokyo Station, it's almost the end because all he has to do at Shinjuku Station is to find a big transfer board for Keio Line, which he is familiar with.
So I only told him to find the board.
I am afraid that he can do as he was told to.
Guiding was hard but enjoyable for me! lol
I think I like teaching someone something. lol