Meeting with grandmother

          On December 31, I met my grandmother who stayed in the nursing care facility near my house. The facility she is in has many skillful care managers and the atmosphere is really nice, so in the free time, the elderly in the house enjoy chatting. When I visited her, she showed me smiling face, and I was happy to see that. Also I felt the respect to the care staffs because they were working for elderly even on the last day of the year. I cannot meet her so often because I have to live alone during the school terms, but when I back to my hometown, I want to visit her every time. 

Animation Movie

On December 29, I watched an animation film. The title was “Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below.” It was a kind of fantasy animation. This film was made by Makoto Shinkai, who is much talked of as the post-Miyazaki. One day, a girl whose name was Asuna was listening to the radio given by her dead father at her secret house. Then, she heard a strange voice from her radio. Asuna was spending lonely life, and suddenly she was to meet one mysterious boy who said he came from Agaruta, the underground world. Attracted by the boy, she decided to chase him and visit Agaruta. Through her adventure, she was reminded the transience of human’s life, and she gradually find the precious reason for living.

There were a lot of scenes that was similar to the Ghibli animation. From this story, I felt that this film was included many elements which was lost in the recent Ghibli’s animations. The main theme of this film was the way to face the inevitable death. Although most people don’t think this topic willingly because it’s a heavy theme, by watching this film, I could think this kind of point more than before.

New year's party and great news

Yesterday I had a New Year's Party with my friends in high school. We ate broiled meat at Gyukaku near my house. We enjoyed eating it and talking about our school life each other. In particular, one of the members who came yesterday is a student of the Tokyo University of Science in Hokkaido, and her life there is quite different from ours. So listening to her was really interesting. Although we stayed there for only two hours, I thought we could have a very good time. Meanwhile, some of our friends couldn't come although they wanted to. So next time we want to gather including them!

And today I have an exciting news! My high school made advance to the final 4 in the All-Japan High School Soccer Championship Tournament! I can't believe it, but it is true! All students and graduates in my high school, including me, are very happy. And we're sure that thay will be a champion. We will cheer them to the last!

Lack of love for university?

I'm Kanako again.

In my last blog, I wrote that this New Year's holiday I worked for long time.
So I didn't eat so much special dish of new year than usual. It sounds sad somehow.

However, my colleague brought rice cakes he had made and red bean jam, we could enjoy the New Year mood.

By the way, Aoyama gakuin university won the first place for the first time in Hakone Ekiden!
Today I had my appointment of dentist and I went, then doctor asked me whether I went out for watching the race, And I said no. Then he said like
' I can't believe it. If you are a student of Aoyama, you should have watched. You should have gone to Otemachi!!'
I was scolded jokingly. I feel super sorry for missing the goal now.

I still can't believe, but congratulations!!

Good night.

Because...

Good evening, I'm Kanako.

Finally the classes started, and exams are coming.

I worked for very long time in New Year's holiday, today I could feel myself relaxed after a long time.

Since I couldn't go out for shopping, I bought bag and coat for myself on the Internet. I got them today!

I've never bought clothes or fashion goods on the Internet so at first I felt uneasy, but they are exactly what I imagined and I got satisfied.

Saying written on bag I bought is so cute and funny.

Did you went on shopping this Oshogatsu??

go back to Tokyo

Last day, finally I go back to Tokyo.  It was very hard day, because I came up with heavy snow and the train which I was going to get was stopped. So I had ro seek for other way to get to the Asahikawa air port. Firstly, I took bus to Asahikawa but it was really pinch.  Unfoetunately, the air port is far away from Asahikawa station. It takes about 30 minutes by car.It was doubtful that wether I can reach the airport on time or not. The flight time was at PM 1:00. However, I arrived at Asahikawa station at 12:20 and immediately get on the taxi. And I asked the taxi driver to hurry up and he made a lot of effort! Actualyy, he drove the taxi at 60-80kilo speed! And fortunately, I could got on the plain on time. It was very mess, but amazing.

Universal Museum

 On December 27, I went to TeNQ with my friend. TeNQ is a universal museum and it is located in Suidoubashi. I hadn’t been to Suidoubashi and I was surprised to see many people. It was because I hadn’t imagined such scene.

 

 We walked for a while from the station to TeNQ. After that, we reached TeNQ and bought a ticket. It cost 1,500 yen. After a short time, we were led into TeNQ.

 

 First, we watched Projection Mapping. It showed various views of the universe. It was very interesting. After watching Projection Mapping, we watched another picture of the universe. The picture was beautiful. Moreover, the way of looking it was interesting. It was because we overlooked it so we felt as if we were looking the universe from the upper part. It was fresh experience for me. After that, we looked exhibition related to the universe and did some games. Also, we took many pictures. I think we could enjoy learning about the universe. It was interesting and nice place.

 

 After visiting TeNQ, we went to the restaurant which was near Yokohama Station and ate a hamburger steak. It was very delicious. I was also glad to chat with my friend.

 

 

skating

First of all, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS！to Aoyama for winning the Hakone Ekiden Relay. I was deep impressed. I think the whole school is in a mood of celebration. Can't wait going to school, although 5th is too early :(

Well, the main subject is that I went skating to Akasaka for the first time in about a decade. I was learning skating while living in Canada, but have rarely done after coming back here. At first it was difficult to skate without holding onto the pole, but I got used to it gradually. Though I had a little fear of slipping, it was refreshing sliding on the ice. However I slipped at the last moment lol
Tokyo Midtown and  TOKYO SKYTREE will open a skating rink, so I want to go and enjoy.

Year-end party

I'm going to write about year-end party. On December 27th, 2014 I took part in year-end party with members of my part-time job. We went to Yakitori-ya restaurant in Machida. 

I like Yakitori and so I  ate it much. 

The number of people who joined the party was 10. Actually, 5 more people had scheduled to come. But they could not come because they had other plans. 

After leaving the Yakitori-ya restaurant, we went to karaoke. We stayed there for 2 hours. I sang some songs although I was ashamed. 

Then we went to estaminet. We enjoyed talking. Everyone took me home because it was late at night. I could enjoy talking with everyone until we arrived at my house. So I was happy until last. 

I want to go somewhere with members of my part-time job again. 

Interesting cake

Yesterday, I ate an interesting cake. It was like round rice cake, Kagami-mochi in Japanese. It was a cheese cake and an orange at the top of the cake was orange jelly. Kagami-mochi is familiar to Japanese people. So I felt it was interesting and fun. 

I remembered a sweet which looked like  fried egg and I ate when I was a elementary school student. The yolk was canned food of the peach and the white of the egg was calpis jelly. I liked it. 

Have you ever eaten interesting foods ? 

New Year Party

I'm going to write about meeting with my relatives. Every year, I meet with my uncle, aunt, cousins and grandparents on January 2nd. Of course, this year I met with them. We gathered at my grandparents' house. To tell the truth, I didn't go there last year because I was an examinee. So this new year party was the first time in two years for me. Moreover, because my cousins were sick on this day of two and three years ago, my aunt and cousins didn't come that times. So I met with my aunt for the first time in four years. This year, all members of the family gathered there and it was so good. 

I really enjoyed the party. We ate dinner which was made by my grandmother. Each dish was very good and I ate so much. My cousins are twins. They are boys and 10 years younger than me. So It was little difficult for me to talk with them in same topic. I felt generation gap between us... But they called me Yu and played with me. I was happy because they looked enjoyable. 

I'm looking forward to seeing my relatives next time. 

My schools are great!!!

Today I heard two very happy news!

One is that Aoyama Gakuin University  won the first prize in Hakone Ekiden! Although I was able to watch the moment at which Daichi Kamino, the final runner of the first half of the race, crossed the finish line first on TV, I couldn't watch the second half of the race because I was going out. I learned that Aoyama Gakuin finished first in the race on Twitter. When I knew this, I was really happy and excited!

The other is that my high school Nihon University Fujisawa High School placed in the top 8 in the All-Japan High School Soccer Championship Tournament! Actually I wanted to watch the game on TV, but unfortunately I couldn't watch it, probably because I was staying in Osaka. One of my friends told me this great news by LINE. Then I got excited again. 

I'm very glad to know that my schools achieved excellent results in sports. Now I'm hoping that my high school will won the first prize in the championship!

l love eating

As you know, I'm always crazy bout eatring. This is my biggest hoby. Through a year, I ate a lot of delicious food and cost a lot. This is because our university is lacated  on the best spot. Shibuya amd Harajiku. Whenever I have a free time on lunch hour or dinner hour, I ask my friends to go to eat something delicious. And I always take a picuture of lunch or dinner and post it to the instergram or facebook a lot. I went many kinds of delicious cafe or restaurant in Shibuya or Harajuku and enjoyed a lot by using one of  the famous site Taberogu. I want to seek for the more delicious cafe or restaurant this year.

Kouhaku Utagassen

On December 31th, I went to see Kouhaku Utagassen held in NHK hall with my friend. We were eager to join it because our favorite idle group, Arashi, presided at it and sang for many times. There is a great deal of competition to get its ticket, so we were very lucky.

Though our seat were on the 2ne floor, we could see the stage so clearly. When the member appeared, we were so impressed. Of course I was looking forward to see Arashi, I was also very excited to listen so many other artist's songs including the songs which I don’t listen usually. For example, though I have not been so interested in Enka, I found its power and beauty by listening it lively and I was very impressed by it. I could feel the force of the artists which could not feel from the screen of the TV. I was also fascinated by each artist’s gorgeous direction. When Arashi sang at last, a great shout of joy arose in the whole hall and we were crazed with their cheerful songs.

I cannot express my wonderful experience well, but it was really amazing stage.

Though I was confused by a lot of happenings last year, I was cheered by this happy event and I decided to make this new year much better.

Kagoshima

In the end of last year, I visited my grandparent’s house in Kagoshima. They lived in the countryside and the cellphone was out of rage in their house. It seems to be hard situation for the people who use cellphone so frequently. But I don’t care about it because I am always so attracted by the nature surrounding the house that I forget to check my cellphone. My grandparents had the big rice fields and farm. They cared it every day even when they got older. I liked to play in the fields with my brother and cousin. It was my precious experience. What is more, I love there because my grandparents always welcomed so warmly every time. Though I could not meet with them frequently, they gave me so many memories. They send us rice, sweet potatoes, large amount of oranges, and handmade rice cakes. It was so delicious. I enjoyed digging bamboo sprout with my grandmother. I was very surprised and pleased when my grandfather made us water pistol of bamboo. It was hard for me to understand what they say because of unique words of Kagoshima, I really loved them. Now, I cannot meet with them anymore. But I still want to visit their big and old Japanese house and their fields to remember these memories.

A Happy New Year!

Good evening and happy new year, everyone!
I really thank IE friends and teachers for giving me great Aogaku life in 2014, and at the same time, thank you for your cooperation and support this year, too!
2014 was the beginning of my college life, so everything was completely new for me.
New friends, new environment, and new life style...
I experienced a lot of things in 2014 and grew a little through Aogaku life.
My goal in 2014 was improvements on my English skills, but I don't know well whether I could achieve it because such improvements are invisible.
In addition, I think language learning has no end, and my goal can't be changed.
That's why my goal for 2015 is the same, improvements on my English.
As long as I am a student of Aogaku, an environment suitable for the accomplishment of my goal is provided, so all that is needed is my effort.
Let's go forward in our own direction in 2015 too!


May this year be full of happiness!
Sincerely

a sense of unity

Everyone,
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!!!!
I'm glad to meet you last year. Hope you will have a wonderful year.

So, how are you spending the New Year holidays?
Today I participated in the Hakone Ekiden Relay as a volunteer. The motive was to experience a lot of things, but it was much worth than I had expected. I was calling for support to Aoyama, handing out flags. Many people said they were rooting for Aoyama, so I felt very pleased. The time we can see the players was just a few minutes, but I came to find the interest in it. I was impressed by the strong ties between players and supporters. Though I was vey sleepy and it was very cold, I really had a good experience. I met many people and promised to do it next year again.

And the result of the first half of the Hakone Ekiden, Aoyama won for the first time\(^o^)/
This is a great thing and will lead Aoyama to more popularity of it's name.
The last half will be held tomorrow. I hope them to accomplish an overall victory.

Movies

Good evening. I am in Kotatsu, this is surprisingly warm!

Recently I watched three movies: Intouchables, The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet, Gone girl.

I watched first one at my home, and rest at movie theater.

Intouchables got some awards so I had been wanted to watch, and finally I could. This is based on real story and those real people live in somewhere now.

The story about two people who were drawn completely opposite is familiar to us, and sometimes made me laugh. 

 The second one was put on screen at few screens. I felt that people are always sensitive, and feel various things even child. It was heart warming and a little funny movie.

Gone girl is...  This is still now on screen so I think I shouldn't tell so much.

This have many grotesque scenes, but that was not all. 

I recommend all movies above, please watch them.

A happy new year!

Hello 2015! Happy new year everyone!

I had many events in 2014. I graduated from high school and entered this Aoyama gakuin university.
This was the biggest thing. When the entrance ceremony, I got really really nervous because I had no friends in Aogaku, and didn't remember how to make friends.
However now I feel that I am the happiest person. I could meet wonderful IE members and teachers, I can experience various things in university. Though English course have heavy task, I want to do my best more than ever.

By the way, team Aogaku won the first half of Hakone Ekiden! Congratulation!

Have nice Oshogatsu. Kanako

All You Need is Kill

     On Sunday morning, I read magazine at home. The title of it was “All you need is kill.” The comic I read was a kind of SF action story, and I like this genre so much. This comic was made into a Hollywood film. The main actor is Tom Cruise. The laugh plot of the comic was the main character, who was fighting for a strange creature during the war, was to repeat his death in his dream. The main character was a member of army, and he had to experience his death again and again while he was sleeping. Also, the creature he fought against was related to his bad dream, in fact. 

     I thought his situation was really hard and tough. If I were he, I would be mad. However, the man could accomplish his aim by making a lot of sacrifice at last. When I have a time, I want to watch the Hollywood version next time.

Beautiful lights*:.+

     I went to Omote-Sando on the December 25, and I enjoyed the Christmas illumination with my friend. I was glad to have a chance to take some pictures of the amazing colorful lights during the night. On that day, the main street was so crowded that it took a little time to walk down. The temperature of outside was really cold but now I’m satisfied because I had a good time by going there with someone. When I sent the pictures to my family, they said the picture I took was so nice. Here is one of the landscape I took.

Happy New Year^^!

     I'm really happy to be able to spend Oshogatsu with my family this year. Last year, I had to stay at the cram school all the day because of entrance examination, so I couldn't eat osechi with my relatives. I had a good time during winter vacation. Both father and mother took me to the delicious restaurant frequently. My father, who always works hard  and comes back to home late at night, but recently he tried to take much time to be with me. So I was delighted to see such dad's attitude.
     My new year's aim is to find a part time job as a teacher of cram school. Also I have to save enough money to go Los Angeles so as to meet my host family again for this summer vacation. Going abroad needs huge amount of money, and I think I need to improve my English skill more by next summer.
     I am really grateful to my IE friends because thanks to them, I think I could accomplish hard work of this course. There are a lot of tasks that I have to tackle after this vacation, I want to do my best!^^*

Vacation in Osaka

Happy new year, everyone!

Now I and my family are staying in my grandparents' house in Osaka, my father's hometown.

We left our house in Kanagawa on December 29th and arrived here next day. Here we went shopping and ate delicious foods such as Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and Yakisoba. Today we saw the year out and ate Osechi in the morning, which was delicious too. Also, before coming here, my father thought we should give grandparents a tablet computer so that we can communicate anytime. So we bought and gave one to them. After that I taught them how to use it. I hope they will master it as soon as possible and we will talk after we go back to Kanagawa. We will pay our ancestors a visit tomorrow. Of course I want to have a good time here, but I mustn't forgrt to do my homework!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy new year, every one. I'm in Hokkaido now! Hokkaido is my home town ( I just born in Hokkaido and soon moved to Tokyo) so it's clled KIsei in Japanese. Thogh I spent a very very hard days in Tokyo, I am apending really relax time inHokkaido. On the first day, I stayed my father's home town Sapporo. And spent thereee days. I enjoed shooping at Sapporo station bills and had delicious dinner with my grand parents. And after three days, I moved to Nayoro where is my mother's home twon. ATt there, I met my cosun  and ate Osechi. We  spent a precious time each other. Moreover, I enjoed skiing as well. Sicnce I was kindergartren student, I have been practicing skii almost every year. So I love to do that. Hokkaido has very cold weather, but people living there is really warm. So, why don't you visit my home town?