My last essay for the test!

The writing class was one of the require subjects this year too. In this class, we were to set up our own blog. It was the first time that I had my own blog. That meant that we had to keep blogging and post on it. We are also required to write some essays and book reviews every week. That was a little tough, because all I had to do was not only writing.

I had expected that I could improve my skills in English grammar and choosing proper words. Last year, my writing teacher gave me advice about grammar and how to express and choose words. However, with this year’s method, I could seldom receive advice from the tutor, so I felt sorry about that. I think, however, this year’s writing class helped me to be independent. Besides, I could get used to using a computer. This is one of good points, I think.

I could learn the importance of planning by myself. It was because we had a norm about the number of word counts. If I had not planed, I would have trouble at the last minute in each semester. I needed to post various stories regularly. I also came to know pleasure of writing and sharing the information with others about my everyday life, vacation, school, classes, friends, exercise, family and foods. I learned how to organize an essay, and it helped me to think in a logical way. I think I am better at typing now, and it must be useful for me in the future.

Finally, I would like to refer to my plans. I still think that we need to study grammar systematically, if we want to make progress in English grammar. Of course, now that is difficult for each of us. However, I would like to be cautious about my speaking and writing from a grammatical view too. I will probably go abroad and stay in other countries again. When I talk to foreigners, I can ask them to correct my English.

I thank the tutors who thought of the plan of our blogging for our writing classes. I felt it was tough class, but I hope what I learn in this class will benefit me. Our writing class and all of required class for 4 English skills end. I will do my best to cultivate my English skills by myself. I will plan about my studies of next year from now on. Thank you very much!

[417 words]

Total here = 1219 words

Tests are coming!

Hello, everyone! A little long time no see. Tests of my classes will begin on January 21. This semester, I have 9 tests in this term(from January 20 to 31). The number of tests is a little more than that of last semester.

I will have tests of writing, reading, Japanese language introduction, English language introduction, Western history, American history, "global society and Japan", intercultural communication, and Korean.

The toughest tests are Korean, intercultural communication, and English language introduction, because they require me to memorize a lot of things. Besides, I have to study for a vocabulary test on 21, and there are so many words that I haven't even known.

I will do my best... hang in there... Bye now!

[123 words]

The Ends of Classes!

The end of our classes in this semester is coming!

Now I feel it is the long way... I was so busy this year, though I had expected it would not be busier than the first year. This year, the class schedule was not convenient at all for me. It is because I had to take classes of required subjects, instead of what I really wanted to study.

This year, this year, I hope I can study those subjects I really want to study. I am really looking forward to see our new class schedule.

Before that, we will enjoy spring vacation! I am not still sure about my plans, but I can not wait for it!

However, we will have tests before the vacation... I will study hard and do my best on the tests. I will start studying for them in earnest...

Have a good study!

[148 words]

Total here ＝ 679 words

Ten-minute post: This year's aim!

Now, spring is coming, and I will become a third-year student. I would like to share my aim in this year.

First, I am determined to get a higher score on TOEIC test. Besides, I want to challenge the Japanese and English examination. I am going to take a course of studying for a public test of a Japanese teacher.

I am thinking about going to a driving school sometime in this year. It will enable me to get more freedom. Ha ha! I am thinking whether I can get some qualifications. It is also good to get the qualification of a teacher of piano.

Anyway, I am determined to study much harder than last year! I have so many things to do!
But the most important priorities for me are learning English and Chinese. I will be careful not to lose the first aim, which I came to this university for!

[153 words in this ten minutes]

Let's drive to the end of this year, the third year, and univrsity life!

[Total of this post = 168 words]

Ten-minute post: Looking back my last year...

My last year was full of many events and a little tough!

One of the most important events is visiting and homestay in California in USA. It was a great experience for me, because I learned the importance of communicating hard if I was not fluent in English. It was first time that I went to go other countries by myself, and I got a confidence about myself. It was excellent memory!

One of the reason why I was so busy last year was that I took the course to be a Japanese teacher. I have to attend the course twice a week from 6:00 to 7:30. I was tired last year because of it, but it will benefit me!

The last event in my university was the speech contest. I was determined to join it and decided what to talk about at almost last time. I did not have so much time to prepare, but I could win the department chair prise.

Looking back my last year, I think it was not a bad year. This year, I will

[182 words in ten minutes]

This year, I will challenge more and more things! Next, I will become a third-year student. I would like to make the most of the rest of my time in this university!

[total in this post= 215 words]

Classes Burst! Run to the End!

Hello, and long time no see! My winter vacation has passed so quickly. ) - :

Today, classes have started again. I do not really feel that school started again. I am still in winter vacation....Ha ha!

We have classes as usual until January 19th, and then the term of tests will start on 20th. We have a lot of test, so I must study harder than usual.

I have to write three reports and started writing a report just today. I am caring about tests of 'English Grammar', 'Intercultural Communication', 'Korean', and 'International Society and Japan'. We also have an English interview for the speaking class this Friday.

However, the rest of this fall semester is not so much. It will pass so quickly! Then, I will enjoy the spring vacation. I am really looking forward to it!

Now, I will run run run, and drive to the end!

[148 words]

Winter Vacation!!

Good morning, everyone~. How have you been?

I am just enjoying my winter holidays♪ It is so cold and freezing this week, isn't it?

What can I share with you today... Uh!! We are making "hoshi-gaki" at my house. It is dry persimmons. They are said to be so healthy. We tied each end of a string on a persimmon, and we hanged out them outside. The astringent persimmons changed to the sweet dry persimmons! It is amazing!

I am looking forward to eating them. They remind me that it is winter.

It is the season of a cold and flu. Take care of yourself, everyone!

[108 words]

BR2-18: THE LAST PHOTO

This will be the last of book in December. I read "THE LAST PHOTO" today.

The last photo which Pam took in Cambridge is the key of this story. A man walked between Pam and Martin at the moment Pam took Martin's picture. It was the end of the film and they are complained and angry. They thought the picture is the worst. However, the man was a thief of money in a bank. The last photo was helpful for police to catch the man. Pam and Martin got a thousand pounds. Then, they thought the last photo was not bad at all.

I wonder why the bank thief camped in the mountains. The man was caught by police too easily. What did he want to do? This story did not refer to that point, but I think it is so questionable. Besides, what would Pam and Martin use the money for? I think Pam would use it for her new camera and films, or traveling. I think taking photo is one of arts and good hobbies.

This story is "THE LAST PHOTO", and this post is my last book review!! Ha ha!!

[194 words]

Total here = 2428 words

BR2-17: The Big Bag Mistake

I will not refer to the plot of this story, and I would like you to read by yourself. It is not so good story I think. I have been robbed my bag in Paris, and it is a so disgusting memory for me even now. I feel really sorry about that.

Reading this story, I thought Ricard was so kind and generous boy, and Gisela must have thank and apologize him so much. She seemed to like reading and writing her book so much. I wonder what she had written in her new book... about London or Rio de Janeiro? The story does not refer to that point.

I imagined she would publish her book after this story and got some money. Ricard would keep in touch with Gisela.

Rio de Janeiro is a city in Brazil, and I have never been there! I would like to know more about other cultures and other countries!

[156 words]

BR2-16: In the Frame

Here is another story about their travel. This one is about on their way home from Greece. Don't you think the title is interesting? They met a woman with two little children. She was to go to the same place with them, so they decided to help her and be together. In fact, she was an art thief. The title, "In The Frame", seems to mean the arts which was stolen by this woman. At last, she was arrested at the airport. Their travel was filled with happenings until the very end. I can't imagine that a woman I help is an art thief. I think, however, I would glad that nothing happened to me. I do not want my travel to be like this, but meaningful.

[129 words]

Total here = 2078 words

BR2-15:Shooting Stars

Here is the story about a traveling of that two girls. As you see in the title, they met famous movie stars in Greece. It was an exciting for them, I think. I will not refer to the story plot here, but I envy them, because they could enjoy their trip in Greece. My image about Greece is that the city has very old history and architecture. There must be many places I should not miss. I am really interested in traveling in Greece too! Now, I wonder where I want to travel next time. Of course, I want to stay in California again in spring vacation, but I also feel like visiting some new places! There must be fun!

[120 words]

BR2-14: Photo Finish

I read "Photo Finish" today. I chose it because its title was interesting for me. The main characters are two girls, Lisa and Alice. They are good friends and works at the same company. They are planning to go to Greece on holiday. This story is about their preparation for the trip. Lisa got her photos for a passport in the photo booth in the old bus station. Through a series of things over photos, she contributed to catch a murderer.

I thought what an unusual start of holiday it is. I agree with her that it was so frightening. I was really pleased that everything ended being OK. Now they are ready for their holiday! They are expecting something exciting will happen. I can understand their feeling. It is because I always get exciting too before my trips too.

[140 words]

BR2-13: The Barcelona Game

I read "The Barcelona Game". Its story was a little longer than other stories that I usually read.

The heroine is a English girl named Holly. She wears glasses and seems to be serious. She loves reading books. She is still 12 years old and has two older brothers, Trev. and Kev, and they are twins. They are really active guys and contrastive to Holly. One day, one of them got the tickets for the Barcelona Game. It is a famous football game. He had three tickets. Kev., Trev. and their father were planning to go to see the game and bought three tickets for an airplane. However, their father could not go with them because of a sick. They decided to take Holly with them.

Before the game, they had a lot of time. They enjoyed the rides in a kind of amusement park until a time. On the other hand, Holly decided to stay at a cafe and read a book about Barcelona until then. She imagined the sights of Barcelona and hoped she could see it. Then, she noticed a man who was sitting at the table next to her took her bag away. His bag was left instead. He made a mistake, because his bag is same as hers. She became pale, because the passports of two brothers and her were in her lost bag!

At last, she could reach the man and exchange their bags. It was because of a kind Spanish boy named Paul. He looked her be in trouble and gave her a ride on his motor bike. He ran in high speed in the town of Barcelona. It was great time for her, now that she could see every sights that she saw in the photo book. Besides, she could be in time of promise with her brothers. They did never know she had a more exciting time than them.

It was so exciting story! I felt the speed of Paul's bike and the winds in Barcelona. I can imagine the sight of there with old history. I thought Holly had a great experience. I had been to Barcelona, when I was about 11 years old. I remember the memories. I think that she took the good choice. Traveling in other countries are really interesting and a lot of fun. I love to see the famous, but especially normal sights in the counties!

I notice the number of book reviews that I have posted on this blog is not enough. Today, I came to know we need 18 book reviews! What an emergency! I will try hard to read more books and post the review!

[444 words]

Portfolio: Second Semester

Student ID: 07104

Until December 22

Portfolio for Writing IV,
Section 1a


(See: Note 1, below)

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, Words, and More

(See: Note 2, below.)

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below.)

Please complete this table with data gathered from essays on your blog. See the Key (below) for definitions of the symbols in row one, and complete columns four through nine with numerical values (0, 1, 2, 3, ...).

1.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates yy.mm.dd	¶	W	C	L	P	M
Website review 08.09.29 (375+ words)	Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！	08.09.27	6	380	6	1	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 08.10.20 (450+ words)	Essay: ～～ my second home ～～	08.10.11	4	493	0	0	0	0
Mrs. Doubtfire 08.11.04 (500+ words)	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.01	5	452	4	0	0	0
Community life 08.11.17 (default length*)	Essay2-02: ~Walk in line~ (Community life)	08.11.16	6	610	0	0	0	0
Kumamoto's best-kept secrets 08.12.01 (5+ ¶¶)	Essay2-03: ○●Secret of Kumamoto●○	08.11.30	4	434	0	0	0	0
Learning with computers 2008.12.15 (6+ ¶¶)	Essay: Learning with computers!	08.12.12	7	503	0	0	0	0
Totals	---	---	32	2872	10	1	0	0

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs five (5) or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media included in post
*: "long enough to cover the ... [communities] you choose," Writing Studio Blog, Preparation for Next Essays, 2008.10.29)

1.2. Best Essay

Selection and Assessment: Which of those six assigned essays do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• I think the best essay in this semester is "Essay2-02: ~Walk in line~ (Community life)". It is because it shows the main points so clearly. Besides, it has a good conclusion paragraph. The readers can feel the march of time.

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments yy.mm.dd	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	0	-	-	-
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	Mrs.doubt fire essay	08.11.04	88	"You share a great analysis especially in the third paragraph!" Specific praise
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.05	88	"Which is more important for you, humor or love?" An interesting question.
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts yy.mm.dd	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	Website Review: Let's take in Fresh English！	08.09.27	131	"The BBC site you elected is good and it's one of way to build up our English skill.It's nice idea,jam!" Friendly!
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.10.01	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	97	"Thank you for your all comments!" and answered all questions. Thankful and informative
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	MR2-01: "Mrs. Doubt" ― Live with Love and Humor ☆	08.11.01	154	"your essay is really easy to read because first paragraph tells me what you want to write below paragraphs." So specific comment
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.11.12	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	46	"I...think...love is more important. Everything does have no meaning without love!" (answered a question and shared my opinion) Informative and thankful

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post. That is, explain briefly what makes them good comments.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example, in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where, or why not? Please explain.

• My blog displays them at the top in a sidebar. It is because I want them to be encouragements for me that others look into my blog!
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• I appreciated the comments which shows specific advice.
• The comments which refer to good points concretely became encouragements for me.
  

3.0. Book Reviews

3.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	BR2-01: The Joke Machine	08.08.01	147	0
2-02	BR2-02: Roman Adventure	08.08.05	133	0
2-03	BR2-03: Submarine Adventure	08.08.05	210	0
2-04	BR2-04: Chinese Adventure	08.08.08	161	0
2-05	BR2-05: Flood! ) -:	08.09.28	151	0
2-06	BR2-06: The Three Little Pigs （－：	08.09.28	108	0
2-07	BR2-07: The Fox and the Crow ( -- :	08.09.28	124	0
2-08	BR2-08: The Hare and the Tortoise ( - :	08.09.28	108	0
2-09	BR2-09: The Blue Eye ( - :	08.10.07	172	0
2-10	BR2-10: Superdog	08.10.19	194	0
2-11	BR2-11: Sara Says No!	08.11.14	245	0
2-12	BR2-12: The Umbrella	08.12.06	306	0
2-13	BR2-13: The Barcelona Game	08.12.17	444	0
2-14	BR2-14: Photo Finish	08.12.18	140	0
2-15	BR2-15:Shooting Stars	08.12.18	120	0
2-16	BR2-16: In the Frame	08.12.18	129	0
2-17	BR2-17: The Big Bag Mistake	08.12.20	156	0
2-18	BR2-18: THE LAST PHOTO	08.12.21	194	0
---	---	Totals:	3242	0

Note: Please calculate and list book review Totals for words and comments without including those from the example (above).

3.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.
　　　　

・I think my best book review is "BR2-18: THE LAST PHOTO ". It is because it includes my opinion and questions, instead of a long story plot. Besides, it is so easy to read.

4.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
4.1. Does your blog display an archive?	○
4.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	○
4.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	○
4.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	○
4.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	○
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	○
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	○
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)	○
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	○
"movies" (plural) AND "websites" (plural)	○
"brainstorms" (or "brainstorming"), "essay prep.," AND "free-writing" (or "free-writes")	○
4.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	○
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? _24_ other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. abroad (41) classes (20) everyday (75) exercises (7) families (20) favorites (7) foods (31) friends (13) hobbies (5) Holidays (15) introduction (3) Japanese (7) languages (25) leisures (3) lists (8) memories (5) opinions (20) outlines (4) people (6) photos (50) seasons (14) speaking (5) studies (28) tests (6)	---	---
4.3. Links & media	---	---
4.3.1. Does your blog include photos or other graphics?	○
Does your blog profile include a photo or graphic representation?		○
How many of your blog posts this semester include photos or other graphics? _31_ posts including photos or other graphics	---	---
4.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	○
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links? _1_ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
4.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? _2_ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list the kinds here: YouTube	---	---
What media content that you originally produced, if any, do your blog posts for this semester contain? Please list and explain each item briefly, and add short links and dates (yy.mm.dd) for reference. I'm sorry, but I produced none.	---	---

4.4. Overall presentation

What have you done to enhance the overall presentation of your blog? List and explain the three most important content, display, formatting, layout, or other presentation changes that you have made on your blog this semester.

1. To emphasize particular words related to the main points in each post, I changed the size and colors of those words.
2. I always tried to share my own opinions on book reviews' posts.
3. I included more space in each post than before, in order to make them easy to see.

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog and your writing on it

Please feel free to include reflections on both spring and fall semester work, as well as on the content of this portfolio (proto-portfolios, showcases, and reflections).

• Sudden homework(essays) was a little tough to complete by the due, after we were told about those essays just on Wednesday.
• The set number of posts in a week seemed to be too many.
• However, I was used to working on my blog in fall semester!
  

6.0. Advice and suggestions for yourself, your peers, and your successors

• To reach the norm of 15,000 words, the key is your efforts during summer vacation!
• You had better use easy phrases, so that others can understand what you write.
• To make your blog interesting and informative, it is a good idea to write about your opinions or the unique traditions and culture of Japan.
  

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template derives from the templates for Writing IIIc and Writing IVc portfolios (2007-08), and Writing III, §§1a & 1c (Fall, 2008).
2. Please use the same code in section 0.0 that you used to embed your proto-portfolios (PPFs) in the footer of your blog, which you should already have revised to display your 2nd (fall) semester PPF first.
   
3. The essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02 (2008).
   

____________________
License:

This portfolio template is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute to "the Writing Studio Blog" (without quotation marks).

///// End of template (copy from here to "Beginning ..." [above]) /////

Essay: Learning with computers!

Now, we are surrounded by computers. They can be found in factories, airports, gyms, schools, offices…everywhere. We find a lot of things to know. Most of us often use a personal computer, so let’s focus on our use of the computer in our daily life. First, we should know the challenges and problems of it, and then we can focus on its benefit.

What are problems we face? First of all, think of the complexity. When some instruction is presented on the screen, we do not always know what to do. In some cases, the computer does not work fast or properly. These can be very confusing situations. Besides, we must be cautious about the physical influence. The screen exhausts our eyes. We are likely to feel pain on our neck, shoulder and head. We should be careful about the posture.

Let’s focus on what we can do with computers. By using them, we can be connected with other people, especially through the Internet. We can use an e-mail system and Skype and communicate with our friends even overseas. This way is much easier, quicker and in low prices than other ways, like phone calls and letters. If we have our own blog on the Internet, we can post whatever we want to share with others and get comments from others.

By using the Internet, we can access so much information. When we need to write reports and make presentations, we use the Internet to get the latest info. Also, we find out the meanings or conceptions of what we don’t know. It shows people’s opinions and ideas too. Of course, we have to remember the info is sometimes incorrect.

We have so many useful applications. Especially, I use MS Word, whenever I write reports. I think it is essential in every student’s life. Besides, if we remember how to use Excel, it can be one of the really useful tools. Now that the blind typing skill is necessary, we might want to practice it. We can do it too with a computer. It is also possible to enjoy sites of typing practice and studying English for free on the Internet. Many people visit the YouTube homepage and enjoy movies and music for free.

The computer is very helpful to arrange photographs and enables us to reminisce about good memories. It is possible to set the picture on the screen and make your own space. We can charge an iPod and edit the content of it. The computers have so many functions. It is just up to you.

Now that our world is flooded with computers, we need to know what we can do with them. As I refer in this essay, computers have so many functions. Though they are really helpful, I feel the need of caution. A computer could be called ‘time thief’, don’t you think so? I want to find more ways of making the most of them, not using by computers!

[503 words]