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 ～。。

After November began, it has been getting colder gradually. In October, we had even humid and hot weather. Now, we need to wear jackets and the clothes with long sleeves.

Actually, I love winter and its weather! I don't like summer, and I hate humid weather, though. That's why the present season is really pleasant to me. I am looking forward to this year's winter too.

In winter, it is getting easier to exercise. I am still continuing to exercise in our university's gym. Sometime, I can not exercise twice a week, but I try to do it as often as possible. I spend the time on Monday and Friday. It is a little tough to take clothes and shoes for exercising to school, because the bag is heavy. Then, I think of it as a little tough task.

I was not sure that this exercise custom can be really beneficial for me, but my mother said that I do not say "I am tired" recently. I thought that I might have energy more than before. I am really happy!

[184 words]
Total here = 1058 words

My turn to cook dinner !?

Good evening, everyone! I will talk about my routine in this semester.

I do not have as many classes as last year, and I have only one class on Tuesday and two classes on Wednesday. On Monday and Thursday, I have four classes. Especially, I have the lesson of the Japanese teaching course twice a week, on Monday and Thursday, so I go home late those days.

I have the large time on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then, my mother and I fixed these two days every week for my cooking day. I am to cook dinner twice a week. It is really good and suitable for me, because I feel every time when I want to make something good to eat for someone and especially, when my mother feels sick. Further more, I felt I should learn cooking when I stayed in California in U.S.. This routine in this semester will help me to learn how to cook!

Yesterday, that was Tuesday, I made Spaghetti carbonara and vegetable soup. It is my father's favorite. He enjoyed it with wine. Today, I made oyako-don, and my mother made ton-jiru and ohitashi. I like her dishes, and today's dinner was so good.

My father and mother do not say complain and always say "Thank you" to me, even when the dish tastes bad. That makes me happy and motivates me. I often made many mistakes in cooking, but I will trying! It will do good to me when I leave home, live by myself, and get married.

[260 words]

Total here = 2915 words

● Exercise! ●

Recently, I have been feeling that I need some exercise to remain healthy. It is because that I have gain too much weight and not had energy enough for school life each week. It is so terrible and serious that I always feel tired during each class. The reason must be too much eating and the lack of exercise.

Then, I decided to do some exercise in particular time every week. Today, I had free time during classes, and I did exercises with one of my friends. We used the gym of my university. Every student in my university can use it for free. We did cycling exercise for twenty minutes and I did also running training for fifty minutes. We really enjoyed it. Besides, I felt so good in the next class and could concentrate in the class.

Exercise really does good for me! I have never used the gym before...this two years! Now I regret not using it. I am determined to use it every week, and I am thinking of going there two times a week. I found a pleasure in my university life!♪

[188 words]]

Total here = 2091 words

The Season for Eating !

Ooh~, the autumn is coming. It is not too hot, and it is not too cold. I feel the autumn is coming from the winds, sky, clouds...

I like winter, so I am looking forward its getting cold.

Before that, however, it is autumn, and it is the season for eating! In fact, I had lost weight a little, at least I did not gain weight before I came to Japan from California. I was glad when I knew that, but now, I have already gained weight 3 kg in only 2 weeks after then... terrible. It is because of the amount of my meals, that is, rice.

I do not know which is better to enjoy eating or to feel stress from save meals for the ceremony next year. I know these choices are too excessicve. But actually, I can not save it... but I am happy. (＾▽＾)/

[148 words]

▼△ Zhong-wen 中文 △▼

I started again the private lesson of Chinese two weeks ago. First time, I had forgotten Chinese words and phrases. Gradually, however, I remembered them.

Today was the second lesson after I came back from California. I enjoyed talking with my teacher, but I think that I should try to talk more Chinese, not Japanese, even if she is great at communicating in Japanese. It is because I depend on her Japanese when I ask a little difficult questions. I have to! Otherwise, I will end up wasting this great chance that I get now.

Today, she told me to try to study for Chinese examination too in this lesson. It must be one of my aims to study Chinese. I am looking forward to trying it. Of course, I have to study a little harder than now. I feel it is a great thing to have a things to try!

Besides, she gave me a 'Geppei'(月餅), a Chinese sweets. It was made in Japan. I liked it. She taught me that it is a sweet in Autumn. In China, she don't see them so much in the other seasons, though there are not so different in every season in Japan. Autumn is a season for eating too! Ha ha!

[211 words]

New Classes!

I take two new classes this semester. I am thinking of talking about them today.

One of them is about the affair of UK. We studied about which name is right, though there are so many names for it. For example, UK, Great Britain, England. In fact, its official name is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Besides, we learned about its four parts. First, in England, people are called English and speak English. In Scotland, people are called Scottish, and their language is also called Scottish. In Wales, people are called Welsh, and the language is called Welsh too. In Northern Ireland, people there and their language are called Irish. Hoo, this is a good review for me.

The other of two new classes is for data processing with a computer. I am really bad at using computer, but I know that it might be required that I can use a computer when I get a job. That's why I started challenging to use a computer. The class will have a test of typing, that I am really bad at, so I am very trying to type without looking down the keyboard, typing this sentence now. It is so tough to practice the blind typing, but I think it is great opportunity for making progress in computer. I hope that I will reach this end!

I will make the great use of these classes too!

[240 words]

□■Rasks■□

I has forgotten to talkk about rasks of our bakery! If you are a university of KGU, you must have tried rasks. One pack is only 50 yen. It is suitable to your a little hungry.

There are various kinds of them. I think it depends on what kinds of bread left unsold, though I am not sure about it. But I think they did not buy those rasks before. In my opinion, it is very economical and environment-friendly... good thing, anyway. Many of them are made from French bread, but the one I tried last week is made from chocolatechip melon bread. It was delicious! The chocolate smell was good.

I want to say you to try them, but it depends on the timing, in fact. I'd like to have it again!

[135 words]

Diary 29: Tue, September 16th = Travel Review 2-01

Now, I am on a plane bound to Narita airport in Japan. I had been staying with a Japanese woman for these 4 weeks, and she saw me off at LA airport. I had been thinking that it would be a good-by with tears, but actually, with great smiles. It was because we talked about next plan last night. Next time, I will go to some language school. I'm not sure when it'll be, but I'm sure I will do! That's why I didn't cry at the moment of the farewell. We did never say good bye, because I was already looking forward next time. I was thinking of backing there and staying again!

Remembering this stay, I'm really satisfied. I enjoyed! I stayed at the city near to San Diego. It is placed on the west coast. I was fascinated with a wide view of Pacific Ocean from beaches every time. CA is the place where blue sky and ocean are beautiful. It is a kingdom of the sun! I think I have sunburned. I may dislike it in Japan, but now I like it as the mark of coming to CA. I love it, because it is also a California color! Ha ha!

Although there is not a great progress in English, one of the important points I got this time is the change of my way of thinking. I learned the importance of positive thinking through meetings with new friends here. I had been always brooding on my failures, but it was only the wasting of time!

Besides, it gave me a confidence that I could come far by myself. I would like to challenge various things from today! Besides, my sense to living in other country have changed. I had had some idea that it is the best thing for me to live in Japan, although I like traveling to other countries. However, I had lived a normal life there for a month, and now I think it great to live here. Anyway, my view has become wider than before.

Also, I felt I had to change my way of learning English. By next time for going back, I'll try my limit!! This stay taught me many important things, and it has a great meaning to my life!

I think I could enjoy it because of my new friends. I 'm most grateful to those friends, and I will keep in touch!

　[414 words]

Total here = 2366 words

Diary 28: Mon, September 15th

Ooh~ this is my last day here!

Today, I cleaned up my room with my appreciation. I packed my suitcase and cleaned inside of every shelf. We had a nice dinner made by her. The main dish is delicious bacon! I loved it!

After that, one of my American friends came and presented me two T-shirts! One of them was a navy one with logos of "SAN DIEGO", and the other was a beige one with the logos of "Oceanside". I was really glad!

At night, my host mother and I visited the PIER of Oceanside again, wearing the navy one. I visited there at night for the first time, and it was really beautiful. The ocean was dark, but the light from street lamps was so memorable for me. It was the great night as the last day of this stay.

[143 words]

Diary 27: Sun, September 14th

Today, I tried Thai cuisine with my American friend. I think I had not tried Thai dishes before. This might be my first time, but I liked it. It was a good choice. I also had a glass of cranberry juice, but it was too sweet for me. As to dishes, however, I ordered the rice, soup, and fried pork with garlic and basil. I thought Thai cuisine is good for Japanese people. Please try it! You will like it. I had good chances to challenge dishes from various countries. It might be one of good points in this stay.

[100 words]

Diary 26: Sat, September 13th

I went LA JOLLA and Coronado island again with my friends this time. At first, we had lunch at Hodad's. It is a hamburger shop with energy and big sounds! The wall is covered with many number plates of cars! Its hamburger is really big and heavy! Even French fries are so thick! Ooh~~~what a BIG lunch!!

After that, we walked on a PIER of the ocean in LA JOLLA. The time for sunset was coming, and my friends showed me a great view from the top of a cliff. It was a little cloudy, but it was a great view!

After the sunset, we moved to night's Coronado island. Last time I visited there was daytime, so it is my first time to visit the night's Coronado island. It was a nice night scene so that I was fascinated.

At last, before we went back home, we dropped by Rubios and had Mexican foods. It was dinner, though it was almost 10:00 p.m. Anyway, I really enjoyed my friends' company this time too.

[180 words]

Diary 25: Fri, September 12th

I will talk about the restaurant in Coronado island♪ It was a great experience for me.

What a nice view and What nice dishes! I was impressed! We ordered a tortilla of chicken and a dish of Angel hair(spaghetti). My order was angel hair, and it was with so much tomatoes and cheese. What a surprise, she told me that I can order more extra cheese. Of course, I did it. A waitress brought heaped cupful cheese! (I tipped the waitress.) I really enjoyed angel hair with rich cheese. Her tortilla came with french fries, and they were different from those of other fast food's restaurant. Really crispy. How delicious everything was! I want to go there again next time!

[122 words]

Diary 24: Thu, September 11th

My host mother and I started in early morning today. It was a sightseeing day that we were looking forward! We visited SAN DIEGO. At first, we used a COASTER about an hour, and it was a really comfortable ride. We got off it and bought one-day tickets for the trolley. The fare was 32 dollars per person. Using the trolley, we go around SAN DIEGO. Its root was a one-way traffic, and it caused a problem, but we could visit Old town, Seaport Village, Horton Plaza, Coronado island and Balboa Park. We just went through in front of SAN DIEGO ZOO, which is famous world wide. It was an interesting sightseeing. I especially enjoyed Coronado island with lunch. I will talk about the restaurant on next post.

[130 words]

Diary 23: Wed, September 10th

＊Today's notice＊

I found that Japanese dishes are also popular in USA. For example, some of my American friends love sushi. The word "sushi" is said to be used in the world. Of course, I think sushi is delicious, but I wonder why sushi is so popular especially. What do you think, everyone? I sometimes see shop signs of sushi. It is interesting. I hope more and more people enjoy Japanese dishes!

[73 words]

Diary 22: Tue, September 9th

＊Today's notice＊

I'll talk about the difference of the basic road system between Japan and USA. At first, I wasn't used to sense of finding where I want to go in maps made in USA and think with the units of streets and drives. Now I feel, however, it is really rational and practical. In Japan, we have to find some landmark and count the number of streets, like "the first, second, third...oh, please turn at the third intersection". In here, we can go to the place where we have never been before. Don't you think it is useful?

[104 words]

Diary 21: Mon, September 8th

Today, I went to WAL MART★ and enjoyed shopping a little bit. It is a chain store, and it has sundry goods in much lower price than other stores. I bought in chewing gum, snacks and thank you cards. Chewing gum is for my friends and me, and I bought thank you cards so that I can leave messages to my new friends when I leave here. I think it is important to express my appreciation, but even just I think about leaving here, I feel... I want to stay here more longer! I thought. Anyway, there is one week left. I 'll enjoy and make great use of this stay!

[111 words]

Diary 20: Sun, September 7th

I forgot talking about hamburgers of IN-N-OUT! I tried there at the first time the day before yesterday. Its hamburgers and french fries are natural taste, and they use fresh potatoes for the french fries. I am sure that Japan should introduce this hamburger chain! They have only three kinds of hamburgers, that is, Hamburger, Cheese burger, Double hamburger. However, it has a supreme popularity in CA! In the long run, I had the hamburger twice in this stay. If you visit CA, you had better try IN-N-OUT! I am sure that I will have it again next time too.

[104 words]

Total here= 989 words

Diary 19: Sat, September 6th

I went to Six Flags with my friends today! How exciting! When I remember that day, I get excited even now! It was a three- hours drive from my home, so we started at 6:30 in early morning. We(12 people) really enjoyed coasters and screaming☆ There are many roller coasters in 'Six Flags', and most people who visit there are teenagers. We tried all of scaring ones. "GOLIATH" is said to be scary, but we rode it many times. We stayed there at the time for close, 10:00 p.m. We dropped by a McDonald, and we went back home. I got back at around 2:20 a.m.! I would never do such a thing in Japan! But, there was CA! I was really excited, so I couldn't fall asleep. Even on the bed, I felt as I still on a coaster. Strange, but enjoyable feelings. I'll never forget this exciting leisure!

[158 words]

Diary 18: Fri, September 5th

＊Today's notice＊

I think I talked to you about my bus trip to LA JOLLA. Now, I would like to share the information about the fare system. Where I was staying is called "North county", and there are excellent transportations, like BREEZE(buses) and COASTERs. I used buses when I visited LA JOLLA. The fare for one way is 2 dollars, so if I just go and back, it costs 4 dollars, you know. However, a one-day pass is only 4.50 dollars, and this is so reasonable. I bought a one-day pass, and I could get off the bus at places where I want to visit. I think the fare system in a regular price was very helpful and practical for me.

[126 words]