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Word Count

Total words: 12647

Post Counts

September/October: 20
November: 21
December: 31
January: 34

Book Reviews

Total so far: 28

Pod cast

Podcast Episodes: 11
Scripts: 11

Typing

Total so far: 16

Podcast episode: How Zebras Got Their Stripes

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘How Zebras Got Their Stripes’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: SURVIVING a Tsunami

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘SURVIVING a Tsunami’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: Village in the Snow

Please enjoy the story.

listen to ‘Village in the Snow’ on Audioboo

Podcast episode: A Monster Mistake

Please enjoy this story.

listen to ‘A Monster Mistake’ on Audioboo

Scripts: How Zebras Got Their Stripes

    Why does Zebras have had black stripes and Baboons have red bottoms?

12 words

Scripts: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

 Goldilocks is a naughty child. She went to the dangerous woods, then she came back her home. "I'll never, ever be naughty again" said Goldilocks. Why?

27 words

Scripts: SURVIVNG a Tsunami

   In December 2004, a tsunami hit many places in Indonesia. If a tsunami hit my town, what should we do?

21 words

Scripts: Village in the Snow

       The magic key began to glow. Then the key took the children to village in the snow. They played with snow, but came out bad boys. So the children exterminated.

31 words

Scripts: A Monster Mistake

   Grandmother wanted to play a joke on daughter, so  she made a imitation monster. Then everyone were surprised the monster, so Grandmother was famous person. 

28 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "Conclusion"

     Conclusion　

I found the differences in communication between Japan and US through my experience and research. Also, my perception of American communication changed. Furthermore, I was able to reconfirm the facts about Japanese communication while also changing my general thoughts on how we communicate.  During my home stay I came across many positive variations of communicating, which I would like to continue using here in Japan, while using typical Japanese communication techniques, of course. However, I do believe we need to be less vague about how we really feel. Japanese people have the ability to conjecture other people’s thinking, and I think it is important to understand communication, so we should use the ability efficiently. I want to use the new American characteristics I learnt during my home stay to improve my communication with other foreigners and exchange students. To conclude, I believe people shouldn’t posess general stereotypes of how others communicate, especially if they are planning on communicating with other nationalities. And I think that I have to come together with many exchange students and take on a student studying abroad in my house. And in the future I want to go many abroad, then I want to communicate with many people. And I want to come back MN again and meet my host family, and learn more about US. Thank you. 

226 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "In US"

      In US

Before leaving for Minnesota, I had an image of American communication. For example, Americans frequently communicate with those they do not know, they can be very talkative and confident, and they also use big gestures and over the top reactions. I also thought they often kissed and hugged each other. However, during my stay I discovered that these stereotypes weren’t all true.

During my first day I hesitantly introduced myself to my home stay family. However, my host sisters were not as I had imagined. This was a big shock. In addition to that my host sister and her boyfriend spoke openly amongst themselves whilst sat around the table. She also spent most of her day with her boyfriend, which was surprising to see. If I had a host sister I would limit the time I spent with my boyfriend out of respect. This is because I like to think I would be expected to be their first new friend. This next situation was a positive experience. One day I went to Duluth with my host parents. A girl I never knew approached me and said “Your one-piece is nice, I like it!” It was surprising to hear, but I was pleased. This type of situation rarely happens in Japan, so I believe that from now I should pay compliments to other people. My host parents were also incredibly kind people. As they realized my English wasn’t perfect, they began to speak more slowly and clearly so that I could understand. Contrary to my former beliefs, my host parents were very calm and serene people.

 Next is some research on American characteristics with communication. For example, when Americans negotiate or debate they use many expressions which suit the situation. Sometimes it could be as simple as a smile, but it changes according to the situation. They use these techniques skillfully in order to sway people’s minds on certain subjects. In addition to this, Americans use an abundant number of variations of words meaning ‘to agree’. For example, they use the words “I see”, “That’s right” and “Good idea” etc. To create a closer communication tie, they use these words whilst the speaker is talking. I think Japan should begin using more responsive words.    

378 words

The differences in communication between Japan and US "In Japan"

     In Japan 　

I researched certain words which are indicative of the common Japanese personality. For example I researched ‘conjecture’, ‘reserved’, ‘KY’, ‘indirect’, ’saving face’ and how the listener is the most important person.

 First, the word ‘KY’, which was first used in Vogue Japan. KY is the oppotsite of being able to conjecture. Simply put, it is the ability to read peoples mood and feelings in certain situations. It is said that many people in America follow an individualism type of society, whereas those is Asia prefer a groupism society. With this, it is important to consider other peoples feelings. In America, using American English can seem very direct. However, Japanese as a language is very vague and indirect in meaning. In Japan it is considered a good quality to be able to conjecture people’s moods. I believe we should speak what is on our minds; therefore we can understand each other. Those who can’t read others’ feelings often feel anxious and it can break down good Japanese communication and create a loss of generosity between the two. “Atmosphere of the place” means considering the feelings of those in the group or knowing the situation. “Conjecture the mood” criticizes individuals who cannot conjecture and assume that these people cannot socially interact with others. It is strange to have built a society where everyone has the same thoughts and beliefs.

 I carried out some research on unique Japanese communication. For example, Japanese often nod, whereas Americans do not.. The Japanese nod while talking, but Americans rarely nod at all. Japanese nodding gives a visual flow to a conversation. Consequently, Japanese very possibly have a strong tendency to give consent to the speaker. Other characteristics of Japanese communication include how Japanese use creative expressions and gestures during speech, they do not often state the truth and they’re vague in most expressions and gestures. 

314 words

The differences in communication between Japan and America "Introduction"

Introduction

This paper aims to compare the difference in communication between Japan and US. I had preconceived notions about how Americans communicated. I found they were truthful and blunt, and discovered other communication techniques when I visited Minnesota as part of my homestay program. And I could take an objective view of a matter of Japan as a result of staying US. Consequently, I came to realize the pros and cons of Japanese communication. The differences in communication between Japan and US will be shown below, grounded on experience and research.   

93 words

BR 2-28 How Zebras Got Their Stripes

    I read"How Zebras Got Their Stripes", so I will talk about the story. Long ago, there were a greedy baboon, a giraffe, an elephant and the very first zebra. Greedy baboon lived by a pond. He wanted the pond all to himself. But everyone was thirsty. One day a giraffe and a elephant went to pond, but baboon roared, so they fled. One day zebra walked up. Baboon roared, but zebra stamped his hoof. So few days latter, baboon got lots of sticks and lit a big fire. But zebra wasn't scared the fire, so he ran at baboon, he kicked out his legs. Baboon flew into air. The sticks landed on Zebra and Baboon landed on his bottom. So ever since then, Zebras have had black stripes and Baboons have red bottoms.

USBORNE FIRST READING. Retold by Lesley Sims. First published in 2009

146 words

BR 2-27 The Genie in the Bottle

    I read "The Genie in the Bottle", so I will talk about the story. There was a fisherman. He fishes everyday. One day, he thought the he could fish a big fish! But it was an old bottle. He pulled out the stopper and looked it. Suddenly, smoke poured out and BIG bad genie appeared. The fisherman was very surprised! The Genie wanted to eat the fisherman because he was very hungry. Then the fisherman stuffed the Genie into the old bottle and he pushed the stopper in hard.

USBORNE FIRST READING. Retold by Rosie Dickins. First published in 2009

100 words

BR 2-26 Goldilocks and the Three Bears

    I read "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", so I will tell you about the story. There was a family. The family's daughter is Goldilocks. Goldilocks is so naughty. So her mother, father and brother were always troubled her. One day, she went to the woods. There is so dangerous. Then, she found a pretty little cottage. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. So she came into the house. She threw into confusion the house. For example, she ate the meal, broke the chair and she slept the bed. Then, three bears came back to the house. They were so surprised and angry. And they found Goldilocks sleeping on the little bear's bed. Goldilocks opened her mouth and screamed. She ran out of the house as fast as she could go. Then "I'll never, ever be naughty again" said Goldilocks.

USBORNE FIRST READING Series editor: Lesley Sims First published in 2007

154 words

Juppun ha Juubun Stats

April 16th: 100

September 24th: 135
October 22nd: 123

January 7th: 106
January 21st: 92

First 1: 100
Middle 2: 258
Last 2: 198

My speed went down a bit over the first semester, but rose during the final semester.

Saturday

I  went to lesson of Koto by car. I practice two pieces of music for February's concert. After that, I went to my aunt' house. I got some souvenir from my aunt. Because she went to Miyazaki these days. I got Nanjakorya daifuku, locally produced poultry, summer orange's cookies and mango pudding. Daifuku is a soft rice cake filled with sweet bean jam. Nanjakorya daifuku was a strange daifuku. I thought that the daifuku is a strawberry daifuku, but cherry tomato and cheese was covered. I was so surprised it!!

92 words

BR 2-25 The Frog Prince

    I read "The Frog Prince", so I will tell you about the story.

Long ago in a distance land lived a young Princess who was so beautiful. 

One day the King gave her a new ball. It was a golden ball. She loved the golden ball and played with the golden ball every day. She went to the nearby forest, there she began to play, tossing her golden ball into air and catching it in her hand. The princess continued her game, enjoying herself immensely. However she missed. the ball fell to the ground and it rolled into a nearby spring. The spring is the cold and deep. The princess began to cry. Suddenly a frog came out from the spring. The princess doesn't like frog, so she jumped back. The frog said to her "I would find your golden ball." So the princess asked for the frog. But the frog required her. " I want to play with you. I want to eat with you. I want to sleep on your pillow. I want to be your friend." said the frog. And the princess said "Yes.", so the frog found golden ball from the spring. But the princess ran away to her castle. When she and king were eating the dinner, the frog came. So she said everything to the King. The princess would not do the frog's wish, but her father sternly reminded her, "A promise is a promise. And this one you must keep." So she did the frog's wish. Early the next morning, when the dark was graying into daylight, the Princess heard the Frog jump down from her bed and hop away. She hoped he would never come back again. But he did come back, the very net night. So again she let the Frog eat from her plate, him sleep on her pillow. Such as thing continued few days. But one day the Frog did not hop away in the early morning. This time magic. The Frog was transformed into a handsome young Prince! Now she was glad she had kept her promise. Then the Frog Prince and the Princess became the best of friends. And they promised to marry someday and live happily ever after. Which they did. After all, a promise is a promise. And this one the Princess was happy to keep.  

We Both Read, Text Copyright 1997 by Treasure Bay, Inc. Adapted by Sindy McKay, From the stories by the Brothers Grimm, Illustrated by George Ulrich

419 words

The Sorcerer and the White Snake

This movie is so strange story. A woman change into the white snake. In addition to that there are green snake and many strange character like a monster and ghost in the movie. But this movie has love story.

40 words

Winter vacation

    I went to Nagasaki to see the many colorful lights with my friends by car on December 25. There were many beautiful color illumination, so we were very excited. And we took many pictures there. Then we went to mount of Inasa, and we saw beautiful night view from mount of Inasa. December 31 is the last day of the year, so almost Japanese eat soba. People thank of the year and wish the next year during eat soba. So I ate soba with my family on New Year's Eve. It was delicious! New Year's Day, I ate Osechi with my family at the morning. And we spent watching TV show during New Year's Day with my family. But I went to shopping with my cousin on January 2. We went to many clothing shops by bus. We could do nice shopping! January 3, I went to high school's alumni reunion. I could meet many classmates there, so we took many picture. Almost women put on beauty dress, men put on nice suit. And we could meet our former teachers. "Everyone changed your appearance!!", said many teachers. I could spend great time that day. So my winter vacation was replete.  

205 words

Chinese Food

    I went to Chinese restaurant after the coming-of-age ceremony!! I went there with my mother, my grandmother, aunt and cousin by aunt's car. When we arrived there, I was so hungry. The Chinese restaurant's atmosphere gave off an air of extravagance. We ordered a spring roll, a steamed dumpling, a xiao long bao, thin strips of beef sauteed with green pepper Chinese-style, shark-fin soup, soup to which beaten egg is added, Chinese-style fried rice, sesame dango and Chinese-style almond jelly. And my mother drunk shaoxing wine, I drunk apricot alcohol. We ate shark-fin soup for the first time! Shark-fin soup was so expensive, so we can't readily eat it! All Chinese food was very delicious!! I want to thank my family.

122 words

A coming-of-age ceremony

    Yesterday, it was a coming of age ceremony!! A coming-of-age ceremony is the Japanese traditional ceremony in celebration of the 20-year-old. Almost women put on a long-sleeved kimono and almost men put on suit, but some men put on a Hakama. Long-sleeved kimono and Hakama is the Japanese traditional  clothes. My long-sleeved kimono's color is red and an obi's color is gold. My long-sleeved kimono's pattern is Japanese-old pattern. I woke up at 5:30 because I had to go to beauty salon yesterday moaning. Almost women is helped dressing of long-sleeved kimono and set my hair. When I arrived the venue of coming-of-age ceremony, many became an adult women and men there. Many people put on various long-sleeved kimono and suit. And I met many friends of local neighborhood. So we took many pictures with many friends!! Then I went to my grandfather's house, and I showed my dressed long-sleeved kimono. So I could spend great time yesterday!!

162 words

BR 2-24 National Parks

    I read "National Parks", so I will tell you about the story. A national park is parkland that is protected. All the plants and animals that live there are protected. Earth national park is different and has animals and planets that make it special. Uluru is huge rock in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the middle of Australia. Uluru is the biggest rock in the world and is more than 60 million years old. Uluru is home to lots of different plants and animals. There are more than 150 different kinds of birds in this national park. Every year, more than 650 00 people come to see Uluru. Uluru is very important to Aboriginal people. They have been living at Uluru for more than 10 000 years. Serengeti National Park is a very important national park in Africa. People work hard to protect all the special animals that live there. At different times of the year, many of the animals move around the park looking for food. Denali National Park is in Alaska. It is important for its animals. Winter in Alaska is long and cold, but all the animals that live there are well adapted to the cold climate. When people visit a national park, there are important rules to follow. Important rules are that stay on the tracks when walking, don't leave anything behind in the park, don't touch the rock art and plants and follow the fire rules. National parks protect plants and animals and give people a chance to get close to living things around them.

Fast Forward text by Alan Trussell-Cullen. First published in 2007

272 words

BR 2-23 ENERGY IN SPORT

    I read "ENERGY IN SPORT", so I will tell you about the story. People who play sport need a lot of energy. If they don't have energy, they are not able to play at their peak for very long. When someone is at their peak, they play very well. When someone is not at their peak, they don't play very well. Different sports people need different kinds of energy. Some sports people need a lot of energy quickly. This is called an energy rush. Other sports people need energy slowly over a long time. Sprinters are people who race over a short distance. Sprinters need to build up speed very quickly. They need to have a lot of energy for a short time. Sprinters prepare for a race by building up their muscles. The stronger their muscles are, the more energy they can use at the start of a race. Sprinters need special food to help them build their muscles. The best foods for building muscles are foods with lots of protein. Proteins help bodies to grow. They are also good for  fixing injured bodies. When sprinters injure their bodies, they have to eat lots of foods with protein in them. Protein can be found in red meat, eggs and milk. A sprinter can eat eggs for breakfast every day. He or she can also have two serves of red meat and drink five glasses of milk every day. Endurance runners race over a long distance. And endurance runners don't have big muscles like sprinters. Endurance runners need food that will give them the energy to keep running for a long time. The best kinds of foods for endurance runners are foods with lots of carbohydrates and fat.

Fast Forward text by Nicolas Brasch. First published in 2007.

301 words

BR 2-22 Move It!

    I read "Move It!", so I will tell you about the story. Things can be move by pushing them. For example, the bulldozer is pushing over the tree, the girl is pushing her friend on the swing and the man is pushing a rolling pin. Things can be moved by pulling them. For example, the car is pulling the caravan, the dog are pulling the sled, the hammer is pulling the nail and the boat is pulling the ship. Machines can help move things. A stapler is a little machine. People push on it to make it work. A crane is a big machine. People use cranes to pull things up. The boy pushes with his foot. The push makes the skateboard move. The bird moves its wings. The wings push on the air. They make the bird move. The boy lets the balloons go. The air inside the balloons pushes on the air outside the balloons. The balloons take off.

Fast Forward text by Alan Trussell-Cullen. First published in 2007.

173 words

BR 2-21 ANIMAL DISGUISES

    I read "ANIMAL DISGUISES", so I will tell you about the story. Many animals use color as a disguise to hide an enemy. This is called camouflage. The tawny frogmouth is hiding from the fox. The tawny frogmouth is the same color as the tree it is sitting on. It wants the fox to think it is part of the tree. Some animals are hunters. The tiger is a hunter. It uses its color to hide in the bushes. The carpet shark is also a hunter. It is the same color as the sea bed. It uses its disguise to catch little fish that do not see it hiding in the sea bed. The tiger and the carpet shark use color as a disguise to help them catch their food. Animals use disguises to  trick other animals. When zebra stay in a group, they look like one really big zebra to a lion. This makes the lion stop and gives the zebra time to get away. Some animals can change their disguise. The chameleon can change its disguise. It can change its color from black to brown, yellow, green, blue or red. Some animals disguise themselves as something else to trick an enemy. The stick insect looks like a stick. The leaf-tailed gecko looks like a leaf. People also use disguises. These soldiers are hiding from an enemy. They have on the same colors as the bushes around them. This is called camouflage.

Fast Forward text by Alan Trussell-Cullen. First published in 2007

257 words

BR 2-20 HOT and COLD

    I read "HOT and COLD", so I will tell you about the story. Temperature is the measure of how hot or cold something is. Temperature is measured on a scale. There are two scale: Celsius and Fahrenheit. The Celsius scale is named after a man Celsius. The Fahrenheit scale is named after a man called Fahrenheit. Some countries use the Celsius scale to measure temperature. Some countries use the Fahrenheit scale to measure temperature. A thermometer measures the temperature. The numbers on the thermometer are called degrees. On the Celsius scale, water freezes at 0°. On the Fahrenheit scale, water freezes at 32°. On the Celsius scale, water boils at 100°. On the Fahrenheit scale, water boils at 212°. Most parts of the world are hot for some of the year and cold for some of the year. Some parts of the world are hot all of the year. Libya is hot all of the year. Some parts of the world are cold all of the year. Antarctica is cold all of the year. On 13 September 1922, a temperature of 57.3℃ was measured in Libya. This is the hottest temperature measures in a country. On 21 July 1983, a temperature of -89.2℃ was measured in Antarctica. This is the coldest temperature measured on Earth.

Fast Forward text by Nicolas Brasch. First published in 2007.

226 words

Drinking Party

    I participated in a drinking party of high school's member after alumni reunion. All member became 20 years old, so we can drink alcohol. We talked about our high school's memories. 5 member live in Kumamoto, but one live in Fukuoka, one live in Nagasaki and a girl lives in Tokyo. So, we sometimes meet in long vacation^^ We could spend good time, I want to drink again.

72  words  

Tamana high school's alumni reunion

    I participated in the Tamana high school's alumni reunion on January 3. I was looking forward to meet my friends. I wore dress, and I went to hotel of Tsukasa with my friend by train. I arrived the venue, and I met many dear friends!!! Everyone became cute girl and cool guy. Then I met my former teacher. They was surprised us. We talked about our memories^^ I could spend good time. I love Tamana high school!!!  

80 words

Fukuoka

I went to Fukuoka on 2012.12.29. And I bought iPnone5's case and some clothes. I wanted to buy parka of adidas, but there were nothing I want. I was satisfied with the iPhone case. I like Fukuoka, because there are many cute and fashionable shops. I usually go to Tenjin. There are many clothing shops and restaurant. I like H&M and Forever 21, and there are the shops. So I bought some clothes at the shops. There are many reasonable and cute clothes for us in the shops. But it is costly to go to Fukuoka by bus. So I have to do part time job.

106 words

The first selling in the New Year

   I went to the selling in the New Year with my cousin on 2013.1.2. My cousin junior high school student and a student preparing for an examination. We went to shopping clothes. I bought two plastic hairband for alumni meeting. She bought clothes in PARCO. And we took photo sticker. We could good shopping!

54 words

Happy New Year!!!

    Happy New Year! Japanese usually eat Ozoni on New Year's day. So I ate Ozoni with my family on 2013.1.1. And we ate Osechi, osechi is traditional Japanese food prepared in advance for consumption during the first three days of the New Year and containing various specified ingredients. I cleaned up my room, toilet and entrance before the New Year. Almost Japanese clean up house before the New Year. So I could greet clean the New Year. I wish 2013 become a good year for everyone^^

86 words