Mami's Blog

Long time no see, Mami's blog

2008-08-08T04:21:00.002+09:00

Hello, Mami's blog. Today, I'm fantastic day.
I stay Internet cafe now with my friend. We read comics and watch movies, so we have fun.

When I come back to my home, I think that I watch Beijing Olympics.
Fight, Japanese players.

suggestion

2008-01-30T10:03:00.000+09:00

I have 3 suggestions.
First, reading a lot of books. Before Writing class, I hate reading books, but thanks to homework, I like reading books. So, I think that reading connect to success to archive.
Second, my typing was very slowly. So I do practice more and more. I think that typing is very important for us in the future. So I must do practice more.
Third, I think that many picture and media put your blog. And viewer was happy and comment send to you.

[86 words]

about typing

2008-01-16T09:14:00.000+09:00

I will talk about typing. This class always takes a typing test. My typing speed was always very slowly, so I practice typing every day. I bought typing soft. It was very fun for me to study this soft. Now, my typing was faster than past. I like typing very much. When I was a high school student, I took a typing test. But I can’t it. So I hated typing, but now I like typing. It is very important for me to study typing, I think.

[87 words]

Writing IVC: Portfolio

2008-01-09T21:18:00.001+09:00

Student ID: 06151

Writing IVc: Portfolio
(See: Note 1, below)

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, and Words

(See: Note 2, below.)


Months	08	09	10	11	12	01	Totals	fn	Indices
Book reviews	0	0	4	3	7	4	18
Blog posts	2	7	13	12	36	20	90
Words	104	485	2626	1741	3935	1437	10328
TOTAL	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below[.])

1.1. Showcase	Short titles [+ links]	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	¶	W	C	L	P	M	Notes
Mega- essay 07.10.12	Mega Essay	07.10.16	22	1487	0	0	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 07.10.26	Necessary places	07.10.26	5	384	0	0	0	0
Movie review 07.11.11	Movie review: Toy story 1	07.11.11	5	410	5	1	1	0
Community life 07.11.25	Community activities	07.11.26	5	342	0	1	1	0
TV in Japan 07.12.09	the late TV	07.12.09	3	338	0	5	1	0
Learning w/ computers 07.12.21	learning with computers	07.12.21	6	404	0	0	0	0


Totals	---	---	46	3365	5	7	3	0	---

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs three 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

1.2. Best Essay

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

I think my TV in Japan essay is the best in my essays, because this essay has catcy title, 5 links and photos. I think it is unique and long essay.

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*	Kenji & pab in Seattle	07.09.26	23	bad
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	。・＊’。°coming of age day 。・＊’。°	07.01.06	16	good
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	Movie review: Toy story 1	07.11.14	29	good
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*	Book reveiw 2-03: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow	07.10.26	72	very good
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	07.11.13	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	30	good
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	Chiritotechin	07.12.04	48	good
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.01.12	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	37	so-so

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post.

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?

... Yes, I do. I have it in a sidebar

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

[Remove square brackets, including these remarks; write out your reflections on giving and receiving comments here.]

3.0. Typing Speed Trials

Showcase	Numbers of words	Dates (yy.mm.dd)
3.1. Worst typing speed trial*	36	07.10.03
3.2. Best typing speed trial*	100	07.12.05
3.3. Improvement (best minus worst)	64	---
3.4. Average speed for three (3) most recent speed trials**	79

----------
* Current semester typing speed trials (five minutes)
** Please list all three dates.

4.0. Book Reviews

4.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	Book review2-01: Sally's phone	07.10.01	96	0
2-02	Book review2-02: TINKERS ISLAND	07.10.09	36	0
2-03	Book reveiw 2-03: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow	07.10.26	166	1
2-04	Book review 2-04: Dead Man's River	07.10.29	110	0
2-05	Book review 2-05: Kim's choice	07.11.02	163	0
2-06	Book review2-06: Police TV	07.11.11	170	0
2-07	Book reveiw2-07: Newspaper Chase	07.11.18	85	0
2-08	Book review2-08: Who wants to be a star?	07.12.10	155	0
2-09	Book review2-09: Audrey Hepburn	07.12.12	103	0
2-10	Book review2-10: The Beatles	07.12.13	107	0
2-11	Book review2-11: Romeo and Juliet	07.12.14	226	0
2-12	Book review2-12: Leonardo DiCaprio	07.12.16	91	0
2-13	Book review-2-13: little women	07.12.22	140	0
2-14	Book review2-14: British life	07.12.28	340	0
2-15	Book review2-15: SURVIVE!	08.01.02	40	0
2-16	Book review2-16: Matilda	08.01.02	109	0
2-17	Book review2-17: American Life	08.01.03	114	0
2-18	Book review2-18: Emil and the Detectives	08.01.05	75	0


---	---	TOTALS:	2326	1

Note: Please calculate book review words and comments totals without the example (above).

4.2. 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? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

I thik my best book reveiw is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, because there are many words and I can understand this story.

5.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
5.1. Does your blog have an archive?	o
5.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	o
5.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	o
5.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	o
5.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	o
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	o
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	o
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)	o
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	o
"movies" (plural) AND "photos" (plural)	o
5.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	o
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? _10_ 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. books (18) class (4) dialies (47) essays (6) food (12) job (6) links (16) media (7) movies (6) music (7) photos (43) portfolios (5) quickposts (11) reviews (23) shops (2) traveles (1) tv (6)	---	---
5.3. Links & media	---	---
5.3.1. Does your blog include pictures or other graphics?	o
Does your blog profile include a picture or graphic representation?	o
How many of your blog posts this semester include pictures or other graphics? __45_ posts including pictures or other graphics	---	---
5.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	o
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links?* __20_ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
5.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	o
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? __7_ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list them here: ...sports movie (download from You tube) ...TV program ...song ...song ...TV drama ...tune ...tune	---	---

5.4. Overall presentation

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

6.0. Additional reflections on your blog writing

7.0. Suggestions for your peers and successors

hamburger steak

2008-01-08T23:30:00.000+09:00

I cooked hamburger steak for dinner. I cooked hard without much success, but it was delicious, I thought. I want to try again.

[23 words]

anxiety

2008-01-08T18:08:00.005+09:00

Recently, I have begun to awake job hunting. ‘Can I get a job?’ I feel anxiety for my future. So I visited the job department first time. I search for my favorite jobs, but I could not search for it. I want to visit there again.

Don’t you have any fear of the future?

[54 words]

He's a pirate

2008-01-08T18:08:00.003+09:00

I like tunes of Pirates of the Caribbean. Especially, I like He is a pirate. This is main theme song of Pirates of the Caribbean. Of course, I have a soundtrack, but I don’t have a score. Today, I finally got this score. I was very happy. I will practice the piano every day.

[54 words]

Shopping

2008-01-08T18:08:00.001+09:00

After classes, I went to the PARCO and TSURUYA for shopping alone. A sale is held now in the Parco. I thought many things were very cheap. So, I bought socks and one-piece dress. I want to go to there again.

[41 words]

Today's class

2008-01-08T18:05:00.000+09:00

　I slept late this morning. I though this morning was very cold, so I was not able to take the first class, Japanese history. Second class was Listening class. Today, There was a listening test in class. I studied listening test yesterday, but I couldn't solve test.( ;_ ;) So I am afraid of a semester test.

[57 words]

started for school

2008-01-08T17:42:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I started for school. I met my friends again. My friends seemed to be full of energy. I have dozed off during a class. I concentrate on it from this time and want to take a class.

[38 words]

nanakusa-gayu

2008-01-07T21:45:00.001+09:00

I ate nanakusa-gayu at the dinner. On the morning of January 7, or the night before, people place the nanakusa, rice scoop, and wooden pestle on the cutting board and, facing the good-luck direction, chant "Before the birds of the continent fly to Japan, let's get nanakusa" while cutting the herbs into pieces. This chant varies as well.
The seventh of the first month has been an important Japanese festival since ancient times. The custom of eating nanakusa-gayu on this day, to bring longevity and health, developed in Japan from a similar ancient Chinese custom, intended to ward off evil. Since there is little green at that time of the year, the young green herbs bring color to the table and eating them suits the spirit of the New Year.

[129 words]

Sweeney Todd

2008-01-06T22:12:00.003+09:00

　The movie which I want to watch now is Sweeney Todd: The demon barber of Fleet street. Of course, Sweeney is Johnny Depp. I'm looking forward to watching this movie. However, I do not know contents of this story well. But I want to watch this movie.

This movie's home page is here

[54 words]

Winter vacation finished

2008-01-06T22:12:00.001+09:00

Today, a short winter vacation finished. I was substantial for me. I enjoyed myself this winter vacation. A school begins at tomorrow. I don’t go to school...... But I want to meet my friends. I want to take a class seriously from tomorrow.

[42 words]

rice cake

2008-01-05T23:10:00.003+09:00

I ate rice cake at lunch. I like eating that I spread soy sauce and sugar to the rice cake. It was very good taste.

[25 words]

Finished part-time job

2008-01-05T23:10:00.001+09:00

Today, I finished my part-time job in post office. I thought it was very, very good job. I made friends with a lot of people, so I enjoyed myself. As for working, it was had a good experience for me.

This picture is my treasure. This is a diary of the workplace experience that I wrote at the age of a junior high student. Actually, I decided to work part-time at this opportunity. This is my memory.

[77 words]

Book review2-18: Emil and the Detectives

2008-01-05T16:56:00.003+09:00

I read Emil and the Detectives. Emil is traveling alone to his grandmother’s house in the city. He is carrying money to her from this mother. Then a man on the train steals the money Emil follows the thief and an exciting adventure begins, with lots of detectives, a lift boy, and a fight in a bank! I thought this story was very interested me, but it was difficult for me to understand this story.

[75 words]

LIVE's DVD

2008-01-05T16:56:00.001+09:00

This is Kanjyani-8’s Live DVD. My younger sister likes Kanjyani-8. This DVD was 7,800 yen. I thought very, very expensive and I was surprised, but this DVD is very funny.

[31 words]

Book review2-17: American Life

2008-01-03T22:44:00.001+09:00

　I read American Life. I have never been to foreign countries, but I want to go to many foreign countries. Especially, I want to go to America. The United States is a very big country. I like American movies. American movie-makers about 570 movies each year. Other countries make more movies- there are 850 new movies every year in India. But many people watch American movies around the world. Of course, movie-makers know this. Some American movies do not make a lot of money in the US, but people in other countries love them. I think that America has a lot of things which Japan does not have. I understood to read this book.

[114 words]

Mr.H

2008-01-03T20:49:00.001+09:00

Recently, I talk for a long time on the phone with my friends. We talk about Coming of Age Day, but especially love. I fall in love with postal clerk. He is very funny and kind. We talk about him. He and I changed each other's e-mail address. He makes me happy. I respect him. I want to become a postal clerk like him.

[64 words]

I love Chopin

2008-01-03T20:24:00.000+09:00

　I love classical music. Especially, I like Chopin’s music. Playing the piano is one of my hobbies. I practice the piano every day. I play Chopin’s Fantaisie- impromptu recently. I like this tune. This tune is used well by a player of figure skating. I put this tune with my glog. Please listen it and you play the piano this tune.

[61 words]

My favorite TV program

2008-01-03T00:54:00.000+09:00

My favorite TV program is nodame cantabile. This TV program is drama. It is very funny. I will introduce this story.　

Shinichi Chiaki is the top piano student at the Momogaoka College of Music and an excellent violinist, but Chiaki doesn't care about playing these instruments as much as he dreams of someday being a conductor. Chiaki, however, has several deeply rooted fears about traveling, and so finds himself "trapped" in Japan. Because he's trapped, Chiaki starts to question exactly how far he can possibly go in music, especially when he's passed over again and again for others he believes less worthy of musical scholarship and fame.

Recently dumped by his girlfriend for a "ham" looking fellow, passed over for a chance to go overseas, and removed from his star spot in the piano competition because he walked out on his piano instructor, Chiaki is at his limit. This is when he meets Nodame, or Megumi Noda. Nodame is a free — and filthy — spirit who reminds Chiaki that music can be fun and what drew him to be a conductor in the first place. In learning how to deal with Nodame, Chiaki learns how to deal with others. Chiaki begins to realize what is possible for him, even within the country of Japan.

For Nodame, Chiaki is everything she isn't. Clean, neat, dedicated, studious and inherently arrogant about his accomplishments and capabilities, Chiaki constantly bullies her into being more serious about life. He sees potential in her and her abilities as a pianist that she doesn't care about. She loves Chiaki and wants to be with him. But, because she's serious about neither her piano studies nor her personal hygiene, Chiaki always denies her affections.

Drawn together in a turbulent relationship, Chiaki's perfectionism and Nodame's untamed nature end up complementing each other. As the story progresses, they mature as individuals, as musicians and as a couple.

[316 words]

Book review2-16: Matilda

2008-01-02T23:53:00.001+09:00

I read Matilda. I introduce this book. Matilda is 5 years old. Matilda read all the library books of a village at 5 years old. She is genius. But her parents were not going to recognize her genius. She has a great time giving them what they deserve. But at school things are different. At school there's Miss Trunchbull: two hundred pounds of kid-hating headmistress. Giving Miss Trunchbull what she deserves will take more than a genius.....it will take a superhuman genius! This book is very interesting and funny. But I had a poor vocabulary, so it was difficult for me to read it. But I recommend this book.

[109 words]

Book review2-15: SURVIVE!

2008-01-02T23:52:00.001+09:00

I read SURVIVE! This book's hero or heroine is yourself. I think this book is very unique. Person who read it judges many choices. If I get lost in the mountain..... What should I do?? I read while thinking it.

[40 words]

A Happy New Year!!

2008-01-01T23:22:00.001+09:00

A Happy New Year!!
This year, I want to study English very hard, improve my English skill and work part-time. What is your goal this year?
I hope to see more of you.

[33 words]

Red and White Song Battle

2007-12-31T23:21:00.001+09:00

Kōhaku Uta Gassen, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on the New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas (mainly cable) broadcasters which bought the program. The show ends shortly before midnight (when NHK switches to a frenzy of "Happy New Year" greetings from around the nation).

Literally "Red and White Song Battle," the program divides the most popular music artists of the year into competing teams of red and white. The "red" team or akagumi is composed of all female artists (or groups with female vocals), while the "white" team or shirogumi is all male (or groups with male vocals). The honor of performing on Kōhaku is strictly by invitation, so only the most successful J-Pop artists and enka singers can perform. In addition to the actual music performances, the costumes, hair-styles, makeup, dancing, and lighting are also important. Even today, a performance on Kōhaku is said to be a big highlight in a singer's career because of the show's large reach.

I watched Red and White Song Battle. When I watch this TV program, I feel that this year finished it. Did you watch This TV program?

[211 words]

I was surprised

2007-12-31T23:10:00.001+09:00

I was surprised…… I got a ticket of NEWS. It is a group name of the singers. I will go to a concert for the first time on January 13th. I’m looking forward to meet NEWS. Thank you for giving a ticket of NEWS, Momoka. I put You Tube. This is NEWS’s music. This title is weeeek. Please listen it.

[61 words]

coooold!!

2007-12-31T22:45:00.001+09:00

Recently, it is very cold, isn’t it? Especially morning is very cold. It snowed yesterday. It’s just inconceivable. I can’t wake up early. And I would not wash my face. I don’t like winter…

[34 words]

New Year's Eve

2007-12-31T22:25:00.000+09:00

Today is New Year’s Eve. 2008 begins from tomorrow. It’s just inconceivable. I retraced past 2007 and I thought this year was bad year because I have got sick. So my class attendance was irregular. I want to reflect it. Of course there is the good aspect. My vocabularies have improved this year, I think. I was so happy. So I want to study English more 2008.

[67 words]

crab meet

2007-12-30T23:39:00.000+09:00

Maine of my supper of today was a crab. I have a feeling that I eat a lot of luxurious meals recently. My mother ordered the crab from Hokkaido. It was delicious.

[32 words]

Book review2-14: British life

2007-12-28T23:35:00.003+09:00

I read British life. British and tea interested me.

The British population (over the age of ten) drinks about 200,000,000 cups of tea a day. That is an average of nearly 1,040 cups of tea a year for each person. Tea- mostly green tea from China- came to Britain in the late 1500s, but it was only for the very rich. It became cheaper about three hundred years later, when it was planted in India and later in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). People from all classes started drinking it. But some people thought that too much tea was bad for your health. So they started putting milk in it, to make it healthier!

Afternoon tea, high tea, lunch and dinner

Afternoon tea is a small meal, not a drink. Now most ordinary British families do not have time for afternoon tea at home, but in the past it was a tradition. It became popular about a hundred and fifty years ago, when rich ladies invented their friends to their houses for an afternoon cup of tea. They started offering their visitors sandwiches and cakes too. Soon everybody was enjoying this exciting new meal. But the British working population did not have afternoon tea. They had a meal at about midday, and a meal after work, between five and seven o’clock. This meal was called ‘high tea’, or just ‘tea’. Some families in Scotland and the north of England still have ‘high tea’ and some restaurants in these areas offer it too. High tea is a big meal with a main dish – meat for fish – followed by bread and butter and cakes. You drink lots of cups of tea with tea. Today most people have a meal between 12 and 2 p.m. In the past, this meal was called ‘dinner’ in working families. But now most people call it ‘lunch’. ‘Dinner’ has become a bigger meal in the evenings.

Reading this book, I thought it is important for British to drink tea. I like tea very much, so I understood British feelings.

[340 words]

postal clerk

2007-12-28T23:35:00.001+09:00

　I worked part-time today in post office at 6 hours. I was so busy because a New Year is coming soon, but I have never been this happy. I think I want to be postal clerk in the future. So I ask staffs. ‘ Tell me how to become a postal clerk?’ Staffs said ‘ it was very difficult question, however, it is important that you gain experience by practice’ I heard it and understood. I thought I wanted to become postal clerk more and more.

[86 words]

yellowtail

2007-12-28T23:34:00.001+09:00

Yellowtail has been sent to my father as the year-end present by my grandparents. Yellowtail was very, very big, so I was surprised. My mother cooked fish. We like sashimi very much. We ate as sashimi. It was very good taste.

[41 words]

year-end party

2007-12-27T19:54:00.001+09:00

Yesterday, Year-end party was held in the house of Asumi. The party started about 6:30 p.m. We ate many dishes, snacks and drink. It was very good taste. We talk about TV program, our school, part-time job and so on. We had a good time. Thank you for preparing, Asumi.

[50 words]

new friend

2007-12-25T22:28:00.001+09:00

Today, I worked part-time first day. I had none of the people whom I knew it in workplace, so I felt lonely. Then, a girl talks to me about work. I thought she was very kind. I said ‘ shall we make friends with me?’ She said ‘yes’. I was very happy. She is 21 years old, so She is old than I. We talk about hobby, family, school and so on. We made friends rapidly. So I was so happy.

[81 words]

Happy Christmas

2007-12-24T22:42:00.000+09:00

Today is Christmas Eve.

I will introduce Christmas song. I like Mariah Carey, All I want Christmas is you. I found this song in You Tube. Please, enjoy it.

[29 words]

Today's dinner

2007-12-24T22:07:00.000+09:00

Today was Christmas Eve. I thought today's dinner is absolutely Kentucky and a Christmas cake. However, it was wrong. Today’s dinner was sushi. ‘Why do we eat sushi?’ I though. Oh, I will forgive it because it was delicious and I love sushi.

[43 words]

♬karaoke♬

2007-12-24T21:32:00.000+09:00

　Today, I went to karaoke with my friends. I saw my friends in high school days after a long time, so I was very happy. We sang for seven hours. I like singing. Especially, I often sing J-pop. Recently, my favorite singer in Japan is Kanjyani-8. This is a name of the group. I like their songs because it makes me cheerful and happy. We sang Christmas song, for example, ‘ Last Christmas’, ‘Happy Xmas’, ‘All I want Christmas is you’. But it was not good, so we thought we must practice more them. We had a good time to song.

[101 words]

Book review-2-13: little women

2007-12-22T20:03:00.003+09:00

I read Little women. In Japan, Little women is called Wakakusa story. This story is famous story, but I have never read it. 　

Little Women is a novel published in 1868 and written by American author Louisa May Alcott. The story concerns the lives and loves of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War. It was based on Alcott's own experiences as a child in Boston and Concord, Massachusetts, with her three sisters, Anna, May, and Elizabeth.

The four March sisters- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. They have problems. Their father is away in the war and they don’t have much money, but the girls have happy times too! Read this story of family love in a difficult year for the March. I thought they are massive. Especially, Meg, I thought. I think I want to become her.

[140 words]

winter vacation

2007-12-22T20:03:00.001+09:00

A winter vacation begins from tomorrow. I am very, very happy. There is the plan that I work part-time, and play with friends. Anyway, I want to have a good time at winter vacation.

[34 words]

Juicy fried chicken

2007-12-21T00:26:00.001+09:00

Yesterday, Satomi and I went to LAWSON in the Student’s Hall. We bought Juicy fried chicken. We like it very much. It is always sold for 155 yen. However, It was sold for 135 yen today. We felt having saved. It was delicious.

[43 words]

learning with computers

2007-12-21T00:25:00.000+09:00

This year, I took Writing III& IV. This class was learning with computers. We learned how to write a blog and learned about computer. On this essay, I will write about before, during and after Writing III& IV.

Before Writing III&IV

I liked using computer before Writing III&IV because I liked searching a lot of home pages and playing online game. But, I was poor at typing because I didn’t know how to touch- typing. When I was a high school student, my teacher of information taught me touch- typing. I bought a soft of touch-typing and I practiced it every day. So, the speed of my typing became fast than before. However, this is only Japanese input.

During Writing III&IV

Writing III&IV is in English, of course. This class always tests the typing each other. The test is to check how long we can type in English in five minutes. I can type quickly in Japanese but I cannot do very well that in English. My typing speed is too late. Take the average; I type 70 words. I think it different from Japanese typing and English typing. I cannot type while thinking about an English sentence. Then, My typing becomes slower and slower. Therefore, I thought only typing that I type fast recently. Speed of my typing became fast than before. I’m so happy.

I came to like reading a book through this class. I read a lot of books during Writing III&IV. At first, I didn’t like reading English books, because it is difficult for me. But recently, I like reading book. I came to go to the library three times a week. Thanks to, Writing III&IV, my vocabulary is increasing. I think that it is killing two birds with one stone.

I like writing blog posts recently. I put a lot of my favorite pictures and media. It is very pleasant that I write blog for me. I thought that blog was the first troublesome. However, I knew the pleasure of writing blog.

After Writing III&IV

Before I took writing III & IV, I don’t like writing in English. It was difficult for me to write in English. During writing III & IV, I wrote a lot of sentences in English, so I like writing and reading in English. I would like to continue my blog after writing III & IV. I also would like to continue reading English books.

[404 words]

The holiday

2007-12-21T00:24:00.000+09:00

I watched the holiday. This is the movie that I want to watch for a long time. But I didn't have a chance to watch during this movie's release. So, I rented this DVD from TSUTAYA. I was very excited when I finished this movie. I like this movie very much.

After three years of an on-again off-again relationship, Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) is still in love with Jasper Bloom (Rufus Sewell), her co-worker at The Daily Telegraph, despite his infidelity and exploitation of her feelings. However, during her company's Christmas party, Jasper announces that he is now engaged to Sarah Smith-Alcott, the woman with whom he cheated on Iris, and she is crushed.

Meanwhile, Amanda Woods, (Cameron Diaz) in Los Angeles, has just recently found out that her boyfriend, Ethan (Edward Burns), has been sleeping with his 24-year-old receptionist. She dumps him, but reveals that she is unable to cry. On a whim, Amanda decides to take a break from her hectic job and love life and rent a house somewhere far away. While surfing a house rental site, she finds Iris in Surrey, who just happens to be in the same situation as her. Rather than rent the house, Iris says that she's willing to do a home exchange, to which Amanda agrees.

I recommend this movie. If you have not watch this movie, please watch it.

[229 words]

running for money

2007-12-19T23:36:00.000+09:00

Today, I watched a TV program, ‘Jump!’ for 2 hours. I like this TV program. This program is broadcasted in Fuji TV at 10:00 of every Wednesday. This TV program has a lot of corners. Especially, I like ‘running for money’. It is tag, but it is not simple tag, because challengers get the prize money if they can succeed in escaping, but if they were arrested by hunter, they don’t get money. They can be given the prize money of 300 yen per second. It is 55 minutes in escape time.

This game is a thrill for me. I scream in excitement unintentionally. I found it on You Tube, so please watch it.

This program’s home page is here.

[120 words]

a very memorable exprience

2007-12-19T09:15:00.000+09:00

I have a very memorable experience. This summer vacation, I went to Hokkaido by a tour. It was held to learn the Northern Territories issue. I have decided to take part in this tour by myself. It was difficult for me to understand the Northern Territories, but I understood it only a little. I made a lot of friends through this tour. I had a lot of friends who lived in Osaka, Okayama, Fukui and Kyoto. These friends are all girls and same age with me. Native places are different each other.

[92 words]

figure skating

2007-12-18T13:11:00.000+09:00

I watched figure skating on TV. I was moved to tears by Mao Asada, she is a figure skating player in Japan. She is only 17 years old. Her performance was very beautiful and cool.
Her short program was the last place, but she came from behind, she came second. I was surprised it.

[54 words]

Christmas decorations

2007-12-17T23:58:00.001+09:00

Christmas is a week away. There are many Christmas trees and illuminations in the center of the city. It is very beautiful, I think.

There is not Christmas tree in my house, so I want very big one. Is there the Christmas tree in your house?

[46 words]

Happy birthday

2007-12-16T23:37:00.001+09:00

Today, My father's birthday. My mother and I made a feast and cake. He looked happy. 'Happy birthday, father!'

[19 words]

Book review2-12: Leonardo DiCaprio

2007-12-16T23:36:00.000+09:00

I read Leonardo DiCaprio. He is a very big movie star. His blue eyes are famous and teenage girls love his smile. I like him too. He has fans in every country, and his movies, Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, are big hits. I watched both Titanic and Romeo and Juliet. I have a DVD of Titanic. I think it very good movie. I watched American movie for the first time. I was well impressed by his performance. Reading this book, I want his to make a lot of good movies.

[91 words]

new part-time job

2007-12-16T22:55:00.000+09:00

My new part-time job is to sort the New Year's card in post office. I did the same work last year. This work is a short term, but I like working in post office because I want to be postal clerk. This job is very hard. It must repeat the same work every day, but I’m looking forward to working it.
I write a New Year's card to a close friend and relative now. I draw Mickey Mouse because it will be the Year of the Rat next year. Do you write New Year’s Card?

[95 words]

Book review2-11: Romeo and Juliet

2007-12-14T23:31:00.001+09:00

I read Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous love stories in the world. But it is more than a great love story. It is also about life and death, happiness and sadness, and the terrible hate between two great families.

I like Juliet’s line, 'Oh Romeo, Romeo- why are you called Romeo? It is only your name that is my enemy. You are yourself, not a Montague. What is a Montague? It isn’t hand, or a foot, or an arm, or face'. I understand that Juliet likes Romeo from these lines.

They loved each other. But there was an invisible barrier between people. The Romeo family and Juliet family was enemy. But they had made a match of it. It was secret. He left from her. He heard she was killed. But it was not true. But he didn’t know that thing. So, he was very sad. She thought if a rumor was going about that she was dead, he must be come back. She had drunk the strong sleeping pill. He saw her. He thought she was dead. So, he killed himself. She woke up him side. She saw him body. She were determined she killed herself too. They died.

I think I can't do like them. If I have a lover, maybe I can't die for my lover.

[226 words]

To study Chinese

2007-12-14T23:00:00.000+09:00

I take Chinese in class. There was a class of Chinese today. I like Chinese because I am interested in China I have a friend who lives in China. She was exchange student in my university.
I have a dream that I go to China to meet her, and I want to speak in Chinese with her. Next year, the Olympic is held in Beijing, China. I want to watch a lot of match. I am looking forward to holding The Olympic. I thought I should study more hard in Chinese.

[91 words]

Book review2-10: The Beatles

2007-12-13T22:42:00.000+09:00

I read The Beatles. I like Beatles. My favorite their song is Let it be. Their song is very cool and makes all over the world people happy. I often sing their song in karaoke.

The year was 1963, and Beatlemania was only just beginning. Soon the Beatles had fans all around the world. For the rest of the 1960s their music led the way and they changed modern music forever. This book tells the story of the greatest band in the world from the early days in Liverpool to the Beatles’ music in the world today. I think they are great band all over the world.

[107 words]

learning with computers

2007-12-12T10:31:00.001+09:00

I didn’t like using computer before Writing class. Recently, I like using computer because I realize that learning with computers are very convenient for me. My typing test was too late. I want to more type faster.

[37 words]

My new friend

2007-12-12T09:47:00.000+09:00

I have a new friend who lives in Osaka. Her name is Ami. She is very, very funny girl. She speaks dialect of Kansai. I like dialect of Kansai because it is upbeat. Last Sunday, she came to Kumamoto. I was surprised, because she didn’t contact me. She came to Kyushu for the first time in her life. She seemed to warm in Kumamoto. She and I visited Kumamoto castle, Tsuruya, which is department store in Kumamoto. She looked very happy. I promised her. 'I'm going to Osaka next spring'.

[90 words]

Book review2-09: Audrey Hepburn

2007-12-12T00:46:00.000+09:00

I read Audrey Hepburn. Audrey Hepburn was a beautiful and great actress. I have never watched her movies, but I know Roman Holiday. She was very cute and beautiful. I like her smile. I think she great actress. The world loved her, and people love her now….I think. She was born in Brussels on May 4, 1929. She liked dancing. Especially, she liked ballet dancing. I have been surprised about her. It is that she can speak 5 languages- English, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch. I was surprised. I want to watch her movies. She died, but I think that she continue shining forever.

[103 words]

Book review2-08: Who wants to be a star?

2007-12-10T21:05:00.000+09:00

I read Who wants to be a star? A main character of this book is Tina Daniels. She is a famous TV star. She is 13 years old. She can sing and dance. Everyone knows her.

Her mother is very strict her because I think her mother expects too much of her. Therefore, she is unhappy, so she wants to get away from it all, and she ‘disappears’ to the countryside to learn another way of life.

She spent in a house of the grandmother of the friend foe a week. The grandmother of the friend is Mrs. White. Mrs. White was very kind. She doesn’t know that Tina is famous star, but Mrs. White knew it with a newspaper. She called her mother.

I think Tina want to rid herself of her trouble. I understand little her feelings, but I thought it is important to have the courage that does not escape from there.

[155 words]

the late TV

2007-12-09T19:22:00.001+09:00

Introduction

I like watching TV program very, very much. It is very important for us to watching TV program because we get a lot of information and call for entertainment though TV. In Japan have many broadcasting stations now, for example, TBS, TV Asahi, Fuji TV, NHK and so on, but When a broadcast began in 1953, the broadcasting station was only NHK. After that, many broadcasting stations appeared. I will talk about history of TV and late TV.

Body

When a broadcast began in 1953, the broadcasting station was only NHK. The broadcast of the color television began in 1960. However, the broadcast of the color TV was only one hour per day. I have heard how did you think about old TV. She said, ‘ It was hard to watch the old TV with black and white, but now, TV is big and a picture is clean by a color. TV is essential for us ’ I think it, too.

The TV is changing from analog broadcast to digital broadcast now. Japanese people call chideji. The TV of my house changed digital broadcasting, too. It was very convenient and because I understand the information that I want to know in a matter of seconds. For example, If you want to know about the weather outlook for tomorrow, when you push the d button, you can know the weather outlook for tomorrow immediately. This is called data broadcasting. The analog broadcast is abolished by 2011. I think that the digital broadcast spreads greatly. In addition, people buying TV will increase.

Recently, even a cell phone can watch TV. Japanese people call wansegu. The image is very beautiful. I don’t have a cell phone with TV. I want to cell phone with TV. I think it became very convenient.

Conclusion

Anyway, The TV has evolved into a powerful worldwide information and media. Then, I think the TV evolves more and more from now on. I want to expect a cleaner image and the TV of the sound quality.

[338 words]

Furisode

2007-12-08T21:19:00.001+09:00

Today, I wore furisode, it means long-sleeved kimono. It took 3 hours to prepare makeup and wearing kimono. I finished preparations and watched a mirror. ‘eh, Who are you? ‘ I was unbelievable because I thought I became beautiful…. Everyone said ‘you are very beautiful and like a model.’ I was shy.
I will wear it January 14th, Coming of Age Day again. I look forward to meeting many friends.

[72 words]

Chiritotechin

2007-12-04T23:07:00.000+09:00

I like watching TV. My favorite TV program is Chiritotechin on channel NHK recently. It is a series of hearty drama. This drama is very interesting to me. A heroin of this story is Kiyomi Wada. She brought up in Fukui Prefecture who moves to Osaka in search of her soul. In Osaka, Kiyomi becomes enchanted with the traditional Japanese comic storytelling and pursues a career in comic storytelling.

I’m addicted to this TV program because I think that I look like the heroine a little. Kiyomi is naturally all thumbs. She doesn’t have a dream. She has a lot of complex. She hates herself, but she finally found a dream. It is a comic storyteller. I cannot foresee the development of story yet, but I think She will be a great comic storyteller. If you have time, watch it please.

Chiritotechin's home page is here

[141 words]

bad cold

2007-12-02T21:52:00.000+09:00

I have caught a cold since last week. I have a runny nose and cough. It is bad cold, so I absented from classes. I want to cure a bad cold early.

[32 words]

Community activities

2007-11-26T17:01:00.001+09:00

Introduction

I have lived in Kamidai, Kumamoto city for 6 years. There is Takahashi Inari Shrine near my house. It is held festival the first Horse Day of February every year. This festival’s name is called Hatsuuma.
By the way, when I was a high school student, I had learned about English conversation at Kumamoto City International Center for one year.
So, I will talk about Hatsuuma and Kumamoto City International Center.

Body

First of all, I will talk about Hatsuuma. Takahashi Inari Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. I always visit there on the festival’s day with my family. First, we pay homage at Oinarisan,it means one of the God of Japan. Then, we buy Hamayumi, an arrow which avoid evil spirits or jinxes. After that, we went and saw around yatais, it means small stall sells grilled chicken, apple candy, grilled squid, cotton candy, octopus fritters, yakisoba, and stuff like that. The next day, when I was a high school student, I used to clean up the festival as a volunteer. There is scattered after the festival very much, so cleaning is very, very hard. After that, A Shinto priest gives us a charm for thanks. I thought that to volunteer is very important.

Second, I will talk about Kumamoto City International Center. There is in the center of Kumamoto City. When I was a high school student, I had learned about English conversation there. We can learn the language of not only the English but also various kinds language learns here. For example, Chinese, French, Korean and so on. I want to learn Korean because I like watching Korean movies. In addition, there are a lot of foreigners here, so if you can go there, you make a lot of friends.

Kumamto City international Center's home page is here

Conclusion

I thought that Kumamoto City has much community life. I understood that we could obtain various knowledge and experiences by associating with an area. I thought that I wanted to have community life from now on.

[342 words]

My hobbies

2007-11-21T09:30:00.000+09:00

My hobbies are playing soft-ball tennis and watching movies. Recently, I played soft-tennis with my friends near my house last Sunday, but this day was very, very cold and the wind was blowing very, very hard. When I high school student, I belonged to soft-ball tennis club. It was very exciting sports. My position was forward.

I watched movie, Marie Antoinette. It was very beautiful color, and I look delicious cake, so I want to eat it. I think that this movie is very sad.

[85 words]

Book reveiw2-07: Newspaper Chase

2007-11-18T22:22:00.001+09:00

I read Newspaper Chase. This story was interesting to me.

A character of this story is Harry. He is thief. He could steal the picture from art gallery. When he out there, he fell the blue glass vase and broken a hundred pieces. Then he went to home. He hid the picture in the newspaper. Next day was newspaper recycling day, so his roommate take out his newspaper. Two policemen arrested him as theft. I thought he is fool because he should have obscured it.

[85 words]

Marie Antoinette

2007-11-18T22:20:00.000+09:00

I watched "Marie Antoinette". The leading of this movie is Kirsten Dunst. She is very, very cute. When Marie Antoinette succeeded to the throne of France, she was 18 years old.

I thought a bored this movie because I cannot foresee the development of story. I thought lengthy movie. However, costumes are very beautiful.

this movie's home page is here

[60 words]

An Inconvenient Truth

2007-11-17T16:30:00.000+09:00

I watched ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ because I learn environment in class, so I was interested with it. This movie was questionable. I though we should think it over carefully. This movie was a lot of terrible sight, for example, Mount Kilimanjaro was covered with snow 30 years ago, but the snow has thawed now. The earth is thawing fast. It is global warming.

Various gases such as carbon dioxide are building up in the Earth’s atmosphere and stopping the heat of the sun from escaping into space. The result is that our planet is gradually becoming warmer. Carbon dioxide is released when we burn fuel such as oil, gasoline. These fuels are our main source of energy. People all over the world are using these fuels to drive their car, heat their houses and so on. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing day by day. Winters are becoming warmer, weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable, and disasters caused by floods and storms are becoming more common.

Mr. Gore continued appealing about global warming. I think he has a lot of guts and if he had been President, he would have solved global warming, so I respect him. A Nobel Prize for peace was awarded to Mr. Gore. I was amazed to hear the news. Anyway, we must take the situation seriously, for that reason I think that it is important to think about ‘what should I do now?’

home page of 'An Inconvenient Truth' is here

[241 words]

After school...

2007-11-17T12:26:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I went to Swiss, café, with my friend after we finished class. We ordered to cake set. It was very, very sweet, but I thought it delicious. I thought I want to go to there again. After that we talked about our homework, dream and Coming of Age Day there. We were there for nearly 1 hour when we noticed it, but we had a good time.

[68 words]

Use my blog

2007-11-14T09:20:00.000+09:00

I use a blog, website, text of the orange book. When I use my blog, I study writing’s homework, I write a diary and website, too. When I use orange book, I recode book title and comment. It was very, very convenient, but I sometime use it because It was troublesome for me.

[53 words]

Proto-portfolio2-02: Essays

2007-11-13T12:37:00.000+09:00

Fall Semester Essays

Essays	Short titles [+ links]	Dates yy.mm.dd	¶	W	C	L	P	M	Notes
Mega- essay 07.10.12	Kumamoto	2007.10.16	22	1487	0	0	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 07.10.26	Neccesary places	2007.10.26	5	384	0	0	0	0
Movie review 07.11.11	Toy story 1	2007.11.11	5	410	5	1	1	0
4th essay 07.11.25	Community activities	2007.11.26	5	342		1	1	0
5th essay 07.12.09	the late TV	2007.12.09		338		4	1
6th essay 07.12.21


Totals	---	---							---

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs three 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

Book review2-06: Police TV

2007-11-11T21:18:00.000+09:00

I read “Police TV”. This story kept me suspense.
Dan and Sue are police officers in London. ‘Every day someone steals money from people near the shops. We must stop this’, says Dan. Dan suspects runner, near the shops because every day he runs near the shops, so Dan thinks runner steals the money.

One day, Old woman’s purse has been stolen. There was young woman the long and that runner. Young woman just helps old woman. Dan and Sue asked runner. ‘Why do you go running past the shops every day?’ He said, ‘I like running’. So, he hasn’t stolen old woman’s purse.

Dan and Sue think they investigate use of the TV camera. Various people were reflected in the camera, but Dan and Sue suspect that young woman. They decided sting operation. As one expected, she appeared there. They could catch her, but she has partner. It is her husband.

I think this story excited because we don’t understood a suspect until the last. I recommended this book.

[170 words]

Movie review: Toy story 1

2007-11-11T16:02:00.000+09:00

Introduction
I have never watched “Toy story”, but I watched it. The animation movie, especially Disney animation movies didn’t interested me until I watched it because I can foresee the development of the story and foresee end of the story. However, “Toy story” was very good movie because I couldn’t foresee the development of the story and I thought that we were thought by this movie. For example, jealousy, treasure things and friends and so on.

This movie won an Academy Special Achievement Award. Toy story was released by Disney in 1995. Director is John A. Lasseter and Voice appearances are Tom Hunks, Tim Allen. Of course, Tom Hunks is Woody, Tim Allen is Buzz.
There are many individual characters in this story. For example, Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato head, Rex and so on. They are toys of Andy. Andy is 6 to 7 years old boy. He likes toys. His favorite toy is Woody, but one day, Buzz lightyear appears in front of him. What will he do? Sid is a boy living next to Andy’s home. His favorite thing is to break toys.

Body

Woody is an Andy’s favorite toy. And he is the leader of Andy’s toys, but one day Andy gets a new toy when it is his birthday. It was Buzz lightyear. He is space ranger and he became an Andy’s favorite toy at once. Woody had jealousy to Buzz lightyear. Woody pushed away Buzz lightyear from the window. His action was animated by jealousy. Woody tries to save him and it is start of the adventure. They went to planet pizza. Planet pizza is restaurant. They find Andy, but they are caught by Sid. They try to escape Sid’s house because he breaks toys. They succeeded in escaping from the house of Sid. And they could back to Andy’s house.

I have two favorite scenes. One scene, Woody is going to be jealous of Buzz lightyear because I sympathize with Woody. Not only the toy but also the human being has jealousy. I have jealousy, too, but I thought I want to throw away it because hurt my treasure friends by jealousy. The other is chase scene. As a last resort, They used rocket, I thought good idea it.

Conclusion
This story makes me exciting and think. I thought that I must treasure toys. This movie has second part. I want to watch “Toy story 2” someday. I thought animation movie was very good.

Toy story's is home page here

[410 words]

Japanese culture

2007-11-07T09:24:00.000+09:00

I talked about Japanese culture. Japanese culture is very, very good culture because Japan has many kinds of culture. For example, food, clothes, language, building and so on. Food is much kind. For example, sushi, sukiyaki, yakiniku and so on. I like sushi very much. I think that all over the world people likes, too, because there are sushi bar all over the world.
[64 words]

Book review 2-05: Kim's choice

2007-11-02T15:54:00.000+09:00

I read “Kim’s choice”. Kim likes running very much. Kim’s father takes her to the athletics club every week. She runs very fast and she wins competitions. Her father is happy, but sometimes Kim thinks, “I never go out with my friends. I only go to the club with my father”. She didn’t have a freedom because her father was very strict. She had a boyfriend. His name is Curtis. She is very happy.

One day, she promised a date with him, but the day before she must take part in competition, however, she decides to date with him in disco. Her father was very angry, but she went to disco. Therefore her father doesn’t go with her, she doesn’t go home again, and she doesn’t go to the athletics club.

I think that Kim’s father is very, very strict because she didn’t have a freedom. I think her father must have given to Kim a freedom. However, Kim chooses her boy friend.

[163 words]

Book review 2-04: Dead Man's River

2007-10-29T16:42:00.000+09:00

I read Dead Man's River. It is the time of the America Gold Rush. The main character is Jonas Clark. He loves Hetty Gray, but her father opposes to marry because he is too poor. I thought that her father were spiteful to oppose their marriage. Jonas wants to get money, so he went to Dead Man's River.
Two men threaten Harry with gun. Harry is mining engineer. Jonas watched this situation. He followed to help Harry. He helped Harry, get a lot of money from Harry.

They have made a match of it. Her father permits him to marry with her. I think that after all, it proved money.

[110 words]

Book reveiw 2-03: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

2007-10-26T23:47:00.000+09:00

I read Sleepy Hollow. It was very funny story. The main character of this story is Headless horseman, Ichabod Crane, Katrina and Brom Bones. Headless horseman was the soldier long time ago. His head still lies somewhere on the battlefield. Every night, he rides back to the battlefield to look for it.

Ichabod loves Katrina, but Borm loves her, too. Ichabod is schoolmaster in the village. He is not handsome. Borm is very different from Ichabod. He is tall and handsome.

One dark night, Ichabod saw the Headless Horseman. Headless Horseman ran after Ichabod. He was really terrified- he was very, very frightened, so he escapes from the village. The people of Sleepy Hollow worried about him. But he lives in New York.

Actually, Borm impersonated Headless Horseman because he wanted to gain Katrina. I thought it was very, very funny. I have watched movie “ Sleepy Hollow”, so This story was very different from movie. I was surprised, but I was very interested this story.

[166 words]

Necessary places

2007-10-26T23:35:00.000+09:00

★Necessary places★

Introduction
I thought that the most favorite place in Kumamoto. After all I think that the most favorite place is my room. Amakusa and Hitoyoshi are the parent’s houses, so I often go to there. I think that therefore I like their places.

My room
I have my own room. My room has an eight-mats room. My room has many necessary things. Therefore it is very convenient. For example, there are a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, an air conditioner, and a piano. So I can spend every day comfortably. Many comic books are there because I like to read them when I have a free time. Recently, I’m addicted to read “Touch”. It is baseball comics. It is very interesting. So, I live in one's room by every day. Perhaps I may not be relaxed if I live in the room of the younger sister. Because it is not interfered a person, it is good to have my room.

Amakusa
My mother was born in Amakusa, so my grandparents live in there. I often go to Amakusa. The sea of Amakusa is very beautiful. A heart is healed very much when I watch the sea. In addition, I think that it is good to hear the song of seabird, too. Because fish and shellfish are fresh, it is very delicious. Amakusa can experience what I cannot experience in Kumamoto.

Hitoyoshi
My father was born in Hitoyoshi, so my grandparents live in there. I sometimes go to Hitoyoshi. That famous place is Kuma River. When I was little girl, I experienced Kuma River descent. I was very scare and thought that a ship overturned, so the ship’s roll made me sick. I was full of adventure. My grandparents have a dog. Her name is Nami. She has blue eye and brown eye. She is cute. When she and I take a walk around field, My heart is healed very much, so I’m looking forward to seeing her. Therefore, I like their place.

Conclusion
My favorite places were full of relax, healing, adventure and curiosity. I thought that I always seek relaxation, healing and sometimes adventure in the favorite place. I think that I’m not able to enjoy if lack even one of these elements. These places are necessary for me.

[384 words]

My friends

2007-10-24T09:20:00.000+09:00

I have some friends. I will introduce my friends. When I was first year student, I made a lot of overseas students. One of the overseas student, Kaka, I will introduce her. She is from Chinese. She is good at dancing. I saw her dance. She was beautiful. She tell me about dance, but I can’t dance. I and She went to eat Sushi. She likes sushi very much. But, She went back to China. I was miss her, but we send E-mail sometimes. I think we are good friends.
[90 words]

Sushi ber

2007-10-20T23:17:00.001+09:00

Today, I went to eat dinner with my family at Otaru-ko. Otaru-ko is sushi bar's name. I love sushi very much. I ate 10 dishes. It was goooood taste. A yellowtail is one of my favorite shusi. The yellowtails were delicious with just enough fat, but the best delicious season is winter. If you go to shusi bar, be sure to eat it.
[63 words]

Proto- Portfolio 2-01

2007-10-17T10:18:00.000+09:00

**Proto-Portfolio 2-01: Reviews, Posts and Words**
Months	08	09	10	11	12	01	Totals	fn	Indices
Book reviews	0	0	4	3
Blog posts	2	7	13	12
Words	104	485	2626	1741
Sub-totals	106	492	2639	1753				---

Appetites

2007-10-17T09:25:00.000+09:00

I have appetites because it began fall. I like fried chicken very much. I ate a lot of fried chicken yesterday. So, I have appetites. This fall season, I want to eat many fruits, and vegetables and sweets.
[38 words]

Mega Essay

2007-10-16T21:13:00.000+09:00

KUMAMOTO
Introduction
Kumamoto has a lot of specific characteristics. We chose 5 topics from them. We would like to introduce about Kumamoto Castle, Food, Water, People, and Historical cultural fortunes
Castle
Kato Kiyomasa
Kato Kiyomasa served it as a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and he fought in one place after another in each place and showed a military exploit. He became a feudal lord of Higo Kumamoto. He became a vassal of Tokugawa in Hideyoshi posthumously and I gave a military exploit by a fight of Sekigahara and became Higo Kumamoto feudal lord.
Build
There is Kumamoto castle in the center of Kumamoto. Another name is “Ginkgo castle. Kumamoto castle is famous castle in Japan. The characteristic of Kumamoto castle is Musya-gaeshi. It is the wall that warped diagonally. The wall is made of a lot of stones. This wall was made to prevent a samurai from entering in a castle. In addition, Musya-gaeshi is sold as a Japanese cake. The view to watch from the castle tower is very beautiful.
Memorial Festival
There are some events because Kumamoto castle was built for four hundreds years ago. Every year, in Knmamoto castle has same festivals to see cherry blossoms and morning glory. However, this year’s events are held special festivals which are Japanese traditional dances in every season. I want to appreciate the dance because I have never seen it.
Food
Horse meat
Kumamoto is known as the birthplace of Horse meat. In Kumamoto, we eat raw horse meat. We call it “Basashi”. I think to eat Basashi is unusual custom. We soak it in soy sauce and eat. Some people eat with the spices such as grated ginger or the leek. There may be the person saying that I feel sorry for a horse. I think it is right. But how about cow, pig, fish and so on. We eat many animals. Horse meat is same thing. Horse meat is popular as a souvenir. You can also get a horse meat pie as a souvenir.
Chinese noodles
There are many restaurants of Chinese noodles in Kumamoto. In particular, Tamana’s Chinese noodles is famous nationwide. This soup made from bone of pigs. Cook it stow for a long time. This soup’s taste is rich.
Sweets
Koubai is the most famous sweets shop in Kumamoto. “Jindaiko” is best sweets in this shop. It is sweet bean jelly and including bean paste. I think it is more popular among elder people than young people. It will be very pleased when you bring as a gift.
“Ikinari dango” is also famous Kumamoto sweets. It is local sweets of Kumamoto. It is made by mother and grand mother for long time in Kumamoto. Its recipe is easy. First, you cook crust. You mix salt and water into flour and knead them. After you knead, it is left around 30 minutes. Meanwhile, peel sweet potato and cut for a bite size. Next, you put bean paste on a piece of sweet potato. May be it taking 30 minutes from the beginning. So it is good time to use crust. You divide crust equally for the right size. Then you wrap a piece of sweet potato and bean paste with crust. Finally you steam them. Actually “Ikinari” mean easy in Kumamoto dialect.
Water
Ground water
The capital of the water
Kumamoto City is blessed with water environment to be called "the capital of the water" for a long time. The places providing with all of water to use for the waterworks in cities more than a population of 670,000 people in groundwater are few nationwide.
Groundwater of Kumamoto
Because minerals melt a lot into it, the water of Kumamoto is delicious. The water of Kumamoto uses groundwater to running water.
Problem
People wastes groundwater recently. Groundwater is one of the limited resources. So we should use groundwater carefully. Kumamoto City appeals to the citizens to save water now.
Springs
Shirakawa spring
The spring water, "Shirakawa spring" are represents Aso. In the Shirakawa source of a river, water of 60t a minute springs out. This spring becomes First-grade River “Shirakawa”. In addition, this spring is chosen in "100 Japanese famous water" from the Environmental Agency.
Todoroki spring
Todoroki spring is chosen in "100 Japanese famous water" from the Environmental Agency, too. This spring has less quantity of the spring than Shirakawa spring. This water is sweet.
Rivers
Kuma River
The Kuma River runs into Hitoyoshi and Yatsushiro. The span of this river is 115 kilometer. Kuma River is torrent in Japan. A lot of people raft and enjoy it. In addition, you can catch a lot of Ayu in this river.
People
Dialect
In Kumamoto, there are some words which are spoken in only Kumamoto. There are many Kumamoto dialects in here. Kumamoto dialect is like with other prefecture in Kyusyu. If you went to Fukuoka, you can understand what people say. Then I often speak with Kumamoto dialect because I was born in Kumamoto. My favorite Kumamoto dialect is “tai”. Most of us speak “tai” in place of “dayo” in a sentence of the end. I’m proud of Kumamoto dialect because I like them. So, I want to keep speaking Kumamoto dialect if I live in other place.
Character
People living in Kumamoto has a character which many people mains other people’s careers. Most of them ask people’s careers even if they have never met before. I think we must not decide people’s character with several careers because we should be fair.
Famous people
Natume Souseki
He was a famous novelist in Japan. He stayed in Kumamoto because he taught English in Kumamoto University. He was wrote many novels before he died forty nine years old. His works are “Bottyan”, “I’m a cat”, “Sanshiro”, and “Kokoro”. They are read by many people now. I think his works is so difficult for me when I read them. Because he had an experience that he lived in Great Britain, I am interested in his novels.
Yukisada Isao
He is a movie director. He was born in Kumamoto and graduated from Kumamoto Daini high school. Most popular of his works is “GO”. He became very famous because he made it. I like his movies. Especially, my favorite one is “Spring Snow” because I have ever read the original novel. This movie’s image and story is very good. I made my mind move when I finished watching this movie. If you have a chance, you should watch it.
Historical culture fortunes
Bridge of water
Kumamoto has a big bridge of water. The name is “tujyunkyo” in Japanese. It is in Yamato town. It is an aqueduct of the water by putting a lot of rocks together built over the valley. Futa Yasunosuke who was a village headman all-out of the hometown made a plan in building and recruited a fund. It is chosen to 100 selections of an irrigation canal of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Stone stairs of 3333
Kumamoto has a stone stairs of 3333 in Misato town. It’s the longest in Japan. The stone stairway construction starts it from January 1980 and overtook 2,446 steps of Yamagata Mt. Haguro in November 1985. And Kumamoto’s stone stairs became number one in Japan, and it is completed in the end of March 1988. It is 3,333 steps of number of the total steps.
Yamaga’s garden lantern festival
This festival is annual festival. It held in every summer. Many women who from or live in Yamaga city are dance. They put a garden on them head. It is very beautiful. Every year many people come to watch this festival. I heard this dance is very difficult and hard work for women. They practice many times. Someone who was born in Yamaga city and graduate from Yamaga junior-high school and Yamaga high school can only dance on the stage. On same day, we can watch fireworks near the dance stage.
Conclusion
Kumamoto Castle was build by Kato Kiyomasa since 400 years ago. This Castle’s outside is very beautiful and it is very famous in Japan. Now, memorial events are hold in Kumamoto Castel. House meat is very famous as local dishes of Kumamoto. Chinese noodles and Ikinari dango are also famous food and they are popular food in Kumamoto. Kumamoto is famous as the capital of the water. Kumamoto City is blessed with water and it is very delicious because minerals melt in it. We have to save our precious water. Most of people in Kumamoto are use Kumamoto dialect, because we like our dialect. Kumamoto has a lot of famous person, for instance Natume Souseki, Yukisada Isao, and so on. Kumamoto has a lot of historical culture fortunes too. For example bridge of water, stone stairs, Yamaga’s garden lantern festival and so on.
Kumamoto has really a lot of specific characteristics. I think we can proud of that. I think Kumamoto is a very good prefecture

[1487 words]

★Cake★

2007-10-14T00:00:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I went to Okada Cafe with my friend. We ordered cake set. It was cost 680 yen. I ordered chocolate cake. It was good taste.

I want to go to there again.
[33 words]

Book review2-02: TINKERS ISLAND

2007-10-09T23:54:00.001+09:00

I read this book. This book is written by very easy English. So, It was easy for me to read this book. This story was Tinker and her father. It felt enviable that they lived freely.
[36 words]

Long time no see

2007-10-07T20:20:00.000+09:00

Today, I went to meet my friend to Tsuruya. We have known each other since we were pupil. Probably, I think that this will be a best friend.
Because I saw her after an interval of 6 years, we talk about each other 4 hours. I was very glad to meet her.
[52 words]

School festival

2007-10-03T09:15:00.000+09:00

Last year, I went to school festival only one day. It was interested. I ate Chijimi, Grilled chicken and so on. Chijimi is Korean food. It was very nice taste. I don’t belong to club. So, I was bored only a little with school festival. I want to belong to club, but I think that club is busy.

I will go to school festival this year. I’m look forward to guests.

[71 words]

Book review2-01: Sally's phone

2007-10-01T21:14:00.001+09:00

I read "Sally's phone". It was very good story. Sally always has her phone all the time. She has boyfriends, he is name Andrew. One day, She bought cafe and sitting down. Then a man appeared, and the man has dropped a bag of her. Two mobile phones have been replaced then. It changes her life.

They met to have you return phone. While they met, they were attracted, and she got acquainted with him.

I thought that it was a very good encounter. It was important for us to use the phone in our life.
[96 words]

Big roast porks

2007-09-30T17:47:00.000+09:00

Today, I went to eat a Chinese noodles with slices of roast pork in south-Kumamoto with my family. The shop's name is dai- shogun. When we arrived Chinese noodle shop, A line was already done. We waited at 30 minutes.

I ordered Chinese noodles with slices of roast pork, which cost 800 yen. It was good taste and I was surprised at the tender roast porks; besides It's big. I thought that it was the most delicious chinese noodle in Kumamoto. I recommend it.

Dai-shogun's home page is here
[89 words]

In Hokkaido

2007-09-30T00:46:00.000+09:00

This summer vacation, I went to Hokkaido by tour for one week. There were a lot of people of the generation same as me in a tour.

First day, I traveled to Osaka by plane. It took one hour. Then, I traveled to Kyoto by bus. I boarded a ferry for Otaru and stayed all day. Since I arrived at Hokkaido, I learned northern territories problem in a bus and enjoyed sightseeing.

The northern territories learned that it was a territory peculiar to Japan. Kunashiri island seeing from Shiretoko peak was very beautiful, but I cannot permit it that a Russian insists on an island now when it is a country of oneself. what do you think about The northern territories problem? I wish The northern territories problem is settled early.

←the back is Kunashiri Island

[109 words]

Welcome party

2007-09-29T23:51:00.003+09:00

Yesterday, I took part in welcome party at dormitory of overseas students. I went to dormitory at 6:00 P.M. There were many participant in welcome party, so I didn't eat foods and I couldn't speak overseas students, but I thought as it is. I decided to talk actively, so I made friends with many overseas students. I was so happy. I got addresses of overseas students. I enjoyed oneself.
[69 words]

Triphaina's diary: I love Kumanoto, but ....

2007-09-26T10:24:00.000+09:00

Triphaina's diary: I love Kumanoto, but ....

I read Chiaki's blog. I was interested her blog. First, title is very good and funny. My blog's title is "Kumamoto" It is very simple. My blog doesn't devise. Anyway, her blog is very good.

I thought that Kumamoto is hot and sticky, too. If you feel hot, why don't you move in North Pole? It's joke. I have never been to Shraito. Is it good place?

[67 words]

summer vacation

2007-09-26T09:27:00.000+09:00

I went to Hokkaido on summer vacation. I ate soft cream. It was very good taste. I studied the Northern Territories issue. It was difficult for me to understand, but I understand only a little.

I saw Kunashiri island. It was very good and beautiful view. I impressed this view. I went back to Kumamoto. After that I worked part-time job.

[61 words]

SOLARIA PLAZA

2007-09-25T16:33:00.000+09:00

I went to SOLARIA PLAZA in Tenjin, Fukuoka with my friends last Saturday. SOLARIA PLAZA is the shopping center. It is very popular with young people. I bought clothes. I was so happy, but my money has run out.....(><) My favorite shopping center is SOLARIA PLAZA.
[46 words]

20 years old

2007-09-20T23:23:00.001+09:00

Today, I became 20 years old. I didn't eat birthday cake. I ate many sushi instead. It was good taste. I'm so happy.

Our school began on today. I saw my friends after a long separation. I talked about summer vacation with my friends.

[44 words]

Peach puddings

2007-08-12T22:11:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, There was a hinokuni festival in Kumamoto. But I didn't go to watch it because I worked part-time job. I worked for nine hours on that day. It was very tired. However, there was a glad thing. Because I tried work hard, I got five peach puddings of Morozoff for nothing. It was good taste. Peach puddings are fantastic!

[60 words]

7/31

2007-08-08T23:04:00.000+09:00

July 31, I finished a test. It was very very tired.
After that, we held a party. We have enjoyed a party. I ate many dish. It was good taste.
After that, we took Purikura. I became the good memory for me this night.

[44 words]

Blog

2007-07-18T09:20:00.000+09:00

I didn’t like blog before taking this Writing class. I had 3 reasons. First, I hated it being read my blog by many people. Second, I thought that it was troublesome to make the blog. Third, I didn’t understand what I might write my blog. Now, I like blog very much. I’m interesting that put a lot of photos. I will want to renew my blog by this summer vacation. I am going to go to Okinawa. So I will want to take a lot of pictures.

Gmail and writing studio blog

2007-07-17T22:27:00.000+09:00

Gmail is very important for me because I try to reach Prof. Beaufait and many people. At first, I did not know Gmail. But, now I understand how to use a Gmail.
I use a Gmail except writing class. For example, I send a Gmail to overseas student. A Gmail is earlier than I send the email with a mobile telephone. So the Gmail can spend time effectively.

I'll talk about Writing Studio blog. It is Prof. Beaufait's blog. There are many kind of posts and many photo. For example, restaurants review, movie review, and so on. I think this is a fun blog.

Portfolio

2007-07-11T09:32:00.000+09:00

Writing IIIc: Portfolio
1.0. Essays

1.1. Catalog	Titles of posts with links	Dates (yyyy.mm.dd)	Numbers of words	Numbers of comments
Example	Restaurant: Star of India	2007.03.13	185	1
1st (introduction) April (150+ words)	Introduce oneself	2007.03.19	71	0
2nd (campus life) May (200+ words)	Campus life	2007.05.28	207	0
3rd (your choice) June 5 (250+ words)	My favorite	2007.06.05	222	2
4th (Kumamoto) June 18 (250+ words)	Kumamoto	2007.06.17	286	1
5th (review 1) July 2 (175+ words)	Web site	2007.07.01	181	3
6th (review 2) July 16 (200+ words)	Movies	2007.07.10	167	3


---	---	TOTALS:	1136	9

Note: Calculate totals without the example.

1.2. Selection and assessment: Which of those essays do you feel is the best, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons.

...I think"Kumamoto" is the best of my essays, because this essay is local, sentence is very long. So, it was very important for me to write this essay.

2.0. Comments

---	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments (yyyy.mm.dd)	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments*
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog	"Movie: Dreamgirls (Condon, 2006)"	2007.07.17	11	bad
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog	tennis and table tennis	2007.05.09	39	very good
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog	my dream	2007.05.14	30	very good
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts (yyyy.mm.dd)	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments*
2.4.1. Any one of your essays	Jack Sparrow	2007.05.30	41	So,so
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	2007.06.08	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	28	So, so
2.4.2. Any of your other posts	My favorite (＾皿＾)	2007.06.05	222	very good
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	2007.06.06	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	22	good

* Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post.

2.5. Additional reflections on comments:

... I got many comments from my classmate and Mr. Beaufait. But, I forgot to comment for them . Next semester, I want to comment and to write longer comments.

3.0. Typing Speed Trials (5 mins.)

---	Numbers of words	Dates (yyyy.mm.dd)
3.1. Worst typing speed trial	36	2007.04.11
3.2. Best typing speed trial	88	2007.06.13
3.3. Average speed for three (3) most recent speed trials	80	2007.07.18 2007.07.11 2007.07.04

4.0. Book Reviews

4.1. Catalog	Titles of posts with links	Dates (yyyy.mm.dd)	Number of words	Numbers of comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	2007.05.16	39	1
1-01	Diana princess of Wales	2007.04.25	87	0
1-02	The wizard of oz	2007.05.07	46	0
1-03	Matilda	2007.05.07	107	0
1-04	Catch me if you can	2007.05.09	85	3
1-05	Gulliver's travels	2007.05.28	90	0
1-06	Titanic	2007.05.28	66	0
1-07	The Phantom of the Opera	2007.06.11	122	0
1-08	Hulk	2007.06.12	95	0
1-09	The devil wear the Prada	2007.07.02	82	0
1-10	Love or money?	2007.07.02	87	0
1-11	Alice in wonderland	2007.07.03	78	0
1-12	The Three Muskeeteers	2007.07.03	80	0








---	---	TOTALS:	481	3

Note: Calculate totals without the example.

4.2. Selection and assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best, and why? Please remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, and give at least two reasons.

...I think "the phantom of the opera" is the best of my book reviews, because it is many words and this book is good story.

5.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking & Media Presentation

---	Yes	No
5.1. Does your blog have an archive in the sidebar?	0
5.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	0
5.1.2. Is the archive organized by week?	0
5.1.3. Is the archive at the top of the sidebar?	0
5.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	0
5.2.1. Do your labels include each of these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural)	0
"essays" (plural)	0
"quickposts" (plural, with no spaces)	0
5.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	0
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? 0	---	---
Which labels, and how many posts each? Books(12) Dialy(17) essays (7) myself(3) proto-porfolio(2) quickposts(12)	---	---
5.3. Links & media	---	---
5.3.1. Does your blog include pictures?	0
Does your blog profile include a picture or graphic representation?	0
How many of your blog posts include pictures or other graphics? ... 21	---	---
5.3.2. Posts with multiple links	---	---
How many of your posts include three (3) or more links? ...6	---	---
5.3.3. Does your blog include other media?
How many of your blog posts include other media? ... 2	---	---

5.4. What would you most like to do to enhance the overall presentation of your blog?

... I want to enhance my blogger. Next semester, I want to check my blogger before put my blog.

6.0. Additional reflections on your blog writing:

...Before I start this class, I don’t like to write in English, because I was a slow typing and no idea. But now, I try to a fast typing. I want to be better blog.

7.0. Suggestions for your peers and successors:

...This class is very very fun. I think we studied hard by competing with each other. I think it is very good.

G-mail

2007-07-11T09:28:00.000+09:00

I like G-mail because this is very convenient. I use sometimes G-mail. When I was freshman, I made a friend in China. She was overseas student in Kumamoto Gakuen University. I sent her e-mail yesterday. She was graduation in

China

University. So I said Congratulation, Kaka. I was very happy. So I said “what are you going to do summer vacation? She said “I’ m going to go Kumamoto.” So I will meet her in summer vacation. G-mail is very important for me. (83 words)

Movies

2007-07-10T22:07:00.000+09:00

I like movies very much. Especially, I like the movie that Johnny Depp appears. For example, Sleepy Hollow, Nick of time, What's eating Gilbert Grape, Neverland, Charlie and the chocolate factory and Pirates of the Caribbean. I watched all these movies. I think that his all movies are splendid. I recommend, of course, Pirates of the Caribbean. Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow is very cool. At world's end is now showing. I watched this movie twice in the movie theater. It was very excited, interesting. But, it was difficult for me to understand this movie. So, I recommend that you watch this movie twice. If you don't yet watch this movie, you should watch it.

Now I remember, I applied for part-time job in the movie theater yesterday. I don't yet understand the result. But I want to work there. I applied for part-time job last year, then I didn't pass. But, this time I want to work there at all cost. Do you pass it?

Tim Burton's corpse bride

2007-07-08T22:38:00.000+09:00

I watched The corpse bride on the DVD. It was very good movie. Especially, animation is very good. I hear that it took ten years to make this movie. It was amazing.
Direction, Tim Burton is genius, Johnny Depp's voice was cool.

Tim Burton's corpse bride