Pidgin English in Hawaii

We can speak Japanese in Hawaii! Well, that's a kind of stereotype which many Japanese have in mind when they visit Hawaii. If you just stay at a hotel in downtown Waikiki, maybe you have a little time to speak English and meet some Japanese celebrities. But visiting Waikiki is just crazy for me and it's just like staying in Tokyo. I recommend you guys to visit rural areas if you wanna know "real" Hawaii. I mean, visiting the country side always helps your understanding toward the country when you travel. And if you wanna feel the spirit of aloha, of course you should talk to local people in Hawaii. So today I introduce you about the language in Hawaii. In Hawaii, English is mainly used, except for one small island where tourists are prohibited to enter. However, Hawaiian words are often included in a conversation, and they speak Pidgin English too. Pidgin English in Hawaii was gradually made by immigrants who came from Tahiti, Samoa, Japan, China, Portugal, etc...many years ago. First they couldn't communicate each other, so they made their own style of language using their local languages. That's a Pidgin English. If you know this, it's much more fun to travel around Hawaii. But speaking Pidgin English too much is no good for tourists. For example, let's say hello to local Hawaiian people. "Eh! Brah/Sistah, Howzit!?" means "Hey brother/sister, how's it going?" "Brah" is used for dear male friends, and "Sistah" is used for dear female friends. Another example. Tag question is easy! "It's cool, isn't it?" is "It's cool, yeah?" Many countries seem to have their own styles of shortening tag question. At last, two Hawaiian words. "Aloha" means hello, goodbye, and I love you. "Ohana" means family. (Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten, according to Lilo & Stitch.) Moemoe time. Aloha.

the word of the year 2006

the word of this year was chosen by public and decided as "life" on December 14. I think it is really suits to the present condition. Recently like for a month or 2 month, the number of suitside sharply increasing. I think to place "life" as the word of this year have given the chance to think and discuss about the problems like suiside or marder in family or with friends. I hope every people realize the importance of life of each person.

Teaching English

I’ve been teaching English at Juku School since I entered this university. I’m teaching it to high school students, including grad-high-school students (students who graduated from high school, but for some reason they do not belong to any university). This is a big surprise to me. Because this means that I’m teaching it to students who are the same age as with me or even elder than I!!, though they do not know that I’m the same age with them. I generally work three times a week, but for this week I work five times!! How diligent I am!! Of course I work for money, but I have another purpose, which is related to “Teaching”. Teaching is to have the students understand what I want to say. To make my words understood, I have to speak simply, obviously and orderly. So I can improve my logical thinking. I’ll bet that this ability will be useful to my future work. For example, when I have presentation, this logical speaking is really necessary to make them persuaded. In short, my part time job is Isseki Nichou!!

Norovirus epidamic

I think many of you already know that right now in Japan, an epidamic caused by norovirus is spreading rapidly. And eariler this month, Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry issued warnings in 45 prefectures, all except Aomori and Okinawa. Also, today, there was a news that 32 guests who were staying at a hotel in Kusatu had symptom of of vomit and diarrhea. Among those, from 5 patients, the norovirus were found. Like the case here, mass infection has occured in many places. The spread of the norovirus is mainly caused by food poisoning, especially through foods like raw oysters. However, you can also be infected from the vomit of others suffering from the disease. In addition, norovirus can still spread for up to about 10 days after it has dried up, and only a tiny amount of the virus is required to make someone ill. To tell the truth, my brother was infected by the norovirus before many people noticed or paid attention. Fortunately, no other members of my family, including myself got infected. By wathchig my brother, I thought you have to go through great suffering if you were infected. To avoid the infection, I heard that you should wash your hand carefully before you eat. This is not a difficult thing to do. So, let's do what we can do to avoid the infection!

December

hi everyone! how are you guys doing? it's middle of december...... ALREADY! i cannot believe how fast the year went! and this month, i've been so busy... yes, it's SHIWASU. i like how we write SHIWASU in Kanji because it generally means SUPER BUSY, right? 2 weeks have left, so what are you gonna do? i think i'm gonna clean my room.... :D

Mr. Dok Guen married

I see the marriage of Mr. Dok Guen(I think this spel is wrong... but I'm so sorry I can't find his name in ENglish) is broadcasted well in some TV news shows and newspapers. Mr. Viet Guen and MR. Dok Guen was a Siamese-twins, the twins whose body was joined. Its cause was defoliant that U.S. army had scattered over the Vietam during the Vietnam war. Defoliant includes dioxin, so many people who were affected by it got cancer, miscarriage, stillbirth and congentional deformity, like Guen brothers. Some Japanese NPO has supported the brothers, and they underwent a operation to separate their body in Japan. I was glad that he married and started new life happily. But his older brother was still hospitalized by the aftereffect of the separating operation and such people who were affected difoliant have difficulties to live in society. And Japanese media just broadcasted that "the brothers were affected by defoliant" and hardly touch the fact that "it was done by U.S. army". Moreover the brothers were supported by Japanese NPO, but Japanese government almost supports new war in Iraq. At last, we have less information that U.S. used a lot of depleted uranium bombs which is also harmful for human like difoliant, in Iraq war. I can't imagine how he feels about those things...

Ｎｉｎｔｅｎｄｏ Wii

Recentry I often see the commercial messages of "Wii", a new game machine of Nintendo. We can use the controller as if it is tennis raket, car wheel, weapon etc. because it has a motion sensor. We play Wii by using our bodies. But for me Wii isn't so atrractive. Imagine you playing Wii alone. Don't you think that seems ridiculous? How do you think??

Christmas is comming!!

Hi, Do you have a plan for the christmas eve and christmas? Some people might think that it's weired Japanese celebrate that days. And I agree with the suggestion,however,isn't it OK to share good days ? I would like to hear your opinions about events in Japan such as christmas, halloween, and visiting to a shrine on New Year's Day.

YODOKU story

hi!!!! i read an interesting article reelated to North Korea.... a musical is the center of attention now in the U.S. that shows the present condition of home of the political prisoners in North Korea. in one of the seens of that story, a child are cut his hands just because of his robbing potato.... or a son hit his dad with whip to survive...... i can not imagin such a horrible things, can you??????? BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the reality in the North Korea is more and more and more cruel stated by a perso who were in the home..... it is a soooooooo big problem but also very difficult one............. how do you feel??????????

Do you know the ATM robbery in Tochigi prefecture? The ATM machine was draged by a car and 7,600,000 yen was robbed. Last Thursday, 242,000 yen which are thoght to be the part of the robbed money was found in total 22 place in Tochigi, Gunma, and Tokyo all with adhesion of green ink. The police is presuming that the ink adhered when taking out the money from the ATM. When I heard this news, I thoght it's very daring and excessive. In my image, robbery a thing people do on the sly and a dramatic robbery is something only in Hollywood movies (like "Ocean's 11"!). But these days, crimes in Japan tend to grow more and more extreme. I anxious about the moral of Japanese people. We used to be able to say that Japan is a safe country with moral and order with no doubt, but now...... I think it's a litte doubtful. What do you think?

Vivisection was Performed by Japanese navy

Hi. I read an horrible news relates to WWⅡ in newspaper. A man who was a Japanese soldier revealed that the navy medic had performed vivisection on Filipino people during the WWⅡ. The navy experiment many things on them in spite of the fact that they were still alive. Such Japanese testimony about what happened during the war had not been heard beause few military units survived. The man said, "I want tell the truth about war to as many people as possible. If I given the opportunity, I will continue to testify in atonement." The histrical problems such as between China or Korea are often argued, we hardly hear the cruel thing done by Japanese. When I watch TV, I saw the people who criticize the other country and I sometimes feel it is one-sided. I think not only other countries but also Japan need to rethink the history.

Illigal Mexican Immigrants

Recently, I read an editorial about Illigal Mexican immigrants crossing the border to U.S. in the newspaper and I would like to talk about it here. United State is facing a serious problem of illigal immigrants from Mexico. These people are serving as a economic power in the states because they can be hired in low wages. On the other hand, these illegitimate immigrants are getting education and social welfare without paying tax, so many Americans are concerned with it. In the mid-90's, some cities like San Diego started to create fences strengthened securities near America-Mexico border. However, after setting securities, the number of immigrants had doubled by the year 2000. The editor said that illigal immigrants are invading through certain places where security is weak, since the border is as long as the length of Japan Island. Also, before setting securities at the border, immigrants were able to go back to Mexico and come to United States easily. But after placing guards, they decided to stay in the U.S. because it will be difficult to cross the border again. I think this problem is very difficult to solve. If U.S. is going to strengthen the border more, the country needs more money to do so. If U.S. stops to guard the border, will the number of immigrants decrease? I don't think so. Also, there's high posibility of terrorist attacks if the border is unsecured. What do you think U.S. should choose to do?

forgetting

I know that people have an ability to "forget" but is it true? Even so I can't use that ability freely.... I think it is none sense if I can't control... The things I have to remenber are easily forgetten, and the things I want to forget stay in my head. I think if we could use the ability to "forget" any time, our worries or suffers would dicrease or disappear and we would able to live more comfortable.

Paper dectionary v.s. Electric dictionary

I read today's Asahi Shimbun and found one interesting article from it. These days the electiric dictionary(in Japanese Dehshi-jisho) has become popular. Especially among us students, such dictionary is useful to look for the word fastly and easily. On the other hand, dictionaries which made from paper has reduced its user. The sales decreased by 40% from 1998. So the makers are surprised at this state and seek the new way to approach their business to electiric one. From this article, I remembered that some my teachers said we should use paper dictionary. I was convinced that my teacher was right, without thinking why they said so. Do you know why paper dictionary is good for us to study? Also, I have paper dictionary but actually I don't use it because I rely on my electric dictionary. But I notice that we should use it... How can I use it in which situation...?

Learning Language

I'm worried about my future because I don't know what I wanna be in the future. I think many communication students have the same problem. Our major is international communication, but the lecture is only once a week, and it's a kind of boring. Also, politics and economics students can take the class freely. We are learning language well. Yes, that's it! We have many English classes and we are learning another language too. But recently I strongly feel that I should have my own opinion about things because language is just a tool for communication. What you tell is important, not how you tell the things fluently. So I should have much time for reading newspapers and books to get knowledge about things and catch up with the latest events. But...I always find myself ending up in sleeping in the train, opening a newspaper or a book. I'm tired! Help me!! I need a vacation!!! Anyway, I'll think of my future positively.

Learning Language

I'm worried about my future because I don't know what I want to be in the future. Many communication students have the same problem. Our major is international communication, but the lecture is only once a week, and it's a kind of boring. Also, politics and economics students can take the lecture freely. We are learning language well. We have many English classes and we are learning another language too. Learning language is very important and I like it. Maybe that's why I'm here. But I strongly feel that I should have my own opinion about things. Language is just a tool for communication. What you tell is important, not how you tell the things fluently. So I have to have much time for reading newspapers and books. I should get knowledge and catch up with the latest event. Time is money. But I always end up in sleeping in the train, opening a book or a newspaper. I'm tired... Help me! I need a vacation...ha ha

Mary

Hi, I just thought when do you want to marry? We 're university students right now but do you have a time to think about marriage? I just wonder if you guys think that seriously. In Japan, the average age of marriage is delaying and it causes a problem, less number of children.It directly relate to the matter. I would like to hear your opinion!! By the way, I 'm a single :)

Brazil starts to protect great portion of Amazon

This week, I read a news article about Amazon forest. On Monday, December 4th, the Brazilian government announced that two areas of the Amazon foreast will be placed under government protection. The Conservation International will put up $1 million to expand the preserves to the north, where much of the land is untouched. The Amazon forest in Brazil is known as the home for many bird and animal spieces and contains more than 25% of the world's remaining humid tropical forests. However, already about 20% of the forest has been destryoed by cutting trees and farming. By placing the forest under the government, endangered animal spieces can be protected and prevent deforestation. Also, to my suprise, in these areas threre have been serious conflicts between forest defenders and ranchers. Unfortunately, some of the protesters were shot and killed in the lawless jungle. So the new protected areas will help break the power of ranchers who often own plots of land.

Yubari-city

Recetly the news about Yubari-city gathered big attention. Yubari-city was flowrished around 1940-1970 because of its coal. Once there were more than 100,000 people in the city but closing of mines led the city to small and less income. People thought the withering city was big issue; consequently they tried to change their main works from mining to tourism and gather people again. However this new tourism didn't go well at all. The attractions which they founded are less attractive but municipal government has continued to found new attractions. And above all, Yubari is very cold so many attractions are not available during winter, almost half of year. Moreover, municipal government hid the facts that their new tourism went not well and made a great deal of debt... When municipal government revealed the facts, the amount of their debt was reached 36,000,000,000 yen. 360 oku-yen!!! The government was bankropted. The govenment decided to cut the public service costs and rise taxes in order to pay the debt back people in 20 years. It means people in Yubari have to live under the lowest living standard in 20 years from now. Public facilities will be close, municipal nursing home will be abolished, municipal hospital will be reduced in scale... This increasing in burdens is severe problem especially for Yubari, which holds 40% of population as elderly people whose ages are more than 65. Also tax for waste treatment and edcational expenditure will increase. Therefore a family including elder grandparents and young grandchildren will face serious finacial crisis. In such oppressed city, the population would decrease to 6000, according to economists. I felt really sorry for people in Yubari. I don't think that all the responsibility belong to the municipal govenment, but the govenment must have consider whether their tourism was going well or not, and it has decieved people; the sin is heavy. Are there any idea to help Yubari-city? Also I would like to tell you guys one fact that Japanese government has far more amount of debt to us. So someday Japanese govenment might be bankropted!?!? Thak you for reading such long article..

Green Santa Claus

According to Sankei Newspaper, ambassador of environment in Denmark, who is Green Santa Claus, visited city hall of Osaka. Green Santa Claus appealed to mayor that since there is environmental destruction recently, fir trees are decreasing and dears are losing places to live, and that is making children's Christmas into danger. Green Santa Claus visits many places in November and December every year to appeal the importance of preventing global warming. I think environmental problem is becoming very serious. It is important for children to know the importance of environment. I think children can learn kindly but seriously about environmental problem from favorable Green Santa Claus.

Christmas illumination

Hi. Did you see a lighting ceremony of Aoyama Gakuin University? These days, there are many beautiful illuminations everywhere in Tokyo. They are so beautiful and we can enjoy seeing them. However, it has bad aspect. It uses much electricity. So it would become the cause global warming. And I heard that it is bad for trees to have light. To see illumination is fun, but it has bad effect for nature. What do you think about it?

Hello. I've read short article about the Internet.

On Sunday the number of people who are using the Internet was reported. The US is the highest number in people who are using the Internet which is 1,8500,0000. Japan was next to China and the third place.

I was suprized that Japan is higher than other developed countries. But on the same time I realized that I am using the Internet in Japan.... The Internet become essential to my life now. I think it is useable and helps me a lot. However there is some problem with it too... For example, the using the Internet lets to leeking of infomation, or makes computer addicts. I think most things have good points and bad points on the same time including the Internet. When we use it we have to think of both good and bad points.

Christmas is coming soon!!

Hey you guys, how's it going!? Today I wanna talk about Christmas because we are now in "advent" season. One month before the Christmas day is the time for us to wait and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Anyway, do you bilieve in Santa Claus coming to your house? Do you get a present from Santa Claus every year? Do you think he is wearing Coca-Cola red costume? Well, I knew that Santa Claus was my dad when I was a 1st year student of junior high school. But now I still believe that he exisits in our heart and makes our dream come true. I still get a present from Santa Clause every year because he is supposed to visit my younger sister anyway, ha ha...thank you for coming!! But the real meaning of this celebration is not always understood. People are urged to buy Christmas presents, serve delicious dishes, eat cakes, and illuminate cities. But...what for? I heard that in the United States, Dec. 26th is the most busy day for department stores in the year. After they get presents in 25th, they want to get more. You know what I mean? For example, suppose that you got CD player on 25th. Then what you want? Yes! CDs!! You buy CDs on 26th...and that's why. Anyway, hope you have a wonderful Christmas!! ^o^

wearing makeups

hi GIRLS! do you guys like putting on makeups? i think it gives girls a little self-confidence because putting on makeups makes girls even prettier. :) when i dont wear makeups, although i dont wear too much makeups, i feel so depressed because i look at my face in a mirror, then start to think "i'm like KAO-NASHI(from Sen to Chihiro no Kami Kakushi)"... LOL and then i feel like doing nothing. haha too bad. what do you think? do you like it? what about guys? would you like to put on makeups??

pregnancy, marriage

hi everyone! i have a friend who got pregnant and decided to get married to her boyfriend. she is 18 years old, not japanese, and going to a high school. it was a big surprise for me. isn't she too young to raise a child? i don't know nothing about her bf, but i guess he's the same age as her. is he able to earn enough money for his wife and child? i doubt it.... i also have a friend who got pregnant and married like 2 years ago. she's 19, and japanese. and her husband is older than us, 26 or something like that. she said that she wanted to divorce from her husband once, but she thought that it wasn't good for their child so she decided not to divorce. and now my friend is doing good with everything. she wakes up at 6 every morning and make breakfast and OBENTOU for her husband. i woldnt be able to do that.... so, anyway, getting pregnant isn't a bad thing as you know, but we better think what would happen to us first. after getting pregnant, it's too late to regret.

Password

How many passwords do you have? There must be a lot! Bank account, Student ID number, any security, and more. Now, I have a problem... I have a credit card and I used it so often last month. However, I forgot how much I spent... Then, the only way to confirm is to log-on the web site of the credit card's firm. What was my ID number!? I fought against it for more than 20min., but ..... What I can do is to hope it won't be too much...

Japanese Trains

Hi, Do you know the news that the Keio line crashed into a car between Simotakaido and sakurajyousui. Fortunately, no one were injured, but I was surprised at the picture of the accident.the car was destroyed completely. When it occureed, I was near Sakurajyousui,becasuse I did part-time job until midnight. Several ambulances and appliances passed in front of me in hurry. Unlike foreign trains, Japanese trains are accurate and are believed that they are never late.Therefore, I think the number of accident doesn't decrease.

Chosing a course

Hello, I have a difficulty to choose a course for next year. Which course do you choose ,and how do you decide it? I would like to know your opinion.

influenza

I have a cold.... Yesterday,I was sleeping all day.I could noting.Just sleeping..... I wake up this morning and still feel bad.Of course,my physical condition is better than yesterday.Temperture is 37.5 degrees Celsius. I heard strong infulenza will be popular this winter. If you have it ,you have to spend tough days. So, you care about it in advance as soon as you can.

FLU

Hi!! i want to tell you about flu.... In korea, 6000 chickens died because of bird-flu. that flu was strongly toxic and so dangerous!!!! and about us human, there will be new kind of flu........ i am sooooooo afraid of that..... but!!!! a new kind of vaccine will be approved before next year☆★☆★ and our government is planning to stockpile that vaccine enough for 10 million people. however i have to strive to keep my healht with my lism of life, foods and so on...... be careful not tobe down with flu!!!!!

10 years after Princess Diana's Death

Next year, 10 years will have past since former princess Diana. Her sons, Prince William and Prince Henry are now planning to have a charity concert for their mother. The concert is planned on July 1st, which is princess Diana's birthday. The concert will be broadcasted throughout the world. It is said that many famous singers including Elton John are going to play on the concert. After I read this article, I realized how big princess Diana was. Even after she is dead, many people will do various things for her. At the same time, I realized how small I am. i will be forgotten after i'm dead...or maybe even while I'm still alive!!

About Death

Hi, there. This week, my pet has died,so I was really sad and thinking about death. I think most of us are scared of death. We know that everyone is going to die someday, but no one think it might be a near future. We regret when our neighbors die, but it is too late to do something to the neighbors. Have you ever read a book called "Tuesdays with Morrie"?The story about old university professor who suffered ALS, and going to die within some years.But he faced with death bravely. In the book, Morrie(the old professor) didn't afraid of death. He wanted to show how he die, with happy and a satisfied feeling. If he can show the people "the sample of good dying", he could become a human textbook. Morrie said that;"To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That's the best way to have more involved in your life while you're living. Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." This book influenced me a lot. And this time, I read this book again. If I read this book earlier, I wouldn't feel sorry about my pet. My pet and the book lead me to think about death. I recommend you to read this book, and have a opportunity to think about death.

"Everyone's late but me"

Hi. Today, I read an strange article. According to a survey, nearly all Portuguese people think they are punctual but believe other Portuguese are not. The survey also showed that two-thirds of buisiness meetings in Portugal start late, and over 50% of buisinesses do not meet deadlines. I think it is funny. Don't you think? I felt that the survey represents the national character. I watched a TV program before in which many foreign people working in Japan talked about Japanese culture. They said that in their country, they decide time to meeting 30 minutes earlier because people are not punctual and they are usually late for about 30 minutes. But, they have never heard such story in Japan. I think Japanese people are punctual when they work. And in Japanese factory, Japanese workers hardly make defective products. Those points are good. And I think I cannot notice those good points without comparison with foreign countries.

A winning prize=CAT

"Hide and seek only for the aged" was held in China. The content of this game is that about ten aged people hide in some buildings and one aged man/woman try to find others. The person who found most numbers was the winner. The winner was surved a prize, which was a cat. For most aged, this game seem to be hard exercise. Therefore, they get sweat by the time it finish. A doctor in China says that this game is good for old people's health and make them feel their childhood again. When I get old, I want to be a person who is able to run like kids.

Depopulation

Have you ever really feeled the decrease in population? Recently, I had a chance to go to the rural part of the west Tokyo several times. There were almost no high-rise bulidings, and the local taxi driver told me that the amusement park, the only place they can gather visiters, and many other shops are closing down. In that underpopulated town, there are few schools and there are no big department store nearby. So people need to go out of the town to do many of the things they want or need. This inconvenient causes the people to move out of the town and live in the center area of Tokyo. This causes the further decrease of the population in that town. It is a vicious cycle. Living in the center of Tokyo all my life, this is a surprise to me. We need to take the point that children cannot have their views in the future in their home town seriously.

South Korea's Kimchi threatened

Hello! Today, I read an article about South Korea's facing first ever trade defict in kimchi, Korea's traditional dish. According to JoongAng daily, Korean newspaper, South Korea's kimchi export to other countries dropped down 29 percent compare to last year. This is due to the increse of Kimchi import which is made from cheap Chinese cabbages. In fact, the sales of Chinese Kimchi increased to 76 percent in the same period. This means that South Korea is now importing more Kimchi than they are exporting. South Korea started to import kimchi from China since 1996. Why are imports incerasing in South Korea. This is because South Korean food service industry's demand is growing. These companies are in competitive situation and in order to cut the cost, they are using cheap Chinese Kimchi. When I read this article, it reminded me of similar situation in my country. In Japan, national rice industry is also suffering from cheap rice exported from China, U.S. and so on. But now, I think the situation is changing. Despite of the higher price, many consumers are choosing to buy Japanese rice which tastes better. Aloso, restaurants are putting more emphasis on quality than quantity or price. So, I think this trend will also appear in South Korea.

Visiting Asakusa

Today I visited Asakusa with my friend. After taking a picture at Kaminari-Mon, we walked Nakamise-Dori. We drunk Amazake (a sweet beverage made from fermented rice or sake less), tried some rice crackers, Imo-yokan (a sweet bean jelly made from sweet potatos), and Ningyo-yaki (one of the Japanese-style buns stuffed with azuki-bean paste). I ate too much but they were great! I recommend some Imo-yokan for you. We went to Asakusa shrine, where we tried fortune slips. Our slips were very good luck, and written in English too, for foreign visitors. Anyway, we had great time there in Asakusa, so you should visit there anytime soon!!

future dream

I entered this university to be a teacher at first, but dismissed to take the licence, for it was different from what i'd imagined... In this several month, I thought what I wanna do. Now, though I haven't ensured in detail, one field attracted me - food related jobs. There are a number of them such as chef, food coordinator, nutritionist and more. I love cooking, eating, and serving. This salad is one of my favorites! Your appetite will be satisfied, for there's tasty beef and more than 10 kinds of vegetables in it! it's wonderful, isn't it?:) However, there's a problem...I hate washing though I use many tools or dishes, so my sink is soon filled with them. Every time before start cooking, I have to wash them...LOL

Academic-background society

I saw a feature program about the studying abroad of Korean elemetary school's students. The program said that in South Korea it has become a trend to make young children in elementary schools go to overseas and study. It is famous that academic background is extremely important in Korea. So this studying abroad during elementary school days is one arrangement to gain the English skills in early years because English qualifications are required condition to be employed in upper-class companies. Australia is introduced as one of the typical country to study. For example one school in Sydney, 10% of the students are such students from Korea. The school adds Korean signs in front of their schoolrooms. The program tells also bad aspects of this boom. Children are too young to go to another countries alone, so in many cases parents have to go with the children. It leads many husbands and wives divorce. And there was the sad affair. One man died of disease, but his wife and child were in abroad for studying. And he was detected after 5 days. From the program, I realized that to dapt the academic-background society is sooooo difficult for me. "Strike while the iron is hot". I think it is true. If the student studied hard in thier young days s/he would become hardworker. However I actually disagree with making children adapt to academic-background society in so early years. I think childhood is important to grow one's mentality. They should have chance to think about and dream their future freely. It is very sad if a child studied without any thinking of himself and just because their parents forced them. But, if the society requires academic-background absolutely, should people do more practical things rather that have a daydream? I don't know. How do you guys think? Anyway I think Japanese students had better to follow them a little bit. Some Japanese students are too apathetic about their study...

Thanks

I found some picture book when I cleaned the room today.. The picture book was given by an ex-colleague when I quitted the job three years ago..(That job was nightmarished for me.. but I got good friends..) and she attached her message to me on the end of picture book.. I was trying reread.. The book moved me to tears.. Then I tryed translated the book from Japanese into English.. ummm.. something wrong?? It seems became like LOVE LETTER.. Between in Japanese and in English has several shades of meaning? or the story is love letter originally?? It's lovely story whatever...

shocking pictures

today, i was reading articles and some of them showed the pictures of bodies. a city was bombed and people were killed. they were burned. i've seen pictures of atomic-bomb victims before. everytime i see those picture, i get very shocked. there are a lot of murders and suicides these days... people shouldn't kill other people, or themselves. no one's unworthy to live, no one's allowed to kill people.. how come we kill each other? how come we kill ourselves?

recent news

Hi! How are you? Now, I am considering which course I will choose for next year. It affects rest of my college life so much , so I can't dicide right away... Anyway, today I heard the news about the man who killed cats and released the pictures of its dead body on the internet was arrested. He captured cats in nearby park and smashed its head under his foot and killed it. He said that little animals will hurt people so he did it for justice. I thought he is crazy. I love cats so I can't understand why he can do such a thing!! I heard some people likes to see cruely things or pictures... May be he is one of those people. I hope not to happen same kind of cases again.

"bridge" people

Hi, i saw the news that prime minister Abe and his wife visited Vitnam. I am interested in his wife Akie and her activities. she works to connect the world in many way, so i respect her a lot. another, there are many Japanese people work as bridges between the world!! Like Daisuke Matsuzaka or also Ichiro, matsui and so on, many japanese athletes are becoming popular and familier to foreigners with their wonderful performsnces. Or HikaruUutada or kinki-kids are also connecting the world with their songs. I think these people are important for all of us living on the Earth, because of the present globalization. We need some medium which is familier to us in order to communicate with people who have different backgrounds. I hope i can work as "bridge" like them even if wht i can do is smaller than them.

Shool will have green yard

Hi. Today I read the news that Tokyo-to decided that the schoolyard of all public elementary and junior high shools in Tokyo will be made of grass. They hope that it will prevent heat island phenomenon. It is the phenomenon of high temperature at small area. They also hope that children will play outside and improve their ability of exercise. I think it is great to have green shoolyard, because it is good for children's body. These days, some school have yard which is made of asphalt. If children play on the yard of asphalt, I think they will have load on their body like knees. However, there is no worry about it if schools have green yard.

APEC forum in Hanoi

Summit talks held among leaders of 21 countries of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Hanoi, where Abe has accidentally wore traditional Vietnamese ao dai costume. Even though the declaration included no mention of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, 21 leaders of APEC criticized North Korea for its recent nuclear test. For all APEC members, North Korea's disarmament has been a great concern. Another important point is that U.S. government proposed to create a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). However, Asian people generally take time to make consensus, so the idea of FTAAP is unlikely to be realized anytime soon. I'm interested in Asia-Pacific area because our peace and our development are closely connected to the situation of Asia-Pacific. By making economic relationships and by keeping peace, we should create a new strong community here in Asia-Pacific and overcome our identity problem.

U.S. soldier Pleads Guilty to Iraq Astrocity

Hi! Today, I read a terrible article. Last Spring, in Iraq, one of four U.S. soldiers raped a 14- year-old girl and killed her and her family. Then he was pleaded guilty Nov.15, and agreed to testify aginst others. When asked by the judge why he had paricipated in the attack, the solier said, " I hated Iraquis, Your Honor, They can smile at you, then shoot you in your face without thinking about it." I have watched a TV program before about a U.S. soldier escaping from Iraq. When he was in Iraq, he was almost crazy because he could not stand fight with people and he decided to desert from the battlefield. Now, though he lives with his family peacefully, he still has nightmare about the battle and he is afraid of big noise because it reminds him of war. So I thought that the soldier had also unusual mind in Iraq. In conditon of war, people might tend to commit such crimes more easily than usual. However, I think it is not completely impossible for him to have been rational. So I think it is proper that he was pleaded.

Gay Penguins

In Illinois, the United States, some people request that the book called "And Tango Makes Three", which is a book about homosexual penguins, should be removed from elementary school library. This book is based on a real story which occured 7 years ago. Some parents, who are conservative catholics, claim that the story of gay penguins is not good for education and shoud be taken away. However, the principal said that "Various kinds of people in different beliefs use the library" and the book is not planned to be removed. What do you guys think about this issue? do you agree or disagree with the idea of removing the book?

Iraq

I saw the news that UK president, Tony Blair recognized Iraq is not peace. I also think so. Japanese government help Iraqi reconstruct thier country,but it's not enough. America should adopt other measure,because Iraq is ruined because of America.

Thank you manner

Hi! This time, I would like to write my personal opinion! First, I have a question to all you guys. "Do you usually say "thank you", when you leave a restaurant you visited?" Today, I had a part time job at restaurant, but only few people said "thank you" to us. Recent Japanese don't have a feeling for appriciate to others?! We all work hard to come up to customer's expectations!!We all want to offer good service for customers.!But only a few people said us "thank you." I think it is a shocking phenomenon. So the request for you all is; to be a polite customers! Your "thank you"encourage all employees and make them happy! see-ya:)

Nobel Peace Prize 2006

I learned about Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank who received the Nobel Peace Prize this Year in another class last week. I didn't know about this bank before and was very impressed. Muhammad Yunus is a Bangladeshi who founded the Grameen Bank and started Microredit. Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to the unemployed, to poor entrepreneurs and to others living in poverty who are not bankable (2006/11/19 wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcredit 2006/11/16). I have a friend who use to live in Bangladesh and she told me that only 20% of Bangladeshi people are able to use electricity. I was very surprized that 80% percetn of the people live without electricity. Those people need help and what Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank did was great. It's not what everybody can do, even if we are thinking we want to help poor people in developing countryies. This is a thing I always think when I hear people doing great things, but I want to try from the little things I can do.

"one dog" policy

Hello! I think many of you know about the law in China which limits a family to have only a single child to stop the growing population. Well, there's going to be another restriction in Beijing, China. On Wednesday, November 8th, Chinese authority announced that families living in Beijing are allowed to have only one dog per household. Part of the reason for this is to extinguish rabies (in Japanese,"kyouken-byou"). In China, problems related rabies are serious. In 2004, 2,651 deaths from the disease are reported in China alone. Also, only 3 percent of China's dogs vaccinated against rabies. Anyone keeping dogs without licence will be punished. It is a good thing that government is working hard to stamp out such horrifying disease. I heard that once you were bitten by a dog with rabies and get ill, there's no cure. In other words, he or she won't survive. However, on the other hand, what would happen to the unlicenced dogs which are caught?? The dogs are certainly slaughtered or killed. Although it is said so in the law, I think it is against ethic. What do you all think??

the anniversary of the founding

hi there!! what did you do today? I'm sure everybody had no class because...today is Aoyama Gakuin's birthday!! Aoyama Gakuin was established in 1874. what a old school!! dont you think so?^^ It must have a loooong history, and there must have been many changes til now. but that makes me feel strange somehow. i dont know why.. thats maybe because our department has just begun since last April. we are the very first students majoring in international communication, so we havent been able to get any certain information about our department. anyway, I hope the department of international communication wont be closed. (actually once there was a department of international business, but it was closed.)

Sports noodle☆

Instant noodle maker Nissin on Wednesday announced a capital alliance with rival food company Myojo. (Mainichi Daily News, November 16, 2006) Do you eat cup noodles recently?? Since it's becoming cold recently, I eat cup noodles often. Nowadays there are many types of cup noodles such as ramen noodle, udon, yakisoba, etc. In those types of noodles, there are also many types of tastes like miso, soy sauce, and salt in ramen noodle. Do you know that there is a cup noodle called "Sports Noodle"?? It's not yet becoming famous, but getting popular for some people. There are two types or tastes in Sports Noodle which are burning type (chicken taste) and recovery type (creamy taste). The burning type includes 300mg of L-carnitine and it helps burning. On the other hand, the recovery type includes 4000mg of soy peptide and it helps recovering the body after doing some exercise or sport. I've tried the recovery type which is creamy taste, and it was good!! I don't know if I recovered after eating, but it might had some kind of effect. Well, please try them if you have interest!!

nuclear powers

Hi, everyone!!! I am concerned about nuclear problems in some countries and between them. In my opinion, owing any nuclear weapons as a country or also as a person is so bad thing because those arms possibily ruin their owners add to destroying the surroundings. I think having weapons which appear the stongest ones means being the most weak in the world because owners possess these to get away from being attacked and controled or to protect them without considering that their opponent to use weapons and even descendants of them will groan for so long time. So using or planing to use nuclear weapons are completely self-centerd action!!!!!! Don't you feel contradiction seeing that an opend, big country bombard closed and small country? I want to ask the delegate of big power how dare they can assail the small country hazing nuclear arms though they also have????????? I am always irritated at their contradictory, unreasonable and unworthy behavior.... I storongly wish that nuclear weapons or even ordinary arms will disappear from our Earth...

tornado prospect

The news says that "the tornado prospect study group" will be set up!!!!!! They will do research and development of tornade prospect system. I hope their study will succeed and people all over the world wil get the way to be in safe from tornado!!!!!! I am afraid of earthquick too, so I hope there will be same group for that.

Green energy contributers decreasing

Hello. Today, I read an article related to environmental issue. According to industrial officials, a fund for renewable energy such as solar and wind energy is losing contributers. You might not know this, but there's a system where indivisuals and bussineses can donate moneyalong with their electricity bills. This system has started in 2000 to expamd the budget for costly green energy. However, due to decrease in number of donaters, the amount of money donated will drop to about 650 million yen, 90 million yen lower than last year. As you know, there's no limit to renewable energy whereas fossl fuels only last for another 50 years. With these type of enegy, we don't have to worry about loosing energy. Green energy is also less harmful for the environment. But what happenes if the subsidies for promoting them decreases? It would be impossible to provide enough energy to houses and buildings after using up all the fossil fuels. I thought we should realize the importance of such energy before it's too late.

Blue Note TOKYO

I went to "Blue Note TOKYO" last Saturday.. Well, I have to tell you something before write to this blog.. To be frank with you.. I don't understand music anything... I don't know what is a popular song of the world.. I don't have audio set either.. It was just an accident! "Blue Note" is most popular JAZZ CLUB... The live performance was so impressive.. singing voice, tones of a piano, saxophone.. mellow sound.. sullen tones.. so beautiful.. The tones woke me up some feelings from deep in my heart.. I've never feel like that feelings.. I couldn't stop tears.. I felt a lump in my throat.. What is that.. Nobody knows.. I just keep in my heart so deeply... "Music recognizes no frontiers.. no words.." At last I realised that meaning... http://www.bluenote.co.jp/what/index.html

about NEET people

Hi, everyone! Today, I watched the special selection about NEET people in Japan, so I considered about them. I think recent increase of NEET people in Japan is due to company's principle, negative thinking of young people, and the attitude of their family. To begin with, companies that avoid adopting new graduates increased because of the depression. Young people who studied a lot, and get qualifications for the sake of getting ideal jobs, are confronted with some difficulties that they won't be able to unofficial decision from the company's principle has changed. So the cause of increasing NEET people is not only accountable for young people but also companies.On the basis of that situation, they started to think of themselves as having no abilities. They also feel like they are not needed from the society. From that thinking, they can not discover the value for working, and will get cold feet for working. Besides, they can not share that distress with their family. Parents prod them to find and get a firm job, yet they don't notice their child's feeling. That action leads them more uncomfortable, and to demoralize. If companies try to adopt more people, change their principle for adoption, young people could change the way of thinking, and has comfortable environment in which they are able to share their thought with their family, increase of NEET people can be stopped some day. Hmm....I think of them really seriously!! I'm looking for this problem will be solved in someday!

Education in China

I read an article about China in the Asahi newspaper. In China, there are suburbs where the emigrates (emigrates means people working in another places far from their hometown) live in, while the cities are developing now for the Olympic 2008. In those suburbs, emigrates' children cannot receive an education because they have to help their parents and it is expensive to go to school in the city. Therefore, some men and women have founded the schools not permitted by the Chinese government for those children. However, since this summer, the government started to close the unauthorized schools because the government insisted that those unauthorized schools do not have enough quality for education. Some children cried to hear their school are closed. They pressed themselves against their teachers and said "we want to stay this school". For theOlympic, the chinese government spend enormous money. On the other hand, they do not give their people enough education. It is a big problem. Few days ago, I watched a TV program and I heard an interesting opinion. Mr. Fujiwara, who is the author of "the style of the nation", said Japan had developed after the WWⅡbecause the literacy rate is very high compared with other countries. Thus, education is a key to become a developed country. In addition, we all have a right to receive an education. It must not be forgotten. Nowadays, I have many homeworks and often complain about it. But when I read this article, I realised that I have to thank to receive enough(high?) education. It is not usual to live comfortably like me.

Starbucks Coffee

Hi everyone! Do you guys like Starbucks coffee? I love it so much!!!! I haven't had coffee for a while, but lately I've started having it. And now I'm addicted to caffeine. Too bad. LOL Today, I had the new flavor, Taffy Nuts Latte. It was soooo good! You better try it someday! The problem is, though, the price of coffee has increased. I don't really understand why Starbucks increased the price, since lots of people buy coffee everyday.... sigh I'm getting so poor... lol

TOEFL New Test

As some of you have already known, TOEFL test changed from CBT to iBT. I read newspaper written about this new test. Today I want to show you the part of the article a little. This is quoted from The Daily Yomiuri below. In this article, the writer especially pays attention to listening section. According to writer, the change makes TOEFL test more complex and difficult than the old one. Also it allows the test to include college-level material or academic topic. Because each lecture of listening section is close to six minutes long!! What a long!! I’ll bet I would go tired of listing if so long!! (By the way, a CBT listing lectures approximately two minutes long.) This greater length permits each lecture to cover several important aspect of the lecture. This means the test can ask us very challenging questions!! Wooo!! I’ve gotta study hard!!!

Bush's Approval Rating Has Fallen To 31%

On 11th, Newsweek announced that, according to the public opinion research, approval rating of George Bush, the current president of the U.S., has fallen to 31% which is 4% lower than the last research in the begging of November. In addition, 66% of respondents said that George Bush won't be able to do anything great in the next 2 years. Also, 48% wanted the president from Democratic Party. The research was done on November 9th and 10th and　about 1000 people answered.

Is Prime Minister Abe Good or Bad?

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe first stated that he was going to make Japan as a "beautiful country." From the time he emphasized this word, actually I feel that he is shady. What does he mean by "beautiful"? People are very beautiful, and nature is very beautiful in Japan. Well the contents must have been written in his book, which I haven't read yet. Have you read it? Hmm... He is intelligent and he is working very hard. And by visiting China and Korea, he is trying to make good relationships with Asian countries. In diplomatic point of view, he seems to be better than Koizumi. But for domestic issues, his opinion is always abstract and we don't understand what he is exactly going to do. Well...what I want him to do is to state his way of thinking clearly and logically like Koizumi did. Also, I want him to continue changing the old temperament of the system of the bureaucrats in Nagatacho into something open to the public, into something creative. The important thing for us is to keep waching political movements by waching TVs or reading newspapers. Abe has both good points and bad points. Some of us already have a right to vote, don't we?? Surprising!!

CURRENT EVENTS CLASS

Hi everybody, This week we will do our presentations so next week we will have the news article reports. Cheers, Sebastian

Wiping distrusts off ?

I read a news article about the State Department of the United States has apoointed some named people like athletes for publicity courier to wipe the distrusts to the United States since the Iraqi war. In the ariticle Michelle Kwan, the famous fiugre skater, was itnroduced. I am skeptical whether this will wipe distrusts of the United States. When I read this aricle, I thought that the U.S. government is using famous and popular people just to make a good image of America. But it gave me a bad image that the U.S. government is trying to dodge and varnish about the Iraqi war. I ask them for the content more, not the appearance. It even lowen my image of the named people who joined this like Michell Kwan.

Baby Postbox

I saw one interesting news story in this morning. One hospital (I think Jikei hospital) decide to set up a "baby postbox". According to the TV show, the baby post is like a big postbox(letter box). The postbox has air-conditioing and heating system, also alarm which tells nurses if someting into the box. This postbox is for deserted babies. The parent who couldn't grow his/her baby in many reasons can bring the baby and leave it in the postbox secretly; then the nurses pick up and care it afterward. In Germany these postboxs have already adopted. A German doctor said in the TV show that they were glad to set it up because they could save the life of baby, not killed by leaving it cold outside. However to put these kind of boxes maight encourage parents to give up raising their children. And Japan has not developed its adoption system. So there is another concern how to raise the children who have been put in the postbox. How do you think about it? I think to put the box is better than to do nothing... Please tell me your idea.

Suicidal student

A boy wrote a letter to the education minister on Tuesday threatening to commit suicide at school this weekend because he was bullied. At a news conference the minister, Bunmei Ibuki, pleaded with the author of the letter not to give up. The boy wrote on the letter that he is going to kill himself at school on November 11th, that is very soon. I hope he will stop thinking about killing himself. My sister was saying that the boy who sent the letter is very rude sending the letter in that way. It might be rude but I think the more important thing is he should stop committing suicide.

Today!!

Today, I announced about my research in my laboratory. Because I have not achieved the results of my research, I received indication from the teacher. So I think I want to do my best from now.

Class Canceled !!

This morning, when I found out that today's class had been canceled, I was sooooooooooo depressed because I was doing the research for today's sub culture presentation till 4 a.m.!!! however, later it turned out to be a good thing for me because one of my group mates hadn't done enough research for the presentation. THANK YOU SEBASTIAN

without home

The other day, I heard that a man who do not have own home spend night at a comic cafe and sometimes at a tube hotel only when he get very tired. It rarely helps to get rid of tired from him. It sounds sad that there is nobody to talk with when he is relax. I think we are truly happy that there is a home to come back.

general education

According to the investigation of the ISI, the scholarship of university students seems to be getting lower. The invstigation aimed at the students from 50 universities in the USA. One of the results was that 1st grades students of universities and 4th garades showed about same scholarship. ISI says that this is because students study only required subjects. Therefore the universities that showed high scholarship have more required subjects than other universities. I think it is not good that students do not have general education, because common knowledge is necessary for our lives. Recently, there was a studying problem in Japan, too. It is important to know expertize or what he/she want to learn, but we can not promote our society or world without common knowledge.

cooking

i recently make dishes for myself almost everyday. i did not cook so frequently like now because i do not like washing dishes after my eating, but i now feel so fine when eating meals i made that i do not hate washing dishes so much. i will try to make many kinds of dishes even if it is difficult to make. And i love to make meals not on the books but i create. Cooking is so fun that i can forget negative things while doing that.

Reading

Recently,I read books every day.and I finish reading one book within one week.I have never read many books in such a short terms.Now that I found reading fun,so I'll continue this habits. Please recommend your favorite books so that I am not tired of reading.

Slow-Food

In the 1960s, Japan's first instant ramen(maybe cup-noodle) changed people's eating habits by making it possible to have dinner in a few minutes. Also fast food companies from U.S changed them greatly. We can eat anytime, anywhere we like. But these chnges raise questions. Do we forget the pleasure of taste? Are we really enjoying the act of eating? I heard in some cuntries people spend more than 2 hours on eating. In such a situation, we can enjoy not only, of course, eating but also conversation. I guess eating make it easy to talk about many things from our heart. That is partly a reason a man asks a woman whom the man likes for a dinner?, I think. Today, many young students commit suicide. I feel it's partly because it is pretty hard for them to have people whom they can tell thier anxieties or worries in present ages. I wonder if slow-food would make thier opportunities to speak thier minds increase?

challenge

hi guys, how are you? On November 4th, there was the figure skating competition. Fumie Suguri, who won 4th prize in Torino Olympic, was one of the attendees of the competition. This time, she has done big challenge to use the music with voice which is banned in the competition. Though she did not acutually use the music with words but the chorus, if the chorus is considered as words, her score would be marked down. Well as a result, her score was not marked down and she got 2nd prize. I think this is really big challenge and she did succeed. It is difficult to change the traditional way, but it is also important to promote the skating situation, I think.

Students committing suicide

Recently we hear news about students committing suicide because of bullying very often. It's too awful that young children are feeling helpless and despair and killing themselves. I also read news article about a principal who committed a suicide because of the required classes issues. I think that he shouldn't have done this not only because we should cherish our lives but also because he is a teacher. He was in a position to teach the students to cherish their precious lives, and help out students from committing suicide. He should have been a person to teach how wrong and tragic suicides are to the children, not kill himselves. I suppose the required classes isuue wasn't the only reason he killed himself, but it's vexing that he did this when we are trying to find a way to show a light to live for the bullyed children. We need to make a environment to help the children from bully by the cooperation of school, family and the government. All the adults and all children ofcourse needs to care about this issue. There's no easy and simple solutions to this problem. We need a great care and perseverance.

killing time??

I 've just got an animation titled"Midget Dancing in Subway" from You Tube. I thought it's interesting, if you have time. Go "You Tube" and watch the animation!

We will never be overweight?

Last Friday, I read an interesting article in USA TODAY. "Scientists find hunger gene." A team of France and Swiss scientists said they discovered a hunger gene in mice that could pave the way for treatments for obesity or alcoholism. The gene generates signals warning of hunger, partly based on a notion of time. The scientists managed to decrease and even cut off the signals of hunger in their experiments. I think this discovery is great because it will prevent being overweight and alcoholism. But on the other hand, I wonder whether it is good to operate our gene. We will not be fat and alcoholism without the operation if we take care of ourselves seriously.

Smoking

In these days, smoking in Aoyama Gakuin univeusity is distinguished. In Sagamihara Campus, some students are same age as me, but they are smoking. So this time, I think about smoking. According to the World Health Organization, smoking kills three million people worldwide each year, and is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the developed world. It is amazing that, in the US, more people are killed by cigarettes than drugs like heroin, auto crashes, homicides and suicides combined. Also in Japan, there is a problem that young people’s smoking. Young boys & girls’ health care are too bad. Their life style is very irregular and has a lot of risk. Cigarette relates most to this serious problem that is now occurring in this society. How can we solve this problem? Nicotine, a drug in tobacco, is as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Children and young people often have little understanding of the concept of addiction, and are likely to start smoking because they think it is ‘cool’ to smoke. I think the most important action is to know the danger of cigarette. First, smoking causes lung cancer, and other kind of sickness. Tobacco effects a person under eighteen ten times more than an adult. It means if young people smoke, the percentage of death resulted from smoking goes up. Second, nicotine has a property of dependency. So if you smoke once, you can’t stop smoking because of smoking. It can make free us from stress but not good for our body. Third, smoking has very bad influence on the people around. Smell of tar make people feel worse and the smoke of tobacco make people cough. Smoking has bad influence on your own body, and also other people. These facts are clearly proven by over 50000 studies on tobacco and health in dozens of countries. Nevertheless the problem still not solved. Since in Japan, there are a lot of advertisements about tobacco. A large billboard like “today I smoke”, on the magazine, on the train, at the station and so on. And in Japan, there is a tobacco dispenser. This is the biggest reason why the problem not resolves. I think the government should restrain the advertisement of tobacco. I think it is difficult to stop smoking. But for our age, we must stop smoking. Tobacco effects a person under eighteen ten times than an adult. There are many ways to make free from stress for our age. Do exercise, play outside with friends, you can do anything you like. So I think young people can stop smoking.

it reminds me....

hi, how are you guys doing? it's getting cold, isn't it? i need to get new clothes to keep me warm... lol by the way, the weather reminds me of last year... ya, the ENTRANCE EXAM!!!!! i wasn't studying super hard, but it was still challenging for me. today, i had green tea at home. i was drinking green tea everyday not to catch a cold last year, and today, i was like "ooh! green tea! it reminds me of the studying for entrance exam!! noooooooooooo!!!" yea... lol also i decided to start making my vocabulary bigger, so now im using the book which i used for the entrance exam!!!!!! yes, as you know, everything reminds me of the entrance exam.... sigh i was so depressed when i studied for the entrance exam so i want to forget... :( good thing i passed the exam and have met you guys anyway!!

Visiting my biology teacher

The other day I went to the school festival at Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology with my friend to meet my former biology teacher. When I was a high school student, I was in his biology class. Thanks to him, I loved biology. Since he is a man of knowledge, his lecture was very interesting. He was only one teacher who had a doctor's degree in my high school, but he moved to Tokyo University of Marine Science & Technology to start his new life as a researcher. His major is systematics of alga, which seems to be kind of boring for most of us. Every day he finds alga in the water, takes it to his laboratory, and categorizes it. And if he finds a new one, he names it in latin language. He said, "Teachers always try to output their knowledge. And I've been a teacher for many years. But now I wanna learn (input) something new, like my students did..." He is in his late 40s, yet he is energetic, with enthusiasm toward learning. Oh, I should study harder than him...'cause I am a college student!! He told me to read a lot of books and newspapers.We talked about our society. At last, he said, "Please don't forget to take me to a bar in Ginza someday. Can't wait for it, ha ha..." I respect him very much. Someday I'm sure I'll meet him again...in Ginza bar. ^o^*)

like a spectacle, too much

I saw today's valley ball match between Japan and Korea on TV. The match itself was really excited... but I feel really strange. What is strange? I think there are too much things that irrevant to the match. Nowadays it has be common that famous singer or entertainer become a "official supporter" and appear on the TV program to cheer the athletes. Or, before or in the middle of the match, those programs broadcast the interviews for athletes in very dramatic way like "She endures hard practices...(in soft and gentle voice)" like that. I heard that TV stations do so is not able to avoid because they must gather people's special attention. And I know that people tend to see such show if the famous actors or actresses appeared. However I think to make sport like a TV show too much bothers the real its attraction. Also those "making stories" are one of the cause of dramatizing news, more important things that happen in real world. I think this "spectaclizing" of sports or news may continue and deepen. How do you guys think about it? is that just too warry?

Bullying System in Japan

In my writing class, we get one assignment to write Problem-Solution essay "what can we do for decrease the number of suicide after being bullied or prevent the suicide with a bullying origin. Exactly, these days I often watch very sad news "students committing suicide after being bullied". "Some people says that Japan is a country that people tend (want?) to bully someone everytime whether they are aware of it or not", famous broadcaster said in his TV program. Thus, Bullying System exists in Japan, nation's mind. I don't necessalily think that the subconscious exists only Japanese, but is it one of the national characters? I also feel that this problem might be related to the discrimination against the minority such as Ainu and Buraku people. Even if it may be impossible to sweep away all bullying completely, what should be done? Or how should we change ourselves?

HORRIBLE

In the hospital in Ehime prefecture, there was a problem that the doctor had been donated ill kidneys to patients who need new kidneys. Most of ill kidneys had a suspicious of cancer or tumor. Recently, we hear many hospital problems. As I hear those news, I feel I don't want to get serious sick.

High Schools failed to teach compulsory subjects

Hi! This week, I heard a very shocking news which is actually related to myself. On Octiber 31st, it turned out that out of 236 high schools in Tokyo prefecture, 11 high schools didn't teach compulsory subjects, such as world history. Of the 11 high schools, Aoyama Gakuin High School was one of them! In Aoyama Gakuin, all 476 third year students failed to learn health, which they were supposed to and lacking 1 credit for graduation. Instead of including health class, the school included gym class in the second year od high school. When I heard about this, I was very surprised and also shocked because I'm a graduate from Aoyama Gakuin High School. That means, my classmates and I didn't get enough credit, but still graduated from high school. I didn't know that you had to take 2 years of health until now. I think it's not fair that some high schools like Aoyama Gakuin didn't teach what they were supposed to teach. Also, I thought that the Japanese university entrance exam system might be the cause of this problem. Other schools cut classes like world history and ethics because these classes are not imprtant for the preparation of the university entrance exam.

things to do

hi there. do you have any plans for these 3 straight holidays?^^ i hope we all can be excited and relaxed, making good use of time. but... next week we have lots of things to do, such as presentation and homework, dont we? i always postpone doing what i should be doing and stay up late finishing it to meet the deadline. meybe i should stop procrastinating^^; anyway, have a wonderful weekend and dont forget to do what you should do!!

Big shopper or Tiny shopper

Well, Do you like shopping at the supermarket?? I love to go supermarket especially foreign to buy something.. of course just have look around there shoulld be good mostly I do that.. I've never missed to go supermarket when I was in overseas.. anyway.. Oneday, I went to Costco to buy some "tiny tiny" things.. As we entered the parking I could smell like feeling overseas.. The feeling is very diffrent from Japanese one.. I got my wish or didn't get my wish..? (To see photo) and big shopper or..? How do you think..? Hope to many bloggers pass comments.. So, I will make sure... If you go to Costco do not get a train.. need a car.. but if you get there by car.. do not buy so much.. the car didn't work well on freeway.. cause of my friend bought too much bottle of soaps and so on.. We got a troubule on freeway....... (just kidding..)

Running Away Naked

A cadre of Palestine's aremed group chosed to be naked in public when he was attacked by the Israeli military. he was taking a shower at his parents's house on a night in October. Then he heard some soldiers scream and realized that he was getting attacked by the Israeli military. He escaped through the window and ran into his friend's house which was 200m away. He is on the wanted list of the Israeli soldiers, and he prefered to be naked in front of people to being caught in prison forever. He said "Next time, I'll go take a shower with my clothes on."

the bank of koalas' sperms

Yesterday, in Australia, 12 koalas appeard to the public. These koalas are born by artificial insemination. The group of Queensland University succeeded to keep koalas' sperms for 40 days. They are planning to found the bank of koalas' sperms. I was surprised about this news because even though we have already had a technique to keep human sperms, we had not have it for koalas'. I think it maybe good if such technique can be applied to other animals in danger of extinction.

New Song

Japanese popural singer, Shiina Ringo is going to release a new song since three years stoppage. Her new song is going to be used for a movie calls " Sakuran" which a model, Tsutiya Anna is the leading actress. Don't miss it!!

the 9th Article of the Constitution

Since North Korea's nuclear test in July disturbed Japanese people, Article 9 of the Constitution is now a controversial issue again in Japan. Article 9 of the Constitution: 1. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. 2. In order to accomplish the aim of the proceeding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized. (Source of info: Wikipedia) The 9th article of the Constitution of Japan is very beautiful which every country in the world should follow in the future. However, Japanese government has changed its interpretation so many times to legalize the Japanese Self-Defence Forces because the situation has greatly changed after the World War 2. Some people say that the article 9 should be revised so that the Self-Defence Forces will be legally permitted (realistic), while others say that the article 9 shoudn't be revised (idealistic). This issue is very complicated and I can't write down all the information here. But in my opinion, the article 9 shouldn't be revised. The article was originally made by American people but this has been worked pretty well for the democracy of Japan. The Self-Defence Forces should help people in trouble to play an improtant role in the international community, but they shouldn't be involved in war. The other day, Rice (U.S. Secretary of State) visited Japan and confirmed that Japan is under the U.S. nuclear umbrella to show that Japan is secured by the U.S. Costa Rica has never had standing army. Why don't we promote our way of thinking to the world in the long run to achieve the world peace?

Ｒｏｍａｎｓ ｄｏ

Hi! Today, I’ll talk about strange Japanese customs to Europe people! One of the big differences which I think are well-known is whether we take off shoes or not when we enter a house. In general, most of us put off our shoes. However, in America it’s very rude. Because American people hate to have others walk around with smelly socks while Japanese hardly care about such a thing. We mainly care about someone’s dirty shoes! This differences come from the way of thinking. If we visit a house in America, it is proper to do “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”.

Ijime

I often see the words "Ijime" on the TV or newspaper. The most impressive news related to "Ijime" for me was that school boy killed himself to get away from "Ijime". He was burried by his classmates and his teacher!!!! I could not believe this when I heard the news and now I can not either. Another news said that a young teacher comitted a suicide because of "Ijime" by a teacher works at same school. I think people do "Ijime" because of their weakness. They are afraid of difference which others have and try to assimilate to or exclude that. We must be strong mentally to live with others well I felt.

yikes

I've been having so much fun with my friends these days. I really do love my friends a lot and want to be with them anytime. But now I've got a problem. Whenever I come home late, my mom gets kinda angry. And I feel sorry for her because she worries a lot and I guess that she doesn't like me coming home just to eat and sleep. Even worse, when I'm home, I stay in my room and use computer because staying in the living room and watching TV is so very boring, so that I don't really have time to talk to my family. I know it's not good but I don't know what I should do.... Do you guys have lots of time to talk to your family?

Docomo, au, or Softbank?

Recently in the cell phone companies, there are several new services appearing. For example, au has "Customer Satisfaction" service and Softbank has "Yoso-gai (unexpected)" service. I watched a news that now Docomo is being a top by far, and au as a second, then Vodafone. The news took a questionnaire to cell phone user and asked which cell phone company they would like to change since MNP service has started. The answer was au by far. I have an image that Docomo is popular and au is very cheap. Vodafone... LOVE Service?? I think Softbank is also going to be popular near future. Which company do you think will be the top in near future?

GAIJIN

The last Monday, a teacher said this word in a class, "Gaijin." What do you imagine in hearing that word? Do you imagine blonde hair, blue eyes, white skin, or black skin, something else? Anyway what you imagine is "not Japanese," I think. However, there's an exception - as for the Asian, especially Chinese or Korean, the image differs. That is, when we see them, we think them as "Chinese" or "Korean" rather than "Foreigner." I don't know why I think so, but I'm sure that there's no proper word about "Foreigner" in Japanese... As the teacher told, the word "Gaijinn" is not good word, for that means "outside people." Even if someone who has featutres of European, African or else, has the nationality of Japan, we'll regard them as "Foreigher." Why? It's difficult question for me...

children are safe in Japan?

The other day, I heard a very sad news which is about a three-years old girl who was dead due to abuse from her parents. I can't believe that there are such parents who can't love their own children in the world. I noticed it is a grateful thing to spend everyday with my family without any problems.

Mountain of OkuTama

Today　in the early morning, I went to OkuTama to take water for my friend's experiment. OkuTama is beautiful. Clear water, Clear air, And quiet riverside. I want to camp at this place in summer.

Nuclear Weapons in North Korea

I read an article about North Korea's nuclear testing. Yachi Shotaro, the minister of foreign affairs, said that North Korea might be doing the nuclear test again depending on the United States government's response. After the conference between China and North Korea, it is said that the possibitlity of nuclear testing in the near future is gone. However, Japan's Government will make sure that it will keep paying attention to every move that North Korea makes. Recently I'm really scared about North Korea's bombing which might be actually happening. I hope all of asian countries will get along with each other in the future.

HIstory problems between China.

I read this news article that said the Chinese prime minister had made a flexible comment on history problems between China and Japan. The prime minister said about the history understanding issues that "It's not that we grasp the history problem and not letting it go for ever. By facing the history, we can turn our eyes to the futuer. The history problem between China and Korea has been a big problem for a long time and their opinions and ours have clashed every time. It seemed like there would never be a solution or a peaceful end to these problems, because there were no attitude to meet each other halfway in both country, them and us. But in this chance when Japan is starting a new government, we might be able to improve the situation. Making a good relationship with China and other East Asian countries is very important for Japan, especially now for North Korea's nuclear weapon problem.

MNP

Hello.It's still rainning..... By the way,Mobile Number Portability service starts tommorow,news said. Due to this service, we are able to change cell phone company without chaging phone number. This servise is very useful becase we need not tell people new phone numbers again and again. But to tell the truth, I don't have so much interest as I won't change my cell phone company for the time being. How about you?Does this service have any influence on you?

What do you think of English education in Japan?

Hi,everyone. How are you been? Today is rain.and tomorrow too. It always let me down... Recently,I find article about English education in Japan. Although many people in Japan learn English for six years(junior and high school),they almost can not speak English.Even introduct themselves!!!This is true.. Why this happen? What did they do for six years ? Well,actually the reason is that ..........the purpose of English education in school is to get possible to write and read.not speak.... But English squeezes in Japan day by day.so many Japanese have come to need it for these decades. In particular speaking it. They have to communicate with "gaijin" on work, business and sometimes life. That's not rare. But they hate shame. They are afraid of failure, so don't try to it. I think it's a strang thing. Why we learn language? To pass the test? To compare with others? Ofcourse that must be important,but the most important thing is to communicate with human...I think. Conversation is the ability that only a human begin has. Communication with other country people give us a lot of thing....cultures,sense of views ,and so on.... So,I think teachers should consider what is the most important for student,children in the future. This is my opinion.

A Car Navigation System

In Germany, one man had a car accident. He followed exactly what his car navigation system told him, ended up crushing into the toilet which stand on the side of the rode. On the other day, other German guy ignored a sign that said 'Under construction' because the navigation system told him to go straight. Well, I could hardly understand why they belived a car nvigation system so much!!! If they were more thoughtful, they would have never had such accidents. People sometimes rely too much on computers. I think that's because we think the computers are always precise. We have to recoganize that the computers are not always right, and be aware of importance of analog world.

SNS

Do you know SNS? It stands for Social Networking Service. Even if you don't know, you might know mixi. It's very popular among young people these days, that some people get involved in it too much. The purpose of the SNS is to let people able to communicate with each other and get to know about their friends better. But I do not agree with this. From my experience, I think mixi worsens a relationship from time to time. What do you think about this fact?? I would love to hear your opinion.

young power

The Japan Series , which decides Japan baseball champiom began yesterday. Yu Darvish pitched on the opening day. Although he was not good at the game, I think he was great. Because he is 20-year-old. He is young. I think it's great that people who are young and in our generation play important parts in big stage. When I see their activity, I feel that I have to work hard like them. It's good motivation for me.

for a change of pace

Hi. Today I had a walk in Harajuku, Omote-sando, and Shibuya. I didn't decide where to go, so sometimes I got lost. But it was a very full experience for me because I found many attractive shops on the back streets. People have their own means to relax or change their pace on a holiday. I usually spend my free time on listening to music and walking. I want to enjoy walks in various areas and make new discoveries!

the ozone hole

An expert of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that the ozone hole above the South Pole have become bigger. It covered 2900 square kilometers at its worst in 2000, and now the hole is approaching the record. There are so many problems in the world and we sometimes forget global warming. However it is a very serious problem that influence our future lives. We destroy our lives and precious things ourselves. We need to think about and move on it more.

Connection between life spans and calories

Do you want to live long? Yesterday, I watched a program whose theme was “life spans”. “Life spans” means how long we can live in the future. In the program, a professor lectured on the theme to TV stars. According to the professor, there is close connection between life spans and calories (quantity of how much we ate foods). The professor said that the more we gain calories, the shorter we can live. So it is important to control calories. If we stop eating to the extent of 60~70%, our life spans will increase, the professor suggested. Many animal-experiments which have been carried out by scientists have proved this fact. The professor also implied that it is important to get exercises. By exercising, we can work “Life-spans-cells” inside our body and the cells prevent us from aging. There is another positive aspect on controlling calories. We can keep our skin young and clean by this. This is good news for not only women but men too. So anybody who wants to live long and keep your skin young should control calories and take exercises!!

Expensive oil

Today I went to a gas station because the car was almost empty. I asked clerk to fill the tank. I waited... and clerk came me and showed my bill. I was shocked !!!! It costs really high!! I think it was 5000 yen some years ago, but this time, it is 8000 yen... Then, i think about the truck drivers like Kuroneko-yamato or Sagawa-kyubin. Their tools are cars. They need gasoline, no matter how expenshive it is. But if there are no gasoline, what can they do? Also I remember the plastic pen case I use. The plastic is made by oil. Our dairy stuffs are usually use plastics. But if there are no oil, what can we do? Our lives really rely on the oil and other resources. We use them easily... and one day realize that the resources are limited. Actualy This expensiveness is not caused by dissapearing of oil but the war in middle-East but one day we will face this unremovable trouble, the finished up resources. Then, how should we do? should we use electricity, putting the nuclear power plants which bring people danger and complicated garvages? or should we use much more natural energy, having less power? can we endure in the lives like old era? Before fasing the problem directly, we need think about the issue. This gas station's bill remember me the problems of resources. youguys! Please try to imagine the situation too!! Thank you for reading;) seeya!

tomorrow...

hi everyone. "if we won't be better tomorrow than we were today, then what do we need tomorrow for?" Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav said this. i don't know who he/she is, but i like what he/she said. when i'm tired of everything, i think about "tomorrow" and feel like "how come we have tomorrow? would it be better than today? i don't think so..." but i found those words and thought "the one who makes tomorrow better is MYSELF." so i make efforts and do my best to make the day better. :) if you are depressed or tired of everything, try to think you are the one who makes your life better!

patriotism

Hi, everyone! Today, I found good news when I surfing the internet! The company ORICON STYLE did a research to Japanese that “If you were born again, where would you like to live?” The result was Japan is the no.1 county they would like to live in all generation. When I found this news, I feel happy. Maybe Japan is surely the country which an economic are rich, people have freedom (compared to other country), and also peaceful. Of course some problem is still left, and increasing, too. But they are the problems that nation could solve by ourselves. I want to belief that the people who replied this research have the enthusiasm for it. Also, last semester I read the article about some elementary school evaluated the student’s patriotism. I thought that was ridiculous! But when I found this article, I convinced that the patriotism education is unnecessary. Be proud of our country! Peace:)

Education in Sweden

Hello! Recently I'm doing a research on the Swedish education for one of my class and I found out something interesting which I want to share with you all. First did you know that in Sweden, the public school expenses from elementary school to high school is free? Although the high school education is not compulsory, many students choose to study in high school. Furthermore, school lunch is provided for free! As you can see, paresnts have to pay little for their child's education. On the other hand, in Japan it coasts about 531ooooYen from going to public preschool to highschool. This is because many students, sepecially middle school students go to cram school, which raises the coast of school expenditure. I think Japanese are spending too much money on their kids. If the student is taking school more seriously and listning to the lectures, that kid wouldn't have to go to the cram school. Also, Japanese government should promote the scholarship or student loan system for the college students. I think many of us are relying too much on our parents to pay the college tuition fee.

My priorities

hi there. recently im too busy with my school to do what i want to. I can hardly hang out with my friends and i work part time only once or twice a week.. since i decided not to receive money from my parents, i have to get money by working part time and manage on it. i think i should reassure my priorities.

Hawaii-Asia Union ended in failure

The other day I watched NHK TV program and got to know the shocking history between Japan and Hawaii. In the 19th century, the U.S. started to pay attention to Hawaii, where local people had their own lives, in the process of imperialism. After Kalakaua became a king of Hawaii, he tried to keep a good relationship with the U.S. by exporting sugarcane etc. However, rich American people bought half of the land of Hawaii, influenced Hawaiian politics, thought of Pearl Harbor as an important naval port of the U.S. So Kalakaua was worried about it very much. He started to travel Asian countries with the idea of Hawaii-Asia Union against the U.S. imperialism. American guards traveled with him but they didn't know his idea at all. Kalakaua first visited Japan in 1881 because his expectation toward Japan was the biggest. It was Meiji era. Japanese people welcomed him with a great hospitality. This was because Inoue Kaoru, Japanese diplomat who tried hard to abolish unreasonable agreements with Western countries, wanted to give a good impression to the U.S. through Hawaii. Kalakaua was surprised to see the national power of Japan and met with Meiji emperor to carry out the framework of Hawaii-Asia Union. This idea was not bad for Japan because Japan was facing difficulties in disestablishing extraterritoriality or preferential tariff. However, Meiji emperor declined the proposal in a polite way some months later, saying it was too hard to achieve. Actually, this was because Western countries started to react to Japan's request. Kalakaua died in 1891. And the U.S. annexed Hawaii to the 50th state of the U.S. If Japan said "yes" at that time, our history could be totally different. Do you think Japan should have said "yes"? After that, Hawaiian culture was mostly banned for some years by the U.S. but the situation has changed. Kalakaua has been a hero in Hawaii. I also want you to remember that Japan pulled the trigger at the Asia-Pacific War, bombimg beautiful Pearl Harbor and killed some beautiful Hawaiian people without any warning. Thank you for reading the long posting.

Hello

hi, nice to meet you. I'm jaguar 2nd grade in AGU, and I used to learn from Sebachan during the spring term. Now, I' m going to introduce my hobby. It was 2 month ago when I began to play "DARTS." Since then, I' m really addicted to it! Have you done? It's interesting :) Darts was used to be regarded as a "gentleman's play," but now it's getting to be familiar in Japan. At first, even throwing darts was difficult, but little by little, I'm getting to point. If you've never tried, you should. You may be addicted, too .LOL I'm going to take part in a big competition next month, so I have to practice harder! thank you for reading my journal. I'm glad to see you, and going to write sometimes. See ya

"it will reduce the harm of nicotine"

Hi! I read an article relating to cigarette. On Oct.19, the Fair Trade Commission ordered 3 companies not to express " it can reduce the harm of nicotine" without rational evidence. Since 2003, these companies have displayed in wrapping the goods "this will change about 80% of nicotine to vitamine","it will reduse nicotine and tar by secondhand smoking" . They have no data about the change of nicotine. (Asahi) I think these companies are thoughtless. I think they thought not consumer's health but only thier profit. Nowadays, many people worry about the harm of cigarette and the atmosphere around us is changing to stop smoking. All the companies giving us goods which effect our health should have responsibility. thank you for reading!

I want to go for a trip!!

Recently, I don't go out in the distance. Because there are not time and money. At an unknown place, I want to come in contact with a person and food. Someday I go to a trip without a purpose^^

Exercise is important to be a career woman

Recently i noticed that Exercise is important to be a career woman!! Sometimes i think about why the man is always higher than the woman. I don't wanna to accept it. But You KNOW? it is still true. So, I tried to ask some guy who has a lot of knowledge what do you do everyday? How to spend your life time? He answered,"I play Judo everyday, I study at school after Judo, and I go to laboratory until midnight. something like this." "WoWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOO" I said. His vitality is sooooo nice!! I puted together my thought. I thought that the woman lack the vitality ,if we generally compare the man and the woman. Therefore I will try to do excircise and to study my major!! Vitarity is important!! Girls Power!!!!!

Tuna!!!

My mother used to live near a port when she was young, so she loves seafood. Everytime I back home during the holiday, she always welcome me with Sashimi. I love seafood and this welcome dinner very much!! But there is a bad news. I've read a news article that said "The number of tuna fish is decreasing, and by 2007, we could have only half amount of tuna". The reason of decrease is that, because people cought the fish too much... Well, not only me and my mother but also many Japanese people love tuna fish. I hope to be able to see tuna and other fish at the table in the futuer too.

Bullying

Today i want to talk about something serious ― Bullying in Schools. As you know, recently a 13-year-old boy killed himself to set himself free from bullying at junior high school. Usually, the biggest problem about bullying is that people don't notice that the person is getting bullied. as a matter of fact, the boy who commit suicide was telling his friends that he would kill himself on the day he died. however, his friends didn't take his words seriously and didn't care about it too much. they realized that he was suffering AFTER he is dead. i wonder why they couldn't realize that sooner, at least while he was alive. After high school, we don't really see bullying any more but if you have younger sisters or brothers, just talk to them and see if they're doing okay. wow im so surprised that i actually wrote ↑ this above ↑ this is the first time that i write something really serious in couple years...

do you agree or disagree?

50s lady gave birth to her own grand child as surrogate. Since the first time I heard this news, I habe thought it is no problem at all. It is hard to understand why some people oppose to surrogate a real mother who can not give birth for some reason. Isn't it a great news that informing the possibility to have own baby even yourself is in some difficult situation to give birth to children?

Good idea!

Hello. Today, I'll introduce you the news about the smoking rate targeted value. To reduce the adult smorking, the ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare found numerical target of reduction of the smoking rate that they should achieve by 2010. Now in '04, male smorking rate is 43.3% and that of women is 12.0%. Ministry exmine that they should reduce these numerical values to 30% about male and 10% about women. I hope this challenge will be success.

Gropers

Today, my friend told me that she was offended by a groper this morning. She lives by herself in Machida, and on her way to Machida station from her apartment a man riding on a bicycle followed her all the way looking at her face laughing in a exetremely close distance. She said she was very scared and run to the woman who was walking a little ahead. These days you can hear about gropers appearing in trains, streets and everywhere everyday. Girls need to be aware of every unfamiliar man when gettin on a train. If you are a highschool girl going to school by train in the center of Tokyo, allmost everyone has been offenden by a groper once or twice. What are ways to deffend us from gropers? Introducing women only cars is a way to protect women, but it isn't a thorough settlement to wipe out gropers. Some times plainclothes policemen are under cover but it is hasn't achieved a big success becase the nomber of policemen under cover is too small. I think that they should take this problem more seriously and increase the nomber of officers under cover. We also need think other ways to wipe out gropers.

bullying in junior high school

hey:) Today, I'll talk about the news that 8th grade student commit suicide caused by bullying. Few days ago, a 8th grade student commit suicide leaving a suicide note. His parents press his teacher for an answer wheter the teacher bullied the boy or not. Then the teacher agreed that he bullied the boy because it was easy for the teacher to tease that boy. Can you believe that? Usually bullying is made by other students, but in this case, the bullying was made by the TEACHER! Bullying is originally bad thing, but this case is the worst case of bullying, I think. I'm very angry and dissapointed about this case.

Last Friday

Last Friday, I went to see my high school friends at Yokohama. Most members were girls except for two (including me). We’ve known each other since we learned in U.S. almost one year has passed since we gathered round last. We were really excited at chatting about our experiences in U.S. Because our experiences included too many funny stories!! We had a lot of blasts, sorts of happening and affairs. We shared these sweet memories again. We also talked about each campus life. I was very surprised that one of them, who is a student of some department at W University, told me that she almost had no time to hang around or she rarely drink like a fish!! The reason was she was too busy with homework and assignments of the University. Moreover, I heard that she was forced to take TOEFL tests once a month since this April (and she got a score by more than 213!! Awesome!!) That’s why she has no time! Soon as I admired her for her diligence, I felt YABAI. I have got to study harder and harder!! I don’t mean to compete against her, but I want to improve my English skills!! I want to be a good Spanish speaker too!! I want to know a lot about this world!! So I will try to!! See you at university!!

books

hi there!! now there is a sign of autumn in the air. you know, Japanese often say "OO no aki", and OO refers to appetite, reading and...anything!! everybody says that autumn is the best season for reading, but... im bad at reading. books makes me sleepy even though they are said very interesting^^; i did try starting to read novels many times, but only some of them i finished reading. but im thinking of reading books this autumn!! could anyone tell me what novel is interesting and easy to read?

Nobel Peace Prize

I read the article,Nobel's "peace" now means development,in the Japan Times of yesterday.It means the goal of the act is changing from security involving war or conflict to improvement. Bangladesh's Grameen Bank and its founder Muhammad Yunus won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for their revolutionary microlending system.It means He found the bank and support the poor people annoying with the indirect debt.I think his effort is great and also effective in the people in Bangldesh. Bangladesh is still said to be poorest country in the world. what can we do for them?I think the first thing to do is not to start just new projects.It is to rethink their condition and evaluate what makes them annoy. What do you think?