Learning with computers

This year, I took writing III & IV. This class was learning with computers. I think I could improve my writing skills on this class. And I also learned about computer. On this essay, I wrote about before, during, and after writing III & IV.


Before writing III & IV
Before I take writing III & IV class, I usually use computer in Japanese. For example, writing report and household accounts, online games, e-mail, and so on. Maybe when I was elementary school student, I learned typing. I practiced typing on game. It was fun for me and I came to like using the PC.

I can type quickly in Japanese but I cannot do very well that in English. I think it different from Japanese typing and English typing. During writing III & IV, I practice quick typing in English. I became a little faster than before. But I have to practice typing more and become good at typing in English.

I learned many things about computing during writing III & IV. For example, blog, many functions of Word, shortcut key, and so on. These are useful for polish up my computing skills.
Language learning

I read many books during writing class. At first, I didn’t like reading English books, because it is difficult for me. But recently, it becomes fun for me little by little. I usually reading books during bath time and drying my hair. Maybe my vocabulary is increasing.

During writing III & IV, I wrote many English sentences and posted these on this blog. At first I couldn’t write and compose English sentences quickly. Writing long English sentences, like essay, was really hard work for me. But my writing skill is gradually improved, I think. Now I can write English sentences easily than before I am and it is not so hard work for me. Posting on my blog is some time tough for me, because I don’t have news so many. But viewing my friend’s blog is fun for me. I can know my friend’s news and I can improve my English skills.

I would like to continue my blog after writing III & IV. I also would like to continue reading English books. These surely improve my English skills. Next summer I will go to Canada as an exchange student. So I must polish up my English. Maybe I will write dailies of Canadian life and post them on this blog.


Before I took writing III & IV, I don’t like writing English sentences and it was really hard work for me. During writing III & IV, I wrote many English sentences. I think my English sentences were gradually became good. Now I can write English sentences quicker and easier than before. I would like to continue this blog and improve my English skills more and more.

[486 words]

TV in Japan

There are many TV programs in Japan, for example, news, dramas, sports, music and so on. Every TV stations have much kind of programs. They make programs by themselves. If those programs become popular, they could get profit. If it not does so, they improve or create new one.



Almost TV stations broadcast news program in the morning and evening. The morning news are started around 5:30 a.m. and the evening one are started around 5; 00 p.m. The morning one is mainly broadcasted the national news. On the other hand, evening one is focused on local news. There are 4 evening news programs in Kumamoto, "televitamine", "pure-pure", "yugata-itiban", "news-train". They are competing for get good audience ratings.

Every day we can watch dramas on TV in Japan. There are many kinds of dramas, and TV stations are really competing. Almost dramas are composed of about twelve stories. If that drama gets many supports, TV stations will make spatial program of that story or continue that story. But if it couldn’t get supports, it will cut off and another one will start.

In Japan, baseball is the most favorite sport. So baseball games are often broadcasted. In the baseball season, the effects of the game are everyday reported. World-wide competitions are also broadcasted, such as soccer, volleyball, judo, swimming race and so on. It is said the Japanese are apt to be enthusiastic supporter easily but they are also ape to be cool. It means, we feverishly cheer only during the game are broadcasted.

There are also many kinds of music program in Japan. It is made for different target. For example, “minna-no-uta” broadcast children’s songs. This program is for children. “music-station” is for young persons. Audience can chose favorite and fit music program by themselves.


Every TV station wants to get good audience ratings. So they make many kinds of TV programs. Of cause there are not only good TV programs. But we can choose other good TV programs from many kinds of them. The worst TV programs are improved by TV station and good one will come one after another.

You can search TV programs at this site:

[371 words]

brass band

I belong to “Kumamoto citizen brass band”. Our band was established 25 years ago. At first, it began for people who graduated from high school. Now there are many generation in our band. From high school student to over 40 years old. There are about seventy people in our brass band.

When I was 13 years old, I bought my trumpet at instrument shop which shop’s sells man is our band’s conductor. And then I played with Kumamoto citizen brass band. It was good experience for me. I have quieted to play the trumpet. I would like to restart to play the trumpet someday. One day I met my conductor at restaurant where I worked as a waitress. I said “long time no see” to him. He invited me to his band. And I entered it.

We practice on every Saturday night. Every summer we enter for competition for brass band. It is national wild competition. There are 3 steps to enter for the national competition. It is prefecture competition, district competition and national competition. If we get good award, we can enter for upper competition. This year we entered for Kyusyu competition and got gold award there but we couldn’t enter for national competition. We practice music not only big competition but also small festival and wedding band. Playing at festival is a little tired but fun.

I would like to introduce an annual plan of our band. In July and August we enter for summer competition. From after that to December we practice for some festivals and wedding band. From January to April we practice for subscription concert. It is corpus of our annual activity. We play many tunes on this concert. Practice for it is very hard. But after succeed it, we fell a great sense of achievement. This year we held winter concert. It is a first time for our band. We intend to attract young people who don’t like classic music. If you don’t have any plan on December 23, please come and enjoy our stage.

Our band is very friendly band. Every weekend we practice for some competition or festival. We like to play the instrument in front of many people. If you like to play the instrument and have your instrument, you can enter for our brass band. Actually practice every Saturday night is a little hard for me, because I have many home works. But playing the trumpet is fun for me. I can refresh my mind. I made many friends in this band. I will quite this band on next April. But I would like to enter it someday again! If are you interested in our activity, please check our home page.

[470 words]

movie review- Toy story (1st story)

Introduction

This movie is a very funny movie. It is composed full CG image. This image is very real and beautiful. That way this movie won an Academy Special Achievement Award, I think. Toy story was released by Disney in 1995. Director is John A. Lasseter. This movie is watched all over the world. Of cause it is watched in Japan too. In Japan, it released in 1996. This movie's income was over 6 hundred million.

There are many fun characters in this story. For example, Woody, Buzz, Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato head and so on. They are toys of Andy. Andy is a boy. He likes toys. He got many toys on his birthday and Christmas from his parents and friends. Sid is a dangerous boy. He lives in next to the Andy’s house. He always hurts his and his sister’s toys.

Body

Woody is an Andy’s favorite toy, a cowboy toy. And he is the leader of Andy’s toys. If there are problems, he gathers Andy’s entire toy and tell how to do. Everybody trusts him.
But one day, Buzz came into Andy’s house as an Andy’s birthday present. He is the newest toy, space ranger, and he became an Andy’s favorite toy. At first, he didn’t recognize that he is a toy, he thought he is a really space ranger and his mission is protect the peace of the earth.

Woody was envious of Buzz, because he is not the best of an Andy’s toy. So he intended to hurt Buzz. But he full down outside. It was an accident. Woody try to save him and it is start of the adventure. They go to Pizza Planet, a pizza restaurant and amusement arcade, find Andy but they were cached by Sid. They try to escape from Sid’s house, because his house is very dangerous. Finally they got out from his house, but that day was moving day for Andy’s family and the truck went by them. They did anything for get the truck. At last, they could back to Andy’s house.

My favorite scene is a chasing scene. Woody and Buzz were left behind from the moving van so they chased it. There were many troubles. First, Sid’s dog bit Woody’s leg. Buzz saved Woody, bud Buzz was fell down from the van. So Woody asks help for his friends, but he couldn’t get some help, because they have not trusted him. Woody was fell down by him friends. Woody and Buzz came up with good idea. They used a rocket, taped behind Buzz by Sid. They flied the ski and down into the Andy’s car.

Conclusion

This story is very fun and makes me exciting. The image is wonderful. Not only children but also adult can enjoy this story. Toy story has a second story. New toys come on. I already watched this movie, but I would like to watch it again!

[491 words]

Toy story's official HP: http://www.disney.co.jp/character/toystory/top.html

Favorite place

My favorite place

I will talk about my favorite place. I chose 3 places. My favorite places are my apartment, my parents’ house, and the river side. There are some reasons for I chose them. I will talk that reasons and I explain details of them.

My apartment

My apartment is a small room. This room has an eight-tatami room, kitchen, bath room and porch. But I can very relax in my apartment. I have a good legless chair. It is very fit with my body. Watching TV programs on this chair is very comfortable time for me. Some times I fail into a sleep on this chair. I also have a foliage plant. I got it from my father when I moved. This plant is easy to grow, because it no need much water. It makes me clam.

My parents’ house

My parent’s house is comfortable for me. I think the smell of wood make me so. My parents’ house is located in the countryside. It is surrounded field. So there are quiet and hardly hear the noise of car. I can live in slow time.

The river side

Both of my apartment and parents’ house are located near the river. I like spend times at the river side. When I was a little, I used to catch crabs at the river side with my friends. Now, I often go the river side for playing the trumpet. At there I can play the trumpet without worry about volume of trumpet. So there is good for practice the trumpet.

I introduced my favorite places. My apartment is a little, but there is make me relax. My parents’ house is quiet place and there is comfortable place. The river side is not only my memorial place but also good place for the practice of trumpet. That is why I like these places.

[315 words]

Mega essy

KUMAMOTO

Introduction

Kumamoto has a lot of specific characteristics. We chose 5 topics from them. We would like to introduce about Kumamoto Castle, Food, Water, People, and Historical cultural fortunes.

Castle

Kato Kiyomasa

Kato Kiyomasa served it as a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and he fought in one place after another in each place and showed a military exploit. He became a feudal lord of Higo Kumamoto. He became a vassal of Tokugawa in Hideyoshi posthumously and I gave a military exploit by a fight of Sekigahara and became Higo Kumamoto feudal lord.

Build

There is Kumamoto castle in the center of Kumamoto. Another name is “Ginkgo castle. Kumamoto castle is famous castle in Japan. The characteristic of Kumamoto castle is Musya-gaeshi. It is the wall that warped diagonally. The wall is made of a lot of stones. This wall was made to prevent a samurai from entering in a castle. In addition, Musya-gaeshi is sold as a Japanese cake. The view to watch from the castle tower is very beautiful.

Memorial Festival

There are some events because Kumamoto castle was built for four hundreds years ago. Every year, in Knmamoto castle has same festivals to see cherry blossoms and morning glory. However, this year’s events are held special festivals which are Japanese traditional dances in every season. I want to appreciate the dance because I have never seen it.

Food

Horse meat

Kumamoto is known as the birthplace of Horse meat. In Kumamoto, we eat raw horse meat. We call it “Basashi”. I think to eat Basashi is unusual custom. We soak it in soy sauce and eat. Some people eat with the spices such as grated ginger or the leek. There may be the person saying that I feel sorry for a horse. I think it is right. But how about cow, pig, fish and so on. We eat many animals. Horse meat is same thing. Horse meat is popular as a souvenir. You can also get a horse meat pie as a souvenir.

Chinese noodles

There are many restaurants of Chinese noodles in Kumamoto. In particular, Tamana’s Chinese noodles is famous nationwide. This soup made from bone of pigs. Cook it stow for a long time. This soup’s taste is rich.

Sweets

Koubai is the most famous sweets shop in Kumamoto. “Jindaiko” is best sweets in this shop. It is sweet bean jelly and including bean paste. I think it is more popular among elder people than young people. It will be very pleased when you bring as a gift.

“Ikinari dango” is also famous Kumamoto sweets. It is local sweets of Kumamoto. It is made by mother and grand mother for long time in Kumamoto. Its recipe is easy. First, you cook crust. You mix salt and water into flour and knead them. After you knead, it is left around 30 minutes. Meanwhile, peel sweet potato and cut for a bite size. Next, you put bean paste on a piece of sweet potato. May be it taking 30 minutes from the beginning. So it is good time to use crust. You divide crust equally for the right size. Then you wrap a piece of sweet potato and bean paste with crust. Finally you steam them. Actually “Ikinari” mean easy in Kumamoto dialect.

Water

Ground water

The capital of the water

Kumamoto City is blessed with water environment to be called "the capital of the water" for a long time. The places providing with all of water to use for the waterworks in cities more than a population of 670,000 people in groundwater are few nationwide.

Groundwater of Kumamoto

Because minerals melt a lot into it, the water of Kumamoto is delicious. The water of Kumamoto uses groundwater to running water.

Problem

People wastes groundwater recently. Groundwater is one of the limited resources. So we should use groundwater carefully. Kumamoto City appeals to the citizens to save water now.

Springs

Shirakawa spring

The spring water, "Shirakawa spring" are represents Aso. In the Shirakawa source of a river, water of 60t a minute springs out. This spring becomes First-grade River “Shirakawa”. In addition, this spring is chosen in "100 Japanese famous water" from the Environmental Agency.

Todoroki spring

Todoroki spring is chosen in "100 Japanese famous water" from the Environmental Agency, too. This spring has less quantity of the spring than Shirakawa spring. This water is sweet.

Rivers

Kuma River

The Kuma River runs into Hitoyoshi and Yatsushiro. The span of this river is 115 kilometer. Kuma River is torrent in Japan. A lot of people raft and enjoy it. In addition, you can catch a lot of Ayu in this river.

People

Dialect

In Kumamoto, there are some words which are spoken in only Kumamoto. There are many Kumamoto dialects in here. Kumamoto dialect is like with other prefecture in Kyusyu. If you went to Fukuoka, you can understand what people say. Then I often speak with Kumamoto dialect because I was born in Kumamoto. My favorite Kumamoto dialect is “tai”. Most of us speak “tai” in place of “dayo” in a sentence of the end. I’m proud of Kumamoto dialect because I like them. So, I want to keep speaking Kumamoto dialect if I live in other place.

Character

People living in Kumamoto has a character which many people mains other people’s careers. Most of them ask people’s careers even if they have never met before. I think we must not decide people’s character with several careers because we should be fair.

Famous people

Natume Souseki

He was a famous novelist in Japan. He stayed in Kumamoto because he taught English in Kumamoto University. He was wrote many novels before he died forty nine years old. His works are “Bottyan”, “I’m a cat”, “Sanshiro”, and “Kokoro”. They are read by many people now. I think his works is so difficult for me when I read them. Because he had an experience that he lived in Great Britain, I am interested in his novels.

Yukisada Isao

He is a movie director. He was born in Kumamoto and graduated from Kumamoto Daini high school. Most popular of his works is “GO”. He became very famous because he made it. I like his movies. Especially, my favorite one is “Spring Snow” because I have ever read the original novel. This movie’s image and story is very good. I made my mind move when I finished watching this movie. If you have a chance, you should watch it.

Historical culture fortunes

Bridge of water

Kumamoto has a big bridge of water. The name is “tujyunkyo” in Japanese. It is in Yamato town. It is an aqueduct of the water by putting a lot of rocks together built over the valley. Futa Yasunosuke who was a village headman all-out of the hometown made a plan in building and recruited a fund. It is chosen to 100 selections of an irrigation canal of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Stone stairs of 3333

Kumamoto has a stone stairs of 3333 in Misato town. It’s the longest in Japan. The stone stairway construction starts it from January 1980 and overtook 2,446 steps of Yamagata Mt. Haguro in November 1985. And Kumamoto’s stone stairs became number one in Japan, and it is completed in the end of March 1988. It is 3,333 steps of number of the total steps.

Yamaga’s garden lantern festival

This festival is annual festival. It held in every summer. Many women who from or live in Yamaga city are dance. They put a garden on them head. It is very beautiful. Every year many people come to watch this festival. I heard this dance is very difficult and hard work for women. They practice many times. Someone who was born in Yamaga city and graduate from Yamaga junior-high school and Yamaga high school can only dance on the stage. On same day, we can watch fireworks near the dance stage.

Conclusion

Kumamoto Castle was build by Kato Kiyomasa since 400 years ago. This Castle’s outside is very beautiful and it is very famous in Japan. Now, memorial events are hold in Kumamoto Castel. House meat is very famous as local dishes of Kumamoto. Chinese noodles and Ikinari dango are also famous food and they are popular food in Kumamoto. Kumamoto is famous as the capital of the water. Kumamoto City is blessed with water and it is very delicious because minerals melt in it. We have to save our precious water. Most of people in Kumamoto are use Kumamoto dialect, because we like our dialect. Kumamoto has a lot of famous person, for instance Natume Souseki, Yukisada Isao, and so on. Kumamoto has a lot of historical culture fortunes too. For example bridge of water, stone stairs, Yamaga’s garden lantern festival and so on.

Kumamoto has really a lot of specific characteristics. I think we can proud of that. I think Kumamoto is a very good prefecture.

[1487 words]

Gmail and writing studio blog

Gmail is very useful software. You can send E-mail and check it anywhere. And you can enjoy chat with anyone who has a Gmail address. If you get invitation from Gmail user, you can get the Gmail address free.
Last February I got my Gmail address. Because I need it for my writing class. Prof.Tomei send me the invitation. At first, I did't know Gmail. Getting my Gmail address was easy for me. And I can get it immediately. After I got my Gmail address, I chatted with Prof. Tomei.
I use a Gmail except writing class. For example, I send some pictures by Gmail. I use these pictures for this blog. You know, this blog can post anywhere, too. So if I send pictures on Gmail, I can post blog with pictures. Some times I also send draft for my paper by Gmail. I have to write many papers but I don't have enough time. So in lunchtime, I think aboute my paper, type a part of draft, and send it for my Gmail address by my celluar phone. After that, I'll open that mail, and cut and paste a part of draft into Word. It is very useful tool, isn't it?
I'll talk about Writing studio blog. It is Prof. Beaufait's blog. Of cause there are information for our writing class. But there are many kind of posts. For example, restaurant review, movie review, and so on. Some times I need my English dictionary for read this blog. Bat it is not so difficult for me and maybe I can increase my vocabulary. This blog has many pictures and rinks. I think this is a fun blog.

Web site review

http://streaming.yahoo.co.jp/

I recommend “Yahoo! Streaming”. I like this web site very much. When I have time, I usually browse this site.

If you have “Internet Explorer” and “Windows Media Player” or “Adobe Flash Player”, you can enjoy this web site, too!! Some contents need money, but there are many free cost contents. You can watch music promotion video, drama, movie, TV program, news, and so on.

My favorite channel is Music. There are many music promotion video. We can watch them on free!! The quality of video is very high. Now, on music channel, we can watch “Dreams Come True”, “Kouda Kumi”, “Amuro Namie”, “GReeeeN”, “Ayaka”, and so on. You know, they are very famous musician. If you can find what are you looking for PV on this web site, you don’t need buy or rental that. And you can watch those anytime you want do it.

This web site is great, isn’t it?? Why don’t you enjoy this web site? Please click the picture upper this post. Don’t forget that you have to watch on “Internet Explore”, NOT on “Firefox”.

What is the Kumamoto people?

I think the Kumamoto people have some characteristic. For example, I think Kumamoto people speak in dialect, be late for promise, and be a bit hasty. Then I would like to talk about why I think so in order.

First, I’ll talk about Kumamoto people’s dialect. Kumamoto has a lot of dialect. And it is a little different from area. On each area, each dialect is spoken. Commonly dialect is spoken by older people. But in Kumamoto, young people speak in dialect, too. In fact, many young people use in dialect not only in conversation but also in e-mail. Maybe young people like Kumamoto’s dialect, and they want to leave it. So that is why Kumamoto people speak in dialect well.

Second, I’ll talk about Kumamoto people are late for promise. Of cause it is NOT all of Kumamoto people. But it is said that Kumamoto people are usually late for promise. I think being late for a few minutes is not so serious matter for many Kumamoto people. Actually if I wait for friend few minutes, I will not be angry. Because being late for promise is natural for Kumamoto people. Maybe most Kumamoto people know that is not good thing. But they are late. I can’t understand why they can’t improve this custom.

Third, I will talk about Kumamoto people are a bit hasty. For example, they don’t wait for the signal to change to green. If there are no cars, Kumamoto people cross the rode. I think the best example is the intersection of toorityousuji. If some people start to cross the intersection, another people also start to cross it. Maybe they don’t think it is bad thing.

In conclusion, the Kumamoto people like Kumamoto’s dialect. Some Kumamoto people late for promise, but Kumamoto people are not angry for being late for a few minutes. They are kindness. And the Kumamoto people some times don’t wait for turn the signal. I think Kumamoto people have more characteristic. I would like to find more!

my favorite *^-^*

I’ll write about my favorite things; food, music, country.

First, I’ll write about my favorite food.

I like eating. I can eat any foods in Japan. (Except something spicy food.) You know, there is many foods what I have never eat them. So that is why I write “in Japan”.

My favorite food is SUSHI and sweets.

My home town is surrounded by the sea, so we can eat very fresh and delicious fish. I’m eating sushi since I was little. I have my favorite sushi restaurant. Of cause it is in my home town. This restaurant is very famous. Some people come to there from Hokkaido!! So we need to reserve seats. When I back to my hometown, I ask my father to reserve seats.

I sometimes cook sweets for friend's birthday or something special day. Cooking sweets is very fun. And eating them is very very fun!!! But I don't have oven in my apartment. So I want to get it!!

Next, I’ll write about music.

I like j-pop and classic.

When I have a time, I usually listening j-pop. I like SMAP and Dreams Come True. Actually, I never go to their live. Someday I want to go it!!!

I can play the trumpet and piano, so I play classic music. When I was 6 years old, I started to play the piano. I learned to play the piano for 12 years. But I’m a not good at piano player. I like “etude Op.10-3” (it is called wakareno kyoku in Japan) very much. It was written by Chopin. I tried to play this one, but I couldn’t. it was very difficult for me. When I was 10 years old, I started to play the trumpet. At first, I can't play that. So I practice every day!! When I was 13 years old, my parents gave me trumpet. I was very happy. Now, I belong to civil brass band. There are many people of various generation. There are many many good player. We practice on Saturdays. After all playing the trumpet is very fun for me!!

Finally, I’ll write about my favorite country.

I love Australia. When I was 15 years old, I went to Australia with my family (it was my first time to visit there.) There are a lot of beautiful natures. I sow many beautiful fish at the great barrier reef. I was very exciting!!

Last spring vacation, I went to Australia again!! This time I stayed at Sydney for 16 days. And I worked as a volunteer worker at kindergarten. Children was so cute ♡　It become my good experience. I want to go Australia again!!!

My campus life

I usually get up at 7:00 am. Every morning I fight against time.
First, I wash my face, wear contact lenses, and sometime wash my laundry.
Second, I cook my lunch. There are many frozen foods in my lunch. I only have to defrost them and pack them in my lunch box.
Third, I eat my break first. My break first is very simple. For example rice and natto.
Forth, I change my pajama, and make up.
The 1st period starts at 9 o’clock, so I leave my apartment at 8:45. I always go to school by bicycle. it took about 5 minutes to get to school.
Every morning I check the billboard, but there are nearly nothing information for me.
I eat lunch with my friends everyday. Lunch time is fun for me. We always talk about something. For example, tv, movie, news, friends, and so on.
I’m not belong to any club. So after the school, I back home soon. And pick my laundry up. Then cook my supper.
I sometime watch the tv. But recently I have to do many home works, so I have to study hard!
Saturday and Sunday, I work part-time. It is a little hard for me. Because I have many assignments. So I want to quiet my part-time job.
On Saturday night, I practice the trumpet. This time is very precious time for me.
I think my campus life become harder than freshman… but I have a sense of fulfillment.

self-introduce

I am student of University. I'm second grader now.
My major is English. I also study Spanish as my second foreign language.

My home town is very very small island. There are beautiful places. There are a lot of natures. We can watch dolphins on the sea. And seafood is very delicious. I like my hometown. But there is no university. So now I leave my hometown and live by myself.

University is a little hard for me. Because I have to do many assignments. I have to study English every day. Actually I want to go shopping, karaoke, and so on with my friends. But it’s a little hard for us. We’ll go karaoke when we finish exam. I can’t wait for it!!

My hobbies are playing the trumpet, listening music, travel, and so on. When I was 10 years old, I started to play the trumpet. Now I belong to the citizen brass band. It is not a school band. There are many generations. It is very fun for me.