My total

words 15031
posts 94
book points 20
book points remaining 0
podcast episodes 5
topic-related posts 10

January 29 Farewell party

I went to the hospital this morning. After that, I went to the dorm because the farewell party was held there today. I didn't want the day to come. Some of my friends are going back to their own countries, they gave speeches. When Mira was giving a speech, I cried. I didn't expect to cry but I did without knowing and so did Eri. We couldn't stop crying while she gave her speech. Kurihara-san is the manager of the dorm, showed us a slide show which Mira made. It made me feel happy and sad at the same time. I am really glad to have met her and to have such nice friends in Japan. I want them to stay here. I took a lot of photos with everyone. Every time I am with them, I feel happy and could make many great memories. I remember all of them vividly. I will never forget great memories forever. It is really sad that I have to say good-bye to my friends. I know I can see them again but we can't have time together here. I want to spend the rest of time with them as long as I can. Gen's birthday party will be held at the dorm on February 3 and I am looking forward to it! Narisa, Megumu, Eri and I will make lunch for my lovely friends at the dorm on February 8. I want to do everything I can do for my friends! After the party was held, we cleared away the dishes. Then Gen taught Eri and me animal call. It was really fun! Japanese animal call is quite different from British one. We went to muraichiban to have dinner and had a good time. It doesn't matter where we are. We can enjoy ourselves anywhere! Gen took Eri and me to second sight which is karaoke and we could meet her lovely friends. There were about 30 people from America, the UK, Canada and so on. It was the first time for me to have such a great time with many people from other countries. I was very glad that they were pleased when Eri and I sang Western music. I really felt like being abroad. They are frinedly, nice and attractive! Gen told me that my English was getting better but I thought it was not good compared to native speaker. Of course I am not a native speaker of English but If I can speak English as if I were a native speaker, I could enjoy myself much better than now. I hope my English can be improved in Canada. The more I hang out with my foreign frineds, The more I can make wonderful memories and learn. Thanks a lot :D
(462 words)

I love Western music!

I love Taylor Swift so much! I hadn't known about her at all until I enterd this university. Narisa, one of my friends, told me about her. I was actually not interested in Western music but every time new good song is released, she tells me so I am becoming interested in it. Of course I like her looks but I also like her lyrics. Her promotion videos are also cute! I think every girl agree with her lyrics. I heard from Miasato that she is going to Osaka because her concert is held. I am so jealous! I really want to see her while I am in Canada. I have another favorite singer and the its name is The Saturdays. Gen, one of my frineds from England, and Eri told the groupe. The Saturdays consists of 5 beautiful, cool and cute women. I hadn't thought that British English was so cool before but now I really think it is co cool! The pronunciationof British English is really clear. I wish I could speak both American and British English. Gen taught Eri and me some great singers: Kate Nash, Amy Winehouse and Florence.
(193 words)

January 23

It was a good day! I tried to get up at 6:30 as usual in the morning but I couln't. I finally got up at 10:00 and went to KGU by train. I wanted to stay at home but I didn't think I could concentrate on my studying for the tests there. When I got to KGU, I got together with Megumu at the library. We started to study for International Society and Japan. It is said that the test is the most difficult for students of the English department to get a credit. I totally agree with it. Ikedy and Echan came there and we studied together. I really wanted to study there but the library was closed at 5:00 p.m. so we left there. After that, I went to the dorm and studied with Haruna-san and Mira. It was so boring to study it but we had to. Yusen and Mira bought us oyakodon from hottomotto and had dinner together at the dorm. Eri, Ikedy and Megumu came there and they gave me birthday presents! Ikesy gave me a cute watch and of course I like it! I am wearing it now :) Megumu gave me a letter and it made me moved. Thank you so much! I had to say goodbye to Eri, Megumu and Ikedy because they went to Joyful. After that, I started to not study but talk with Gen, Clark and Jordan. haha Every time I talk to them, I always feel happy. It is really fun to talk with my lovely friends from other countries. We talked about a lot of things that day too. Gen, Clark and Jordan suddenly told me that my English got much better than when they met me for the first time, I could enough communicate with them in English, and that I didn't have to change my English pronunciation. I didn't expect them to tell me such things so I felt really happy. Also, it made me want to study English much more! There are many English pronunciations. That's why they told me that I didn't have to change it. Gen is from the UK, Clark is from America and Jordan is from Canada. Clark's English pronunciation and Jordan's are similar. Recently I have really felt the difference between American English and British English. Gen told me that she could catch what I say and communicate with me in English. I could hear a nice thing from Gen. It was that she couldn't speak Japanese perfectly but she could communicate with me in Japanese so the time to study Japanese was over and she wanted to start studying French next. I sometimes think why I want to speak English fluently and perfectly, why I decided to study in Canada and why I want to work by using English in the future. I agree with her opinion and I thought it was very nice. Now I haven't decided what kind of job I want to get in the future but I really like studying Englsih. To be more exact, I really like talkingh with people from other countries. All I have to do is to keep studying English. I am gald to have such good frineds. Nice chatting with you guys! Thank you so much :)
(548 words)

January 22

I went to pikaichi which is my favorite beauty salon and got my hair cut and straight. I like that beauty salon very much because the staffs are so kind, nice and funny. They also have good techniques. I like being there so much. Every time I go there, I feel so good and become sleepy. Pikaichi gives me time to be happy. However I have a concern. I will go to Canada to study so while I am there, where should I have my hair cut? I hope to find some good beauty salons like piakichi in Canada. After leaving pikaichi, I went to my job. When I got there and opened my locker as usual, there were many presents in it! I couldn't believe it! I was so happy! I work at the cram school and one of the presents was from my students. I am glad to have such sweet students. I really felt happy to work there with them.
(164 words)

My goal

I decided to pass the pre-level 1 English Language Proficiency test until I graduate from this university. If I can, I really want to get it before I study in Canada. I heard from Sayano that if you have few vocablaries, you can't pass it. I decided to finish powerwords during this spring vacation. I study it for not only English Language Prificiency test but also TOEFL. I will take the TOEFL on March 3. I need more than 525 score on the TOEFL. It is time for me to think about this much more seriously! Also, if I can acquire many vocablaries, I will be able to talk with my friends from other countries better than now. It depends on my efforts whether I can pass it or not. I will do my best this spring vacation!
(138 words)

January 21

I finally turned 21 on January 21. I went to the dorm after school to give Weiwei a handmade birthday card and present, and I was so glad that she were pleased with them. She also gave me presents and they were a bath powder and letter so I was so moved. Puddindg and Miaoun gave me a cuchion shaped heart. It is so cute! After that, we went downtown to have a birthday party. Gen and I went there by bus and it was the first time for me to talk with her alone. The time when we were on the bus was short but we talked about many things. I like her so much and I decided to go to the UK to see her while I am studying in Canada. We got together with other friends in front of daie and we went to the restaurant( Sorry but I can't remember the spell of its name.) I didn't know where we had a birthday party until then because Narisa, Megumu and Eri didn't tell me to please me :) We had a party to celebrate for people who was born in January. Mira, Mon-chan, weiwei, Pudding and I were born in January. So that party was held for us! Narisa, Megumu and Eri planed that party so I really appreciated for them. I am glad to have such good friends. Mira and Yusen gave me cute red gloves and a pouch. Now I am using them and gave my mother things I used before. haha Gen gave me a practical thing.haha The dished were really good and we could eat soft cream many times for free. After leaving there, we went to take purikura. I enjoyed myself sooo mcuh with Narisa, Eri, Megumu, Gen, Yuna, Mira, Yusen, Clark, Mon-chan, Pudding and Chonchon-san. I love them all. When I got home, my younger sister gave me birthday presents. I thought I was the happiest one in the world in that day!
(336 words)

My total

words 13190
posts 84
book points 20
book points remaining 0
podcast episodes 5
topic-related posts 10

essay 2

Saint Mary's University is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was founded in 1802 by Reverend Edmund Burke. Saint Mary's University is the second oldest university in Canada. There are about 1000 exchange students from more than 100 countries.This section is going to introduce the on-campus facilities at SMU.
Firstly, there are a library and LL in SMU as academic facilities. The library is
open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It has 4 floors and there are many personal computers on the first floor and third floor and many books and group learningrooms on the second, third and fourth floors. There are many books there and students can ask clerks to help them. It is difficult to find the books without their help. There is also a big lobby on the first floor and the ceiling is made of glass so it gets a lot of sunshine. There is Just Us! which is a cafeteria there and it has a big patio. Students can study, eat and drink both in the patio and in the library.
The LL is a place like computer room. Students can make and change the
computer account there. When their computers are broken, they can bring them
there and the officers will fix them.Secondly, there are several dining facilities at SMU: Just Us!, Tim Horton, a convenience store and a cafeteria. There is Just Us! in the library and was rebuilt recently. According to Nakashima and Uno(2010, personal interview), the muffins at Just Us! are very popular among the students. They have 4 kinds of flavors: chocolate, banana, plain and raspberry. They cost only 99 cents. This is also a reason why the muffins are very popular.
There are two Tim Hortons. The small one is in the student center and cafeteria
is also there. They sell pizza, soup and so on. The big one is on the first floor of
Loyola dormitory, as well as a convenience store.
There are 3 dormitories: Rice, Loyola and Vanier. Rice has a common bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Loyola and Vanier have a meal plan, a common bathroom. You can use the internet anytime everywhere in each dormitory. If you want to make your own meals, you should choose Rice because it has a kitchen.Finally, there are other facilities both in SMU and outside. Almost all of the students use RBC. RBC stands for Royal Bank of Canada. There is the ATM machine of RBC in SMU and most students make use of it. A central branch of RBC is on Spring Garden Street. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from SMU.
The drug store named Shoppers is very popular among people. There are two
branches of Shoppers in Halifax. The central branch of Shoppers is on Spring
Garden Street and it takes about 15 minutes to walk there from SMU. A smaller
one has a post office and it takes about 5 minutes to walk there from Rice. You
can get commodities there. Japanese style bedding, pillows, sheets can be bought
at Wal-Mart.
(502 words)

Why I won't make up my face everyday

These days, I have been thinking why I won't make up my face everyday. Do you know why? There are 3 reasons. Firstly, I have no time to make up my face. I live in Yatsushiro so I have to get up at 6:30 every morning except Saturdays and Sundays. Most of my friends get up early to make up their face. If I make up my face, I have to get up earlier than 6:30 but I can not probably do that. Secondly, I don't care I go out without making up. Some of my friends say that they can't walk outside without making up so they make up everyday. Of course every girl who make up is much cuter than one who doesn't, I am sure. Finally, I don't want to do that. I like be made up by someone. haha I will try to make up once a week this year.
(154 words)

Haruna Ai

Do you know Haruna Ai? She is the most beautiful shemale in the world. Her real name is Kenji Osawa. Do you know why I am talking about her? After I entered this university, I came to be called Haruna Ai by many of my friends because I resemble her. I don't know what part I resemble. Most of my friends say that my voice is similar to hers. But I am not actually happy because her voice is still boy's. They often tell me to say "Iuyone~~~." I hope them to be tired of making me say that soon. Also, some of them say that my face is look like hers. She is so cute that I am happy to be said that. I think she is much cuter than I. Not only my friends but also the members at my job say that I look like her. Every time I was said I look like her, I feel complicated. Some of my frineds sometimes call me Haruna or Ai-chan. I DO want them to stop saying that:P
(179 words)

My favorite

I am going to talk about my favorite dance. I have never taken dance lessons but when I saw sonyoshide which is an idol group in Korea on TV, I thought their dance was so cute, which made me want to dance! Eri, one of my friends from university, also likes their dance and she found a video which tells us how to dance “Gee” on youtube. Their dance is not so difficult but we have to move our body many times, so I hope to lose at least 5 kilograms during the spring vacation. We have ever practiced dancing “Gee” at the English Lounge 3 or 4 times. It made me seem to be in Korea. Eri and I will probably keep practicing it.
(125 words)

My favorite car

I am going talk about my favorite car. I like my car, move late, made by Daihatsu the best. I got a driver’s license this summer and started driving. I had not been interested in any car until I got a driver’s license. I am still not interested in car so much. But I love my car so much! Its color is pastel yellow and the look is so cute. When I go to job, I usually drive there, listening to Western music. I like that time very much. I have never been to other prefectures in my car so if I have a chance, I want to drive somewhere with some of my close friends after I get used to driving more.
(123 words)

My favorite comic

I am going to talk about my favorite comic. There are many comics I like. I like both girls’ and boys’ comics. Kimi-ni-todoke is one of my favorite girls’ comics. Sawako is a heroine of the comic and she is so shy. Kazehaya-kun is a hero and Sawako likes him. Kazehaya-kun likes her too but she didn’t know find out that. Finally, Kazehaya-kun told her that he liked her and they are in a relationship now. When I read it, I always grin without my knowing. This comic makes me both happy and sad. I think there is not any boy like Kazehaya-kun in the real world. This story has not finished yet so I am excited to read the next story!
(122 words)

My name

My name

I’m going to tell you about my name. My name is Ayano Yokoyama. Yoko means side. Yama means mountain. Aya means a twill weave, a fabic made with a twill weave　and cloth with a pattern of diagonal strip. No means namely, that is and or. I think no is used in girls’ name. These are my nick names: Ayano, Aya-chan, Yokoyama, Tateyama, Nanameyama, Haruna Ai and Hana. Most people call me Ayano. My garandparents call me Aya-chan. Some people call me my last name Yokoyama. A few of my friends from junior high school call me Tateyama and Nanameyama. It is so funny. Only a friend of mine calls me Non. It sounds cute. After I entered this university, I came to be called Haruna Ai who is the most beautiful shemale in the world. They say that I resemble her. Every time I am called Haruna Ai or Ai-chan, I actually feel complicated. Also, some of my frieneds call me Hana. Hana means not flower but nose. I think the nickname comes from my face because my nose is longer than others. Please don’t call me Hana. I think Haruna Ai and Hana have nothing to do with my name.
Next, let me show you about my younger sister’s name and how our names were decided. My younger sister’s name is Yoshino. To tell the truth, our names were not decided by our parents. We were named by Mr. Ueno who is a close friend of my father and he has a power of seeing people’s future. According to Mr. Ueno, he named us so that we are loved by many people. My parents were wondered which they should name me, Ayano or Mariko. Ma means government. Ri means stand. Ko means child. Stroke count of both of them was the best. That of Yokoyama Ayano is 34 and that of Yokoyama Mariko is 35. Mr. Ueno told my parents that both of them were the best and could bring me great life. Then my parents thought the look of Mariko was strict and hard and that of Ayano was warm and kind. That’s why they chose not Mariko but Ayano. Ayano is still a much-loved so I like my name so much. I’m thankful to my parents and Mr. Ueno for naming me Ayano. Thank you for listening.

(391 words)

The coming of age ceremony and the junior high reunion

The coming of age ceremony was held in Yatsushiro on Junuary 9 and I could see many of my friends from high school. I could also see Tsubaki Oniyakko-san (椿鬼奴さん)in the middle of the ceremony! She was so funny. After that, I went to Minamata from Minamata by express. I moved to Yatsushiro after I graduated from Junior high school in Minamata so I had not seen most of my friends from junior high school for about 5 years! When I was a junior high school studnet, I had short hair, but now I have long hair so they didn't think I was Ayano at the moment of my entering the Japanese bar.lol Thier looks have changed a lot but thier personalities haven't. It made me so glad. The reunion was held from 19:30 to 07:30! Isn't it amazing how fast time flies? I did want time to stop. Every time I go to Minamata, I don't want to come back. I had a nice talk with them. I hope to see them again. I am so glad to have such great friends.
(183 words)

Two sides that electronic devices affect reading books

Nowadays, the whole world has paid attention to debuts of many kinds of electronic devices. The electronic devices affect connection between people and reading books in two different ways.
It is often said that young people who seldom read books have been increasing in recent years. Most people get engaged in picture books when they are little. As they grow up, however, chances to read books decrease. In summer vacation, teachers give students assignments such as book report and book report picture at school. Unless students are given a chance to read books, they seldom do it. If you think of when they start to get away from books, it is when they are in junior high school or high school. The biggest reason is that they begin to have their own mobile phones. There are more young people who read other people’s blog on mobile phone and PC than ones who read books. It is suggested that they don’t read printed words cause a decline of language skills.
On the other hand, some of the electronic devices connect people and books. On of them is electronic book. It is popular because people can enjoy reading books anytime. In addition, it has lifted their interest in books. Electronic devices have good aspect and bad one. How they affect people depends on how they use them.
(225 words)

Equal Employment Opportunity in Japan and America

In America, they have The Equal Employment Opportunity Law and it consists of 8 items.　In Japan, we have the same law, too. It was enacted in 1986 and revised in 1999. After the law was revised, employers were forbidden to discriminate against men or women concerning employment opportunities and promotions. However, it is said that this law isn’t enough because it suggests that employers should give equal employment opportunities but it doesn’t decide how many men and women they must hire. In America, there is Pregnancy Discrimination Act in The Equal Employment Opportunity Law. It means women aren’t discriminated because of maternity leave and work absence by health condition after birthing. In actual, however, it doesn’t work well.
Both America and Japan have the Equal Employment Opportunity Law but they can’t easily eliminate a gender differentiation as long as they have a prejudice of women.　If the law is revised, they have to change their point of view.
(159 words)

essay 1

Saint Mary's university is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was founded in 1802 by Reverend Edmund Burke. Saint Mary's university is the second oldest university in Canada. There are about 1000 exchange students from more than 100 countries. I am going to introduce on-campus facilities. Firstly, there are a library and LL in SMU as academic facilities. The library is open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It has 4 floors and there are many PCs on first floor and third floor and many books and group learning rooms from second floor to fourth floor. There are many books there so if you look for some books, you should ask clerks and they will help you. You can’t find the books you look for without their help. There is also a big lobby on the first floor and the ceiling in made of glass so it gets a lot of sunshine. There is Just Us! which is a cafeteria there and it has a big patio. You can study, eat and drink both in the patio and in the library. LL is a place like building 14 of KGU. You can make and change your account there. When your computer is broken out, you can bring it there and officers will fix it. Secondly, there are some dining facilities, Just Us!, Tim Horton, a convenient store and cafeteria. There are two Just Us! in SMU. One which is in the library was rebuilt recently. Muffins are so popular among students. It has 4 kinds of tastes, chocolate, banana, plain and raspberry. It costs only 99 cents. It is also a reason why Muffins are so popular. There are two Tim Horton. Small one is in the student center and cafeteria is also there. It sells pizza, soup and so on. Big one and a convenient store are on the first floor of Loyola.
Thirdly, there are 3 dormitories, Rice, Loyola and Vanier. Rice has a common bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Loyola and Vanier have a meal plan, a common bathroom. You can use the internet anytime everywhere in each dormitory. If you don’t need meal, you should choose Rice.
Finally, there are other facilities both in SMU and outside. Almost all of the people use RBC. RBC stands for Royal Bank of Canada. ATM of RBC is in SMU and most students make a use it. A central branch of RBC is on Spring garden street. It takes about 15 minutes to walk there from SMU. A drug store whose name is shoppers is very popular among people. There are two shoppers in Halifax. A central branch of shoppers is on Spring garden street and it takes about 15 minutes to walk there from SMU. Small one has a post office and it takes about 5 minutes to walk there from Rice. You can get commodities there. When you want a Japanese style bedding, a pillow, a sheet something like that, you can buy them at Wal Mart.

(502 words)

MY TOTAL

words 10525

posts 72

book points 20

book points remaining 0

podcast episodes 5

topic-related posts 10

December 20 and 22

I went to teikoku-yakiniku with Narisa, Megumu, Eri, Chonchon-san, Yusen, Mira, Purin, Yuna, Clark to cerablate for Eri and Yusen's birthday on December 20. We gave Yusen a birthday card we made and he was so pleased with it. We were also so glad. We took many photos and enjoyed talking. Narisa showed us how to do hengao and it was too funny to stop laughing. After having dinner, we went to the dorm and ate ganach Narisa and I had made. I was so happy to hear that they said "it is so good!" I had a great time.

I had TKB-party at Takebe-sensei's house at night. I work at a cram school and we are so close. I picked up Shiiba-sensei and Riko-chan and went there. I was surprised that Satou-sensei and Matsumoto-sensei put on Santa and Tonakai's clothes. haha We had a takoyaki, chiken and ice cream. I enjoyed played games after a long time with Ken-chan and Minawa-sensei. It was really fun!

165 words

Other Facilities

There are some useful facilities outside near SMU. For example, RBC, the post office, the drug store and so on. First, I am going to talk about RBC. RBC stands for Royal Bank of Canada. Most exchange students make their account there. Jordan who is an exchange student from SMU, his mother works there. Next, let me show you about the post office. It takes about 5 minutes to walk there. If you want to send something, you should go there and ask clerk. Finally, I am going to explain the drug store. I heard from exchange students from SMU that the store's name is Shoppers and it is very useful. You can get commodities there.

116 words

Other facilities

I am going to talk about other facilities outside SMU.

1. The bank

2. The post office

3. The drug store

please click it out here.

23 words

COSTCO

Yesterday I went to COSTCO in Fukuoka I¥with Narisa, Chonchon-san, Clark, Jonah, Ian, Jordan and Purin-chan in Narisa's car. It was the first time for me to go there. When we got there and entered the store, I was very surprised that everything was too big!!! We had lunch and real pizza was so good! After having lunch, we did shopping. I laughed a lot because exchange students matched the store. lol I couldn't believe that I was in Japan then,. I felt like being in America or Canada. After finishing shopping in COSTCO, we went to UNIQLO and I also laughed a lot. Every time I said "Its so cute!" when I found cute clothes, Clark and Jonah said, "Its cute but useless." How many times did we do the same conversation? lol While going to the dorm, we laughed a lot. Narisa and I didn't know that Ian had a remote so we thought the volume of music was turned up automatically. Everyone was crazy! When we got to the dorm, we had dinner watching the movie. I had a great crazy happy time. Thank you for everyone!

190 words

Dormitories

Saint Mary's university

There are 3 dormitories.

1. Rice

2. Loyola

3. Vanier

Please click it out here.

15 words

Domitories

I'm going to introduce dormitories to you. Saint Mary's university has 3 dormitories, Rice, Loyola and Vanier. If you study in Canada, I will recommend Rice. This dormitory is the best. It has common bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens. You have to cook for yourself but you can eat what you want. Most of my friends who have studied in Canada before chose Rice. Next, let me tell you about the others. Loyola has meal plan, common bathrooms, beds and desks. Also, Vanier has the same things. If you don't want to cook for yourself, you can choose Loyola or Vanier. There is a interesting thing. If you find a cockroach, people who kill a cockroach as a job will come and kill it. You can use the internet anytime at every dorm.

133 words

Weekend

I went to Pikaichi which is a beauty salon last Saturday. After that, I went to work. I talked with Misa-san and Robert for 3 hours on skype for the first time in 3 months. I was sooooo happy to see them. I really wanted to go to Canada when I was talking with them. I went shopping with my mom on Sunday. I bought some clothes after a while. I have two favorite shops in Yatsushiro.

(78 words)