The Last Writing Ⅳ Test

1. What I learned in Writing class

I learned a lot of things in Writing Ⅳ in this semester. It was not only about writing but also how important using information and keeps trying something. I went to New Zealand in last summer vacation for a month, so I have no time to keep blogging. I wanted to keep writing English, so I tried to write on my diary. I had a lot of interesting things to write in my homestay days, so it was nice idea for me.


After I went back to Japan, I typed compositions in my diary on my blog. Then my speed of typing English built up because I typed many writings. It was good opportunity to speed up typing. At the start of this writing class, I couldn’t type English quickly because I didn’t use computer so often, so it was also good time to know how to use computer functions. That is why I felt it’s important to keep trying something.


I also learned how important using information. As far as using internet, we see so much information including personal information. I use my pictures on my blog, so I have to beware of using these. It’s difficult to use information because I have to have eyes which can ascertain the truth. And also I felt it’s difficult to use computer because sometimes it doesn’t work or I didn’t know how to use the function.


2. What I still need to learn to improve your own writing

I think it’s important to keep writing English in order to improve my writing skill. Actually, I don’t have much skill of grammar, however, I think I need to keep writing in using my words and my own thinking. Having my own idea or thinking is very important when I write, so I won’t use information on internet as possible as I can.

Also I’ll try to reading more English because I don’t know much style. I want to know more English writing style, and I want to practice more. And I think I have to memorize more English vocabulary because I can’t write without words and some knowledge. I’ll keep on writing my English diary after finishing writing class. It was great experience to participate with this class.

Travel Memory is Treasure

Student ID: 07101

Portfolio for Writing IV,
Section 1a


(See: Note 1, below)

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, Words, and More

(See: Note 2, below.)

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below.)

Please complete this table with data gathered from essays on your blog. See the Key (below) for definitions of the symbols in row one, and complete columns four through nine with numerical values (0, 1, 2, 3, ...).

1.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates yy.mm.dd	¶	W	C	L	P	M
Website review 08.09.29 (375+ words)	Travel Memory is Treasure	08.09.27	3	379	5	1	0	0
Favorite place(-s) 08.10.20 (450+ words)	My Favorite Places in Nagasaki	08.10.10	4	542	0	0	4	0
Mrs. Doubtfire 08.11.04 (500+ words)	Family love is forever	08.11.01	5	608	6	1	2	1
Community life 08.11.17 (default length*)	Emotional Growth	08.11.15	5	589	0	1	0	0
Kumamoto's best-kept secrets 08.12.01 (5+ ¶¶)	How to maintain the amusement park	08.11.30	3	331	0	1	4	0
Learning with computers 2008.12.15 (6+ ¶¶)	Useful but Pay attention!	08.12.13	5	413	0	0	2	0
Totals	---	---	25	2,862	11	4	12	1

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs five (5) or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media included in post
*: "long enough to cover the ... [communities] you choose," Writing Studio Blog, Preparation for Next Essays, 2008.10.29)

1.2. Best Essay

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

• I think my best essay is "Mr. Doubtfire" movie essay(MR2-01: Mr. Doubtfire ~Family love is forever~) because it contains some pictures and also media and link, so it reminds us how this story is. Besides, I told about my opinions through this movie, so reader can find my thought. I didn't write outline of this movie because I wanted people to know my thought more than the outline. Then I divided a piece of writing into paragraphs included each topics I wanted to tell, so I think it's easy to see.

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments yy.mm.dd	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	...	...	...	...
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	"Diary 7: Mon, August 25th"	08.09.01	65	friendly, cheerful ("You can!!You caaaaaaan!! HAHA:)")
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	"Rotorua Weekend ~Part 1~"	08.09.04	94	heartwarming, friendly ("Nojomi〜〜!!I miss you, too!"/using smiley)
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts yy.mm.dd	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	Essay2-01: WEB site review ~Travel Memory is Treasure~	08.09.27	184	questions, empathic (trying to continue conversation/having an interest)
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.10.27	---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	132	thankful, response ("Thank you for commenting my essay"/respond to these question)
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*	NEXT	08.12.03	43	friendly, interest ("Do you have any favorite movies? if you have, tell me them, please ;) coz... i really like to watch movies!)
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---	08.12.12	---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---	54	friendly, recommend ("Hey,what's up!?"/telling some of my favorite movies.)

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post. That is, explain briefly what makes them good comments.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example, in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where, or why not? Please explain.

• I put a recent comments display on head of a sidebar because I can find new comment at once and reply to it immediately.
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• I think giving and receiving comments are very good way to communicate with other people because it's easy to do and it sometimes cheer up people. I was really glad when I posted a blog post and then my friend replied a comment for it. Since then, I became even more conscious of that people look at my blog, so I became aim to write more interesting posts.

3.0. Book Reviews

3.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	Magic Tricks	08.08.04	137	0
2-02	Boats!	08.08.14	160	0
2-03	Flood!	08.08.21	275	0
2-04	Shooting stars	08.08.25	243	0
2-05	Lost in the Jungle	08.09.05	268	0
2-06	The Rainbow Machine	08.09.12	158	0
2-07	Red Planet	08.09.15	156	0
2-08	Rescue!	08.10.02	184	0
2-09	Sam's New Flat	08.10.07	184	0
2-10	Dutch Adventure	08.10.13	210	0
2-11	Survival Adventure	08.10.19	167	0
2-12	The Coldest Place on Earth	08.10.25	219	0
2-13	Grasshopper on the road	08.11.01	291	0
2-14	Frog and Toad Are Friends	08.11.18	158	0
2-15	The Motorway	08.11.14	238	0
2-16	Alice's Adventure in Wonderland	08.11.21	162	0
2-17	The PIANO	08.12.02	238	0
2-18	GUCCI ~BUSINESS IN FASHION~	08.12.12	208	0
---	---	Totals:	3,656	0

Note: Please calculate and list book review Totals for words and comments without including those from the example (above).

3.2. Best Book Review

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

• I think BR2-08: Rescue! is my best book review because it contains my opinion. It has not many words but it has a most impotant point I thought. Besides, I didn't write the outline a lot. Actually, this book is short story, so I tryied to think some ideas from this story topic. Then I changed the color of sentences which I'd like to enphasize. This is also a good point that it contained a photograph of this book.

4.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
4.1. Does your blog display an archive?	○
4.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	○
4.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	○
4.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	○
4.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	○
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (18) AND "reviews" (5)	○
"essays" (12) AND "portfolios" (1)	○
"quickposts" (21)	○
"links" (6) AND "media" (6)	○
"movies" (11) AND "websites" (０)		○
"brainstorms" (5), "essay prep.," (8)AND "free-writing"(4)	○
4.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	○
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? __17_ other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. photos (73) diary entries (51) homestay (35) YouTube (34) quickposts (32) book reviews (31) languages (30) New Zealand (29) opinions (26) families (25) friends (24) essays (20) introductions (15) medias (14) movie reviews (13) typing topics (13) amusements (9) essay preps (8) favorites (8) links (8) reviews (8) jobs (7) brainstorms (5) OtherReviews (4) free-writings (4) musics♪YouTube (4) outlines (4) animations (2) portfolios (2) drafts (1) lists (1)	---	---
4.3. Links & media	---	---
4.3.1. Does your blog include photos or other graphics?	○
Does your blog profile include a photo or graphic representation?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include photos or other graphics? __73_ posts including photos or other graphics	---	---
4.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	○
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links? __2_ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
4.3.3. Does your blog include other media?	○
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? _48__ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list the kinds here: ...You Tube	---	---
What media content that you originally produced, if any, do your blog posts for this semester contain? Please list and explain each item briefly, and add short links and dates (yy.mm.dd) for reference. 　　 Nothing especially.	---	---

4.4. Overall presentation

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

1. ... I tried to add lists on my blog posting in this semester, so people can see the source.
2. ... I sometimes changed the font size and color which I'd like to emphasis.
3. ... I put some photos of people who are close to me on this blog.

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog and your writing on it

Please feel free to include reflections on both spring and fall semester work, as well as on the content of this portfolio (proto-portfolios, showcases, and reflections).

• ... It was nice opportunity to write free-writings in English.
• ... Fall semester was not so hard compared to the spring semester, so I could feel more free to try it than before.
• ... I wanted some advice for my essays.
  

6.0. Advice and suggestions for yourself, your peers, and your successors

• ... You'd better keep writing because you'll feel hard to do it later if you neglect.
• ... It's good to write about your interests or everyday life. Try as if it's going to be your diary and your own world.
• ... It's important to think about readers. You'll be able to write more plainly, and you can write the essay which is getting the point.

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template derives from the templates for Writing IIIc and Writing IVc portfolios (2007-08), and Writing III, §§1a & 1c (Fall, 2008).
2. Please use the same code in section 0.0 that you used to embed your proto-portfolios (PPFs) in the footer of your blog, which you should already have revised to display your 2nd (fall) semester PPF first.
   
3. The essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02 (2008).
   

____________________
License:

This portfolio template is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute to "the Writing Studio Blog" (without quotation marks).

Superstitions!

I learned superstitions in the United States and Japan in today's speaking class.
I didn't know about these, so I asked my mother and she knows a lots.
There are lot of lucky things in Japan.

• A thousand origami cranes tied together on a string
• A tea stalk (floats vertically in one’s tea)
• Four-leaf clover
• A good luck charm
• Cast-off skin of a snake

These are five things people in Japan believe bring bad luck.

• Breaking lace like shoelace before you get out
• Don’t use needle and thread before you get out.
• Getting a piece broken rice bowl or tea cup
• Getting a piece broken seal
• If you cut your nails at night, you will have bad luck
  

There are some superstitions in Japan.

• If you sleep wearing socks, you won’t be able to be with parents when they die.
• It’s better to eat head of fish when you take an exam.
• If you eat a deep-fried breaded cutlet before you take an exam, you will pass the exam.
• If you have a fit of sneezing, someone gossip about you.
• If you good-luck ribbon worn around the wrist break, your wish will come true.

My mother told me about the superstitions in my childhood, and she said “If you whistle at night, a snake will come to you”. Did you know that? I think your parents also told you before.

In United States, people believe that 13th is bad luck. The unlucky day in Japan is June 6th because it called “day of devil”.
I don’t want believe in superstitions but I believe it inadvertently because they’re traditions from ancient times. However, I learned that superstitions are for keep good manners. People don't want children or other people to act with bad manners. Then ancient people made superstitions, we thought. It's really thoughtful because I've never thought these things.

Superstitions are interesting.

[327 words]

Go to Kumamoto city with Fai

Last Sunday, I got up early and went to Kumamoto city with my sister and boyfriend and Fai. This is a last day to spend with Fai. My boyfriend drive his car and my sister was talking a lot to Fai. First, we went to Kumamoto castle. There were so many people and very crowded. We went to top of the castle and saw a beautiful view. I went to 本丸御殿 in a first time. It was so clean and good wooden smell. The gold wall was so beautiful!!

After that, we went to センタープラザ and ate ラーメン in こむらさき. It was yam:9 It was first time to eat ラーメン for her, and she felt it was good! After having a lunch, we went to 上通り and took プリクラ in game centre. It was nice picture! We rode a car and went to 水前寺公園. But it was heavy rain, and we have to pay fee 400 yen each. It's high cost, isn't it? However there were nice place because there were many green and large pond. Also there were many carps and goose. It was so funny, so we laughed at them.

Then we went to Baskin Robins 31 ice cream and ate nice ice creams. We were there for a long hours and talked many things. My sister is so funny person and she taught right(!?) Japanese to Fai. It was so funny and interesting! She said "これって、いいじゃん”(This is very nice, huh?) in many times and practiced the words many times. Then "これはかぼちゃですか？" "いいえ、それはサボテンです。"( "Is this a pumpkin?""No, it's cactus." ) in many times. Fai was confused that and said かぼてん. It was so funny!HAHA:)

We took Fai to her dormitory at 6:30. Then I and my sister and my boyfriend went to a restaurant and had a dinner. We talked a lot, especially my sister. It was first time to talk with that three, so it was fun. We laughed at my sister's talking. We went back home at 10:00.

I had a nice weekend!

[334 words]

Welcome to my home, Fai!!

Hey, how's going guys? Today, I'll talk about last Saturday story.

Last Saturday, a girl exchange student came to my home. Her name is Fai and she came from Thailand and she is 23 years old. She is good and very smart student and can speak English very well. First, I and my father took her to a okonomiyaki restaurant and we ordered three kinds of okonomiyaki. Fai ate it in the first time but she turned it over very well. She likes Japanese foods, so she looks like very happy.

We talked about many things such as family and culture and Thailand. She taught us many things about her. After that, we went to Youme town and looked around many shops. We took プリクラ with my father and it was her first time to take プリクラ. She became like it, so I was glad. After went back home, my mother there and we talked a lot. Fai said that Thailand has many geys and that's usual thing. I thought that it is interesting and it is different from Japanese culture that geys are open.

We went to hot spring near my house with my father. It was also her first experience, so she looked like very nervous. She was suprised at hot spring was hot, but she felt relax. I thought that that was her precious experience. haha:) After that, we went to grocery store and went back home. I've called my boyfriend to come to my home and have a dinner with my family, so my family and boyfriend and Fai had a dinner and held welcome party. We talked many things and laughed watching TV. It was so nice time for me!

[287 words]

Going to Downtown by Myself

Today I went to school with Michille and Chisato. Today's class was also two classes together, so I went to another class room with my friends. There were Michelle and a old teacher and played some games which was musical chairs and action game and then we played with Maori sticks with singing a Maori song. It was so difficult for me. Yvonne's class was also game with chair and learned I.N.P. It is eye moving and if we learned it, we will be able to see through the person's lie. It was very interesting thing for me.

After the class, I, Haruno, Misora and Mika went to Jungle cafe and had a lunch. Today was free afternoon, so I decided to go downtown by myself. I left Unitec at 1:00pm but I lost my way to train station!! Oh, no! I didn't know where I was. I walked, walked and walked and listened to the train sound. Finally, I found the station. When I arrived there, Sanae was standing, so we talked. After, Junki came and we got a train together and talked many things about school, future dream, studying abroad and part-time job. It was interesting!

BUUUUUUT!!! An accident happened. The signal was break down and the train shopped for about 1 hour. It was long time!! We worried about it and time. 1 hour later, the train began to start finally. When we arrived the staion, we separated each. I went to Queen Street first and looked around some souvenirs for my boyfriend and family. I bought a funny Maori object and Manuka honey's body butter, hand cream and lip cream and thermo cap of can. Then I bought clothing. I bought too much clothing!! I have to make a money when I back home.

I and Ayako met at the "巨泉の OK ギフトショップ" and looked around a shop and then we got a bus and backed home. When I backed home, a letter from my boyfriend came and read it. I got a energy from it!! Then I packed up a little bit and had a dinner. It was lamb and I didn't like the taste because it's baby sheep. After that, I called to my boyfriend and chatted for about 20 min and I felt so happy!! Then I, Nigel, Jeff and Ben went to meet Olivia who went to singing club and then we went to $2 shop. I enjoyed to go with them. They're all funny persons.

At 11:00 pm, I called my father and mother and both were fine, so I was glad. I'm happy!

[445 words]

Languages

Today's first class was two classes together and we had to interview to Alista who is a vegetarian and Yvonne's boss. Then we learned a Maori song from Yvonne. It was beautiful song and also we sung in Maori language. It was more easier than English because Maori language's pronunciation is similar to Japanese. Yvonne praised our singing in Maori language because our pronunciation of Maori was very good. And Yvonne looks like gulping down her tears because it was a farewell song. It's beautiful. This moved my heart.

After we took a Michelle's class and we talked about traveling. Then we played a game which Michelle gave a capital letter like "e" and we had to write something words starting "e" about country, animal, verb and food and we had to compete the time. It was very difficult for me! After the class, we asked some question about environment to Michelle (also Yvonne) and took a picture with her. We had a lunch on the bench in front of Keiko's office and I ate $6 delicious meal and it was first time to eat it. We talked with Sanae about Boy Scouts because she was a Boy Scout. It was very interesting! I want to have my future children enter the Boy Scouts because it's good experience for children, I think.

After the lunch, we met Japanese BA students and they're learning Japanese in Unitec, so we talked with them in English and Japanese. They're interested in Japan and they love Japanese culture. I was glad to hear that. After that, we wrote some messages for Unitec teachers and I and Yui went to Unitec cafe. We ate a sweet chocolate cake and drunk Macciato. The cake was very nice but I think I have to go on a diet when I back to Japan soon!! We talked about human relations and a type of blood. I thought it's difficult to keep good human relationship.

After I went back home, I and Jeff watched " High School Musical" and it was very interesting. I like the main character girl! She is so cute!! Then I, Jeff, Ben and Nigel had a dinner. I had to make a presentation, so I tried to do that hard. I and Jeff quarreled about a time of dinner. I had an unpleasant experience...

[399 words]

Exciting Day!

Before Michelle's class, I and Michelle held preliminary discussions about congratulations of Ayako's birthday. Then we made a poster of some advice to fellow students about "how to improve your English". After the class, we sung a birthday song for Ayako and I and Haruno went to another class to took back a birthday card but they didn't write it, so we went back our class without the card. Yvonne's class was interview to Joe who is a staff of Unitec. Then we learned "Put in~" and "Take off~".

After the class, we had a lunch at a bench in front of the Mrs. Keiko's office. Then we went to 10 pin bowling. First, we experienced the Laser Strike. We wore a jacket with lamp and had a gun. Then we separated three groups and this is the team.Then we went to other dark and flashing room with cool music!! It was like star wars!! We shoot other team's shining lamp on the body and got the point with hiding behind some walls. It was soooooo funny and exciting!! We all enjoyed it and I want to do it again! It was a very precious and interesting experience.

After my group played a bowling. My team was Miho, Michiru, Haruno and Yui F. I got a nice score for me, 98! I've never gotten like high score because I'm poor at bowling game. So I was glad to see that. After it, I and Haruno vs Misora and Mika played a game in the game center. It was so interesting. After, Everyone gathered and I said" Happy birthday, Ayako!!" and we sung a birthday song for her very loud voice and gave a birthday card to her. She was surprised at it and moved backward shyly. It was so funny. Anyway, she was a lucky girl.

I went back home with Yui. When I went back home, I made a picture of square piece of fancy cardboard for Unitec teacher. I wrote kiwi bird. Then at 6:00 pm, I started to make Okonomiyaki. It took very long time than I'd expected because I had to cook for 6 people and cooked it with wok, not frying pan. So it took 2 hours. Jeff also cooked some Madelaine tasting lemon sugar. We had a dinner together and everyone said " This is yummy, very good Nozomi. Thank you!" So I was glad and felt happy. I don't cook everyday in Japan, so it was good time for me.

After the dinner, we watched a yucky TV program which someone killing some chicken or chick. It was yuck!! I don't wanna see it!

[453 words]

I Had a Sore Throat!!

Today, I got up at 3:00 am because I felt I had a sore throat!! I thought maybe I had caught a cold from Benjamin!! Oh, no~, I don't wanna be like Ben because he had a fever and he spewed. I took a medicine before go to school.

I went to school with Katsuya who is my classmates and went to computer room with Yui. Today was preparation for research, so I investigated something kind of NZ's environmental awareness but there were not enough information. So I typed my writing blog. Then I, Yui, Haruno and Ayaka had a lunch. Today's class was two class together and interviewed for Paula who is a Unitec teacher. Then we separated the class and took a Michelle's class. We learned about "a cold" and "injury" which are related to body. I have a cold now, so I could know about their new words very smoothly.

After I went back home, a letter from my boyfriend was on the table, so I was very happy! I wanted to call him soon but I didn't buy a international telephone card, so I couldn't. We had a dinner early except my host father. At 8:00pm, I called to my friend, Haruno to date for Sunday. Then a disable person and her mother came my house and talked with Penny, so I went to my room and thought about my research.

Anyway, my muscle sore!

[247 words]

Squash, Squash, Squaaaash!!!

Today, I went to the school 9:15 am because today's activity was squash. I like sports, so I was looking forward to do that. Unitec has squash rooms, so we separated 4 people each and then played. I was a member of soft-tennis club when I was a junior high school student, so I felt that it likes tennis. I felt it was difficult at the start but practiced many times, I soon got the knack of it. Playing the squash is so fun and interesting for me. I played other friends and it was also fun and good exercises! I suited soon.I could reflesh my body!!

After the squash I got a chocolate chip cookie in the subway and we went to dove cafe to have lunch. It was raining a lot. Today's class was two classes together. We played some games and performed a small play which is "legend of Maui". We practiced three times and presented it. It's funny. The story was like that; A sun passed the sky very fast, so village people couldn't fishing and make a fire, so they're asked Maui who is a special God to make the sun more slowly to move. Then Maui and two brothers made a net to catch the sun and made a rock guard. The sun came next morning and they caught it and Maui said " You are bad sun!" and hit it. The sun said " Why you hit me?!", and Maui said " You passed the sky so quickly, you have to do it more slowly." Then the sun understood. Next morning,the sun passed the sky slowly and village people thanks for the Maui. It was happy story. I played village people.

Next class was Yvonne and we played the number card game. Then we did jazz chart and "Turn on, turn off". After I went back home, I did a homework and had a dinner. It was Malaysian curry. It was good and very different from Japanese curry. I like Japanese curry better then Malaysian. Any way, I love curry!! HAHA:9

[355 words]

Horse Riding

Today, I went to gate 4 with Shiori. It was very sunny, so it was good weather to ride a horse! I'd like to ride a horse but I was so nervous because it scary to ride. It took about 1 hour to go horse riding farm. There was cold because of on the mountain. The Yvonne class was first ride, so we wore a helmet and the horses assigned by farmer. My horse was so tall and white and gray, so I couldn't ride at first. It was very scary because it was soooo high and rocked from side to side, so I thought I fell to ground! It's so dangerous, isn't it?? But I think only my posture was good. HAHA:9

We rode a long way which has ascents and descents, narrow roads and muddy roads. We had to change the posture according to the road situation. If it is ascents, we have to slouch and if it is descents, we have to bend our back. It's very interesting. We rode a long time, so I felt very tired. But I enjoyed it.Then our group went to Tarzan attraction. It looks very dangerous and scary, so I decided not to do it. Everyone enjoyed it, so I was happy.

The activity finish was 12:00 pm, so we got back Unitec 13:00. We had only 30 minutes to have lunch. I and Yui bought a hamburger and went to the class. Yvonne's class was jazz chart which include kinds of coffee, tea, eggs and steak. There were many kinds of them. For example, steak has rare, medium rare and tea has 1 sugar with milk or with lemon. It's very interesting.

Then Michelle's class was " Have you ever~?" and she told us the NZ myth with a book. It was first time to hear the NZ myth, but Japan has no myth about why Japanese continent are like these shape. I don't know. After the class, I send a letter and went to shop on my way home because my contact cleaner have started to decrease but it was to expensive "$23.50", so I didn't buy it.

When I backed home, everybody was there. I talked with Jeff and study English. I wanted to know my name's pronunciation in Chinese or Taiwanese, so I asked my boyfriend and family member's pronunciation in Chinese. It was very fun to know other languages! I'll tell them when I back to Japan! Nigel and Penny went to opera concert, so I and Jeff and Ben was at home. Ben felt sick and he spilled out in the toilet. I hope he'll be fine.

[460 words]

A Matter of LIFE and DEATH

This morning, I waited Ayaka to go to school gate 4. I waited in the front of Pt. Chevalier library because of rain. She was too late but a man who is working in the restaurant in New Market spoke to me, "Hi, are you waiting for someone?" I said "Yes, I'm waiting for my school friend." Then the man asked me a few simple question. It was a little bit difficult for me to catch his words completely but I could keep talking. He was good man and very kind, so it was good meeting and good practice of speeking in English! Then Shiori came, so a man and I and Shiori were chatting. After 10 min later, Ayaka came, so I and Ayaka and Shiori went to gate 4 and took the bus.

Today we went to Muriwai Beach & Ganet Colony and it was far from here, so I got carsick! When we got off the bus, it was so cold and windy!! I was very surprised at the wind power and screamed. There was a series of precipitous cliffs and the waves were very heavy. When we went back the bus, we had to go across the dangerous zone. I thought " I can't, I can't, I caaaaan't!!!!!" Because it was very very dangerous to across. The strong waves were comming us, so I thought that it was a matter of life and death.

I got across the dangerous zone very carefully and I still alive!!!!" I was happy! Then the Unitec officer,Tina bought us hot chocolate each. It was very nice because my cold body became warm. Then I ate an icecream. After went back Unitec, we had a lunch and then I and Yui looked around the market in the school and found a cute and nice skirt there, so we bought one! Today's class was join my class and another class and asked some question to a teacher whose hobby is tramping and she is a teacher and mother both. Then the class was separated again, and my class played the game which is one person tell others using body language or write a picture or tell in English. It was dificult for me.

After the class, I and Sanae, Ayaka, Michiru and Chisato were chatting in the dove cafe. We talked about love and each boyfriend. It was very fun and I was glad to make other new friend. It was very good experience for me, I think. When I went back home at 6:00pm, I had a dinner with my host family. Then I asked my host mother about the garvage system because it's my presentation topic. Then I wrote a letter for my boyfriend.

Benjamin was still sick. I hope he'll be good tomorrow morning.

[472 words]

Free morning

Today was free morning, so we didn't have to go to school this morning but we had to go this afternoon. I studied the travel agency in a living room and Ben was there because he was sick and had a fever. I told Penny that I'd like to cook Japanese food "Okonomiyaki" someday. She smiled and said " That's good!" I took a lunch in the house and went to school at 12:00 pm. Today we learned the past words and played game like "Fruits bascket". We put chairs in order like round and one person who stand in the middle have to say "If you washed your teeth this morning, change seat...Now!!" It was very funny game and exciting!

Then after a old teacher Pamera came our class and taught us the shapes. Her drawing was very well and easy to understand! And she got married yesterday!! I think it is very good because women can keep young forever because of love. After the class, I went to a Unitec library to send an e-mail to my boyfriend. When I went back home, I did my homework and told about " Okonomiyaki". I showed Penny the racipe and could say " Can I go shopping with you?", so she ssaid "Yes, of course."

Today I could talk more in English and talked and help housework of my own accord. It's very good to do from me. So I'm happy today.

[247 words]

Rotorua Weekend ~Part 1~

From today, we go to Rotorua! 8:15 am, we left the Unitec and arrived at Waitomo caves. It was cold in Rotora but into the caves, I felt it was warm. The caves were mysterious and amazing place. I saw so many line stone, stalactites and stalagmites and they were very long and thick. It was very interesting. We sung a birthday song for Ayako in the caves because her birthday will be coming soon. We really wanted to ride a boat to see many glowworm which is so beautiful but because of yesterday's lots of rain, we couldn't ride a boat. Oh, no~~~!

Then we went to Roseland which has beautiful gardens and had a BBQ lunch!! It was very delicious and I could eat curry and rice!! At 2:30 pm, we left for Rotorua and went to Regal Geyserland Hotel. We had about 2 hour free time, so I and my friends went to close convenience store and bought some drinks. After went back my hotel room, Miho, Keiko and Erika came I and Ayako's room, so we talked with them about boyfriend and driving car and so on. And it was so interesting time! I like girls talk!!

Then 7:00 pm, we went to Marae and experienced a Maori concert which has Maori songs, haka and poi dancing. It was amazing and exciting show and I like Maori show very much! We had a delicious hangi dinner and it was a smorgasbord. We sung a song with join hands and said "Kia ora" every time. I enjoyed it very much!! At 10:00 pm, we rode a bus to go back our hotel and we sung some songs in the bus. The bus driver was so funny and he can speak Japanese a little. When we got off the bus, we experienced "hongi" which is one person's nose put another person's nose together twice. It was so precious experience for me because after putting nose together with the guide driver, I felt strong affinities with him.

After we went to back our room, I felt very tired but took a shower and went to another friend's room. We watched Olympic game on TV and talked. Then 2:00 am, I slept in my room.

I'm so sleepy....

[390 words]