Anna's Blog

2006-01-26T16:49:00.000+09:00

Today was the last day of the class so we had a party!! Adam, Scott and also Katty(with baby) came to the party. We brought many snacks and Adam made us brownie☆　It was really really delicious!! Thank you Adam!! But I ate too much snacks so my stomach is full now... We also chatted a lot over snacks, had fun activity and took many many many pictures. I had a nice time♪
I think this first year of KG was the hardest one in my life, but I led a full life.
I’m happy that I was able to take Scott and Adam’s IES-B class. These hard, but happy days will stay in my memory as long as I live. Thank you very much, Adam, Scott and every one of IES-B!!! Though the class was over, I’d like to continue on my blogging!

Busy Busy Busy

2006-01-25T23:25:00.000+09:00

Because I was really busy with final essay or the last presentation, my room is really dirty. It is like a pigsty!! The room is so messy that there is hardly a place to step…There is a mess of newspapers, books, clothes and pens. The dust also lay everywhere in my room. It is shameful!!! So I decided to clean my room and I have cleaned since 8 o’clock, but it seems to never be finished. I may have to stay up all night to finish it… I also have to do the wash…I also have to study for the examination…I have a lot of things to do!! I'm busy again!

Ondo(history and festival)

2006-01-24T22:17:00.000+09:00

In 12th century, Tairano Kiyomori who is one of Japan’s historical characters was in charge of widening the coastline of Ondo in order to allow big ships come into Seto Inland Sea. Back then, human sacrifices were made (the chosen sacrifices were drowned in water as offerings to sea God) but instead, Kiyomori decided to drop the kyouseki (the stones with carvings of Buddhism lettering) and still made the difficult construction successful. Tradition says that Kiyomori called for the tranquil sunset with a golden fan and accomplished the construction within one day.
In 1184, to honor Kiyomori, the locals built Kiyomori Zuka (tomb).The tomb stands on the 5.46 meters stone walls and surrounding area is 49.14meters. On the top, there is a stone tower with five rings ornament which is 1.98 meters high.The huge pine tree is planted next to the tomb and now the branches almost hide the tombstone of Kiyomori. People call the tree "Kiyomori Matsu(pine)".
Around Kiyomori Zuka, Kiyomori Festival takes place every five years in his memory for his good deeds. The huge parade (about 500 people) across town celebrates Kiyomori. People wear costume and use some tools in Edo era. This festival has held since 800 years ago. Watching the parade make you feel that you are in the old days.

2006-01-24T20:58:00.000+09:00

Because Yoshiko gave a presentation on her hometown, I also want to tell about my hometown, Ondo.
I think all of you don’t know about Ondo at all.
Ondo is located in a part of Kurahashi-island, and faces on the Ondono-seto(strait) that is very narrow strait (a 70 meter wide) between Kurahashi island and the Kure city (mainland). This strait has very busy traffic in whole day.
There is a big bridge called Ondo Bridge which had been made more than 40 years ago between Ondo and Kure city. The Ondo Bridge is famous partly because of its location, but also because gateway on both sides of the bridge is a spiral. This unusual construction was necessitated by the narrowness of the strait. We also have a way to cross the strait.
It is a small ferry. This ferry crosses the straits and it takes about three minutes. This is the shortest line in Japan. The fare is 70yen each way and there are no timetables. When we stand on pier, the ferry sail even if there are only one passenger. I used to ride on the ferry every day to go to school when I was a high school student.
The peaceful sound of ships is Sometimes heard allows the everyone to rest.

War in Iraq

2005-12-21T04:06:00.000+09:00

I think it is about time to withdraw troops from Iraq and I agree with the idea of setting target date for the withdrawing troops and decrease the number of troops little by little.
This war began with the invasion of America and the reason of this invasion was that the president Bush believed there are many weapons of mass destruction in Iraq so he dispatched American solders to find these weapons, but no weapons of mass destruction were discovered yet. It is a great mistake of the U.S. Because of this war, many American troops died or injured and large amount of innocent Iraqi people also died or injured. These casualties never be decrease and will increase more than ever if the troops continue to stay in Iraq. I think there were no benefits from these people’s death and only great sorrow and hatred were left.
The Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi supports Bush and only repeats that he’ll think about the extension of detachment of the Self-Defense Forces when the deadline of detachment comes. Fortunately, there are no casualties of the Self-Defense Forces but the condition of Iraq is going from bad to worse so Koizumi (also Bush) has to set target dates for withdrawing troops early in order not to sustain casualties any more. This time, I realized that I didn’t know about Iraq war well and I think it as others’ affair so I’ll read newspaper or watch news on TV and know the condition of Iraq...

Men and Women's Communication Styles

2005-12-12T18:01:00.000+09:00

In Japan there are many differences in communication styles of men and women like the other countries. We can find obvious differences between men and women from the styles of body language.
When women talk with someone, they hear he/her as she change her facial expression. For example, when women hear good news of someone, they make a happy face, but when they hear a bad news of someone, they wear an apprehensive expression in order to show that they are in sympathy with speaker’s emotion so women also have an interest in faces of the others. In contrast to women, men don’t change their facial expression often. When they hear someone, they keep a calm expression even if they have sympathy for speaker’s feelings. We can also find he difference between men and women from gestures. Women use exaggerated gestures and often use them to express their emotion. When women encounter or hear something make them surprised, they cover their mouth with their hands. Women also cover their face with their hands when they feel ashamed for their action. Unlike women, men rarely use gestures and don’t exaggerate. When men are surprised, they don’t show their surprise in their behavior and when they feel ashamed, they just bend their head.

30 Days: Straight/Gay

2005-12-11T16:31:00.000+09:00

Before I watched this movie, I've never thought about homosexuality. I've never seen or come contact with gay men or lesbians so when I watched the scene of a man natually holding hand or walking arm in arm with the other man in public in this movie, I was really surprized.
I think in Japan people don't approve homosexuality well and some people make fun of or despise gay men or lesbians so these homosexual person may try to keep quiet their sexual orientation. It is difficult to change this situation right away but through understanding their mind we can change step by step.

In this movie, Ryan who is a straight man lives with Ed who is a gay man as a roommate for 30 days. At first, I thouht it is really hard for them to live together because they have completely different view of homosexuality. If I am Ryan, I will feel anxious and behave awkwardly but they finally are getting along very nicely with each other. I realize the fact that christian think homosexuality as a sin against God by this movie but I can't agreee with the idea and can't understand why Ryan so rigid in the idea. I think homosexuality is about freedom and equal rights so other people should not interfere. Ed's familly know that Ed is a gay and proud of him but not all gay men/women are accepted by their family or friend. It is painful for them... so if my family member or friend told me that he/she was gay, I would like to accect them and appreciate for their confiding. I think each of us should understand these people and not prejudice against them and I hope that these people will be able to live without any anxiety or pain.

Super Size Me

2005-11-18T22:18:00.000+09:00

I knew that the U.S has a problem of people's overweight but I didn't realize that the problem is so serious. The fact that 60% of the U.S adult population are overweight or obese really surprised me!! I think this is surely because of their eating habit and it's not only the people who bears responsibility for this.
First of all, the people have to take care about their eating habit. I think it's hard for people to change their eating habit like smokers but they must want to keep their health and don't want to die so they can stop eating fast food. The parents of children, especially mother has to think about food. They have responsibility for the health care of their chidren so they should try to make well-balanced diets for their children and tell their children about the links between fast food and health problems, what should they eat or what should they avoid eating.
The food companies also have responsibility. Even though they don't intended to make people obesity and illness by their foods, they spend much money on advertising worldwide or lure children into their restaurants (with toys, playground and so on...) to gain a lot of money. This is a cause of a problem of obesity in the U.S. To solve this, all companies should inform consumers about the nutritional value of their every products. Actually, I always chose food by refering to this information in the restaurants or convenience store.
I think I also must make a change in my eating habit. I now go McDonals to have lunch once a week though nutritionists say that never eat fast food or eat only once a month or I sometimes eat only confectionery as mydinner. This is because I live alone now...so I should be more care ful!!! What Morgan is doing in this movie is really dangerous and crazy, but this movie reminds me of importance of well-balanced diet☆★

2005-11-17T18:46:00.000+09:00

This weekend I'll go back to Hiroshima because I make an appointment with the doctor of orthodontic clinic. When I decided to go to the clinic was at the beginning of this month. My mother suddenly called me and said, "Why don't you straighten your teeth??" I've wanted to do it for a long time because my front teeth are rather prominent...but I didn't know about it(How to do it?, Which clinic should I go? and so on.) and thought that it's troublesome so I gave it up.
But!! Luckily, one of my mother's friends is working at the orthodontic clinic and invited me to come to the clinic and I determined to have crooked teeth straightened. I've been hearing that attaching bridge is really really painful!!! and my doctor told me to have my tooth pulled out. I fear it...I don't like needle and pain but I have to endure it to have straight set of teeth!I'll bear up☆★

"Kao" and "Tsura"

2005-11-17T13:31:00.000+09:00

"Kao". This word is the neutral way to refer the word "Face". People in Japan usually use this word but on the other hand, people use the word "Tsura" on rare occasions to swear at someone so this word is a negative conntation in Japan. For example, when someone is in debt and doesn't pay off it but he behaves as if nothing had happened and comes to owe again, the lender says to him, "Dono tsura sagete koko ni kita!!" (How cheeky you are to come here!!) I've never heard this word is said by somesone in the real world, but in the movies, people sometimes use this word. It's really awful....

Intelligence Inventory questions

2005-11-14T18:53:00.000+09:00

1, How would you categorize your own level of intelligence? What could you do to improve it?
I think my own level of intellignce is not bad, but not good so I have to improve it.
As for academic intelligence, I can develop it by studying hard in the college. Concerning another intelligence, I think experience is important factor of improving my interigence. As we experience vaious matters, we will get many knowledge. I also have to be interesed in a variety of fields. It will also help me to expand my knowledge and I may find out my hidden capacity.

2, Why is society interested in your intelligence and schooling?
I guess that it is because the society thinks of our intelligence and schooling as a gauge of our ability. The society judges one's ability to adaopt to the community by his intelligence and his schooling(They care wether he received schooling or not, what he learned and so on...) and think that he/she never able to do something satisfactly if someone doesn't get a good education. It's because he/she doesn't have enough capacity of adaptation to new environment and to cope well with some problems.

3, Do you think intelligence is fixed at birth, or is it constantly changing?
I believe intelligence is constantly changing, though a few people have high intelligence or talent from their birth. If someone wants to improve his/her intelligence and makes every effort, he/she can develop it. As I said in the question No,1, we can diffuse knowledge or get an ability to adapt to changing conditions in the society by learning new skills. I think this is why we are learning. In addition to learning, out experience influence our intelligence. The more we experience new things, the more we find suitable regions for our abilities.

2005-11-13T21:51:00.000+09:00

These days, it's getting colder and colder and the leaves are turning. I wanted to enjoy them so I decided to go to Kyoto to see beautiful colored leaves. Because Yoshiko knows about Kyoto well I left it to her where we would go and chose Koudai temple which is famous place for beautiful colored leaves. Fortunately, it was nice weather and many people visited there. Though the leaves didn't turn completely, it was wonderful!!! I was happy to see such a lovely sight☆★We also went to town to do some shopping after. I enjoyed both sightseeing and shopping for only one day and spent a full day~♪ I recommend you to go out to see colored leaves!!!!!

Party~♪

2005-11-11T22:28:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I was presented at the party which was given by an owner of my apartment and held every year. She invited all the people in the apartment and introduced a overseas student who stays owner's house and his friends to us. She also made a variety of dishes and we were able to eat them or drink for free so I ate too much....I also enjoyed chatting with overseas students. They are interesting and speaks Japanese very well!! The party started at 7:00 p.m. and ended at 11:30 p.m. I really enjoyed and had a good time★★★★ I'm thankful to an owner for giving us a chance to contact with overseas students and making delicious food. She is very kind and motherlike so I really really like her!!!!!

My new hobby??

2005-10-31T18:05:00.000+09:00

A few days ago, when I was reading a fashion magazine, I found interesting article. It says that you can knit a muffler, a bolero or a shawl easily and surely complete them and also tells how to make. According to the article, it doesn't need any tool and we can knit by using only our own fingers!!! Because I've never heard of such a method, I was really surprised☆ Though I'm not good at handicraft and never tried knitting, I wanted to try to do something new so I decided to challenge it!! I soon get tired of things so I wish I can finish all....

"50 First Dates"

2005-10-16T23:04:00.000+09:00

(A+) This is a love story between a man and a woman in Hawaii.
Henry is an animal doctor in Hawaii and a flirt so he doesn't love only one woman truly. One day, he meets Lucy who is a roco in the cafeteria and falls in love. They promise to meet again, but Lucy doesn't remember Henry because she has trouble of short-term memory loss which is caused by car accident. Every night while she sleeps, her memory is wiped clean so for her, everyday is same day. Her family (father and brother) follow the routine so that Lucy experiences same day. Henry can't erase her from his mind so he does a great effort to attract her attention and to be remembered by her, but her family want him stay away. Though her family keep to same things, Lucy realizes the truth. From the day, Henry shows her the video to tell her real life and they get to love each other. At the same time, Lucy starts to make journal with her own word to remember Henry, but after several days, she burns it to forget him because there is no future between them and their relation is broken. Henry decide to go on a journey by ship and when he starts, he suddenly recalls that Lucy always sings a same song when she meets Henry. He thinks Lucy remembers him and goes to see her. Lucy actually doesn't know Henry, but she writes many pictures of Henry. Finally, they marry and have their children and live happily. I really impressed by great love of the people who surround Lucy and excited because I wasn't able to predict the ending of this movie at all. I think this movie tells us a great value of love and family. This movie entertains me not only by the romantic story but also by the funny characters apper in this movie so I'll recommend this movie to my family or friends.

"30 Days"

2005-09-30T00:17:00.000+09:00

1, What did you think about the first episode of "30 Days "?
I realized that in America, there are many people who live with minimun wage and it is really hard...They have to work for a long time to get enough money to live, have to limit expense for food, transportation, household goods...and can't go see a doctor easily. I think I may manage to live with minimum wage for only 30 years, but it's impossible to live more than 30days because I always have to think about money. It will make me nervous and frustrated.

2,What if you could live someone else's life for just 30 days?
If I had to live in country which has a frigid climate like Russia and Canada for 30 days, it will be really really hard for me!! I have a poor blood circulation so I can't bear the cold of these country and can't move vigorously so I would stayed in the room all the time...I shudder at the thought of living in these country but this life would make me a patient person.

Japanese gesture

2005-09-29T13:48:00.000+09:00

Holding the left hand flat, palm up, and making the fist with right hand ,push it against left hand vertically,　circling over the left palm, imitating a pestle, that means flatter (Gomaosuru in Japanese). For example, When someone see the person who flatter boss in company , someone do this gesture with a smile. It means “ Did you flatter him/ her ?” This gesture is used by people of all age in Japan. I think there is no limit of age...Of course, I sometimes use this gesture.

Katrina

2005-09-20T21:49:00.000+09:00

Through the learning about hurricane Katrina, I realized that discrimination against black people is still remain in the U.S. and it caused a great difference between the rich and the poor. I think it is serious problem so government of the U.S. should take it seriously and seek the best solution of this problem quickly. There are also many race and class discriminations in the world. We all should know them.

Happiness Questions

2005-09-15T20:25:00.000+09:00

3, What do friends mean to your happiness?

My friends are important for my hapiness and I love them as much as my family. Now, I live alone and I don't have someone who talk tome so I feel lonely and depressed but I get over it by talking, going shopping or going out to eat with my friends. I live lively because I don't have worry and feel happy through my friends. I really thank them very much for relieving my loneliness, depression and worry. I think they are precious to me forever.

4, How does your family contribute to my happiness?

I think my family realy contribute to my happiness. I always tells the happenings of a day to my family. When I tell my family good event happen to me, they share the joy with me.

On the other hand, when I have trouble and worry about it, they hear my talk and give me some advice. They relieve my mind and cheer me up so I always feel happy. Though I live alone now, I often call my family and talk with them. I love my family and like talking with them.

5,What would it take to make you happy?

There are many things which make me happy, such as eating delicious food, listening to my favorite music, going out with my friends, talking with my friends or my family, returning my hometown... Though it seems that there isn't a similarity between these things, all of them make my mind healty..reduce my worry, tension depression and cheer me up, make me relax and happy. I think that they all important for my happiness and for my life.

Summer Vacation

2005-09-14T16:39:00.000+09:00

This summer, I stayed my hometown for a long time.
I saw my friends in high school for the first time in four months and went Kraoke, shopping, swimming in the ocean, boring or went out to eat dinner...with them.
I wanted to see them so I felt very happy and really really enjoyed!!
I also went out to eat dinner or had a barbecue in the yard with my family.
My mother cooked me some delicious meals every dinner and they delighted me very much so I unconsciously ate too much!!! (Of course I gained weight....)
Anyway, I'm satisfied with this summer vacation.
I think Imade good use of my vacation!!

Kyoto☆★(2)

2005-07-18T00:05:00.000+09:00

In the afternoon, we got back to Shijo again and went shopping♪
There are lots of shops. Yoshiko told me some nice shops!
The shop which surprised me most is the shop we can buy
clothes or accessory for only 300 yen!!!
We were absorbed in choosing clothes and spent about 1 hour at that shop.
We bought many clothes and were able to satisfy our desire☆
After shopping, we visited Yasaka shrine.
Gion festival was taken place so there are many many many... people and stand.
Many women and a few men wore Yukata.
Luckily, we were able to see dance of maiko.....
I really enjoyed visiting Kyoto(Thank you Yoshiko!!) I want to go there again (^O^)／

Kyoto☆★(1)

2005-07-17T21:07:00.000+09:00

Yesterday, I went to Kyoto with Yoshiko.
Fortunately, it was very nice weather.(little hot...)
We met at the Hirakata station at 8:30 a.m. and took the train to Shijo!!
In the morning, we visited some temples.
First, we visited Kiyomizu temple(World Heritage Site).
There are many japanese traditional buildings like shrine, butsuzou(Image of Buddha)
and wonderful sights. We really impressed and felt comfort.
After we looked around all the buildings, we were little tired and thirsty so we went teahouse
and ate a shave ice(Green tea flavor☆) It was very delicious!!!!!
Next, we visited Rokuharamitsu temple.
There are statues of Japan's historical characters like Kuuya, Tairanokiyomori, kouboudaishi...
They are designated important cultural property so we were really excited!!

2005-07-15T18:48:00.000+09:00

Today, I took a vocabulary test 2. Surprisingly, it was too difficult!!
I used my brain hard and really exhaused　(-_-;)
I'm worried about my grade...but I was really
nervous about this test yesterday so my feeling is better now☆★
Though vocabulary test was finished and summer vacation will come,
I have to study for a Spanish test, clean my room, etc... so I need a rest!!!
Tomorrow, I'll go Kyoto with Yoshiko♪ We'll go shopping and visit some temples.
I'm looking forward it because it will be my first visit to Kyoto!!!
I hope it will heal my exhaused body and mind...

When will the rainy season be over!?

2005-07-13T22:02:00.000+09:00

I am happy now because Summer vacation is really soon.
But!! I can't fully delighted...The cause is rain!
It has been raining since last week so I'm feeling depressed.
Because of the rain, I can't do a washing!
If I do it, I'll have to dry clothes or towels in my room.
It is a real eyesore and my room will be filled with soggy air.....
I also have to be anxious about mold!!! I hope it will not grow in my room.
　Does anyone know when the rainy season will be over!?!?
I really really wanna go out and get some fresh air and sunshine☆★

Personal blurb

2005-06-05T16:52:00.000+09:00

゛Good-bye,Anna. Good luck!!"
Her mother left this message and went back home. From now on,she has to live alone. She felt lonely and nervous because she didn't know how to do a washing,how to deduct money from a bank account and how to separate garbage according to type. She had left all things to her mother before so she was helpless.
Fortunately,an owner of an apartment is kindness and supports her life like her mother... Two months have passed since she started to live alone.
How is her live? Are there any trouble? Can she do all things on her own??

2005-06-03T11:54:00.000+09:00

There are many beautiful places(like Central garden..) in college.
I like Japanese garden the best of all these places in college.
There is a teahouse and pool which is called "Mandaike".

Yoshiko recommended this place to me. We had lunch in this place.
There are only a few people in this place so really silent
and we only can hear sounds of fountain and the song of birds.....

I felt relaxed and could rive all my care or tiredness away☆
I think this place is suitable to study, read books or sleep!!!

I will go there and eat lunch today(^o^)
How about going to this place??

The reason why I go to college on foot...

2005-06-02T14:31:00.000+09:00

I go to college on foot these days.
My apartment is far from the college so it takes about 30 minutes.
Do you know why I go to college on foot?...because I'm on a diet!!
There are 3 reasons.
1, I heard that Itsumi is on a diet. I can't understand why....she isn't fat and
doesn't need to go on a diet! I thought it is me who have to go on a diet!!!
2, My mother is more slender than me!!(>_<) I don't want to admit that fact.
3, The clothes which fit me are limited so I can't always wear the clothes
which I like...
I want to continue this habit of walking at least for one month.
I also have to care about my meals!!

"Learnig Spanish

2005-06-01T17:55:00.000+09:00

I take Spanish class.
I had tought that it is easy to study Spanish before I attended the class
but it was a shallow thought.... Actually, it is very very hard for me!!!!!

There are many rules of grammar. Pronounciation is difficult...
I have to learn many many many things..but it is exciting.
I enjoy it☆☆ I want to be able to speak Spanish fluently and want to go Mexico!!

The day of the examination approaches so I have to study hard.
I'll do my best to get good grade in the test.
Please, cheer me up!!!!!

My hometown "Ondo"

2005-05-31T18:00:00.000+09:00

My home town is Ondo(in Hiroshima).
I really love my hometown!!

This town is small and surrounded by the sea.
People in this town are friendly and kindly.
There is no high buildings, no department store, no amusement centers...
but there is many peaceful landscape like rice field,
old buildings and rich natural environment.
I could see a beautiful sea from my room.
It makes me feel relaxed and refreshed ... I miss my home town!!!
I'm looking foward to return home during summer vacation☆★

Welcome to blog!

2005-04-15T09:56:00.000+09:00

Hello,I'm anna. My hobby is listening to music.I love reggae music.It makes me feel relax.And makes me happy.I listen it everyday.
My favorite reggae musician is pushim(japanese female singer).Her voice is beautifull and soulfull.