Sunday, February 26, 2012

Farewell Party for my roommate

 On Sunday, I had a farewell party for Andrea, who is my roommate, with my homestay family. Andrea is my second roommate. She is from Czech. She came to Canada the end of October. When she came to my home, I couldn’t pick up her with my host family because it was a Helloween Party at University, so I met her next day which she came to my home. When I saw her first time, I was so surprised because she is very tall. I wanted teach her everything about Canada, my homestay and so on, but her English is better than mine, and she always helped me when I had some problems. I was helped by her! I have stayed with her for 4 months. It is very hard to say good bye to her because we have lots of memories. She is going to leave day after tomorrow, so we had the farewell party for Andrea.



This day of afternoon, Andrea started to pack her staffs in her luggage, but she has a lot of staffs. It was difficult to pack. After she succeeded to pack, we hugged because it was quite complicated. Before we had the party, we watched “King’s speech”. We promised to watch this movie, but we didn’t have a chance to watch because she was busy to play basketball. Finally, we watched. But, we didn’t have enough time to watch all. We will watch after I write this article! By the way, we made same hair style of Japanese style. This day, we had same hair style. Around 6:00pm, my homestay family’s families came and ate supper together. I ate meatballs, ham, salads and so on. I was so full! Unfortunately, my host parents’ grandsons were so active and started to play a trick. It was really though exercise. We were so tired. This day was the worst day I have ever played with them.



After all, we took pictures, and host parents gave Andrea a present. Also, she gave them some presents. I was also received some presents from her. She gave me two dolls, a picture and a candle. Those things are going to be important goods for me.



I am sure that I am going to miss her very much. On the other hand, I still cannot believe that she is leaving. I feel like she is still in Winnipeg until I go back Japan.

I am so happy to have important person in Czech. I will keep in touch and go to Czech to see her in the future.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The place which I will never forget

I am going talk about a place which I will never forget.

I have gone to Okinawa prefecture for 4days 3years ago because of my high school excursion. Okinawa prefecture is located in south of Japan. There is warm weather but there are some typhoons regularly in summer time. When I have been there, it was on the middle of October. Usually In October, we have quite cold temperature in the main island of Japan, but there was pretty hot temperature in Okinawa prefecture.
 A first and second day, I went to the place which was related to the world second war. One of the place which I went is Tower of Himeyuri. Himeyuri is one of a team of       Japanese girl’s rescue in the world second war. This building has some goods of the girls and their pictures. Inside of building, I smelled incense sadly because some people who arrived this building used incense for the girls. Some place in this building, I cannot see clearly because of incense. One room, there are lots of their pictures. I felt like someone was looking at me frequently. I read a diary of the girl who was in Himeyuri for 4months. Her diary said that she lost her family after 2week she joined Himeyuri. I was so sad deeply. After I left the Tower of Himeyuri, I felt like I have to consider about war seriously. I don’t want the war occur again.
 Second and third day, I went to the ocean. The ocean is really beautiful. I smelled a fresh sea breeze. I can see the bottom of the ocean surprisingly. When I dove the ocean, I drunk water little bit. It was very salty, so I threw up that water soon. There are lots of activities on the ocean. I had a small tour of ship. I can feed fishes. The fishes are colorful and many kinds. It was pleasant for me. After I went small tour, I rode Banana Boat. Banana Boat is the small boat to ride. Another big boat pulls the Banana boat and we can ride the boat speedy. It was a lot of fun! Near the ocean, I found some hibiscus. The hibiscuses are pretty and charming.
 Okinawa prefecture is the island and far from the main island of Japan, so they have some different languages and strong dialects. Also, they have different personalities from Japanese people in the main island of Japan. They are very optimistic and easygoing. Some people say that warm weather makes Okinawa people optimistic and easygoing.

Okinawa prefecture is wonderful place in Japan. I want to go there again. I know that Okinawa prefecture is one of historical place, but also I feel like time passes slowly. I can relax when I stayed in Okinawa prefecture. That’s why Okinawa place which I will never forget.

My weekend. 2/18-20

I am going to talk about my weekend.
 
On Saturday, I went to Canada Inn, which is near Polo Park, with my homestay family because my homestay parents’ daughter family borrowed one room, so we went to Canada Inn and swimming together. Before we went to a pool, we ate supper in Canada Inn. It was buffet. I ate a lot of food in there. Also, we can make ice cream by ourselves. I made own ice cream and ate. But, after I ate, the grandsons wanted to make ice cream for me, so he said “Can I make your ice cream?” I didn’t say “no” because their eyes told me that they really want to make mine. When they brought my ice cream, I was so surprised. It was so big. I was so full already, but I ate all. I felt like I am going to die in the pool. After we finished our supper, we went to the pool. There is a water sliding and a hot tub in the pool. My hostfamily’s grandsons want me to play together, so I tried the water sliding 5 or 6 times. I was so tired, but the grandsons were not tired like me. Then I tried the hot tub. Hot water make me so comfortable. I like it! After all, I went back home because our homestay family didn’t borrow a room. It was fun! But, sooo tired!!

On Sunday, I went to bowling on Dakota with Diana, Cecilia, Andrea, who is my roommate, and Shiho, who is 350 student in IEP.. It was second time to play bowling. Canadian bowling style is different from Japanese style. Pins are fewer than Japanese pins. A ball is smaller than Japanese one. At first, I felt very strange, but I enjoyed now. It is easy to hit pins, and we have 3times to play. On the other hand, Japanese bowling just 2 times. We played almost 1 and half hours, also we ate a pizza. We had great time with my friends! After I went back home, my hostfamily’s grandsons came to my home. One of grandson gave me a piece of pizza. I ate pizza second time, so I decided this day was pizza day. After I ate pizza, the grandson who gave me a piece of pizza and I battled with a pillow. He flung me the pillow strongly. I had good exercise with him.

On Monday, I went to the forks with Cecilia, Haruka, Andrea, Shiho and Luisa, who is IEP student. We skated on around the forks. It was first time to skate for Cecilia. I teach her how to skate, but I am not sure my teaching is good or not. At the first, Cecilia and Haruka just walked on the ice, but they improved a lot! They skated finally! After we skated, we went to Pancake house. I ate a strawberry pancake! It was so delicious. We had a good exercise with skating, but we ate the big pancake. I think our exercise didn’t work… I love skating! I want to go again! Also, I was so tired after all!!

I had wonderful weekend! I am lazy to go to school x(

Sunday, February 12, 2012

My Life in Winnipeg

I have stayed in Winnipeg since April 3rd. I am studying English in Intensive English Program (IEP) of University of Manitoba. I am a second grade of university student in Japan. Studying English in Canada for one year is one of my Japanese university programs. The reason why I decided to study English in IEP is I wanted to speak English and have different experience which Japanese people usually don’t have. In Japanese education, studying English is not important because we don’t have opportunity to speak English in Japan. Of course, I knew some vocabulary before I have come to Canada, but I didn’t have confidence and enough skills to speak because I have never spoken English. Also, Japan is one of island country in the world. I don’t see many foreigners. Hence, we don’t need to know English in Japan.

 Last April, I lived in residence. I didn’t know that I can greet foreigners or not because Japanese people usually don’t greet if we don’t know each other. When a foreigner  student who live in residence greet me on the corridor of the residence, I was so surprised, happy and shy. You may understand why I was surprised and happy. Why I was so shy because I thought that someone would think I posed as a foreigner person. I know I am very Japanese, but this is Japanese. This month, I took a nap every day after class because I was so tired I hear, speak and read English all day long. Nonetheless, I wasn’t lonely because I talked with my Japanese friends every night to speak Japanese.

 Since last may, I have lived in homestay. I realized I didn’t have opportunity to speak English if I lived in residence. Also It is difficult to make friends with foreigners because I am shy person. Fortunately, my homestay family is really nice, and my roommate has become my best friend. I really love them, though I got homesick. I didn’t know that I cannot speak Japanese is really hard, tough and sad. I wanted to tell them about my story in my school such as I talked my Japanese friends every night in residence, but I didn’t know how to speak and describe. I called my family in Japan and cried before go to bed every night. I don’t remember the day that I didn’t feel homesick. I have talked English with my friends, homestay family, teachers in IEP and all people who speak English. In September or October, I haven’t felt embarrassed to speak English. My English is still not good. I often forget to add articles. I don’t know how to explain what I want to say sometimes, but I have confidence to speak, furthermore I enjoy.

After I moved to homestay, my life was changed, and I have started to enjoy Canada life. Firstly, my homestay family and my roommate has become my important people in my life. My homestay family invites roommate and myself to go to shopping, their family’s birthday party and so on. I have a lot of fun with them. I made 4 Canadian friends who are my hostfamily’s grandsons. They are very kind, and I play with them a lot. Hide and seek is one of my favorite game which I played with them. Then, I met some friends who are in another English program at the bus stop. They can speak English more than me because they stay longer. I learnt English from them. Then, IEP have a program which is “language partner”. IEP introduces IEP students Canadian people, then we can talk and improve my English skills. Most of the language partners are university students. I have had a partner who is a university teacher. I talk about my life. She talks about her life. We talk lots of things. I really enjoyed with her. Finally, IEP program has activities every weekend. There are 5 activity leaders in IEP and they lead us. IEP teaches me ideas to enjoy Winnipeg. One of my favorite activity is going to paint ball.

 Time flies every day. My program of studying English in Canada is coming to the end. I am going to go back home the end of March. I am going to miss all my important people whom I met in Winnipeg. I only have 49days to spend in Winnipeg Canada. I thank for all of people who make me love Winnipeg.

 Now, I don’t fear to speak English. After I graduate my Japanese university, I want to have job which use English. I will be back my second home Winnpeg to visit my hostfamily, friends and IEP in the future. These are my dream which I have declared in Canada.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

My best friends in Japan

I am going to talk about my best friends in Japan.
They are my best friends, also they are like my family!

When I was a high school student, I was in a wind orchestra club for 3 years.
They are my members. At first, I didn’t like them because some friends are very active, some friends are very quite. I cannot accept them as my friends.
My club had 1-3events every month, so I had practice every day all day.
I don’t remember when they have become my best friends, but I think that we overcame a lot of problem which were very hard and tough. I shared happy, sad, angry and hard time with them. That’s why we have a strong bond of friendship now.


One year one time, there are two kinds of wind orchestra (A or B style) contest in summer. A style contest is for big wind orchestra clubs. They need to play 2 songs with 36-50players. B style contest is for small wind orchestra clubs. They need to play 1 song with 1-35players. Usually, they are begun on the end of July. My wind orchestra club participate B style contest because my members were just 39playes. On the end of July, we have the contest each prefecture. Each the contests decide which clubs can play the music well. Then, just 2-3 clubs can win and forward next contest which is the prefecture contest. After prefecture contest, there are South or East of Japan contests. Finally, there is the Japan of wind orchestra contest. All the clubs want to go the Japan of wind orchestra contest, but it is extremely difficult because about 1,626 clubs participate the contest. When I was third year student, I forwarded the east of Japan contest with my members, moreover we were decided the best wind orchestra club in the prefecture contest. We could not forward the Japan of wind orchestra club, but it was the happiest memory with my friends in life.

Some of my best friends have already decided their job. Some of my best friends are still university student like me. We are still very close. Before I have come to Canada, they gave me a surprise party and many presents!!! I cried a lot.
They are looking forward to seeing me on April, and we will go to buffet restaurant because we love eating. I am so happy to see them again!!
I think that to meet really important friend in our life is not easy thing.
I am so happy to meet them.
They are best and important friend forever.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

My weekend. 2/3-2/5

I am going to talk about my weekend.

On Friday, I didn’t have mid-term exam so I went to Karaoke with IEP activity.
It was the first time to go to Karaoke in Winnipeg Canada.
At Karaoke, I met many my friends and Ashley! I sang some songs with Diana, Japanese song with Haruka. Also, one of my teacher who is learning Japanese sang a Japanese song! I was glad to sing “I will always love you” with Ashley!! Thank you very much J Also, danced with Japanese songs. My legs are still muscular pain. Singing English song is very difficult for me. I want to sing better!
That night was really fun! I enjoyed Karaoke! But, it was Korean Karaoke. I couldn’t understand Korean and they have many Korean songs more than English songs. I want to try different Karaoke place another day.

On Saturday, I woke up at 1:00pm. I slept a lot. Then I checked my message in my cell phone. I received a massage from Shiho who is living with my host mother’s daughter house. Shiho is in 350level in IEP. She invited me to go to St. Vital mall, so I went to St.Vital with My roommate who is called Andrea and Shiho. We looked for the store sales, but almost store sales were finished. Andrea and I bought nothing, but Shiho bought her friend chocolate for birthday present.
After shopping, we came back my home with Shiho. We ate supper together and watched the movie which is Narnia. It was first time to watch Narnia. I was really excited. I want to watch 2nd and 3rd part also.

On Sunday, Andrea, Shiho and I wanted to go to the Forks, but my host mother invited us to go to their grandson’s house to watch American Football game. So, we went to grandson’s house. Before watched the game, we ate supper. It was a moose humbugger and seafood soup. My host father went moose hunting in British Colombia before few months. That why we ate moose meat. The moose humbugger was delicious! But, I felt guilty a little bit. I focused to watch the game for 15minutes, but I couldn’t understand the rule. I gave up watching and played with grandson. He wanted to dance with the song of FLMAO, so we danced together. My muscular pain has been gotten worth.
After we danced, we walked around the house. I saw the church which is built long time ago. It was beautiful with the moon.
After my host families watched the game, we came back home.
I don’t know about the football game, but host grandsons were happy because the team they supported was won.
I had great weekend with my host families!! (^ω^)♥

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Wedding Ceremony in Japan

I am going to talk about Wedding Ceremony in Japan.
I haven’t attended wedding ceremony until now because, but I am very curious wedding ceremony and it is one of my dream in my life!

In Japan, we call wedding ceremony “Hirouen”.
Usually, a bride and groom invite thire family and friends.
They can choose the place from hole for wedding ceremony, restaurant or hotel.
My parents had a wedding ceremony in the hotel.


The bride and groom can choose white dress or Kimono, also they can wear both if they want. My parents wore both.I also want to wear both of them because many people wear both.

If you are invited wedding ceremony, you have to give money for the bride and groom.
This is Japanese tradition.People usually give about 30,000yen (about $300)

In ceremony,
First, the bride and groom enter the ceremony room after the guests sit their seat.
The bride and groom can choose the back ground music.
They usually use Lohengrin which is made by Wagener.
During they are entering to the ceremony room, the guests clapping their hands.

Secondly, a master of ceremonies introduce the bride and groom, their family their history and so on. Then, all people toast for them. After that, the bride and groom cut a big cake together. It is the biggest event in wedding ceremony.
After they cut cake, they give a morsel of cake each other.

Thirdly, the bride and groom change another dress.
They usually change to color dress. While they are changing, the master of ceremonies read letters from their friends who cannot come to their wedding ceremony.

Then, their friends entertain in the ceremony.
They sing songs, dance, whatever they do for the ceremony.
Finally, the bride and groom have a speech for their parents.

It is wedding ceremony in Japan. I hope that I will have in the future!