Hi Everyone,
I'm back! I went to Karuizawa with my family. The weather was nice and cool, the food was good, and I got a massage with aroma oil at the hotel. I took a 30-minute course when I got it last year, but I took a 60-minute course this time, and I had a whole body massage with nice relaxing music. It was the first time I had had my hands and fingers massaged. It felt great! I loved it!! I wanted to be on the bed forever.

Hi Jazmin,
You went to Prague and Cresky Krumlov in Czech Republic? I watched the beautiful scenery in Prague on TV several times, and it's one of the places I'd love to go someday. いいなぁ～♪　プラハ城、見たい！
And thank you for the nice words. I'm very happy to hear that! You are so sweet, too;-)

Hi Anne,
Thank you! I had a nice relaxing time there. For housewives, the great thing of going on a trip is that we don't have to cook, isn't it?　作ってもらうと何でもおいしいですね～＾＾ They had all-you-can-eat restaurants, and I ate almost all kinds of dessert there, ha ha. I loved the gateau chocolat with vanilla ice cream!

Hi David,
Maybe you are on the flight to Thailand now. We can't see you until September? We'll miss you so much!
Anyway, hope you get there safely and have a great time. We are looking forward to hearing the stories of your trip!

As I mentioned on the last entry, I'm going to change my Internet connection today. People from NTT are coming to my house this afternoon. I hope everything goes well so that I can be back on line as soon as possible.

See you later,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月14日 12:16

Hi Tomo,
リラックスできて良かったですね＾＾。「光」うまく繋がったようですね。
Hi amo,
Nice to meet you,too.
Hi Jazmin,
Matterhorn Glacier Paradise...ゴルナーグラード展望台には行くのですが近く？同じ？よくわかりません。ガイドさん日本人なので聞いてみます。Thank you.
hiki

•  hiki
• 2008年8月14日 20:45

Hi David,

I'm glad to hear that your great summer vocation has finished of Hokkaido in safuly.
Mashu Lake, the Ohotsuku Sea, Shiretoko peninsula, the Notsuke Peninsula, Hamakoshimizu, Obihiro, Erimo Misaki, Tomakomai have been remaining for all of my good memories since eleven years.
My three weeks drive with my husband were for searching long stay in there. Anyway, it was a fantastic and a great travel, indeed. Continuously, next year, I traveled during fourty-day by train, and stayed youth hostel central and east of Hokkaido by myself.
So I look foreward your pictures, because I took a lots of pictures at many places. Thought, my one-trip was ten-year ago.
In my long journey, I saw a family of deer playing in the forest or river, a family of fox cross the street, flying eagles and a family of bear. There were many kinds of wild animals in Hokkaido. Then I deeply love Hokkaido.
Especially I love Lake Kussharo/Kutyaro and I like to enjoy the wild-onsen called rotenburo on the edge of the lake. I will never forget it.
At night, I lay down on the earth, and looked up the huge number of stars in the sky. They were so beautiful and I was so relaxed. I saw the shooting stars many times in Rebun island.
I never been to Thailand, so I look foreward your Thailand's story.

Hi everyone,
I was absent commenting for two weeks, but I've finished member's comments. I've known everyone had a great summer holiday in obon-time.
Against, I didn't go any places this summer. However, now, I became want to go to Hokkaido again, after read David's comment.

See you everyone,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月15日 01:30

Good morning everyone,

It is extreame hot, isn't it? My fingers don't move on the key board smoothly. So I touched another key, and my comment was disappeared instantly. Still now, I am not good at PC and I need more time tnan my expectation.
However, I have improved my sleepless for a long time, I think. This is one of my good events.
I'm going to go to my town's summer festival after English class in the evening. It will take place the 灯篭流し along the river.

See you later,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月16日 08:56

Hi Jazmin,
I've been to Prague and Cresky Krumlov too! It was more than 10 years ago. I traveled around a few more countries in Eastern Europe at that time. They were all so beautiful. What memories!

•  Lily
• 2008年8月17日 00:23

Hi everyone,
How’s your day? Are obon-holidays over? I don’t have a plan to go out this summer, but
now I’m a relieved little bit because all the obon rituals were over.
I spend a relaxed time watching Olympic games or matches recently on TV.
Whatever the result may be, each figures or scenes of athletes is　touching and beautiful. There are a lot of stories and things in Olympics, good or bad; one of them I was discouraged was a girl who was singing at the opening ceremony was not actually singing, just lip-synching, and there was another girl who sang on the tape.

Hi Tomo,
It’s good for you everything about Internet connection went well.
Hi kiyoko,
How are your fingers? I hope they don’t hurt so much now.

Hi Maki,
How was your trip to Portland?( In America?)
Are you going to work again from tomorrow?

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月17日 16:17

少し訂正;
I'm a relieved little bit→I'm relieved a little bit

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月17日 16:23

Hi David and everyone,

How's your summer going on? It has been very hot in some places, as it reaches up to around 40c?! Anyway, hope everyone enjoys this summer!

Tomo & Anne,
I got back from my trip last night. Yes, I visited my friends in Portland (Oregon) in the US. I enjoyed hiking, picking blueberries, looking around the town and etc. I had a great time with them. It was very hot during my stay there, though it wasn't humid like in Japan. I'm going back to work from tomorrow, besides I'm going to Yokohama in the evening, as I will have a meeting on Tuesday. Another hot days...

Tomo, It's so good that you had a lovely time in Karuizawa. Your new internet connection went well, as well. Having a whole body massage sounds soooo nice! とろけそ～！

Talk to you later,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月17日 21:46

Welcome back, Tomo!
It seems you had a wonderful time.

Hi hiki,
Yes, Gornergrat is another wonderful place to visit. Are you gonna stay at THE posh hotel there? You can see Matterhorn from your window. I was so excited.

Hi Lily,
So you traveled around a few more countries in Eastern Europe other than Czech Republic? That’s great!! I think I’m gonna be hooked on traveling countries in Eastern Europe.

•  Jazmin
• 2008年8月17日 22:21

Hi Team,
How are things with you? We(my family) went to my husband's father's house on Friday, and we visited my husband's mother's grave. We went to a river on Saturday, but unfortunately, there was a heavy shower, so we had to come back home soon. We didn't have any special plan for today, so we stayed home and just relax. It was almost noon when I woke up this morning. I couldn't believe my eyes! Ha ha ha..

Hi hiki,
I hope you are having a wonderful time in Switzerland!

Hi Kiyoko,
How was the 灯篭流し？

Hi Anne,
Thanks, I'm glad that the change of my Internet connection went well. By the way, I'm also watching the Olympic on TV when I have time;-)

Hi Maki,
Welcome back! I'm glad to hear you had a great time with your friends in the US!　それにしても、チケットが取れて、ふらっと外国に行っちゃうなんてすごいな～。 I can't do that! I don't even know how to get air tickets, ha ha..
Are you going back to work tomorrow? がんばってね＾＾

See you all soon,

PS David, how are you doing? Hope you are enjoying your holiday in Thailand.

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月17日 22:33

Hi Anne,
Thanks for your sweet words.
It was comfatable cool today, at least, I thought. Because it is 22 degrees Celsious, and after rain tempetature it dropped to 20.
And then I started commenting, smoothly. But when my comment came to conclude suddently it was disappeared. Besides, Internet pages all were,too. This case is my first experience. I don't understand, what is going on my PC. I question about virus, or another.

Anyway, I will restart now as remembering previous sentences.
I was writing about yesterday' Toro-nagashi that was held a river nearby. Many paper lanterns were floating on the water slowly. I sit a place near water level and took some pictures.
This river was long but slope was gentle, so they were back to their world each other style (Okuri-bi).
Then I could watched them easily as having some foods. Daytime temperature was extreame but a river wind breezed on a nighttime. I stayed at the end of the festival and I went back to my home in my slow pace.
Tomo,
I'd like to get a massage, too, I never got, yet.

Bye for now,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月17日 23:16

correction
it is 22 　→　it was 22　　　
I never got, yet 　　→I've never got it.
each other style →in each other style

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月17日 23:51

Hi everyone,

I got back from my holiday. I went to Algarve in Portugal with two other families. We stayed in a villa. It was absolutely huge house. We were in 13 people but I thought that more than other 10people possible. (lol)

I couldn't forget the sounds of ボロニャン、ボロボロニャンin the beach. Someone was selling sweets when we on a sun bed. they came and go, so I remembered. In the end we couldn't try them, but I saw the people to eat them in front of us.

The sea was really cleared. Why Japanese sea side was so muddy? Please tell me Japanese clear place. My home town in Nagoya. so I had been to around 内海、伊良湖 若狭etc. I think that they don't good places. I thought that should be better 沖縄？Tell me about 東北 area and 北海道 area, around these area can be possible swim? Don't you think that the seawater really cold?

The day before I went to the holiday, I checked this blogs. so I found the comments of about Olympic. so I managed to watch the opening ceremony on the way marching each countries athletes. and Japanese too. Anne thanks for posting your comments!

Kiyoko,
Which city of 灯篭流し？自分の住んでる町には伝統的な行事がなくてちょっとうらやましいです。ねぶた祭りとか、岸和田だんじり祭りとか、スケールの大きいお祭りで自分の地元の人と騒いでみたいです。

Maki,
Wow! Did you go to Portland alone? You are so brave!

Jazmin,
Do you live in foreign country as a business worker or you work as a tour conductor? Sounds I have been hearing your comments different countries each time?

hiki,
Long time no see you. How are you? How is your holiday? I have never been to Switzerland

Tomo,
Sounds you had a good time in Karuizawa. How was aroma oil? When I tried it in Gran Canaria, I couldn't hide my body even thought the massager was man. (I just wore my under wear)海外では羞恥心は捨てないとやっていけないですね。

See you all soon

Riko

•  Riko
• 2008年8月18日 19:21

Hi Tomo, Rico,
I live in Yokohama. Every season, every month, our sity has big events, but I don't go many times. However, Toro-nagashi, Bon-dance and fireworks display is special. Because I used to enjoy them in summer since long time ago.

According to the memos, Toro-nagashi, this custom was intended as a rite for sending off ancestral souls back to their world, which was believed to lie beyond the river or the sea.
Then people made a small paper lanturns which has lighted candles inside, and floated it on the water by small boat.

Hi Jazmin,
You had a great memory, hadn't it? I went there for six-day hiking to the Matterhorn, the Mont Blanc and the Eiger, five years ago. It was fine weather, so I saw well the Matterhorn's spectacle view for two days.
In memory, I bought a big size pictute of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. They are matching on the wall of the dining room.
Wow, it's time over! I hurry go to bed.

Good night everyone,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月19日 01:01

Hi Team,

I'm in Khon Khaen in the north of Thailand. It's hot here, but not as hot as Nagoya, so I'm not complaining. The Nanzan students have classes every day, so I spend my time in an office working. It's actually very relaxing because I have nothing to do except eat, sleep, work, and watch the Olympics on TV. Did you see the women's pole vault last night? It was very exciting.

I have to go now because I am with a Thai student called Nawinda who is showing me around the university. I will try to write another comment later this week.

Bye for now,

David

•  David
• 2008年8月19日 13:45

Hi David,
I'm surprised to see your comment!(It was a nice surprise, of course.) I didn't think you could make a comment from Thailand. Are you working there?? I thought you went on another trip. Are you there with your students from Nanzan university? Is it like a study abroad programme or something?
Anyway, you seem to be having a nice relaxing time there even though you have to work. Have fun!

Hi Riko,
You had a massage with aroma oil and the massager was a man?! You are kidding! I've had it twice, but both were women. I only wore a paper underwear that they gave me, but they put towels over my body except the part they were massaging. Well, maybe the massage you had could be an unforgettable memory, in a way;-)
Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you had a great holiday with your family and your friends. By the way, ボロニャン and ボロボロニャン sound cute! It's a name of sweets, right? What does it look like?

Hi Kiyoko,
Thanks for letting us know about Toro-nagashi. By the way, you live in Yokohama? I have been there many times!

Talk to you later,

Tomo

PS David, I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月19日 16:14

Hi Riko,
I’m not sure how to respond to your question, but, anyway, I graduated from university this spring and started working for a financial firm in Tokyo.
You live in London now, right? I’ve been to several cities surrounding London, such as Rye, Greenwich, Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and etc. Aren’t they REALLY beautiful?

Hi kiyoko,
Did you hike to the Matterhorn, the Mont Blanc and the Eiger? Great!!! Actually I didn’t (^_^;)
I saw lots of Japanese hikers in Zermatt and so many of them were middle aged and elderly persons (I was so impressed!). They seemed to be very happy, and an ‘one-time girl’ said, “We’re going to be Heidi (a girl of the Alps) now!” Cute, isn’t she!?

•  Jazmin
• 2008年8月19日 16:42

Hi everyone!

How do you do?
I'm studying English but my English skill is poor...
So I read your comments and brush up my English skills!

Thank you for your reading!!

Hiromi

•  Hiromi
• 2008年8月19日 17:06

Hi Jazmin,
You graduated from university THIS spring?? I didn't realize you were so young! I thought you were older than that(Sorry!) because you sound more mature.

Hi Hiromi!
Welcome to the blog! If you keep trying, I'm sure you'll improve your English;-) Look forward to seeing more comments from you!

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月19日 18:04

Hi David,
You are with the Nanzan students? I thought you went on another trip as Tomo said.
Do students study Thai and it’s culture there?
Anyway, it’s good for you having a relaxing time!!
Yes, I saw the women’s pole vault, and the champion’s jump was elegant, beautiful and energetic.
Looking forward to　hearing from you again.

Hi Riko,

You seemed to enjoy your holiday, and it’s good for you.
I didn’t know where Algarve was, so checked on the Internet.
It’s sooo beautiful place, isn’t it?
I’m not sure, but the sea in Okinawa is beautiful and the sand is not muddy.
By the way, I live in Nagoya, so I know the condition of ‘内海、伊良湖’ well(^^;)
(When my children were small, I had been there .)

Hi Jazmin,
I am also surprised to know that you just graduated from university this spring , and started working.
By the way, you travelled a lot of places, didn’t you?
I’m planning to visit some of the places in UK where you mentioned this fall.

Hi Hiromi,
Welcome to the blog!
Have fun together, and looking forward to having your comment again.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月19日 23:15

Hi Tomo,
Thank you for your kindly message!
I am very happy to find this blog!
If you find my mistake of English,
please tell me(^^;)

Hi Anne
Thank you for your welcome comment!
I'm very luky to find here.
You all are so kind that I'm very happy(^^)

Hiromi

•  匿名
• 2008年8月20日 09:05

Hi Jazmin,
The Matterhorn, the Mont Blanc and the Eiger were Great! The Matterhorn was really really spectacle, indeed. I was sooo excited and satisfied.
There were no Japanese in hiking course, when I visited. Our group eight-member were almost sinior except a guide.
In Zermatt, I saw many country's cuple of middle aged or elderly person, while hiking. They seemed to be happy. Of cause I was really pappy, and performed an ‘one-time girl’ like a Heidi of the Alps ecah other, and took some pictures, as you said.

Hi everyone,
I'm going to go to the another place to see my family.
Have a great weekend,

Kiyoko

•  Kiyoko
• 2008年8月20日 10:29

Hi David,
You are in Thailand with the Nanzan students? As Tomo and Anne said, I thought you went there as your trip. But you have a relaxing time, haven't you? I hope you have more great time in there.

Hi Everyone,
How was your summer holiday? I had a pleasant time. My sister's family stayed at my house for 5 days. We went to summer festival, and it had various fun features for children. (My sister has 2 sons.) We went into a haunted house. It was a small scale, but my nephew who is 6 was very scared. He held on tight to my arm, and he didn't try to go forward, so I said to him "If you don't go forward, you will be not able to go out of here forever." He managed to go forward, but the moment we went out of there, he burst into tears, and he said "I will never go to haunted house again!". Because of this, he couldn't go to the bathroom alone at night for several days.（笑）

I didn't use "英語脳" these days. Today, I used it after long time, and I wanted to write comment to each member, but I couldn't it because I was exhausted... So, I will write later.

P.S. I envy you who went abroad! I want to go abroad this year, but I think I will be not able to do it because I don't have enough money to do it. I have to save a money!　

Amica

•  Amica
• 2008年8月20日 13:56

Hi everyone,

Didn't I tell you that I was coming with students? Nanzan has a thing called the Nanzan Asia Program, and students who take part go to a South-East Asian country for one month to study the language and culture. One teacher goes with them for the first two weeks, and then he or she goes home, and another teacher comes to take over. The students I am with came to Thailand at the beginning of August with another teacher (while I was in Hokkaido), and I came to take his place.
We are staying in a city called Khon Kaen, and the students are studying at Khon Kaen University. The university have given me a room to use, so it is a great chance for me to get a lot of work done. At night, I usually just watch the Olympics on TV in my hotel room. The only channel with English commentary is an Indian one, so I watch that.
Yesterday, I went to the city to buy some English books to read. I got four, so I have plenty to keep me busy now until we leave next week.
Anyway, I have to get back to work. Bye for now,

David

•  David Barker
• 2008年8月21日 11:31

Hi David,
Thanks for your information. Actually, I visited Nanzan　homepage after reading your posting, and got to know that a lot of programs were prepared for the students at Nanzan: students are happy for having such good programs and situations at the university have been changing! I didn’t know where Khon Kaen was, but now I know!
Did you watch the 200 meters ? Usain Bolt won another gold medal, and his running was amazing, wasn't it? I’m not sure what kind of sports are aired on TV there, but this race are sure to be aired, I think.

Hi everyone,
It’s not so hot and humid today here, and I felt the autumn breeze this morning.
Ha~, it’s so nice and cozy!
Related the Olympics, I visited the main page of Googleafter a long time the day before yesterday, and noticed that the design of Google logo was Olympic version; a swimmer, running horse and jumping rabbit, and today’s one is a pole vaulting rabbit. As I mentioned before, I love Google logos.（There are a lot of special version like ‘ mother’ day,　St.Patrick’s day and so on.） During Olympic weeks, Google seems to prepare various kinds of Olympic version every day. If you are interested in it、have a look at it!

Hi Amica,
Are you having busy days? Is the concert held next week? As I said before,近かったら、花束もって駆けつけるのにね＾＾）If you will have a concert in Nagoya, please be sure to tell me the date and place!! As you mentioned, recently we had a chance to listen to a lot of stories about travels both in Japan and foreign countries.

Bye for now,

Anne

•  匿名
• 2008年8月21日 14:24

Hi David,
The Nanzan Asia Program, I see. You are there to take care of the students, aren't you? The students study the language and culture there for a month, that sounds nice. I think they will learn a lot. I wish I could have been one of them!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in Thailand:)

Hi Amica,
Your nephew is so cute! But I understand him. I can't go to the bathroom alone after watching （or hearing） scary movies and stories!(笑) I hate Japanese horror movies like ‘Ring’ or ‘Ju-on’.　日本のホラーは‘怨念’って感じですっごく怖い！

Hi Anne,
The Japanese softball team won the gold medal at last!!　悲願の金メダルですね～。 I'm so happy for them!
By the way, I had a look at the Google logo. I didn't check it for a while. Thanks for reminding me;-)

See you all soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月21日 22:22

Tomo & Anne,
Did you think that I was much older? I regard it as a compliment, because I’ve been wanting to become a mature person ever since I was a little girl. Thank you very much.
BTW, I don’t know how old you and other members are. Oh, no need to tell me, I really don’t care. If you’re grown-ups, then, age doesn’t matter when you study English.

Anne, you’re going to the UK? You must be excited!
And yes, I had lots of chances to travel abroad; family trip, school trip, visiting relatives who lived/live in other countries….
I hope your visit to the UK will be a pleasant and fruitful experience.

Hi kiyoko,
So did you play Heidi out there, too?
Oh, I knew it!!

•  Jazmin
• 2008年8月21日 23:34

Hi David,
I thought that you went to Thailand on private, as other members said. Please enjoy your staying there!

Hi Hiromi,
Belated...Welcome to the blog! Enjoy learning English together! Looking forward to your next comment.

Hi Riko,
It sounds you enjoyed your holiday in Portugal. I didn't know even its name, Algarve. I checked it on the internet, as Anne did. It's a beautiful place, right? I'd like to visit Portugal sometime.
As for the sea in Hokkaido, we have both the Japan sea and the Pacific Ocean, you know. I recomend to visit the Japan sea side, though some swimming places aren't on the beach. There are a lot of rocks, but seawater is very clear!

Hi Jazmin,
I'm surprised to hear that you just graduated from university this spring, too! You seem to have a lot of things to talk about and sound mature. (I'm in your parent's generation...I guess.)

Hi everyone,
It's very cool here and rather chilly in the evening. It's like in late September. I miss the summer, because it's still in August!

Have a lovely weekend!

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月23日 17:52

Hi Everyone,

How have you been spending late summer holiday? Mostly finished them. Children already finished own homework? Fortunately my son haven't had 日誌 from his Japanese school. (called 補習校）so he didn't have a lot of them. I left a few things my homework last day of summer holiday when I was a child. It was art or handiwork. How was your memories?

Kiyoko,
風流ですね。灯篭流し。

David,
How have you been spending in Thailand with your students? I couldn't imagine you spend a long time in Thailand for the email that you went to Hokkaido.

Jazmin,
Sounds you still younger lady/boy. right? (20's) I thought that you were a man as a business worker in your email. ha ha sorry. but I haven't known you were male or female. I have mistaken only me? Sounds you have opportunity to go to abroad several times in year. Good Luck!

Anne & Maki
Yeah, The Portuguese sea was really cold maybe than Japanese sea side. I thought that the limit paddling until my ankles.

Amika & Tomo,
I talked about Japanese horror movies with my Chinese friends other day. They told me Japanese horror movies like 'Ring' really scared. but it is remade in Hollywood not scared. Did you watch that?

Speak soon
Riko

•  Riko
• 2008年8月23日 22:27

Hi everyone,
I went to Switzerland.
It took only two hours from　Heathrow airport.
I've never seen such beautiful pieces of scenery.
The weather was good every day.
And,The food was excellent.
I ride on a glacier express.It was a lot of fun to look at the passing views.
When I was hiking I heard sound like thunder.
But,it was 氷河の落ちた音.とガイドさんが教えてくれました。
I wish go to Switzerland again.

Hi Jazmin,
I saw Matterhorn at Zermatt.And,I saw Eiger at Grindelwald,too.きれいでした。

Hi Riko,
I'm lazy person.書くのは時間がかなりかかるので普段は読み中心です。＾＾
子供は９月から進級するので日本の時と違って夏休みの宿題もなくごろごろしてます。

hiki

•  匿名
• 2008年8月24日 08:20

Hi Maki,
It's chilly here today too. How's the weather there?
Hope you are having a nice relaxing weekend.

Hi Jazmin,
OK, let me introduce myself;-)
I was born on September 22nd, 1972, so I'm 35.(but I'll be 36 next month, oh no..) I'm married with 3 children, two boys and a girl, and I'm a full-time mom. In my free time, I like reading, writing, watching DVDs, and joining this blog for my English study. I like English, but I've never been abroad. It seems like you have a lot of experience in other countries. Lucky you!

Hi Riko,
No, I haven't watched the Hollywood version of 'Ring'. Actually, I haven't watched the Japanese version either. I only saw some scenes in the movie on TV several times, and it really scared me!

Hi hiki,
Welcome back! It sounds like you had a wonderful time in Switzerland. Good for you!
By the way, your daughter doesn't have any homework for her summer vacation?? I'm sure my sons envy her! My middle is almost finished with his homework, but my oldest is working hard to get his homework done now. There is only one week until his vacation is over..

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Tomo

PS David, come back to Japan soon. We are all missing you!

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月24日 15:13

Hi everyone,
How was your weekend? I stayed home all weekend long to read books and just to take rest.

Hi hiki,
It seems that you enjoyed your holiday in Switzland. It's a good change for you! Hiking there sounds good for me. I hope to visit there sometime.

Hi Tomo,
It was another chilly day here. The max temperature was around 18c! Can you believe it?!
I miss summer...

By for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月24日 21:54

Hi everyone,
Did you watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics?
Beijing Olympics were closed and London is the next site.
David Becham seems to be the icon of athletes in UK.
Hi hiki,
You seemed to have a lovely time in Switzerland. It's good for you! A glacier express?
氷河の落ちた音？It sounds nice!

Hi Maki,
It was rather cool (not chilly!) today around here.
According to the weather forecast, it will be hot again.
Did you have a time to relax?

Hi Jazmin,
It’s interesting that each person has a different image about you.
I’ll tell you a little bit about me: I’m a housewife with 2 sons (29, and 27).
I love watching movies and reading books.

Hi David,
Are you having a relaxing time there?
When you will be back to Nagoya, the weather will be back to Summer again!( I guess, ha ha ha!)　

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月24日 23:31

Hi Tomo, Anne, Maki,
Thanks for your warm encouraging comments! Last week, I had a concert. Before I appeared on the stage, I was thinking about Olympic athletes. I thought I wanted to believe my ability and do my best like them. So, I could play well!!

Hi Riko,
Yes, I watched the "Ring" of Japanese version and Hollywood version. As you said, I think the "Ring" of Japanese version is scared, but Hollywood version is not scared.
あの怖さはハリウッドでは出せないですよね。ホラー映画は日本の物が一番怖い！海外の物もたまに観ますが、悪魔と言われてもイマイチぴんとこないし（笑）

Hi Jazimin,
As members said, I imagined you were young because your English was very well. When I was your age, I couldn't write my thinking in English! Let me introduce myself a little. I'm a piano teacher and singer.（クラッシック音楽です）I have some concerts several times a year.

Hi hiki,
I have not been to Switzerland. I hope I visit there someday. I imagine there is the scenery like a picture book of Heidi there. The food was excellent?
やっぱりチーズが美味しいのかしら？

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday, I went to watch the show of "早乙女太一". Do you know him? He is a famous "女形". He is a boy who is only 16, but his dance is amazing, and his figure is bewitching! I have watched his dance on TV before, but the live dance of him was more beautiful than I had expected. If you have a chance, I recommend that you go to watch his show.

See you soon,

Amica

•  Amica
• 2008年8月25日 22:24

Hi Amica,
So, you finished your concert, and now you are back to normal life, aren’t you?
I’m glad to hear that your concert has gone well!
You watched the show of ‘早乙女太一‘? Of course I know him! He is so beautiful, isn’t he? I don’t have a chance to watch his show yet, though.

By the way, we have been talking about ‘ ホラー映画‘ recently.
To be honest, horror movie is the last one which I want to watch, so I seldom watch them both in Japanese versions and in Western ones; they are sooo scary, and if I would watch, 指の間からこっそり、少しだけ。。。。。＾＾；）
The movie which I watched and was touched is recently ‘The kite runner(君のためなら千回でも)’; it’s the story of an Afghan refugee, and I’d love to read the novel as well. I watched it on DVD.

Speak to you soon,

•  Anne
• 2008年8月26日 17:06

少し訂正；
was touched is recently→was touched recently is

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月26日 17:24

Hi Anne and everyone,
Anne’s comment made me want to say hi in a long while because “The Kite Runner” is my first novel I’ve read through (I mean “in English”). There were so many words I didn’t know in it. I underlined all of them with several highlight pens because I didn’t want to miss anything going on there. My “The Kite Runner” became very colorful when I finished it, and I am proud of myself, of course.

I also watched the movie after reading it. In the movie, young Hasan was very cute, wasn’t he?
taco

•  taco
• 2008年8月26日 19:42

Hi Amica,
I'm so glad that you've done well at the concert. So you feel free now, right? I've seen 早乙女　太一 on TV, though he didn't dance at that time. Yes, he is so beautiful! And I was surprised at his 色気!

Hi Anne,
I had a relaxed time during the last weekend, thank you!
The weather here is cloudy and very cool. It's like in late September, but I hear that it is getting warmer over the weekend.
I don't like horror movies...They are acary and make me uncomfortable. So I don't watch them.
嫌いというより・・・怖いのが超苦手です。。。（－－；）

Anne & taco,
taco, welcome back!
I'd like to watch "The Kite Runner", but I don't have a chance yet. After reading both your comments, I've started thinking about the book. I will try to read it sometime soon!

By for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月26日 22:42

Hi Everyone,

May I ask you How different is 写真を撮る、写真を写す？ I talked with English friend about it. If I translate it in English both of 'take a picture'. but she is learning in Japanese. so I have to explain about Kanji as well in English. If you have a nice idea, please tell me.

Is that good study for you? David?

Thanks for everyone responding me about horror movies. Yeah, Sounds definitely scared Japanese than Hollywood. I just watched dorama version on TV. I felt scared for a while even off the switch on TV after to watch it.

Yeah, I also know 早乙女太一. I could read 女性自身 in UK. My husband company buy some magazines for living UK family. We could share to read them. He appeared several times on it recently. so I thought that he is popular actor or dancer in Japan. Yeah, definitely you would be better to watch him live on stage.

Amica,
Do you have busy work as a piano teacher and to go to concert several times a year don't you? Of course you play a piano at concert? When I watch a song program in Japan, sometimes a singer sing with orchestra. Do you possible to go to there if you will have offer? I'm quite interested in it. If you don't mind please tell me.

hiki,
Doesn't your daughter go to Japanese school in UK?

speak soon
Riko

•  Riko
• 2008年8月27日 04:11

Hi everyone,

This is my last day in Thailand; we will be flying back tomorrow evening and arriving in Japan on Friday morning. I'm looking forward to going back, but I hope it is not too hot. The weather here has been a lot cooler than it was in Nagoya when I left.

We had a farewell party last night at a big hotel in Khon Kaen. The Thai students dressed up in traditional costumes (very pretty!), and the Japanese girls all wore yukatas. There were lots of tears and hugs as all the students said goodbye to their new Thai friends.

As I said, I will be back in Japan on Friday, but I'm not sure whether I will have time to write a new entry or not. If I don't, I promise I will do one on Monday.

Bye for now,

David

•  David Barker
• 2008年8月27日 11:14

Hi, David,
I read your blog, by chance. I'm glad to know that we can write either in English or in Japanese, and even both of them. In addition to that this blog (team?) is serious and frank.
Although I was informed that you are travelling now, I'd like to say a few words.

Bye for now,

Jane

•  匿名
• 2008年8月27日 14:18

Hi Jane,
Welcome to the blog! Are you David's student or his friend? I'm looking forward to hearing from you again soon!

Hi Amica,
Glad to hear that the concert went well! お疲れさま＾＾
I didn't know Saotome Taichi, so I looked it up on the Internet and watched his videos on You Tube. He is sooo beautiful! I can't believe that he is only 16!! One of the articles I read said that he was called ‘流し目王子’. There are a lot of 王子s in Japan, and I don't really like the idea that Japanese media often call someone ‘～王子’, but I agree this time!(笑)

Hi taco,
Nice to have you back! I felt the same way as you when I finished to read a book in English for the first time. ｢読めた～！｣っていう達成感がありますよね。　それにその本はがんばった記念ですね＾＾

Hi Riko,
That's a difficult question, isn't it? Hmm, I think ‘写真を撮る’ is used more often than ‘写真を写す’in everyday Japanese.(I usually use the former.), and I don't think there is a big difference between them. Are you going to explain the meanings of these kanjis ‘撮’ and ‘写’? I think ‘撮’ means 'take'(or filming), and ‘写’ means 'copy'. Both can have some other meanings, but I put it simply.

Hi David,
Are you coming back in Japan on Friday? That's great! We'll be waiting for you here. Don't worry about writing a new entry. You'll be busy and tired on the day you'll be back, we understand that;-)
By the way, what do traditional Thai costumes look like? Did you take some pictures?
Look forward to hearing your stories and seeing the pictures you took there and in Hokkaido.

Speak to you soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月27日 14:32

Hi David,
Are you coming back to Japan on Friday?
It’s really good opportunity for students having interacted with people living in different cultures.
I do hope both students and you will be back safely.
By the way, the temperature this week have been a little bit high compared with last week, but it’s not so hot anymore as when you left Japan, and autumn is coming: I hear singing of insects instead of singing of cicadas at night these days .
So don’t worry about the hot summer!!

Hi taco,
As you said, when we finished reading a book(especially in English), we feel some kind of fulfillment. ‘The kite runner ‘ became a memorable book for you, right?

Hi Rico,
As Tomo said, when we say’写す'、we usually mean’ copy’, and copy a lot of things. A photo is one of them. (we say’写経‘,don’t we?) I usually don’t mind the difference, and I would say the same way’ take a photo’for both of them . I mainly use 写真を撮る.

Hi Jane,
Nice to have you here!
Yes, we can post our comments both in Englsh and in Japanese, and it makes us feel easy to post, doesn't it?

Bye for now,

•  Anne
• 2008年8月27日 19:45

I made a mistake.

Are you coming back in Japan on Friday? → Are you coming back TO Japan on Friday?

Davidの‘I will be back in Japan on Friday’に引きずられてしまったみたいです。　Anneのコメントを読んで気が付きました。　Thanks Anne!

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月27日 21:16

Hi David,
Did you have a good time? Have a pleasant flight!
I'm looking forward to hearing about both your trips.

Hi Jane,
Welcome to the blog! Let's enjoy learning together!

Hi Riko,
As Tomo and Anne have explained about your question already, 写真を写すand 写真を撮る are the same meaning for taking a photo. I usually use 写真を撮る. But if you explain the meaning of both 写す and 撮る, 写す　has some meanings, eg. copy, trace, reproduce, describe and etc. Meanwhile 撮るmeans "photograph", "snapshot" and so on. My explanation might be out of the point...sorry.

Talk to later,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月27日 22:59

Hi Everyone

Thanks for giving me your opinions.

日本語で失礼します。
そうなんですよね。写真を撮るが、一般的であまり写真を写すなんて言わないですよね。そう言って、’撮る’と
’ 写す’を辞書で調べながら説明していると、写すの方に’写真を写す’とちゃんと例題がありこれはあまり使わないと言えなくなってしまいました。英語ではわたしも、take とcopy で説明しましたが、例題をどんどん出して行くと、自分も分からなくなって行っちゃうんですよね。

’とる’にも、撮る、取る、採る、捕るなどがあり、
’取る’の説明には、１０通りが載っていて、説明するのに困難しました。（辞書は小学生用なのですが）
後は、take, have, give, find, get など、英語もいろいろな意味があるので、一緒だよねと話して締め括りました。

My friend is still beginner. and she hasn't known a lot of Japanese phrase yet. I think that if she will be improve she might need to study more examples. Anyway thanks everyone.

I told you my today's story. My younger son's friend came my house. when he drunk a juice with a straw, his grass leaned one side a bit. I told him' Hold!'. but he said 'hot?' I said 'No, hold!' he said 'cold?' 'No, hold on your hands.' but he already gone to other place. He often ask me a lot of questions even though I don't understand often. He is really cute boy.

Speak soon
Riko

•  Riko
• 2008年8月28日 05:44

Hi Everyone,

昨日はすごい雨でしたが、皆さんの住んでいる所は大丈夫でしょうか･･？　愛知県の岡崎市は浸水で大きな被害を受けているとニュースで見ましたが･･。　Anneは大丈夫ですか？

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月29日 10:24

Oh, my goodness! Really crazy!!　Severe rainfall! Brutal thunder and lightning!!
I hope everyone is safe and sound.

Maki, Tomo, Riko, Anne and Amica,
Even if we don’t have a lot in common, we could meet wonderful people from all walks of life through English study here. It’s great, isn’t it?
It’s very nice of you to tell me (or us) about yourself. I don’t have much to say about myself, so here’s a brief profile;
Name/Jazmín (would beハスミンin Japanese, and has the stress on the second syllable), Female, Age/23 (will be 24 soon), Scorpio, Single, No children, Blood type/B-positive (Japanese people really like it, right?　I myself don’t care for character judgments by blood type, though.). I like movies and reading news magazines. I’m interested in people and what’s happening in the world.

•  Jazmin
• 2008年8月29日 11:09

Hi everyone,
It has been raining heavily since last night, and severe rainfalls are expected ,according to the weather forecast, so we need to be careful for it.
ThanksTomo,
こちらの地方、岡崎市全世帯避難勧告です!　あちらこちらで岡崎市も含め、被害が出ていますし、さらに一日は注意が必要ですね。幸いな事に、私の住まいの辺りは大丈夫ですが。。。。浸水の被害にあわれた方は、本当にお気の毒です。
By the way,I'm really worry about the Nanzan students and David after arriving at the airport.

Speak to you soon,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月29日 14:31

少し訂正；
I'm really worry about→I'm really worried about

Hi Jazmin,
As you said, it's really a good chance and place here to get to know other's ideas even though we have a different background. Honestly, at first I thought these kinds of places (I mean,blog)were just for young people,and not for me ,and I hesitated to join here^^;)

Bye for now

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月29日 16:38

Hi everyone,

I got back to Japan this morning, and I have been working this afternoon. I'm too tired to do another entry, but I will write properly on Monday. Hope you are not drowning in this rain!

Bye for now,

David

•  David
• 2008年8月29日 17:17

Hi David,
Glad to hear you got back safely! Are you working now? You should be at home and relax! Get a lot of rest;-)

Hi Anne,
無事で良かったです！　こちらも警報が出ていて、またすごい雨＆雷が始まりました。
Anneも他のみんなも気をつけて下さいね！

Hi Jazmin,
Thank you for the profile!(including your blood type, ha ha.) You are right, it's great to meet a lot of new people through this blog;-)

See you soon,

Tomo

•  Tomo
• 2008年8月29日 17:53

Hi David,
Welcome Back! It's a good thing not hit by the heavy rains.
(「集中豪雨の影響がなくて良かったですね」と言ってるつもりです）

Hi Tomo,
Yes,My daughter doesn't have a homework.She is so happy.
Hi Maki,
There are a lot of nice hiking trail. 今回は初心者でも楽しめるコースでした。
Hi Anne,
集中豪雨大変ですね。
A glacier express 氷河特急　St.MoritzからZermattまで半日以上かけて行きました。世界で最もゆっくり走る特急列車です。
Hi Amica,
I recommend a Tomato fondu.チーズフォンデュのチーズがトマト味です。
Hi Riko,
She doesn't go to 補習校.　日本の進学塾で国語はかなり上の学年までやってるので必要ないのですが、日本人の友達との交流も必要かなと最近考えてます。
hiki

•  匿名
• 2008年8月29日 18:48

Hi David,
Welcome back! I'm glad to know that you got back to Japan without any effect of rain. Please take rest during the weekend.

Hi Anne,
大丈夫で良かったです。 Please take care.

Hi Jazmin,
Yes, as you said, it's really good to meet a lot of people who are from different places, have different ideas and are from different generations through this blog. Thanks for your informations!

Everyone, please take care and have a nice weekend.

By for now,

Maki

•  Maki
• 2008年8月29日 22:20

Hi David,

I'm glad to know that you are back to Seto without the effect of heavy rain so much. Hope you have a time to take a rest.

Hi Maki and hiki,
Thanks for your sweet words.Actually, my younger son lives in Okazaki, and he said he heard the alert.
hiki,We can enjoy Cheese fondue with 'Miso taste' at some restaurant in Nagoya.
Hi Riko,
Sorry,I mistyped your name at the last posting.
Your story was so funny. From mishearing, a lot of stories would occur, right?

Have a nice weekend,

Bye for now,

Anne

•  Anne
• 2008年8月29日 23:56

Hi, David!
Long time no see!
Do you enjoy your summer holiday?

I went to England for Chukyo University program. I knew England is a lovely country, but I became to like more in this trip. The coins you gave me was very useful! Thank you!

See you.

Natsumi

•  Natsumi
• 2008年8月31日 22:54

Good morning, David.

Did you have a nice weekend? I hope you are rested. Look forward to reading your entry!

Speak to you later,

Tomo

PS Natsumi, welcome to the blog!

•  Tomo
• 2008年9月 1日 08:31

Hi Everyone

How have you been spending to left summer? I watched on TV about Japanese flooding. It was terrible. There were also several times flooding in England. and it is coming big hurricane in USA. 被害が大きくならない事を願っています。

Jazmin,
Thanks for telling us about you. I thought that you aren't a Japanese? but you also know well in Japanese. Don't mention about it if you mind. Sorry I might ask you rude question. It was only me thinking about that?

Anne,
I'm glad that your son and you are well. I watched on TV suffering damage in Okazaki. They need to get rid of a lot of furniture and some electric things. To be continually quite hard work. take care.

hiki
ゆったりとしたスイスの旅、楽しめてよかったですね。日本の進学塾でとありますが、日本での事ですよね。ロンドンにも進学塾みたいなのがあった気がするので、そちらの事かとも思いましたが、日本人との交流がないとの事で、現地校オンリーなのかなあと思いました。ところで、９月からyear7なんですよね。中学生なら、まだ国語や算数は必要なのではないでしょうか？私の子供たちは毎週土曜日に補習校へ国語と算数を習いに行っています。参考までに。

speak soon
Riko

•  Riko
• 2008年9月 1日 22:08

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry, but today was another crazy day because I am making final changes to the manuscript for my new book. I will try to do another entry tomorrow morning.

Hi Natsumi. Glad to hear you had fun in Britain. Look forward to seeing you again soon.

David

•  David
• 2008年9月 1日 22:26

Hi Riko,
Thank you for your kindness.
補習校に見学に行ってみます。
hiki

•  匿名
• 2008年9月 2日 05:21

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