What Miki thinks...

I love bs!!!!!

2006-01-26T00:22:00.000-08:00

Congratulation on our success, bs!! we could end the IES program! what do you think now that we reached the end of the program?? personally, now i feel it seems to be fast to pass even though i felt 2years are long during the program. i could learn a lot of things that i cant express easily. i often faced various difficulties and there were many times that were hard to overcome. however, the reason why i could make it is that there are a lot of people who have always supported me. i could get precious companies who can understand each other. i am sure they, i mean bs, have become very great existences for me. thanks for their helps, i could achieve this program. These 2 years were so wonderful and important time more than i expected. i would like to keep good relationship with them from now on, too!
i really really want to say thank you to all of bs, Allison, Mr. Berger, Peter, Scott, and Darren in bottom of my heart.

men and women writers...

2006-01-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

today, we learned some writers in the past. the main topic was why there were women writers were fewer than men writers. in my opinion, one of the reasons for it is that many people thought men are smarter than women and have abilities to write. another reason for it is in education system in the past. there are facts that general women could not be recognized to study and people seemed to think eduation is not necessary for women. so many women dont have much knowledge and ability to read and write. thats why i think there are men writers more than women writers in the world. indeed, it happened not only in the past but also still in some countries even though the tendency has been changed. that situation is not fair and i believe it is natural for people to be educated equally.

My first stay in...

2006-01-06T00:13:00.000-08:00

i visited yuu's house with Midori, Saki, and Towa. we stayed 2 days and had a good time. we made a soymilk nabe, personally it was the first time for me. it was soooo delicious!! during the night, we have talked many things (some of theme are secret... like girls talk. haha) with eating snacks and sweets. i ate toooo much!!! wow! i need to go on a diet... but anyway i enjoyed staying very much and i hope i visit to her house agin. Thank you Yuu and your family!!

Happy happy new year 2006!!

2006-01-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

yeah!! new year has come!! did you spend wonderful new year hollidays?? i spent busy but nice holidays. i ate osechi that is Japanese traditional dish of the new year and many relatives gathered my house to greet. also i visited grandparents' house and helped thier work(indeed my grandparents have managed shryine). personally, i guess i could spent "Japanized" new year holidays this year. i mean i could do Japanese traditional things like eating osechi, seeing relatives, visiting shrine and so on. i think it is important for Japanese people to keep traditions not westernize. and for me, it was precious to spend Japanized holidays with my family because i will not stay in Japan next year... anyway, i guess it will be a challenging year for me this year. i decided the goal of 2006 that is... "aim to be a positive girl!!" haha! it is necessary for me not in 2006 but also all the time. and i hope there are full of happiness around us. may this year is wonderfull year, too!!

Year-end party with my friends

2005-12-27T20:30:00.000-08:00

yesterday and today, i participated in the year- end party with my friends in highschool. there were around 25 peoples who gatherd the party. i have met some of them frequently but not see others long time. we enjoyed talking about like memories of highschool days, how's it going recently or what a plan in the future... i felt like i came back highschool days! what i noticed through the party was we have not changed each characteristic even if their apperances have changed. i was happy to recognize it and were relieved. i wanna keep contacting with them from now on!

☆Merry christmas☆ part2

2005-12-24T20:27:00.000-08:00

i enjoyed Christmas party with bs. each of us prepared one dish and one dessert to share, and also bought a present to exchange. i brought sandwiches and cheese cakse for them. all of dishes we cooked were so delicious! in the exchanging Christmas presents, i got a cap selected by Midori. it was nice and in fact, she bought the same one for herself! i was glad to have the same one as her. after the party, we all were really full... but we were satisfied with the party very much!!

☆Merry Christmas☆ part1

2005-12-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

i joined Christmas party with circle members at school today. we prepared a lots of sweets and snacks, and some cakes. every member bought presents to exchange them each other. we enjoyed talking and playing games like bingo game, Russian roulette with sweets(of course it was safe! but it was really fun!!), and so on. i had a nice time with them.

☆movie week☆

2005-11-30T20:04:00.000-08:00

i went to see a movie "Elizabethtown" with Yuki today. this movie was like a kind of human drama and also kind of love story. i was looking forward to seeing this movie so i enjoyed it and like it. through this movie, i could think of the death and what the wonderful life is. these are difficult topic that maybe we cant find the exact answer.
i saw two movies via big screen in this week. personally, i like seeing movie, so this week was a valuable week for me.

what a exciting movie!!

2005-11-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

new Harry Potter movie has realeased! i went to see that with my friend. it was soooo exciting and i was really atrracted Harry Potter world. the theater was really crowded so i recognised how popular this movie is. i like this fantasy movie even though i dont usually see fantasy movie very much. i am looking forward to seeing the next movie of Harry Potter!

Short trip to Kyoto and Kobe

2005-11-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

in the last weekend, i went to Kyoto and Kobe with my friends. some of my friends are from Tokyo, so we have guided kansai area to them. in kyoto,we went to some temples and saw the beautiful fallen leaves. and in kobe, we went to china town and kobe habor. after this short trip, i could notice again how nice Japan is. not only friends in tokyo but also i and frineds in kansai could enjoy the trip around kansai very much!!

Our goal has been reached♪♪

2005-11-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

School festival was over yesterday. during the festival, i have sold "chulos"(sorry, i dont know how to spell...) that is sweet like donuts made in Spain with volleyball circle, which i belong to, members. making this is not so difficult, but we should care the heat of oil when we fry it. so we often check the heat whether it was too low or high.
after the festival, as a result, we could make a profit of over 200,000yen!!! we all were excited to achieve our goal. in the last day of fes, we held a drinking party by using half of our sales.
in my opinion, the reason why we could make it was that people could buy it in cheap price, 100yen per 2 chulos, so it was easy to make people want to buy. and of course, it was deloicious! so i guess this is another reason why we made profits.
probably, it was the last festival i can join as a seller, so i was happy to spend enjoyable time and make the precious memory.

We all were done!!

2005-10-31T19:28:00.000-08:00

Hey!! all of bs who have applied for studying abroad could pass the tests!! and we could get "the ticket" to go abroad!!>_< it was really happpy for not only me but also every b's student to know that. and also i was relieved to the result...
now, i need to research about unis more in order to recognize what subjects i can study. i hope we all can enter the unis that we want to.

Japanese interview!!

2005-10-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

It was the most nervous test for me today... Japanese interview!! the reason why i felt like that was that it was the final test for me whether i can get opportunity to go abroad or not. we wore the suit (it made me more nervous...because it was the formal style), and prepared to the interview. during the interview, to tell the truth, i could answer the questions more relaxed than i thought. i could tell what i wanna study in foreign uni and why i apply the program. and also i could hear what other students think. so it was beneficial for me to know others' opinions, too.
anyway, the resut of the interview will be announced next Mon!! i really really hope we all can pass the exam!!!

English Interview!!

2005-10-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

After we passed the reading and listening tests, we took the English interview next. before the interview, i was soo nervous because there were 5 professors per 1 student. during the interview, my tention continued to be nervous. moreover, one of the professors asked me about Japanese post privatization!! this kind of question was so tough for me even if i were asked in Japanese... maybe i keep worrying until i identify the result of this interview. i hope we all can go to the next stage; the final test!

My valuable experience☆

2005-10-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I participated in a flea market as a seller with my friends in the circle. before today, i have been to the flea market some times as a buyer, however, tody was a seller. so i had a little bit different feeling from before. at first, we could not sell well because it was a first time for almost all of us. however, during the selling, i and my friends got used to do it and could spend enjoyable time. as a result, we could sell most of clothes we brought. though i could not sell all of goods, i had a valuable experience today. through the buying and selling, i could communicate with many people who are various ages or types. moreover, a flea market is a nice event that can help the environment and lead the recycling. therefore, it was so important for me to join it and i was glad to do it☆

We all did our best!?

2005-10-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

I and many of b's had reading and listenig tests for study abroad yesterday and today. before the test, i was nervous and after the test, i was tired... in my opinion, reading test was so-so. i could take my time well though some questions bothered me. however, listening test, the trouble was happened! the time of my watch and that of the time keeper was different! so when she said 5 minites rest, my watch showed 10 minites reft. i was sooo surprized that and i answered the rest of questions in a hurry. because of that trouble, i couldnt answered calmly.... it was shocking for not only me but also my friends. because of this happening, i lost my confidence toward the tests a little bit. but,,, now i feel relaxed and only what i hope is all of us pass the exam!!

It was sooo excited!!

2005-10-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

Today, i went to a live concert. The singer i heard was AI. she is a popular singer in Japan. she was sooo cool and was good at singing and dancing! moreover, she is a talkative woman so I enjoyed listening not only her song but also her talking!! this event was held at live-house. it means we had no seat to reserve. so inside live-house was really crowded>_< however, i forgot that tightness because i could see her so close and really entered into the spirit of the live! after the live, i got to like not only her song but also her character. i hope i will see her again!!

she can sing various types of songs widely like pop, ballade, dance style, reggae, and so on. i recommend her as not just a singer but a person. Try to listen her song if you like ^o^

My 20th Birthday, Today!!!

2005-09-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

This is the first day of my twenties, today Sep. 30!!! i am so happy to become 20, but i feel sad a little because i have to say goodbye to my teens...>_<

yesterday, i learned about knowing more about less or less about more. The former stands for specialists and the latter one stands for generalists. both of them have positive and negative side. in class, we discussed that and which we want to be. in my opinion, I want to be a generalist because i like to learn something new ,and I want to know many fields and get a lot of knowledge. during the discussion, one of my friends said she wants to be a specialist because she wants to focus on studying one thing. i am sure it is good to study one field deeply. and if people could do so, the knowledge they get would be a great talent for them. I agreed with that and it is clear that we can choose whichever we want. Which do you prefer choosing??

I need to study hard!!

2005-09-28T00:50:00.000-07:00

Hi! world! long time no see! we have started a new semester and a new teacher has come instead of Scott. He is Darren (we call him so) and he is from Canada same as Scott. I heard it is the first time for him to teach in Japan. so i hope he enjoys teaching in and makes wonderful memories in Japan.
By the way, not only I but also many friends of mine applied to be exchange students. it means a lot of students want to study abroad! when i wrote the application form, i could really think what I want to study or why i want to go abroad. it was beneficial opportunity for me. in fact, at first, i didnt understand myself. i mean i couldnt find the reasons why i want to go abroad. i was so confused about that in beggining of the 2nd year of Kansaigaidai. however, as i spend school days, i could undestand what i think clearly. and now, i feel like i found the way i want to go. In October, i guess we will spend hard life because the tests wil begin soon!! I am so nervous and i feel like i am crushed by a mass of pressure>_< let's pass the exams and be exchange students, IESbs!!

Tomorrow is the last class!!

2005-07-18T02:19:00.000-07:00

This is Miki who thinks about Summer vacation everyday!! yeah! tomorrow is the last class of this semester. i am so glad to finish the semester! but... it means tomorrow is the last class we attend the Scott's class... i am so sad that we can't listen to Scott's lecture any more. this class was beneficial for me because i am interested in social science. i could expand my point of view through learning global issues. and i became to want to study about this more. though we can no longer take his class, i never foget you and knowledge that i learned from Scott. Merci beaucoup!!

Rainy season was over!!

2005-07-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

How's it going?? it is so hot and humid today! but i got the good news! today, some areas, including Kinki area, in Japan were released from the rainy season. it was good news because fine days will keep from now and we dont need to worry rain started, or not. i think the end of the rainy season means it is truely coming Summer. but on the other hand, i am worried about the lack of water. i hope people will not suffer by the lack of water. but raining is one of a natural phenomena, so people cant change this. though it is difficult to avoid to raining, we can enjoy shiny summer until the next rainy day will come!

It was sooo fun!!

2005-07-17T02:03:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am really really looking forward to coming Summer Holiday now!! but... I should take some tests before vacation...
yesterday and today, there were a festival in the area near my house. it was so excited and every person living this area likes this festival very much! i dont know when it has started but this festival is an event that people are pleased about good weather and hope the rich harvest each year. the young men carry a portable shrine(mikoshi inJapanese) with wearing happi. i think this habit is really good and i hope this culture keeps long time, too!!

We have a great island inJapan!

2005-07-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

In 14th July, UNESCO decided Siretoko island in Hokkaido as one of the world heritage (I dont know how to say...). in Siretoko island, wild animals coexist with beautiful nature. it is a wonderful place, isnt it? when i knew this news, i was happy that there is still such a great nature in Japan. and also I was glad that this great nature was recognized in the world. we should keep these nature forever and i hope the areas that are registered as the world heritage will increase much more!!

There are a lot of point of view.

2005-07-07T23:53:00.000-07:00

Recently, we learn about alternative future. through these classes, i knew not every people think we can change the world better. i mean there are various points of view toward future. yesterday, i learned Metaphors about the future. i was in a "Dice" group. this thinking is the following; we cant change anything about future, the gods always decide what comes next, so only we can do is to pray fortune to the gods... when i read this, i had some complex feelings that there are people who have such ideas. in my opinion, this Dice thinking is not to take responsibility to future. i mean people who have this idea seem to not try to improve the future better than now. i am a person like "ship in the ocean." so firstly, i didnt understand why "Dice" people tend to leave condition of the world and dont try to change. but i realized this is only one side, and it depends on each person how they look the world indivisualy.

It must be beneficial to our lives!

2005-07-01T00:37:00.000-07:00

hello! everyone! tody, i have a good news! It rained at last. though sometimes rain bothers us because we get wet, i think many plants and agricultual products are so pleased about that because they can get water. the pleasure of them seems to link to our pleasure, because if there is lack of water, a lot of plants and agricultual products cant grow and that may cause the decrease of food. and after that, it may cause the rise of vegetables' price. if this matter will happen, huge number of people must spend hard life. moreover, if it doesnt rain at all, we suffer lack of water. Few years ago, Japan got into lack of water and lack of rice. because of that, Japan imported Thai rice in a hurry. this matter was finally solved but i hope such matter never happen again. so, rainy season sometimes annoy us but it is really necessary for Environment and our lives!

We must not look the other way...

2005-06-28T16:54:00.000-07:00

Hi! I spend busy life now... but it is only three weeks until Summer Vacation! I am really lokking forward to coming it! anyway, in June 27th, Japanese Emperor and Empress visited to Saipan to see the fact of the WWII and apologize to the victims of it. when I read this article in the newspaper and watch the scene of them on TV, i thought they were so great people and their behavior impressed me, because they didn't avoid facing the fact that Japan attacked to Saipan. i believe it is necessary for us to think about the WWII not only good side. we should know we were both assailants and victims. so i am really proud of our emperor and empress.

Do you know something about Hydro-electric power??

2005-06-17T01:21:00.000-07:00

hello everyone!! yesterday, i went a live (a concert?) of "aiko". She is the one of popular sigers in Japanese pop, not our classmates (haha!). i was soooo excited that!! yeah! she has both cute and cool sides. i love her songs especially lyric! it was really good time for me, who spend a busy life. i could feel refreshed and get a lot of power from her!!
we were working for making posters about Energy, today. i and Yuki were researching about Hydro-electric power. it is a nice renewable resource and helpful for our lives. but through this research, i could find it has some disadvantages. i didnt know these disadvantages, just saw advantages. so it is a beneficial opportunity for me and i am interested in other energy like solar power, fuel cells. i'm looking forward to doing presentation and listen to friends' presentation, too!!

We can stop Global warming?!

2005-06-03T16:13:00.000-07:00

Hi! it is hot today! but rainy season will come soon! i don't like rainy season because, of course I get wet also atmospher is getting so humid... in June 1st, the ministry of Environment has started a campaign called Cool Biz. it is a movement against global warming and it recommends workers to not wear tie and suit when they go to work. i saw the news that Japanese goverment has tried to do Cool Biz on tv. it is good movement but some journarists said it seemed to not have nervous toward governmental work. moreover, in various places, it is said that people should keep airconditioner in under 28℃ to be low energy. it is nice for environmet to not use too much energy. if we keep in mind to save the earth, we can stop global warming someday. i hope it will realize soon!!

Birth rates keep decreasing!!

2005-06-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hi! I am sooo sleepy today... anyway, in May 31th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare showed the birth rates of 2004. the news said, it was 1.288...% so about 1.29%!! when i watched this news on tv, I was really surprised it because it is the lowest rate it has ever shown. the article says one of the reasons why such a bad rate was shown is in decreasing of the number of women who are 15-49 years old. also, the news states Japanese government assume this tendency will continue. i was attracted this news because i just learned about poplation in class. in my opinion, another reason for that is in the present women's trends. in japan, it is becoming to be popular that women work not stay at home. i think it is natural to decrease the number of children if the drop of birth rates will keep. i feel scary about japanese future if old people are increasing and young people are decreasing. who does help old people?? who can support Japanese future?! we need to think countermeasure against the decrease of birth rates.

Wars don't bring good effects for us at all...

2005-05-30T00:22:00.000-07:00

Hello! everyone! Did you have a nice weekend?? Last Sunday, when i read newspaper, i had questions about the relationship between Japan and China. so i asked my father and talked with him. the newspaper said, japan is managed by China well. I mean China seems to try to exceed Japan. Chinese government often says Mr. Koizumi should not visit yasukuni shrine that has been enshring the people who led japan to the WWII. It also says, if Mr. koizumi visits there, it means japan admits the war is not bad. chinese government (also people?) thinks Japan doesn't apologize for the war yet. on the other hand, some countries such as USA think it is not related to China whether Mr. Koizumi visits yasukuni shrine or not. they think it is a matter of only Japan. they also assume china wants to be famous and be the center of attention with using the problem of yasukuni shrine. in japan, there are both of opinion. in my opinion, it depends on each countries and china doesnt need to interfere this issue. however, the reason why i think so may be bacause i am not a person who lived in the time of WWII. i can only know the opinion of Japanese side, so i cant exactly see resolution and i dont know which is correct. however, it is clear that wars don't bring us good effects at all. if the war was not happened, such matters have never happened. though wars may bring something good for countries which won the war, there are no good effects when we see the whole world. my father taught me a issue of yasukuni shrine and the greatness of his parents (my grandparents) who survived WWII. I strongly think we should think of war much more. i mean we must not look the other way from the war. moreover, we should keep in our mind the greatness of people who survived wars; thanks to them, we can live now.

Tomorrow is an Essay Test!!

2005-05-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! how are you?? i am fine but i spend busy life! by the way, it has passed more than one month since i have started 2nd year of Kansai Gaidai. it is so fast isnt it?? i think i should treasure day after day. also, i have such feeling when i learn about global issues. whenever i learn about them, i notice i am given so greateful life and i should appriciate that i can live comfortably and safely. today, we finished studying about population growth. i didnt know much about population growth until i studied, so it was great time to understand how the world is changing. if population growth will keep going, many problems would happen in the world such as disease, war, hunger, poverty, violence,..and so on. i feel scary when i just imagine such a terrible world. what can we do to stop population growth?? i know this problem is so huge, so i don't find any exact ideas yet. anyway, tomorrow is an essay test. it is the first time for me to write an essay during whole class. but i will do my best and i want to write my opinion as much as i can. See ya!

It must not happen anymore...

2005-04-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

In April 25th, a terrible train accident happened in JR Fukuchiyama line, Hyogo. the death toll from this accident climbed to more than 100 now. I was really really shocked and surprised that. and... I feel so scared because I go to school by train everyday. I mean this kind of accident can happen for me, too. I get the shakes when i just image such a horrible matter. this accident made me like I dont want to take the train anymore. I don't know who is wrong and why it happened but, I can't say anythig when I think about feeling of people who lost their relatives or acquaintancas. and I am much affected by this sad fact. I strongly hope that such a horrible accident, that deprives of lives, never happen.

Making my blog is so fun!!

2005-04-15T01:11:00.000-07:00

Hi again! Thank you for making comments in my blog! I really enjoy making my blog! Thank for teaching us how to make blog, Scott!! Today, it was decided we will do poster presentations in class. We will research about developing countries. Our group will show classmates about Kiribati. Do you know "Kiribati"?? Where is that country?? and What's it like??? I dont know about it at all. so, we have to gather the information about Kiribati. It is interesting to learn something new isnt it? We will do our best to make good presentation! Oops! I have to go to volleyball circle now! See you again!!

What are your goals for IES this semester?

2005-04-11T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hello, world! This is the first time for me to write my thinking. I am making this in a class now. Today, I' d like to write my goals for this semester. First of all, I want to expand my view. There are many global issues that happen all over the world now. I want to think about them more than now. And what I have to do is to think about global issues in English! Maybe, It is hard work for me but I will try to do that and do my best! Thank you.

My First Blog

2005-04-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hello, this is mｙ first blog.