I'm Vera

Las Vegas

BR 2-18: Look at me (Randell, 1995)

"I am painting. Look at me." (p.2)

In the book, several children do something. For example, they're painting, counting, or singing. Why do they do it? They do it because they want someone to look at them. They want to look at them any time. After I read the book, I felt we want someone to look at us any time because we try everything. If you read the book, you may want to try something new.

Reference: Randell, Beverley. (1995). Look at me. Albany: Nelson Price Milburn.

{88 words}

BR 2-17: Tom is brave (Beverley, 1996)

"You are brave." (p.12)

The main character's name is Tom. He is a boy. One day, he went to the shop for his mother. He tumbled then and cried. He went back home soon. He stopped crying as soon as her mother took care of his injury. She said to him, "You are brave." When he heard the word, he became happy and he went out to show people his injury she took care of.

After I read the book, I felt the boy was cheerful and cute. He was just said, "You are brave." and he became happy. As people grow older, they don't feel small happiness. When I found that, I was a little sad. I want to notice small happiness, and to live happily. You should read the book, too.

Reference: Randell, Beverley. (1996). Tom is brave. Albany: Nelson Price Milburn.

{144 words}

The season I hate

The season I hate is winter because I dislike cold. I'm reluctant to do everything in winter. I don't want to put up with cold because I can't do. In addition, I can't get up early in winter because it's too cold. I hate cold. When I was a girl, I was happy about snowing because Kumamoto rarely has snow and I could play with snow. I didn't understand my friends don't want to play outside when it snowed. However, I can understand that now. It's too cold when it snows, so I hope that it doesn't snow. In winter, my action becomes slow because I don't want to move as possible. I always want to stay in a warm room. I don't want to know an environmental problem in winter. I use air-conditioning more than in summer.

{150 words}

My favorite sport to watch

I have a lot of favorite sports to watch because sports are exciting, but I'm not good at them. My favorite sports are volleyball, basketball, and soccer. First, volleyball is very exciting. When I watched its game, I'm often cheering without my noticing that. I also like playing volleyball, but I'm not good at it. In addition, I like watching games of basketball. My sister and brother have joined the basketball teams. My brother plays basketball in high school, too. That is why I'm interested in it. When I'm watching the game on TV with my sister and brother, they talked a lot about it because they are experienced persons. I'm not, so I sometimes don't understand their talk. Basketball is a so cool sport. I don't know the reason, but I feel it's very cool. Finally, I like both watching and playing soccer.

{153 words}

My favorite clubs/circle

My favorite club is a chorus club. I belong to it when I was a junior high school student. I like singing though I'm not good at doing. I like the members of the club, too. We practiced hard and helped each other. I was the leader, and the role was so hard. However, I continued to make an effort to be a good leader because I liked chorus so much. I like both singing and listening chorus. The chorus club won several awards. I was so happy then. However, I disliked chorus when I was ninth grader because the practice was so hard and my skill of singing didn't improve. I didn't belong to the chorus club in high school, and I didn't sing. However, I often looked back on my memory of the chorus club in junior high school then. I liked chorus so much again. Of course, I like it now, too.

{159 words}

My favorite animals

My favorite animals are rabbits and cats because they are so cute. I don't want to have them as a pet, but I like them so much. When I went to the zoo, I touched rabbits for the first time. That time is so happy. I enjoyed playing with them there. I like cats so much, too. I often played with them in my friend's house when I was an elementary school student. However, I disliked them at one time because a cat jumped onto my head and I was afraid of that. The situation is only one time in my life. It's rare situation. I understood that and I overcame that fear. When I disliked cats, I wanted to touch them and play together because they're so cute. Then, I tried to approach them many times. I can play with cats again without my noticing it.

{151 words}

BR 2-15: Beauty & the Beast (Stowell, 2006)

"Beauty and the Prince were married the next day, in a church filled with roses." (p. 62)

I have watched the movie, "Beauty and the Beast," created by Disney, so I had known the story before I read the book. However, I expected the story in the book was a little different from one in the movie. I guessed I would enjoy the difference. In fact, it's in the book. I like both the story in the movie and one in the book.

The members of Beauty's family are her father and two sisters. Beauty is the youngest of her sisters. One day, her father arrived at Beast's castle when he was out to get things her sisters want. He ate meal in the castle and walked. Then, he was found by Beast. He ordered her father to give him his daughter if you want to save." The daughters were very important for him, so he decided to give his life to Beast. However, Beauty noticed his problem soon, and she went to Beast's castle alone in order to save him. She and Beast lived together. He proposed her several times, but she rejected. At last, she loved him and his curse was removed and he could return a handsome prince. He and Beauty were married.

The story in the book is different from one in the movie as expected. Both of them are so good stories. The stories are a wonderful love stories. I enjoyed reading the book, comparing the book version with the movie version. After I read it, I like the story better.

Reference: Stowell, Louie. (2006). Beauty & the Beast. London: Usborne.

{276 words}

BR 2-14: Alissa (Moore, 2005)

"Alissa is reading."

I thought, "Who is Alissa?" at first. There is a girl hiding by a book in the book's cover. Is she cute? Is she poor? Why is the girl having the book? The picture of the cover was interesting for me when I found the book. The questions were solved after I read it.

The main character, Alissa, likes reading books. However, her family was so poor, so she was sent to the other people so that her father got money. She worked so hard in her owner's shop as if she had been a slave. However, she liked reading books and had read a lot of books, so she was smart and kind. She could read and write letters. She also treated the customers kindly. Nonetheless, she was treated so cruelly by her owner. One day, one of the customers found that problem and she decided to take care of Alissa. She brought her without paying money because she wasn't a slave.

The story has a happy end. I could know the answers after I read the book. I thought it was terrible that Alissa's father sold her to other people to get money. However, she was saved at last because she was kind and smart. I feel reading makes us smart from the book. Being smart leads us to a happy life. Reading a book is so important.


Reference: Moore, C.J. (2005). Alissa. Oxford: Macmillan Heinemann ELT.

{242 words}

Assignment Improves My Skill

I haven't finished book review posts yet. I like reading a book, but I was reluctant to read books somehow. The reason may be that I was busy about my part-time job. I posted two book reviews last night and I found posting the reviews. Why did you find that? The more I read a book, the more my knowledge increases and the faster I read a book written in English.

When I post essays, I write with a lot of words. Writing with them takes much time. That is so hard for me. However, essay posts have me think of many things.

I enjoy presentation. It is fun because I can write myself. Moreover, I could know how to make presentation and put it on my blog. The assignment increased my skill of using a computer. It's so useful because we have to use it well now.

Getting comments is happy for me because I can know my friends read my blog. Giving comments is also important. Doing them may make my friends happy. In addition, I can read their blogs and think of a lot of things. Giving comments always needs thinking of something. Moreover, doing them helps me to improve my skill of English.

{210 words}

BR 2-13: Saving Tigers (Brown, 2004)

"Tigers are animals at risk."

When I found the book in the library, I saw the title and wondered why Tigers should be saved. I didn't know tigers were animals at risk until I found the book. I was interested in it. I wanted to know the story, so I chose it. I felt it was important.

Cutting down trees destroys places where tigers live. Do you know that? I hadn't known that. I just thought that cutting down trees causes global warming. However, it also causes some animals.

Reading the book has you think of an environmental problem, so it's important. If you want to know the problem or tigers, you should read the book. If you are not interested in them, it'll give you something new. In addition, it has the picture of the cute tiger. I like tigers better after I read it.

Reference: Brown, Cushla. (2004). Saving Tigers. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia.

{157 words}

BR 2-12: Stories of Princes & Princesses (Rawson, 2003)

"So Colin lived clumsily, but happily ever after."

I like stories of princes and princesses and songs of Disney princesses, so it's natural for me to read the book. I expected the story was romantic before I read the book. In fact, it wasn't so romantic, but I like it. It's funny and cheerful. I enjoyed reading the book.

The book has four short stories. All of them are love stories of princes and princesses. The main characters are a prince or a princess. They are a little funny. However, they can get a happy end. They are unique, so I could enjoy reading the book. You also will do it, so I want you to read it.

Reference: Rawson, Christopher. (2003). Stories of Princes & Princesses. London: Usborne.

{129 words}

BR 2-11: Prince William (Escott, 1998)

"William is the 'People's Prince'."

I'm interested in Prince William because he is a prince and cool. He married Princess Catherine last year and he got more attention. I watched his marriage ceremony on TV. He looked so happy then. I knew him more, so I chose the book.

He was born on 21 June, 1982. The mother, Diana, gave him the name, "William." The book mainly describes his life with her. He has a lot of memories with her. For example, he often telephoned her from school.

I thought that he had been really loved by his mother after I read the book. Thanks to her, he became a very kind prince. If you want to know him more, you should read the book. It'll tell you Prince William's story easily. Moreover, you'll like him better after you read it.

Reference: Escott, John. (1998). Prince William. Harlow: Pearson Education.

{150 words}

BR 2-10: The Queen's New Seat (Brown, 2004)

"I don't like it here. Put it over there."

When I found this book, I wondered what seat the queen liked. I expected the story was strange because I couldn't imagine how the queen chose her favorite seat.

The main character is the queen. She chose her favorite seat and brought it to her castle. She made the king put it on various places many times. She was so selfish. At last, he was angry at her.

The story is funny. When she put her favorite seat on a place she liked, she didn't use a servant but the king. I felt the king to be weak. However, he was angry at the queen in the end of the story. It was natural. I don't like the queen because she is very selfish. The story is so funny, so you'll enjoy reading the book.

Reference: Brown, Cushla. (2004). The Queen's New Seat. South Yarra: Macmillan Education Australia.

{157 words}

BR 2-09: Marie Antoinette (Daynes, 2005)

 "She had no idea how poor they really were."

 I chose the book because I had heard her name. Marie Antoinette is often written on textbooks we use in a high school. Most people know the name. I wanted to know her more. I found her life much harder than I had expected after I read the book.

The book describes Marie's life. She had been rich since she was born. She moved from Austria to France. She had a good time in France at first. However, the ordinary French people were much poorer than she thought. In addition, she was caused by fraud. The end of her life is very sad.

The book describes Marie Antoinette is innocent. You may like her better after you read it. Moreover, it describes how her life is well. It's very interesting. Try to read it, and you will know her more.

Reference: Daynes, Katie. (2005). Marie Antoinette. London: Usborne.

{157 words}

BR 2-08: The United Nations (Brasch, 2007)

 "The United Nations tries to make the world a fairer, and more peaceful place to live."

I mistook the title of the book for "United States" at first. I had wanted to read a book on U.S. because I'll study in America next year. When I read the book a little, I noticed the title wasn't "United States," but "The United Nations." However, I didn't need minding knowing the United Nations, so I continued to read the book. After all, I feel good because I could know it.

The activities of the United Nations are written in it. They are for peace. If you would read the book, you could understand the United Nations easily.

Reference: Brasch, Nicolas. (2007). The United Nations. South Melbourne: Thomson Learning Australia.

{127 words}

Lolita Fashion Presentation

Hello, everyone. What kind of fashion do you like? I like Lolita fashion the best. I'll introduce it. It's one of Japanese subcultures. There are various opinions about the fashion. Some people think that it's "kosupure" and dislike it. The other people don't think that and like it so much. The latter is fans of the fashion. Of course, I'm one of the fans. I love Lolita fashion because it' so cute. It has a lot of cute items. It was made in Japan, but there are the fans in some foreign countries, too.

First, I'll introduce the history. In the 1970s, "MILK," which is a fashion brand, was made. It's called "Lolita's origin" latter. It had made cute clothes for idols, but ordinary people started to wear, too. Then, "Jane Marple" was made by Megumi Murano in 1985. It also creates cute clothes. In addition, indie brands appeared. They made unique and so cute clothes. In the beginning of 1990s, the category of Lolita fashion was completed.

Then, there are many brands of Lolita fashion in Japan. For example, BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT, Innocent World, Angelic Pretty, Mary Magdalene, and Victorian maiden. I like "Innocent World" the best. BABY is famous for the movie "Shimotsuma story." The main character wore clothes of the brand, and it became popular. In addition, the fashion has various kinds. For example, sweet Lolita, classical Lolita, and black Lolita. I like classical Lolita the best.

Lolita fashion is introduce to overseas. Who introduce the fashion? It's pop culture communicates. They were appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and introduce Japanese woman's fashion abroad. Misako Aoki, who is one of them, introduces Lolita fashion abroad. She is a nurse and fashion model. And, there are the fans all over the world.

Some people want to wear the fashion, but they can't do because prices of the clothes of Lolita brands are usually expensive. However, Lolita fashion is easier than you expect because it's also one of fashion. So, I have the solution. If you wear Lolita fashion easily, you should buy clothes in shops except for Lolita brands. The left picture is an example. There isn't Lolita brands. If you wear a flared skirt, a frilly blouse, an under skirt like the right picture, cute hair accessories, you can wear the fashion. You don't have to get expensive clothes when you wear it. Shall we try Lolita fashion?

Thank you!




 

{407 words}

Essay 2-03b: Who am I?

Who am I? Now, I'll introduce me.

I'm from Japan. I live in Kumamoto. I was born on September 23, 1991 there.

These are local specialties. The upper right is mustard lotus roots. They have mustard in holes of the roots. It's called "ikinaridango" in Japanese. The left is sweet potato and bean jam dumplings. They literally have sweet potatoes and bean jams inside. It's called "ikinaridango" in Japanese. The lower right is sashimi of horses. I like it because it's delicious. It's called "basashi" in Japanese.

These are my family. My father is Yuji. He is gentle and works at the local newspaper company. My mother is cheerful and works at driving school. Then, I have a sister and a brother. My sister is a high school student and likes listening to music. My brother is, too. He is good at playing basketball. He sometimes goes fishing.

These are my hobbies. They are listening to music and shopping.

My favorite singers or groups are Avril Lavigne, Jutine Bieber, Libera, and after school tea time. Libera, which is the upper right, is my favorite chorus group. Their singing voices are very beautiful. After school tea time, which is the upper left, is a band playing the animation music. Their singing voices are so cute and cheerful.

Next, I like shopping. My favorite brands of fashion are UNIQLO, Innocent World, and BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT. I do a part-time job at UNIQLO. The more and more I work there, the better and better I like the brand. The other brands are ones for Lolita fashion. I like the fashion.

What's Lolita fashion? As you can see the pictures, it's a little strange, but so cute. It's one of Japanese subculture. Do you like unique fashion? I love Lolita fashion!!

I have learned three languages. They are Japanese, English, and Spanish.

I'll introduce my way of learning Japanese. It's my native language. I learned 50 words by writing and reading book. I learned the words by the former in the kindergarten. I learned them by the latter in my home. My grandmother often read to me when I was a little girl. In addition, I memorized the words with the machine which is similar to the upper right picture. I always speak, listen, write, and read every day because it's my native language.

I studied English gaming in a class for the first time when I was an elementary school student. I also learned it in English lesson of ECC. I took some tests of the program. They were easy. I enjoyed studying English I don't gradually like doing it so much because I had a lot of homework of ECC.

In junior high school, high school, I memorized English words, spoke English, wrote, listened, read and studied grammar with each textbook in classes of English.
I've learned Spanish since I entered the university. I mainly study it in the class of Spanish.
Thank you!

Cf.
http://yukira0318.blogspot.com/2011/12/essay-2-03a-my-language-history.html
http://yukira0318.blogspot.com/2011/04/letter-to-my-host-family.html

{494 words}

Essay 2-03a: My language history

I'll introduce my language learning history. My native language is Japanese. I guess I learned it by listening to someone around me or talking with them. I study English as a second language. I have studied Spanish since I entered the university, so I study two foreign languages.

I studied English gaming in a class for the first time when I was an elementary school student. I also learned it in English lesson of ECC. I took some tests of the program. They were easy. I enjoyed studying English I don't gradually like doing it so much because I had a lot of homework of ECC.

When I study English in a junior high school, I took the class of English as if I had reviewed because I studied it in the elementary school and ECC. I liked it the best of all subjects. I did preparation for the class of English everyday. Moreover, I tried to remember some the words in every class. I also study English in a cram school.

When I was a high school student, I studied English for the official approval of English and getting good grade in English. As a result, I achieved that in the beginning of my high school life. However, I didn't know how to study English well. I remember I often memorized the words, but I don't remember how I studied English concretely. I just took the class of it and studied for the examinations. I listened to it only in the class. I wasn't good at using English without my noticing it. Especially, I don't remember how I studied when I was a third-year student in the high school because I was very negative.

I've studied Spanish since I entered the university. My first impression to it was so difficult because I felt the changes of the verbs were really complex. I just studied for the examination when I was a freshman. I liked Spanish more and more. I have tried to study it more seriously since I became a sophomore. I memorize the changes of the verbs and the grammar. I listen to the teacher of Spanish class well. I sometimes memorize Spanish words.

I also study English in the university. I do it with books for TOEIC or TOEFL or by doing assignments of classes. When I do it for TOEIC and TOEFL, I practice to read it more speedy and listen to it. In order to do it, I read many books written in English and listen to English CD. I try to memorize the words.

{430 words}