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}

BR 2-07: Making a Cake

"The best cakes are part science and part art."

I chose the book because the cakes in the book's pictures looked delicious. In addition, they have unique designs. They are cute or beautiful. I hardly cook, so I wanted to know a part of cooking when I found the book. I enjoyed reading it because I like cakes.

The book asks, "Is making a cake like making a work of art? Or is making a cake science?" It explains the answer. It is that the best cakes are part science and part art. When we want to make a good cake, we should think how we can make changes of the cake's form we hope. In addition, we should design the decoration for the cake well.

I wished I would have made a cake after I read the book. In addition, I wanted to eat a delicious and cute designed cake. I like the cake in page 15. The book gives a hint about making a good cake. If you often worry about a cake's design when you make it, I recommend the book because the book has a lot of pictures of cute and great cakes.

Reference: Reilly, Carmel. (2007). Making a Cake. South Melbourne: Cengage Learning Australia.

{209 words}

Outline post

Personal language learning history

• English
  
  • an elementary school
    
    • game
      
      
    • English greeting
      
      
  • ECC
    
    • game
      
      
    • English conversation
      
      
    • examinations
      
      
  • a junior high school
    
    • preparation
      
      
    • remembering English words
      
      
    • reading
      
      
    • writing
      
      
    • listening
      
      
    • study for entrance examinations
      
      
    • knowing grammar
      
      
  • a high school
    
    • remembering English words
      
      
    • reading
      
      
    • writing
      
      
    • listening
      
      
    • study for entrance examinations
      
      
    • grammar
      
      
    • study for an official approval of English
      
      
  • an university
    
    • reading
      
      
    • writing
      
      
    • listening
      
      
    • speaking
      
      
    • studying for TOEIC
      
      
    • studying for TOEFL
      
      
• Spanish
  
  • an university
    
    • Spanish class
      
      
    • remembering Spanish words
      
      
    • study for an official approval
      
      
• Classic Japanese
  
  • a junior high school
    
    
  • a high school
    
    

{96 words}