ESL 096 writing blog 9

The Memory of English Club

It has been almost a year since I have been to Canada. I used be the members of English club at my high school for three years; it was memorable, and wonderful club. The main purpose of English club was to develop the student’s English skills, to get involve into foreign cultures, and to have fun. The member was 30 for total consisted of grade 10-12. English club was lenient and comfortable club: we gathered every Friday bringing one pack of snack to watch movie and chat. There were two instructors when I was there: a Canadian teacher Dougal, and an American teacher Tereasa. They are both wonderful teachers-they encouraged me going to Canada; if I haven’t met them, I wouldn’t be here right now.

One of the most exciting even for members was English Camp to the resort hotel, Karuizawa which happens once a year. The high school which includes any English club, English major course, International classes from all over Nagano prefecture attends to this camping. Usually there are more than 300 students, and everyone is separated into different groups. We get to know each other, and any other language is not allowed to be spoken. If students speak Japanese or other language, instructors shoot them using water gun. It is very fun event. For instance, I met one of my best friends in this camping, and we are still keeping in touch! It is called “romance camping” among the students, which means some students expect to get boyfriend or girlfriend during the camping. We have lots of activities to win a prize in the end. At night, students get very excited-dating with their boyfriends and girlfriends, having girl’s night with friends, spending time with teachers doing silly stuff. This camping brings us great opportunities to get to know each other not only students but also teachers.

English club was also called “music-band club” because all skillfully band people were member of English club! We created a song for us-please check out my facebook video that I’m tagged.

These are part of information about my lovely English club. I’m looking forward to meet with my high school club mates this summer!

ESL 097 writing blog 8

Writing blog 8

The largest, worst earthquake attacked Japan on April 11^th, 2:46pm. More than 12,985 people have died, more than 4,646 people are injured, and more than 14,809 people are still missing. It has been almost a month since the earthquake happened; however, still now, people cannot feel safe. Japan Meteorological Agency named this earthquake, “The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake.” The agency recorded Mw 9.0, the number beyond “The South Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake that used to be said the worst earthquake in Japanese history. The Tohoku Earthquake is counted as the forth-worst natural disaster in the world since 1990, according to United Status Geological Survey.

The earthquake brought other natural disasters such as tsunami, conflagration, landslide, etc. Tsunami took everything away from people: cars, houses, family, and even people’s lives. Japan is well-prepared country to the natural disasters, especially earthquake and tsunami; however, the country has got irreversible damage. For instance, the nuclear plant, which is located in Fukushima prefecture, has exploded and people are still be cautions to invisible substance, which is floating in the air.

Feeling frustrating, I strongly thought that I want to help even if I cannot fly back to Japan immediately. CNC and UNBC collaborated to make thousands of origami cranes to make a wish for Japan and Japanese people to recover as soon as possible. We fold 500 cranes at CNC, and UNBC got over 3000 cranes for total. The canes have been sent to Japanese embassy in Canada. Keiko, Hazuki, and I took turn each day and set up the booth at the college. We saw a lot of people folding cranes, and donating money for Japan. Also, I have seen many encouragements on Twitter, Facebook, and other social network system that people posting them on websites. Each words and comments are strong and hopeful. I felt the world is connecting.

It will take a while to recover perfectly, but I believe the country will be stronger and people are tough enough to get over this memory.

(References)

Wikipedia

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/東北地方太平洋沖地震

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/阪神淡路大震災

ESL 096 writing blog 7

One of my classmate invited me for her family dinner which takes place every Tuesday, and I’ve been join in them since last semester. I appreciate my friend that offered me such a lovely moment. It brings me the feeling of having families because I am away from my family such a long time.

                I was expecting to have family dinner two weeks ago, but the information that she texted me the night before was unclear. On that day, her friend picked me up, and we went to Vanderoof to see all of her family! There was one Japanese girl, Asuka in the car that came to Canada for her two weeks abroading program: the family that picked me up was her host family during the program, so they wanted me to translate some words for her. It was quite surprising but I got rare chance to speak my language. I had fun talking to her during driving and dinner.  After dinner, we went to a first-nation people’s event; it was small local event bur it reminded me about the presentation of Haida people. The lady at the event let us wear traditional costume made from animal’s skin. It was made over 60 years ago: however, it kept its shape as before. She told us a story about on June 11^th, 2008, Canadian prime minister apologized to all the first-nation people in public.

Here is the article that I read

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2149

It was such sad story. The children, automatically put themselves into residential school, were neither allow to spend time with their families, nor learn about their native language and culture. Families are supposed to be together during their lives: however, it was definitely unfair. People have to respect each other, and each culture.  I believe; these things should not happen anymore.

Reference

The Prime Minister of Canada

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2149

ESL 097 writing blog 6

I am taking Leadership 201 this semester, which is about how to take initiative as a leader, and how to inspire other followers. My group mates and I created a workshop in one of our class activities. The purpose of our activity is to help students who are having trouble of studying anxiety, handling stress, managing time, etc. We had discussion about how to organize the event: requirement, advertisement, schedule, and so on. Our group was consisted two Canadian and three international students including me. We set up the date twice, February 21^st and March 31^st. We had hard time meeting up in a group: some people started non-communication thing such as not replying email, texting, etc. In addition, some midterms were coming up, schedule was conflicted, things were going around differently, etc. Two Canadians organized most the stuff and made some tasks to do each week.

On the first event, which was right after reading break, we got only one audience. It was not enough time to advertise which worked better in second event. However, we could listen to the lecture by ourselves so we could see how the thing goes. We were given almost a month to prepare for second time so it was not that hard, and we knew what we should do and what we have to do. Later on, one of group mates booked a meeting with Radle, who is from communication center, and we got some new ideas for advertisement. For instance, making poster in other languages, announcing events on local TV, sending information to instructors, etc. They turned out effectively. On the day of event, we set up the popcorn machine from Student Union office, and made a last advertising. It called a lot of listeners: we got more than 25 people on the event! I learned a lot of things getting involved into organizing this event, and of course, and from listening to the lecture. It would be helpful a lot in my life. Thank you for coming to my event some of my classmates!

ESL 095 listening log

My Leadership 201 classmates and me, organized stress and management workshop on March 31^st, and it was great successful. We called a lady from counseling office, Tammy, and she gave us a wonderful lecture. It was two hours long including discussion and survey. The main point was about how to manage, deal with your stress, how to organize your schedule, etc. I learned different stress and pressure that other students are feeling through the discussion, and how they deal with their stress. Also, I re-understood the importance of planning ahead for the goals. Tammy spoke quite slowly, calm tone so the lecture was easy to understand. If I get a chance to hear it next time, I will definitely attend again.