My Language Learning History

Now, I'll talk about my history of learning foreign languages. I've learned three foreign languages.At first, when I was 5 years old, I began to learn English. I went to English conversation school for ten years. This experience is my precious thing for my history. Because of this beginning of learning English, I got to like English, and of course also now. But at first, I didn't begin to go to English conversation school of my own accord. In reality, my mother took me there and had me go there once a week. At the beginning, I went there without understood anything, because I was too small to understand all. But I got fun to touch English without my knowledge.

I entered elementary school. The English conversation school which I went to was on a small scale, but I gladly went to English conversation school as before. I liked English, my teachers and my friends. I couldn't regard English as my study.

When I was 13 years old, my two classmates and me took part in English recitation tournament. And we came off second best in the prefecture. Because of this, we couldn't enter that tournament during we were junior high school student, but I was so glad then. And I was best at English in 5 subjects, Japanese, math, science, social studies and English.

When I entered high school, I came up against a stone wall of English. It was my first experience. I didn't care about grammar of English till entering high school, so I couldn't keep up with an English class in high school. I didn't know even a gerund, an adverb and so on. I studied English hard. And then, I began to think that I want to be an English teacher. So, I decided to take universities which we can get an English teacher's certificate entrance exam.

Now, I go to KGU. But, to be frank with you, I wanted to go another university. But now, I'm really happy in this university, because I met so many great people. And also, I learned Korean and Germany when I was first grade. It was good experience, too. But actually, it was very difficult for me to learn Germany. I felt uneasy about credits of Germany. But I somehow took them. To tell the truth, I didn't like learning Germany, because Germany is very difficult! On the other hand, learning Korean was fun for me. I felt that Korean is similar to Japanese, so I could learn Korean happily. If I have my free time, I want to learn Korean much more. But now, I'm busy. My time is completely taken up with learning English I have on hand.

BR 1-06 Nate The Great Goes Undercover

I read one book. This series of this book I've read before. When I finished reading this book, I surprised at this ending.

A little detective tries to solve the problem. The problem is his friend, Oliver's garbage can. Oliver's garbage can is tipped over by someone. Oliver asked to find snatcher. The little detective, Nate the Great, asked some friends and waited the snatcher.

I couldn't expect the snatcher is who. I really enjoyed reading.

[76 words]

Drama

Yesterday, my most favorite actor appeared a drama. He act bad high school student. He always smiles and he is so kind and pretty, but in this drama, he looks very scary. His ability as actor is very very special and fantastic I think!!

[44 words]

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Toru Hidaka's birthday! He is vocalist and guitarist of my favorite band, BEAT CRUSADERS. He is now 40 years old. He is adult and gentle man. I really love him!! Mr.Hidaka, please be healthy and keep going! I'll keep being fan of you forever!!:-)

[46 words]

BR 1-05 Nate The Great and the STICKY CASE

This is little detective's story. His friend, Claude, lost his favorite stegosaurus stamp. the little detective looked for the stamp hard. He asked three friends about the stamp and thought and thought. Finally, he could find Claude's stamp. The keywords are stamp, rain and sticky!

I think this story has so many themes. For example friendship, mystery, adventure... and so on. I'm pleased with this book. I want to read the series of this book:-)

[75words]

"popdod"

Yesterday, I bought a new album "popdod". This album released by BEAT CRUSADERS. I've been listening to this album since yesterday. I listened to this one as sleeping, and also now I'm listening to their music!:-> This album is so great, special, cool, exciting, fantastic, marvelous... I can't describe its greatness!! And this album has 14 songs. They are "TIME FLIES, EVERYTHING GOES", "LEMON HEAD", "BECAUSE", "SHOOTING STAR", "GARDEN IN THE SHELL", "WORK IT OUT", "CHINESE JET SET", "OLGADIES", "LET'S GET BACK", "SOLDIERS IN MY SOUL", "SHOOT THE SKY", "WINTERLONG", "SUMMEREND" and "JIVE". Every song are so great and creative! But especially, I like "LEMON HEAD" and "CHINESE JET SET". They make me high and cheerful.

[116words]

BR 1-04 Frog and Toad Together

[A List]
One morning Toad sat in bed. He had many things to do on the day. He wrote them all down on a list. These are "Wake up, Eat lunch, Get Dressed, Go to Frog's House, Take walk with Frog, Eat lunch, Take nap, Play games with Frog, Eat Supper, Go To Sleep." He crossed one point out as he done it. He woke up, ate breakfast, and got dressed. So, he went out to Frog. He crossed "Go to Frog's House" out. Toad and Frog went out to take a walk. Toad crossed "Take walk with Frog" out. Just then, strong wind carried off Toad's list. Frog ran after the list, but Toad couldn't. Because "Running After" wasn't in his list. Frog ran after it desperately, but he couldn't catch it. Toad was disappointed. He didn't remember what else was on his list. They could only sat there. After a long time, Frog said "Toad, it's getting dark. We should be going to sleep now." As Toad heard it, he shouted "Go to sleep!" He remember that there is "Go To Sleep" on the last of his list. He wrote "Go to sleep" on the ground with a stick. And then, he crossed it out and said Toad "Now my day is all crossed out!" They went right to sleep.

[The Garden]
When Frog was in his garden, Toad came to Frog. Toad surprised with Frog's great garden. Frog told Toad "It is very nice, but it was hard work." But he thought that also he wants his own garden. So, Frog gave some flower seeds to Toad and said "Plant them in the ground, and soon you will have a garden." Toad ran home and planted the flower seeds. Toad talked to the seeds "Start growing." But the seeds didn't start to grow. Toad put his head close to the ground and said that loudly again and again. But nothing happened. As Frog heard Toad's loud voice, Frog came running up to Toad. And Frog admonished Toad "You're shouting too much. These poor seeds are afraid to grow. Leave them alone for a few days." After that, Toad did a lot for seeds. He read a long story, sang songs, read poems, played music. Everything was for seeds. But seeds still didn't start to grow. Toad cried and felt very tired. At last, he fell asleep. "Toad, Toad, wake up. Look at the garden!" Frog got Toad up. There were little green plants on Toad's garden. Toad said "You were right, Frog. It was very hard work."

[Cookies]
Toad baked some cookies. These were very delicious. So Toad bring them to Frog. Also Frog was very impressed at the deliciousness of the cookies. They began to eat them one after another. They knew that they have to stop eating, or they will soon be sick. But they couldn't. Frog said "We need will power." The power is what to stop eating. At last, Frog put the cookies in a box to stop eating. But toad said "We can open the box." Next, Frog tied some string around the box. But Toad said "We can cut the string and open the box." And next, Frog got a ladder and put the box up on a high shelf. But Toad said "We can climb the ladder and take the box down from the shelf and cut the string and open the box." Finally, Frog took the box outside and shouted in a loud voice, "HEY BIRDS, HERE ARE COOKIES!" Birds picked up all the cookies and flew away. Toad felt sad because the cookies weren't there at all. But Toad said "We have lots and lots of will power. I'm going home now to bake a cake."

[Dragons and Giants]
Frog and Toad were reading a fairy tales together. They longed for the brave heroes in the stories. They went outside to make sure that they were brave, too. They came to a dark cave. A big snake came out of the cave. Frog and Toad jumped away. Toad was shaking, but he cried "I'm not afraid!" They climbed the mountain higher, and they heard a loud noise. So many large stones were rolling down the mountain. They jumped away. Frog was trembling, but shouted "I'm not afraid!" They came to the top of the mountain. A hawk fell over them. They jumped under a rock. They screamed "We're not afraid!" They ran past all the places where they went through and they reached Toad's house. They applauded the braveness of each other. But Frog was in the closet. And Toad stayed in the bed. They just feeling very brave together.

[The Dream]
Toad was asleep, and he was having a dream. He was on a stage with a costume. And then, Frog was sitting in the theater. "TOAD WILL NOW PLAY THE PIANO VERY WELL." said the strange voice. Toad play the piano perfectly. "Frog, can you play the piano like this?" Toad asked. Frog answered "No." It seemed to Toad that Frog looked even smaller. "TOAD WILL NOW WALK ON A HIGH WIRE, AND HE WILL NOT FALL DOWN." said the voice. Also Toad succeed. Toad asked "Frog, can you do tricks like this?" Frog said "No." He looked so small. "TOAD WILL NOW DANCE, AND HE WILL BE WONDERFUL." again the voice said. Toad danced on the stage, and asked Frog. But no one responded. Frog was so small, so Toad couldn't find him. Toad called Frog and cried. Toad looked about for Frog and called him again and again. "I'm right here." said Frog. He was standing near the Toad's bed. Toad asked "Frog, is that really you?" And added "I'm so glad that you came over." And then, they ate a breakfast. And after that, they spent a great day together.

[977words]

Review of My Favorite Band!

Now, I'll talk about my favorite Japanese rock band, BEAT CRUSADERS. Five special men are in this band.

Toru Hidaka is vocalist and guitarist. He has so many talents and has offered some popular artists songs. For example, he offered Kaera Kimura a song "Snowdome." And more, when the song was recording, he was playing the bass for her recording. So actually, he can play the guitar, bass, drums and piano! And to be frank with you, he was an office worker of a record company when he began this band. To tell the truth, at the beggining of this band, there were two people, Mr.Hidaka and other person. And then, the man left the band, and another three person joined newly. They released many CDs, and became popular gradually. But then, the contract with a record company expired, and the three people except Mr.Hidaka left. He became let alone. Everyone thought that "BEAT CRUSADERS is almost an end." But BEAT CRUSADERS came back! There are five people in the band. And now, they are on the top of Japanese rock circles.

Next, I'll talk about Masahiko Kubota. He plays bass and sometimes sings. He is so clever, adult and cool. So, he has so many fan of a woman. To tell the truth, he belongs to another band "kuh". He plays the guitar and sings in this band. He can play the guitar and bass! Furthermore, he is a company president of his record company. He is a versatile man.

The guitarist of BEAT CRUSADERS is Taro Katou. But he has charming, pretty voice. So, he also sometimes sings. Mr.Hidaka always says "I hate Taro!!" But in reality, Mr.Hidaka and Mr.Katou belong to another band "GALLOW" together:-d They are great team I think! And Mr.Katou is a married person. But, Mr.Katou's wife keeps Mr.Katou under her thumb:-D

Hirofumi Yamashita as known as Maseeta plays drums. His performance is so powerful and great! He also belongs to another band "NATSUMEN" and plays drums, too. He married in April in last year, and his wife is during pregnancy! Their precious baby will born in this summer:-)

In the end, I'll introduce Keita Tanabe, called Keitaimo. He plays keyboard. And his performance on the stage is very funny and exciting! He always liven us up. And he also belongs to another band "MONG HANG". He plays the bass in "MONG HANG"! Moreover, he married last year. He is a really gentleman. So, he thinks a great deal of his wife:"-) [418words]

My Favorite Band

I really like Japanese rock bands. Now, I'll introduce one band which one of my favorite bands. BEAT CRUSADERS, this band plays so many great musics. They'll release the new album. I'll buy it! I love you so much, Hidaka, Kubota, Tarou, Maseeta and Keitaimo!!!!!:-)

BR 1-03 THE DEATH OF KAREN SILKWOOD

[The accident]
It was dark and nobody saw the accident. The small white car was found onits side by the bridge. Inside the car was a dead woman, Karen Silkwood, twenty-eight years old. There was nothing wrong with the car. The police thought it was the ordinary accident. On the night, three people were waiting her. They are her boyfriend, newspaper journalist and Union official. Karen was bringing them some very important papers and photographs in a big brown envelope. The man looked for the brown envelope everywhere, but nobody ever found it.

[The new job]
1972, Karen took a new job at a nuclear factory. Before that, she worked as a secretary, but she was really tired. On her first day at the factory, Mr.Baily, the manager of the factory, told her a lot about the factory. For example the staff's special clothes, identity card and so on. But Karen doesn't like him because she felt that Mr.Baily think her stupid. After that, Mrs.Phillips took her round the factory and show the laboratory. Mrs.Phillips was about forty years old and a little fat, friendly woman. Karen began to call her Susan. They entered to their laboratory. Karen saw six or seven people, everyone wearing white gloves and their hands were inside a big glass box. The box was fuel rods. Their job was putting uranium into the fuel rods. Susan added "And when you leave the laboratory, always remember to take off you gloves and check your hands in front of the scanner." The scanner judges whether there's any radioactive dust on one's hands or not. If the scanner senses any radioactive dust, the alarm rings all over the factory. "And you can take off all your clothes and have a swim with lots of water." said one man. Next Susan said "He means they wash you in a shower, but it doesn't happen very often."

[Karen and Drew]
At first, Karen liked her new job. A few days after she started the job, she met one man, Drew. He liked Karen, also Karen liked him. They spent a lot oh time together. Her life was going well.

[The shower]
One evening in the summer of 1974, Karen and Susan were leaving the laboratory. Karen went through the scanner check smoothly, but Susan couldn't. The siren began to screaming and two men in white coats ran in and took Susan by the arms. They took her somewhere. Karen ran after them, she entered to the room. Susan with nothing on were showered from head to foot - in her eyes, inside her ears, everywhere. The water pressure was terrific. After that, Susan was took to the medical tests. Karen couldn't protect or help Susan.

[The new union official]
One evening, after the shower, Susan said Karen "We really must leave the factory." Because the alarm screams at frequent intervals more and more often. But Karen has decided to change things in the factory. Karen was going to appeal to the Union Committee for importance of safety. A week later, when the workers had to vote for the new Committee, most workers voted for Karen. So, Karen was new an official on the factory's Union Committee.

[The meeting in Washington]
In September 1974 the Union Committee had a meeting. The Committee decided to ask for help to the Union leaders in Washington. So, Karen went to Washington. Then Karen told the leaders the state of the factory. But they didn't believe what she told. Because if it's true, the government must close the factory, and will get a lot of publicity in the media. After the meeting, one of the leaders stopped Karen outside in the corridor. And he requested Karen to steal some negatives in the photographic laboratory. This request was so serious, so Karen had to perform everyone alone. People mustn't know it. Finally, Karen was given the calling card by the leader. His name was Pete.

[The brown envelope]
During the month of Octorber 1974, Karen told nobody about her secret. She began to work at nights because there were fewer people working, and so it was easier to get into the photographic laboratory. She stole negatives smoothly. She put them in a brown envelope and put it in a secret hole in the wall of her house. Nobody knew it was there, but the managers watched her all the time. So, it was more and more difficult to get into the photographic laboratory. But in the last week of October, Karen had nearly all the proof necessary. Pete told her "I'll take you to meet an important man from the New York Times. We'll give the story to the newspapers." But Karen answered "Give me just a little more time."

[A 'hot' home]
Drew decided to leave his job, and wanted Karen to leave too. But she wanted to stay until the meeting with the New York Times. On the evening of November 6th, she passed the scanner on her way out of the laboratory. The alarm sounded. She had to have the shower. After the shower, she was very tired and unhappy. But the next morning, the alarm screamed again on the way into her laboratory she passed the scanner. After another shower, someone pushed Karen into a big white car. It was full of more men in white. They drove to Karen's home and opened the door with Karen's key. And they put all Karen's things in bags, everything. Karen couldn't stay quiet, but they didn't hear. They drove away with all the bags. Now, there was nothing in her home - only a brown envelope in a hole in the wall.

[Where to go?]
Three hours later, Drew found her there. She was still sitting on the ground. Drew tried to cheer for her, but she gave up all hope. She thought that perhaps I'm dying . She told him radioactive was still in her body, but he didn't care. He helped her to his car, and took her home.

[Karen explains to Drew]
That night, Karen told everything to Drew. He really worried about her and told "Perhaps someone does want to kill you. So I'll be with you all the time." Next morning, Karen telephoned Pete in Washington and the Union Committee at the factory. She told what's happened to her. Pete got angry and worried. Pete said her "The factory's managers are trying to sack you. We'll speak to them that we know what's happened to you. You must have medical tests." In the evening, the phone ring. It was Mr.Bailey. He said Karen, Drew and her friend Paula to go to Los Alamos for tests.

[The night drive]
Karen, Paula and Drew went to Los Alamos and had the tests. The doctor said that Karen's body was still a little radioactive, but Drew and Paula were all right. They told Karen that she was in no danger now. After that, Paula, Drew and Karen had a party in a little restaurant. Karen and Drew still had a future toghther. The next day morning, they arrived at Oklahoma. Early in the evening, Karen drove to her house alone. After, she went to the Union meeting at the factory. That night at the meeting, Karen had a big brown envelope in her bag. She looked very happy and well. Every workers felt better. It was dark when Karen left the factory. She smiled at all her friends and got into her small white car and drove away. But Karen never arrived at her meeting. A few miles from the nuclear factory, she had an accident by a wall near a river. Nobody found the brown envelope.

I...

I've felt hard very very much. I can't overcome. I can't stand anymore. I wan't to quit.

My University Life

I belong to volunteer club, Asunarou. This club activity plays a central role in my university life. Through these activities, I learned so many things. For example, how live people who is handicapped, how to use a wheelchair, and so on. But the most important thing is how to come in contact with people. I’m afraid of strangers, so I’m not good at accosting to people from me. But I learned about importance of a smile. If I talk to someone with a smile, he or she answers with a big smile, I think from my experiences. And I’m really blessed with my companies. My seniors are very kind and dependable. I was helped by them many times. I’m thankful to them so much. My juniors joined us only about one month ago. But they are very reliable and full of vigor. They became in a familiar tone with us soon. And my fellows are great! There are various people in so many types, but we’re very close friends. We understand each of characters of others, so everyone became to have one’s own role naturally. I’m very comfortable when I spend with my fellows.

Of course I like my department, because I have many great friends in my department. My ability of English is deficiency, so I’m often helped by my friends. I feel sorry for them.

I work part-time job on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I work for a cram school. I teach 10 junior high school students English and math. My students are so sweet. My part-time job is sometime little hard for me, but I can get enthusiastic when I remember their faces. My part-time job is also prepare of my dream. To tell the truth, I want to be an English teacher. So, my part- time job is helpful for my dream.

Club activities, friends and part-time job are all of my university life. If even any one of them lack, my university life don’t become such like my present life. Sometimes, I feel hard, but it’s a proof of my life is full, I think.

My Precious Friend

Today, my friend heard what I talked. I was very glad for her kindness because I've felt blue since Sunday. She is similar to me. So, she heard my talk and encouraged me tenderly. I'm really thankful to her.

My Recent Mind

Recently, I feel blue so much. But I'll get back my composure gradually.

My Favorite Band

Two days ago, I bought a CD. It's title is "changes." It's so good! The song is played by Base Ball Bear. It's one of my favorite Japanese rock band. There are three boys and one girl in the band.

Yusuke Koide sings with his beautiful, powerful voice and plays guitar. Syouhei Yuasa plays the main guitar part. Daisuke Horinouchi plays drums powerfully. And Shiori Sekine plays bass and helps vocal part with her pretty voice.

Actually, today they'll appear on the TV, Music Station! So, I'll watch and cheer for them across the screen:-D

BR 1-01 The Woman in the Black Coat

This is one woman's story. Fanny was born and grew up in a rich family. When she was 17 years old, she married Lord Glenfallen. He has a beautiful, big house. She moved there and started to live with her husband.

One day, she opened the door of her room, there was a woman with black coat. The woman was about forty years old and her face and eyes were white---she was blind. The woman asked Fanny "Who are you?" Fanny answered the woman "I'm Lady Glenfallen." But the woman cried "You're not!" and hit Fanny's face. Soon Lord Glenfallen arrived because of Fanny's scream. So, Fanny ran out of the room. Fanny could hardly hear thier words, but she understood only he was angry with the woman. After that, he didn't tell Fanny about the woman.

Another one night, Fanny woke up suddenly. Fanny found that someone is at the end of her bed. It was the blind woman. She hold a light in one hand and a knife in the other. The woman said "I am his wife, not you. Leave this house tomorrow, or I'm going to kill you." She disappeared without sound.

Next day, Fanny asked one employee Martha about the woman. Martha told "She was married to your husband, but she died. Nobody knows the reason why she died. However somebody saw your husband with a knife in his hand on the night she died. When she was found...somebody cut her eyes out after she died. I think he didn't want her to see his other new women..."

Fanny left the house on that day. Now, she is living with her parents happily.

Movie Review

Title:Shrek
Themes:friendship, love, value of beauty
Main caracters:
Shrek;(appearance) green, big, ugly monster
(occurrence) Characters of fairy tales were forced to live in the area where Shrek lives. Shrek started to visit Farquaad to return them to their own home with Donkey. Farquaad promised that they go back to their home instead of that Shrek help princess Fiona from Dragon. Shrek and Donkey successed to help princess Fiona. The distance between Shrek and Fiona became closely. Shrek clashed with Donkey, but after that, they understood others thought. Shrek knew about Fiona's secret. Finally, Shrek married with Fiona.
Donkey;(appearance) his appearance is normal donkey, but he can speak very well
(occurrence) Donkey happened to meet to Shrek. Donkey started to go to Farquaad with Shrek because only Donkey knew where Farquaad lives. On the way of helping princess Fiona, Donkey was fell in love by Dragon (Dragon was female!). Donkey clashed with Shrek, but Donkey told Shrek about Fiona's thought or his mind.
Fiona;(appearance) beautiful princess, but actually she is so powerful! But she also monster in the night
(occurrence) She was in a parace because she had been waiting her strong prince. She was helped by Shrek, but she didn't want to admit him. However she fell in love with Shrek gradually. But Shrek's mind became far away with his mis-understood. Fiona had wedding ceremony with Farquaad. But Fiona decided to choose Shrek because Shrek appeared in the wedding ceremony, so she told him about her secret. At last, she married with Shrek.

My Lasting Impression
"What is beauty?" After I finished watching this movie, I thought. Shrek was said "Monster." People afraid of him. But for Fiona, he was hero and prince. I think the most important thing is not appearance but mind, heart.

My Grandparents

Yesterday, I visited my grandparents with my family. My grandparents live in Minamata. I haven't met them about for two or three months. So, I was looking forward to visit them so much. They met us warmly. In the afternoon, I went out for a walk with my family. We took a walk on a bank. At that time, we could hear a warble only.

After a while, I and my mother started for home of my grandparents, on the way, we happened to meet my grandmother's sister. We went in her home. There were my grandmother's sister Ms.Hisako and her hasband. We listened to their talk, their died daughter, their pretty granddaughters and so on. We had show their granddaughter Ms.Emi's picture in a coming-of-age ceremony. And after that, we had also show Ms.Emi's died mother's picture when she was 20 years old. Both of them were so beautiful and very similar.

After we got home of my grandparents, we had a dinner. It was grilled meat and very delicious. About eight thirty, we started for our home. I had a very good time there.

Sad News

Yesterday, there was sad news for me. My favorite Japanese rock band announced thier activities will stop from September. They make great songs. I have been encouraged by them many times. So, I'm very very sad. But I believe that they will come back. In one rock festival, the vocal said "Delightful things disapper. But we won't disapper."

Thursday

Thursday is my part-time job's day. But I don't have to do part-time job today. Because today is already the Golden Week! My work is teaching to junior high school students. So the Golden Week is holidays for them, and for me too :-9 But I also feel loneliness, because I really like my students! All my students are very nice children. Of course they are different one by one. Everyone has many good points and great smile:-)

A Learner's Permit

I got a learner's permit today! I started to go to the driving school in my spring vacation, but I couldn't feel happy. So, it took me much time to get the learner's permit. Now, I'm very happy because I got over the first obstacle. From now, I'll challenge to drive a car on the street. I want to get a driving license as soon as I can.

My Part-Time Job

I work part-time in a cram school twice a week. I teach English and math, but mainly English. Now, I take charge of nine junior high school students. I feel all of them like my brother and sister. For their dream will come true, I'll do everything I can do for them.

The Wind in the Willows

I read one book "The Wind in the Willows." Mainly, four animals appear in this story. They are water rat, mole, badger and toad.

First of all, Mole met Rat at the bank. Rat was across the river. They became friendly and began to live toghther in Rat's house.

One day, Mole and Rat visited Toad. Toad is friend of Rat. Toad likes something new, but also he soon loses interest. He can hardly stop talking about himself because he is proud of himself so much.

Toad met them with delight. And he showed them his beautiful red and yellow caravan. It was the most favorite thing for Toad then. He asked them to start with this caravan toghther. This temptation made Mole excited but made Rat anxiety.

Rat's fear came true. In the way of their journy, suddenly they saw a lot of dust in front of them with a loud noise "Poop, poop!" The caravan fell over in the road. It was a car. Rat was very angry. But Toad said again and again, "Poop, poop!" He was fascinated by the car. The next day, he bought a large and very expensive car in London.

Next, Mole wanted to meet Rat's friend Badger. Rat refused it because Badger doesn't like visitors. But Mole had Badger at heart.

One afternoon in the middle of winter, Mole went out to visit Badger while Rat's sleep. Mole entered the Wild Wood where Badger lives. But the day turned into the night, he couldn't his way. He was too tired and scared to walk anymore. So, he stopped and slept in the hole under the big tree.

Rat woke to find that Mole wasn't there. He worried about Moly, but he noticed that Moly went out to visit Badger. Moly doesn't know the Wild Wood. Rat left home hastily with a small gun and a heavy stick. He walked for more than one hour, but he couldn't find Mole. Rat cried and found hard. Then, Mole replied "I'm here!" At last, Rat found Mole.

They went out of the hole after Mole's an hour sleeping. But then, everything was changed into white by snow. So, they couldn't find their way out of the Wild Wood. They were very tired. But then, Rat noticed that there was a house nere them. After about ten minutes, Rat found a little door. There were the words MR BADGER on the door. Rat began to hit the door and shouted, "Badger!"

After a long time, the door opened and somebody shouted angrily, "Who's there? I don't want any visitors!" But, as he found that Rat is behind the door, he became friendly and showed them in his house. Badger made dinner for tired them. After that, Badger asked them about Toad. Rat told him all about Toad. Toad is a bad driver and he had six accidents before, but he won't stop driving. Badger thought that we'll must do something for Toad as his friend. Next day, Rat and Mole got out from Wild Wood and came back to their home.

The winter ended. One morning, Badger visited Rat and Mole, because Badger felt that they have to talk to Toad. So, they went to Toad's house. Badger persuaded to stop driving a car, but Toad rejected it. Badger couldn't no longer put up with his behavior. Finally, Badger said "Mole, Rat, take Toad to his bedroom. Lock the door." After that, Badger, Rat and Mole kept watch by turns. One morning, Rat was in Toad's room. Toad said queitly, "I know I'm a bad driver. But I feel very ill. Perhaps I'm going to die." Rat ran out of the room to get the doctor without lock the door. But, Toad wasn't really ill! Toad left his house quietly. At lunchtime, he was a long way from Toad Hall. Then, he happened to find a car! He opened the door and got in because the driver wasn't there. He started it and drove away joyfully. But, the police caught Toad. Next day, the judge sentenced; "You have to go to prison for twenty years."

Toad was overwhelmed with grief in prison, and he thought his behavior over deeply. But then, he got to know a pretty girl. She was a daughter of one of the prison officer. She tried to escape Toad from the prison. She said "My aunt is a washerwoman. Give her some money and she'll give you her clothes. Then, you can leave the prison." Toad worked at the girl's suggestion, and he left the prison. But, he didn't know the way home. At that time, he found a train! However, he couldn't get on the train because he had no money. He began to cry. The driver saw Toad and spoke to him. Toad said "I have to get home tonight, or my children will have no food." The kind driver will see him home for nothing. After some time, the driver found that another train packed with a lot of policemen was behind them. Toad was in panic and told that everything was lie. But the driver said "I'll help you. We're coming to a tunnel. At the other end of the tunnel, there's a wood. You can jump off the train!" Toad jumped off and ran quickly into the wood. The police train didn't stop. Toad was so happy. But the wood was very quiet and dark. He slept in a hole he found.

The next morning, Toad woke up and started to walk. Then, he came to a river. There, he took one woman's horse and ran away. On his way home, he sold the horse, and got some money. After that, he walked for about an hour, so he began to feel tired. He heard a car behind him. He talked to the driver, but checked himself. He recognized the driver is who. The driver had own car stolen by Toad before! Toad sat down on the road and closed his eyes. But the driver didn't recognize Toad. The driver thought that a very ill washerwoman is there. The driver take Toad to the next village. Of all people, Toad asked the driver "Can I drive the car?" Then, Toad drove carefully for a minute or two, but then he drove very fast. Toad shouted "I'm not really a washerwoman. I'm clever Mr Toad!" The car went off the road and hit a tree. Toad ran into the river near him. Then a hand pushed him to the bank, and somebody talked to Toad. It was Ratty.

Toad told Rat about his adventures and said "I'm very clever!" But Rat said "You're not clever. Didn't you think about Mole and Badger and me? People say bad things about us because we're your friends." And Rat added that Toad Hall is occupied by the weasels now. Later, Badger and Mole came. Four animals planed to take back Toad Hall. Badger suggested entering to Toad Hall through the tunnel under the ground. Tomorrow night, the weasels will have a big party, so four animals will make a surprise attack. The next morning, Badger, Toad and Rat are fully prepared with each arms. But Mole wasn't there.

Late in the afternoon, Mole came in and said "I went to Toad Hall." Mole found Toad's washerwoman's clothes so put on them and went to Toad Hall. And Mole said to one weasel that A hundred brave, strong badgers are coming to Toad Hall with hundreds of rats and toads and moles. When it was dark, four animals went to inside of Toad Hall through the tunnel. Then, they ran into the middle of the party with their guns and sticks and knives. The weasels were surprised and afraid because they remembered the words of the washerwoman. Some weasels were hit and fell down on the floor, and others ran away. Now, Toad Hall is Toad's again. On that night, four animals slept there.

Next morning, Badger said to Toad that we'll have a party for Toad's friends tonight. Toad began to write the invitations as Badger was told soon. Toad had an idea as he went to his desk. The idea was he'll write some songs and sing them at the party. He began to write happily. But the invitations Toad write wasn't approve by Badger. Badger said "We don't any songs at the party tonight. And you don't have to tell your friends the story of your adventure." In the evening, Toad found that he was wrong and his friends were right. He sang one last song in his bedroom alone. At the party, Toad didn't tell anyone his adventure. Toad was different now.

After the big party, Toad lived quietly at Toad Hall. He sent some money to the prison officer's daughter. He wrote a nice letter to the train driver. But he didn't buy any more cars.

About My Self And Mind

Hello, my name is Miki O. Please call me Miki. I'm 19 years old. I study English in KGU. And, I belong to a volunteer club. The name of my club is "Asunarou." That means "Tomorrow, we will be a cypress." The name has our hopes of growing straight like cypress trees. I enjoy club activities with my special circle. My voluteer club activities are playing a central role in my university life.

And also, I really like Japanese rock music. My favorite rock bands are BUMP OF CHICKEN, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, BEAT CRUSADERS, ELLEGARDEN and so on. They are popular rock bands among people who love rock music like me. I'll bring their CDs! So, shall we listen to their music? If you like them, I'll be glad!

Next, I'll talk about my family. There are four people in my family. They are my father, my mother, my brother and me.

My father's name is Shuichi. He works for a factory. And my mother's name is Megumi. She is a housewife. At last, my brother Takahiro is 13 years old. He goes to Shimizu junior high school. My family is great I think. How about your family? I want to know you.

To be frank with you, I have misgivings about my homestay. Far from homestay, I have never been abroad. But, I decided to stay with your family because I hope to grow as a human being through this homestay. And, of course I want to enjoy my homestay with you. So, would you tell me any places to see? I'm waiting for your reply! And I'm looking forward to my homestay!

Bad Condition...

I've been having a cold. At first, my nose began to run . But I didn't recognize a cold because I have allergic rhinitis and hay fever. So, I thought it as usual. But next, I began to have a cough. As I took my temperature, I noticed that I have fever. my temperature isn't so hard, but it isn't dropped yet. I hope to my fever abate as soon as possible!!

My Precious Words

Some days ago, I heard beautiful words. they were said by my favorite actor's father.
"If you get a kindly thing done, you should increase it the number a hundred times and repay. The other way around, if you get an unpleasant thing done, you should decrease it the number a hundredth and return."
I hope to live in the way of these words. And I want to see a beautiful world.

My Friend's Presentation

All of the presentations were interesting and easy to understand. I was very impressed. But, I felt one thing. That is important thing for presentation. The most important thing isn't to speak English smoothly but to make eyecontact with audience or their companion and to speak with a loud voice, I think. Those were taught by Mr.Perry. :-)