Week3 9/30 Do I Like to Write? Why? or Why Not?

Fixed Topic: Do I Like to Write? Why? or Why Not?

(This is a week1 fixed topic but I did just short writing. I'll rewrite.)

Yes, I like to write. Because in writing, I can exspress myself after deep consideration. I can express almost everything I want to say. In speaking, I cannot tell everything I think in my mind. I'm always unsatisfied after talking because I feel I cannot communicate enough. However, I can communicate my ideas in writing. For instance I often use e-mail to talk about a serious matter.  It is said that written words cannot tell one's real thought. But because we can be objective through letters, it is better for me to write thoughtful words than to say what I don't think. of.

Week3 9/30 Those Who I Respect

Open Topic: Those Who I Respect

I wanna write about a hairdresser I respect.

He always cuts my hair and tells me a lot of things.

One day, while cutting, he told me that he always did not use train timetables. I think many people usually use them not to be late. Of course I also check a train schedule to know what time I can get to my destination. So I asked why. He replied, "I do not have to use them." "Do you memorize timetables completely?" I asked again. He laughed and said, "No way! I don't know at all what time trains come. I always leave home so early that I can arrive in time, whatever train I get on. Everyone tells me I can stay in bed longer if I arrange my time to suit a train schedule. But I cannot understand the idea. I wanna come into work early in order to prepare myself for work rather than sleep longer.　At a glance　he seems to be just a person of few words, but it was only then that I noticed he had great responsibility and passion for his work. He is such an accomplished man !!

Week3 9/26 What Is the Most Precious Thing in My Life?

Fixed Topic:　What Is the Most Precious Thing in My Life?

One-year "blank" in 2009 is the most precious thing in my life.

In the final year of high school, I failed to enter university I really wanted to go. So I decided to go to preparatory school in Tokyo.I could choose to live by myself, but I decided to live in a women dormitory. This decision was correct, I think now.

In dormitory, there were many university students and preparatory school students. We had our own room but we had to share a dining hall, laundry room, and study room.  First I was so worried about whether I could concentrate in my learning and get along with other girls. However, not only I but also the others had the same worries, so we shared the feelings and supported one another. We studied hard and took break together. While I was in dormitory, I didn't feel loneliness at all. I enjoyed the environment.

This was also the thoughtful time for me. I learned not only academic things but also something about our view of life. I thought of how useless cramming for university exam was, how careers or education affected people's life, how hard living in Tokyo was compared to in rural areas, and so on. I had many opportunities to consider Japanese politics, economy and future, and discussed the destination of Japan with my friends. Now I'm sure I couldn't get interests in such topics if I didn't came to Tokyo and went to preparatory school.

I made precious friends and learned precious things during the one year. At that time, I was not a high school student or college student. It was blank. But It was so precious experience for me and now it has strong influence on my life. I cannot forget the "blank" period.

Week2 9/21 My Childhood Friends

Onen Topic: My Childhood Friends

I have two childhood friends, Saki and Tsuda. (Because Tsuda and I have the same name, we call her by her family name.) We met for the first time when we were in kindergarten. We were always together. I remember we were scolded by kindergarten teacher because we refused just to use shoes locker away from one another. We entered the same elementary school. Even though we were in different class, we always played together after school. However, in junior high, we came to be with other friends and had little time to talk. But we continued to keep a diary in turn (in Japanese "Koukan Note") which we had started to write in sixth grade. This diary is in my room now, but I cannot open it because it says something trivial and embarrassing for instance the name of a senior student we longed....

In our high school days and now we are going separate ways completely. Saki is in Yamagata, our hometown, Tsuda lives in Niigata, and I'm in Tokyo here. This spring we for the first time made a trip to Kyoto and Nara as a "school trip" (because my high school doesn't go to a school trip and I couldn't go anywhere while I was in preparatory school....). I was so glad because my friends said "this travel is for you." It is one of my greatest memories this year.

Tsuda, Saki, boating men, and I

We can meet only once a year and we seldom get in touch with one another. But once we get together, we talk constantly all day long. Whenever the birthday of my childhood friends has come, I always think about how long we have known one another. This year is the 18th years since we became friends. We are sure we will continue to be best friends, even though we get old.... :)

Week2 9/20 How Would I Answer the Question?

Fixed Topic: How Would I Answer the Question? (Q: Who Am I?)


To be honest, I cannot answer the question because there are many kinds of "me". For instance, I can talk a lot with my friends but cannot talk with unfamiliar people. Even in front of my friends, I behave  like a quiet or talkative person.  I think I always act each character according to people around me. I have many faces when I'm in front of my family, friends, boyfriend, teachers, neighbours, strangers... and of course when I am alone. I don't know who is true "me", but all faces are "me".

I think not only I but also everyone may play various character. From my view, anyone has multiple personalities.

The best way to answer the question is to ask others who I am. The others' answer will be correct at least, I think.

Week2 9/20 Who am I ?

Fixed topic: Who am I ?

Here is my belief self-introduction I presented on Monday.

10x10 presentation

View more presentations from chihiro5

I wanna add a little about my personality.
In my presentation, I said I was so shy.
But I think it difficult to explain my personality completely with the one word.
Of course I'm shy, but I think the best description of my personality is a lack of self-confidence.
I tend to think "I have no remarkable ability compared with others."
It may be true, but now I think I just make an excuse for failing to make efforts using the assumption.
The other day, one of my friend said "you have enough ability to do what you want to do."
At that time I didn't think so, but I couldn't forget what she said.
Her phrase gave me the opportunity to reconsider myself.
All I need is believe in my ability even if only slightly, I think now.

Week1 9/18 My Favorite Book

Open topic: My Favorite Book

I don't like reading very much, so I've read few books so far.....

But today I want to introduce one of my few favorite books,  Ao no Honoh [Pale Flame].

This is a Japanese novel written by Yusuke Kishi.

This story is a perfect-crime attempt made by an ordinary high school boy. 

The boy's father-in-law endangers his family's peaceful life.

He takes every measure to protect his mother and younger sister against his father-in-low.

Finally, he makes a decision to "delete" the root of all evil with nobody noticing.

I like Ao no Honoh because it’s an inverted story.

Inverted story means a story written from the viewpoint of a criminal, not a detective.

In an inverted story, there are many psychological descriptions in order to clear the criminal’s motive.

So it is easy to feel empathy or dyspathy, and I can finish reading without getting bored.

I strongly recommend the novel and other inverted novels J

Week1 9/15 Why Did I Decide to Take This Class?

Fixed Topic: Why Did I Decide to Take This Class?

There are some reasons why I took this class.
First, I thought I could know about myself more through this class. So far, I haven't had much time to think about myself (because I'm not interested in myself....??) I think if I take this course I can have opportunity to consider myself and find new myself.
The second reason is I like writing in English. I'm not good at expressing myself orally, but in letters, it may be easier for me to express myself, I think.. I wanna be a good writer in English.
Of course, one of the reasons is that I love Mark....:p

I want to enjoy writing in this fall !! :O