My Goldenweek

I attended 2 weddings during Goldenweek. One of them was that of my friend and the other was that of my cousin. Both of them were so beautiful!
I could meet my friends at the former one. Actually, I hadn't seen some of them since I graduated from jounior high school. Some of them changed a lot (as I couldn't recognize them!), and some of them changed a little. Everyone said to me, " You've never changed!" ....I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad to hear that.(Remember, I DID NOT meet them since I was 15!) After the wedding, we went to drinking and talked about what we work on now. I spent special time with them.
Next day, I attended my cousin's wedding. It was the first time for me to attend the wedding of my relative. I know her since I was little. So, my heart was full when I saw that she came into the room with a beautiful white dress. I was about to cry for joy! I wish she lived happily ever after!

Like this, my Goldenweek was filled with weddings. Anyway,I could spend a good time!

Usual Goldenweek.

I didnt do many things during Goldenweek. I definitely lose the name of Golden in this year. haha But i dont mean i spent boring days. First thing i did was "Hanami". I just went to see cherry blossom with a friend and didnt drink any alcohol. Dont blame me like its not Hanami! Hanami will start at the time to get alcohol. haha And I went to "Matsumae" where is the most southest of Hokkaido because my parents was going to come there to see Sakura, and I was going to get see them in Matsumae. I thought it was good time to see sakura there because Sakura in Hirosaki was already scattered, but Sakura in Matsumae was too early. It was just like 40% bloomming. After that, I went back to home in Sapporo. As I just had 2 days in Sapporo, so i went to a mall , ate way better food than Hirosaki, and met my grand parents. Especially, its been a long time since i met grand parents, so it was good thing.:) After the 2 days, I needed to get back to hirosaki through the long way. haha yeah it took like 8 hours. Im always angry why there is no train goes to Aomori directly. Yeah I need to change trains twice in Hakodate and Aomori. I guess there is still the diffrence of the system between JR. haha So that is everything I did during Golden week.

About our topic

Hi!! This is Chiori.

Our group talked about "Obama pledged to abolish nuclear weapons".
President Barack Obama set out his vision for ridding the world of nuclear arms, and declared the United States ready to lead steps by all states with atomic weapons to reduce their arsenals.

I think this bold attempt is a good tendency, but it will be ineffective throughout the world.
There are many countries which have nuclear weapons in the world.
Do you think the nuclear power nations will abolish their atomic weapons?

I think we have to eliminate the nuclear weapons, but also there are some evil arsenals which should be abolished. Why Obama addressed only nuclear weapons?

Do you think this Obama's attempt will attain?
And what should we do for that as a national of the nuclear victims?

This topic is very diffcult, but also very important.
Let's think together!

Thank you.

About Our Discussion

Hi, It's Yurina.
I discussed "Abolishment of Nuclear Weapons in the U.S." in the last class.
President OBAMA pledged about it, but only America.
There are many other countries which has nuclear weapons in the world,
but in this time, only the U.S. said to abolish it.

Actually, the U.S. has a duty as the only country to use nuclear weapons in the past.
ButI think that other nuclear powers have to act to abolish their nuclear weapons together, not only America.
In addition, our group suggest "Why OBAMA said to abolish only nuclear weapons?
How about other evil arms and dangerous weapons?"
So, could you give us your some ideas about this?

About discussion topic.

Hi, this's Akiko.

I gonna write about our topic..

We discussed about 'Jury system in JPN'

This system will start on 21st of May, very soon.

How do you think about it??

There were several questions at that time.

The jury system come into force for what? Is it necessity?

Do you wanna be a jury??

One purpose's to bring judiciary closer to public, we supposed.

Moreover,　number of people in the legal professions are dicreasing now.That's the way to make this social issue better.

And before enforcing, there're many voices to expect and worry.

Thinking stuff are still stacking.

Please make up the luck, thanks:D

reference about the Jury system in JPN

This is religion group. we need to talk about our topic.

we were talking about religion as our topic since it was the last class, but we realized that topic was too wide, unclear and too difficult to collect one conclusion, so we changed the topic. Our new topic is decreasing or decreased birthrate. We look it at Japanese, France and Denmark birthrates and compare them each other for figuring out what the problem is in Japanese decreased birthrate and the way to make it growing again is. We are working on this topic already from Friday. Sorry for changing topic suddenly.

About our topic

Hi, it's Mai.
I try to write our topic today.

We discussed "Nuclear weapons" together.
All you guys know it well, I suppose.

President OBAMA said he would fight for the abolition of nuclear weapons.
It would be difficult but his action is worthy of praise!!

I think nuclear weapons are just menace.
They try to show how strong they are,but it is quite fool.
How do you think about it?

And I have a one more question.
Why just nuclear weapons are vice?
How about bombs? It also could kill lots of people.
As you know bio-weapons are illigal in the world low.
Do you think we can abolish nuclear weapons?


Here, this is a web site of →IAEA←.

I'd like to have your opinions.
Thank you.

hi! everyone.

This is Ayaka.

I’m very sorry to late introducing myself... at last I've understood how to write on this blog and use it!
Everyone are good at mechanical product,isn't it? ^^;

Please let me introduce myself!
My name is Ayaka Karube.
My Family name is rare, so I think it's easy to memorize.
I'm glad to be able to take this class with kind and friendly people as you!(Of course also Professer Philips!)

From this spring, I began to do a tutor of a student studying abroad.
My student is a Canadian, and she can hardly speak Japanese.
So I want to help her anything, but I'm not good at speaking English!!!!!!
That is why, our conversation is always halting and not smoothly....

So I want to acquire English-speaking skills!
And I want to be able to tell anyone in English what I think with smoothly!

I will practice. so let's talking more^^

Hello,Guys!!

Hi, I'm Yurina AKAMA.
I could've written down my profile at last.. I'm not good at using computer too.
I'm living Hirosaki for 20 years, and I like here.
I visited Cherry blossom festival already three times at last week, I love that festival and I'm
looking foward to go there every year, especially to eat some delicious food.

My hobbies are cooking,traveling,watching DVDs and sleeeeeping!
And I love the outdoors too. I often go camping every summer with my family.

I wanna advance my English skills to speak more fluently and to take high score of TOEIC and TOFLE.
In addition, I wanna travel to some European counties in this summer vacation!
I'll try to do my best in this class!!

Hallo!! This is Chiori

Hi,I am Chiori Aiuchi. I introduce myself now,although I feel a little ashamed of myself for writing this so late. I am not good at a machine, so this is the cause of the delay!!

I am glad to be in this class with you guys. Let's have a good time!!
And please call me Chiori.

I am a junior and belonging to professer SAWADA's seminar.
I am going to be a New Zealand maniac!

I love French the same as English. It was through my friend, mai's influence that I was attracted to French. I want to improve both , especially my English speaking.


My hobby is playing sports...basketball,tennis,snowboading and so on and watching movies.
The last winter I went snowboading only one time due to lack of snow.
Next winter I will go snowboading as many times as I can!!
Recently I am crazy about "THE OC" "GOSHIP GIRL"and "TWILIGHT"
In short, I love overseas movies(dramas).

I want to discuss international problems.
I hope we have a good discussion.
Thank you. Bye.

Hi, there

Hi, This is Mai SHISHIDO.

Call me Mai or May. I am very happy to meet you all!
I like English. Because, if I can speak English, I can comunicate with most of people in the world.
But my English skill is very poor... Please HELP MEEEEE!!!
I also like French. I lived in France for 1year and 6month.
France is very nice. I love French foods. Esp fois gras!! It is very yummy!!

I love travelling. I've been to about 10 countries.
This summer, I'm going to South Korea and Vietnam.
So I'm doing a part time job now to get enough money.
It is pritty hard, but I try to do my best for my hobby!!


Some of you want to discuss religion.
But it is pritty hard, isn't it?
Because religion is a kind of thought or thinking.

On the other hand, I agree with Akiko.
We can disscus the top of the front page in morning newspaper.
The front page topic is often interesting.

That's all!!!!

see you tomorrow.


Mai SHISHIDO

About discussion topics

Hi, this is Haruna. How are you?

Some of you guys selected "religion" as a discussion topic.
I am interested in it,too!
I want to know how you suppose to talk about it.


And I'll offer my idea here.
I am interested in English education of Japan. So,I'll offer this question:
"Japanese are said not to be good at English. How do you think?"

That's it.
I want to know your opinions!

Hi, this's Akiko.

Hi, nice to see you guys in this blog:)

Well..let me introduce of myself.

I live in Aomori and come to school by train every morning.

Actually, I missed my train last week so I didn't attend the class;; sorry, I'm not morning person. ..Anyway, I like taking pictures of sky, eating sweets, drinking coffee with much milk, listening music and taking a nap,hehe. Especially in summer, my food staple's ice cream seriously:---)

Recently, I like to find and visit new coffee shop with my friend! So if you know nice cafe, let me know^^

We have to choose some topics for discussion, right? 

I think after watching a film and talking about it, or discussing about morning news ..are sort of ways. 

I hope we can enjoy talking and improve English!

See you later-

 

Hiya! This is Eri NARA.

Hi, there!
I'm delighted to be classmate with you guys!
My handle name Erin [エレン] is my nickname come from my first name and the initial of my family name. When I gave my name as "Eri", many people asked me how to spell and pronounce it. But when I said "Erin", they understood it at the first time.
I’m a junior in international society course.
I’m from Kuroishi, but my high school is in Hirosaki.
I like traveling, watching movies, listening music, going to karaoke, taking photos, leading books, chatting with friends and so on.
So, I'll take many pictures of cerry blossoms in Hirosaki park.

I want to everyone of us to speak a lot. Otherwise, I’ll be a naughty noisy student… foregive me if i am noisy.
I love talking in English. so I’d like to discuss obout something we are interestid in. I think religion(s) is(are) good topic, too. I also wanna see movies, and talk about it.
I need to improve my reading skill to study abroad as an exchange student, I don’t like it, though…

See you tomorrow at the class!!

Erin

Hello, this is Rie Kumabayashi!

Hello, nice to meet you on this blog! im glad to join this class.
I introduce about myself. my hometown is Morioka, Iwate-prefecture.
im forth year student of education faculty. my hobby is watching movies, playing tennis and listening to music. recently, im crazy about a dorama "24". do you know??
yesterday, i watched this movies from 6p.m to 4a.m. i was involved in that! couldnt stop watching it! Also, i like pussycat dolls. I want to improve my listening and speaking skills in this class. im glad to have a chance to talk with people in English. we will have discussion in this claass, i like to discuss about something with someone. im interested in religion, especially Islam.
so i want to discuss about religion if there are someone who have interest about religion!!!!
i hope we have a nice and great discussion!!!! lets have fun!!
See you later at next class!
Thank you.

Hi! This is Natsuko.

Hello. I am Natsuko. Let me introduce myself.
i live in Aomori city. There are 4 people and a dog in my family.
i like snowboarding. i began it when i was 10 years old. it is most exciting sport in this world!! You should try it!! I often hope that Spring never come.
10 days ago, i went to the cinema with my friend, Akiko. We saw the Red cliff part 2. it was so cool! there are a lot of thrilling scenes in this film. i like 趙雲(cho-un)very much. The Red cliff is the biggest and the most excitig battle in the ancient chinese history i think.
i like mystery novels. But, i read only Kotaro Isaka's novels. i like his mystery novel.
well...i like video games, comicbooks, watching baceball, playing softball.
That's all! I think it's enough? (´‥｀)
i hope we can talk a lot!! If we can see a movie in our class, let us talk about it. i want to know how do you feel.
And...we should decide what we debate? I think...religion is good idea.

Hello! This is HARUNA

Hi! this is Haruna.
Shun did great job on this blog first, so i will follow him and introduce myself.
i am from Mutsu city. you guys must know an actor Kenichi Matsuyama. he is also from Mutsu.
i am a senior and now i prepare for my graduation thesis. i'll write it on Merchant of Venice, Shakespere. i know it must be tough...
i like reading, painting, going to karaoke, and so on. you know, i am not the outdoor person! i want to have a private library someday in the future. i love books as i have such a dream seriously!
what i want to do in this advanced english class is to speak english and train to think in english. i think it will be tough but i should try it!
i hope this introduction will help you know about me. anyway, i am glad to meet you!

by the way, we have to pick up some topics and make some groupes for debates, right?
how shoud we make it??

Hi! Everyone! This is Shun Hayasaka:)

Today, I thought that Professor Philips said we need to introduce myself in blog, so i will write about me from now. haha so i am from sapporo city in hokkaido and i've lived in hirosaki for 2 years.( this year is 3rd year for me) I am not the person who can talk about myself much, but I just can say I am shy person. haha yeah i bet i am. And I am not so active person. I most likely stay inside my apartment after i finish classes if i dont need to go outside for some reason. yeah i think i should be enough of introducing about myself since we already introduced each other in the class. What can i do for this blog? Hmmmmm actually, this is the first time to write blog things for me. so I am soooo beginner about a blog. so I dont know what i can do, but i will just keep writing. That is my contribution. haha What would i like to do in the class? well i would like to watch a movie and debate such a practicing English for listening and speaking in the class. and their skills are my important and i put focus on. so i will work hard on that skills from now on too. Thanks for everyone to see my comment:) see you in class. Bye

Believe it or not, Mugabe still has supporters

Here's the latest op-ed I had in The Japan Times:

The world can't understand how Robert Mugabe has support left in Zimbabwe. After violence and intimidation against his opponents he was able to steal a victory, but at great cost. Why do his people put up with it and why did he gain over 40 percent of the vote in the first round of the elections, when voting was relatively fair?

Certainly Mugabe still has much support and respect left from when he was leader of the Chimurenga, the guerrilla struggle against the white minority regime that had taken half the land in the country and reserved it for the whites. Many former leaders of revolutionary struggles either fell from power or saw their time was up and resigned. Why does Mugabe still have enough support to hold on?

Feel free to write a letter to the editor about it.

Huye P.Long

Hi all!

I visited to Huey Long`s website. It seems pretty good for me. So i wanted to recommend this site for you. After today`s movie in the class, i thought that the politicians are all dirty. But it is not their own intention, i think. To be a governer, to be the president, to be a senator , all those dirty things need to politicians. I mean, the "POWER". Whom need the power , who want to make people happy, but, the power also need whom to be dictator.

When i was in the high school, i had a conversation about politics with my friend. He said to me that, even you do not want to concern about politics, it concerns about you.

So, all i am trying to say is, it seems impossible to understand about politicians and politics. We might have to enter to the world of politics, to understand about it.

And i am very found of this words.

"God, don't let me die. I have so much left to do."

It was the last word of Long, when he died after two days from the shot.