Haruka
What did Jonathan Larson want to say? When I listened to his famous song “Seasons of love”, I wanted to ask him the question. This song is a theme of the musical Rent. The musical was made by Jonathan Larson. In this story, there are seven main characters. Six of them have HIV, two of them are homosexuals, and two of them are lesbians. Life is hard for them, but love helps them to get over their difficulties. Rent makes me happy and sad. I could almost understand the story, but I have a question about his song “Seasons of love”.
What is the meaning of “five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes”? This is the lyrics of his most famous song “Seasons of love”. At the beginning of Rent, all main characters sing this song. “Seasons of love” asks us what the important thing is in our life. From this song, I understand Jonathan Larson thought love was the most important thing in his life because the title is “Seasons of love”. However, I can’t figure out why he said five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes. At first, I couldn’t understand the meaning of the number at all, so I had been thinking about the meaning of the number for a long time. Consequently, I realized that we have five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes in a year. After that, I began to think why he used the complicated number. The length of time is the same as a year. He could say “a year”, or “three hundreds six five days”. I think he wanted to emphasize something by using this number, but I don’t know what it is.
For this reason, I really want to ask Jonathan about “Seasons of love”. I want to understand why he used “five hundred twenty- five thousand six hundred minutes” in his song. However, he died in 1996. I will never be able to ask him that question.
Showing posts with label haruka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label haruka. Show all posts
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
My goal
Haruka
My short-term goal is getting a TOEFL ITP score over 525 to study abroad in America. To reach this goal, I have to learn much vocabulary. Consequently, I decided to memorize ten new words in a day. In addition, listening and reading skills are needed. To improve my listening skill, I should watch movies in English, listen to English songs, TOEFL CD and talk with native speakers. I think talking with native speakers is the most important to improve my listening skill because I try to listen carefully when I’m talking with native speakers. At the same time, I’ll be able to improve my speaking skill. To improve my reading skill, I should read many books which are written in English. While I’m reading them, I have to think why the author writes the book. Fortunately, there is a TOEFL class at MFWI. I’ll take the TOEFL class at MFWI. I don’t know what we are going to do in this class, but this class will help me to reach my goal.
My long-range goal is to be a good English speaker. I want to be a good English speaker as quickly as I can, yet it will take a long time. To reach this goal, I must talk with native speakers. There are many opportunities to talk with them at MFWI. Although I mentioned that my goal is to be a good English speaker, there’s no goal to become a good English speaker. In other words, there’s no end. I must continue to learn English. After graduating from the university, I will continue to learn English. If I stop learning English, my speaking skill will go down. English is hard to improve, and it is easy to go down. That’s why learning English is hard. To be a good English speaker is absolutely a long-range goal.
My short-term goal is getting a TOEFL ITP score over 525 to study abroad in America. To reach this goal, I have to learn much vocabulary. Consequently, I decided to memorize ten new words in a day. In addition, listening and reading skills are needed. To improve my listening skill, I should watch movies in English, listen to English songs, TOEFL CD and talk with native speakers. I think talking with native speakers is the most important to improve my listening skill because I try to listen carefully when I’m talking with native speakers. At the same time, I’ll be able to improve my speaking skill. To improve my reading skill, I should read many books which are written in English. While I’m reading them, I have to think why the author writes the book. Fortunately, there is a TOEFL class at MFWI. I’ll take the TOEFL class at MFWI. I don’t know what we are going to do in this class, but this class will help me to reach my goal.
My long-range goal is to be a good English speaker. I want to be a good English speaker as quickly as I can, yet it will take a long time. To reach this goal, I must talk with native speakers. There are many opportunities to talk with them at MFWI. Although I mentioned that my goal is to be a good English speaker, there’s no goal to become a good English speaker. In other words, there’s no end. I must continue to learn English. After graduating from the university, I will continue to learn English. If I stop learning English, my speaking skill will go down. English is hard to improve, and it is easy to go down. That’s why learning English is hard. To be a good English speaker is absolutely a long-range goal.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Hayao Miyazaki
Haruka
Hayao Miyazaki taught me many important things. He is a really famous anime movie director in Japan. All Japanese people know his works. Even little children like his old work because their parents show his animation to their children. When I was a child, my mother showed his movies, and I loved them. My three most favorite movies are Kiki’s Delivery Service, Whisper of the Heart, and Princess Mononoke.
Kiki’s Delivery Service gave me confidence. The main character of Kiki’s Delivery Service is Kiki. Kiki was a witch who was 13 years old. There was a rule that the witch who became 13 years old had to be independent of her parents, and live in a different town. It was hard for Kiki to live alone, but she found what she can do, and worked hard. Finally, she became popular in the town. This movie taught me that if people work hard, they can get over their difficulties.
Whisper of the Heart reminds me of my junior high school days. Shizuku was a junior high school student who loved reading books. One day, she met Seiji who had a dream to become a violin maker. After she met Seiji, she started to think about her dream because Seiji already decided what he wanted to be in the future. After that, she realized that she wanted to be a writer. However, she didn’t know what she had to do to be a writer, so she was confused. When I was a junior high school student, I was also confused because I didn’t know what my dream was. This movie taught me that I don’t have to be in a hurry to decide my future.
I started to think about nature after I watched Princess Mononoke. The setting of this movie is a Nara period. There was Princess Mononoke who lived with animals in a forest. At that time, people started to cut the trees, and burned the forest. For this reason, Princess Mononoke and the animals got angry, and started fighting with people. Consequently, many people and nature died. This movie taught me that people have to protect nature where animals can live peacefully.
These three movies taught me important things. My mother wanted me to learn something. That’s why she showed me Hayao Miyazaki’s movies.
I think his works will never die.
Hayao Miyazaki taught me many important things. He is a really famous anime movie director in Japan. All Japanese people know his works. Even little children like his old work because their parents show his animation to their children. When I was a child, my mother showed his movies, and I loved them. My three most favorite movies are Kiki’s Delivery Service, Whisper of the Heart, and Princess Mononoke.
Kiki’s Delivery Service gave me confidence. The main character of Kiki’s Delivery Service is Kiki. Kiki was a witch who was 13 years old. There was a rule that the witch who became 13 years old had to be independent of her parents, and live in a different town. It was hard for Kiki to live alone, but she found what she can do, and worked hard. Finally, she became popular in the town. This movie taught me that if people work hard, they can get over their difficulties.
Whisper of the Heart reminds me of my junior high school days. Shizuku was a junior high school student who loved reading books. One day, she met Seiji who had a dream to become a violin maker. After she met Seiji, she started to think about her dream because Seiji already decided what he wanted to be in the future. After that, she realized that she wanted to be a writer. However, she didn’t know what she had to do to be a writer, so she was confused. When I was a junior high school student, I was also confused because I didn’t know what my dream was. This movie taught me that I don’t have to be in a hurry to decide my future.
I started to think about nature after I watched Princess Mononoke. The setting of this movie is a Nara period. There was Princess Mononoke who lived with animals in a forest. At that time, people started to cut the trees, and burned the forest. For this reason, Princess Mononoke and the animals got angry, and started fighting with people. Consequently, many people and nature died. This movie taught me that people have to protect nature where animals can live peacefully.
These three movies taught me important things. My mother wanted me to learn something. That’s why she showed me Hayao Miyazaki’s movies.
I think his works will never die.
Seattle and Kobe
Haruka
I felt like I was in Kobe because Seattle is similar to my hometown Kobe. This was the first time I went to Seattle, but I was familiar with the city. At first, I didn’t know why. However, after I spent three days in Seattle, I realized that Seattle is similar to Kobe; both cities have a baseball stadium, a tower and a beautiful night view.
Seattle and Kobe have a baseball stadium. A famous person in Seattle and Kobe is the same. Both cities are famous for Ichiro. My image of Ichiro is Kobe because Ichiro’s home ground was Kobe. Many people came to Kobe to see Ichiro. Now, his home ground is Safeco Field. After I saw his big poster in Seattle, my image of Ichiro changed from Kobe to Seattle.
Both cities have a beautiful view of the tower. The view from the Space Needle and the Port Tower are beautiful. Seattle and Kobe have a famous tower. Seattle has the Space Needle and Kobe has the Port Tower. They are not exactly the same, but the Space Needle reminds me of the Port Tower. From the Space Needle, we can see mountains, rivers, and Seattle city. From the Port Tower, we can see mountains, sea, and Kobe city. Consequently, the view from the Port Tower is similar to the view from the Space Needle.
The most similar point between Seattle and Kobe is the night view. While cruising on one of the Argosy ships, I could see the wonderful night view, and it was almost the same view that I saw in Kobe. The tall tower was sparkling, many buildings were twinkling, and the water was shining. When I saw the night view in Seattle, I forgot that I was in Seattle. In another word, I thought I was in Kobe.
Seattle and Kobe are different cities, but there are many similarities. I like both cities. Seattle is far from Kobe, but the appearance is not far from Kobe. That’s why I felt like I was in Kobe.
I felt like I was in Kobe because Seattle is similar to my hometown Kobe. This was the first time I went to Seattle, but I was familiar with the city. At first, I didn’t know why. However, after I spent three days in Seattle, I realized that Seattle is similar to Kobe; both cities have a baseball stadium, a tower and a beautiful night view.
Seattle and Kobe have a baseball stadium. A famous person in Seattle and Kobe is the same. Both cities are famous for Ichiro. My image of Ichiro is Kobe because Ichiro’s home ground was Kobe. Many people came to Kobe to see Ichiro. Now, his home ground is Safeco Field. After I saw his big poster in Seattle, my image of Ichiro changed from Kobe to Seattle.
Both cities have a beautiful view of the tower. The view from the Space Needle and the Port Tower are beautiful. Seattle and Kobe have a famous tower. Seattle has the Space Needle and Kobe has the Port Tower. They are not exactly the same, but the Space Needle reminds me of the Port Tower. From the Space Needle, we can see mountains, rivers, and Seattle city. From the Port Tower, we can see mountains, sea, and Kobe city. Consequently, the view from the Port Tower is similar to the view from the Space Needle.
The most similar point between Seattle and Kobe is the night view. While cruising on one of the Argosy ships, I could see the wonderful night view, and it was almost the same view that I saw in Kobe. The tall tower was sparkling, many buildings were twinkling, and the water was shining. When I saw the night view in Seattle, I forgot that I was in Seattle. In another word, I thought I was in Kobe.
Seattle and Kobe are different cities, but there are many similarities. I like both cities. Seattle is far from Kobe, but the appearance is not far from Kobe. That’s why I felt like I was in Kobe.
MWU and MFWI
Haruka
I prefer MFWI to MWU. MWU and MFWI are the same university, but they are not exactly the same. There are some similar and different points between MWU and MFWI. The similar point is class size. At MFWI, all classes are small classes. For other students, a small class is new. There were about fifty students in a class at MWU. On the other hand, my classmates were only eleven. For this reason, class size is a similar point for me.
There are some different points. First, there’re no Japanese teachers. Japanese teachers sometimes spoke Japanese, so I tended to speak Japanese. At MFWI, there are no teachers who speak Japanese. Consequently, I can concentrate on English. Second, there are many opportunities to share my opinion with my classmates. All classes have a time to talk with my classmates. In Professor Brooks’ class, I had a lot of chances to share my opinion, yet the other classes had few chances to talk with my friends. Finally, the biggest difference is atmosphere. MFWI teachers often ask us “Is there any volunteer?” I like it. Japanese teachers choose a person who answers the question. If the person couldn’t answer the question, the other students have to wait for a while. I thought it was a waste of time. It was strange that the other students couldn’t answer the question.
Consequently, I prefer MFWI to MWU teaching style. At MFWI, my teachers always say that participation is the most important. I have to speak out my opinion in the class. This is more important than anything else. Japanese students are not good at speaking out in the class. However, we have to do it. It’s necessary for the students who are learning English. Most of the students couldn’t speak out in the class at MWU; conversely they can be positive at MFWI. That’s why I prefer MFWI teaching style.
I prefer MFWI to MWU. MWU and MFWI are the same university, but they are not exactly the same. There are some similar and different points between MWU and MFWI. The similar point is class size. At MFWI, all classes are small classes. For other students, a small class is new. There were about fifty students in a class at MWU. On the other hand, my classmates were only eleven. For this reason, class size is a similar point for me.
There are some different points. First, there’re no Japanese teachers. Japanese teachers sometimes spoke Japanese, so I tended to speak Japanese. At MFWI, there are no teachers who speak Japanese. Consequently, I can concentrate on English. Second, there are many opportunities to share my opinion with my classmates. All classes have a time to talk with my classmates. In Professor Brooks’ class, I had a lot of chances to share my opinion, yet the other classes had few chances to talk with my friends. Finally, the biggest difference is atmosphere. MFWI teachers often ask us “Is there any volunteer?” I like it. Japanese teachers choose a person who answers the question. If the person couldn’t answer the question, the other students have to wait for a while. I thought it was a waste of time. It was strange that the other students couldn’t answer the question.
Consequently, I prefer MFWI to MWU teaching style. At MFWI, my teachers always say that participation is the most important. I have to speak out my opinion in the class. This is more important than anything else. Japanese students are not good at speaking out in the class. However, we have to do it. It’s necessary for the students who are learning English. Most of the students couldn’t speak out in the class at MWU; conversely they can be positive at MFWI. That’s why I prefer MFWI teaching style.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Sixty hostdaughters
Haruka
My host parents are loved by their sixty host daughters. Homestay weekend is the best weekend at MFWI. We can practice speaking English and learn about American culture. In addition, we can make a good relationship. I spent a precious time with my host parents: Mark and Ruth Danner.
My host parents are loved by their sixty host daughters. Homestay weekend is the best weekend at MFWI. We can practice speaking English and learn about American culture. In addition, we can make a good relationship. I spent a precious time with my host parents: Mark and Ruth Danner.
The most enjoyable time was talking with Mark and Ruth at home. We did many things outside the house. On Saturday, we went to their friends’ birthday party. At the birthday party, Mr. and Mrs. Danner introduced me to their friends, so I could talk with many people. On Sunday morning, I went to church, and met their friends. All people in church were so friendly. I shook hands with many people. We had a pleasant time outside the house. However, it was more delightful time for me to spend time with them inside the house. We talked a lot. Their stories made my heart warm. Mark and Ruth have had sixty host daughters including me. Mark has been working at MFWI for fifteen years, and they are a Host Family ever year. They showed me their host daughters’ pictures. My host parents loved talking about their host daughters. They stay in contact with some host daughters, and have visited their host daughters’ house. When they went to Japan, they were really busy to meet their daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Danner don’t have their own children, but they have many daughters in Japan. They love their daughters with all their heart. They welcomed me as a daughter. That’s why my host parents are loved by their sixty host daughters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)