Word count

Typing speed homework: (2834 words)
Juppun ha juubun: (1239 words)
Book review: (2975 words)
Essays: (2405 words)
Essay prep: (601 words)
Diary: (3452 words)
Speaking 4: (199 words)
Gofun ha juubun: (77 words)
Script: (421 words)
My podcast: (1047 words)

All: (15250 words)

August 8

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had ESL class and 1 lecture in the morning, and we went to the institution of "feed by starving children". We experienced to pack foods for starving children in Africa. After that, we tried to eat the foods. The foods were not so bad. Then, we went back to Bethel university, and took buses to go home. When I got home, I watched the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" on the TV with snacks at night. I had watched the movie in Japan, so I could understand the movie's story. I had a precious experience.

(107 words)

August 7

     I write about my homestay in MN.
I went cycling with my host mother's son and his girlfriend. They were very kind and they took me to the art festival while we rested. I took many photo at the festival, and we looked at some beautiful pictures and sculptures. We bought some doughnuts and drinks. The doughnuts were very delicious, so I completely ate. After that, we went home and my host mother, Kristy, cooked dinner for us. We had dinner, and we watched the movie which was lent to Kristy's son. It was a mystery movie. I like to read mystery novels, so I enjoyed watching this movie. I had a lot of fun.

(119 words)

August 6

     I write about my homestay in MN.
The day was 3rd holiday while I stayed there. My host mother, Kristy, took me to her daughter's house. She had a baby in July 27, so she has a family of five. Her husband, and 2 children. Her second son, Lane (2 years old), soon became attached to me. I'm not good at taking care of children, but he gave me a kiss. I was very happy and I took photos of the family. They has a dog, Harry. He also took to me, but I'm not good at playing with animals too. However, he likes me very much, so I was so glad. After we left the house, my host mother took me to her friend's house. Her friend, Jun, was very kind, so I wasn't worried about talking with her. At a restaurant, one of the waiter was so funny and gentle. He was interested in me because I'm a Japanese. The restaurant's meal was so delicious, but I couldn't eat complete because of the quantity of meals. I had a very fun time this day.

(190 words)

August 5

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had no lecture this day, so I was very happy. We went to canoeing at St. Choix river. I wore a life jacket and we made some groups. I rode a canoe with Megumi, Haruna, and Joel. I almost talked with Joel, he sometimes said American jokes to laugh me. But I didn't understand his jokes, I was really sorry. He explained his joke for me. I thought I should learn some American jokes. After canoeing, we went to a zoo. I walked around the zoo with Ayano and Kaori, and I took a lot of pictures. I bought ice cream and some souvenir for me there. When we arrived at Roseville Central Park for picnic, we still had many times to practice the skit. Everyone practiced the skit and talked with each other. This picnic was very fun, because many host family came there. My host mother praised my skit, so I was very happy.

(168 words)

August 4

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had ESL class and 1 lecture in the morning, and we took 2 lectures in the afternoon. The lecture in the morning was given by a Japanese, Naomi. She is a Japanese in America. Her lecture was very interesting because of her talking in Japanese and English. She is my friend on Facebook. After we ate lunch, the first lecture in the afternoon started. I don't remember this afternoon's lectures so much, but it is sure that we touched some folk clothes and fur of animals.

(98 words)

August 3

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had ESL class and the lecture of Education, and we enjoyed College Student Panel Discussion and Skit Practice. We could listen some opinions of college students in U.S. They stared fixedly at their future more than I, so I thought I must consider my future. Skit Practice was just practicing the skit which we would show at the picnic on Friday. My skit was very easy, so my group didn't practice so much. It was very interesting to see other groups' practicing.

(94 words)

August 2

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had ESL class and 1 lecture in the morning. After we ate lunch, we took 1 lecture in the afternoon. The first one's topic was "Issues Youth Face", and the second one's was "Weddings in America". I'm interested in weddings, so I was glad to look at the topic. The speaker, Emily had some pictures of wedding. They were so beautiful. I want to know various type of weddings.

(81 words)

August 1

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We had ESL class and the lecture in the morning, and we went to Rosedale Mall in the afternoon. I walked around the mall with Kaori, and she coordinated me, so I bought the clothes. We looked for some souvenirs for our friends. I bought some funny souvenirs for my brother and boyfriend. They said "Thank you, and I'm glad." so I was very happy.

(76 words)

Word count

Typing speed homework: (2834 words)
Juppun ha juubun: (1239 words)
Book review: (2975 words)
Essays: (2405 words)
Essay prep: (601 words)
Diary: (2519 words)
Speaking 4: (199 words)
Gofun ha juubun: (77 words)
Script: (421 words)
My podcast: (1047 words)

All: (14317 words)

July 31

     I write about my homestay in MN.
I went to the church which was near my host's house. My image for a church was solemn, but actually, the church I went was very popular. People sang the hymn like pop song. I enjoyed watching the performance and listening to the hymn. After the mass, I bought 3 post cards for my grand parents. Then, we went to a gas station, a drug store, and a grocery store. We bought lunch and snacks, and I watched movies with snacks when we came home. While Kristy took a nap, I painted my nails. After that, we had dinner at home, and we talked about this holidays. I had a good time for this two days.

(127 words)

July 30

     I write about my homestay in MN.
The day was a first holiday in my homestay. My host mother, Kristy, planed to take me to Red Wing. First, we went to the car shop to change a car tire. After that, she took me to St. Paul to see her friend, Tim. He was a nice man. Then, we ate ice cream in the city of St. Paul. I ate chocolate banana ice cream. It was very big and I took photo after I ate half of it. I had enough ice cream, and I didn't have lunch this day. After we left St. Paul, we went to the pottery shop in Red Wing. I bought some souvenirs for my father and mother. When we went back home, we visited the restaurant which stands near seaside. I took some photos there. I was happy to get some souvenirs.

(152 words)

July 29

     I write about my homestay in MN.
We went to the farm in the afternoon. I imagined the farm like Aso Farm Land, but the farm where we went was real farm. I was tired and it was very hot, but I think now, I have a valuable experience at the farm. I saw ox the first time, and I was surprised at the size, very big. After we finished walking around the farm, I bought Diet coke and drank it, but I don't like coke so much. I was very thirsty even I wanted to drink coke.

(102 words)

July 28

     I write about my homestay in MN.
The day, we went to the lake (I'm not sure the beach's name). But I didn't swim and I talked with my friends, and I took photos. Before we left the Bethel university, I was mistaken for one of the KGU member by Joel who is teacher at Bethel university. So, I became to get along with her. I want to buy a cute swim suit this summer because of the experience.

(83 words)

July 27

     The day is my father's birthday! I write about my homestay in MN.

We had ESL class and the lecture in the morning, and we went to Target (shopping store) in the afternoon. I was surprised at the size of the store and the price. We could buy many things at Target cheaper than Japanese stores. I bought 7 nails, a brown bag, some hairdressers, and a pink folding umbrella. I want to go to Target when I visit U.S. again someday.

(86 words)

July 26

     I write about my homestay in MN.

The day had ESL in morning and some games in afternoon. The games used balloons and dice. The balloon game was a team game, and my team color was orange. The rule of this game was bursting balloons of the opposing teams. But I forgot the result of the game. The second game was called BUNCO, we used dice in this game. I don't remember this rule in detail, but when we rolled same number of 3 dices, we could get BUNCO. BUNCO was the best point. I got BUNCO just once, I was very lucky.

(107 words)

Today's plan

     I have a date with my boyfriend after school today. We planed to go to the buffet restaurant (I forgot the name). I have been there last year, and it became one of my favorite restaurant. After we eat dinner, we will go to a hot spring, so I have a change of clothes now. I'm looking forward to taking a hot spring bath because I like to take a bath in winter. I have poor circulation. After then, we will go home (my house) and watch movies together. He will stay overnight with me at home. I'm very happy, but I'm worried about the tests a week later.

(114 words)

Word count

Typing speed homework: (2834 words)
Juppun ha juubun: (1125 words)
Book review: (2975 words)
Essays: (2405 words)
Essay prep: (601 words)
Diary: (1862 words)
Speaking 4: (199 words)
Gofun ha juubun: (77 words)
Script: (421 words)
My podcast: (1047 words)

All: (13546 words)

American and Japanese traffic

     I learned about many things in Minnesota. I write about American and Japanese traffic. American traffic is very different from Japanese. I knew that people should keep on the right in America, but I was surprised that people ride a motorcycle without a helmet. In Japan, it is a violation of traffic regulations. And I found that people may turn right when the light turned red, which was interesting for me.

     In Minnesota, we passed on the freeway many times. They don’t have traffic lights, and we don’t need to stop on the way. But the freeway is different from Japanese expressway. The freeway set a speed limit about 88 ~ 120 kilometers per hour, but Japanese expressway’s speed limit is about 80 ~ 100 kilometers per hour. The freeway is very useful, but we’re sometimes caught in a traffic jam.

     American traffic lights are different from Japanese ones. American lights are vertical shape. The yellow lights turn for very short times, so we’re careful to look the lights and we must stop then.

     We don’t need to stop before crossing the railroad in America. In Japan, if we don’t stop before crossing, it is a violation of traffic regulations. But sometimes there are crossing with the light, in case of this, we must obey the light.

     At an intersection, we must stop and go in order of stop. People have the rule of this in America. American people also have spirits of give-and-take more than Japanese.

     In America, people can get a car license easier than in Japan because car is the necessity of life. People can get a temporary license after they pass the written examination. And a test of our practical skills in driving is just driving in an area. By the way, it is better to smile on a photo for a car license.

     We must stop at the back of a school bus because children are on the bus and they get on and off the bus at some places. So it can be dangerous that cars run fast and don’t stop at the back of it.

     American gas stations are a little different from Japanese ones. A convenience store may be in a gas station. Originally convenience store was introduced from American gas station. America is very large so we can’t find gas stations and restaurants out of a city area. We need to check a gas meter and a stomach before we leave a city. Also outdoor lights don’t find out of city areas, so it is better to arrive a destination before it gets dark.

     In America, some roads are set up ways for the cars carry more than 2 or 3 people, called Car Pool、HOV “High Occupancy Vehicle” in the big cities. Its purpose is to ease traffic congestion. The exclusive ways are often set up on the left side of the road. So sometimes it is difficult to exit the way. We need to be careful.

     Of course, driving a car under the influence of alcohol is a violation in the U.S. and Japan. However, in addition, it is a violation to get on the opened alcohol and to get on the sealed alcohol in the seat next to the driver. If we get on alcohol, we must put it in a back seat or a trunk.

     If we are arrested for speeding offense, we mustn’t get off the car without the police’s directions because it is considered to do a dangerous action. Anything else, picking up the bag in a back seat, putting our hands in the pocket, and so on. If you do these actions, the police points the gun at you. You must obey the police when you receive the violation ticket.

     I didn’t know about the accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2007. So I searched the accident on the Internet. It was the collapse accident of the expressway in Minneapolis, and was a big accident. It was happened during the evening rush hour, but then, the way was regulated to one lane by the bridge construction. The bridge had a fissure and bandy parts by metal fatigue, it would be changed in 2020. If all four lane were used then, it might damage more serious. The shocking scene of this accident was televised and stirred up all American people’s fears, so people who tried to avoid bridges the long way, at least, had rapidly increased in number. Even a new word, “bridge-phobia” appeared after that. Some people suspected that this accident was caused by terrorists, but it was groundless fears.

     By the way, we used Delta Air Lines when we went to Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was very tired to take a plane for about 12 hours. But as I expected, international flight was more comfortable than domestic one. This air lines have 10 hub airports, the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Memphis International Airport, Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (we used), John F. Kennedy International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Schiphol Airport, and Narita International Airport. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the main airport of Delta Air Lines. When we took the plane of Delta, we had 2 in-flight meals. I ate chicken as the main dish. Unexpectedly, it tasted good. International air planes are larger than domestic ones, so we can stay pretty well. But I don’t like to take plane because I often have an earache when I stay in the sky.

     I sometimes watch the news of airplane accident. I’m afraid of taking a plane every time I watch such news. But in fact, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in America, there is 0.0009% likelihood of being in an airplane accident. The worst airplane accident in America is Tenerife airport disaster. The accident resulted in 583 deaths, the most in history, except for 9/11.

     Lastly, Minnesota has some nice view to see in a car. So I hope that I can drive in Minnesota someday.

(1017 words)

Word count

Typing speed homework: (2834 words)
Juppun ha juubun: (1125 words)
Book review: (2975 words)
Essays: (2405 words)
Diary: (845 words)
Speaking 4: (199 words)
Gofun ha juubun: (77 words)
Script: (421 words)
My podcast: (1047 words)

All: (11928 words)