Journal#6

Free journal!!

"Surprise Party!!"

In the movies and dramas, I saw many "SURPRISE!!" on some one's birthday. I wanted to have "surprise!!" one day... and my dream came true.

I turned to be twenty-**** years old last week. My birthday was on Saturday. But the surprise party was on Thursday, so I couldn't expect at all.
In the morning on Thursday, my roommate called me and say "I have something to tell you, so do you have time at night? I will pick you up at your school." Hearing my friends voice, I felt a little bit scary, because her voice was so serious. I thought I did something bad to her or other roommates. I said "OK, I have time....."
At night, I was so nervous what she had to say to me. Also I though I had to choose a place to eat together. 'It is already 7pm, so maybe TSU is closed, Ummm... where is the good place to talk seriously.....'

I got a call from her and say she would pick me up soon at the university, I felt like praying nothing bad happens to me.
She drove to our house, but she kept talking and didn't get off the car. I was so nervous at this time, but she didn't say anything seriously.
Suddenly, she said, "Are you hungry, I will cook something to you, so let's go inside." I was curious because I know that she never cook.
At the door, she asked me to open the door.
I opened the door and saw darkness inside our house.

And then....

"Surprise!!!"

There were about 15 friends of mine!!
I was really surprised, and also felt so happy.

She tricked me well, I didn't expect anything like that!!
We really had a good party.

I think this experience would be the first and last time, but I never forget about this!!
And I want to plan some good surprise party next time!!

Enjoying Culture Shock!!

I came to USA in July, and I visited Reno, NEVADA before coming to California.

Since then, I really enjoy the culture shock.

On the second night in Reno, I went to see the movie at University of Nevada, Reno with my friends. It was outside movie theater on the grasses of the campus, which was set by student organization. Then we watched the movie,,,,the movie was "Harold and Kumer" and I thought ... it was so funny, but it is not appropriate to be shown in campus. We never have this kind of movie shows on campus in Japan!! Never. I like this comedy movie, though.

The other thing that I was surprise at that night was, many couple came to see the movie, and they hugged each other while watching the movie in front of everyone!! In Japan, it is so rude to make out in the public place. Through the trip in Reno and here in California, I see many couple hugging in public. It is so funny for me.

Now, I can attend the open university class with American students. I am so impressed by every students, because they respond to the teacher very well. When the teacher ask some questions, someone answer quickly without hesitation. In Japan, university students are so shy to talk in front of people, and when teachers ask questions, no body answer, so teachers must call out.

I'm really happy to be in the campus in America. There are so many differences between my country, but I can learn from many things here.

Journal #5

Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a source of revenue to many countries but its disadvantages should not be overlooked. What are some of the problems of tourism?

Tourism is one of the most important industries in each places, however, we have to be careful about the problems which is caused by tourists. Every sightseeing spots has its own way of inviting tourists. Some of them might care about the problems caused by tourists. What are the possible problems from tourists?
First, we have to protect the scenery from garbage thrown away by tourists. Although the place is wonderful, if there are full of garbage, nobody wants to visit again.
Second, we should care for the lives of the residents in that area. It might happen that tourists disturb their lives, and cause big problems between tourists and the people who live there.
Finally, we have to think about what the tourism is. Some tourism places seem to pretend as gorgeous and luxurious places, which is not so in reality. We should show what it really is. We don't have to decorate the places only to get people together. We can enjoy the natural places.

As a tourist, I also should be careful about these points. I will bring my garbage by myself, and never disturb the people who live there, and then I will be able to enjoy the sightseeing.

Disneyland In CHINA!?

I found the news about the fake Disneyland in China!!

I am so sorry, I couldn't find it in English, so please learn Japanese. haha
I will summerize the news.





This amusement park is 'Government management park' in China.The name of the park is Sekkeizan park(I don't know how to read in Chinese). The video is taken in the first day of big holidays, that's why there are so many people.

The banner sais "Disneyland is too far, so let's go to Sekkeizan Park"!!
The number of people who visit this park is about 1,500,000 a year!!!!

We can meet many familiar characters..., are they Disney characters!?
However, this park didn't get permission to use them from Disney.

The president of this park said 'There is no relationship between Disney.We made those characters. It is not Micky mouse!! It is just a CAT with BIG EARS!!' Oh...

But the workers said "This might be an imitation park of Disneyland."

What do you think of this!?
Ummmm. Interesting!!

Journal #4

In "The Coast With The Most," Richard Zinsser wrote about his partiality towards Southern California versus the North East. In this journal, I want you to pick two places you've visited while in California and compare and/or contrast the two.

In this summer, I visited two beaches in California. I went to New Port beach and Ocean side beach. They are both Californian beach, however, I found some differences between those two beaches in the aspects of people who visited and the scenery around the beach.
First, let's see the people who visit there. It is said that New port beach is kind of the richest place in California, and we could see the people who look like wealthy around the beach. The interesting thing is, most of people there is not like 'American', I mean they are not so fat. It might be because of their wealth that they can afford to maintain thier health. On the other hand, in the Ocean side beach, the people who enjoyed the beach seemed to be like a nomal people. We could see many 'American' people who is so big. It might be said that the people who enjoy New Port Beach seem to be wealthier than the people who visit Ocean Side Beach.
Next, the scenery around the beach is also different. New Port beach has lots of vacation houses along the beach, and people who look rich played beach volleyball, flying disc, and rode beach bicycles. Also the houses around the beach look like a palaces. In contrast, there is not luxury houses around Ocean side beach, but there are so many boats near the beach. New Port Beach can be said the place for the rich people.
I really enjoy both beaches, so I should not say which is better. Each beaches has a good aspects. Californian are so lucky that they have so many good and beautiful beaches.

Journal #3

This journal is a free journal. Free journal means you may write about anything you like. Remember to keep focus on a topic.

Politics in Japan

Today, I want to talk about Japanese Prime minister. Usually, I am not interested in politics, but now, the political situation in Japan is so bad.
I have been in America for 3 weeks, so I can’t watch TV news, but thanks to the development of the internet, I can read the Japanese news even from America.
Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda suddenly resigned his job. It is said that he implied to quit around April. He had been Prime Minister less than one year, and in this period, many injustices of politicians were being found out. The gas price rose up, the problems of pensions, etc.. The government had lots of problems. Therefore, Japanese people always complain to the government even though those problems were not because of the prime minister. Most of those problems are caused long time ago. Of course the Prime Minister is the job to take full responsibility for everything happened in the country, but it means that no matter who takes the place of prime minister, nothing would be changed, and we can prospect that the next prime minister would end up with the same result.
I hope someday, one great person like superman(batman spiderman!?) shows up and save the country. However, we have to change our attitude toward government, because the politicians are also parts of the nation. Everyone in the country might make mistakes, so we should not blame them for their faults. We have to think together, support each other, and be unite as one to make our country peace.

Journal #2

Describe your first impression with ALP. How does it differ to how you feel, or what you think about ALP now.

My first impression with ALP is like 'wow, so many international students!!!' I couldn't imagine that there would be so many foreign students from all over the world. I also didn't imagine that so many students really want to enroll University in America.

Next, I feel relieved because every teachers look so nice and kind. The first day was placement test, but the teachers tried to get rid of our stress. Also they tried to let us talk to new friends. On Friday of the first week, we had a BBQ on campus, at that time I could talk to many ALP teachers, and feel that ALP has wonderful teachers.

The new semester started and I met new friends in the classes, they are so nice and friendly. Everything is new to me but thanks to the good friends, I don't have to feel nervous!!

Now, I heard that I don't have to write this,,, SO, I will concentrate on the FIRST DRAFT!!!!

Thank you !!

Sunny

Greeting

This is Sunny from the land of Sunny.
Nice to meet you everyone!!!

I will introduce myself.
I am from Okayama, which is not so small but not so big city in Japan. I really love my hometown.

To study abroad to America has been my dream since I was 16. When I was 16, I could live in Boulder, Colorado for 2 months with my family. At that time, I could attend to the public high school, which was a great experience!! Since then, I really eagered to study abroad at USA.

However, when I was a freshman in University, 9.11 happened... and I couldn't come at that time....
About 7 years past, finallyI could make my dream come true!!!

So, I am so happy to breathe the air in America(^^)

About my hobby, I really like to play sports, talk with friends, watching movies, and so on.
About movies, my favorit movie is "Patch Adams", and any of comedy movies!! Please teach me if you know good movies.

Let's have fun together!!

From Sunny