This weekend was the first weekend I could spend calmly and relaxedly since this session started because I was away almost half of this session and while I was here, I had to catch up with classes. However, on this mid-term break, I enjoyed sunshine Vancouver.
One day, I went to a beach with my host family in the evening, and my host mother was swimming in the ocean and I was taking pictures. It was very peaceful time. After her swimming, we had dinner at the beach, and some neighbors came over. I really like beaches in Vancouver since there are so close to houses.
At the beach, I met a lifeguard who spoke Japanese. His story why he studied Japanese was silly. He had a Japanese girl friend, and spending time with her in Vancouver for two years, they decided to move to Japan. They were planning to get married; however, two months after they went to Japan, they broke up. So, there was no reason for him to stay in Japan, but he didn't want to go back to Vancouver so soon; therefore, he stayed in Japan for eight months. This was his story.
Because he still wanted to study Japanese, he asked me to teach some Japanese, and he could teach me English in turn. It is good oppotunity for me to talk to a native speaker, so everytime I go to the beach, we decided to Japanese and English lessons :)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Guarderia
The school we help is called Guarderia [although it means nursery school in English, it is a little bit different from the actual meaning], and as I mentioned before, I went to Guarderia every afternoon from Monday to Friday. The children are around from three years old to 15 years old, so we divide into two classes: one is for younger kids, and the other is for older kids. Because some of the older kids go to elementary/junior high schools, they bring their homework; otherwise we prepare something to study. We do different things each day; for instance, Mondays are Math, Tuesdays are English, Wednesdays are Art, and so on, and we play around every day after the study.
I was usually with younger kids. I was nervous at the beginning because I didn't know Spanish enough to communicate, and they kept asking questions to me; however, what I noticed was that they didn't care if I spoke Spanish or not: they just wanted to be with me and have fun. They called my name again and again, "Momoko! Mokoko! Momomoko!". They liked the sounds. hahaha I usually helped their study and played with them. They were never tired and enjoying anything they did. One kid said that he was very happy because he could study and play everyday. They were very pleased that they could study, play, and be with friends.
One day, I taught origami to the children, and they loved it. They made houses and painted them. Their houses were colorful and filled with happiness. We displayed those houses after painting, and it was very nice.
Through this experience in Guarderia, I learned how I'm happy. I can do what I want to; for example, I can study abroad, travel, go anywhere I want, buy anything, and so on. I didn't consider it was thankful: it is normal for me to do whatever I want. I sometimes need effort a bit, but I can do them anyway. There are many people who cannot do whatever they want; however, they inspired me to do everything with gratefulness.
I was usually with younger kids. I was nervous at the beginning because I didn't know Spanish enough to communicate, and they kept asking questions to me; however, what I noticed was that they didn't care if I spoke Spanish or not: they just wanted to be with me and have fun. They called my name again and again, "Momoko! Mokoko! Momomoko!". They liked the sounds. hahaha I usually helped their study and played with them. They were never tired and enjoying anything they did. One kid said that he was very happy because he could study and play everyday. They were very pleased that they could study, play, and be with friends.
One day, I taught origami to the children, and they loved it. They made houses and painted them. Their houses were colorful and filled with happiness. We displayed those houses after painting, and it was very nice.
Through this experience in Guarderia, I learned how I'm happy. I can do what I want to; for example, I can study abroad, travel, go anywhere I want, buy anything, and so on. I didn't consider it was thankful: it is normal for me to do whatever I want. I sometimes need effort a bit, but I can do them anyway. There are many people who cannot do whatever they want; however, they inspired me to do everything with gratefulness.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Mid-term Exams
Mid-term exams are coming soon. This one will be third time for me since this session is my third session. I usually study hard before exams in my university because I have to memorize many things, and If I do so, I can get a high score in the exams. In the case of the ELI exams, however, it is different from these exams in my university. I think I have nothing special to study or memorize since English skills don't improve in a short time; yet, I learned several things what I should do before the exams through last two sessions: review and relaxation.
First of all, I review textbook and what I did in the class; for example, I review different kinds of essay structures, models, and signal words. Since I don't study new things, this review is very helpful to put the ideas in order. I sometimes do this review with my friends, so we can talk what kind of sentence structures we can use, and we can come up with new ideas.
Second, I don't study so much. I have many assignments about one or two weeks before the exams, so I'm always stressed out and tired before the exams; therefore, I don't study hard on the weekend before the exams. I just take it easy or hang out with friends, but that helps me to do well in the exams. I try not to feel pressure and nervous.
In conclusion, I do study at the very least before the exams. If I try to learn new things, I will be confused and I can't do well in the exams. Don't feel guilty to hang out with friends. To be healthy and get up early are the most important on the exam days since the exams start at 8:30. Bring my clear and lively brain is the only one I can do to get good score :)
First of all, I review textbook and what I did in the class; for example, I review different kinds of essay structures, models, and signal words. Since I don't study new things, this review is very helpful to put the ideas in order. I sometimes do this review with my friends, so we can talk what kind of sentence structures we can use, and we can come up with new ideas.
Second, I don't study so much. I have many assignments about one or two weeks before the exams, so I'm always stressed out and tired before the exams; therefore, I don't study hard on the weekend before the exams. I just take it easy or hang out with friends, but that helps me to do well in the exams. I try not to feel pressure and nervous.
In conclusion, I do study at the very least before the exams. If I try to learn new things, I will be confused and I can't do well in the exams. Don't feel guilty to hang out with friends. To be healthy and get up early are the most important on the exam days since the exams start at 8:30. Bring my clear and lively brain is the only one I can do to get good score :)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
The Others
"The Others" is the student group of the organizations which I'm involved. The Others is in El Salvador, Honduras, Italy, France, and Japan. During my staying there, I was working with the members. We do many things; for example, we organize a lecture about peace, cultures, wars, etc, visit a hospital, hold a bazaar for funds for the children in the slum, have a conversation with university students about world topics, and go to the school for the children in the slum. One of the main purposes to go to El Salvador was going the school, and I did it in weekdays. I will talk more about this activity later.
One day, I did a lecture about Japanese culture in an university. I taught origami to the students. When I got the university, no one was there; however, more than ten people came to the lecture about 30 minutes later, and it was very fun! I think that lecture was successful. At the same time, I found many people in El Salvador are interested in Japan; in fact, I met some Salvadorians who spoke Japanese fluently and students who study Japanese. I was surprised because I didn't expect that people were interested in Japanese.
One day, I did a lecture about Japanese culture in an university. I taught origami to the students. When I got the university, no one was there; however, more than ten people came to the lecture about 30 minutes later, and it was very fun! I think that lecture was successful. At the same time, I found many people in El Salvador are interested in Japan; in fact, I met some Salvadorians who spoke Japanese fluently and students who study Japanese. I was surprised because I didn't expect that people were interested in Japanese.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I'm Home!
First of all, I'm back to Vancouver! I'm sorry I didn't write blogs because the Internet was very slow and didn't work well.. So I gave up to do it :P But now, I'm going to report my trip.
I'll put some pictures before the reports! :)
I'll put some pictures before the reports! :)
A pupusa:
This is a traditional Salvadorian food, called pupusa. This is kind of pancake which is made of corn flour. You can choose ingredients; red beans, ground beef, cheese, or mix and eat with salsa sauce. Pupusas were my favorite food in El Salvador.
Salvadorian home-cooked meal:
This is a typical Salvadorian food. I had this plate almost everyday as a lunch. You can choose dishes, and my favorite was rice, beef, tortillas, and marinated salad. Flavor was similar to Japanese food.
San Salvador:
This is a shopping street which is located near an university. There are restaurants, joice shops, Internet stores, and so on. In the daytime, this area is alive with lots of students, but in the nigh, it's just quiet.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Hola!!
I finally connected the Internet!! But The Internet doesn't work well, so I don't think I can write the blog every day. I'll try as many as possible, though.
It passed three days since I came here, El Salvador. First, it's sunny and hot, and I like here even though here is really dangerous. I'm staying with one of the members of our organization. Her name is Natalia. Her house is in a residential area, and the area is fenced with electronic irons, there is only one entrance to go into the area, security guards with machine guns, and surveillance cameras. She drives me anywhere, or some other members pick me up. I have to be with someone all the time. Only time I can be alone is in the house. Furthermore, I always go anywhere by a car, and when I wait for the lights to change, I have to close the window because if not, some strangers attack or shoot me. Now, you can see how this place is like. Yes, I agree that here is dangerous and too different from the places we live.
At the same time, however, San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is very beautiful city. There are tropical trees, blue sky, beautiful beaches, and mountains. It seems to me that no one cares about time. I hardly check the time, which I cannot do in Vancouver. For example, I still don't know what I'm going to do today; however, because I can't go somewhere by myself, I'm waiting some one is coming to my house to pick me up.
I tried to put some pictures, but somehow I can't do it... sorry :(
It passed three days since I came here, El Salvador. First, it's sunny and hot, and I like here even though here is really dangerous. I'm staying with one of the members of our organization. Her name is Natalia. Her house is in a residential area, and the area is fenced with electronic irons, there is only one entrance to go into the area, security guards with machine guns, and surveillance cameras. She drives me anywhere, or some other members pick me up. I have to be with someone all the time. Only time I can be alone is in the house. Furthermore, I always go anywhere by a car, and when I wait for the lights to change, I have to close the window because if not, some strangers attack or shoot me. Now, you can see how this place is like. Yes, I agree that here is dangerous and too different from the places we live.
At the same time, however, San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, is very beautiful city. There are tropical trees, blue sky, beautiful beaches, and mountains. It seems to me that no one cares about time. I hardly check the time, which I cannot do in Vancouver. For example, I still don't know what I'm going to do today; however, because I can't go somewhere by myself, I'm waiting some one is coming to my house to pick me up.
I tried to put some pictures, but somehow I can't do it... sorry :(
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My Challenge
I'm waiting for the flight at the airport and going to El Salvador today. Where is that country? It's in Central America, near Mexico. Why am I going such a minor country? Here is the story.
Three years ago, when I was a first year student in my university, I went to Italy as a program in my university. In the program, I attended a conference which was about international relationship, developing countries, and so on. This conference was run by an Italian organization, and this organization is helping the country, El Salvador; therefore, since then, I have been involved in the activity.
In this trip, I'm going to work at a community, which the organization established. The community is for children who live in slum. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet.
This is my introduction about my trip, and now, I have to go. I'll post more about my work if I can connect the Internet in El Salvador; otherwise, I'll do it after coming back here, Vancouver!! :)
See you.
Three years ago, when I was a first year student in my university, I went to Italy as a program in my university. In the program, I attended a conference which was about international relationship, developing countries, and so on. This conference was run by an Italian organization, and this organization is helping the country, El Salvador; therefore, since then, I have been involved in the activity.
In this trip, I'm going to work at a community, which the organization established. The community is for children who live in slum. I don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet.
This is my introduction about my trip, and now, I have to go. I'll post more about my work if I can connect the Internet in El Salvador; otherwise, I'll do it after coming back here, Vancouver!! :)
See you.
Comparison Between "Hills Like White Elephant" and "The CLOD & the PEBBLE"
Both a short story, "Hills Like White Elephant", Ernest Hemingway, and a poem, "The CLOD & the PEBBLE", William Blake, are written about love.
In the short story, Hemingway describes the disagreement between the girl and the man. Having a baby nust be delightful for a couple if they truly love each other; however, that causes a trouble between them. This story shows that people cannot get everything they want; for example, in this story, the girl cannot keep the relationship with the man if she gives birth, or she cannot have a baby if she wants to keep the relationship with him.
Likewise, in the poem, Blake expresses the difficulties in the relationship. He says,' builds a Hevean in Hells despair' and 'builds a Hell in Heveans despite', which explain that you find happiness in unhappiness and unhappiness in happiness.
In conclusion, I believe both the story and the poem say that there are some difficulties or misery in your life, especially, it cames to the love, and I agree with that.
In the short story, Hemingway describes the disagreement between the girl and the man. Having a baby nust be delightful for a couple if they truly love each other; however, that causes a trouble between them. This story shows that people cannot get everything they want; for example, in this story, the girl cannot keep the relationship with the man if she gives birth, or she cannot have a baby if she wants to keep the relationship with him.
Likewise, in the poem, Blake expresses the difficulties in the relationship. He says,' builds a Hevean in Hells despair' and 'builds a Hell in Heveans despite', which explain that you find happiness in unhappiness and unhappiness in happiness.
In conclusion, I believe both the story and the poem say that there are some difficulties or misery in your life, especially, it cames to the love, and I agree with that.
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