☆

0.0. Overview

Reviews, Posts, Words, and More

(See: Note 2, below.)

[Please embed your proto-portfolios here; then remove this line of remarks, including the square brackets.]

1.0. Essays

(See: Note 3, below.)

Please complete this table with data gathered from essays on your blog. See the Key (below) for definitions of the symbols in row one, and complete columns four through nine with numerical values (0, 1, 2, 3, ...).

1.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates yy.mm.dd	¶	W	C	L	P	M
Website review 08.09.29 (375+ words)	Website Review	08.09.27		383	10	3	1	0
Favorite place(-s) 08.10.20 (450+ words)	My favorite place	08.10.08		485	0	0	1	0
Mrs. Doubtfire 08.11.04 (500+ words)	MR Family's love❤	08.11.03		553	6	0	1	0
Community life 08.11.17 (default length*)	Community life	08.11.11		400	0	0	1	0
Kumamoto's best-kept secrets 08.12.01 (5+ ¶¶)	Secret of beauliful illumination spot in Kumamoto	08.11.25		260	0	1	0	0
Learning with computers 2008.12.15 (6+ ¶¶)	Essey -learning with computers-	08.12.09		272	0	0	0	0
Totals	---	---

Key:

¶: number of paragraphs five (5) or more sentences in length

W: number of words

C: number of comments

L: number of links

P: number of photos or other graphics
M: number of other media included in post
*: "long enough to cover the ... [communities] you choose," Writing Studio Blog, Preparation for Next Essays, 2008.10.29)

1.2. Best Essay

Selection and Assessment: Which of those six assigned essays do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• [Please remove these remarks, including the square brackets, then identify your best essay, and write out your reasons for selecting it here.]
  

2.0. Comments

Showcase	Titles of posts with links	Dates of comments yy.mm.dd	Numbers of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.1. Your first comment on your instructor's blog*	Writing essay 01	08.10.01	30	1
2.2. Your best comment on a classmate's blog*	Essays 2-03: Mrs. Doubtfire ~Bond between family, Relationships and Love~	08.11.05	34	1
2.3. Best comment by a classmate on your blog*	MR Family's love❤	08.11.04	36	0
2.4. Most comments on:	Titles of posts with link	Dates of posts yy.mm.dd	Total number of words in comments	Qualities of comments**
2.4.1. Any one of your essays*	Website Review	08.09.27	152	5
2.4.1.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---		---	---
2.4.1.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---
2.4.2. Any of your other posts*
2.4.2.1. When did you respond to those comments?	---		---	---
2.4.2.2. How did you respond to those comments?	---	---

----------
* Current semester comments on essays and other posts
** Please list the most important qualities of comments on each type of blog post. That is, explain briefly what makes them good comments.

2.5. Recent comments display

Does your blog display recent comments from blog visitors in a prominent location, for example, in a sidebar, header, or footer widget? Where, or why not? Please explain.

• ...
  

2.6. Additional reflections on comments

• [Please remove these remarks, including the square brackets; then write out your reflections on both giving and receiving comments here.]
• ....
  

3.0. Book Reviews

3.1. Showcase	Short titles with links	Dates (yy.mm.dd)	Words	Comments
Example:	Vampire Killer	07.05.16	39	1
2-01	BR	08.09.01	251	0
2-02	BR	08.09.01	147	0
2-03	BR	08.09.05	302	0
2-04	BR	08.09.27	210	0
2-05	BR	08.09.27	200	0
2-06	BR	08.09.27	278	0
2-07	BR	08.10.09	161	0
2-08	BR	08.10.23	175	0
2-09	BR	08.11.02	140	0
2-10	BR	08.11.05	200	0
2-11
2-12
2-13
2-14
2-15
2-16
2-17
2-18
---	---	Totals:

Note: Please calculate and list book review Totals for words and comments without including those from the example (above).

3.2. Best Book Review

Selection and Assessment: Which of those book reviews do you feel is the best that you've written this semester, and why? Remember that a complete answer is better than a short answer, focus on your writing, and give at least two reasons to support your assessment.

• [Please remove these remarks, including the square brackets; then identify your best book review, and write out reasons for selecting it here.]

4.0. Blog Layout, Labeling, Linking, & Media

Showcase	Yes	No
4.1. Does your blog display an archive?	0
4.1.1. Does the archive display the titles of posts?	0
4.1.2. Is the archive organized by month?	0
4.1.3. Is the archive at or near the top of the sidebar?	0
4.2. Does your blog have labels displayed in sidebar?	0
5.2.1. Do your labels include these required labels (typed accurately):	---	---
"books" (plural) AND "reviews" (plural)	0
"essays" (plural) AND "portfolios" (plural, without "proto-")	0
"quickposts" (plural, with no space between quick and posts)		0
"links" (plural) AND "media" (plural)	0
"movies" (plural) AND "websites" (plural)	0
"brainstorms" (or "brainstorming"), "essay prep.," AND "free-writing" (or "free-writes")	0
4.2.2. Does your sidebar display other labels?	0
How many other labels have you attached to three (3) or more posts? ___ other labels attached to three or more posts	---	---
Which labels, and to how many posts each? Please list those labels instead of www, xxx, yyy..., and list numbers of posts instead of n, m, o... (in parentheses), below. www (n) xxx (m) yyy (o) zzz (p) ...	---	---
4.3. Links & media	---	---
4.3.1. Does your blog include photos or other graphics?	0
Does your blog profile include a photo or graphic representation?	0
How many of your blog posts this semester include photos or other graphics? ___ posts including photos or other graphics	---	---
4.3.2. Does your blog include posts with multiple links?	0
How many of your posts this semester include three (3) or more links? ___ posts including three or more links (including this portfolio!)	---	---
4.3.3. Does your blog include other media?		0
How many of your blog posts this semester include other media? ___ posts including other media	---	---
What kind(-s) of media have you included in posts this semester? Please list the kinds here: ... ... ...	---	---
What media content that you originally produced, if any, do your blog posts for this semester contain? Please list and explain each item briefly, and add short links and dates (yy.mm.dd) for reference. ... (short link, date) ... (short link, date) ... (short link, date)	---	---

4.4. Overall presentation

What have you done to enhance the overall presentation of your blog? List and explain the three most important content, display, formatting, layout, or other presentation changes that you have made on your blog this semester.

1. ...
2. ...
3. ...

5.0. Additional reflections on your blog and your writing on it

Please feel free to include reflections on both spring and fall semester work, as well as on the content of this portfolio (proto-portfolios, showcases, and reflections).

• ...
• ...
• ...
  

6.0. Advice and suggestions for yourself, your peers, and your successors

• ...
• ...
• ...
  

____________________
Notes:

1. This portfolio template derives from the templates for Writing IIIc and Writing IVc portfolios (2007-08), and Writing III, §§1a & 1c (Fall, 2008).
2. Please use the same code in section 0.0 that you used to embed your proto-portfolios (PPFs) in the footer of your blog, which you should already have revised to display your 2nd (fall) semester PPF first.
   
3. The essays section (1.0. Essays, above) derives from Proto-Portfolio 2-02 (2008).
   

____________________
License:

This portfolio template is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Please attribute to "the Writing Studio Blog" (without quotation marks).

///// End of template (copy from here to "Beginning ..." [above]) /////

Essey -learning with computers-

Hello! Do you usually use computers? I bet you will say “Yes”. Computers are very useful and convenience. Therefore, the computers were used as tool of job. Almost all companies use them.
We can do various things on the computer. For example, we can research a lot of informations on the intranet. It is very useful for us because, if you want to research something you can get them quickly. But there are too much informations, so you have to choose good informations.

We have access to computers in my university. We can feed information into a computer anytime. Computers are really useful. The computer is capable of storing millions of pieces of information. Next, we can use a lot of useful applications on the computer. For example, Word typing soft, Excel, power point, Paint, Blog, Skype, face book and so on. I often use them.

Especially, my favorite websites is face book. This website is really interesting. This site can have my page. Also, we can put some pictures and chat with friends all over the world. I have a lot of foreign friends. We can keep touch with each other. And we have to do homework at computer.

One of my homework is Blog. We have to write my blog. I am writing everyday about Diary, movie reviews, essays, book reviews and so on. When I write something, I will use “word”. This useful application is very useful because, my write were corrected. It is really good point on this application.

I learned from the computer a lot of things, but I think we must not too depend on it.
[272words]

Braib storming

[Learning with computers] Brain storming
Information
Internet
Uesful applications
-Blog
-Word
- Power words
Typing
English
Research
Difficulty
-Various functions
Music
Useful
-Bento boxes
Communication
-Community
Physical strain
Stiff body parts
-Neck
-Shoulders
Posture
Video
Video-conferencing
-Skype
Voice chat
-Skype
Complexity
Websites
Web applications
-facebook
-Skype
MSN
-Messaging service, like Skype
[51words]

♪

Hello~ It already December!! A Christmas come sooon☆☆

Today, I did the decoration for Christmas in my house! My family really like such a event. Also, I like this season because Christmas makes me happy and exciting. First, I decorated with a Christmas tree. The tree would be shining tinsel. Next, I put on small articles at various rooms. My favorite small article is small sleeping Santa Claus:) This is very cute! When I was child, my grand mother bought it for me. I have been liked it.

Finally, I decorated with a Christmas goods on the front door. My house already prepare for Christmas! I want to spend happy Christmas!!
[113words]

NABE party

Hi! How are you~? Today was "Nabe鍋 party" with my friends. Do you know it? It party is very popular among young people. I went to order friend’s house with my friend. My friend’s birthday was tomorrow, so I and older friend planning her surprise birthday party!
First, we prepared dinner. It kind was curry Nabe鍋!! This was first time that I ate curry taste. It was so delicious. We prepared before eat. I cut Onions, Potatoes, carrots, chickens. We putted a lot of various foods. Thos nabe was a curry soup.　After that, rice put on the nabe, Also cheese put on the top!! It looks soo good. The curry and cheeses was really much, soooo delicious.
You should try it! And we watched TV. That TV programs was funny. Because, it appeared comedians who like me. After that, we started a birthday song and took out a birthday cake for her. She looks surprised. Also, we gave a present to her. She delighted for surprised. It was a success. She said “I did not notice about that. Thank you very much guys!” We ate a birthday cake. And we enjoyed chatting a long time. We had a great time today!
[205words]

good!!

Hello everyone! How are you? I watched the movie today in library with my friend. This movie was sooo interested. I really wanted to watch it before. This movie’s title was “UNCHANGED”. Do you know it? This kind is love comedy. Also, It is Disney movie. I love Disney movie because, these always makes me happy. Especially, my favorite Disney movie are Cinderella, finding nimo, Shrek, Aladin, Winnie the pooh and so on.This movie entered my favorite into Disney movies!! You should watch this movie. Maybe It will make you happy. I want to see this movie again!![100words]

LOVE IT❤

Secret of beauliful illumination spot in Kumamoto

Secret of Kumamoto
Hello everyone. How are you? Recently, climate of Kumamoto is too cold, right? Take care yourself☺
This essay introduce about beautiful illuminations spot in Kumamoto. I like to see illuminations because, it makes me happy. I would like to introduce Secret of beautiful illuminations spot in Kumamoto!! Maybe you don't know this spot :P
My favorite secret illumination spot is Tsukide in Kumamoto city. This is near the Kumamoto prefecture university. This illumination spot is group of houses but, they do it only X’mas season!! They start it December 1 to 25th. There are about 10 houses. Also, one of my friends lives here.
Few years ago, my friend’s house stated to decorate by illuminations. The inhabitants who saw it, they copied one after another. This was trigger.
Every year a lot of people come this street. It is said that "Fairy tale (Meruhen) street". This street is known to neighbors but, there is not famous place. So, this is secret place of Kumamoto!! I am really looking forward to see it.
If you have a boy friend or girl friend, you should go there because, here is very romantic. I really recommend here. Maybe, you will surprise and think “How beautiful here is!” You will be happy and you will give an illusion of fairyland. Many couples come this place every year. Of cause, you can go with friend or families. I like to see by car when I pass that street! If you don’t have a plan of Christmas, you should go here with lover☺ [260words]

Community life

★Dormitory of exchange student ★

Hello everyone! How are you guys? I will consider community life. I often go to the dormitory of exchange students of KGU. There are a lot of foreign students in dorm. For example, America, England, Canada, Korea, China, Australia, Thailand and so on. They are living together. They have an own room but, riving room, rest room, bath room, kitchen are not able to use alone. So, they have to share them.

Of cause, they have owns country’s culture. Therefore, they have some problem sometimes. When that time, they have to talk with each other. However they don't have a common language, they can not talk with each other. Neither can understand what want to do for opponent. I think it is big problem to live at dorm. Language is not the only means of communication but, language is a very very huge wall you know.... If they can not solve this problem, they might be close friends never.

For example, one American boy who is my good friend. He felt in love for Korean girl. They are going out. Both can speak Japanese a little. She can't speak English. Also, he can't speak Korean. Sometimes, I guide him about that. He always says "I don't know her mind." They often have misunderstanding. As the result, makes her angry. They often quarrel. I try to negotiator. In order to solve these problems, they have to study about common language I think. Also, they have to ask to interpret for someone. And, their relationship will be better! I think they have love therefore, it consists. For them, to have kindness is really important a thing. Also, It is consequence that to understand each other.

It is difficult to live various country's people together. But, if they can have a good relationship, they will able to have a wonderful life. Because, they can know a lot of cultures, customs and languages!! So they will be a great person who has a big view. I want to be such a person!

In the community life, I think to discuss, to cooperate, to communicate are most important things. This is my idle talk; one of my dreams is going to study abroad. If it dream come true, I will live at dorm. When this time, I will recollect about community life. I want to send comfortable life with others :)
[400words]

Community life

[Community life] Brain storming
Dormitory
Club
School
Apartment
Preschool
Hospital
Company
Job
Univercity
Restaurant
Association
Public[16word]

BR

Hello. How are you guys? I will talk about my book review. I read a book that title was “The Snowman”. Why I choose this book, I like winter and snow very much! This story was interesting. There are family, father, mother and three sisters. One day, it was snowing. They were delighted. The children played with snows. They were enjoying. So they had a good idea. They decided to make a giant snowball. Everyone pushed the snowball. This scene was really interesting. Finally the children made a giant snowman. The mother took a picture with it. After that, the snows on the roof fell down children’s head. They also could be snowman! It made me laugh. In Kumamoto there were hardly snows. Therefore I can not play with snows. So I envy them.haha Also I think American snowman has three balls! Did you know that? I did not know that. It was surprised for me because, Japanese snowman has only two balls. It is deference between America and Japan. It was my new discovery. Please read this book! I recommend it. If you read this book, you will want to make a giant snowman! [200words]

MR Family's love❤

MRS. DOUBTFIRE

I will talk about movie review. I watched this movie "MRS. DOUBTFIRE". This is first time that I saw the movie. This movie was so interesting and heartfelt movie. It kind of comedy and family’s love. This movie made me laugh and deep impressions.
I will introduce about this movie's story a little. Main character is Daniel. He married with Miranda. They have three children. There are one boy and two girls. Daniel is really funny person. Also, He has a specialty. He can change much kind of voices. He loves his children bottom of his heart but, he has no job. Because of cause, Miranda would be irritated and angry, so finally she wants to claim to divorce. They divorced. Daniel was given to see his children once a week. But, this is not enough time for him because, he loves children. So, he never leaves from his children when they were born. Therefore,　he thought of good idea. Miranda wants to housekeeper for children because, she has a job so she work hard every day. She needs to help. Daniel was disguised in woman’s clothes to be housekeeper. Fortunately, Daniel’s brothers are special make up artist. This was favorable because he has a various voices. He pretends to do the housekeeper as a MRS. DOUBTFIRE!! Daniel tried to housework. He could not do housework at first but, gradually he got it. Miranda and children would be like her very much. They took back smiles but, the fact came out. Their relationship was bad again. Also, He could not see his children. On the other hands, Daniel got a job. His job succeeds. Miranda reviewed him so; he could be seeing his children. The family is better.

This is my guess, this movie’s family will live together for the future. I hope it because, the children want to need him and Daniel is really really nice father.　If I am a Miranda, I will forgive him. J I think it good thing for this family and her.

I really moved that I watched this movie. I thought Family is really important for us. I think a human cannot live alone. We need help therefore, we need family. Family can support and help each other. There are a lot of kinds of families in the world. In this movie’s family is one of type. I think we love each other, it will be able to call “Family”. Even if they don’t live together. I thought about a divorce. A divorce is not good because, a divorce have a bad effect for child. But, sometimes a divorce is good like this movie’s occasion. This movie’s family could be better because of divorce. I felt I have to really cherish my family. And I have a family in the future too.
Also I learned about love in this movie. I thought how important LOVE is….!! We need love. That is why Love makes us happy so carry a lot of happiness. However, Love is really difficult. If we have love for someone, occasionally it cannot be good like this movie’s family. But we don’t have to forget to love important person for myself. There is various loves. We love for family, lover, friends, pets and so on. To love, we will be happy. [553words]

BR

Hello everyone. How are you? Today, I read a book that this title was “Jennifer Lopez”. Why I choose this book because, I like her very much. Do you know her? She is the number one Latin actress in the United States. She appeared a lot of movies. She is also singer. This book written by her life. Of cause I know her but, I did not know her life. So it was interesting for me. I thought to read this book, she could a great actress for her big effort. I came to like her more. I wish she will continue like shine ever. I want to see her movies and dramas until I had never seen it. She is my favorite actress. If you like her, you should read this book. You will be certainly like more. [140words]

Children

Free- writing
I will talk about children. I really like children because they are so cute and purity. I wanted to be kindergarten teacher when I was junior high school student. But, my mind changed. Now, I am studying English in KGU. I really interested in English. I like children still now. So, I want to be English teacher for little kids. I want to take a job relation to children and English! [73word]

Parfait☆

Hello!! Today is very hot day isn't it? I can not help it these day. X(

After school, I went to "Joyfull" with my friends because, I really wanted to eat parfait. I love sweets!! I ate chocolate parfait. My friend ate green tea parfait. It was soooooo delicious and it made us happy. We enjoying talked for a while. We talked about love:) Girls likes "Girls talk" hun? We were talking for two hours!! wow

After that, I went to dorm of exchange students in KGU. I had really good time there. We ate dinner. I ate Chinese noodles soup soy sauce taste! Some exchange students shoe interested in it. I gave it for them. We talked in English a lot. My English conversation ability is poor but, I tried to speak in English. I could communicate with them:) I had a good time.[145word]

BR

Book review
Hello~! How are you guys? I will talk about my book review. I read a book. This book’s title was “lost in the Jungle”. Why I choose this book, I am interested in about jungle because, I like animals and nature very much. I want to go to the jungle in my life. So I want to see wild animals. This is one of my dreams.
This book’s story was really interesting for me. The Kipper’s children went to jungle for the magic key. They met a monkey, a big snake, a lot of alligators and so on. They looked for the Lost city. They passed a waterfall, a cave also there were really dangerous places. When I read this part, I really excited. At last, they could find the Lost city. There was a wonderful place because there were a lot of gold everywhere.
This story made me exciting. I also like the explorers! I want to explore anytimeJ If you have a free time, please read this book! [175words]

BR

Hi☆　I will talk about my book review. I read a book. This title was “Choice”. Why I chose this book, because this book’s cover is very colorful and cute! Ha ha This book’s story was various choice and what they like to do things. It appeared a lot of children of various countries. For example, one girl likes to paint with bright colures. And one boy likes to read long books quietly. This book was easy to read for me. Also, this book’s pictures were really good! I thought about what I like to do in childhood. I really liked to sing a song. Of cause, I like to sing. When I was child, I was singing wherever. Even in a rest room and both room! My mother took video when I was singing such a place. This video is really funny but for me, really embarrass. I recalled my childhood by read this book. Please read this book![161words]

English weekend

Hi ! I really wanted to come today because, it start ENGLISH WEEKEND from today to Sunday! I did staff of English weekend! After school, we went to Nishigoushi with exchange students of KGU. We stay in a camp for practice English. First, we ate lunch box for dinner. In order to so hungry, it was so delicious:D After that, we started drinking party! It was really fun time. Almost all people got drunk X( haha
Next day, we ate Tacos. I made avocado sauce with friends and teacher!!! Of course it was good. hahaha I really like Tacos so it made me happy:) After that, we gig a lot of games in English. It was fun. At night, we did BBQ! Before the BBQ, we made a lot of rice balls. There are many shapes! Haha I ate a lot of meet and vegetables at BBQ. So, we went to hot spa! After that, we started drinking again! We had a great time! Next morning, we did some games in English again. So we went to reach of pear and orange. It was interesting and yummy! I like pear very much. Finally, English weekend was end! I had a really good time. I want to take part in English weekend next year! Also, you should do it:) [ 220words]

BBQ~!

2008.10.03

Today, I took three classes. After school, I went to dormitory of exchange students of KGU. So they invited me a BBQ party tonight!! I was sooo hungry, so I ate a lot of beef, vegetables etc... These were really delicious! It made me happy. We enjoyed talking all the time. After that, we drunk a lot! I thought when I get a drunk, my English to be better ,because I don't feel nervous so I will be able to relax! I could talk in English better than before. I really good time there. I love all of exchange students! They have each personalities. So they are always kind for me:) I want to know more about them. Also, Hope I and them will be close friends!!
Have a sweet dreamｓ☆☆「134words]

BR

Hello! I will talk about book review.
I read this book. This book's title was "The Musicians of Bremen". Maybe almost all people know this story. When I was child, I used to read it. But this book's story was little different! This story was one very mean man means his pets. He has a donkey, a dog, a cat and rooster. One day he decided to eat his rooster tomorrow for lunch. The rooster crowed as hard as could.　The rooster told other animals. So they decided to run away from mean man’s house! They planed to go Bremen and join the town band. They walked until they come to a deep, dark forest. Each of them was really tired. The rooster fined a house. They tried to enter the inside at a house but, there are a gang of robbers! The animals scared but, they wanted to enter the house because there were a lot of food and drink. The donkey came up with a good plan. That plan was the donkey stood near the window and the dog leaped on the donkey’s back and the cat climbed on top of the dog and the rooster flew on top of the cat! They did it! They could enter into the house. The robbers cried and run away. The animals ate…ate , ate…..and slept. They never did go to Bremen and they never did become musicians because they liked this house so much they stay there for the rest of their lives. This story was really interested! I like the last scene because, this end is really funny. This book’s story made me laughJ You should read it.[278words]

Class

Hello! What's up? I took a speaking class today. I like speaking class very much because it is fun! I am not good at speak English fluently but, I like to speak English. Also, I like this class’s teacher.
So today’s topic was Food And Cooking. We have to talk about topic with partner. My partner was Kana. I did a lot of questions for her. She usually eats rice and miso soup for breakfast. It made by her mother. She ate dinner in MacDonald last night. She ate teriyaki hamburger, fled potatoes and ice coffee. She cooks once a week. She really likes cooking. She can cook a curry and an omelet containing fled rice. She also likes to cook sweets. She can cook cakes and cookies. She eats out three a week. She often go joyfull. Do you know joyfull? This is family restaurant. Here is her favorite restaurant because, there are very cheap. Also, the restaurant is near her house. She can go there fifteen minutes by bicycle. She went to there last Sunday with her friends. Then she ate chocolate parfait. We really enjoyed chatting. I thought her speaking ability is good. I have to practice conversation of English.[203words]

Grocery shopping

I wrote about Grocery Shopping in Minnesota and Kumamoto!
I researched this topic in Kumamoto and Minnesota.Please read it:)

☆ Introduction　☆
This paper will talk about grocery shopping. It is important for us because we have to eat foods everyday to live. There are a lot of grocery stores in Kumamoto, for example: Every, Sunny, Hi Hirose, Marukyo, Nikonikodou and so on. In America, there are a lot of grocery stores too. American food’s sizes are often said to be bigger than that in Japan. How much food do American people buy at a time? How do people usually pay at supermarkets in Minnesota? How expensive are American food prices? In Japan, the supermarkets publish advertisements to inform customers of special cheap foods. Japanese can check them in their house because they are delivered with newspaper, and we sometimes use coupons. What about in America? This paper will compare the difference of food’s size, prices, and coupons and so on at supermarkets in the two countries. 　　
This paper will research the difference between grocery shopping in Minnesota and Kumamoto. I will go to the supermarkets with my host family, and research advertisements and coupons. A questionnaire will also be given to American people and Japanese people, with the following questions:
1. How often do you go shopping for groceries?
2. Who do you go with? (Alone, with family, with friends, other)
3. What do you often buy?
4. How do you usually pay for your purchases? (Cash, credit card, personal check, other)
5. How often do you look at advertisements for grocery stores? (Every time I shop, usually, sometimes, rarely, never)
6. How often do you use coupons for grocery stores? (Every time I shop, usually, sometimes, rarely, never)
[290words]

Grocery shopping

This paragraph is comparison between Kumamoto and Minnesota!

☆ In Kumamoto 　☆
There are a lot of grocery stores in Kumamoto. For example, their names are Every, Sunny, Hi Hirose, Holiday, Marukyo, Nikonikodo and so on. In grocery stores of Japan, many foods line up regularly. They look good but they are not as colorful as in American grocery stores. Almost all vegetables and fruits, etc. There are sold in packages.
Japanese usually don’t buy too much food, so Japanese often go to the grocery stores. Japanese want freshness and quality more than quantity. According to my questionnaire, many Japanese often go to grocery store about five times a week. Also, almost all Japanese housewives go to the grocery stores alone. They usually buy fish, beef, vegetables, fruit, bread, etc.
Also we only watch some advertisements and coupons but we hardly use them at grocery stores. According to my questionnaire, almost all Japanese don’t use coupons in grocery stores. But on the other hand, some people have point cards of grocery stores. If they have many points, they can buy some foods more cheaply.

☆ In Minnesota　☆
There are a lot of grocery stores in Minnesota too. For example, their names are Cub Foods, Target, Costco and so on. American grocery stores’ sizes are very big and the inside is very colorful. In grocery stores, American food sizes of everything are BIG!! Surprisingly, there were also a lot of colors in grocery stores of America. Especially, snacks, cakes, drinks, and sweets have vivid colors. Most Japanese probably don’t like colorful foods because we think that it looks bad for our health. Especially, beef, many kind of drinks (milk, juice), vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, eggplants and so on), snacks, frozen foods etc. There were 4 liter plastic bottles in American grocery stores. In Japan, doesn’t have such a size.
Next, according to my research, American housewives go to grocery stores about 1~3 times a week. Also almost all Americans go to grocery stores with their family or alone. They usually buy beef, fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, milk, snacks, and so on. Americans buy a lot of food in grocery stores at one time in comparison with Japan, because Americans have big freezers in many houses to keep the food. In order to do such big shopping, also carts of course are bigger sized.
Surprisingly, in grocery stores of Minnesota, almost all vegetables and fruits are not sold in packages, but you choose what you like by yourself. They were sold by weight. Items like potatoes, onions, and carrots can be put into plastic bags and weighed by the customer, they are weighed again and the cost is determined at the check-out counter.
　　In America people often purchase groceries with credit cards. For safety, they do not usually carry large sums of cash which exceed 100 dollars. Therefore, it seems that they use credit cards. Also, American people often use some coupons at grocery stores. My host mother “Terrie" checks some special price foods in advertisements before she goes grocery shopping. Also she is a member of some grocery stores. If you become a member of grocery stores, you can buy things more cheaply.
　　Next, some grocery stores of America have self registers. If you buy a few goods, using the self registers is better because it doesn’t take a lot of time. Self registers were started about two years ago in Minnesota. It is good idea to do this.
Also, according to my questionnaire, most of the respondents said that Costco has the best prices on many items and Costco prices are much lower than in most grocery stores.　
[610words]

Grocery shopping

☆ Conclusion　☆
According to my research, the biggest differences between American and Japanese grocery stores are the food size, food stores, who to go with, how to pay, interior decorations and so on. Almost all American foods are bigger than in Japan at grocery stores. Also American grocery stores were bigger than in Japan. American grocery stores interior decorations were very colorful. Compared with that, Japanese grocery stores interior decorations are simple.
According to my questionnaire, many housewives in America and Japan go to the grocery stores alone. This result was the same between Japan and America. One difference between Japan and America is that in Japan people often purchase with cash.
These results may have been predictable, but if you go to grocery shopping in America hereafter, you should know about differences it and you will be able to enjoy grocery shopping in America.

☆ Bibliography 　☆
“In America of supermarket”, Nov. 04, 2008 Retrieved from
http://www.ncwind.net/faq/super.html
“Comparison of supermarket the Japan-U.S.”, Nov. 04, 2008 Retrieved from
http://martz.at.infoseek.co.jp/tokusyu/tokusyu2.htm
“Grocery store From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia”, Nov. 04, 2008 Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grocery_store


If you are interested in it, please chatck these pages! [193words]

Mail

Dear falls family
Hello. Long time no see!!How are you guys?Do you remember me? Haha
I'm sooo sorry to late my replay. I've wanted to write a mail to you sooner, but I was sooo busy.So I had to write my report. I wrote about grocery shopping! How is Minnesota? Maybe, it is cold isn't it? I bet Pogo would be bigger than when I was staying Minnesota. Recently, I changed my hair color. My hair became more dark. And I went to camp with exchange students last weekend. It was really fun. Also, one of exchange students came to my house. Because, I did host family like yours. He came from Montana! I was litte nervous but, It was so fun. I'm enjoying Japanese life:) So I'm planing to go to study abroad now. I hope I want to go America!!If I can, I will go for a year! I really miss you guys. I'm always thinking of you guys and Minnesota.Take care yourself. Sincerely,Ayaka 　[172words]

Communication ability

Hello! I spend a month in Minnesota. This is my report. I will talk about Communication ability.
The first thing I noticed when I came here is that American people are really friendly. So when arrived at the airport, my host family welcomed me with a big smile. I was really happy, so I felt that American people are very kind and friendly. Do you know “Minnesotan nice”? Especially, I like “Minnesotan nice”, Minnesotan’s are polite and kind to strangers. Whenever I was really surprised that. Also, when I went to shopping, a shop assistant would speak to me say “Hello! How are you?” I thought American people often communicate with other people. I think it very good for us to be outgoing. I think many Japanese people are shy. Japanese people don’t talk very detailed because we try to know each other with a few words. This is a Japanese culture but, sometimes this gives rise to misunderstandings.
I think to communicate with people is important to live. And American people say their mind clearly. Japanese people can’t say “No”. So they always give a vague answer. I learned that to express my mind is very important. And, when we communicate important things with people, one should smile and make eye-contact. I will try to have a better communication with everyone. Finally, I want to say thank you for host family and Minnesota! [234words]

My favorite place

My favorite place is Minnesota in America! I love Minnesota very very much! So I have been to Minnesota this summer for a month. This was home-stay program. I had a really wonderful time there. My first impression when I arrived in Minnesota, I thought sky is big and beautiful!! Especially, that day was nice weather. I like climate and nature in Minnesota. There was very comfortable better than Kumamoto. Wind was cool!! Also Minnesota has a lot of natures and wild animals. I was surprised because, there were many lakes in Minnesota. Also the Bethel University where I went that has a lake into university! Wow When I stayed Minnesota, I saw a lot of wild animals! For example, squirrels, deers, many kind of bards and so on. I liked to find some wild animals in Minnesota.
Next, I love Minnesotan people because Minnesotan are very kind for strangers! It is said that "Minnesotan nice!" in American. Minnesotan was very friendly. I felt so because, they always greeted and spoke to me wherever with smile. It was quite different to Japan I think. Almost all Japanese don't speak to stranger. And American has a great customs! My favorite custom is to do hug. My host families used to hug before go to bed. When they also say "good night" each other! I always did that.
One of the most favorite places is my host family's house because there is really comfortable. My host family was so kind for me. My host family was five members. Mother, father, three sisters and cute puppy!! They were awesome :) Of cause, I like my room. This room was really colorful and cute! I want to stay here ever! Haha Also I liked living room. We always ate dimmer together. So we enjoyed talking every day. My host sisters played the piano sometimes. Living room has a piano. I loved to hear that tones of a piano. That why :)
They took me a lot of places in Minnesota! For example, beautiful lakes, downtown (St. Purl), camping, mall of America, falls, grocery shopping and so on. Especially, I like St. Purl very much. This town was soo beautiful. There are a lot of statue of Snoopy because, snoopy was born in Minnesota. It was so cute. I took a lot of pictures with it!　Next, I liked mall of America because I really like shopping. This shopping mall was soo BIG. This size is the best 3 in America!! How big this is!! Don’t you think so? I was really surprised because, there was theme park in this mall. I rode some roller coaster. It was so fun.
I love Minnesota and people. Naturally, I love all of my host families and Pogo. So I want to go back Minnesota again! So I want to return a favor for them! Minnesota is my second home town☆!!! [485words]

My favorite fall activity

My favorite fall activity is eating. I love eating very much!haha It is said that "appetite fall" in japan. So there are a lot of delicious foods in fall. For example, matsutake, chestnut, persimmon, saury, sweetpotato, kyohou(fruit) and so on. Matsutake is japanese traditional food in japan as you know... I like it very much but I usually can't eat it because these food are very expensive!! X(
Also Kyhou is season' s food in japan. I like it too. So maybe I will eat too much in fall!!! I may have a meal five a day.haha I will have to on diet!! [103words]

Website Review

Hello everyone!! How are you?:) How was your summer vacation?☆

I will talk about my website review.

I am interested in this site, because I like Hawaii very much. So I have been to Hawaii about five years ago with my family. I had really really good time there. I saw the beautiful sea, rainbow, night view and mountains in Hawaii. And I really enjoyed shopping, swimming and hula. And Hawaiian was very kind for me. It was a precious time in my life. I love place since then. I was fascinated by Hawaii.

First , I like this site because, this site is written everything about Hawaii. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HawaiiFor example, Geography ,History, culture and Demographics. If you want to know about Hawaii, you can know clearly.

Next, when I saw the Hawaii’s sea for the first time, I thought “What beautiful sea it is!!!” I was sooo surprised. I love the sea because my father’s home town is Amakusa. So I used to go the sea in Amakusa when I was child. Also I am interested in sea animals. There are a lot of sea animals in Hawaii’s sea. For example, many kind of fishes, whales, dolphins, turtles and so on. This site was written about crisis of turtle’s extinction.

http://travel-hawaii.com/Hawaii-Sea-Turtles.html
Turtles are known to symbol of long life. So these animals are very worth. So we have to consider a problem about crisis of turtle’s extinction. It was caused by pollution of the sea. The one of reason is global warming. We have to make economies all things. And I think we must not throw away strictly garbage on the sea.

Finally, I love this site, because this site can see many pictures of Hawaii. http://www.hawaii.pictures-pacific.com/ There are many kind of islands in Hawaii as you know... You can see to divide pictures each islands of Hawaii. I think it good point of this site. Also this site is written about Hawaii travel guide. You can know beautiful places of popularity, many kind of hotels, shopping malls, Hawaiian foods and so on. If you see this site, you will be interested in Hawaii! And I bet you will become to want to go Hawaii:)

I wanna go to Hawaii again~! When I will be elder, I want to live in Hawaii forever.haha
[383words]

Dear my American family

I had a really good time in America a monthJ
When I arrived in Japan, I sent e-mail to my host family.

Hello! I arrived in Japan. It was safe flight.
I miss you ... but I could meet my family.
My family was delighted. Especially, Betty did. ha ha
I feel tired. I will send email tomorrow again.
Thank you for wonderful days.

Sincerely,
Ayaka

☆Dear Falls Family☆Hello! This is Aya:)

Thank you for your email. I have a little jet leg...
And I really miss you guys;( Sometimes I am weeping still now.

Thanks for very much for your kindness. I was so happy that I could stay your house. I appreciate all things you did for me while I was in Minnesota. I really had an enjoyable stay. Thank you for taking me to many wonderful places. This month was my precious time in my life. I returned to Japan with a lot of fond memories.

I wanna apologize because I could not speak English very well and I was not good pronunciation. I'm so sorry ;( I really regretted for myself. I wanted to talk to you a lot in English. I have to study English harder. I will try to speak English better than now until when I meet you next time! I promise you that I go back to Minnesota! I love a falls family and Minnesota. I will never forget the wonderful memories! When you come to Japan, please be sure you visit us! We will be expecting you. I hope I can see you again someday!

★Dear Mike
You were always kind for me. Thank you very much. Also your joke was interesting! I was really enjoyed the bicycling with you and carre. And thank you for showing many pictures. It was very fun! I moved about your help for family. I think you are really really good father!!

☆Dear Terri
Thank you for your kindness. You were very helpful. Thank you for helping my homework, and teaching me so many things. I will study about Christian and Christian songs. The meals that you cook were sooooo delicious every day. If you can, please teach me some recipe. I was really enjoyed to go grocery stores with you. I really appreciate you! Also thank you for many gifts.

★Dear Kailey
Congratulation!! I am happy too :)
Thank you for helping me all time! I was really happy to go to school every day with you! Thank you for teaching English! We spent many times together. We are Isin densin da yo NE! I love Janglish. Please don't forget about Janglish! I am looking forward to meeting you next summer in Japan! I will try Skype. Get in touch with me wherever possible! iroiro arigatou:)

☆Dear Miah
You are very kindhearted. You are always kind for everything. I was happy that I could spend your birthday together! And your horse show was very good! I enjoyed to go shopping, bowling with you. Also we had a good time final night. It was very fun. Please send email to me if you can have free time! Thank you.

★Dear Carre
Hi. My lovely little sister. You were always cute and cheerful. You were my little English teacher. Thank you for teaching many things! I was really enjoyed playing with you :)

☆Dear Pogo
Thank you for relaxing me. You were so cute. I hope you will be good dog! Don't forget me!

I want to keep in touch with you ever!

■□This is from my mother□■
Thank you for staying my daughter at your house. I really appreciate you. Aya says me about wonderful American life and she shows a lot of beautiful pictures. She said It was very fun and the Falls Family was really good people. I want to say thanks from bottom of my heart. Thank you very much.

Love,
Ayaka
[663words]

BR

Book review
I will talk about my book review. Why I choose this book, I like this story very much. The book title is “The Three little pigs”. When I was child, my mother read this book for me every night.
This story was there were three little pigs at forest. These name were Pinky, Percy and Poppy. Poppy was most little pig.
But, the little pigs grew too big so they want homes of our own. Pinky made a straw house. And Percy made a stick house. Poppy also made a stick house. The next day, the big bad Wolf went to the straw house, so he huffed and pulled it. Pinky runs as fast as he could to the stick house. But, it again happened at Percy’s house. Two pigs run as fast as they could to the brick house. The big wolf did same things at the stick house but, this house didn’t broke. So he jumped onto the roof, and landed “splosh” in Poppy’s cooking pot. That was the end of the story. I think Poppy was the most clever pig of all others. If you have a free time, you should read it!! [200words]

MR

Hello~ how are you? Today I watched a movie. This movie’s title was “50 first dates”. Do you know it?? I read it video shop without intention but, it became my favorite movie. This movie is kind of romantic comedy. This movie made me a deep impression.
I will talk about this story. Main character is Henry and Lucy. They are living Hawaii. Henry is a marine-life veterinarian in Hawaii. He often picks up a tourist. He was really playboy. Lucy is a cute girl. She lives with her father and younger brother. She is an art teacher in Hawaii but she has a secret.
On morning, they met at the local café. Henry spoke to Lucy and they completely opened up on the spot. Henry approaches Lucy the next day but Lucy did not remember about Henry. She behaved cold for him. Henry did not know about it. When, the salesclerk of the cafe told Henry it. She had the aftereffects of the traffic accident that there was one year ago. Because of it, she suffers from anterograde amnesia. Her condition has left her with no memory of anything between the day of the accident and the present, because she is incapable of converting short-term memories into long-term memories. She cannot memorize no more one day. She repeats a same day every day. Her father and brother direct a same day thinking of her. For example, same newspaper put on the table and they do her father’s birthday party every day. Therefore she also does not doubt it.
He knew a fact of her but, he did not abandon. Because, Henry who came to like her seriously. He decided to approach for Lucy every day. Every day, it begins Henry from first meeting, continues to confess love. Two people everyday fall to love. For Lucy, everyday it is a first kiss. Also, Lucy became to write daily. Certain day Lucy is pointed out, that the car is the vehicle inspection being cut off. A policeman tells truth and comes to an end to sorrow. She was coughing badly when Henry made up the video which draws to the present time from the encounter two. Also, it showed to every morning her life. The relations two were thought whether it keeps developing. But, Lucy thinks that it becomes the heavy load of the person whom by himself loves you think and determine the separation, everything you deal with also the diary which put together the memory of Henry. He also did not give up. So it story ended happy end.
When I was watching this movie, I often laughed and cried. The accident of Lucy is really tragic but, her character is bright like a sunny. I want to follow her mind. Also, I really moved about Henry’s love for Lucy. Whenever, he did not give up. I think his love is true. He continues to love her anytime. Can you do that same? I thought about love deeply. To do continue to love someone is really difficult but you have a true love, you will get over the difficulty is sure. Also, I thought people cannot live alone. We supported by someone and live. I really moved about family’s love. Lucy’s father and brother have a deep family’s love for her. Also, I felt I have to cherish my family ever. I indentified the importance of family again. If you watch this movie, you will be able to feel about a lot of importance things.
On other highlight are cute animals, nature and beautiful scenes of Hawaii. I love Hawaii. I went to Hawaii five years ago. I was fascinated at Hawaii from I want to there. This movie was taken in Hawaii. You will be able to see beautiful locations. So, Henry is a marine-life veterinarian. Therefore, it appears a lot of see animals. There are so cute. It is said that they are sub main character. ha-ha They made me laugh in this movie. A little penguin helped Henry. When I saw this scene, I could not help laughing. A beautiful sea of Hawaii is one of highlight.　If you watched this movie, you will be like about Hawaii!
This movie is full of love and happy, you should watch it! You don’t regret is sure!!!![710words]