What is the most precious thing in my life

I think one of the most precious things in my life is the experience in Toronto, Canada.
I went to Toronto as SEA program last summer. Because I wanted to go to Toronto university, I was so happy that I was determine to go there by lot. I wanted to go Toronto by these two reasons;the first reason was that the fee to study and to live in Toronto was the cheapest of the all SEA program, and the second reason was that during my stay on Toronto, I can experience life in dormitory and also the life in homestay. So that I was very excited to go Toronto. Also, it was the first time for me to go abroad.

However, the reality is not so easy as I thought. First of all, it was so hard for me to listen to the talks of native speakers especially the clerks in fast food restaurants. I always had to say "Pardon?" to the clerks. Second, the way to do anything made me confused. For example, to pay money in the shop or to take a bus and train or to take off the bus and so on. None of these things are same as Japan.Even though I know that the cultures of Canada and Japan are not similar at all, I was so confused and shocked by the differences. Also, I was shocked by the different values between me and others. In Toronto, I met a Chinese lady. She had come to my host house and we lived together for two weeks. She was about 40 years old and because the program to come Toronto was paid by the company she had worked, the fee was totally free for her. One day, she said that she did not like the food here, so she bought foods in China town in Toronto and did not eat so much during the meal time with our host mother. Also she said how great China was. For me, even though the purpose to come here is different, the attitude for other cultures is not appropriate. However, I could not say that to her and also I thought I had to consider her opinion as one of the way to feel about the other cultures.

Although it was hard for me to survive six weeks in Toronto, I also had great experiences. One of them is that I made a lot of friends from other countries. It became one of my motivation to study English now.

My favorite ways to spend time

Reading books or mangas

While I am reading a book or a manga, I always forget the time. I am almost in the world of the story. I cannot hear anything even though I am called. I am just reading and enjoying so much. Sometimes, I am surprised because I read books until one or two o'clock. I am not good at stop reading, and I always want to read one book in a day because I cannot sleep well without finish rlto read the books.

Talking with my friends

I really like talking with somebody. I am often said that I just like to speak to somebody, but it is not true. I rather like to listen to my friend's talk. I talk to make it easier for my friends to talk to me. Of course I cannot say that I do not like to talk, however, I always want some new ideas or thoughts which my friends have.

Singing

I really like to sing a song. I like to sing not only the melody line, but also chorus parts.In addition, I love to make harmony with somebody. If you also like to sing, let's go karaoke someday:D

Listening to my favorite music

Recently, I like to listen to "Sailing day" by BUMP OF CHICKEN. It makes me genki so much. Sometimes I cry by listening songs because the lyrics make me sentimental. Even if I hear the songs again and again, it makes me sad.

Sleeping

This is one of the most various way to spend time in some ways. I can take a rest and forget bothering things in my mind. When I struggle with some problems, sleeping makes my mind clear and organized. Also, taking a nap makes me feel happy and makes me refreshed.

Calling to my friends

It helps me a lot to get a good idea or refresh my mind. It is not good to think all by one's self. I think to call to your friends cheer you up when you run up against a wall.Also, it makes me feel confortable and relaxed.

What is Buchi made up with

♡music

-singers
RADWIMPS
BUMP OF CHICKEN

-music instruments
the horn
a trumpet
the piano
a recorder

♡food

-Japanese foods
natto
sushi
omisoshiru
tonjiru

-foreign foods
gratin
chicken and rice casserole
curry and rice
omelet containing fried rice

-sweets
cheese cake
sweet potato cake
ice cream
shortcake
pudding

♡school background

-ICUHS
orchestra club
1-1 2-2 2-3 classes

-Toronto univ.
many friends from foreign contries
Home stay
Life in dormitory
Intercultural communication

And also my friends, family and Ken (my partner) are the important parts of my life.

My favorite lyrics

There are my favorite lyrics.
I translated in English from Japanese.
If you feel aomething wrong, pls comment.


I won't recall you because I won't say "Good-bye" to you.
It means that you cannot be my memory.

By BUMP OF CHIKEN
From "amedama no uta"

If the day you feel that last ex-boyfriend was your last disappointed love comes, that is the proof that this "koi" becomes "ai".

By Kobukuro
From "Diary"

When I look for the meaning to be with you, I realized that it is the reason I live.
When I look for the meaning I live, I realized that it is the reason to be with you.

By RADWIMPS
From "iindesuka"

Do I like to write or not

I think I like to write something about me.
However I do not like to write academically.
Because I am not good at writing from the introduction to the conclusion.
I often skip over to say the important information even though in Japanese.
I forget that I have not said the important information.

Writing about myself makes me organize information and the thought of myself.
By this, I can think more deeply about myself.
It helps me to look back my behavior.
So I like to write about myself.

Also, I like to write short thoughts of me.
I can share my thoughts with my friends and I can know how they think by writing about my thoughts.

Why I decided to take this class

I made up my mind to take this course because this class seems exciting.
First of all, as Mark said, I decided because this course is a kind of experiment.
If I had wanted to study a lot, I would choose another class.
I hoped that I could do something else in Sophomore ELP class.
This course gave me the oppotunity to get something not just knowledge.
Secondly, I wanted to know how ICU students think and feel.
ICU students are happy to say their opinions in their classes.
They are good at discussion and debating compared with other students in universities.
I thought to talk about ourselves with ICU students would stimulate me to consider a lot.
Thirdly,I just like to talk with other people.
I want to express myself more precisely in English.
I believe that others cannot tell me what they think on their mind without knowing me.
To let them know about me, I need to know myself.
From these reasons, I decided to take this class.