New Year's Eve by Yuka S

The 2011 will end soon. How was it for you this year?

I returned to my hometown yesterday. On arriving at Niigata city, I met some friends for the year-end party. We enjoyed drinking and eating with talking about lots of things. It was a special nice time.

I’m sure to spend good end of the year. And, I wish you a Happy New Year!

Pensta by Keiko

Today, I'd like to recommend a store "Pensta".

Do you know this store? This is a store where goods of Suica's character are sold. For the moment,  this is only in Tokyo Station, but I think the store will increase in number.

Before, I knew this store on TV and  a TV reporter informed "Penguin Cards". Designs of the cards are all different and very cute! I became interested in it and I thought I wanted it.

When I went to Tokyo Station recently, I found "Pensta" by chance. As soon as I found it, I looked for "Penguin Cards". I was glad when I found it and I bought it without thinking.

I'm going to play this cards with friends in camps. I think most people feel enjoyable!

I recommend that you should go to "Pensta" at least!

Christmas Party by Keiko

On December 17th, my club "Music Club" held a Christmas Party. This is a first event that first year students mainly hold. I decorated the room with some friends, so it became very nice!

I was satisfied with the Christmas Party. Its dish is very good and I was full with events. For example, my seniors and friends performed some music such as Christmas music. It was very nice and I felt as if I had listened to music at a jazz bar. Especially, jazz piano was great!　Also, I could enjoy talking with my friends. When I was talking listening to the music, I felt happy.

I think the day was very nice! I'm looking forward to Christmas Party next year.

A practice match byKei

Last weekend, I had a practice match for "Yuminokai（弓の会）", Kyudo club of Tokyo university.
I started Kyudo after I entered the college.
So, I play a match only twice.
That's why this is a really big chance!!
This practice match was only a team match.
But a person who could hit the target the most times can get a prize.
I was full of energy to win, of course, on both a team and an individual match.
However, as a result, I didn't hit nothing.
I thought I was loser, and was in very low spirits.
Then my older experienced person said to me,
"Don't be depressed!! Kyudo is not sport, but Budo（武道）. There is a big difference between them. Surely, winning is important, but whether you were satisfied with today's you is more important."
He also told me many other words.
Those words moved me and cheered up.
Maybe I can't comprehend at all and explain what that means yet.
But I wish I could understand perfectly some day.


This photo is not this practice match.

The cold and a cold. byKei

 These days it is really cold, isn't it?
Breath I exhale is too white, and my fingers and toes are numb with cold.
There are increasingly  a lot of people who wear a scarf and gloves.
But all of them is not bad things.
In the winter, the air and the sky become very clear!!
So a lot of stars and the moon are really beautiful, and twinkling brightly.

By the way, I have a cold.
That's because I stay outside for a long time.
The other day, do you know a total eclipse of the moon happened?
I was very very looking forward it before!!
So I was watching the moon during the eclipse outside in spite of  the cold.
That's why I catch a cold.
However, I am satisfied.
Since I insist, the moon was wonderful mysterious!!!
A process of the eclipse of the moon is exactly beautiful, I cannot describe.
I want you to see it if you didn't.
You must be move, I'm sure of it!

But, everyone, be careful with the cold and cold!

Judging Is So Difficult by Yuta

Recently, freshmen of my club must become a chief umpire of matches. Still now, we experienced an assistant umpire, however the chief umpire must do a lot of things during a match. One of the most difficult and important thing is judging. Of course, assistant umpire must judge which safe or out. But difference between the chief umpire and the assistant umpire is that the chief umpire should judge wider range than the assistant and the chief umpire have power that overturn judgment of the assistant. In short, chief umpire have final decision-making authority and responsibility that go ahead with maches smoothly. Consequently, we can't make a wrong judgment.

My favorite artist; Chara. by Yuka S

I write about Chara. She is one of my favorite Japanese artists.

Have you watched “the Snakes and Earrings”(「蛇にピアス」)? The theme song(「きえる」）of this movie was performed by her. And then, she has sung many songs for TVCM and so on, so, you may have once heard some songs of hers.

Her songs make me happy so that her voice is very sweet. I think her voice and way to sing is pretty characteristic. Also, her songs make me so sad because her words are sometimes bitter. However, above all, I like all her words. She is open about her mind and does it freely. I’d also like to express my mind like her.

I’m going to her concert late this month. I’ve dreamed of watching her live performance, so I really look forward to it!!

Winter Vacation by Yuta

Winter vacation is coming soon. Do you have any plans that are something pleasant? I'm making plans of this winter vacation now, however there aren't special ones. All of my plans are related on club activity. For example, practice, match, cleaning of our clubroom, and so on. Particularly, I don't hate my living conditions. But, I have a feeling that I want to enjoy vacation like common university students. In fact, there will be free time during the vacation. Although, I think that I have to study of final exam. As a result, I can't take a lot of time for my private.

My Spring Vacation by Keiko

I'll talk to you about my plan in the spring vacation. After my mother returned to house today, she said to me," We are going to go to Hawaii in the spring vacation with grandparents!" She told me that we might go to Hawaii before, but it came true. So, I was glad but surprised. The hotel we are going to stay at commands a nice view. We can see beautiful sea from there!

Four years ago,  I went there and did many things.  For examples, going shopping, swimming in the sea, climbing the Diamond Head and so on. I want to do these things next time, but I'd like to challenge new things. In Hawaii, there are a lot of Japanese tourists, so I have almost no opportunity that I speak English.

This is because I'm little sad, but I'm looking forward to going there!

A small party by Kei

 The other day, I had a party with my club's friends.
This party was held on "Gyukaku(牛角）" ,"Yakiniku（焼肉）"restaurant.
We were chatting , about club activities, our campus, daily life and so on, and eating dishes.
We had a happiness time...

But, in the fact, we were fighting for ourselves!!
There was a battlefield!
In a chat, I concentrated my consciousness on grilled meats in my mind.
All the time I  tried to get them sooner than anyone.
However, a person who thought that was not only me.
My friends too!!
We were keeping a talk on the surface.
But, under the face, we were thinking about only how the meats grilled!
So we continued to eat until the time had come like that.
In Japan, the word like this exists.
"夏草や兵共が夢の跡"
After the meal, nobody stood there...

That's a joke at all.
I had great time then.
But ,if everyone go to the Yakiniku restaurant, take care!

My part-time job by Yuka S

Do you have a part-time job? I recently began to work part-time at a coffee house. I work early in the morning, because I wanted to make the most of my blank time before going to school. After about two weeks passed, I've become accustomed to working there. I think it was because my boss and co-workers have always backed me up. They wrote some lists of my duties so that I could master lots of things to do. In order to meet their support, I want to adjust myself to it more.

Incidentally, do you know difference between the blend-coffee and American coffee? These two coffees differ in the tastes. The blend-coffee is somewhat acid, but, in contrast, American coffee is tasty and easy more to drink. I learned that from my boss. Please try comparing the two tastes.

December（師走） by.Kei

 Do you know December is called ”師走(shiwasu)” in Japan?

 I think many of people in Japan know this.That means people are very very busy in December as if teachers rushed.”師” means teachers and ”走” means running in the Japanese language.So, I think, in the past, people saw teachers were running, and they thought they were really busy.
  In fact, I am also too busy and have many plans in December.For example, I will go trip and skiing in the mountains, have club activities and part time jobs, play practice games of Kyudo, and go back my hometown...etc
 Especially, so very very big event is Christmas party. I'm looking forward to it.Around Christmas I have some parties, club's and private parties.I don't know what we do in this party yet.I'm sure that must be so exiting and absolutely fantastic!!And so we must have really really wonderful time!!
That's why I can be hard on club activities and part time jobs in this month.

Everyone! Have a nice Christmas!!!

Disney Land by Keiko

On last Sunday, My music club held a concert. I felt nervous, but the concert was very good! After the concert, my flute part members took a prikura. I felt enjoyable then.

Then my senior said, "In this winter, Let's go to Disney Land!" I haven't been there recently, so I'm looking forward to it! This photo was taken in last winter. The lights in witer are very beatiful.! I especially like Disney Land in winter.

Kei Nishikori Will Become No.1 by Yuta

November 5th, Kei Nishikori (JPN) who have 32nd world rank beat Novac Djokovic (SRB) who is no.1 world ranker at the tournament of Swiss indoor. This occurrence shocked all over the world. Djokovic's record of this season is extraordinarily great. He won 3 grand slam tournaments and became no.1 furthermore he lost only 2 players in this season. Nishikori have confronted Djokovic once in the past, but the result is a complete defeat. Through this match, a lot of people felt the big wall that lay between Nishikori and top players. But this winning is one of the proof that he approaches no.1 player. Through this mach, his rank jumped up to 24th. If he keep this rank until January of 2012, he get seed of Australian Open that is one of grand slam tournaments. It means that it is easy to get good result. 

Ikebukuro Montparnasse by Yuka S

I went to Itabashi Art Museum to see "the Ikebukuro Montparnasse" today. This event was held only yesterday as the 3rd edition of "the 20th century inspection series". About 80 years ago, Montparnasse was a village for many artists who lived in the present Ikebukuro. In this museum, we can experience their atelier house as it was at that time. Also, besides their art works, there are a variety of exhibits; letters diary posters etc. These are useful to know how they were going under wartime in the 1930-40s. I think the local culture like this to be great. However, it's a pity that most of it often disappear for some reasons; natural catastrophe or war damage etc. Thanks to this appreciation, I was able to know about my hometown what it was a long time ago. It was a very valuable experience for me. (I wrote this blog on Sunday 20th.)

My Club Concert by Keiko

My club "Music club" is going to hold the concert on November 27th, so I do club activities five times a week now. I'm very busy! This is a big concert for me since I entered this university. In high school, my brass band club holds a concert every year. I performed pop-music or music for brass band then. However, I perform classical music now. They are very different!

I'm going to perform "Carmen" in this concert. This is a very famous music.  I think many people have listened to it at least. I have a solo, so I feel nervous when I play it. But in concert, I'd like to feel enjoyable! For doing my best in concert, I'm going to practice harder.

Kyudo（弓道 byKei

I am a member of "Kyudo" club.
Kyudo is Japanese archery.
This club has activities on Wednesdays and Fridays.
I started it after I entered the college.
It is very difficult, but enjoyable!!
I enjoy this club activities every time.
I want to continue Kyudo in the future if possible.

Cold by kenta

Hi. Good evening. It got these days very cold. Since I like a cold day, I am glad. However, the washing does not get dry easily and I am troubled. Please take care about cold. Let's take nutrition a lot.  I recommend cream stew cold days.Cream stew is one of the most my favorite dishs. I took 40 minutes to make it.
I made it yesterday last night. It was delicious. I will write my cream stew materials. I put many vegetables.

• 1 chicken thigh, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
• 1 onion, sliced into 1/4 inch thick
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
• 1 brocolli, cut into small chunks
• 2 chicken consomme cubes
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp cream cheese

By Kenta

TIFF TOKYO! by Yuka S

The 24th edition of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is coming to end. This festival has showed the latest and most talked-about films from around the world. Today,「MONEY BALL」（U.S.A.) is playing as an official closing work. The story drew Oakland A's general manager Billy Bean who turned miraculously his poor baseball team into an unbeaten one.　It's a true story. His management theory which beat common sense is worth watching very much.

The other day, I　attended a workshop about translation of captions. The speaker was Mr. Kouji Kikuchi who superimposed the MONEY BALL. I learned many difficulties in his working as translator. So, I also want to pay attention to its captions while watching the movie.

Rank Up by Yuta

Kei Nishikori recorded the best rank for him! Latest his lank (30th) is the highest lank as a Japanese. This news will make a lot of Japanese tennis fans happy. This picture was taken in Japan , Ariake Colossum about 3 years ago. When this picture was taken, he  just made his debut as a professional tennis player. At this match of picture, he lost. After the match, he commented to the press corps that after this I must be strongger because tennis become my occupation. At the beginning of this year, he said that I want to raise my ranking about top 30th until end of this season. I think that we can feel his growth by his achievement.

OK by kenta

The results of the first half were announced.
I have acquired all.
I am very glad.
I do my best the second half also.
kenta

A Delicious Cake by Keiko

The other day, my mother made a pumpkin cake on my father's birthday.Every year, she makes a cake on my family's birthday.It tastes great!  I'm looing forward to it every year. I hope I will be able to make delicious cakes like her someday!

Birthday by Yuta

Last weak, I became 19 years old.
This year is final year for me as a teenager. So, I want to enjoy and prepare for my twnties.

Not good by.Kei

These days, I'm not so good.
I had a headache, stomachache...etc
That's why I don't have a healthy meal and can't sleep enough.
Eating is living ! So, it is very important!!
And sleeping is, too.

I'll think them over once more.


You're be careful too...

my hobby by kenta

Recently,I cooked hardly. I like cooking pasta.
This picture is my best dish!!!!

It taste good!
kenta

Part-time Job by Yuta

Today, I worked as a tennis club's  assistant coach.
Of course, playing tennis as a player is very difficult. But there is different difficulty playing tennis as a coach.
For example, when I play tennis as a player, I always try to make my rival miss. But when I play tennis as a coach, I always try to make my guests success.
There are still many points that be different and difficult.
I think I need a lot of time in order to be a full-fledged coach.
This picture is the tennis club where I work in.

YUTA

I want to rest by kenta

My summer vacation is very hard.Everyday we practice baseball.

I want to have a cold.

I want to go out!!!!

kenta

My Club Camp by Keiko

The other day, my club "music club" went to Nagano for a club camp. I practiced the flute there for five days, so I felt tired when I returned to Tokyo.

However, there were many pleasant things! At night, my flute part did a small party. We talked about various things. It was very fun! This photo was taken then. My club camp was hard, but I think it is a good memory.

Condition Is Not Good But ・・・ by Yuta

Yesterday, I was in poor healh because of physical fatigue.
I lay on the bed. Suddenly I remembered that I completely forget writing this blog.
Then I turned on the computer to write this blog.

However, recently my computer is not good at connection to the Internet.
Yesterday, when I used computer to write blog of this class, suddenly it was stopped working.
Then it did not recover.So I gave up to up the blog.

Today I am going out of home because of tomorrow's tennis match.
It will be very important for our tennis team.
My healh condition is not perfect. Although I will do my best.

Kyoto by.Kei

I visited Kyoto the other day.
I've been there several times before.But I went to the many places I haven't ever been to this time.

This photo is "Ginkakuji(銀閣寺）".
I have wanted to go there for a long time.So,I was really excited.
However,this day it was rainy.That's why I was disappointed.
I wished,when it was good weather,I saw it.But after I saw it while raining,the feeling went away!!
Ginkakuji got wet by rain looks very very beautiful.

Would you go there in rain?

Sweden is beautiful ! by Keiko

This photo was taken in Sweden. The other day, my sister Yoko who is studying English in Sweden now sent it with mail.

Also, she said in its mail,"Sweden is very beautiful! It is hot now, butit will become much colder soon."Because Japan is very hot, I envy it. Someday I want to go to Sweden!

baseball by kenta

Hello!!!
I went to Isikawa because of training camp.
It was very very hard.
But It is nice experience.

kenta

Driving by Yuta

I am in Nagano.And I am driving my car.
About two weeks ago, I got driver's license.
It means that I am a beginner.
Nagano's road is easy to drive.Because the traffic is not so heavy. So it is good practice for me.

Homecoming by Yuka S

.

I returned my hometown lastweek. I saw my family and friends after a long separation,and I went to a fireworks display,spa,and planetarium(this is my friend's workplace. I envy her.)etc...with them. This stay for a few days passed quickly,but I had a good time with a sense of fullfillment.

See you later!

Jubilo by.Kei

My hometown has a pro soccer team,"Jubilo Iwata".
This photo is this team's mascot,his name is "Jubilo kun"!

This team used to be very strong,so they topped the league and won the championship many times.
This time is called "Golden Age" around Jubilo's fans.

But they have not hit their stride recently.
I think one of the reasons is they failed in alternation of generations.
However,I expect they get back into the swing of things like "Golden Age" soon.

Please boost Jubilo together and help them win!!!

Firework Display by Yuta

I will go to a firework display with my friend tomorrow.
the firework display is very famous. Last year, about 37 million people came there.
I think it will be very beautiful. tomorrow will be the biggest memory in this summer for me.

baseball by kenta

This is my high school baseball club.
I went to baseball game on 7 20.
It was very very exciting!!!!


kenta

Special product by.Kei

This picture is a special product of my hometown.

This name is "うなぎパイ（Pie of eel)".

An eel is often caught in the lake Hamana near my hometown.So there are a lot of things related to an eel around my hometown.This pie is one of them.


I heard today is "土用の丑の日".In the culture of Japan,we Japanese have the custom to eat an eel in the day.

Let's eat an eel and get over heat of summer by vitality we get by eating it!

About a strange drink. by Yuka

Please look at this picture.

What do you think this is?
I'll give you two hints about it.

1."Bird's nest"says the label.
2.The contents are ( ? ) and judas's-ear,suger.

Can you guess?

This is...,a swallow's nest drink!

When I went to Yokohama china town with my friend in the last spring vacation,I met it.So,I bought it on the spur of the moment.It was just out of my curiosity.

About two months later,this drink has still been in refrigerator...
Because I haven't the courage to open it yet.
On the other hand,I'm wondering how this drink tastes!

It's a just kind of worring drink for me.

If you have tried it before,please tell me what it's like!

hello by kenta

Today,it is very hot!!!!
I don't like summer.How about you？
I want to go mountain.
I will play baseball tomorrow and friday.
So,I'm going to bed.
Goodnight everyone!!!!

kenta

New Release by Yuta

The picture is my favorite artist, DIR EN GREY.
They are going to release new single tomorrow.
Of course, I will buy it.
I hope that tomorrow comes soon.

Busy Days by.Kei

 I thought college students had many times before I entered a college.However, recently I've not been free,but rather,I have been too busy!That's because I belong to three clubs or circles(Sadou 茶道,Kadou 華道,Kyudou 弓道）. I enjoy every club activities,though get tired.
 I ever liked idling away my time.For example,sleeping,playing game,watching TV,reading comics...etc.
 Those are enjoyable,but challenging new things and trying many things are also great fun!!So,I live a full life now.Well,I want a rest a little.

I think all of you enjoy campus life. Let's enjoy together!!



This picture is my work of Kadou.

My Happy Day by Keiko

I saw my friend who I have not seen for a long time on Sunday. I had talked with her for three hours, drinking a Dark moka frappuccino.

It was very delicious!

hello by kenta

Today,it is rainy day.
My baseball club is free.
Afternoon,it will be cloudy.
Everyone,goodbye!!!

sleepy by kenta

Hello!!!!! It is too late!!!
We have to go to bed.
Tomorrow,we have to get up early because we have a class morning.
So, goodnight everyone!!!!

kenta

My Favorite Restaurant by Yuka

I want to write about my favorite restaurant.
On Sunday this week,I went to Italian restaurant with my friend.
We had a pizza and lasagna and so on.
All the dish did us very well.
Above all,the pizza is so thin that we could have had some more.

It was a wonderful dinner.We enjoyed it.

This shop data is here.★
By all means you also must go.

My Favorite Place by Keiko

My favorite place is Disney land. This is because it has many interesting attractions and it makes me feel enjoyable. I especially like Big Thunder Mountain.　When I go there, I often ride Big Thunder Mountain many times. This photo is Shindelera castle. This is very beautiful. Beside attractions, I like this.

This summer, I am going to go to Disney land with friends. I am looking forward to going there!

summer by Kei

 It has been being hot recently.But,this summer,we can't probably use air-con.That is so unlucky!!So,I have already been sick of the heat.And I have been worried about how I avoid the heat this summer.

 What will you do to avoid the heat this summer?

Bad Weekend by Yuta

Last weekend was the worst for me. Because I was in poor health.
Saturday and Sunday, I lay down on the bed all of the day. So I can not do anything. Of course, I can not attend the practice of tennis club.
My health condition has not recover  yet. I hope that it recovers as soon as possible.