Merry Christmas!

Hello.
Finally, my Canadian Christmas is done.
I am sad because it was so much fun and exciting.

On Christmas Eve, I went to my host grandparents' house for supper.
My host grandma asked me to make tempura, again, so I made some.
Everyone liked it, so I was glad.
We ate lots of food there.
After supper, we played a card game, which is so much fun for me.
I was in 2nd prise out of 6! I was shocked because I couldn't win.haha
We left there after 10pm, then I went to bed at midnight.

On Christmas Day, my host boys, host dad and host sister woke me up.
They entered my room and said, "Merry Christmas! Mari!!!" loudly.
Boys jumped on my bed...haha Of course(?), I was sleeping then... Thanks boys, I could wake up comfortably.haha
We didn't get dressed. We just wanted to see presents from Santa.
I got some presents from Santa!!! Wow!! Thanks!!
I haven't gotten any presents from Santa for about 4 years, so it was surprising!haha
Hey, Santa! When did you change your mind!?

I really want to show you what I got with many pictures, but I cannot today again...
Sorry about that lol

After opening presents, we went to my host grandparents' house again for brunch.
We ate a lot again.
Then, we got many presents from my host grandparents.
I got pajamas, a journal, a candle, and many snacks.

Then, we came back home with lots of presents.
We had a break, then we went there again for supper!
We ate millions this time.haha
After that, adults played an another card game and kids watched a movie.
I joined "adults team"haha
I tired to understand that card game's rule, but finally, I couldn't.
It is a super complicated game.haha
I wish I could understand soon so that I can play with "adults" a lot!

What did I do on Christmas day this year?
eating, eating, playing, eating, getting presents, eating, eating....
Yes, I spent a lots of time to eat something.haha
I didn't wanna see any foods anymore last night.
I had so much fun this year!!!

Today was Boxing Day in Canada.
Most of shops were on sale, so I went to West Edmonton Mall with Eri.
Many, many people were there to get cheap goods.
Some of popular shops were made long lines by many people.
Of course, we didn't join any lines. It just makes us tired.
After lunch, we had nothing to do at WEM anymore, so we moved to Southgate shopping mall.
I found a cute pair of shoes, then finally, I bought.
It is ADIDAS. adidas is always expensive, but it was on sale.
30% off - it was about $57!!!(about 5,700yen) Isn't it cheap?
I was glad because I did a good shopping*
Then, finally, I went back home.

My Canadian Christmas is over, finally.
I did have fun with my host family and host relatives.
I want to say "Thank you" to them because they prepared my presents, cooked a lot of food and so on.
Thank you very much!!!
And Happy New Year!

*noma*

Getting ready for Christmas!

Hello.

Today, school was over, which means I will finally start Christmas break from tomorrow!

Recently, I am busy preparing for Christmas season.

As I told, I got some presents from my grandparents.

My school counselor gave us "countdown calendar"

We can count down until Christmas Day with eating chocolates every day.

Actually, it is for kids. (My host brothers enjoy eating chocolates every day)

However, I really enjoy counting down with eating chocolates!haha

I can eat 4 more chocolates until Christmas!

My host family baked Christmas cookies and I tried making some.

It was hard, but I had fun!

Last Sunday, I went to my host grandparents' house to make "sweets house"

It is one of Christmas events in my host family.

These are my work!

I did well, didn't I!?!?

I seems fun, but actually... hard.

These are my host brothers' and cousins' works.

Last Tuesday, I went to church to do activities.

We went to some elderly people's houses and sang Christmas songs for them.

It is a surprising event, so they didn't expect we were coming.

They were so surprised and impressed by our songs.

"You guys looked like angels. Thank you so much." They said.

It was very good!

However, we sang songs in front of their houses, and it was evening...

Guess what... It was super cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Right? Alex!?

As I said, I'll start my Christmas break from tomorrow, however, I have a hard schedule.

I am going to go to Salt Lake City with my host family to attend the wedding of my host mom's cousin.

I am excited to go there, but it takes 16 hours to get there by car.

I am kind of nervous, but I'll have fun there!

I'll write my Christmas holiday when I am free....

Don't expect it!haha

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

*noma*

TOUCH OF CLASS!!!! and youth dance!

Hello.
As I said, I had "Touch of Class" at school yesterday.
Most of students dressed up and enjoyed the party!
I think nobody could concentrate on class.haha

At lunch time, we could have "free lunch" at cafeteria.
As background music, Jazz A and Jazz B played Jazz music.
It was awesome!

I'll attach pictures from my facebook again! Sorry about that because it is easy!!!

http://hs.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12371&l=ec982&id=588173317

At night, I went to the youth dance at church and enjoyed it.

See you,

*noma*

Touch of Class and dance

Hello.
Now, it is 7:41am here.
Today, in my school, we have "Touch of Class"
We have normal classes as usual, but most of students will dress up all day.
I'll wear Sunday clothes, which I wear on Sunday to go to church.
I'm so excited for it because it is rare for us to see everyone dressing up.

At lunchtime, I'll play the trumpet as Jazz B.
I am a little nervous, but I will!!!haha

Tonight, I'll go to dance to meet my friends.
I cannot go to New Year's dance because I'll be away with my host family.
So, it is the last dance for me this year.

I'll tell you a wonderful day, which is today, with a lots of pictures here.
So, please visit here later!!!

*noma*

Happy Birthday, Chiemi!!

Hello.
Today, on December 13th, is my Japanese good friend, Chiemi's birthday!
Every time before my good friends' birthday, I send birthday cards to them from Canada and I was going to send a card to her, too.
However, I'm busy in studying, Christmas shopping and so on.
Therefore, I still have her birthday card here!!
I know I have to send it as soon as possible because her birthday is today...
Sorry, Chiemi...
Did you have fun!?
I guess you guys finished your final exam and now you are excited for Christmas party, right!?
I really want to attend that party, but this year, I can't!!
That's ok - I'll enjoy my first Canadian Christmas with my host family!!!!!HAHAHA~!!!

By the way, today, I am going to go to Japanese restaurant for lunch.
Since I am taking Japanese, I can go there for the field trip.
I'm excited to go there!

*noma*

a funny video

Hello.
I have a funny movie here.

I take Japanese30 now and last Friday we did a project.
Canadian students reported the world's weather in Japanese and Megumi and I reported the weather in English.
It was fun!haha

Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irH_D8XJEeE

Enjoy!

*noma*

pictures

I'll attach pictures from my facebook...
Sorry! This is because of my stupid camera, maybe...

at the concert
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232845&l=51fb4&id=588173317
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232842&l=713e2&id=588173317
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232843&l=1e6fd&id=588173317
Jazz B
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232826&l=21855&id=588173317
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232827&l=1ad0b&id=588173317
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232828&l=4e334&id=588173317
Grade12 band
http://hs.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=232789&l=c47e9&id=588173317

Sorry that I can attach only the concert's pictures.
Other pictures will be coming soon!

Enjoy!

I am alive and recent Mari!

Hello.

Can you believe!? It is December!

As you know, I'll leave Canada in March, which means I have only 3 and half months to stay here.

In my city, the crazy winter arrived here finally.

Every morning, I wait for buses under -19C.

My fingers and toe are very very painful!!!!

Moreover, because of this weather, buses don't come on time!

I am like, "Hurry up!!! Come on!!!" at the bus stop every day.

This morning, I saw a lady dancing at the bust stop.

I really can understand her because during dancing we can forget this cold weather a little bit.haha

Last Saturday, I got Christmas gifts from my grandparents!!!

They gave me a lots of gifts, including winter goods.

I love them and I am using them every day.

Thanks a lot*

I know my grandparents are unique, but my Japanese family are not...haha



In Canada, most of people are excited for Christmas now.

Many houses are decorated Christmas illumination, which are really beautiful.



On November 21st, I had the winter concert.

I played the trumpet there.

However, since I belong to many groups(Band 20, Band 30, Symphonic band, Jazz band), I was really busy during the concert.

I had a really good time there.

My host mom, boys and a little sister came to the concert to see my performance.

However, since the boys need to go to bed by 8pm every day, they could see only Band20's performance.

My host mom said, "Boys were so excited to see you"

I have one more concert before I leave Canada in February.

I hope I will have fun there too.



See you!



*noma*

I really want to add pictures but for some reason I can't!

I'll do that whenever I am free.

Sorry about that!

Finally... Halloween!!

Hello. How are you?

Today, finally, I am gonna write about my first(?) Halloween!

On October 29th, my host family made a Halloween pumpkin!

It was the first time for me to try it, so it was fun!

On Ocotber 30th, we had a halloween party at church.

Many people wore halloween cloths and I enjoyed it.

I did not wear any halloween cloths, but it was so fun.

This halloween party was "pot-luck" party.

Someone made these cookies. They are scary, aren't they?

On October 31st!! Halloween day!!!

I wore my school uniform and went to school.

When I got on "school special" bus, there are many students who wore halloween cloths.

I was excited!And when I arrive at the school, there are also many students who wore Halloween cloths.

Not only did students, but also teachers wore funny cloths.

At lunchtime, we had "halloween costume contest"

Many studnets showed their own costumes.

The teachers also joined this contest.

Japanese class!

At night, I went trick-or-treating with my host boys.

We said, "Trick or Treat!!" in front of the doors and I got many many many....candies.

It was also the first time for me to go trick or treating, so I enjoyed it.

*noma*

Remembrance day

Today, I wanted to write about my first Halloween, but I will write about Remembrance day.

Today is "Remembrance day" in Canada.

We commemorate people who died because of World War1 and World War2.

In my high school, we had the assembly to commemorate them last Friday.

Then, today was a day off!

I played the trumpet in the assembly.

It was a sad assembly, but it is very very important for us to know about the wars.

By the way, did you notice!?

I got a hair cut again last Wednesday.

What do you think?

I got my farelock cut.

My host mom's cousin cut my hair again!

Thanks!!

*noma*

VIVA! band camp!!3

Thursday, October 11 -the last day of my band camp-

7:30am Wake up call

(This time, I didn't play the trumpet because I was tired. Some students play their instruments and they woke me up...)

8:00am Pack and bring our bags to the lobby.

(The next school was coming soon, so we needed to pack as soon as possible.)

-pictures of the room where I stayed-

-the pictures of the lobby-

8:30am breakfast

9:00am rehearsal

11:00am load bags and instruments

11:30am WAGGY MUSIC CAMP AWARDS CEREMONY

my music teachers!

(I got the award with Eri!)

12:00pm lunch

-the room where we had meals-

12:45pm load buses

1:00pm departure

2:30pm arrival at the school

It was so much fun! I really wanna go to the band camp next year, but I can't...

I wish we would have the band camp in Japan...

Anyway, I really enjoyed it!

*noma*

VIVA! band camp!!2

-my band camp's place-

Wednesday, October 10 -the second day of the band camp-

7:30am Wake up call

(I played the trumpet to wake up all campers. It was so much fun. Some people screamed "Shut up!!!")

8:30am breakfast

9:00am warm up in downstairs rehearsal hall

(we learned how to breath over watching the movie)

10:00am rehearsal

12:00pm lunch

After lunch, my friend, Karen and I went to the park and played there! How old are we?)

1:00pm rehearsal

3:00pm Woodwind Trio Concert (clarinet, oboe and fagotto)

3:30pm free time(I guess I had a nap again!)haha

students spent their time as they like.

5:30pm dinner

6:30pm ensemble rehearsal

(As I told, we were divided into some groups(according to the last name). Then, we got a easy music(ode to joy(YOROKOBI NO UTA)). We practiced this song by using our instruments our bodies. We can perform as we like. Just we needed to use this music(ode to joy))

7:00pm Apocalyse Kow

(5 men sang songs. Everyone enjoyed listening to their songs! My friend said, "Oh my gosh. It was the best concert that I had ever seen!)

8:30pm Ensemble Concert!

I enjoyed watching every group's perform.

This group did the drama with ode to joy as a back ground music.

This group sang ode to joy with gestures. It was so fun!

About my group, we did the competition.

We started playing ode to joy, then when the audience said, "Fast", we needed to play faster.

Then, the person who did not miss can win!

We started playing then faster faster.... some people missed...

Oh my gosh! I won this game! I didn't miss at all.

Many candies were thrown by many students for me.

I didn't catch candies but I was surprised because I couldn't believe I won this competition.

Anyway, I won!!!

After this ensemble concert, some boys who love playing the guitars played ode to joy.

It was so good.

In this picture, the center boy played ode to joy and four boys whistled.

In this picture, three boys played ode to joy. It was also good!

A boy who is in centre is in my Jazz band.

He plays the guitar there, but his instrument in the band class is the sax.

9:30pm Bonfire ( we did "camp fire"!)

10:30pm snack

11:30pm light out(NO MORE NOISE!)

*noma*