Happy Birthday to you!

Hi, today was my host brother's birthday.
He became 3 years old today.

Even though he became 3 years old, he needs still diapers.
So my host parents gave him underwear as one of birthday presents.
He got toys, clothes, coloring books and so on from his parents and grandparents.
I gave him a T-shirt.
I bought it at Disney Store in West Edmonton Mall.
And it is printed Buzz Lightyear from Toy story.
He loves watching Toy story and his favorite character is Buss Lightyear.
He liked it, so I was glad! Also, the size was perfect!!hahaha

Next Sunday, we will have a birthday party again.
We did that at my host family's house today, but my host aunt couldn't make a birthday cake for him because of her work.
So she will make a birthday cake next Sunday and we will have birthday supper again at my host grandparents' house.

Anyway, today was a very, very good day for my host brother!

Happy Birthday to you!!!

*noma*

***my Japanese best friends***

Hi.

Today, I went to school to get my time table, my locker and my ID card.

It took a long time.

However, I could take subjects which I wanted to take, so I am happy now!

After I got home, my host father gave me a letter from one of Japanese best friends.

She gave me a long letter, a picture of my friends and a souvenir from Kamakura.

I was very, very happy to get them.

They hold a party for me before I left Japan.

I was impressed by their kindness.

Thanks a lot!!!

I love you so much.

We are good friends forever!!!

*noma*

Summer arts work shop, Action!!!!

Hi.

Today was "summer arts work shop"

I practiced a lot for it, so I was so excited!!

I went to church at 9am and we rehearsed three times.

Our performances were started at 3am and 7pm.(two times!)

One stage was about 80 minutes.

There were 15 performances and I appeared in 9 performances!

I was so busy to change costumes.

However, I really enjoyed it.

My host family came to church to see our performances.

I was happy they were there.

And they took a lots of pictures of me! Thanks!

We could finish our two stages at 8:30pm.

We cleaned up church and we had a small party.

We ate pizza and watched our performance's video.

I asked YW leaders to give me a copy video and they said, "YES!"

So I can show today's performances to my Japanese family, friends!

Please wait for it.

It is soooooooooooooo.... nice!

I could make many friends there, so I was so happy.

Oh, after our performances, one girl said to me, "Hello" in Japanese.

She is also an international student and she came to church as audience.

She came from Aomori and she will stay here for a year like me.

Of course, she stays with the host family who are Mormon.

She has stayed here for 6 months.

I think she could join this event too. I was a little disappointed.

I hope she will join church's events from now on and that we can see her again!

I danced "Chilean Dance" and I had to make-up.

I had to use deep red lip. I didn't like it, but I had to do that... Oh...

Today was a very long day, but I really really enjoyed it!!

I am so sad I cannot join this event anymore.

I won't forget this event!!!!

*noma*

Summer arts work shop's practice 3

Today, I went to church again to prepare for summer arts work shop.

I went there yesterday as you know, but there were only 16 year old boys and girls.
Today, all of young men and young women were at church and we practiced dancing and singing together.
It took about 3 hours.(9am-at noon)
Also, leaders didn't give us anything to eat today.
It is rare.
I was so hungry.
Alex who is one of my church friends lives near church, so she took me to her house and we ate lunch together.
We made sandwiches!! mmm, yummy!
After that, she took me to the bus stop, BUT the bus has gone in front of us!
So we waited for the bus for about 30 minutes at the bus stop.
She waited for it with me. Thanks!

We will have "Summer Arts Work Shop" tomorrow.
It is from 9am-11pm.
Our performances are from 1pm-3pm.
My host family are coming to see my performance.
I think it is the first time for the baby to go out! Wow!
After our performances, we will have a party!

Have a great weekend!

*noma*

Summer arts work shop's practice 2

Hi.

Today, I had some practice at church for summer arts work shop.

Last Sunday, my church friend, Alex, told me that this practice wouldn't take place at our church, so it would take place at another church.

So I went to another church by bus in the morning.

However, nobody was there.

So I could guess "It must take place at our church"

So I went to our church by bus from there.

When I got to our church, Alex really apologized me "I am so sorry, Mari. I called to your house, but you were out already. I had no idea then because you don't have a cell phone, right? I am so sorry. I am glad you are here!"

No problems, Alex!

You are always kind to me!! That's fine!

We practiced singing and dancing there.

It was fun for me because I love music!

playing instruments, singing and dancing!!! So fun, hey?

There were not only girls but also boys.

Boys were so cheerful.

I was glad they were interested in singing and dancing.

We will perform singing and dancing on Saturday at church.

Our performance should be the best!

*noma*

Welcome!!

Hi,
Yesterday morning, my host family got a girl baby.
We are so happy.

My host family are tired.
So I have to help them.

Anyway, congratulations!!

Last night, I went to church for YW activity.
We learned about hair-style.

The teacher was my host mother's cousin-in-low.
So she is my hair cutter!!!
I meet her at least once a month to have supper.
I like her because she is nice!

Many YW and YW leaders said "Congratulations!"

I am really lucky because my host family is so nice.
Specially, I didn't expect moving and getting a baby.
I have to appreciate them. Thank you so much! and I love you!!!

*noma*

peeling apples

Hi,

Today, I went to my host grandparents' house for supper again.

At their house's back yard, there are some apple trees.

We got a lots of apples and we peeled them hard.

I helped peeling with an interesting machine.

It is so good and convenient!

My host grandparents' friend were there.

They were nice.

And they live in a huge house.

My host grandma said to me, "I will take you there someday"

I am looking forward to it from now on!

*noma*

tempura!!

Hi,
I couldn't write my blog yesterday...
This is because my host family's computer is not working well now.
The computer isn't always wrong.
Sometimes, it is good.
So, now I can use it!

Yesterday, I went shopping with my host family.
My host brother is gonna elementary school from September.
So he has to prepare for his school life.
pencils, pen case, notebooks...
He is looking forward to going there but his brother must be sad, I guess.

Today, I went to church with my host dad and brothers.
My host mother got a sick, so she couldn't go there.
Everyone who met at church asked us, "Did you get a baby, finally????"
We really hope so but not yet...

In the evening, I went to my host mom's parents' house for supper.
My host grandma wants to try "tempura"
So I made tempura today.
I could make it well!
They ate them a lot.
I was happy.

See you,

*noma*

High School Musical 2!

Today, I went to Megumi's house to watch High School Musical2 on Disney Channel.
I am a big fan of High School Musical, so I was really looking forward to watching it.

Before I got to her house, I cooked rice for supper at my house.
After that, I went to her house at about 2:30pm.
MariO and Mai were there already.
First, we watched High School Musical 1.
After we finished watching it, we started cooking supper.
We made egg plant curry and rice.
We could cook it well!
Over eating it, we enjoyed talking a lot until High School Musical 2 starts.

High School Musical started at 9p.m.
And it finished at 10:45p.m.

Eri and I went home by bus.
It was already dark but we got home without accident.

I really enjoyed watching High School Musical 2.
I love musical!!!!

*noma*

rice

Hi,
Tomorrow, I am gonna Magumi's house to watch High School Musical.
Also, we will cook supper by ourselves.
We will cook "egg-plant curry and rice"

We need rice to cook it, so I went to the supermarket to buy rice.

I went there on foot!(good excise)
However, it took only 15 minutes!?hahaha

I bought rice which is made in U.S.A.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's supper!


*noma*

p/s I wanted to upload pictures, but it took long time now.
So I will upload pictures later.

busy day

Hi,
Today, I went to West Edmonton Mall with all of my Japanese friends.
It was the first time for us to go there with all of us, actually.
However, I had to go to church to practice singing and dancing for Summer Arts Works Shop.
So I left West Edmonton Mall at about 1:30pm and I went to church by bus.
I will perform singing and dancing on next Friday with my church friends.
It is fun!
I wanna show you if I can...

After I got home, I went to my host mom's parents' house for supper.

See you,

*noma*

to improve my English skill!?

Hi.

As you know, I am reading "Harry Potter1" now.

Reading Harry Potter in English is fun for me because I can learn words and also I can know how to describe many cases of situations in English.

I think it is slow to read but I have much time to read, so it is okay.

My host father advised me, "You should watch TV more"

I love watching TV in JAPAN, but actually now I don't watch TV because I don't know what show is interesting for me.

My host mom sometimes watches TV show, so I watch it sometimes.

Then, my host father said, "You had better watch NEWS"

So today, I tried watching NEWS.

The announcer spoke so fast because he had to tell much information for 30minutes.

I couldn't understand all but I will watch NEWS as often as possible.

*noma*

talking on the phone

Hi.
In Canada, of course, I use the telephone to talk with my friends, specially Japanese friends.
Fortunately, my host family's telephone shows who is calling us on the screen, so I can know who is calling us before catching the phone.
I cannot talk with my host family's friends because I don't know who they are.
However, I can talk with not only my friends but also my host family's relatives.
So I catch the phone when the screen shows people who I know.

Also, my host family don't catch the phone when my Japanese friends call me.
Of course, when I am not home, they catch the phone and talk with my friends.

In April, I was nervous to call to my friends or catch the phone from my friends but now I am okay.

On Wednesday, all of my Japanese friends are gonna WEM to go shopping.
So I talked with some Japanese friends about that in the afternoon on the phone.
MariO who is one of Japanese friends were in Montana with her host family for about a week, so we couldn't see each other recently.
She came back home last night.
We enjoyed talking on the phone about her holiday and my recently stories.
Because of summer vacation, I cannot meet my friends easily, so talking on the phone with my friends is fun for me!

See you,

*noma*

Favorite movies

Hi.
While I was staying with my host uncle and aunt, I went to my host aunt's parents' house for supper.
They asked me, "What kinds of movie do you like?"
I answered "I love musical"

Then, they lent me 3 musical movies they have.
-The sound of music
-SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
-MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

I have watched "the sound of music" and "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN" in Japan.
I love them, so I watched them again.
About "MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS", I have never watched and heard of it, so I watched it last Wednesday.
It was a good movie. I like it.

Also, I love "High School Musical"
It is so nice. If you haven't watched it, you had better watch it.
It is my recommendation.
This Friday, I am gonna Megumi's house to watch High School Musical 2 at Disney channel.
Megumi's host family won't be home then, so we will cook supper by ourselves.
I am looking forward to watching it very very much!

Have a nice week,

*noma*

Why do Japanese people eat octopuses?

Hello.
Today, I will tell you the story between me and my host father.

At Heritage Festival, we sold TAKOYAKI.
I explained what TAKOYAKI is to my host father.

Father: I watched a movie of an octopus on YouTube.
Even though it was cut, it was still moving.
Me: Oh, yes.
Father: Why?
Me: Because it is still alive.
Father: WHAT?? Do you eat moving octopuses??
Me: Yes.
Father: Is it still moving in your mouth?
Me: Of course!!
Father: Are you kidding me? What is its taste like?
Me: Nothing!?
Father: o....okay.
It is still alive and it is moving in your mouth.
Also, it doesn't have taste.
Why do you guys eat octopuses??
Me: ..... I don't know....

Hey, Japanese people!
Why do we eat octopuses?
I have no ideas about that.
I cannot say "Because it is delicious!" because I don't think it has taste.

One day, my host aunt who is good at making icing cakes asked me, "What kinds of cake do you want on your birthday?"
Then, my host father answered, "Maybe she wants an octopus cake!"
No way!!!hahaha

See you,

*noma*

dance!!

I am gonna dance tonight with Eri!
My host father will take us there and pick us up after dance!
Thanks so much!!

I have to leave now.
See you!

*noma*

Summer arts work shop

Today I went to the church for preparing for summer arts work shop.
Summer Arts Work Shop is one of church's events and many young women and men will join this event.
I will perform singing and dancing with my friends.
So we practiced for it today.
We had only two hours to prepare but we had fun there!
We will have one more practice on Tuesday, so I am looking forward to it!

Tomorrow, my friend, Mai will stay at my host family's house because her host family will be out on Friday and Saturday.
She cannot go there, so she will stay with us tomorrow night.

See you!

*noma*

Harry Potter5

Today, I went to West Edmonton Mall to watch Harry Potter5 with my friend, Eri.
We got there at about 10a.m.
First, we went to the theater to get tickets.
However, the theater would open at 11a.m.
So we went shopping first.
We went to Chinatown because Eri wanted to buy Japanese foods there.
After that, we went to the theater again and we got tickets safely.
Actually, I was not interested in Harry Potter, but Eri didn't wanna watch it alone.
So she asked me to go there and gave me "free ticket"
However, there was only one free ticket, so Eri paid her ticket charge.
I appreciate her kindness! I love her!!!!!!
We enjoyed watching it very much.

Before we watch a movie, we went to Disney store.
We bought our host children's birthday presents there because it was sale!
I bought two presents for my host boys.
Good shopping! I am happy!

Today, I left my camera at home, so I couldn't take pictures....
I regret it...

Anyway, I enjoyed watching "Harry Potter5"
I will finish reading "Harry Potter1" as soon as possible and I will start reading "Harry Potter2"

It is raining again.
Recently, it is not so hot. It is cold!!!
It is like summer has gone...

See ya,

*noma*

Harry Potter4

Hi,
Now, my host family are out.
So, my Japanese friend, Eri is coming to my house and we will watch Harry Potter4 together!
Tomorrow, we are gonna West Edmonton Mall to watch Harry Potter5.
After Eri finishes her supper, she will come here.
Before she comes here, she will call me.
Now I am waiting for her calling!

Actually, I have watched "Harry Potter1" in Japan.
Since I came here, I watched "Harry Potter2 and3"
Recently, I started reading "Harry Potter1" in English.
My host family has one, so I borrowed it from them.

Now, it is raining.
Canada doesn't have "the rainy season" but recently rain often comes.
I mean it is like "the rainy season"
However, it isn't damp, so it's all right!

See ya,

*noma*

Heritage Festival3

Hello.

Today, I went to the last day of Heritage Festival.

Today is a holiday in Canada but I didn't know that bus schedule is Sunday schedule on holiday.

So I went to the bus stop at 10:45a.m but the bus didn't come.

Finally, the bus came to the bus stop at 11:30a.m.

I was a little shocked, but I got there on time. It's ok!

First, I ate lunch!

I tried eating a spring roll at Taiwan booth, an apple filled pastry at German booth and a gogosi elephant ear) at Romania booth.

About an elephant ear, it looks like elephant ear, so it is called "elephant ear"

It was huge, so I couldn't eat all.

After that, I helped cooking and selling Japanese foods.

Today was also nice weather, so many people were there.

And many volunteers helped.

Almost volunteers were from Japan.

I met some Japanese boys from Nagoya international school.

They were not so good boys. I was a little sad to see their behavior.

I didn't know what Nagoya international school, so after I came back home, I checked that school's homepage.

I guessed the boys were so rich and it must be a private school.

It was correct.

I worked with two men.

One of them goes to the university here and another person is his friend.

They are from Nara.

His friend is going back to Japan day after tomorrow.

He came here to see his friend on holiday.

And he gave me Japanese candies! I am happy!

However, it is "a once-in-a-lifetime chance"(ICHI GO ICHIE)

I hope I can meet them again in the future because they were nice!

It was a very good experience for me to help Heritage Festival.

I want to go there every year because it is a fun festival!

I will attach some countries performance pictures!

Japanese performed "SO-RAN BUSHI"

Many people were interested in it.

Heritage Festival2

Hi. Today, I went to Heritage Festival again.


I could see all of countries tents in the morning.


About 70 countries join this festival.


There are many countries people, so it is fun!


I tried eating "cornish pasties" which is England food for lunch.

It leans ground beef, mixed vegetables, thick gravy wrapped in short crust pastry.

It was nice!! If you have a chance to eat it, please try!

In the afternoon, I helped cooking Japanese foods in Japanese booth.

I made OKONOMIYAKI.

However, foreign people cannot say OKONOMIYAKI well, so many people say "Japanese pizza, please"

Fortunately, today was so hot. I mean it was so nice weather.

So many many people came to this festival and many people came to Japanese booth.

We were so busy.

However, I had to go back home by4:3o because my host family was gonna my host mom's parents' house for supper.

So I left there at 3.

At my host mom's parents' house, we had my host father's birthday party!

Of course, my host aunt made a cake for him!

Don't be surprised! LOOK!

It was made of only icing! She didn't use real foods!(Of course, candles are real!)

All of us were surprised.

We enjoyed his birthday party!

Happy Birthday to you!

*noma*

Heritage Festival1

Hi.
Today, I went to "Heritage Festival" with my Japanese friends as volunteers.
There were many countries' booths.
I helped cooking Japanese foods there and sold them.
There were some Japanese ladies who got married to Canadian and their kids.
YAKITORI is the most popular food there.
Unfortunately, it was raining, so we couldn't sell them well.
Maybe, tomorrow will be sunny, so I hope many people will visit Japanese booth.

In the afternoon, I went to my host grandparents' house for supper.
They came back here from their camping today.
My host aunt made a cake for them.
It was awesome!!
We ate it after supper.

See ya,

*noma*

Japanese supper!

Hi.

Today, I went to Eri's house to watch Harry Potter4.

Eri and I will go to the theater to watch Harry Potter5 but I have never seen Harry Potter4, so I said to her, "I have to watch Harry Potter4 before we go to the theater"

Eri wanted to watch Harry Potter4 as well, so Eri said to me, "Let's watch it together at my house!"

My host family has Harry Potter4's DVD, so I brought it to her house.

Megumi and Mai, who are also my Japanese friends were at Eri's house too.

We tried watching it, but Eri's host family's DVD player didn't work.

We did our best, but we couldn't watch it.

I think it is my host family's DVD's fault.

We were a little shocked.

However, we watched Shleck1 at Eri's house.

After that, we made OKONOMIYAKI for supper.

It was nice! I enjoyed eating them.

I had a great day!

Tomorrow, I am going to "Heritage Festival"

There will be many countries booths.

I will help "Japanese booth" tomorrow.

I will cook Japanese foods there.

I think I can eat them, so I am looking forward to it very much!

However, it is raining here.

Maybe, tomorrow's weather won't be good...

I will enjoy!

See ya,

*noma*

Tempura ice cream!!!

This is Tempura ice cream!

I want to know how to make it!

Finally, I finished summer school.

I am a little sad that I cannot meet my summer school teacher.

She did her best for us.

I love you!!!!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Hi, how are you?
Today is my Japanese father's birthday.
I hope he will have wonderful 48th year.

I am sorry I didn't write my blog...
MariO who is my Japanese friend wrote about YW camp well, so please check her blog!
If I have a time, I will upload my pictures too.

Tomorrow is the last day of summer school.
It was soooo fast for me to pass time.
However, I could learn a lot there, so I don't regret everything!

See ya,

*noma*