sleepy Sunday...

Hi,

Yesterday, I went to Eri's house.
She changed her host family today, so she packed all her stuff last week.
She wanted to send a package to Japan, so I went to the post office with her.
She loves her host family, but it is for her English growth, so I think it was a very good decision for her.

So she changed her host family today.
She got information of her new host family last week and they go to church on Sundays like my host family.
I asked my host mom, "Do you know them?"
She said, "Oh, I know them because she(Eri's new host mom) is my son's Sunday teacher!"

So.... most of Toyo students go to the church on Sundays. Wow!

Eri wanted to search the bus schedule to go to school from her new house, but her old host family's computer didn't work well, so I searched it for her last night.
And I gave her new host family the bus schedule at church today!

I didn't know who her host family was, so I asked a lady "I am looking for ****(her new host family)... Do you know her?"
She said, "It is me!"
hahaha That's funny!

I hope she will enjoy with her new host family.
I am looking forward to listening to her talk tomorrow!

After today's church, I went to my host grandparents' house with my host family directly.
We ate lunch and supper there.

My host mom's cousin got a girl baby today!
Congratulations!

However, I was sooooo sleepy today, so I had a nap at my host grandparents' house.(on the couch...)
While I was sleeping, some of my host family went to the hospital to see a new baby.
I had no power to go there....
It is okay. I can meet her soon(maybe)

baby boom!

*noma*

Japan trip!?

Hello,

One day, my friend, Magumi told me that some of our school students would go to Japan and my Japanese school next Spring.
"If it is true, it must be very nice" I answered.

This morning, I saw one notice which is about "Japan trip"
"Oh, my goodness. They are seriously planning on!"

Today's lunchtime, they had a meeting about Japan trip.
I had nothing to do at lunchtime, so I went to Japanese class and attended the meeting.

My school has one Japanese man who teaches Japanese.
He plans on Japan trip every year and he goes to Japan every year with his students.
I didn't know that.

Every year, they go to Tokyo, Osaka, Nara... which are famous places in Japan.
However, from this year, they are gonna visit my Japanese high school!
And they will sleep over there. (only one night)

While they are in Tokyo and Kyoto, they will stay with each host families.
The host families can speak in English, so the students don't have to worry about that.

I am so excited to hear that and also I was glad many people were in Japanese class to attend this meeting.
I hope they will have fun in Japan and that they will like Japan more!

*noma*

baby blessing2

Hi.
Today, I went to church with my host family.
As I told you yesterday, today's church was special for us.

My host grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins... were in the church and everyone blessed my host baby-sister.
It was a good experience for me.

Because both of my host parents are sick, we came home early.
So I couldn't take classes today. I was a little disappointed.

Tomorrow, even though it is Monday, I have no school.
It is called "PD day"
So I am free tomorrow.
I am going to go shopping with my friends. I am excited now!
I hope I can have good shopping!

*noma*

baby blessing

Hi.
Yesterday, my host mom's brother's family came to Edmonton.
She has 4 brothers, but one of them lives in Calgary.
So they came to Edmonton and they are staying with my host grandparents.

My host family will have the event which is called "Baby blessing" at church tomorrow.
They came here to do that together.

Actually, after baby blessing, they have supper together, but my host mom's brother's family wanna go back home as soon as possible tomorrow, so we had to have supper together tonight.
It was very good supper!

I have met them once before.(maybe in June)
They are also really nice.

Because my host mom has 4 brothers, there are many people.
Today, 21 people were in my host grandparents' house. Oh, my goodness...
However, many people=fun! I know!
Anyway, I could have a wonderful night today!

*noma*

Jazz band!!

Hi.

Actually... I took "JAZZ BAND AUDITION" last Friday.
I didn't say about that to my Japanese family, host family and so on.

First, I was gonna join JAZZ BAND and Symphonic band.
However, I thought if I join both of them, I have to go to practice three days in a week.(2 days= symphonic, 1 day= jazz)
It must be hard for me, so I gave up taking JAZZ BAND audition.
I really thought about that because I wanted to join both of them!
But I have to study... do my homework... I wanna go to church in the evening....
Actually, I asked my mom to give me good advice!
She wanted me to join both of them too.
Finally, she didn't give me good advice.hahaha
So I decided to take only symphonic band audition.

Last Thursday, I asked my music teacher about practices of Jazz and Symphonic.
She said, "Once a week for Jazz, and also once a week for symphonic"

...WHAT??....

Not 2 days for symphonic???

Okay, okay. I will take jazz band audition!!!
I signed up my name on the paper last Thursday to take it.
Then, I practised the music which I have to perform in front of teachers.
At lunchtime, I took jazz band audition!

I asked my friend, Alex, "Don't you take jazz band audition?"
She said, "I don't want to practice any instruments for jazz band"
She plays the euphonium, but it is not a jazz instrument.
I said, "You can play the piano! You can take jazz band audition!"
She said, "Yeah, but I have never tried jazz band music..."
"Okay, Alex.. I will try hard in jazz band without you..."

This Monday morning, I met Alex in the bus.
She said, "I will take jazz band audition!"
"What? What instrument??"
"PIANO!!!"
"What made you take jazz band audition!?"
"My parents want me to join jazz band, so I decided to take it. I practiced this weekend."

"Oh, I am so glad!"

She took jazz band audition this Tuesday.

Today was the announcement day.
Alex and I were a little nervous from morning.
We went to music room at lunchtime, and... we found our names!!!

We were so happy.

There are 2 groups of Jazz band.
Jazz A and Jazz B

I guess Jazz A is higher level than Jazz B.

Alex and I are in Jazz B.
Moreover, I am trumpet 1st!! Oh, my goodness...

I didn't expect to join Jazz A because I have to leave here in March.
If I am in Jazz A, it makes some troubles after I leave here.
So I don't care about that.

Today's after school, we had a meeting of symphonic band.
I thought my music teacher would explain about the audition.
However, she said, "Please set your instruments and let's play!"
So, no audition! Lucky!

In conclusion, I can join jazz band and symphonic band!
Were you surprised, mom?hahaha

*noma*

my grandparents

Hi.
Today, I went to school as usual.

After school, when I got home, my host mom gave me a package.
It was from my grandparents!!

My birthday is coming next month.(Oct.4th)
So they gave me some presents, Japanese snacks and letters.

I sent a postcard to them last month.
They were sooooooooo happy to get it.

They thought I forgot about them in Canada until they got my postcard.
What??? Not at all, grandma and grandpa!!
I really appreciate you.
I can be here because of your support.

They said, "we read your blog with my dictionary, but we cannot understand all. Anyway we are glad you enjoy your new life."

My birthday is October 4th. I will be 17!! Oh, my goodness!!!!
I hope I can have a wonderful birthday.

*noma*

Happy Birthday to you!3

Hi.
Today, I went to church with my host family.
Usually, we go there at 11am, but today we went there at 10am.
We listened to some speakers' talk and sang songs.
We have some classes every Sunday school, but today we didn't have any classes.
Just listening speakers' talk.
So, today's church was special!
There were a lots of people for special Sunday.
I could meet some friends barely. Anyway many many people!!
After this conference, we had lunch with leaders.
My host mom's father works at church as one of important people.
So we were invited by leaders, then, we had lunch together. mmm... yummy!

In the evening, my host father's parents, brothers and a sister-in-law came to our house to celebrate boys' birthday for supper.
Actually, it was the first time for me to meet them, but they were very friendly.
We enjoyed talking, celebrating and eating!
It was fun.

The new week started!
On Friday, I will have dance.
I hope I can go!!!

*noma*

Baptism

Hi,
Today, I went to church with my host family.
This is because my church's friend was baptized today.

She(=B) who was baptized today is 15 years old, but she hadn't been baptized yet.
Her family don't have God, so she didn't have God.
Last year, she came to church with her best friend(=T) who is a Christian.

She joined many events and activities at church even though she wasn't a Christian yet.
And also, she studied about the church with missionaries over joining Sunday church and activities.

Finally, she decided to be baptized.
I was impressed by her big decision.

Her family aren't Christian, but they came to the church to see her baptism.
I have seen baptism three times in Canada.
However, today's baptism was the best ceremony I have ever seen.
We sang a song for her.
Over singing, some young women cried.
I was gonna cry too.
I guess she must talk with her family a lot about that, it must be a very very big decision for her and so on...
Anyway, I was impressed by today's baptism.

Because of today's baptism, I thought I wanna know about Christian more.

*noma*

Welcome to Canadian winter!

HI.
Today's temperature was -1C in the morning.
However, today is.... SEPTEMBER 13, 2007!!!!
SEPTEMBER!!!!

Where is autumn!?

One day night, I helped my host father with his work outside. (carrying goods which my host family bought that day)
It was so cold. My breath became white.
I said to him, "I am so cold. It is winter, isn't it?"
He said, "What? Is it winter for you?"
"Yeah... Where is autumn?"
He said, "No, way! Give me a break!"

For Canadian, it is not winter... Oh, my goodness...
I will try hard in Canadian winter.

*noma*

band camp

Hi.

Today, I got information of the band camp in music band20 class.
It is from Tuesday Oct. 9 to Thursday Oct. 11.
Of course, I can join! I am very glad.
However, when I stay somewhere over two nights, I have to hand in the approval to my study abroad company.
I have to submit it as soon as possible because today is about one month before going to the band camp.

I have to pay $110(11,000yen) to go to the camp.
It doesn't matter for me because I really wanna join this camp. Surely, my Japanese family will say "No problem" to pay $110.
As you know, I go there weekdays, so I have to miss 3 days of classes.
No, actually, 2 1/2 classes. ( we will leave the school at noon on Oct. 9)
Anyways, it is not on weekends.

I have one problem...
Now, in my city, it is very cold.
I wear winter clothes recently.
I hope the weather will be very nice and that I can enjoy it very much.

Three teachers are coming with us.
We need at least 10 adults from our parents.
If we can't gather 10 adults, it will be canceled.
I really really hope we can gather 10 adults even if it is on weekdays!!

*noma*

Happy Birthday to you!

Today is my host brother's birthday.
He became 5 years old today.
We had his birthday supper at my host grandparents' house.
He got a lots of presents from his grandparents, parents and me.
He looked happy.

He will have the birthday party this Thursday.
He will invite many friends.
I will be there because it starts 3:30pm.(= after school)
His aunt will make a cake for him. I am looking forward to seeing it from now on!

*noma*

dance, baby shower...

HI.
I didn't write my blog yesterday because I had to do my homework last night.

Friday's dance was good.
There were many many people, so I was surprised.
I made some friends at Summer Arts Work Shop, but we don't go to church the same time on Sunday, so we cannot meet each other easily.
However, at dance, we can meet, so I wanna go to dance as often as possible from now on(you know, it is up to my host family because they have to take me there and pick me up)
I enjoyed dance very much with friends.
I danced with a boy who takes Japanese class in his school.
He is interested in Japan, so I was glad.

On Saturday, in the morning, I went to church to clean up.
There were 3 vacuum cars, but 2 of 3 broken when we were using.
So finally, we had to clean up church by using only one vacuum car.
It was hard for us, but after cleaning we ate doughnuts, so we were happy.
In the afternoon, I went to "baby shower".
First, I thought it was one of Christian's events, but actually it is a Canadian culture.
My host mom's friend hold a party for my host mom.
The purpose is to show a new baby for friends.
Then, friends bring presents for a baby.
So my host mother got a lots of clothes, shoes.... and so on. She looked happy.

Today, I went to church with my host family and Eri.
It was the second time for Eri to go there.
After going to the church, we went on a picnic.
Actually, it was BBQ at the park.
It was fun.

Bye*

*noma*

dance

Hi.
Today is Friday, yeah!!
However, this week is busy.
Tomorrow, I am gonna church to clean up it in the morning.
In the afternoon, I am gonna church again because of my new host sister's baby shower.
It is one of Christian's events.
It is the first time for me to see it, so I am glad.
On Sunday, I am gonna church from 11am-2pm.
After going to church, we are gonna my host grandparents' house for my host brother's birthday supper.
He will be 5 years old next Monday.
Anyways, it is so busy!!

Tonight, I am gonna dance with my church friends.
Alex who is my good church friend will pick me up at 8pm, then we will enjoy dance.

See you,

*noma*

Happy Birthday, Saki!

Hi.
In Japan, today is my Japanese sister's, Saki, birthday.
She became 15 years old!
I called Japanese family whenever we have events(mother's day, father's day, father's birthday) so far.
However, I am sorry I won't call to Japan this time.
Maybe my Japanese family expects my calling, but I won't.
I have some reasons.
One of my reasons is I have no time to talk with them because of homework, church events...
Also, when I wanna call to Japan, I have to ask my host father to set calling stuff(I am using my host family's very very cheap calling system)
I'll call you someday!
Don't worry, I am doing very well now and I am very fine!!

Anyway, happy birthday to you, Saki.
This year, you have to study a lot for your entrance examination.
Try hard. Hope your success!

*noma*

music band30

Hi.
Today, I took music band30 in period 2.
I was a little nervous because probably most of students are older than me.
However, this problem was solved soon.
Many girls and a few boys(hahaha) asked me, "What's your name!?" or something.
Sam who plays the trumpet helped me a lot today.
She has her own trumpet, so I guess she should be a good trumpet player.
I hope we can be good friends!

At lunchtime, I went to student service to talk with my school concealer.
First, she said "You don't have pay any money for your class"
However, finally, we have to pay some money for my classes.
For me, I have to pay $100(about 10,000yen) to rental the trumpet.
But I don't have to pay textbooks rental charge($65).
Maybe I have to pay only $100.
It looks expensive, but I don't care about that because if I buy my own trumpet, probably I have to pay over $100.
It is cheap for me!
Tomorrow or day after tomorrow, I can get the paper which is about my school charge, then I will pay some money for my classes.

See you,

*noma*

The first day of school!

Hi, today was the first day of school.
I enjoyed the first day of school!!

1. Reading
As I told you yesterday, I had to take it.
Actually, I am not good at reading, so it is good for me!
However, there are not so many students.(unpopular class...)
So I hope I can enjoy class and that my English skill will be much better than now!

2.Music band
I love music very, very much!
So I really wanted to take this class!
Most of students in music band20 took music band10 last year.
So I know most of them.
I could borrow my own trumpet, so I was happy

3. social studies
There are a lots of people in social class.
I will learn world history there.
I hope I can understand this class.hahaha
Maybe...? Surely, I will get much homework. I will do my best...

4. Legal studies
The teacher is the same as food studies', so she knows my name already and also, she understands my English skill.
She said to me, "I think your English was improved during summer"
Even if it is a compliment, I am a little happy to hear that.

I met many friends there.
Also, I met church friends who entered the same high school with me this year.

Oh, I have to go to bed now. I am sleepy....
I hope I will enjoy school tomorrow too!!

*noma*

The last day of my Canadian summer vacation

Hi.
Today is the last day of my Canadian summer vacation.
It was fast for me.

I went to southgate with Eri, MariO and Megumi.
I could bought winter clothes.
I heard Edmonton's winter is soooooo cold, so I am preparing for Edmonton's winter.
Actually, it was the first time for me to buy clothes this summer vacation.hahaha
I went to shopping malls many times this summer vacation, but I didn't buy any clothes.

Anyways, my long Canadian summer vacation finished.
I am looking forward to seeing my friends and taking new subjects!
I will take...
-reading(I have to take it in this semester)
-music band
-social study(world history)
-legal study(I will study about Canadian law!!!! It sounds fun!!!! To my surprise, the teacher is the same as food studies teacher!)
I will do my best there!!!

Oh, I have to make my lunch... haaaa...

*noma*

Happy Birthday to you!! 2

Hi.
As you know, today, I went to my host grandparents' house for supper.
My host aunt made a cake for my host brother, so we went there to see and eat it.
The cake was very, very amazing!!!
Today I have no time to attach pictures, so maybe I will attach pictures later. (Sorry, I cannot promise...)
The party was great.

My host mother has four brothers.
So every time when I go to her parents' house there are a lots of people.
I am glad I can talk with them.

Have a lovely week!

*noma*

How's it going?

Hi.
I couldn't write my blog recently because my host family's computer was frozen soon.
It was because the mouse was broken.
My host father changed the mouse, so I can use it now!

Last Thursday, I went to my summer school teacher's house with my Japanese friends.
Her house is located near WEM, so we walked to her house from there.
We met her at WEM, then she took us to her house.

She hosted a Japanese student this summer.
She showed pictures of him.
I was surprised because I met him at Heritage Festival.
He is from Nagoya international school and he stayed with my summer school teacher, Berta!!
It is a little funny.

Berta has a table tennis' table.
So we played table tennis. It was fun!

I talked with her about Summer Arts Work shop, my new host sister and so on.
She listened to our talk well even though my English is not good.
She tried to understand my talk, so I was glad.
I wanna keep in touch with her forever!!

Yesterday, I went to the public pool with Eri.
Actually, it was the first time for us to go there.
We had no opportunities to go there this summer.
As you know, I have a free pass, so I could enter the public pool without any money.
However, now, because the summer vacation is done, we have to pay some money to enter the public pool.
So maybe it was also the last time for me to go there.hahaha

On September 4th, my school life will start again.
I am looking forward to seeing my friends.

I really enjoyed my Canadian summer vacation.
Moving, camping, summer school, shopping, Heritage Festival, getting a new host sister, summer arts work shop and so on.
I am a little sad that summer will be over soon.

See you,

*noma*