The German Christmas Market in Sapporo

Hi! I went to the German Christmas Market in Sapporo with my boyfriend on Monday.  According to the official site of city of Sapporo, it first opened when Sapporo and Munich celebrated their 30th anniversary of sister city relations in 2002.  I didn’t know that, but I visit there every year from my earliest recollections.  Also, this was the second time to go there with him because we went even before going out. 

 

This is the photo of the main illumination.  It was very beautiful and brilliant!  It is surprising that these lights get energy from oil used to cook tempura at ordinary homes, isn’t it?  Moreover, almost all dishes are served on the plates which can be used again and again so this event is very eco-friendlyJ  I enjoyed there, but I got tired at the large crowdL  There were a lot of people including foreigners from Asia and it was difficult to keep up with him if I didn’t hold his hand tightly.  However, on balance, we enjoyed the event greatly this year, too!  After that, we ate black-curry rice although I had a long sausage and French fries.  I was satisfied with it because it tasted good and I could use drink bar for free.  I will go there again at no distant date!

A Special Day

              Hi!!  It has been getting colder and colder these days, hasn’t it?  But I think that it is colder and snowy in December last year than this year.  Is it because of global warming?  I wonder if we can have “White Christmas Day…”

 

              By the way, I had wonderful dinner with my boyfriend on December 9 to celebrate our 1^st anniversary <3  He took me to a nice French restaurant which he made a book secretly.  The dishes were very delicious and beautifulJ  And also I was surprised that he kindly asked a chef to change some dishes in the course menu because I can’t eat fish and shellfish.  I became very glad to feel his delicate concern for me.  In addition, we talked about many things that we did together in the past year.  I felt that the one year spent with him was very short like a flash, but at the same time, it was too long to remember everything.  I’m not sure that this lovely life with him lasts forever, but I decided to practice everything which keeps and strengthens our relationship.  I sincerely hope to be able to celebrate our anniversary together next year, too. 

 

Thank you for listening to my fondness for him XDDD 

Cheers!

Not Titled

Hi, you guys ;)  I haven’t written an article here, have I?  It doesn’t mean that I was very very busy, but I just didn’t have something good to write X(

 

              I had my hair dyed in a beauty salon last Wednesday.  I went there for the first time so I was a little nervous.  However, the hairstylist who took charge of me was so friendly woman that I could talk with her enough to decide the color that would suit me.  Also, I was happy that I enjoyed talking with her about living in foreign countries.  I didn’t expect to have such a good time with her because I am shy and poor at talking with strangers.  When I told her that I am majoring in English, she asked me whether I’m planning to study abroad.  I replied her that if I have enough time and money, I want to the U.K., and she told me that she lived in England for some years!  She said that I can see many people who come from various countries in London and enjoy talking in English with various accents.  She said that the English with Turkey accent was very difficult for her to listen to.  I was so inspired to go abroad by her stories!  I hope that my pretty dream to go abroad comes true some day!! 

I found nice boots ;)

HelloJ  How are you, guys?  I said that I had a bad cold though, now I got well ;)  However, it has been getting cold more and more.  Also, we it snowed in Hokkaido the day before yesterday, which was the first time this year.  I am afraid that the bus which I use to go to my university might not come to a bus stop on time because of icy road.  In addition, I hate winter because I have to get up much early in order not to be late for classes.

 

By the way, I went to shoes store today and bought two bootsJ  The one is long boots, and another is short ones.  The longer one is this!

 

I originally didn’t tend to buy long boots, but I immediately decided to purchase this when I found.  Its deep red color and silhouette are very good<3  Moreover, the conclusive factor was its price.  How much do you think it was?  It cost only 990 yen!!  Actually, I think that it was discounted because of a scratch on the back side, but it isn’t much noticeable so I never mind. I am just happy that I could get nice goods in an inexpensive price!  I’m an economical shopper, am not I? XD

An Exciting Film

Hello, guys!  How are you?  I had a cold and my nose has been running for a weekL  It is very annoying… Please take care!

 

              Do you like movies?  Actually, I’m not so interested in them, but I watched a film, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.  I like mythology, so I enjoyed it very much.  The main character, Percy is one of Demigods who are half human and half god.  In Percy’s case, his mother is normal woman and his father is Poseidon, the God of seas!  He was brought up as a normal child without being telling his secret.  However, he was attacked by a mysterious creature that took the form of a teacher and he knew the secret about himself.  He was told to run away with his mother but she was taken away by a limb of Hades, the God of hell.  Percy decided to take back her from hell with Grover, a friend of him and a satyr, and Annabeth, a daughter of Athene, the God of knowledge and strategy…  I watched it with my boyfriend, but I think that I enjoyed it rather than him because I have some knowledge about mythology from classes about it in my university.  It made the film much more interesting for me.  So I recommend you that you learn about mythology little before watching the movie if you want to enjoy it greatly.

A Happy Week ;)

              Hello!  How are you?  I’m not so bad, but I’m afraid for people who became sick because of the cold weather.  The typhoon which is approaching Japan causes the bad weather these days.  It’s very annoying, isn’t it?

 

              I had very good times last week.  First, I ate out with my boyfriend on last Tues day.  He and I spend a little busy time these days each other, so it was the dating after a long time.  The restaurant which we went to was so crowded and we had to go home early in order not to miss the last bus, however, I was happy to have a dinner with him.  Second, I hung out with Misato, she is one of my club mates.  We went to shops to buy some essential stuff for a playing contest of ESS club, and after shopping we enjoyed karaoke on Thursday.  We went the karaoke shop which Misato works at.  I was surprised that women staffs there were all cute and beautiful! DDD  Anyway, I was glad that I could enjoy singing at a low price because of her discount ticket. 

 

              By the way, I’ve been so busy these weekends because a lot of people come to the restaurant which I work at.  I think that it is the effect of introducing by a TV program which was broadcasted 3 weeks ago.  It is good for the manager, but terrible for me!!!

October Festival In HGU!

Hello!  I completely forgot writing a new article X(  I am a very bad student, right? DDD  Anyway I was very busy last week.

 

              Our university festival, called October Festival, was held on last weekend.  A lot of clubs and groups opened stores, many events were held on outdoor stage, and bands played wonderful music in some big classrooms. Therefore, the university was crowded with a lot of people.  We the ESS club sold small pizzas, named Piccola Pizza. 

 

I was very happy that many people bought our pizza and we made good proceedsJ Some club mates had carefully planned trough a trial and error since September, so  we could accomplish successfully, I think.  I also enjoyed cosplay with my friends very much!  Some of them wore the costume of Survey Army Corps of Attack of Titan, a very famous Japanese comic.  They were so cool and I take lots of pictures!!!  Also, I enjoyed wearing a maid clothing and a nurse uniform J

 

              I’m now very busy even after the festival because I must prepare an English speech contest, called Potato Cup, as one of the club activities.  It is a very big contest and we are to invite ten speakers from all Japan.  I mustn’t cut corners about it in order to save face of ESS clubs in Hokkido!

Good evening!  It is a little cold these days, isn’t it?  I feel that winter is approaching slowly.  I often see people who have a cold, so I have to take care.

              I attended the guidance for people who want to become a public servant last week.  I wonder that I should get the job because I don’t have my future dream.  My best friend told that she wanted to be an Occupational therapist and she studies hard.  One of my friends has a dream of becoming an English teacher and studies hard.  But in contrast, I have no clear vision for the future.  So I’m now thinking that it isn’t bad choice to be a public servant.  To be, or not to be, that is the question.

              By the way, we have our university festival, Jugatu-Sai, on this week end, so I have been preparing after school since last week.  I painted a big billboard yesterday which was drawn by Hiroki, one of the second grades in my club.  I’m not a good painter, but I was glad that he praised me on painting J  To make something big with friends is very exciting for me.  Then, speaking of university festival, some of my club mates are going to wear the costume of characters in Attack on titan!  It’s a very cool plan, right? XD  I’m looking forward to taking photos of them!!

Sweets Make Me Happy!

Hi!  How are you?  I’m so sleepy because I slept only three hours last night X(  I want to go to bed right now, but I must write this week’s article.

 

 

Do you like pancake?  Of course, I love it!!  This picture was taken in the girl’s party of the ESS club’s 2^nd students yesterday.  It was very delicious and I could have it as much as I like, so I ate too much.  I might put on weight! XD  Anyway, I enjoyed chatting and sweets.

 

By the way, it is October 3 today.  It means that only three months are left this year!  It is unbelievable for me!!  The older I become, the faster I feel that time passes.  I really think that I have to spend left time effectively.  What should I do?  I need to think this seriously.

 

Mmm… this article is too short, but I have nothing anymore to write this week X(

Bye.

 

A Nice Movie

Hello, guys J  Long time no see!! 

I enjoyed my long vacation this summer.  Especially, the summer camp with my club members was very excited!

 

By the way, I watched a movie Okami-kodomo no ame to yuki at home with my boyfriend.  This is a story of a strange family.  Hana, she is the main character of this movie, was an industrious university student and met a man in a classroom.  They fell in love soon, but the man had a serious secret.  The man who Hana loved was a wolfman.  She was very confused but still loved him.  They lived happily together, yet the husband past away suddenly.  She was in a grief but decided to grow up her two young half-wolf children by her own…

I thought that Hana is a very strong mother.  She very often faced problems about rising children because her children were different from ordinary kids and she lost her half-wolf husband.  Nevertheless, she never lost her smile.  She was always smiling even though she was very tired.  Also I was very impressed in the last scene and tears ran down on my face.  Why don’t you watch this movie when you have nothing to do?

Hey, Guys!  How have you been?  I’m so busy because of the exams X(  I’m a very industrious student for the field which I am interested in, on the other hand, I can’t study hard anything which I’m not interested in.  Anyway, I must study hard because I want to get grades!

 

Do you know a comic, Shingeki-no-kyojin Attack on Titan?  It is a very popular comic in Japan.  Its animation version made the comic well known.  Its story is as follows: People in the world lived in very high walls because there are a number of titans outside and they eat humans.  By staying the inside of walls whose height is 50 meter, people had lived without worries over titans for a hundred, but a titan, which is higher than walls, broke the wall and entered inside!  The main character, Ellen Jäger, was so panicked because his mother was eaten by a titan and his father became missing.  Ellen managed to survive and swore that he joins the army for titans and expels titans with deep grief and hate in his mind….  To tell the truth, I didn’t know its title before I watched the animation.  However, its quality of pictures is very high and dubbers’ works are wonderful so I m a big of it now!!!  I’d love for you to watch it when you are free!  You might become crazy about it XD

 

 

 

 

I want to be FREE!

Hello!  It’s very nice weather with bright sunshine and cool wind.  It is comfortable for me today.  I hope that this weather goes on during this summer.

 

I live with my family member and I really want to live alone now.  I share a room with my sister.  I don’t have my own room.  It means that I cannot talk with my friends on Skype at night and I must make efforts not to make sounds while my sister is sleeping.  These are very very annoying for me!  I can’t stand them anymore!!  Also I want to enjoy my life without curfew.  My grandmother sometimes tells me to go back home early.  I’m happy that there is a person who cares about me, but at the same time I feel annoyed.  I think that living alone is the most effective way to get skills to cook, do laundry and clean up when I live without family.  Therefore, I decided to do so and in order to make it come true I started to save 20,000 yen a month!!

What is Tapioca?

Hello.  We had a heavy rain this morning in Hokkaido.  It was annoying but I felt comfortable with cool wind in the afternoon.

 

A campaign to raise funds was held in HGU today afternoon.  A bill said that we could get a cup of tapioca drink if we raise some money for earthquake victims in the Tohoku district.  A friend of mine who looked at it raised 10 yen and got a cup of drink.  It was the first time for him to have tapioca, and he didn’t like its taste.  Then he asked me, “What’s tapioca?  Do you know?  Is it a kind of rice cake?”  I couldn’t answer him because I didn’t know about tapioca well.  Therefore I researched about itJ

 

Tapioca is a starch extracted from Manioc (Manihot esculenta).   Tapioca pearls are known as boba in some cultures. It is produced by passing the moist starch through a sieve under pressure. Pearl tapioca is a common ingredient in Asian desserts such as kolak, in tapioca pudding, and in sweet drinks such as bubble tea, fruit slush and taho, where they provide a chewy contrast to the sweetness and texture of the drink.  Large pearls are preferred for use in drinks.  Not only are they used in the aforementioned drinks, they are also available as an option in shave ice and hot drinks.

 

It’s a little funny that the Japanese name of cassava (manioc) is Imonoki, means the tree of potatoes.  How simple name it is!

Happy Birthday to You!!

Hi! How are you?  I’m very sleepy because of this bad weather.  Why do I always feel sleepy on rainy days?  I don’t know.  Anyway, it was a little difficult for me to keep awake during a boring class X(

 

Yesterday was a special day, my best friend’s birthday!!  She became 20 year-old before me. Unfortunately, both she and I were too busy to meet and mark her birthday by having a dinner.  Then I sent a short message to her on Twitter instead of that.  I’m now planning to go shopping with her to look for a nice present for her as soon as we can.  By the way, I was surprised when I saw my Time Line on Twitter.  There were many posts which show that some of her friends who go to the vocational school where she does greatly marked her by many ways, for example, some message and pictures on a blackboard and a whiteboard, and handmade photo album.  Although it isn’t me that was celebrated, joy filled my heart because I knew that my best friend is loved by many people.  She is a very happy personJ

How to get big eyes

Hi, GuysJ Did you watch the very big moon called “supper moon” last Sunday night?  I did! The big moon was bright and beautiful. 

 

By the way, I think that it is natural for women to hope for becoming beautiful or sweet.  Of course, I also do.  Then how can they make their selves so?  Many of them believe that eye makeup is very important and I agree with them.  As a key cosmetic, they often use false eyelashes.  I am always surprised with many different types of them at cosmetic store.  But actuary I don’t like them. There are two reasons why I dislike them.  First, I have to take care about false eyelashes not to come off my lid.  I need to keep my lid dry because the glue is not waterproof.  It is very annoying for me.  Second, it takes time to set it on my lid.  I don’t want to spend so much time on makeup because I am poor at waking up early in the morning.  However, I wanted to get big eyes.  So I decided to put the eyelashes extension and I did today!  It is surely a little expensive, but I don’t have to put false eyelashes or to curl my mascaraed eyelashes!  It is very easy, isn’t it? 

A Happy Day

Hey, Guys ;)  Now a typhoon is approaching Japan and it brings heavy rain in Honshu, the main land of Japan.  But it isn’t going to hit here, Hokkaido, so it is a little more comfortable here than in Honshu.

 

I had my hair cut and dyed in a beauty salon today <3  Sadly, my hair was very damaged and faded because three months passed since I went to other beauty salon.  Therefore I added an optional hair treatment for 1,000 yen.  I chose violet-brown color.  That’s because the hairstylist who took charge of me advised me that the color changes into pink-brown color which I hoped through shampooing several times.  I am satisfied with her work J  I went to the JR tower for shopping after I finished my hairstyling.  I didn’t think of what should I buy, however I came across a nice white blouse embroidered cute black cats in collar.  I am so happy to have got it in reasonable price, 1,500 yen!  I am an economical shopper!! DDD  Also, I bought some cosmetics and accessories.  Although I spend a lot of money, I had a very happy time today J

Hospitality English for Restaurant Staff

Hello! It is so hot today, isn’t it?  I enjoyed this weather with two ice creams today!!DDD

 

As I wrote before, I work as one of restaurant staffs and sometimes have trouble with foreign customers because of the different language.   So I went to a bookstore and bought this great book!

 

 

This is the very book I have been looking for J  To my shame, I didn’t know even what to say at first when customers come into a restaurant.  I think that this is very useful one for beginners who want to learn hospitality English for their jobs like me.  Then I translated what I always say to customers from Japanese into English referring this book.  The result is follow as:

Good evening! How many people are there in your group?  (a customer say, “There are four”.) Certainly, sir. Please follow me.  Then, please take this table.  Here are your menus.  Have you ever had dinner here?  (he say, “No, this is the first time.”)  OK, let me explain something to you.  We have steaks and hamburg steaks.  And salad bar comes with all food except side menus.  We have salad, soup, curry, pasta, fruit, jelly, and ice cream in salad bar.  There Cowboy steaks are a little tough, so if you prefer tender stakes, we recommend these Premium sirloin steaks.  Then, please push the button when you decide.

I wonder that there are some grammatical mistakes.  I felt I have to study English harder and harder.

The 40th Recitation Contest!

On last Sunday, the 40^th Recitation Contest was held at the HGU by HESSL, the group of some ESS clubs in Hokkaido.  All participants gave great performances and I was so impressed!  I was particularly happy because Yusuke, a guy who is in first grade and performed in Poetry section, won the third prize!!  Reo, who gave a great speech, couldn’t get a prize, however his performance was wonderful.  And though members of Drama section couldn’t get prize unfortunately, they showed the best performance ever they have acted.  We second graders were chagrined and sorry that we didn’t able to guide them to get a prize.  But we were solaced by their smiles and words that thanked us for our help.  Anyway I am glad that they enjoyed their first contest.

 

By the way, I got some happy news!  One of my senior in the ESS club received notice of an informal decision!!  So I am going to the party for him tomorrow and now I’m thinking what present I should give him.  I think that a tie is best gift for congratulations of unofficial decision.  I guess that wine color one is suit him nicely.    Then I am planning to go shopping before the partyJ 

A busy week

Hello, Guys J

It was very warm yesterday, and the weather made me feel that early summer came here!  It became the nice season to go to school by bicycle.  Also I am happy that I can enjoy early summer without a lot of rains because Hokkaido where I live don’t have the rainy season ;)

 

I have been very busy for 2 weeks because I must prepare for the Recitation Contest, one of my club activities.  I’ve written about it?  Anyway, it doesn’t matter.  The problem is that I am too busy to keep the time for myself L  I had to make costumes and properties and to think up some stage directions until 9 p.m. after I attend classes these days.  I don’t have enough time to spent for my hobbies and spent with my boyfriend L  This makes me a little irritated and also I hardly have time and energy to finish my assignments!  But I can’t stop preparing.  I’ll do everything I can do for underclassmen.  I want to do my best as my upperclassmen did for me J

 

A Perplex Customer

Hi, Guys!! How are you?  I’m a little sleepy! DDD

Unfortunately, it is rainy today X(  It is annoying for me that the weather is very changeable during the spring.

 

Last Friday night, I was working as a waitress as usual.  Then, I noticed a customer standing at the entrance.  So I spoke to him and he replied to me some words.  But I couldn’t understand him because he spoke in the language which I didn’t know!  I was very upset!!  Well, though foreigners sometimes come to my restaurant, almost of them can understand Japanese or some Japanese accomplish them.  So I usually don’t have many troubles.  Yet I couldn’t expect any help in this case.  I was at a loss ;(  Anyway I tried talking to him in English.  “May I help you?” I said.  He replied, “Oh, I’m Korean.”  “OK, I’m very sorry that I can’t speak Korean, so can I speak in English?” I asked and he agreed with me.  However, he replied to all my questions in Korean!!  To be honest, I was very irritated with him.  Finally I could get orders because the other customer who came later in his group can speak Japanese a little.

 

Through this experience, I felt that I must learn English more and more.  I think English is very useful tool to communicate with foreigners ;)

For the Recitation Contest ;)

Hello, Guys!  How are you? 

I’m feeling a little tired X(  I want more days off!!

 

As one of my club activities, we’re going to hold the Recitation Contest in Hokkai Gakuen University with some universities’ ESS clubs on June 2^nd.  This contest is held for fresh people every year, so now we 2^nd grades members help them to teach them a lot of things.  I take charge of teaching how to perform for drama sector.  It is very difficult for me to teach freshmen who don’t have knowledge of English pronunciation.  I can’t teach them without my electronic dictionary which has a phonetic function.  But I think that this is a good opportunity for me to go over my pronunciation.  Anyway, I’ll do my best as a seniorJ

 

By the way, I have no classes tomorrow because May 17^th is the anniversary of the foundation of HGU!!  I’m going to enjoy BBQ party in the river bed with some club members .  I’m looking forward to it!!!

Hi, Guys!  How are you?

 

I'm feeling so happy now because I had a nice time with my boyfriend :)  We went to the JR tower, and enjoyed shopping and had a dinner.  Actually, I haven't been in good with him.  I didn't understand him because he didn't tell me what he thought.  Also I couldn't ask him that because of fear of causing argument.  But it was terrible mistake.  If I want to get along with someone, I mustn't give up talking with him / her.  Talking is the best way to understanding each other, I think.  So, today, I finally asked him to tell me why you recently look so unhappy with me.  He didn't give me a definite answer at first.  However, I managed to pump his fear that I didn’t love him.  I was very confused since his worry was not true, but he told me that he has been felt so from my recent behavior.  I was very sorry for that and relieved to be able to correct him.  After that, I could enjoy chatting truly!

 

 

↑This is Maccha Zenzai au lait I drunk today :)

 

Keep the Deadline!

Hallo! Mmm ... I couldn't meet deadline :'(

I am a bad student, right? DDD

 

Then, speaking of deadline, I was in big trouble on last Thursday.  I knew I must transfer my fees to the Hokuyou Bank, and I would do that on last Friday.  But I took a badly mistake.  I foolishly reckoned that the deadline was 30th April though it was 20th April!  It was night of the 25th May that I noticed my mistake!!  Then I turned pale with fear of expulsion from my university.  I was too shocked to sleep at the night.  Finally I could meet the final deadline and avoid dropping out!! I’m so happy XD

 

Anyway, we have great holidays called Golden Week from at the end of April to the 6th May in Japan.  During this short vacation, a lot of people enjoy going shopping, a picnic, traveling, or eating out.  It means that people who engaged in the food service industry are very busy!  Of course I, a waitress, was so busy too and I didn’t have a day off L  I wanted to go to the Mitsui Outlet Park to buy some new clothes because it was a big chance to get them at a pretty low price!!  Unfortunately, I have to work on this weekend for three successive days ;(  OK, I’ll earn much money and buy nice clothes or shoes at no distant date!!!

Have a nice holidays, guys! 0:-)

The Welcome Party For Freshemen :)

I belong to the ESS club in HGU and the welcome party for freshmen who thinking of joining our club was held on Wednesday.  I was so glad that a lot of freshmen came to our party, but at the same time I was very nervous because I am not good at talking with strangers.  In addition, I wondered that I could not make me heard because the pub which we went to was noisy and my voice is low.  But fortunately, my fear was groundless.  I had a good time and most people looked happy.  Also I was very happy to hear that some of freshmen decided to join our club.  I went to karaoke with some members after the party, and enjoyed singing until midnight.  However, I took a mistake: I spilled strawberry milk on the floor and blotted my friend’s bag with it.  I was badly careless.  Though he told me not to mind about it, I am full of remorse.  I promise that I never do the same mistakes.  Anyway talking of mistakes, I wrongly sent a rude e-mail to Mr. Munby.  I had to write “Hi, Mr. Munby!”, but I wrote the sentence without “Mr.”   I am very sorry for it.  I really want to become more careful person!