Hi everyone,
I hope you are keeping well, and managing to cope with the colder weather.
Okay… in this week’s blog, I’d like you to confess to your own personal obsessions or addictions. You can start your blog entry by using phrases like “Okay, I confess, I…” or “Okay, I admit it, I…” if you like. Don’t write anything too personal though!! Here’s mine:
Actually, to be honest, I don’t think I have any major obsessions or addictions. I like chocolate but I wouldn’t call myself a chocoholic. I enjoy working, but I don’t think I’m a workaholic. I like to eat healthily, but I wouldn’t call myself a health nut. The one “addiction” I guess I sometimes have is that I get hooked on certain foods, and won’t eat anything but them for maybe 2 weeks, and then I’ll suddenly stop eating them, and maybe never eat them again!! For example, when I was in university I suddenly became addicted to “tomato sauce”. I ate it with everything for nearly 3 weeks, and then suddenly stopped eating it. About 2 years ago I got hooked on adding plain yogurt to all of my meals. I ate it with salad, with cold noodles, with muesli. This lasted for about a month, and then I got sick of it… although I do sometime use yogurt instead of salad dressing when I eat salad even now. You really should try it… it’s actually quite delicious!
Okay, so it’s not quite an “obsession” per se… but this is my little “addiction”.
Anyway, enough from me. I’d like to hear about your “obsessions”! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kris
2008年11月12日水曜日
2008年10月8日水曜日
Blog Homework 1: Making Complaints
Hi everyone,
I hope you enjoyed today’s class. Well, this week I want us to discuss Bonus Speaking Question 2: “If someone is annoying you, is it better to complain or to keep quiet? Why?”
What do you think about this question? Personally, I think I complain sometimes and keep quiet other times… but I’m probably more likely to keep quiet. If the source of my annoyance is my family or my boyfriend, I’ll probably say something. If it is a friend, I’ll probably keep quiet. When it comes to things that happen in public, like on a train or at the movies, if it’s something that annoys not just me but other people around me, I might say something. But, I think I’d be less likely to say something these days because we often see cases on the news of people being randomly attacked in public. I remember, when I was a university student, I saw a high school boy being bullied on the train, and I yelled at the boys who were bullying him to stop. Now, I’m not sure if I would say something or not, because I wouldn’t know how they would react… they might become more violent.
Anyway, I think there are many opinions regarding this question… so let’s hear yours!! Please leave your comment by Midnight Tuesday… but of course, the earlier the better!!
Have a good week,
Kris
I hope you enjoyed today’s class. Well, this week I want us to discuss Bonus Speaking Question 2: “If someone is annoying you, is it better to complain or to keep quiet? Why?”
What do you think about this question? Personally, I think I complain sometimes and keep quiet other times… but I’m probably more likely to keep quiet. If the source of my annoyance is my family or my boyfriend, I’ll probably say something. If it is a friend, I’ll probably keep quiet. When it comes to things that happen in public, like on a train or at the movies, if it’s something that annoys not just me but other people around me, I might say something. But, I think I’d be less likely to say something these days because we often see cases on the news of people being randomly attacked in public. I remember, when I was a university student, I saw a high school boy being bullied on the train, and I yelled at the boys who were bullying him to stop. Now, I’m not sure if I would say something or not, because I wouldn’t know how they would react… they might become more violent.
Anyway, I think there are many opinions regarding this question… so let’s hear yours!! Please leave your comment by Midnight Tuesday… but of course, the earlier the better!!
Have a good week,
Kris
2008年10月1日水曜日
Welcome back!!
Hi everyone, and welcome back from the summer holiday! Can you believe that the holidays are over already??!! Didn't they go by so fast?? While I'm really happy to be back studying English with you... I'd really like another 1 or 2 weeks off!! Wouldn't you??!! Anyway... no rest for the wicked... as they say : ) So, the second semester begins today, and we will continue on with the work we were doing in the first semester, so please bring along the class handouts I gave you last semester.
Let's have a fun semester together!
Kris
Let's have a fun semester together!
Kris
2008年7月9日水曜日
Your Short Films
Hi again.
I've put all of your short films on the class blog. Please check out all of the films, and leave some comments to the other groups. By the way, I included some extra images in your films, I hope you don't mind.
Happy watching!
Kris
I've put all of your short films on the class blog. Please check out all of the films, and leave some comments to the other groups. By the way, I included some extra images in your films, I hope you don't mind.
Happy watching!
Kris
Group 3: No More Buts!
Hi everyone. Here's Midori, Tomoe and Yuki's short film. Please check it out and give them some comments.
Group 2: The Annoying Customer
Hi everyone! Here is Fumiko, Ryuji and Yui's short film. Please check it out and give them some comments. (Warning: Rude Language!)
Group 1: Yuji's Hair
Hi everyone! Here's Ayaka, Hiroko and Yuji's short movie! Please watch it and give them some comments!!
2008年6月25日水曜日
Discussion 8: What do you do when you feel bored?
Okay guys... I have a confession... I often feel bored. I like to have a lot of stimulation in my life. But, often, I can’t decide what to do to liven up my life when I’m down. My all time favorite thing to do when I’m bored is to listen to some music – particularly up-tempo music… music that makes me feel like dancing. It’s a sure-fire thing to wake me up. Other things I do include watching TV, watching DVDs, redecorating my room or office, cleaning or going outside for a walk. But, sometimes, I even find these things boring!!! So, how about you guys? What do you personally like to do when you feel bored? What do you do to spice up your life, when you’re fed up with it?? Please give me some advice!!
Kris
P.S... I was thinking that it might be fun to go out for KARAOKE together, as a class, sometime this semester. What do you guys think? I think you are probably busy with your part-time jobs, clubs and study, but please let me know if you’re interested. And, if you’re interested, when would suit you. Thanks.
Kris
P.S... I was thinking that it might be fun to go out for KARAOKE together, as a class, sometime this semester. What do you guys think? I think you are probably busy with your part-time jobs, clubs and study, but please let me know if you’re interested. And, if you’re interested, when would suit you. Thanks.
2008年6月20日金曜日
Discussion 7 – (Japanese) companies and taking holidays
Hi everyone. In class on Wednesday we talked about Ken and his decision to take a week off work in order to deal with his stress. We then went on to briefly talk about taking time off work in Japan, and in particular if we think it is easy or difficult to take holidays in Japanese companies. Some people mentioned that it may be difficult to take time off work in Japanese companies because of the work environment – companies don’t encourage people to take time off work… indeed they often encourage people NOT to take time off work.
In this week’s discussion I want you to think about this question: Should companies do more to encourage workers to take their annual leave? Annual leave is the number of delegated days a year that a worker is entitled to spend on holiday from work. Some things you might like to think about are:
1. The mental and physical health of workers
2. Family/Personal life and Work Balance
3. Productivity
This may be a difficult topic, but please try your best. Should workers take their annual leave? Why or why not? Would YOU take your entitled annual leave? Why/why not?
Kris
In this week’s discussion I want you to think about this question: Should companies do more to encourage workers to take their annual leave? Annual leave is the number of delegated days a year that a worker is entitled to spend on holiday from work. Some things you might like to think about are:
1. The mental and physical health of workers
2. Family/Personal life and Work Balance
3. Productivity
This may be a difficult topic, but please try your best. Should workers take their annual leave? Why or why not? Would YOU take your entitled annual leave? Why/why not?
Kris
2008年6月11日水曜日
Discussion 6: Holidays – stay at home or go traveling?
Hi everyone. I hope you didn’t get wet going home in the rain today! You all did a good job with your discussions in today’s class! Keep up the good work! But, remember, try to keep the amount of Japanese to a minimum!!
Okay, so time for today’s discussion topic: How do you prefer to spend your holiday: by staying at home or by going traveling? Remember, that in this case holiday doesn’t mean “the weekend” or “a day off work”, but a longer holiday like Golden Week, “Obon”, the summer holiday or New Years. Sometimes I feel that it’s better to just spend these holidays at home, relaxing or catching up on my cleaning, because the public transport system and many tourist attractions are often flooded with people during the major holiday seasons. But, I also feel that staying at home is a waste, so I guess I’d prefer to travel somewhere. But, I often have trouble deciding where to go and making definite travel plans, so I often end up going nowhere! One problem now is my boyfriend. He doesn’t like traveling because he does a lot of traveling with his job. So, even if I want to go somewhere during the holiday, he’s often very reluctant to join me. So, as a result, we very rarely go away on holiday!
Anyway, that’s enough about me. How about you guys? Please share with us your holiday preferences!
Cheers,
Kris
Okay, so time for today’s discussion topic: How do you prefer to spend your holiday: by staying at home or by going traveling? Remember, that in this case holiday doesn’t mean “the weekend” or “a day off work”, but a longer holiday like Golden Week, “Obon”, the summer holiday or New Years. Sometimes I feel that it’s better to just spend these holidays at home, relaxing or catching up on my cleaning, because the public transport system and many tourist attractions are often flooded with people during the major holiday seasons. But, I also feel that staying at home is a waste, so I guess I’d prefer to travel somewhere. But, I often have trouble deciding where to go and making definite travel plans, so I often end up going nowhere! One problem now is my boyfriend. He doesn’t like traveling because he does a lot of traveling with his job. So, even if I want to go somewhere during the holiday, he’s often very reluctant to join me. So, as a result, we very rarely go away on holiday!
Anyway, that’s enough about me. How about you guys? Please share with us your holiday preferences!
Cheers,
Kris
2008年5月22日木曜日
Discussion 5: What do you want most in a job?
Hi guys. Did you happen to see the students collecting money for the victims of the earthquake disaster in China on campus today? If you feel inclined, please make a small donation towards their cause. Actually, I believe that there were some camera crews from NHK and YAB on campus today to report on the donation campaign. So, if you watch the news this afternoon or tonight, there might be a segment on it.
Anyway, moving on to today’s topic: what we want most from our jobs. Again, I think it’s difficult to choose just one answer to this question, as most of us probably need a mix of things in order to feel satisfied. Personally, I guess the most important thing for myself is “challenge” – I don’t want to do a boring job – and relating from that, “satisfaction”. I want to feel that I have achieved something, or have helped someone, or have made some kind of important change, through my work. However, I’ve also recently come to realize that “money” is also very important. It’s unclear whether we will be able to get a pension or not when we retire, so it’s becoming increasingly important for us to consider our future financial stability from a much earlier age. As such, having a decent salary is quite important.
So, what do you guys think? Please leave your comments! It’s really hot today, isn’t it? Actually, I’m not feeling too well today because it’s so hot… I have a bit of a headache. But, I hope you are all enjoying the good weather.
Cheers,
Kris
Anyway, moving on to today’s topic: what we want most from our jobs. Again, I think it’s difficult to choose just one answer to this question, as most of us probably need a mix of things in order to feel satisfied. Personally, I guess the most important thing for myself is “challenge” – I don’t want to do a boring job – and relating from that, “satisfaction”. I want to feel that I have achieved something, or have helped someone, or have made some kind of important change, through my work. However, I’ve also recently come to realize that “money” is also very important. It’s unclear whether we will be able to get a pension or not when we retire, so it’s becoming increasingly important for us to consider our future financial stability from a much earlier age. As such, having a decent salary is quite important.
So, what do you guys think? Please leave your comments! It’s really hot today, isn’t it? Actually, I’m not feeling too well today because it’s so hot… I have a bit of a headache. But, I hope you are all enjoying the good weather.
Cheers,
Kris
2008年5月7日水曜日
Discussion 4: To quit or not to quit…
Hi guys. Did you enjoy your (extra) long weekend?? I didn’t get up to much. On Saturday I went to Karato and saw the “fune-gassen”. If you’ve never seen it before, I recommend that you watch from afar. It looks much more impressive if you see it from a distance. And after that I went to the new Indian Curry restaurant (Nandan?) in Karato. It is actually run by a Nepalese or Indian man, and all of the staff are Nepalese/Indian. It is really authentic… and the Nan is huge!! No joke!! I recommend that you try it out… especially at lunch time because they have a very good value lunch menu!! Anyway, I hope you all had a fun and relaxing break!! If only it was a bit longer…!!!
Okay, today’s discussion topic. What did you think about today’s story… about Soon quitting her job after only 1 year because she didn’t find it challenging enough? Do you agree with her decision? What would you have done if you were in her shoes? Would you have quit, or put up with it? Do you think that people should stay with the same company for their whole lives, or do you think it is quite normal, and perhaps a good thing, for people to change jobs several times during their lives?
Personally, I think it must be a difficult decision to quit your job, because without a full time job one can become very financially vulnerable. However, I also believe that it is important for one to find some sort of fulfillment through their work. We spend so many years of our lives working… so I believe we should do something which we enjoy or find challenging, and that totally uses our skills. Of course all jobs have some boring or tiresome points to them… but a job that offers no challenge at all must be very frustrating, especially for someone who really wants to be put to the test and challenged.
Anyway, let’s hear your opinions!!!
Kris
Okay, today’s discussion topic. What did you think about today’s story… about Soon quitting her job after only 1 year because she didn’t find it challenging enough? Do you agree with her decision? What would you have done if you were in her shoes? Would you have quit, or put up with it? Do you think that people should stay with the same company for their whole lives, or do you think it is quite normal, and perhaps a good thing, for people to change jobs several times during their lives?
Personally, I think it must be a difficult decision to quit your job, because without a full time job one can become very financially vulnerable. However, I also believe that it is important for one to find some sort of fulfillment through their work. We spend so many years of our lives working… so I believe we should do something which we enjoy or find challenging, and that totally uses our skills. Of course all jobs have some boring or tiresome points to them… but a job that offers no challenge at all must be very frustrating, especially for someone who really wants to be put to the test and challenged.
Anyway, let’s hear your opinions!!!
Kris
2008年4月30日水曜日
Discussion 3: There’s no way I’d live in a…
Hi guys!! I hope you enjoyed your day off yesterday. I know I did!! Yesterday I went to cooking school with my friends, and then in the evening I practiced my cooking skills some more by cooking “tamago-yaki” and “grilled sesame seed coated salmon with white miso sauce”. It was delicious!!
Anyway, let’s get down to business. In this week’s discussion I’d like you to talk about the types of living situations you don’t mind, and those you definitely can’t stand (page 16 of your class handout). In particular, I’d like you to practice your “agreeing and disagreeing” phrases, so please try to respond to as many comments as possible! I’m looking forward to hearing your opinions.
To get started, here are some of my ideas:
2. I don’t want to live in a neighbourhood that has a crime problem. I know that a lot of cities have crime issues these days… but I’d definitely like to avoid living in a “rough neighbourhood”. I don’t want to be afraid to walk alone at night.
3. Personally, I don’t care if my house as a lot of bad Feng Shui, as I don’t really believe in stuff like that.
6. I would definitely try to avoid living in an area that has rare poisonous spiders!! Where I’m from in Australia there are so many poisonous spiders, and I hate them. They freak me out so much!!! They’re everywhere!! For example, one time my family and I were having a BBQ in our patio, and my younger brother was drinking a glass of milk. He was about to talk a gulp of it when he found a BIG black spider inside it!!! Can you believe it?? It must have fallen from the ceiling straight into his cup. Anyway, it freaked me out so much. So, I’d definitely avoid moving into an area that had a poisonous spider population.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. Let’s hear what you have to say. Start blogging!!
Kris
Anyway, let’s get down to business. In this week’s discussion I’d like you to talk about the types of living situations you don’t mind, and those you definitely can’t stand (page 16 of your class handout). In particular, I’d like you to practice your “agreeing and disagreeing” phrases, so please try to respond to as many comments as possible! I’m looking forward to hearing your opinions.
To get started, here are some of my ideas:
2. I don’t want to live in a neighbourhood that has a crime problem. I know that a lot of cities have crime issues these days… but I’d definitely like to avoid living in a “rough neighbourhood”. I don’t want to be afraid to walk alone at night.
3. Personally, I don’t care if my house as a lot of bad Feng Shui, as I don’t really believe in stuff like that.
6. I would definitely try to avoid living in an area that has rare poisonous spiders!! Where I’m from in Australia there are so many poisonous spiders, and I hate them. They freak me out so much!!! They’re everywhere!! For example, one time my family and I were having a BBQ in our patio, and my younger brother was drinking a glass of milk. He was about to talk a gulp of it when he found a BIG black spider inside it!!! Can you believe it?? It must have fallen from the ceiling straight into his cup. Anyway, it freaked me out so much. So, I’d definitely avoid moving into an area that had a poisonous spider population.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. Let’s hear what you have to say. Start blogging!!
Kris
2008年4月24日木曜日
Discussion 2: Living Preferences
Hi guys,
So, our discussion topic for this week is: "Would you prefer to live by yourself, with friends, with strangers, or with your family?" As for myself, I have experienced all 4 situations. Personally, I think I'd prefer to live with a friend or partner, because I get a bit lonely living by myself. I like the freedom of living by one's self, and sometimes living with someone else means we can't do what we like when we like. But, I think that if both people respect eachother's privacy and desires, than it can be quite good. I wouldn't like to live with my family anymore, because I'm used to living by my own rules and schedule now. And also, if I lived with my family, I think I'd become lazy!! And living with a complete stranger is not for me. I lived with a friend's friend (not a complete stranger, mind you) for about 6 months when I was a university student, and we had so many troubles!! Although I do think 2 strangers can become the best of friends after living with each other, I personally wouldn't like to try this again.Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Let's hear what you think! Don't forget to read your class mate's comments and leave a response, too!
Kris
So, our discussion topic for this week is: "Would you prefer to live by yourself, with friends, with strangers, or with your family?" As for myself, I have experienced all 4 situations. Personally, I think I'd prefer to live with a friend or partner, because I get a bit lonely living by myself. I like the freedom of living by one's self, and sometimes living with someone else means we can't do what we like when we like. But, I think that if both people respect eachother's privacy and desires, than it can be quite good. I wouldn't like to live with my family anymore, because I'm used to living by my own rules and schedule now. And also, if I lived with my family, I think I'd become lazy!! And living with a complete stranger is not for me. I lived with a friend's friend (not a complete stranger, mind you) for about 6 months when I was a university student, and we had so many troubles!! Although I do think 2 strangers can become the best of friends after living with each other, I personally wouldn't like to try this again.Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Let's hear what you think! Don't forget to read your class mate's comments and leave a response, too!
Kris
2008年4月16日水曜日
Discussion 1: Your English Goals
Hi again everyone,
I hope you enjoyed today's class. Actually, personally, I wouldn't like to live in a house that was on the 13th floor, or in a house where somebody died... it's just too creepy!! Personally, I don't believe in ghosts... but I still think the idea is scary!!
Anyway, we didn't get much of a chance to discuss it in today's class, but I want you to think about your "English Goal". What is your aim, or purpose for studying English? What do you want to achieve? I think it's important to have some kind of goal to help us stay motivated when we study English. So, for our first discussion I'd like you to write about your own English goals, and how you are trying to achieve them. Please respond to other people's comments and offer them encouragement and advice!!
To start off the discussion... I'll briefly talk about my own study goals... for Japanese. Well, to be honest, I haven't really "studied" Japanese for so long. I just don't have the time... although I would like to. I guess now, because I live in Japan and have to use Japanese almost everyday, I have many "natural" chances to study. But, even still, I do try to listen to the NHK news on the Internet everyday... just to make sure I don't lose my listening skills. The one thing in particular I'd really like to work on is my kanji. I like studying kanji... but it takes a lot of time... and it's so easy to forget. Since last summer I started taking the "kanji kentei". The first time I took levels 5 and 6... and passed level 6 but failed level 5. Then again in February I took level 5 again... and passed this time! I bought a Nintendo DS and "Kanji Kentei" software to study for the test... which makes it a lot of fun. But... I found out that it's not enough. So I also tried to read the newspaper a lot, and to use a textbook and activity book to study. Now, I just don't have time to study... unfortunately. But, I try to write (by hand) in kanji as much as possible... just to not forget the kanji I already know!!
Anyway... that's enough from me. Let's here what you think!!
Kris
I hope you enjoyed today's class. Actually, personally, I wouldn't like to live in a house that was on the 13th floor, or in a house where somebody died... it's just too creepy!! Personally, I don't believe in ghosts... but I still think the idea is scary!!
Anyway, we didn't get much of a chance to discuss it in today's class, but I want you to think about your "English Goal". What is your aim, or purpose for studying English? What do you want to achieve? I think it's important to have some kind of goal to help us stay motivated when we study English. So, for our first discussion I'd like you to write about your own English goals, and how you are trying to achieve them. Please respond to other people's comments and offer them encouragement and advice!!
To start off the discussion... I'll briefly talk about my own study goals... for Japanese. Well, to be honest, I haven't really "studied" Japanese for so long. I just don't have the time... although I would like to. I guess now, because I live in Japan and have to use Japanese almost everyday, I have many "natural" chances to study. But, even still, I do try to listen to the NHK news on the Internet everyday... just to make sure I don't lose my listening skills. The one thing in particular I'd really like to work on is my kanji. I like studying kanji... but it takes a lot of time... and it's so easy to forget. Since last summer I started taking the "kanji kentei". The first time I took levels 5 and 6... and passed level 6 but failed level 5. Then again in February I took level 5 again... and passed this time! I bought a Nintendo DS and "Kanji Kentei" software to study for the test... which makes it a lot of fun. But... I found out that it's not enough. So I also tried to read the newspaper a lot, and to use a textbook and activity book to study. Now, I just don't have time to study... unfortunately. But, I try to write (by hand) in kanji as much as possible... just to not forget the kanji I already know!!
Anyway... that's enough from me. Let's here what you think!!
Kris
Welcome back guys!
Hi everyone, and welcome back from the Spring Break! I've been looking forward to studying English together again. This year we're going to continue with the materials we started using last year. I hope you enjoy them.
Anyway, I hope we can have a lot of fun, and study a lot of English together again this year. If you have any questions or opinions about the course, please feel free to let me know.
Talk to you soon,
Kris
Anyway, I hope we can have a lot of fun, and study a lot of English together again this year. If you have any questions or opinions about the course, please feel free to let me know.
Talk to you soon,
Kris
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