http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/rss asako's latest journal entries Lang-8 Inc. Wed Jun 19 13:36:25 UTC 2013 Wed Jun 19 13:36:25 UTC 2013 Lang-8 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Lang-8
I have learned the language when I was in university.

I foung that China is a very interesting and powerful country, so
I really liked studying it.

Unfortunately, I stopped it after my university but I realized if I can

speak Chinese I can talk to 1.3 billion people.

And, I have wanted to be a multi-lingual since I was a university student.


Posted at Wed Aug 08 06:27:06 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1616938 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1616938 asako Wed Aug 08 06:27:06 UTC 2012
我是ASAKO. 我在伦敦读我的修士。

我学过中文五年前，不过我忘了很多单词。

太遗憾了！ 所以我决定了再开始汉语。

我在学习国际开发学，因为我大学生的时候在菲律宾和老挝做自愿者活动。

以前我在化妆品公司工作，所以很多人问我为什么你在学国际开发学呢？

我也喜欢学中文。我有很多中国朋友，他们又亲切又聪明。

我觉得中国是很有兴趣的国家。我想当中国和日本的桥梁。

Posted at Tue Aug 07 23:28:03 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1616507 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1616507 asako Tue Aug 07 23:28:03 UTC 2012 Three years ago, she left Japan and got into an actor's school to be an actor.

She told me how hard foreigners become actors in the big city (of course not only foreigners but natives).

The first reason why it's so hard is the language barrier. Audiences might not care about actors' English so much, but most actors are conscious about their language skills. It's because actors tend to be a perfectionist.

The second is American audiences are better or worse very honest. They clearly criticize actors' performances. It makes performers depressed quite often.

The last is that the styles of performance are different in each country. Broadway shows seek for 'reality', whereas Japanese shows are more likely to pursue to make people happy, which means it's a fake.

I can't say which is better, but the scale of shows between US and Japan is significantly different.

Posted at Mon Jul 16 11:12:07 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1581931 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1581931 asako Mon Jul 16 11:12:07 UTC 2012
Summer solstice is the day that has the longest day-light duration.

At summer solstice day, Finnish people generally prepare seven different flowers and they put the flowers under their pillows when they go to bed.

It is said if they do so they could have a dream of their future husbands or wives.

Needless to say, this is a superstition but I love this romantic story!




Posted at Sat Jun 23 12:40:50 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1544694 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1544694 asako Sat Jun 23 12:40:50 UTC 2012 People think that paying credit card is much more convenient and safer. Practically, the number of cash robbers has decreased from 12 per to 3 per. 
In contrast to Sweden, Japan is still a cash-oriented country. Despite an increase of card users, small local shops have remained to run their businesses without card reading machines. However, sooner or later, such shops will be involved in the card    tide as the society becomes technological. Some people must want to feel the appreciation to cash though. That is because cash makes them think that the money belong to them. 

Posted at Thu Mar 29 05:55:43 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1392507 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1392507 asako Thu Mar 29 05:55:43 UTC 2012
They dare not to say directly like "Do you need help?", instead, they say "Are you ok? If you need help, I will...". They say anything gently even when something emergent is happening.

In this case, I think that British are similar to Japanese.

Even if they don't say clearly, I always accept their help because I need to hustle pumping up tire.

Are British men (also women) educated to be gentle and noble? Or I just have come across gentle men?

Posted at Fri Mar 23 10:54:08 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1379128 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1379128 asako Fri Mar 23 10:54:08 UTC 2012
I studied English hard and saved the tuition fee for three years after finishing my BA.

Finally, I got the chance to learn master of Education and International Development at University of London this year.

I have learned theories about international development such as human capital theory, reproductive health, gender equality and etc.

However, I feel that studying such theories is in vain though it had been my big goal.

I had been feeling uncomfortable and thinking why I feel so for a while.


Posted at Tue Mar 20 13:33:10 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1374287 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1374287 asako Tue Mar 20 13:33:10 UTC 2012
He is a successful professor in Harvard University.

He explains about social justice by using a couple of examples.

For example, you are a respectful mayor in your city.

You have a younger brother, who is a notorious gang.

The younger brother has killed lots of people and he has been wanted for a long time.

One day, police called and asked you where your brother is.

You could guess where he is, but you didn't tell police the truth because your brother is your family.

Is what you did justice or not?

If you were the mayor, can you tell the truth?

If I were him, I would tell police because the brother might kill more people afterward. Also, people who were killed by him must have had their families and friends. They might be in deep sorrow still now.

The brother should know his resposibility and he should compensate for the people he killed.

I thought that thinking about justice is a study only for philosophers.
However, we need to think it through seriously.


Posted at Tue Feb 21 00:34:06 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1325778 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1325778 asako Tue Feb 21 00:34:06 UTC 2012
What energy has a possibility to replace with nuclear?

Which country has technology to produce electric power by using an alternative energy?


Posted at Tue Feb 14 00:13:49 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1314319 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1314319 asako Tue Feb 14 00:13:49 UTC 2012
To be honest, I didn't think English people are open to Asians.

I was wrong. They are very welcoming to Asians. Especially, many people seem to be interested in Japan.

I'm extremely happy because I'm proud of my country.

I found some similarities between English and Japanese.

English people are shy and polite like Japanese.

Both countries are geographically similar so we have in common.

I'm going to search for more similarities. It would make me love this country more.








Posted at Mon Feb 06 00:06:17 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1301024 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1301024 asako Mon Feb 06 00:06:17 UTC 2012
A small piece of paper is distributed to each of us and we write down a very famous person's name on the paper. We can't show the names we wrote to any members there.

We pass it to a person who is sitting down next to us.

And then, all of us put the paper on their foreheads without seeing the names on it.

For example, someone gets a piece of paper which is written "Michael Jackson". The peson becomes Michal, but he doesn't know who he is.

He can ask questions to guess who he is, yet he can only ask close questions such as "Am I American?", "Am I married?" and so on.

If he can guess who he is earlier than other members, he wins.

I don't know if you can understand my explanation.

Let me know this game's name if you know!!



Posted at Sat Feb 04 21:28:30 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1299287 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1299287 asako Sat Feb 04 21:28:30 UTC 2012
Can you perceive the 'sign' from boys or girls??

1. If he/she is looking at you and sending his/her smiles, is this a 'sign'?

2. Despite there are many friends or colleagues around him/her, he/she comes to ask you about his/her work or study. How about this?
I'm not sure too if I can peceive the sign.

What do you think about it?


Posted at Tue Jan 31 00:32:29 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1291621 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1291621 asako Tue Jan 31 00:32:29 UTC 2012
I had wanted to teach Japanese to English people since I came here and I finally found out my students!!!

I first met them when I joined to volunteer last week.

They were my co-workers and they were exactly looking for a Japanese teacher.

Both of them used to live in Japan many years ago, but they didn't have a chance to learn Japanese after coming back to London.

I never imagined that some English people are interested in Japanese.

I'm so happy that they love Japanese culture!

I was planning on earning tuition fee from them, but I changed my mind.

We decided to teach each other because I also want to improve my English and I might feel uncomfortable if I get money from them.

I just want to get along with them.

Clearly, I'm not talented to run my own business....


Posted at Sat Jan 21 21:45:26 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1278299 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1278299 asako Sat Jan 21 21:45:26 UTC 2012
I have been dreaming that I would found my school some day.

Running school is also a kind of business, thus I'm always thinking about how I can create a job by my self.

But, I have not come up with an inconventional idea at all yet.

I posted a flier on the libary's wall a week ago.

I wrote that I teach Japanese in the flier.

Unfortunately, it appears that nobody wants to learn Japanese here.

How conventional way teaching a language is!

I wonder how creative people can hit on amazing ideas.

I should think something differently from others.....


Posted at Sun Jan 15 20:53:20 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1269483 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1269483 asako Sun Jan 15 20:53:20 UTC 2012
That is because there are quite a lot of restaurants for vegans here.

However, I can't understand how people can live without meat and fish because I really like to eat meat, especially chicken and beef.

I guess the people think meat and fish which are sold in supermarkets may be unsafe or they don't like the smell.

They also think only having vegetables and fruits are good for health.

Recently, I read an article a fashion model wrote and she said that meat and fish contains protein and collagen so they are very good for skin.

I don't mean to be a vegetarian so far, but I'm dying to know why people can be vegetarians.




Posted at Fri Jan 13 23:56:32 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1266694 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1266694 asako Fri Jan 13 23:56:32 UTC 2012
It was my first time of visiting the country.

I thought European countries' characteristics are quite similar.

However, Germans are very different from English people.

German people seldom hurry. For example, if people cross roads, cars are sure to stop and give way for pedestrians.

Germans also like natural life.

People can easily buy organic food and cosmetics.

Of course organic products are more expensive than non-organic ones, yet people would rather eat organic food.

Although I like the life style in Germany, it might be difficult for me to live there.

That is because German people are reluctant to speak English.

If I lived in Germany, I would need to learn German.


Posted at Wed Jan 11 00:47:37 UTC 2012
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1262274 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1262274 asako Wed Jan 11 00:47:37 UTC 2012
When I first came to London, he was my class mate. His English exam's score was the same from mine. Yet, he rarely spoke during class and he didn't interact with other class mates. He always looked sensitive and unconfident.

One day, he texted to ask me our class schedule. Actually, our tutor told us the schedule so I asked him why he didn't ask the tutor. He said, I couldn't ask her.

The tutor was worried about whether he can adjust his new life and she finally asked me to be his messenger. She thought that he didn't like her. She also told me that some Japanese boys are terribly sensitive and they tend to interact only with Japanese people.

In the meantime, another Japanese friend of mine, she is very outgoing and easygoing. She can make friends with anybody. Although she doesn't speak English well, she trys to communicate with people. I really respect her. She never gives up expressing herself.

Japanese girls seem to be much stronger than Japanese boys.


Posted at Tue Dec 20 17:16:16 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1234198 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1234198 asako Tue Dec 20 17:16:16 UTC 2011
Her husband is a Islam as well.

When I and my classmates have dinner together, her husband always accompany with her.

To be honest, I sometimes did't want him to come with her because I wanted to enjoy taking only to girls.

However, men from middle east countries generally don't allow his wives to go out alone in the evening. I didn't know it.

Since ever I came to London, I have been surprised to know many cultural differences in the world. I realized that I had lived in a small world for over 20 years.

Sharing cultural differences is a lot of fun!!


Posted at Mon Dec 19 11:40:48 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1232364 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1232364 asako Mon Dec 19 11:40:48 UTC 2011 今日は興味深い論文を読みました。アメリカの心理学者が書いたものです。

The article says that people from Puerto Rico have higher self-esteem than one from the Dominican Republic despite that both countries are located in almost the same position geographically.
プエルトリコとドミニカ共和国からアメリカに来た人達では、地理的に同じような場所から来たのにプエルトリコ人のほうが自己評価が高いという結果が書いてありました。

That is because the skin color of Puerto Ricans is lighter than that of Dominicans, and the formers can speak English better than the latters.(That's why the formers can get a good job).
その原因はプエルトリコ人のほうが肌の色が明るく、よりアメリカ人の近いということと、プエルトリコ人のほうが英語が上手でアメリカでの経済的地位が高いという理由です。

Is that true?
本当でしょうか？

I have never cared my skin color because I was born and brought up in Japan (Japan is a mono-cultural nation).
私は日本で生まれて育って、自分の肌の色なんて気にしたことがありませんでした。

However, I have started being conscious of my race since I came to UK because Asians are a minority here. Besides, of course I can't speak English like native speakers so that I sometimes feel isolated.
でも、イギリスにはアジア人が少ないし、英語はもちろんネイティブのように話せないのでなんだか自分が一人ぼっちのような気がするときがあります。

Although America is said to be 'melting pot', perhaps some people cannot have confidence due to the reason why they were not born in the country.
アメリカが人種のるつぼと言われますが、ある人達はアメリカ生まれではないというだけで自分に自信が持てない人もいるのかもしれません。

A racial issue is very complex.
人種の問題はとても複雑です。


Posted at Wed Nov 09 20:54:08 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1177088 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1177088 asako Wed Nov 09 20:54:08 UTC 2011
今日はランニングクラブの早朝トレーニングに参加する予定でしたが、寝坊して行けませんでした。

I ran four km in the park called Russell Square instead of the training.
その代わりにラッセルスクエアという公園で４キロ走ってきました。


So, it is surprising that British people really like jogging!
それにしても、イギリス人は本当にジョギングが好きですね！

I have seen runners wherever I walk.
どこをあるいていても、走っている人を見かけます。

A British tutor told me that many peopele in this country run during even their lunch time.
イギリス人の先生が、「イギリス人はお昼休みにも走る人が多いよ」と教えてくれました。

She also said that many companies have thier own shower rooms.
それから、多くの会社にシャワー室があるって言ってました。

I thought that jogging is a part of their lives.
ジョギングが生活の一部になっているんですね。

I hope I can make lots of friends who run with me because I love running.
私も走るのが大好きなので、一緒に走ってくれる友達が早くできるといいなぁ。


Posted at Sun Nov 06 11:50:44 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1171687 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1171687 asako Sun Nov 06 11:50:44 UTC 2011

Hello, everyone! I'm in London now. I have learned academic English in Institute of Education to get my master's for two weekes.

みなさん、こんにちは。私は今、ロンドンにいます。２週間前にロンドンに来て、Institute of Educationで修士号を取るために勉強しています。

I had never been to an European country in my life, so I was really nurvous before getting here.
私はヨーロッパに一度も来たことがなかったので、イギリス来る前はとても緊張していました。

Yet, I didn't need to worry about it. I like London so much now because the city is very clean and beautiful.
でも、来てみたら街がすごく綺麗ですぐに好きになりました。

Unfortunately, I'll live here for only a year or more but I want to stay longer.
私は多分１年とちょっとしかイギリスにいられませんが、もっと長くいたいと思っています。

I would like to work with British people if I brush up my English skill.
英語がもっと上手くなったらイギリス人と仕事がしてみたいです。

I can't leave my husband alone. I wish he lived in London as well.
私には旦那さんがいますが、旦那さんもロンドンに来てくれればいいのにな。


Posted at Thu Nov 03 20:43:36 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1168211 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1168211 asako Thu Nov 03 20:43:36 UTC 2011
I enjoyed staying there and learned a lot!

Many people were very surprised to know that I went abroad alone despite that I just got married last May.

Some of them told me how pity he is. I was gonna say "None of your business!", but I didn't.

My dad also said, "If I were your husband, I couldn't let you go alone".

I am a 28-year-old woman, so I can go abroad by myself.
I by no means intend to make everyone understand me, but I often feel uncomfortable.

Do wives have to follow their husband all the time?
Do they need to be with their men all day long?


Posted at Wed Oct 05 14:42:29 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1126555 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1126555 asako Wed Oct 05 14:42:29 UTC 2011
I visited Guimaras Island with my classmates and an English tutor last Sunday. We were tired because we had to focus on studying English on weekdays. Thus, we decided to go to the Island.

We left our dome at nine in the morning, and then we took a boat at a port. We took about 30 minutes to get to Guimaras. Karl, who is our tutor, arranged a jeepny (a kind of vehicle) in the to a beautiful beach. It took 40 minutes to go there. Although we meant to swim in the beach, but there was no shower, we gave up. We just viewed the beautiful scenery and hang around the beach, but we enjoyed the unusual experience in the Island.


I wanted to try some outdoor activities such as Island hopping and scuba diving. However, we couldn’t them because of the condition of the sea. If I have another chance, I’ll definitely challenge such activities.


Posted at Tue Sep 20 13:55:16 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1105739 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1105739 asako Tue Sep 20 13:55:16 UTC 2011
I had changed my style of studying English but I realized that Lang-8 is a very good tool to learn it. So, I'll entry again from now on!

Recently, I decided to go to the Philippines to study English.
I'll leave Japan on Suturday.

I was happy to have enough time to learn English at first, but I have felt lonely and boring in these days.

Thus, my husband suggested that I try to study abroad.
It is tough that much to keep working hard for a long time, so I'll be refreshed in the different surroundings.



Posted at Thu Sep 08 11:57:38 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1089896 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1089896 asako Thu Sep 08 11:57:38 UTC 2011
Do you know about this movie?

This story is that a girl who is interested in only fashion works hard and enters Harvard Law School to start over with her ex-boyfriend.
She faces many obstacles at the school at first, but she overcomes it and grabs her happiness in the end.

Some people might think that this movie is childish and silly, but I love it!

I can forget my trouble and recover from depression after watchiong this film.

It is really easy and convenient way to recover from depression, isn't it?

Posted at Sun Aug 28 07:42:38 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1073169 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1073169 asako Sun Aug 28 07:42:38 UTC 2011
Finally, Miss Universe World Competition will be held in September in Brazil.
遂にミスユニバース世界大会が９月にブラジルで開催されます！

I like watching Miss Universe so much because all contestants are very beautiful.
私はミスユニバースを見るのが大好き！みんなきれいでうっとりします。

This year's Miss Universe Japan is Maria Kamiyama, a 24-year-old lady.
今年の日本代表は神山まりあさん、２４歳です。

Ever since Ines Ligron, who is a national director of Miss Universe Japan came to Japan, Miss Japan has gotten good results.
Kurara Chibana was a runner-up in 2006, Riyo Mori won the best prize in the world in 2007.
イネス・リグロンさんというミスユニバース・ジャパン専属コーチが来日して以来、日本のミスユニバース代表はいい成績を出しています。２００６年は知花くららさんが２位、２００７年は森理世さんが優勝しました。

Ines broke the traditional image of Japanese girls such as "modest" and "smiley", she created new qualities of them, "gorgeous" and "intelligent".
イネスさんは日本人女性の「謙虚」や「微笑み」などのイメージを壊し、新しい日本人女性の「華やかさ」と「知性」という魅力を引き出しました。

I'm not sure that Maria Kamiyama will be able to be a winner on the stage because every applicants are amazing and being talented.
世界の代表者たちはみんなきれいで才能豊かだから、神山さんが優勝できるかわからないけど、

I want to ask all of you to cheer her up!!
みなさんも神山さんを応援して下さいね！


Posted at Tue Aug 23 08:32:36 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1066017 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1066017 asako Tue Aug 23 08:32:36 UTC 2011
The places where I went are a resort city and an onsen (hot spring).
During rest of my summer vacation, I learned English and I was strewn.

I enjoyed a very good summer vacation! I could feel relaxed that much.

It is getting cooler in Tokyo. Summer has gone with my summer holiday.



Posted at Mon Aug 22 06:56:24 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1064259 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1064259 asako Mon Aug 22 06:56:24 UTC 2011
"Glee Project" is one of competition programs on TV in the US.
A winner can appear in "Glee season 3", which is a famous American TV drama as a cast.

40,000 people applied for the competition and only 12 applicants won to the last stage.

This program describes how the last applicants practice performances and what they strive to get the glory.

They are very talented, and they have strong individualities respectively.

As it is said that America is a melting pot, there are many unique people.
I can't believe that a regular person can play a Glee cast.
It's an exact American dream, right??



Posted at Tue Aug 16 07:12:51 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1055915 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1055915 asako Tue Aug 16 07:12:51 UTC 2011
There was a survey about what TOEIC scores Japanese officeworkers who work in a business city, Marunouchi, have in the magazine.

Their average score is 835! This average is quite high.

Furthermore, the highest score is 985, the lowest is 630 in the area.

It may be natural that they have high scores because there are many international corporations in the city.

I was surprised that English skills of the Japanese have become much higher than ten years ago.

English education in Asian countries will be even harder in the near future.






Posted at Fri Aug 12 07:26:27 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1050612 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1050612 asako Fri Aug 12 07:26:27 UTC 2011
In short, English has soooo many vocabularies!!

For example, a meaning of "sometimes" is same from "occasionally", "from time to time", "on and off" and "now and then".

Apparently, many native speakers frequently use "sometimes" in conversation.
I wonder which I should pick out in conversation.

I hear the reason why English has many vocabularies.
That is because English derives from German, French, Latin and other languages.

I cannot tell properly spoken vocabularies from written ones.
Learning English is a lot of fun, anyway!


Posted at Wed Aug 10 07:42:20 UTC 2011
]]> http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1047940 http://lang-8.com/265641/journals/1047940 asako Wed Aug 10 07:42:20 UTC 2011