There's a way.

NHKの英語講座をフル活用した簡単上達法 (祥伝社黄金文庫) (2009/03/10) 川本 佐奈恵 商品詳細を見る

This is a book referring to an incredible method how to keep studying English. The author, Ms Kawamoto, started learning at the age of 32, hoping to achieve something new for her except raising her three children. "I couldn't speak English at all," she said in her book. "When a native speaker asked me where I lived, I had trouble answering his question!" By grace of her strength, however, she has been around as an English teacher lately.
Actually, I've known her for almost 10 years. We both were English learners who listen to in an English program over the radio. Although we didn't see in person, we sometimes exchanged email. As time went by, she started showing great promise as a guide for English learners, and she got some jobs relating to English on the Net.
I know she made an effort and it paid off. I understand that, but I can't help feeling depressed that there isn't any hope of my success. I must admit that learning English is just my pastime. I was very disappointed to hear someone saying that, but what she said is very true. I feel like I've been just spinning my wheels. Oh, you don't bother to tell me this: envy will get us nowhere. I would say this if I were you. I am who I am. I've been studying English just because I love English. I know it's good enough for me, but how can I stop feeling empty?

家庭訪問 ... Katei houmon


My children's teachers visited us one by one after school today. Their visits were called "Katei houmon," and it was one of common occasions at this time of year. Here in Japan, teachers visit each household at the beginning of the first term to get some information about their students' lives or environments. Parents also have a chance to know them through their visit, and it can be a great opportunity for parents to consult teachers about problems, if they have any.

My children's teachers stayed with us for only 20 minutes because they were supposed to visit others. Their visits started with greetings and ended with a small talk, but in any case we could get to know each other through the conversations. I think it'd be a good start for us to raise our children. Seeing in person makes us feel easier to rely on somebody, I guess.



★Looks better!★
Each of my children's teachers visited our home after school today.

Wiiフィット(「バランスWiiボード」同梱) (2007/12/01) Nintendo Wii 商品詳細を見る

Studying English is a lot of fun, but I realize that my lifestyle tends to be sedentary especially when I have to work on some textbooks for some purposes. I used to play basketball and volleyball, but not anymore. I know it'd be wonderful to go outside, but I sometimes find it troublesome. With all this laziness, can't I keep fit? Luckily, I have "Wii Fit" at home. In fact, it helps me a lot! The program has an instructor who encourages me to do exercise. I always feel very refreshed after doing yoga for 30 minutes.


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1) Despite my laziness, can I keep fit somehow?
2) It actually helps me a lot!

I've been listening to some radio English programs for over ten years. I think this is the best way for me to study English, but sometimes I use other textbooks especially when I determine to take an English ability test. In fact, I'm supposed to take the TOEIC test next month. Well, it'd be better to say that "I WAS supposed to take the test." because I've foolishly doublebooked before checking my schedule. In any event, I asked one friend of mine to lend me a textbook and I've been studying with it when I have some time.
I must admit that I'm not good at dealing with the TOEIC test. What makes me exhausted is not only my English abilities but also my carelessness. Even in Japanese conversation, I sometimes lose a staple topic people are talking about, and I need to confirm my comprehension by asking a question. During the test, of course, I have nobody to ask. I have to be all ears!
Every time I deal with the TOEIC test, I tend to lose my confidence about my concentration...

I've been rereading the Harry Potter books. While reading the third book, a question popped up in my head.
"How do the teachers get to Hogwarts School?"

The Hogwarts Express was usually reserved for students and they had never seen an adult there before, except for the witch who pushed the food trolley.

In the third book, Professor Lupin got the train and helped Harry escape from being attacked by horrible creatures: Dementors. Anyone could feel Dementors, J.K.Rowling said. When you get depressed or feel feeble for no reason, they might be hanging around or standing behind you! I don't want them to drain my happiness and hope! When it comes to Professor Lupin, by the way, why did he get the Hogwarts train despite the fact that teachers rarely use it? Did he know what would happen to Harry in the train beforehand? Umm...

I had an interesting dream the other day. In my dream, I spoke with the Hollywood stars: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz. I can't remember whether we spoke English or not, but I had no trouble communicating with them. I wish it could be true...

Because I thought I was ready, I applied to take an English test called "TOEIC" for the first time in three years. Right after sending my application form through the Internet, I paid for it.
"Okay, then. I have a month to prepare," I thought. Unfortunately, what I'd done was a huge mistake. To be exact, I was NOT ready for the test at all!
I went to my children's school today, and it turned out that their sports day this year was scheduled on the exact same day of the TOEIC test! That is, since I don't have a twin, I'll have to give up participating in one of those exciting events. What should I do with this? Well, I must gather my senses. As a mother, it seems that I need to forget about taking the test. Having said that, I've already paid for the test! How stupid I am, applying for the test without confirming my children's schedule! To make matters worse, I never be able to have my money refunded as contracted.
I am a poor stay-at-home mother, so I don't want to think about confessing my fault to my husband now....


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To make matters worse, I would never be able to have my money refunded according to the contract.

We had an English workshop today; I was so excited to see my friends. It's been a while since I last spoke with an English native speaker. In no time after attending the workshop, oh, my, I found my English a little bit rusty.
During our children's spring break, my friends and I tried to find some time to study English together; however, it seems to me that there was a slight difference between chatting with Japanese friends and speaking to native speakers --- even if we spoke only English. During today's workshop, I sometimes had to give up expressing my thoughts clearly because of my miserably poor vocabularies.
Well, well, well. I must admit that I need to practice speaking more.

Yesterday was a rainy day, but my son looked very happy playing baseball with his teammates. Like father, like son: he likes baseball very much. He had been wanting to have an opportunity to play baseball for a long time, so he was quite excited to hear my husband say "Go for it!" the other day.
I'm a person who needs to be a soccer mom. I used to dislike baseball because my father always watched baseball games on TV and it led us to give up some interesting TV program. However, being a mother of a young boy, I feel very happy to see him playing baseball.

Yesterday was very fine day, so my family went for a picnic with our lunch boxes again. We had a lovely time at a park named "Mo-mo land." "Mo-mo" refers to the sound made by a cow in Japanese. This park was like a big farm; the visiters could milk and feed the animals. This place was located on the top of a hill, so the view from its belvedere was spectacular! While hanging around, I found some beautiful flowers.

One of my friends kindly invited me to her English workshop. Our mutual friend was supposed to be there as well. Ordinarily, I use my car to go anywhere, but today I went to her place by bicycle for a change. Warm air and soft breeze, It was very refreshing on my way to her place. However, there weren't only good things.
Firstly, I got lost completely after 30-minutes-riding even thought I'd visited her before. I thought I went too far, so I ended up making a phone call and asked her, "Where am I?"
Secondly, while cycling, I was yelled by a woman because I was riding my bicycle on the right side of the road. I should have been on the left side. I was well aware of that, I just wasn't thinking...
In any event, after getting to her place, I spent a wonderful time with my friends. Studying with my friends is always fun no matter how much I struggle with my poor English.

What does "twilight" mean? My dictionary says it means "the small amount of light in the sky as the day ends." It also says it has another meaning of "being strange and mysterious."
I went to see a movie called "Twilight" today. This is a story about a love between a young girl and a vampire. They fell in love, but the young vampire had trouble stopping himself from sucking her blood by bitting her neck. She realized what he was and how dangerous she would be in, but she couldn't help but see him because she loved him so much.
I find it very interesting that young couples from totally different backgrounds attract each other, but I suppose the plot seems to have something to reach people's mind. I don't know what it is, though...


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how much danger she would be in, but she couldn't help but continue to see him

Lost: Complete Fourth Season (6pc) [DVD] [Import] (2008/12/09) Naveen AndrewsHenry Ian Cusick 商品詳細を見る

I've just finished watching the newest season of "LOST" today. I, who love mysterious things, totally enjoyed it. My husband does as well. I must admit that my husband and I rarely have something in common, but we both have been very interested in what's happening in the story. It seems that we could have another season for this TV drama. I can't wait!


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I, a person that loves mysterious things, really enjoyed this program.

I went to a zoo with my children yesterday. During wandering around, my daughter called me over and asked me in a loud voice, "Mom, isn't Hedwig a female owl?" Hedwig is an owl in the Harry Potter books, and this large snowy owl must be a female owl because there are descriptions in the story. However, we happened to find a sign in front of a cage of owls. It said...




Male owls are snowy, but female ones are dapple.


...Is it true? If it's true, that is, Hedwig, whose feathers are completely snowy, must be a male owl. There might be some differences between owls in Muggle world and those in Harry's world, but for now I don't have the right answer for my daughter's question...


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While wandering around, ....

Spring has finally come. Now we can see truly lovely cherry blossoms here and there. During this time of year, people go on a picnic to see wonderful views under the sun, and sometimes under the moon. They get together around cherry trees and eat, drink, sing and chat. I've heard that this custom called Hanami used to be a rite of appreciation to gods, but today's one seem to me that one of reasons, or excuses, for people to drink in public.