Tokyo Disney Sea

My friend and I arrived at Tokyo Disney Sea around 4 o'clock. It was as crowded as I thought. We got starlight passports which cost 4,700 yen. First, we were intended to try Actpia, but we waited in a wrong line for Storm Rider. In addition, it took us one and a half hours and so it already got dark outside. I thought it was unworthy having waited for such a long time!! After Storm Rider, we tried Actpia and then Sindbad Story Book Voyage. They were all we tried. However, we totally enjoyed Christmas decorations for a limited time and the atmosphere which was different in each section. Everything in there made us happy and excited. I felt as if I were in a dream world. Especially, Hotel Mira Costa was very attractive for me, so I would like to stay there sometime. Unfortunately, we missed fireworks because of a cloudy sky. I got Teddy bear for myself and a can of cookies for my classmates. I'll bring it to my writing class tomorrow!!

My Neice

My neice is 14 years old and has taken ballet lessons since childhood. She had practiced ballet so hard for these few weeks because she was expected to play a main part at a concert. Actually, today was the day that she appeared on stage. Unfortunately, I couldn't go there because I had a class until after 6pm. Instead, my parents must have been there. So, I'm looking forward to hearing from them about her performance soon.

By the way, I'm going to Disney Sea with my friend after class tomorrow! ! I have never been there, so I'm very exited about it!!

IE#2 News Paper Article Discussion

“2,800 warned on first day of new traffic law”

Written Summary:
On the first date of the enforcement of the new traffic law, nearly 2,800 drivers in Tokyo were warned by the police that it required passengers in back seats to wear seat belts and elderly drivers to display a sign called “Momiji Mark” on their cars to reduce traffic accidents. According to Metropolitan Police Department, there were more than 1,000 cases of people who failed to fasten seat belts and more than 1,500 cases of elderly drivers aged 75 or older who failed to display a sign while driving. If passengers in back seats violate the new law, they are subjected to punishment as follows.
-On express ways -One-point penalty
-On tourist buses or in taxi -Imposing punishment on drivers
-In the case of passengers in pregnancy -They are exempt from punishment.
However, according to National Police Agency, they told officers not to crack down on them strictly during road until this road safety campaign ends because it takes time for the public to get used to the new law.

Opinion Statement:
I think that it is necessary for the elderly aged 75 or older to inform other drivers that they are at the wheel in some way because I have read the article that there is a case in which the elderly suffering from dementia causes accidents.

Discussion Questions:
1. My father aged 76 feels stressed about the new law, but I think it is a necessity. Do you agree or disagree with my opinion. And why?
2. If you have a driver’s license, have you urged passengers in back seats to wear seat belts? If you don’t, have you been asked to wear seat belts when you are in back seats?

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes was one of my favorite movies and was released in 1991. The reason I found this movie so impressive was that I received some significant messages from it. Especially, I was moved by cross-age interaction and real friendship among four women and interracial friendship between white and black in the south of America. However, this movie also led me into knowing the existence of a deep-rooted racial discrimination and of KKK. After I met this movie, I came across two other movies with the same theme. One is "Amistad" and the other is "A time to Kill." Both are much more shocking than Fried Green Tomatoes, but I think they are worth watching. If you are interested in these issues, pls try them out!!

♡♡Die-Die's Birthday♡♡♡

Die-Die came up to 5 on December 13th.
She was like this as usual though...

IE3 News Paper Article Discussion #1

Summary:

With the increase of the nail salons and do-it-yourself nail goods in number, the number of troubles over artificial nails has also increased in nearly a decade. According to officials, some complained that their fingers became infected and swollen using glues for nails. Others suffered from fungus growing in the gap between their artificial and real nails. The officials noted that they occurred due to the lack of warning on nail products about composition and possible dangers and suggested consumers learn the correct way to keep their nails clean and healthy.

Discussion:

1) Are you interested in artificial nails? Do you want to put them on?
2) How do you feel about someone wearing the artificial nails?
3) After you find out that wearing nails has some troubles, would you like to try them on?

Vocabularies:

l Do-it-oneself:　自分でやる
l Adhesive:　接着の
l Fungus:　菌

MY FRIEND'S BABY

After class, I went to Sagamihara to visit my friend's place. Mayumi and I have known each other since junior high school. She had a second baby in September and recently moved from Niigata to Sagamihara. We had a good time chatting for a long time. Her three-year-old daughter was so sweet and her baby boy was so cute as well!! Mayumi looked busy with two children but was cheerful as usual. This is her baby's hand's photo. It's adorable, isn't is!?